Biblical Analogies for God's Greatness and Infinity Explained

The Bible employs various analogies and descriptions to convey God's greatness and infinity, often highlighting His power, majesty, and boundless nature. The concept of God's greatness is frequently asserted throughout Scripture, as seen in declarations like "Great is our Lord, and mighty in power. His understanding is infinite" (Psalm 147:5) ^[2]. This greatness is not merely an abstract quality but is demonstrated through His attributes and actions.

One primary way God's greatness is expressed is through His glory. The glory of God is described as His majesty and power, tangibly expressed and revealed in various biblical events ^[10]. For instance, God's glory was revealed on Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:16), at the dedication of the Tabernacle (Exodus 40:34-35), and in Solomon's Temple (1 Kings 8:11; 2 Chronicles 7:1) ^[10]. Yet, this glory is also depicted as being as vast as the heavens, with Psalm 19:1 stating, "The heavens declare the glory of God. The expanse shows his handiwork" ^{[7, 10]}. The New Testament further connects Christ to this glory, identifying Him as the "image of God" who manifested God's glory to the world (John 1:14; 2 Corinthians 4:4) ^{[1, 10]}.

God's greatness is also evident in His infinite attributes. His knowledge, for example, is described as infinite, encompassing all things past, present, and future ^[3]. This foreknowledge is an essential attribute, though its full import is beyond human comprehension ^[3]. Similarly, His power is frequently emphasized, with passages like Exodus 15:1,6 and Romans 6:4 pointing to His mighty acts ^[1]. The prophet Jeremiah highlights God's uniqueness, stating, "there is none like unto thee, O Lord... thou art great" (Jeremiah 10:6), underscoring His unparalleled nature in power, wisdom, and goodness ^[14].

The mercy of God is another attribute that illustrates His boundless nature. It is described as great, rich, manifold, plenteous, abundant, and everlasting ^[6]. Analogies are used to convey its immensity, such as being "high as heaven" (Psalm 36:5; 103:11) and "filling the earth" (Psalm 119:64) ^[6]. This mercy is not only vast but also "new every morning" (Lamentations 3:23) ^[6].

The concept of God's infinity is closely tied to His eternal nature. Job 36:26 states, "God is great... We know him not... Neither can the number of his years be searched out," indicating His unsearchable and eternal existence ^[11]. This eternity means God knows no limits of time or place ^[13].

The greatness of God is also reflected in the excellency and glory of Christ. As God, Christ is described as being one with the Father, the Creator, the image of God, and the First-born (John 1:1-5; Philippians 2:6,9,10; Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:3,6) ^[4]. Adam Clarke notes that the human nature of Christ was united with the Divine nature, making Him the "Son of the most high God" and the "everlasting Head and Sovereign of his Church," whose kingdom is eternal ^[8]. John Gill further elaborates on Christ's greatness, noting His perfections, His person as God-man, and His works of creation, providence, and redemption ^[9].

The declaration of God's glory and greatness serves to extend the knowledge of His perfections throughout the world ^[12]. The psalmist encourages believers to consider God's greatness as a proper matter for "awful praises," acknowledging His boundless nature ^[13]. The Hebrew word for God, 'El, itself derives from a word meaning "to be strong," inherently linking strength and power to the divine name ^[5].

