Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in. New Living Translation God sits above the circle of the earth. The people below seem like grasshoppers to him! He spreads out the heavens like a curtain and makes his tent from them. English Standard Version It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in; Berean Standard Bible He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth; its dwellers are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. Berean Literal Bible He is sitting above the circle of the earth, and its dwellers are like grasshoppers; He stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and He spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. King James Bible It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in: New King James Version It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. New American Standard Bible It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain And spreads them out like a tent to live in. NASB 1995 It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. NASB 1977 It is He who sits above the vault of the earth, And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. Legacy Standard Bible It is He who inhabits above the circle of the earth, And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; It is He who stretches out the heavens like a curtain And spreads them out like a tent to inhabit. Amplified Bible It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; [It is He] who stretches out the heavens like a veil And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. Berean Annotated Bible He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth; its dwellers are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. Christian Standard Bible God is enthroned above the circle of the earth; its inhabitants are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like thin cloth and spreads them out like a tent to live in. Holman Christian Standard Bible God is enthroned above the circle of the earth; its inhabitants are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like thin cloth and spreads them out like a tent to live in. American Standard Version It is he that sitteth above the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in; Contemporary English Version God is the one who rules the whole earth, and we that live here are merely insects. He spread out the heavens like a curtain or an open tent. English Revised Version It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in: GOD'S WORD® Translation God is enthroned above the earth, and those who live on it are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the sky like a canopy and spreads it out like a tent to live in. Good News Translation It was made by the one who sits on his throne above the earth and beyond the sky; the people below look as tiny as ants. He stretched out the sky like a curtain, like a tent in which to live. International Standard Version He's the one who sits above the disk of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers. He's the one who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to live in, NET Bible He is the one who sits on the earth's horizon; its inhabitants are like grasshoppers before him. He is the one who stretches out the sky like a thin curtain, and spreads it out like a pitched tent. New Heart English Bible It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in; Webster's Bible Translation It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in: Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleHe sits enthroned above the circle of the earth; its dwellers are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. World English Bible It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in, Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionHe who is sitting on the circle of the earth, "" And its inhabitants [are] as grasshoppers, "" He who is stretching out the heavens as a thin thing, "" And spreads them as a tent to dwell in. Berean Literal Bible He is sitting above the circle of the earth, and its dwellers are like grasshoppers; He stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and He spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. Young's Literal Translation He who is sitting on the circle of the earth, And its inhabitants are as grasshoppers, He who is stretching out as a thin thing the heavens, And spreadeth them as a tent to dwell in. Smith's Literal Translation He sitting upon the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants as locusts; he stretching out the heavens as fine cloth, and he will extend them as a tent to dwell in: Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleIt is he that sitteth upon the globe of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as locusts: he that stretcheth out the heavens as nothing, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in. Catholic Public Domain Version He is the One who sits upon the globe of the earth, and its inhabitants are like locusts. He extends the heavens as if they were nothing, and he spreads them out like a tent, in which to dwell. New American Bible The one who is enthroned above the vault of the earth, its inhabitants like grasshoppers, Who stretches out the heavens like a veil and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in, New Revised Standard Version It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to live in; Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleIt is he who sits upon the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens as a curtain and spreads them as a tent to dwell in; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And him who sits on the sphere of The Earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretched out the Heavens like a vaulted bowl, and stretched them out as a tent for a dwelling OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917It is He that sitteth above the circle of the earth, And the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; That stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, And spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in; Brenton Septuagint Translation It is he that comprehends the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants in it are as grasshoppers; he that set up the heaven as a chamber, and stretched it out as a tent to dwell in: Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Here is Your God!