The Meaning of Isaiah 40:13 Explained

Isaiah 40:13

KJV: Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counseller hath taught him?

YLT: Who hath meted out the Spirit of Jehovah, And, being His counsellor, doth teach Him!

Darby: Who hath directed the Spirit of Jehovah, and, as his counsellor, hath taught him?

ASV: Who hath directed the Spirit of Jehovah, or being his counsellor hath taught him?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Who hath directed  the Spirit  of the LORD,  or [being] his counsellor  hath taught  him? 

What does Isaiah 40:13 Mean?

Context Summary

Isaiah 40:9-17 - Creator And Ruler Of All The Earth
Zion is bidden to climb the highest mountain within reach, and announce the advent of the Savior-God. When all eyes are turned to behold Him, expecting a mighty hero, lo, a shepherd conducts His flock across the waste lands, gathering the weakly lambs to His bosom and gently leading the ewes with their young. Do not be afraid of God; He has a shepherd's heart. Words can never tell out all His tenderness; His pitying, understanding love.
We are next conducted to the Great Sea, Isaiah 40:12. Remember, says the prophet, that God's hands are so strong that the ocean lies in them as a drop of water in man's. He can place mountains in the scales He holds. So great is He that if all Lebanon's forests were laid as wood on His altar, and all its beasts were consumed as burnt sacrifices, it would not be sufficient to set forth Page 68 His praise. And this God is our God forever and ever. The Creator of the ends of the earth is our Father. [source]

Chapter Summary: Isaiah 40

1  The promulgation of the Gospel
3  The preaching of John Baptist foretold
9  The preaching of the apostles foretold
12  The prophet, by the omnipotence of God
18  And his incomparableness
26  Comforts the people

What do the individual words in Isaiah 40:13 mean?

who has directed - the Spirit of Yahweh Or [as] His counselor has taught Him
מִֽי־ תִכֵּ֥ן אֶת־ ר֖וּחַ יְהוָ֑ה וְאִ֥ישׁ עֲצָת֖וֹ יוֹדִיעֶֽנּוּ

תִכֵּ֥ן  has  directed 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: תָּכַן  
Sense: to regulate, measure, estimate, ponder, balance, make even, level, weigh, be equal, be weighed out, test, prove.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
ר֖וּחַ  the  Spirit 
Parse: Noun, common singular construct
Root: רוּחַ  
Sense: wind, breath, mind, spirit.
יְהוָ֑ה  of  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
עֲצָת֖וֹ  [as]  His  counselor 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: עֵצָה 
Sense: counsel, advice, purpose.
יוֹדִיעֶֽנּוּ  has  taught  Him 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect, third person masculine singular, third person masculine singular
Root: דָּעָה 
Sense: to know.