BibleWord.ai› Bible› Isaiah› Chapter 40› Verse 14

Isaiah 40:14

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 40:14 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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?
Isaiah 40:14 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 40

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
12Who 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?
13Who hath directed the Spirit of Jehovah, or being his counsellor hath taught him?
14With 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?
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.
16And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt-offering.
17All the nations are as nothing before him; they are accounted by him as less than nothing, and vanity.
← Isaiah 40:13Isaiah 40:15 →
← Full Chapter 40 Isaiah Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, &c.] This is the same as before, only repeated in other words, the more strongly to deny that any mere creature counselled, taught, and instructed the Spirit of Christ, in the ordering and managing the works of creation: and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and showed to him the way of understanding? or gave him that judgment, knowledge, and understanding in framing the world, and all things in it, in that beautiful and regular manner that it is; which shows it to be a work of wisdom, more than human or angelical, and to be purely divine; no one, angel or man, could have struck out such a path of judgment, such a…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“path of judgment--His wisdom, whereby He so beautifully adjusts the places and proportions of all created things.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“With whom took he counsel - The sentiment of the former verse is repeated here, in order, probably, to make it more emphatic. In the path of judgment - The way of judging correctly and wisely; or the way of administering justice. It denotes here his boundless wisdom as it is seen in the various arrangements of his creation and providence, by which all things keep their places, and accomplish his vast designs. return to 'Top of Page'”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“instructed him: Heb. made him understand understanding: Heb. understandings. Co1 12:4-6; Col 2:3; Jam 1:17 Isaiah 40:15”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Isaiah 40 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification