Isaiah 40:13 kjv
Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counsellor hath taught him?
Isaiah 40:13 nkjv
Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, Or as His counselor has taught Him?
Isaiah 40:13 niv
Who can fathom the Spirit of the LORD, or instruct the LORD as his counselor?
Isaiah 40:13 esv
Who has measured the Spirit of the LORD, or what man shows him his counsel?
Isaiah 40:13 nlt
Who is able to advise the Spirit of the LORD?
Who knows enough to give him advice or teach him?
Isaiah 40 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 40:13 | Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, or with | Isaiah 40:14, 28 (God's all-sufficiency) |
| Job 38:4 | Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? | Job 40:2, 42:1-6 (God's sovereignty and man's ignorance) |
| Psalm 147:5 | Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; his understanding is infinite. | Psalm 147:5 (God's immensity) |
| Prov 11:2 | When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom. | Prov 3:5-7 (Trust in the Lord's understanding) |
| Rom 11:33 | Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! | Rom 11:33-34 (God's unfathomable wisdom) |
| 1 Cor 2:16 | For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. | 1 Cor 2:16 (The mind of Christ compared to God's) |
| Col 2:3 | in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. | Col 2:3 (Christ possessing all wisdom) |
| Heb 6:17 | Thus God, desiring to show the heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath, | Heb 6:17 (God's immutable counsel) |
| Jer 23:18 | For who has stood in the council of the LORD and seen or heard his word? Who has listened to his word and heard it? | Jer 23:18 (No one has witnessed God's counsel) |
| Ps 94:11 | The LORD knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath. | Ps 94:11 (God's knowledge of human thoughts) |
| Isa 45:9 | Woe to him who strives with him who formed him, a pot among potsherds! Does the clay say to him who forms it, 'What are you making?' or 'Your work has no handles'? | Isa 45:9 (God's right as creator) |
| Isa 40:14 | Whom did he consult, and who made him understand? Who taught him the path of justice, and who taught him knowledge, and who showed him the way of understanding? | Isa 40:14 (Reinforcing God's sole wisdom) |
| Rom 3:23 | for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. | Rom 3:23 (Humanity's fallen state) |
| Prov 1:7 | The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. | Prov 1:7 (The foundation of true knowledge) |
| Matt 11:27 | All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son unless it is the Father, nor does anyone know the Father unless it is the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. | Matt 11:27 (Jesus' unique relationship and knowledge of the Father) |
| Acts 15:18 | known from of old is every work of God. | Acts 15:18 (God's predetermined works) |
| Eph 1:11 | In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, | Eph 1:11 (God working according to His will) |
| Jer 10:7 | Who would not fear you, O King of the nations? For this is your due. Indeed, among all the wise nations and in all their kingdoms there is none like you. | Jer 10:7 (No one compares to God) |
| Mal 3:6 | For I the LORD do not change; you are not consumed, O children of Jacob. | Mal 3:6 (God's unchanging nature) |
| Job 28:23 | God understands the way to it, and he knows its location. | Job 28:23 (God's unique understanding of wisdom) |
Isaiah 40 verses
Isaiah 40 13 Meaning
This verse speaks to the incomparable power and wisdom of God. It declares that no human, no angel, and no created being has ever instructed or could ever instruct God. His knowledge is absolute, His counsel is perfect, and His plans are unalterable. God alone possesses the true understanding of all things.
Isaiah 40 13 Context
This verse appears in Isaiah chapter 40, a chapter rich with comforting words to the exiled people of Israel in Babylon. The immediate context is God asserting His divine supremacy and power over all creation and pagan deities. Following God's declaration of His boundless might, He emphasizes that His understanding and wisdom are unfathomable and have never been, nor can ever be, guided or taught by any created being. This section is a powerful polemic against the idolatry prevalent in Babylon, highlighting the impotence of their gods compared to the living God of Israel. Isaiah is presenting God as the one true and all-wise Creator and Redeemer.
Isaiah 40 13 Word Analysis
- מִ֥י (mi) - "Who?" A simple interrogative pronoun, setting the tone of rhetorical questioning. It challenges the very possibility of any other entity influencing or advising God.
