Isa 40:18, 20, 41:29 | JFB | e4.org | 18. Which of the heathen idols, then, is to be compared to this Almighty God? This passage, if not written (as BARNES thinks) so late as the idolatrous times of Manasseh, has at least a prospective warning reference to them and subsequent reigns; the result of the chastisement of Jewish idolatry in the Babylonish captivity was that thenceforth after the restoration the Jews never fell into it. Perhaps these prophecies here may have tended to that result (see ).

‏ Isaiah 40:18

18. Which of the heathen idols, then, is to be compared to this Almighty God? This passage, if not written (as BARNES thinks) so late as the idolatrous times of Manasseh, has at least a prospective warning reference to them and subsequent reigns; the result of the chastisement of Jewish idolatry in the Babylonish captivity was that thenceforth after the restoration the Jews never fell into it. Perhaps these prophecies here may have tended to that result (see 2Ki 23:26, 27).

‏ Isaiah 40:20

20. impoverished—literally, "sunk" in circumstances.

no oblation—he who cannot afford to overlay his idol with gold and silver (Isa 40:19).

tree . . . not rot—the cedar, cypress, oak, or ash (Isa 44:14).

graven—of wood; not a molten one of metal.

not be moved—that shall be durable.

‏ Isaiah 41:29

29. confusion—"emptiness" [BARNES].