Devine Scripture

Isaiah 40:14

What does Isaiah 40:14 mean?

A plain-English look at Isaiah 40:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Isaiah 40:14 means

This verse further probes the depth of God's wisdom and knowledge through another series of rhetorical questions. It asks who has ever counselled, instructed, or taught God in matters of justice, knowledge, or understanding. The undeniable implication is that no one has, nor could they. God is the ultimate source of all wisdom and understanding, not a recipient. This reinforces His singular authority and perfect judgment.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of justice, and taught him knowledge, and showed to him the way of understanding?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of justice, and taught him knowledge, and showed to him the way of understanding?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Who gave him suggestions, and made clear to him the right way? who gave him knowledge, guiding him in the way of wisdom?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

With whom consulted He, That he causeth Him to understand? And teacheth Him in the path of judgment, And teacheth Him knowledge? And the way of understanding causeth Him to know?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

With whom hath he consulted, and who hath instructed him, and taught him the path of justice, and taught him knowledge, and shewed him the way of understanding?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

With whom took he counsel, and [who] gave him intelligence, and instructed him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed him the way of understanding?

Context

This verse expands on the theme of God's unchallenged wisdom introduced in the previous verse. It continues the same line of questioning, deepening the emphasis on His self-sufficiency and perfect understanding. This exhaustive inquiry into God's independence from external counsel serves to pave the way for a powerful comparison of God's infinite nature against the insignificance of nations and human constructs.

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

v.14This passage

v.15Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are accounted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing.

Cross references

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

  • Job 21:22

    Shall any teach God knowledge, Seeing he judgeth those that are high?

  • James 1:17

    Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, neither shadow that is cast by turning.

  • 1 Corinthians 12:4

    Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

  • Colossians 2:3

    in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden.

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