- יוֹעִ֛יד (yo'id) - "counseled" or "directed." From the root יעד (ya'ad), meaning to appoint, set, or counsel. It implies giving advice, guidance, or instruction. God requires no such external input.
- אֶת־ (et) - The direct object marker. Indicates that "the Spirit of the LORD" is the object of the verb "counseled."
- ר֤וּחַ (ruach) - "Spirit." This refers to the Spirit of God, His animating force, His power, and His divine presence.
- יְהוָ֖ה (YHWH) - "the LORD." The covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal relationship with Israel and His unchanging nature.
- וּמִ֥י (u'mi) - "and who?" Continues the rhetorical questioning, broadening the scope beyond mere counsel to instruction.
- יוֹדִיעֶ֨נּוּ (yodi'enu) - "made him understand" or "instructed him." From the root ידע (yada'), meaning to know, to be known, to understand. It speaks of imparting knowledge or wisdom.
- וּבְ (uv) - "and by." Connects the preceding action to the means or agency.
- לִמְּד֤וֹ (limm'do) - "taught him." From the root למד (lamad), meaning to teach or learn. This is the active impartation of knowledge.
- דֶּ֥רֶךְ (derech) - "way" or "path." Refers to a course of action, method, or conduct.
- יֹשָׁ֖ר (yoshar) - "justice" or "righteousness." Signifies uprightness, straightness, correctness, and adherence to what is right.
- וּמִ֥י (u'mi) - "and who?" Continues the series of rhetorical questions.
- יְלַמְּדֶ֥נּוּ (yelamdenu) - "teach him." Again, the verb למד (lamad), emphasizing instruction in understanding or wisdom.
- דַּ֥עַת (da'at) - "knowledge." Refers to experiential knowledge, acquaintance, or insight.
- וְיֹרֶ֥נּוּ (v'yorenu) - "and show him" or "teach him." From the root ירה (yarah), meaning to throw, shoot, cast, or teach. Here it means to instruct or guide.
- דֶּ֥רֶךְ (derech) - "way" or "path."
- בִּינָֽה (binah) - "understanding" or "discernment." Refers to the ability to distinguish, comprehend, and possess insight.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD,": This entire phrase is a powerful rhetorical question. The Spirit of God is the active agent of God’s power and will. The question implies that no one could possibly direct or give counsel to God's Spirit, for the Spirit originates from God and acts in accordance with God's own will.
- "or with him taught him knowledge": This section emphasizes God's absolute self-sufficiency in wisdom and understanding. He doesn't need to learn or be taught. The structure "taught him knowledge" refers to imparting foundational understanding or practical know-how.
- "and who showed him the way of understanding?": This concluding question focuses on divine insight and comprehension. God doesn't need guidance in how to understand things or how to gain discernment; He inherently possesses it.
Isaiah 40 13 Bonus Section
The concept of God's self-sufficiency in wisdom is a core theme throughout Scripture. This verse is particularly relevant in its historical context, where Israel was surrounded by cultures that believed their gods were limited, fallible, and often needed appeasement or instruction from humans or other deities. Isaiah's declaration serves as a powerful counter-message. Furthermore, the New Testament elaborates on this by revealing God's wisdom in the person of Jesus Christ. Christ possesses the "mind of Christ" (1 Cor 2:16), signifying that the perfect understanding and counsel of God are found in Him, available to believers through His Spirit. The ultimate "instruction" regarding God's ways comes through His revelation in Scripture and the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Isaiah 40 13 Commentary
This verse underscores God's absolute sovereignty and unique wisdom. It is a divine boast, not out of arrogance, but out of necessity to reveal His incomparable nature. Human attempts to measure, comprehend, or instruct God are futile. His "Spirit" (Ruach) is not a separate entity He consults, but His own active, all-pervading essence and power. Any teaching God gives to humanity, such as the law or prophetic insights, originates entirely from Him and is not a reciprocal exchange of knowledge. He knows the "way of justice" and "understanding" because He embodies them.
Practical Usage:
- When facing complex problems, remember that God's wisdom is available to us through prayer, not the other way around.
- Guard against intellectual pride; true wisdom begins with acknowledging God's infinite understanding.
- Trust God’s plans even when they are beyond human comprehension.