Sources

Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Glory of God, The — Exhibited in Christ -- Joh 1:14; 2Co 4:6; Heb 1:3. Exhibited in His name. -- De 28:58; Ne 9:5. His majesty. -- Job 37:22; Ps 93:1; 104:1; 145:5,12; Isa 2:10. His power. -- Ex 15:1,6; Ro 6:4. His works. -- Ps 19:1; 111:3. His holiness. -- Ex 15:11. Described as Great. -- Ps 138:5. Eternal. -- Ps 104:31. Rich. -- Eph 3:16. Highly exalted. -- Ps 8:1; 113:4. Exhibited to Moses. -- Ex 34:5-7; 33:18-23. Stephen. -- Ac 7:55. His Church. -- De 5:24; Ps 102:16. Enlightens the Church -- Isa 60:1,2; Re 21:11,23. Saints desire to behold -- Ps 63:2; 90:16. God”
Psalms “Great is our Lord, and mighty in power. His understanding is infinite. -- Psalms 147:5”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Foreknowledge of God — Acts 2:23; Rom. 8:29; 11:2; 1 Pet. 1:2), one of those high attributes essentially appertaining to him the full import of which we cannot comprehend. In the most absolute sense his knowledge is infinite (1 Sam. 23:9-13; Jer. 38:17-23; 42:9-22, Matt. 11:21, 23; Acts 15:18).”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Excellency and Glory of Christ, The — As God -- Joh 1:1-5; Php 2:6,9,10. As the Son of God -- Mt 3:17; Heb 1:6,8. As one with the Father -- Joh 10:30,38. As the First-born -- Col 1:15,18. As the First-begotten -- Heb 1:6. As Lord of lords, &c -- Re 17:14. As the image of God -- Col 1:15; Heb 1:3. As creator -- Joh 1:3; Col 1:16; Heb 1:2. As the Blessed of God -- Ps 45:2. As Mediator -- 1Ti 2:5; Heb 8:6. As Prophet -- De 18:15,16; Ac 3:22. As Priest -- Ps 110:4; Heb 4:15. As King -- Isa 6:1-5; Joh 12:41. As Judge -- Mt 16:27; 25:31,33. As Shepherd -- Isa 40:10,11; Joh”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: God — (A.S. and Dutch God; Dan. Gud; Ger. Gott), the name of the Divine Being. It is the rendering (1) of the Hebrew 'El, from a word meaning to be strong; (2) of 'Eloah_, plural _'Elohim. The singular form, Eloah, is used only in poetry. The plural form is more commonly used in all parts of the Bible, The Hebrew word Jehovah (q.v.), the only other word generally employed to denote the Supreme Being, is uniformly rendered in the Authorized Version by "LORD," printed in small capitals. The existence of God is taken for granted in the Bible. There is nowhere any argume”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Mercy of God, The — Is part of his character -- Ex 34:6,7; Ps 62:12; Ne 9:17; Jon 4:2,10,11; 2Co 1:3. Described as Great. -- Nu 14:18; Isa 54:7. Rich. -- Eph 2:4. Manifold. -- Ne 9:27; La 3:32. Plenteous. -- Ps 86:5,15; 103:8. Abundant. -- 1Pe 1:3. Sure. -- Isa 55:3; Mic 7:20. Everlasting. -- 1Ch 16:34; Ps 89:28; 106:1; 107:1; 136:1-26. Tender. -- Ps 25:6; 103:4; Lu 1:78. New every morning. -- La 3:23. High as heaven. -- Ps 36:5; 103:11. Filling the earth. -- Ps 119:64. Over all his works. -- Ps 145:9. Is his delight -- Mic 7:18. Manifested In the sending of Christ. ”
Psalms “The heavens declare the glory of God. The expanse shows his handiwork. -- Psalms 19:1”
Luke (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Luke 1:32: He shall be great - Behold the greatness of the man Christ Jesus: 1st. Because that human nature that should be born of the virgin was to be united with the Divine nature. 2dly. In consequence of this, that human nature should be called in a peculiar sense the Son of the most high God; because God would produce it in her womb without the intervention of man. 3rdly. He shall be the everlasting Head and Sovereign of his Church. 4thly. His government and kingdom shall be eternal. Revolutions may destroy the kingdoms of the earth, but the powers and gates of hell and deat”
Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 145:3: Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,.... Christ is the great God as well as our Saviour; great in all the perfections of his nature, of great wisdom, power, faithfulness, holiness, grace, and goodness; great in his person as God-man, God manifest in the flesh; great in all his offices and relations he bears and stands in to his people; and great in all his works of creation, providence, and redemption, in which he is concerned; and upon all which accounts he is to be praised, and greatly to be praised, by his people, even to the utmost of their capacities, h”
Leviticus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Leviticus 9:6: 9:6 Just as holiness describes God’s person and nature, the glory of the Lord tangibly expresses his power and majesty (see Ezek 1:28; 10:4). His glory was revealed on Mount Sinai (Exod 24:16), at the dedication of the Tabernacle (Exod 40:34-35), and in Solomon’s Temple (1 Kgs 8:11; 2 Chr 7:1). Yet it remained as vast as the heavens (Ps 19:1). The New Testament speaks of Christ’s glory as the image of God (2 Cor 4:4), who manifested God’s glory to the world (John 1:14). He was glorified in his death and resurrection (John 17:1-5). See also Exod 24:15-17.”
Job (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Job 36:26: God is great - He is omnipotent. We know him not - He is unsearchable. Neither can the number of his years be searched out - He is eternal. These three propositions are an ample foundation for endless disquisition. As to paraphrase and comment, they need none in this place; they are too profound, comprehensive, and sublime.”
Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 145:11: The declaration of God's glory is for the extension of His knowledge and perfections in the world.”
Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 135:5: The psalmist had suggested to us the goodness of God, as the proper matter of our cheerful praises; here he suggests to us the greatness of God as the proper matter of our awful praises; and on this he is most copious, because this we are less forward to consider. I. He asserts the doctrine of God's greatness (Psa 135:5): The Lord is great, great indeed, who knows no limits of time or place. He asserts it with assurance, "I know that he is so; know it not only by observation of the proofs of it, but by belief of the revelation of it. I know it; I am sure of it; I”
Jeremiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Jeremiah 10:6: Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O Lord,.... None like him, for the perfections of his nature, for the works of his hands, and for the instances of his kindness and beneficence, both in a way of grace and providence; there is none like him for doing good, or doing evil; that is, for bestowing favours, or inflicting punishments; there is none like him for goodness or greatness, as follows: thou art great; in his nature; of great power, wisdom, faithfulness, truth, and goodness; and in his works of creation and providence, and in everything in which he is ”

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