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Isaiah 40:12

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¶ 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?

Who hath measured {H4058} the waters {H4325} in the hollow of his hand {H8168}, and meted out {H8505} heaven {H8064} with the span {H2239}, and comprehended {H3557} the dust {H6083} of the earth {H776} in a measure {H7991}, and weighed {H8254} the mountains {H2022} in scales {H6425}, and the hills {H1389} in a balance {H3976}?

Who has counted the handfuls of water in the sea, measured off the sky with a ruler, gauged how much dust there is on the earth, weighed the mountains on scales, or the hills in a balance?

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?

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?

Commentary

Isaiah 40:12 is a profound rhetorical question that powerfully asserts God's incomparable greatness, omnipotence, and meticulous control over all creation. It challenges the listener to consider who else could possibly perform such cosmic feats, emphasizing that only the Lord God possesses such limitless power and wisdom.

Context

This verse opens a significant section of the Book of Isaiah (chapters 40-66), often called the "Book of Comfort" or "Second Isaiah." Following prophecies of judgment and Babylonian exile, Isaiah 40 shifts to a message of hope, restoration, and divine intervention for the people of Israel. The prophet addresses a disheartened nation, reminding them of God's unwavering faithfulness and supreme power. This particular verse serves to establish God's absolute sovereignty as a foundation for the promises that follow, contrasting His infinite capabilities with the finite nature of humanity and the impotence of pagan idols.

Key Themes

  • God's Incomparable Greatness: The central message is that no one, absolutely no one, can measure up to God's power, knowledge, or understanding. He is utterly unique and supreme.
  • Divine Sovereignty over Creation: God is portrayed as the ultimate Architect and Sustainer of the universe. He not only created the heavens and the earth but also continues to hold and manage them with effortless precision.
  • Omnipotence and Omniscience: The imagery of measuring vast oceans in a hand, spanning the heavens, and weighing mountains highlights God's limitless power (omnipotence) and perfect knowledge (omniscience). He knows every detail of His creation.
  • Challenge to Human Limitations: The verse implicitly contrasts God's boundless capabilities with the inherent limitations of humanity. Human measuring tools are utterly inadequate for the tasks God performs, underscoring our smallness in comparison to His majesty.

Linguistic Insights

The verse employs a series of rhetorical questions, each beginning with "Who hath...?" This literary device strongly implies that the answer is "No one but God." The Hebrew words used for measuring convey precision and ease:

  • "Hollow of his hand" (כַּף - *kaph*) literally means "palm" or "hollow of the hand," suggesting an effortless scooping or holding of vast quantities like the oceans.
  • "Span" (זֶרֶת - *zeret*) refers to the distance from the thumb to the little finger when spread, a small human unit of measure. Applying this to the vastness of heaven dramatically emphasizes God's effortless comprehension of the cosmos.
  • "Meted out" (תִכֵּן - *tikken*) means to measure, establish, or arrange precisely, indicating divine order.
  • The imagery of "scales" and "balance" further emphasizes God's meticulous and accurate control over the earth's heaviest features.
These terms underscore God's complete and intimate knowledge of His creation, from the largest mountains to the smallest dust particles.

Related Scriptures

  • For other declarations of God as the incomparable Creator, see Genesis 1:1 and Psalm 33:6.
  • Isaiah continues to emphasize God's uniqueness in Isaiah 40:25, asking, "To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One."
  • Job 38:4-5 presents similar rhetorical questions about God's foundational work in creation, challenging human understanding.
  • The concept of God's infinite wisdom and understanding is also celebrated in Psalm 147:5, "Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite."

Practical Application

Isaiah 40:12 offers immense comfort and a powerful call to worship for believers today.

  • Encourages Trust: If God can effortlessly manage the entire cosmos, He can certainly handle our personal challenges, anxieties, and the complexities of our lives. This verse encourages us to place our trust fully in His capable hands.
  • Inspires Awe and Worship: Reflecting on God's incomprehensible power and meticulous care over creation should lead us to profound awe and humble worship. He is worthy of all praise.
  • Combats Worry and Fear: In times of uncertainty or when facing seemingly insurmountable problems, this verse reminds us that our God is infinitely greater than any obstacle. No situation is too big or too complex for Him to manage.
  • Promotes Humility: It serves as a powerful reminder of our finite nature and God's infinite majesty, fostering humility and a proper perspective of our place in His grand design.
This verse assures us that the God who promises deliverance and restoration is absolutely able to fulfill His word, for His power and wisdom are beyond measure.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Proverbs 30:4 (22 votes)

    Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what [is] his name, and what [is] his son's name, if thou canst tell?

  • Hebrews 1:10 (20 votes)

    And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:

  • Hebrews 1:12 (20 votes)

    And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.

  • Psalms 102:25 (17 votes)

    Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens [are] the work of thy hands.

  • Psalms 102:26 (17 votes)

    They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:

  • Job 38:4 (16 votes)

    ¶ Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.

  • Job 38:11 (16 votes)

    And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?