13 Who can fathom the Spirit[1] of the Lord, or instruct the Lord as his counselor?

Other Translations of Isaiah 40:13

King James Version

13 Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord, or being his counsellor hath taught him?

English Standard Version

13 Who has measuredOr has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or what man shows him his counsel?

The Message

13 Who could ever have told God what to do or taught him his business?

New King James Version

13 Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, Or as His counselor has taught Him?

New Living Translation

13 Who is able to advise the Spirit of the Lord ? Who knows enough to give him advice or teach him?

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Isaiah 40:13

Commentary on Isaiah 40:12-17

(Read Isaiah 40:12-17)

All created beings shrink to nothing in comparison with the Creator. When the Lord, by his Spirit, made the world, none directed his Spirit, or gave advice what to do, or how to do it. The nations, in comparison of him, are as a drop which remains in the bucket, compared with the vast ocean; or as the small dust in the balance, which does not turn it, compared with all the earth. This magnifies God's love to the world, that, though it is of such small account and value with him, yet, for the redemption of it, he gave his only-begotten Son, John 3:16. The services of the church can make no addition to him. Our souls must have perished for ever, if the only Son of the Father had not given himself for us.