Isaiah 40:13

13 Who can ever understand what is in the LORD's mind? Who can ever give him advice?

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 takes care of his flock like a shepherd. He gathers the lambs in his arms. He carries them close to his heart. He gently leads those that have little ones.

12 Who has measured the oceans by using the palm of his hand? Who has used the width of his hand to mark off the sky? Who has measured out the dust of the earth in a basket? Who has weighed the mountains on scales? Who has weighed the hills in a balance?

13 Who can ever understand what is in the LORD's mind? Who can ever give him advice?

14 Did the LORD have to ask anyone to help him understand? Did he have to ask someone to teach him the right way? Who taught him what he knows? Who showed him how to understand?

15 The nations are only a drop in a bucket to him. He considers them as nothing but dust on the scales. He weighs the islands as if they were only fine dust.