Devine Scripture

Isaiah 40:12

What does Isaiah 40:12 mean?

A plain-English look at Isaiah 40:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Isaiah 40:12 means

This verse initiates a series of rhetorical questions designed to highlight God's incomparable power and wisdom as the Creator. It marvels at His ability to measure the vast oceans in the hollow of His hand, spread out the heavens with a mere span, weigh the entire earth's dust, and balance mountains and hills. The implied answer to these questions is that no one but God possesses such capabilities, emphasizing His unique and absolute sovereignty over all creation.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

In the hollow of whose hand have the waters been measured? and who is able to take the heavens in his stretched-out fingers? who has got together the dust of the earth in a measure? who has taken the weight of the mountains, or put the hills into the scales?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Who hath measured in the hollow of his hand the waters? And the heavens by a span hath meted out, And comprehended in a measure the dust of the earth, And hath weighed in scales the mountains, And the hills in a balance?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and weighed the heavens with his palm? who hath poised with three fingers the bulk of the earth, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out the heavens with [his] span, and grasped the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in a balance, and the hills in scales?

Context

Following the dual portrayal of God as both mighty ruler and gentle shepherd, this verse begins a powerful section demonstrating God's unmatched sovereignty as Creator. It shifts to confront any potential doubt about God's ability by posing unanswerable questions. These questions about creation's vastness prepare for further inquiries into God's wisdom and His independence from human counsel.

v.11He will feed his flock like a shepherd, he will gather the lambs in his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and will gently lead those that have their young.

v.12This passage

v.13Who hath directed the Spirit of Jehovah, or being his counsellor hath taught him?

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Proverbs 8:26

    While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, Nor the beginning of the dust of the world.

  • Revelation 20:11

    And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat upon it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

  • Psalms 102:25

    Of old didst thou lay the foundation of the earth; And the heavens are the work of thy hands.

  • Isaiah 48:13

    Yea, my hand hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spread out the heavens: when I call unto them, they stand up together.

  • Job 38:4

    Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if thou hast understanding.

  • Job 28:25

    To make a weight for the wind: Yea, he meteth out the waters by measure.

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