Isaiah 40:14

KJV

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?

KJV (with Strong's)

With whom took he counsel {H3289}, and who instructed {H995} him, and taught {H3925} him in the path {H734} of judgment {H4941}, and taught {H3925} him knowledge {H1847}, and shewed {H3045} to him the way {H1870} of understanding {H8394}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Whom did he consult, to gain understanding? Who taught him how to judge, taught him what he needed to know, showed him how to discern?

Berean Standard Bible

Whom did He consult to enlighten Him, and who taught Him the paths of justice? Who imparted knowledge to Him and showed Him the way of understanding?

American Standard Version

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?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 40:14 presents a series of profound rhetorical questions that emphatically assert God's unparalleled and inherent wisdom, knowledge, and self-sufficiency. It underscores that the Creator of the cosmos requires no external counsel, instruction, or guidance from any created being, for He is the ultimate source and embodiment of all understanding, judgment, and truth. This declaration serves to magnify God's incomparable nature, setting Him apart from all human rulers, idols, and finite wisdom, establishing His absolute sovereignty as a source of comfort and assurance for His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically situated within the opening section of Isaiah's "Book of Comfort" (chapters 40-66), which marks a pivotal shift from prophecies of judgment against Judah to messages of hope, restoration, and the glorious return of the Lord. Specifically, [Isaiah 40:12-31](/isaiah/40-12-31 "Isaiah 40:12-31 - The Incomparable God") forms a majestic declaration of God's incomparable power and majesty, serving as a theological foundation for the subsequent promises of deliverance and renewal. Verse 14 directly follows a breathtaking description of God as the cosmic architect who measures the waters in the hollow of His hand, metes out the heavens with a span, and weighs the mountains in scales, demonstrating His absolute control over creation. The rhetorical questions of verse 14 logically extend this portrayal, moving from God's physical omnipotence to His intellectual and moral supremacy, asking who could possibly instruct such a Being. The subsequent verses continue to diminish the nations and their rulers to utter insignificance before Him, reinforcing the unchallengeable sovereignty and wisdom established in this verse, thereby preparing the audience for the comforting message of God's faithful intervention.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Isaiah prophesied during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, spanning the reigns of several kings, including Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah (c. 740-680 BC). While the initial chapters of Isaiah contained stern warnings of impending judgment, particularly the Babylonian exile, this "Book of Comfort" (chapters 40-66) speaks to a future audience, likely those in exile or facing the prospect of it. This audience would have been surrounded by powerful empires (Assyria, Babylon) and their impressive, yet ultimately fallible, human rulers and their pantheons of gods. These earthly rulers relied heavily on numerous advisors, strategists, and wise men to govern, plan wars, and make decisions. In this socio-political and religious context, Isaiah's declaration of God's self-sufficiency and unparalleled wisdom would have been a radical counter-cultural statement. It directly challenged the perceived power and wisdom of human empires and their deities, offering profound comfort and hope by asserting that the God of Israel was utterly distinct and superior to anything the exiles might encounter or be tempted to worship, providing an unshakable basis for trust in His future redemptive plans.
* **Key Themes:** Isaiah 40:14 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Isaiah and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it profoundly establishes **God's Incomparable Wisdom and Omniscience**. The verse asserts that God does not acquire knowledge or understanding; He inherently possesses and embodies it, being the ultimate source from whom all wisdom flows. Secondly, it highlights **Divine Self-Sufficiency and Independence**. God is presented as entirely self-existent and needing no external counsel or instruction to form His perfect plans or execute His righteous will, contrasting sharply with human limitations and reliance on others, as seen in the folly of relying on human wisdom in [Isaiah 31:1-3](/isaiah/31-1-3 "Isaiah 31:1-3 - Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help"). Thirdly, it underscores **God's Absolute Sovereignty and Righteous Judgment**. The "path of judgment" implies that God's decisions and governance are inherently just and flawless, derived from His perfect nature, not from external advice. Finally, the verse implicitly serves as a powerful **Critique of Idolatry and Human Pride**. By emphasizing God's unique wisdom, it exposes the utter futility of worshipping idols fashioned by human hands or trusting in human understanding, which are utterly devoid of such intrinsic knowledge, a theme explored further in [Isaiah 44:9-20](/isaiah/44-9-20 "Isaiah 44:9-20 - The Folly of Idolatry").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Counsel (Hebrew, _yâʻats'_):** From a primitive root meaning "to advise; reflexively, to deliberate or resolve." In this context, the rhetorical question "With whom took he counsel?" powerfully negates the idea that God needs to consult with anyone or deliberate over His plans. It emphasizes His inherent, perfect wisdom that requires no external input or validation, contrasting sharply with human leaders who constantly rely on advisors and committees. God's decisions are perfectly formed within His own being.
