Isaiah 40:26 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.

Bringeth out their host by number - image from a general reviewing his army. He is Lord of Sabaoth-the heavenly hosts (Job 38:32).

Calleth them all by names. Numerous as the stars are, God knows each in all its distinguishing characteristics (a sense which 'name' often bears in Scripture). So (Genesis 2:19-20) Adam, as God's vicegerent, called the beasts by name - i:e., characterized them by their several qualities, which, indeed, He has imparted.

By the greatness of his might, for that (he is) strong in power; not one faileth - or 'by reason of abundance of (their inner essential) force and firmness of strength, not one of them is driven astray;' referring to the sufficiency of the physical forces with which He has endowed the heavenly bodies to prevent all disorder in their motions (Horsley). I prefer the English version. The sense is, 'He has endowed them with their special attributes ("name") by the greatness of His might,' and the power of His strength (the better rendering, instead of, "for that He is strong"). 'Not one (literally, not a man, or individual of them, they being personified as soldiers of a great army) fails' to present himself at Yahweh's call. All the stars rise at His command. Compare Isaiah 34:15.

Isaiah 40:26

26 Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.