Isaiah 40:13

13 Who has directed^[a] the Spirit of the Lord, or who gave Him His counsel?^[b]

Isaiah 40:13 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 40:13

Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord
In the creation of all things, in garnishing the heavens, and moving upon the face of the waters? not anyone, angel or man; there were none with him, nor did he need any to guide and direct him what to do ^F19: or being his counsellor, hath taught him?
or, "the man of his counsel {t}"; there was no other than the Wonderful Counsellor, the Angel of the great council, the essential Word of God, whose spirit is here spoken of.

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FOOTNOTES:

F19 The Targum is, "who hath directed the Holy Spirit in the mouth of all the prophets? is it not the Lord?" which agrees with the accents; for so according to them the words should be rendered "who hath directed the Spirit? the Lord"; so Reinbeck, de Accent. Heb. p. 418. and who renders the next clause, and he hath made the man of his counsel (Moses) to know that.
F20 (wtue vya) "vir a consiliis", Junius & Tremellius Piscator.

Isaiah 40:13 In-Context

11 He protects His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries [them] in the fold of His [garment]. He gently leads those that are nursing.

12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand or marked off the heavens with the span [of his hand]? Who has gathered the dust of the earth in a measure or weighed the mountains in a balance and the hills in scales?

13 Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or who gave Him His counsel?

14 Who did He consult with? Who gave Him understanding and taught Him the paths of justice? Who taught Him knowledge and showed Him the way of understanding?

15 Look, the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are considered as a speck of dust on the scales; He lifts up the islands like fine dust.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or measured, or comprehended
• [b]. Rm 11:34