Isaiah 40:12

Translations

Modern

Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or marked off the heavens with the span of his hand? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on a scale and the hills with a balance?

Traditional

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?

Literal

Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand and marked off the heavens with a handspan, and has held the dust of the earth in a measure, and has weighed the mountains on a scale, and the hills in scales?

Latin

Quis mensus est pugillo aquas, et cælos palmo ponderavit? quis appendit tribus digitis molem terræ, et libravit in pondere montes, et colles in statera?

Original

Hebrew

English

Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or marked off the heavens with the span of his hand? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on a scale and the hills with a balance?

Notes

Isaiah 40:12–13

These rhetorical questions suggest the answer, “No one!” God alone created everything. He will judge creation (Isaiah 24:17), and only he can and will restore it through his salvation.

Isaiah 40:12–17

In response to Israel's questions (spoken by the prophet), the Lord declared that he is the unmatched God, a wise and sovereign creator who governs the nations.

Isaiah 40:1–31

This chapter introduces chapters 40–66. In this section, comfort means the result of God's merciful actions toward people in the future. It includes encouragement, strength, and acceptance.

God wants to rescue his people (Isaiah 40:1–11) and is fully capable of doing so (40:12–26). The exiles needed to trust God's promises and wait for their rescue (Isaiah 40:27–31; see also 30:15–18).

Theme notes and profiles

Isaiah God’s Inscrutable Purposes in History God’s Servant Salvation in Isaiah

Events

Prophecies of Isaiahc. 759 BC

Related verses

Proverbs 30:4
Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in His hands? Who has bound up the waters in His cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is the name of His Son—surely you know!
Hebrews 1:10–12
And: “In the beginning, O Lord, You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands.
Job 38:4–11
Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding.
Psalm 102:25–26
In the beginning You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands.
Isaiah 48:13
Surely My own hand founded the earth, and My right hand spread out the heavens; when I summon them, they stand up together.
Proverbs 8:26–28
…before He made the land or fields, or any of the dust of the earth.
Job 11:7–9
Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty?
Job 28:25
When God fixed the weight of the wind and measured out the waters,
Revelation 20:11
Then I saw a great white throne and the One seated on it. Earth and heaven fled from His presence, and no place was found for them.
Psalm 104:2–3
He wraps Himself in light as with a garment; He stretches out the heavens like a tent,

Isaiah 40:12

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Translations

Original

Notes

Events

Related verses

Parallels

Glossary

Topics