Isaiah 46:5
New International Version
“With whom will you compare me or count me equal? To whom will you liken me that we may be compared?

New Living Translation
“To whom will you compare me? Who is my equal?

English Standard Version
“To whom will you liken me and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be alike?

Berean Standard Bible
To whom will you liken Me or count Me equal? To whom will you compare Me, that we should be alike?

King James Bible
To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?

New King James Version
“To whom will you liken Me, and make Me equal And compare Me, that we should be alike?

New American Standard Bible
“To whom would you liken Me And make Me equal, and compare Me, That we would be alike?

NASB 1995
“To whom would you liken Me And make Me equal and compare Me, That we would be alike?

NASB 1977
“To whom would you liken Me, And make Me equal and compare Me, That we should be alike?

Legacy Standard Bible
“To whom would you liken Me And make Me equal and compare Me, That we would be alike?

Amplified Bible
“To whom would you liken Me And make Me equal and compare Me, That we may be alike?

Christian Standard Bible
“To whom will you compare me or make me equal? Who will you measure me with, so that we should be like each other?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Who will you compare Me or make Me equal to? Who will you measure Me with, so that we should be like each other?

American Standard Version
To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?

Contemporary English Version
Can anyone compare with me? Is anyone my equal?

English Revised Version
To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
To whom will you compare me and make me equal? To whom will you compare me so that we can be alike?

Good News Translation
"To whom will you compare me?" says the LORD. "Is there anyone else like me?

International Standard Version
"To whom will you compare me, count me equal, or liken me, so that I may be compared?

Majority Standard Bible
To whom will you liken Me or count Me equal? To whom will you compare Me, that we should be alike?

NET Bible
To whom can you compare and liken me? Tell me whom you think I resemble, so we can be compared!

New Heart English Bible
"To whom will you liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?

Webster's Bible Translation
To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?

World English Bible
“To whom will you compare me, and consider my equal, and compare me, as if we were the same?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
To whom do you liken Me, and make equal? And compare Me, that we may be like?

Young's Literal Translation
To whom do ye liken Me, and make equal? And compare Me, that we may be like?

Smith's Literal Translation
To whom will ye liken me and make equal? and compare me and we shall be like?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
To whom have you likened me, and made me equal, and compared me, and made me like?

Catholic Public Domain Version
To whom would you likened me, or equate me, or compare me, or consider me to be similar?

New American Bible
To whom would you liken me as an equal, compare me, as though we were alike?

New Revised Standard Version
To whom will you liken me and make me equal, and compare me, as though we were alike?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
To whom will you liken me and make me equal and compare me, that we may be alike?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
To whom have you compared me and have made me equal?
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
To whom will ye liken Me, and make Me equal, And compare Me, that we may be like?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
To whom have ye compared me? see, consider, ye that go astray.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Babylon's Idols
4Even to your old age, I will be the same, and I will bear you up when you turn gray. I have made you, and I will carry you; I will sustain you and deliver you. 5To whom will you liken Me or count Me equal? To whom will you compare Me, that we should be alike? 6They pour out their bags of gold and weigh out silver on scales; they hire a goldsmith to fashion it into a god, so they can bow down and worship.…

Cross References
Isaiah 40:18
To whom will you liken God? To what image will you compare Him?

Isaiah 44:7
Who then is like Me? Let him say so! Let him declare his case before Me, since I established an ancient people. Let him foretell the things to come, and what is to take place.

Isaiah 45:21
Speak up and present your case—yes, let them take counsel together. Who foretold this long ago? Who announced it from ancient times? Was it not I, the LORD? There is no other God but Me, a righteous God and Savior; there is none but Me.

Deuteronomy 4:35
You were shown these things so that you would know that the LORD is God; there is no other besides Him.

Deuteronomy 4:39
Know therefore this day and take to heart that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below; there is no other.

Psalm 86:8
O Lord, there is none like You among the gods, nor any works like Yours.

Psalm 89:6
For who in the skies can compare with the LORD? Who among the heavenly beings is like the LORD?

Jeremiah 10:6-7
There is none like You, O LORD. You are great, and Your name is mighty in power. / Who would not fear You, O King of nations? This is Your due. For among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like You.

Jeremiah 10:16
The Portion of Jacob is not like these, for He is the Maker of all things, and Israel is the tribe of His inheritance—the LORD of Hosts is His name.

Exodus 15:11
Who among the gods is like You, O LORD? Who is like You—majestic in holiness, revered with praises, performing wonders?

1 Samuel 2:2
There is no one holy like the LORD. Indeed, there is no one besides You! And there is no Rock like our God.

1 Kings 8:23
and said: “O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like You in heaven above or on earth below, keeping Your covenant of loving devotion with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts.

Micah 7:18
Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance—who does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in loving devotion?

Acts 17:29
Therefore, being offspring of God, we should not think that the Divine Being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by man’s skill and imagination.

Romans 11:34
“Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?”


Treasury of Scripture

To whom will you liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?

Isaiah 40:18,25
To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him? …

Exodus 15:11
Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?

Psalm 86:8
Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works.

Jump to Previous
Alike Compare Compared Comparison Count Equal Eyes Liken
Jump to Next
Alike Compare Compared Comparison Count Equal Eyes Liken
Isaiah 46
1. The idols of Babylon could not save themselves
3. God saves his people to the end
5. Idols are not comparable to God for power
12. Or present salvation.














To whom
This phrase invites the reader to consider the uniqueness of God. In the Hebrew text, the word used is "לְמִי" (lemi), which is a direct call to the audience to reflect on the incomparable nature of God. Historically, the Israelites were surrounded by nations with numerous deities, each with their own attributes and stories. This rhetorical question challenges the audience to recognize that no other being or idol can be equated with the God of Israel, emphasizing His singularity and supremacy.

will you liken Me
The Hebrew root for "liken" is "דָּמָה" (damah), which means to compare or resemble. This word underscores the futility of trying to find a parallel to God. In the ancient Near Eastern context, gods were often depicted in human or animal forms, but the God of Israel transcends these physical representations. This phrase calls believers to acknowledge that God's essence and power are beyond human comprehension and representation.

or count Me equal?
The concept of equality here, derived from the Hebrew "תְּשַׁוּ" (teshavvu), implies a balance or equivalence. In the context of Isaiah, this challenges the prevailing polytheistic beliefs where gods were often seen as having specific domains or powers. The God of Israel, however, is portrayed as all-encompassing and sovereign over all creation, making any notion of equality with other gods or idols impossible.

To whom will you compare Me
The repetition of the challenge to compare God serves to reinforce His unparalleled nature. The Hebrew "תַּמְשִׁילוּנִי" (tamshiluni) suggests setting something side by side for comparison. This rhetorical device is used to highlight the absurdity of placing any idol or deity on the same level as the Creator. It serves as a reminder of the covenant relationship between God and His people, where He is the ultimate authority and source of life.

that we should be alike?
The phrase "that we should be alike" concludes the verse with a powerful assertion of God's distinctiveness. The Hebrew "נִדְמֶה" (nidmeh) implies a likeness or similarity. In the cultural and religious milieu of the time, where syncretism was common, this statement is a clear declaration of monotheism. It calls the faithful to reject any form of idolatry or syncretism and to worship God in His true, unmatchable form.

(5) To whom will ye liken me?--The argument against idolatry is renewed in nearly its old form (Isaiah 40:18-25; Isaiah 44:9-17). The fate of Bel and Nebo is urged against those who thought that they might worship Jehovah as those deities had been worshipped. Such had been the sin of the calves at Bethel and at Dan. Like it had been the act of Israel when it had carried the ark into battle against the Philistines (1Samuel 4:5).

Verse 5. - To whom will ye liken me? (comp. Isaiah 40:18.) Am I to be likened to the idols of Babylon? Will you make images of me? Bethink you what the very nature of an idol is how contrary to my nature! My idol would be no more capable of helping itself or others than the images of Nebo or Bel-Merodach.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
To whom
לְמִ֥י (lə·mî)
Preposition-l | Interrogative
Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix

will you liken Me
תְדַמְי֖וּנִי (ṯə·ḏam·yū·nî)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine plural | first person common singular
Strong's 1819: To compare, to resemble, liken, consider

or count Me equal?
וְתַשְׁו֑וּ (wə·ṯaš·wū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 7737: To level, equalize, to resemble, to adjust

To whom will you compare Me,
וְתַמְשִׁל֖וּנִי (wə·ṯam·ši·lū·nî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive imperfect - second person masculine plural | first person common singular
Strong's 4911: To liken, to use, language, in, to resemble

that we should be alike?
וְנִדְמֶֽה׃ (wə·niḏ·meh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - first person common plural
Strong's 1819: To compare, to resemble, liken, consider


Links
Isaiah 46:5 NIV
Isaiah 46:5 NLT
Isaiah 46:5 ESV
Isaiah 46:5 NASB
Isaiah 46:5 KJV

Isaiah 46:5 BibleApps.com
Isaiah 46:5 Biblia Paralela
Isaiah 46:5 Chinese Bible
Isaiah 46:5 French Bible
Isaiah 46:5 Catholic Bible

OT Prophets: Isaiah 46:5 To whom will you liken me (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 46:4
Top of Page
Top of Page