…21Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been declared to you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the foundation of the earth? 22He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth; its dwellers are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. 23He brings the princes to nothing and makes the rulers of the earth meaningless.… Cross References He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth; Isaiah 66:1 This is what the LORD says: “Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me? Or where will My place of repose be? Psalm 103:19 The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all. Psalm 97:9 For You, O LORD, are Most High over all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods. its dwellers are like grasshoppers. Numbers 13:33 We even saw the Nephilim there—the descendants of Anak that come from the Nephilim! We seemed like grasshoppers in our own sight, and we must have seemed the same to them!” Psalm 8:4 what is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him? Daniel 4:35 All the peoples of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’” He stretches out the heavens like a curtain, Job 9:8 He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea. Jeremiah 51:15 The LORD made the earth by His power; He established the world by His wisdom and stretched out the heavens by His understanding. Isaiah 42:5 This is what God the LORD says—He who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and its offspring, who gives breath to the people on it and life to those who walk in it: and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. Psalm 104:2 He wraps Himself in light as with a garment; He stretches out the heavens like a tent, Psalm 61:4 Let me dwell in Your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of Your wings. Selah Psalm 27:5 For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter; He will conceal me under the cover of His tent; He will set me high upon a rock. Job 26:7-10 He stretches out the north over empty space; He hangs the earth upon nothing. / He wraps up the waters in His clouds, yet the clouds do not burst under their own weight. / He covers the face of the full moon, spreading over it His cloud. … Proverbs 8:27-29 I was there when He established the heavens, when He inscribed a circle on the face of the deep, / when He established the clouds above, when the fountains of the deep gushed forth, / when He set a boundary for the sea, so that the waters would not surpass His command, when He marked out the foundations of the earth. Genesis 1:1-2 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. / Now the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Psalm 33:6-9 By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and all the stars by the breath of His mouth. / He piles up the waters of the sea; He puts the depths into storehouses. / Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere Him. … Treasury of Scripture It is he that sits on the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretches out the heavens as a curtain, and spreads them out as a tent to dwell in: it is he that sitteth. Isaiah 19:1 The burden of Egypt. Behold, the LORD rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it. Isaiah 66:1 Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? Psalm 2:4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. the inhabitants Isaiah 40:15,17 Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing… Numbers 13:33 And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight. stretcheth Isaiah 42:5 Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: Isaiah 44:24 Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself; Isaiah 51:13 And forgettest the LORD thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor? as a curtain. Jump to Previous Arch Canopy Circle Curtain Dwell Earth Enthroned Gauze Grasshoppers Heavens Inhabitants Live Ready Seated Sits Sitteth Sitting Small Spreadeth Spreads Stretched Stretches Stretcheth Stretching Tent Thereof ThinJump to Next Arch Canopy Circle Curtain Dwell Earth Enthroned Gauze Grasshoppers Heavens Inhabitants Live Ready Seated Sits Sitteth Sitting Small Spreadeth Spreads Stretched Stretches Stretcheth Stretching Tent Thereof ThinIsaiah 40 1. The promulgation of the Gospel3. The preaching of John Baptist foretold 9. The preaching of the apostles foretold 12. The prophet, by the omnipotence of God 18. And his incomparableness 26. Comforts the people. He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth; This phrase emphasizes God's sovereignty and transcendence. The imagery of God sitting enthroned suggests His supreme authority and governance over creation. The "circle of the earth" can be understood as a reference to the earth's horizon or the dome of the sky, indicating God's omnipresence and omniscience. This aligns with other biblical passages that describe God's dominion over the earth, such as Psalm 103:19, which states, "The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all." The concept of God being above the earth also reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding of the cosmos, where deities were often depicted as residing above the earthly realm. its dwellers are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. Persons / Places / Events 1. GodThe central figure in this verse, depicted as sovereign and majestic, sitting enthroned above the earth. 2. The Earth Described as a "circle," indicating its vastness and the perspective of God over creation. 3. The Inhabitants Referred to as "grasshoppers," illustrating the smallness and insignificance of humans in comparison to God's greatness. 4. The Heavens Stretched out by God like a curtain, symbolizing His creative power and authority over the universe. 5. Isaiah The prophet who conveyed this message, providing comfort and assurance of God's sovereignty to the people of Israel. Teaching Points God's SovereigntyRecognize that God is sovereign over all creation. He is enthroned above the earth, and nothing is beyond His control. Human Perspective Understand our place in creation. We are like grasshoppers, small and dependent on God's grace and provision. Creation's Majesty Appreciate the beauty and order of creation as a reflection of God's power and creativity. Trust in God's Plan Trust that the God who stretches out the heavens has a plan and purpose for each of us, even when we cannot see it. Worship and Awe Respond to God's majesty with worship and awe, acknowledging His greatness and our need for Him. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Isaiah 40:22?2. How does Isaiah 40:22 emphasize God's sovereignty over the earth's inhabitants? 3. What does "He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth" signify? 4. How can Isaiah 40:22 deepen our understanding of God's creation in Genesis? 5. How should Isaiah 40:22 influence our view of God's authority in daily life? 6. In what ways can we apply God's omnipotence from Isaiah 40:22 to our faith? 7. Does Isaiah 40:22 support the idea of a spherical Earth? 8. How does Isaiah 40:22 describe God's relationship with creation? 9. What is the significance of "the circle of the earth" in Isaiah 40:22? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 40? 11. Isaiah 40:22: Does this “circle of the earth” imply a flat Earth or a sphere, and how can we be sure of the ancient writer’s intended meaning? 12. What does redshift mean? 13. How does the expansion of the universe contradict biblical cosmology? 14. How does “stretching out the heavens like a tent” (Psalm 104:2) align with modern cosmological understanding? What Does Isaiah 40:22 Mean He sits enthroned above the circle of the earthIsaiah 40:22 opens with, “He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth …”. • Picture God high above His creation, ruling with undisputed authority (Psalm 103:19; Isaiah 66:1). • “Circle” reminds us that the earth is a complete, ordered sphere under His gaze; nothing escapes His notice (Proverbs 15:3; Job 28:24). • Because He is enthroned, His decrees stand firm; human rulers rise and fall, but His throne is eternal (Psalm 29:10; Daniel 4:34-35). Its dwellers are like grasshoppers “… and its dwellers are like grasshoppers …”. • From God’s vantage point, the mightiest nations appear small and fragile (Psalm 33:10-11). • The imagery recalls Numbers 13:33, where Israel felt as “grasshoppers” before giants; here God turns the comparison on every human power. • This humbling perspective encourages trust in the Lord rather than in human strength (Psalm 146:3-5; 1 Peter 5:6-7). He stretches out the heavens like a curtain “… He stretches out the heavens like a curtain …”. • Creation is portrayed as effortless for God, as simple as drawing drapes across a window (Genesis 1:1; Jeremiah 10:12). • The same image appears in Psalm 104:2, linking God’s majesty to the vast expanse of sky and universe. • Mentioning the heavens underscores His limitless power and the ordered beauty He establishes (Nehemiah 9:6; Romans 1:20). And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in “… and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.”. • A tent is a place of shelter; God fashions the cosmos as a dwelling for humanity, displaying both care and sovereignty (Acts 17:24-28). • The language hints at God’s desire to be present with His people—later fulfilled supremely when “the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us” (John 1:14). • By likening the heavens to a tent, Scripture shows creation’s temporary nature compared with the eternal Creator (Hebrews 1:10-12; 2 Peter 3:10-13). summary Isaiah 40:22 paints a sweeping portrait of God’s supremacy: He reigns above the whole earth, sees every inhabitant, creates and sustains the vast heavens with ease, and designs the universe as a habitation for life. The verse calls us to humble awe, confident trust, and wholehearted worship of the One whose throne, vision, power, and care know no limits. (22) The circle of the earth--i.e., the vault of heaven over-arching the earth (Job 22:14; Proverbs 8:27).As grasshoppers.--The word indicates some insect of the locust tribe. The comparison may have been suggested by Numbers 13:33. That stretcheth out the heavens.--A favourite phrase of 2 Isaiah (Isaiah 42:5, Isaiah 44:24, et al.), taken probably from Psalm 104:2. . . . Verse 22. - It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth; rather, above the vault of the earth; above the vault of sky which seems to arch over the earth. As grasshoppers; i.e. minute, scarcely visible (comp. Numbers 13:33). That stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain. So in Psalm 104:2, only that here the "curtain" is represented as one of thin gauze. The idea is common to Isaiah with Job (Job 9:8), Jeremiah (Jeremiah 10:12; Jeremiah 51:15), and Zechariah (Zechariah 12:1), and is a favourite one in these later chapters (comp. Isaiah 42:5; Isaiah 44:24; Isaiah 45:12; Isaiah 51:13). As a tent (comp. Psalm 19:4, where God is said to have set in the heavens a "tabernacle" - 'ohel, the word used here - for the sun).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew He sits enthronedהַיֹּשֵׁב֙ (hay·yō·šêḇ) Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry above עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against the circle ח֣וּג (ḥūḡ) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 2329: Vault, horizon of the earth; הָאָ֔רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 776: Earth, land its dwellers וְיֹשְׁבֶ֖יהָ (wə·yō·šə·ḇe·hā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry are like grasshoppers. כַּחֲגָבִ֑ים (ka·ḥă·ḡā·ḇîm) Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 2284: Locust, grasshopper He stretches out הַנּוֹטֶ֤ה (han·nō·w·ṭeh) Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 5186: To stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend the heavens שָׁמַ֔יִם (šā·ma·yim) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky like a curtain, כַדֹּק֙ (ḵad·dōq) Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1852: Something crumbling, fine and spreads them out וַיִּמְתָּחֵ֥ם (way·yim·tā·ḥêm) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural Strong's 4969: To stretch out like a tent כָּאֹ֖הֶל (kā·’ō·hel) Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 168: A tent to live in. לָשָֽׁבֶת׃ (lā·šā·ḇeṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry Links Isaiah 40:22 NIVIsaiah 40:22 NLT Isaiah 40:22 ESV Isaiah 40:22 NASB Isaiah 40:22 KJV Isaiah 40:22 BibleApps.com Isaiah 40:22 Biblia Paralela Isaiah 40:22 Chinese Bible Isaiah 40:22 French Bible Isaiah 40:22 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Isaiah 40:22 It is he who sits above (Isa Isi Is) |
    |