or who is My equal?
This part of the verse reinforces the previous statement by asserting that no one can match God's power, wisdom, or holiness. Historically, the Israelites often struggled with idolatry, influenced by surrounding cultures. This question serves as a reminder of God's supremacy over all other deities and powers. Theologically, it points to the monotheistic belief central to the faith, as seen in Deuteronomy 6:4, "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one." It also foreshadows the New Testament revelation of Jesus Christ, who is described as the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15).

asks the Holy One.
The title "the Holy One" underscores God's purity, separateness, and moral perfection. In the book of Isaiah, God is frequently referred to as "the Holy One of Israel," emphasizing His covenant relationship with His people and His distinct nature. This title is significant in understanding God's character and His expectations for His people to be holy as He is holy (Leviticus 19:2). The holiness of God is a central theme throughout scripture, and it is through Jesus Christ that believers are called to share in this holiness (1 Peter 1:15-16).

- The question invites us to pause and compare every created thing with the Creator—and immediately exposes how futile such comparisons are.

• Exodus 15:11 asks, “Who among the gods is like You, O LORD? Who is like You—majestic in holiness, revered with praises, performing wonders?” The obvious answer is no one.

• Psalm 113:5 reminds us, “Who is like the LORD our God, the One enthroned on high?” He is above even the highest powers or authorities people can imagine.

• Acts 17:29 cautions against shaping God after human imagination: “Since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the Divine Being is like gold or silver or stone—an image formed by man’s skill and imagination.”

- Isaiah 40 as a whole is lifting the eyes of a weary, exiled people. By asking, “To whom will you liken Me,” God calls His people to abandon idols (Isaiah 40:18–20) and see Him as infinitely greater than anything they can craft or conceive.

- The follow-up question deepens the first: even if you could find a likeness, could anything actually rival His power, wisdom, or authority?

• Isaiah 46:5 echoes, “To whom will you liken Me or count Me equal? To whom will you compare Me that we should be alike?”

• Jeremiah 10:6–7 declares, “There is none like You, O LORD. You are great, and Your name is mighty in power. Who should not fear You, O King of the nations?”

• Revelation 4:11 shows heaven’s verdict: “Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things.”

- God’s unequaled nature means His promises stand unchallenged (Isaiah 40:8), His strength never wanes (Isaiah 40:28), and His ability to comfort and restore is limitless (Isaiah 40:1–2, 31).

- The title “Holy One” underscores His separateness and moral purity. Holiness is not merely one attribute among many; it is the all-embracing quality that sets God apart.

• Isaiah 6:3 records the seraphim crying, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; all the earth is full of His glory.”

• 1 Samuel 2:2 affirms, “There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides You.”

• 1 Peter 1:15–16 applies this truth to believers: “But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’”

- Because the Holy One Himself asks the questions, their force is irresistible. The passage is not theoretical; it is a divine summons to recognize God’s uniqueness and respond with awe, trust, and obedience.

Isaiah 40:25 confronts every substitute we might elevate beside God. By asking, “To whom will you liken Me, or who is My equal?” the Lord exposes the emptiness of idols and the limits of human imagination, asserts His unrivaled greatness, and highlights His absolute holiness. The verse assures us that the God who speaks is beyond comparison, beyond challenge, and utterly trustworthy for every promise He makes.