Have you not known? have you not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, faints not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
thou hast known
Jeremiah 4:22 For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.
Mark 8:17,18 And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened? …
Mark 9:19 He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.
the everlasting
Isaiah 57:15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
Genesis 21:33 And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God.
Deuteronomy 33:27 The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.
the ends
Isaiah 45:22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.
Isaiah 59:1 Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
1 Samuel 2:10 The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.
fainteth
Isaiah 66:9 Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God.
Psalm 138:8 The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.
John 5:17 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.
no searching
Isaiah 55:8,9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD…
Psalm 139:6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
Psalm 147:5 Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.
The LORD is the everlasting God,
This affirms God's eternal nature, contrasting with the temporal nature of human life and the idols worshiped by surrounding nations. The term "everlasting" underscores God's unchanging and infinite existence, as seen in Psalm 90:2, which speaks of God being from everlasting to everlasting.
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
This highlights God's sovereignty and omnipotence, affirming that He is the Creator of all things, not just Israel. It reflects the Genesis account of creation, where God is depicted as the originator of the universe. This also serves as a reminder of God's power over all nations and territories, reinforcing His authority and control over the entire earth.
He will not grow tired or weary;
This phrase emphasizes God's inexhaustible strength and energy, contrasting with human frailty. Unlike humans, who experience fatigue, God is depicted as perpetually active and powerful. This is echoed in Psalm 121:4, which states that God neither slumbers nor sleeps, ensuring His constant vigilance and care.
His understanding is beyond searching out.
This speaks to the infinite wisdom and knowledge of God, which surpasses human comprehension. It aligns with Romans 11:33, where Paul marvels at the depth of God's wisdom and knowledge. This phrase reassures believers of God's perfect understanding and His ability to govern the universe with justice and righteousness, even when His ways are beyond human understanding.
Isaiah opens with a loving but firm reminder that God’s character is already evident. Creation itself proclaims His reality (Romans 1:19-20) and history testifies to His works (Psalm 77:11-14). The question is meant to shake complacency: we are accountable for the truth we’ve been shown. Like the psalmist who declares, “Taste and see that the LORD is good” (Psalm 34:8), Isaiah expects the reader to lean on what is already known, not grope in uncertainty.
Truth has also been proclaimed audibly—through prophets, priests, and Scriptures read aloud in Israel’s gatherings (Deuteronomy 6:4-7; Nehemiah 8:1-8). “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). The issue, then, is not whether God has spoken but whether His people have been listening attentively and believing what they’ve heard.
Here Isaiah names the covenant God—YHWH—who is eternal. Before the mountains were born, “from everlasting to everlasting You are God” (Psalm 90:2). He precedes time, outlasts time, and rules over time (Revelation 1:8). Because He is everlasting, His promises never expire (Numbers 23:19), and His covenant love remains steady even when human faithfulness falters (Lamentations 3:22-23).
Isaiah anchors hope in the One who spoke galaxies into being (Genesis 1:1). From the remotest “ends of the earth” (Psalm 46:9) to the smallest detail of life (Matthew 10:29-31), nothing lies outside His jurisdiction. When Jeremiah marveled, “Ah, Lord GOD… nothing is too difficult for You” (Jeremiah 32:17), he echoed this same truth: the Maker of all can handle all.
Unlike humans who reach the limits of endurance, God’s energy is inexhaustible. “Indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:4). Elijah mocked powerless idols that “must be asleep” (1 Kings 18:27), but Israel’s God never dozes. Therefore His people can rest, knowing the world is not upheld by their strength but by His (Colossians 1:17).
God’s wisdom is unfathomable (Job 36:26; Romans 11:33). He sees the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10) and threads every detail into His sovereign plan. When life looks tangled, remembering His limitless insight breeds humility and peace: “Great is our Lord and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit” (Psalm 147:5).
Isaiah 40:28 pulls discouraged hearts back to the bedrock truths they already know and have heard: the LORD is the eternal, all-powerful, all-wise Creator. He never tires, never relinquishes control, and never miscalculates. Confidence and endurance flow from fixing our eyes on Him rather than our circumstances, trusting the timeless God who sustains everything by His unstoppable power and perfect wisdom.
(28) Hast thou not known? . . .--The questions are parallel to those of Isaiah 40:21, but are addressed to the Israel of God, rather than, as those were, to mankind.The Creator of the ends of the earth.--The word emphasises the thought that the whole earth, from the Euphrates to the "islands" of the sea, is subject to the power of the Eternal.
Fainteth not, neither is weary? . . .--Had Isaiah learnt to feel that even his own phrase as to men "wearying God" (Isaiah 7:13) was too boldly anthropomorphic, and might, therefore, be misleading?
No searching of his understanding.--The words come, like so many others like it, from Job (Isaiah 5:9; Isaiah 9:10), and must have been in St. Paul's mind as he wrote Romans 11:33. . . .
Verse 28. - Hast thou not known? Complaining Israel is bidden to stay itself upon God, as(1) everlasting;
(2) the Creator;
(3) unwearied; . . .
Parallel Commentaries ...