Isaiah 48:13

13 My hand laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens; when I summon them, they stand at attention.

Isaiah 48:13 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 48:13

Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth
Which is ascribed to the Wisdom, Word, and Son of God, ( Proverbs 3:19 ) ( Hebrews 1:10 ) . This Aben Ezra and Kimchi interpret of the left hand F11, seeing the work of the heavens is ascribed to the right hand in the following clause; the earth being less honourable than the heavens: and my right hand hath spanned the heavens;
stretched them out as a curtain or canopy over the earth, and measured them out with a span, as easily as a man measures anything with his hand; see ( Isaiah 40:12 ) , when I call unto them, they stand up together;
or, "I called them, and they stood up together", as the Targum; and so may refer to the first creation of them, when at the word of God, and by his almighty fiat, they rose into being at once, ( Psalms 33:9 ) . Kimchi observes, that the houses of Hillell and Shaminai were divided about this matter, which were created first, the heavens or the earth; at which R. Simeon ben Jochai wondered, since, according to the text, they were both created together {l}; though this may be understood of the consistence and permanency of the heavens and the earth, being upheld by the Lord, and by the word of his power, and of the ready obedience of the heavenly bodies to do his will, who, like servants, rise up at once at the word of his command; see ( Isaiah 40:26 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F11 Vid. T. Bab. Menachot, fol. 36. 2.
F12 Vid. T. Bab. Chagigah, fol. 12. 1.

Isaiah 48:13 In-Context

11 For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for why should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another.
12 Listen to me, O Jacob, and Israel, whom I called: I am He; I am the first, and I am the last.
13 My hand laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens; when I summon them, they stand at attention.
14 Assemble, all of you, and hear! Who among them has declared these things? The Lord loves him; he shall perform his purpose on Babylon, and his arm shall be against the Chaldeans.
15 I, even I, have spoken and called him, I have brought him, and he will prosper in his way.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.