* **Taught (Hebrew, _lâmad'_):** A primitive root; properly, to goad, i.e. (by implication) to teach. This word, repeated in the verse, underscores the impossibility of anyone instructing God. It highlights that God is the ultimate teacher and source of knowledge, not a student who needs to be taught or corrected. The very notion of teaching God is absurd, reinforcing His supreme intellectual authority and His role as the fount of all true instruction.
* **Understanding (Hebrew, _tâbûwn'_):** Intelligence; by implication, an argument; by extension, caprice; discretion, reason, skilfulness, understanding, wisdom. This term represents comprehensive insight, discernment, and practical wisdom. By asking "who shewed to him the way of understanding?", the verse asserts that God's understanding is innate, perfect, and complete, not something acquired or revealed to Him by another. He embodies perfect discernment and wisdom, making Him the absolute standard for all true understanding and the source from which all genuine insight flows.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"With whom took he counsel,"**: This opening clause immediately establishes the rhetorical nature of the question. It challenges the listener to identify any being or entity capable of advising the Almighty. The implied answer is a resounding "no one," asserting God's absolute self-sufficiency in planning and decision-making, highlighting that His purposes are eternally fixed and perfectly conceived.
* **"and who instructed him,"**: This continues the rhetorical challenge, shifting from "counsel" (deliberation or advice) to "instruction" (teaching or imparting knowledge). It posits the utter impossibility of anyone imparting knowledge or wisdom to God, reinforcing His omniscience and His role as the ultimate, unlearned source of all knowledge and truth.
* **"and taught him in the path of judgment,"**: This clause specifies the domain of God's inherent wisdom: the "path of judgment." This refers to the way of justice, righteousness, and proper governance. The question implies that God's moral and judicial decisions are inherently perfect, flawless, and require no external guidance or correction, as He is the very standard of justice.
* **"and taught him knowledge,"**: This reiterates the theme of divine instruction, focusing specifically on "knowledge" (Hebrew, _daʻath_). It emphasizes that God did not acquire knowledge from an external source but possesses it intrinsically and perfectly, making Him the fount of all true understanding and information, from the smallest detail to the grandest cosmic truth.
* **"and shewed to him the way of understanding?"**: The final clause culminates the series of questions by asking who could have revealed to God the "way of understanding" (Hebrew, _derek_ of _tâbûwn_). This phrase signifies comprehensive insight, discernment, and practical wisdom in action. The powerful rhetorical force of the question leaves no doubt that God's understanding is absolute, unlearned, and incomparable, completing the picture of His supreme intellectual and moral perfection and His unchallengeable authority.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 40:14 is masterfully crafted using several powerful literary devices to underscore God's unparalleled wisdom. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, which is repeated five times within the single verse. These questions are not posed to elicit information but to make a forceful, undeniable assertion: that no one could possibly counsel, instruct, or teach God. The very act of asking these questions highlights the absurdity of the premise, thereby magnifying God's unique and inherent wisdom. Closely related is **Parallelism**, evident in the repeated grammatical structure and thematic progression of the questions ("With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him... and taught him... and shewed to him..."). This repetition creates a rhythmic emphasis, driving home the central point of God's self-sufficiency and inherent wisdom from multiple, reinforcing angles. Furthermore, there is an element of **Hyperbole** in the implied scope of the questions; by asking "who" in such a universal and absolute sense, the prophet uses exaggeration to convey the infinite, unbridgeable gap between God's wisdom and that of any created being. This collective use of devices creates a powerful, memorable, and deeply impactful declaration of divine supremacy and intellectual independence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 40:14 serves as a foundational declaration of God's absolute sovereignty and omniscience, a truth echoed throughout Scripture. It asserts that God's wisdom is not acquired but inherent, perfect, and infinite, making Him utterly independent of any created being for counsel or instruction. This profound theological truth provides immense comfort and security, assuring believers that the God who governs the entire universe does so with perfect understanding, flawless judgment, and an unshakeable purpose, never needing to consult or learn from finite minds. It also simultaneously demands profound humility from humanity, reminding us of our limited understanding and the utter futility of relying on our own finite wisdom or seeking counsel from sources apart from Him. This verse sets the stage for understanding God as the ultimate, trustworthy authority in all matters of life and faith, upon whom all creation depends for knowledge, guidance, and justice, establishing the bedrock for trusting His redemptive plan.

