en_tn/isa/40/15.md

# Look ... see

These words add emphasis to what follows.

# the nations are like a drop in a bucket, and are regarded like the dust on the scales

The prophet compares the nations to a drop of water and to dust in order to emphasize how small and insignificant they are to Yahweh. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile]])

# like a drop in a bucket

Possible meanings are 1) a drop of water that falls into a bucket or 2) a drop of water that drops out of a bucket.

# are regarded like the dust on the scales

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Yahweh regards them as dust on the scales" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive]])