Isaiah 40:16 Meaning and Explanation
“And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →All the timber and animals in the world are insufficient to offer as an adequate sacrifice to God.
The Context of Isaiah 40:16
All created wealth is insufficient to offer to God.
What Does Isaiah 40:16 Mean?
Lebanon was famous for its vast cedar forests and abundant wildlife. Yet even all of Lebanon's resources—all its timber (for offering), all its animals (for sacrifice)—are not enough to create a burnt offering worthy of God's magnitude. The comparison illustrates the impossibility of any created thing offering adequate homage to the Creator.
This verse deepens the humiliation of the previous verses. Not only are nations like dust, but all their wealth and resources combined could not match the dignity and infinitude of the One to whom they belong. It affirms that humans cannot earn or purchase their way into God's favor; only His grace can restore relationship.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 40:16
What does Isaiah 40:16 mean?
All the timber and animals in the world are insufficient to offer as an adequate sacrifice to God.
What is the context of Isaiah 40:16?
All created wealth is insufficient to offer to God.