* [Romans 11:34](/romans/11-34 "Romans 11:34 - Who has known the mind of the Lord?")
* [Acts 17:25](/acts/17-25 "Acts 17:25 - God needs nothing from human hands")
* [Job 38:1-41](/job/38 "Job 38 - God's Challenge to Job")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 40:14 offers profound implications for our daily lives and spiritual walk. Recognizing that God needs no counsel from us should cultivate a deep sense of humility within our hearts, reminding us of our finite understanding in the face of His infinite wisdom. This truth encourages us to lean not on our own limited discernment or the shifting sands of human opinion, but to wholeheartedly trust in His perfect plans and purposes, even when they seem inscrutable or difficult to comprehend from our limited perspective. It inspires genuine worship, as we stand in awe of a God whose wisdom is so vast and inherent that no one could ever teach Him anything, a God who is completely self-sufficient in His knowledge and judgment. Furthermore, while God needs no instruction, we desperately need His. This verse, by highlighting God's self-sufficient wisdom, implicitly calls us to diligently seek His counsel through His inspired Word, through fervent prayer, and through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, knowing that true wisdom and understanding flow from Him alone. It challenges us to surrender our anxieties about the future, trusting that the One who needs no advice is perfectly capable of guiding all things to their righteous and good conclusion for His glory and our ultimate good.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the truth of God's self-sufficient wisdom impact your trust in His plans, especially when circumstances are unclear or difficult to understand?**
* **In what specific areas of your life are you tempted to rely on your own understanding or human counsel rather than diligently seeking God's wisdom?**
* **How does this verse inspire deeper worship, reverence, and humility in your personal relationship with the Almighty God?**
* **What practical steps can you take to more consistently seek God's counsel and understanding in your daily decisions and long-term plans?**

### FAQ

**Why does God ask rhetorical questions if He already knows everything?**

Answer: God asks rhetorical questions, as powerfully demonstrated in [Isaiah 40:14](/isaiah/40-14 "Isaiah 40:14 - God's Unrivaled Wisdom"), not because He lacks information or seeks an answer, but to powerfully convey truth and provoke profound reflection in His audience. These questions serve as a pedagogical tool, designed to emphasize His incomparable attributes, such as His omniscience, omnipotence, and perfect wisdom, by highlighting the absurdity of any alternative. They are meant to lead the listener to an undeniable conclusion about His unique nature and to humble them before His majestic and unsearchable mind. In this particular verse, the questions force us to acknowledge that no one could possibly instruct, advise, or impart knowledge to the Creator and Sustainer of the universe.

**How does this verse apply to my personal decision-making or seeking advice?**

Answer: While Isaiah 40:14 emphasizes that God needs no counsel, it implicitly teaches us that *we* desperately do. Our human wisdom is finite, flawed, and often clouded by personal biases or limited perspectives. Therefore, this verse profoundly encourages us to seek God's perfect counsel in all our decisions. It reminds us that true wisdom comes from Him alone, as promised in [James 1:5](/james/1-5 "James 1:5 - Ask God for wisdom"). When making decisions, we should diligently consult His inspired Word, pray for the Holy Spirit's guidance, and seek advice from godly individuals who are themselves rooted in His wisdom. This verse provides the ultimate assurance that when we align our will with His, we are following the counsel of the One who is never mistaken and always knows the "path of judgment" and "way of understanding," leading us in righteousness and truth.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 40:14, with its magnificent declaration of God's inherent, unsearchable, and self-sufficient wisdom, finds its ultimate fulfillment and most profound revelation in the person of Jesus Christ. The New Testament reveals Jesus as the very **wisdom of God** personified. [Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - In Christ are hidden all treasures of wisdom and knowledge") explicitly states that "in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge," directly echoing the attributes of God's unlearned wisdom presented in Isaiah. He is the eternal **Logos**, the Word of God, through whom all things were made, perfectly embodying the divine counsel and understanding that Isaiah speaks of ([John 1:1-3](/john/1-1-3 "John 1:1-3 - The Word Was God and Creator") and [Colossians 1:16](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - All things created through Christ")). While the Father needs no counsel from any created being, He has chosen to reveal His perfect counsel and plan for salvation through His Son. Christ is not merely a recipient of divine wisdom but its very expression and embodiment, the one through whom God's "path of judgment" and "way of understanding" are made known to humanity. Thus, the unsearchable wisdom of the Father, highlighted in Isaiah, is perfectly manifested in the person and redemptive work of Jesus, who became for us "wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption" ([1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ our Wisdom")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Job 21:22

Shall [any] teach God knowledge? seeing he judgeth those that are high.

Colossians 2:3

In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

James 1:17

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

1 Corinthians 12:4

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

1 Corinthians 12:6

And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.