Isaiah 48:13

13 My own hand laid the foundations of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens; when I summon them, they all stand up together.

Isaiah 48:13 in Other Translations

KJV
13 Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens: when I call unto them, they stand up together.
ESV
13 My hand laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens; when I call to them, they stand forth together.
NLT
13 It was my hand that laid the foundations of the earth, my right hand that spread out the heavens above. When I call out the stars, they all appear in order.”
MSG
13 Earth is my work, handmade. And the skies - I made them too, horizon to horizon. When I speak, they're on their feet, at attention.
CSB
13 My own hand founded the earth, and My right hand spread out the heavens; when I summoned them, they stood up together.

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 this. How can I let myself be defamed? I will not yield my glory to another.
12 “Listen to me, Jacob, Israel, whom I have called: I am he; I am the first and I am the last.
13 My own hand laid the foundations of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens; when I summon them, they all stand up together.
14 “Come together, all of you, and listen: Which of the idols has foretold these things? The LORD’s chosen ally will carry out his purpose against Babylon; his arm will be against the Babylonians.
15 I, even I, have spoken; yes, I have called him. I will bring him, and he will succeed in his mission.

Cross References 3

  • 1. Hebrews 1:10-12
  • 2. S Genesis 2:1; Exodus 20:11; Job 9:8; Isaiah 40:22; S Isaiah 42:5; Isaiah 45:18; Isaiah 51:16; Isaiah 65:17
  • 3. S Isaiah 34:16; Isaiah 40:26
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