23 The Qumran scroll 1QIsaa has מי ים (“waters of the sea”), a reading followed by .
24 Heb “with a span.” A “span” was the distance between the ends of the thumb and the little finger of the spread hand” ( 285 זֶרֶת).
25 Or “the heavens.” The Hebrew term שָׁמַיִם (shamayim) may be translated “heavens” or “sky” depending on the context.
26 Heb “or weighed by a third part [of a measure].”
27 The implied answer to the rhetorical questions of v. 12 is “no one but the Lord. The Lord, and no other, created the world. Like a merchant weighing out silver or commodities on a scale, the Lord established the various components of the physical universe in precise proportions.
28 Perhaps the verb is used metonymically here in the sense of “advises” (note the following line).
29 In this context רוּחַ (ruakh) likely refers to the Lord’s “mind,” or mental faculties, rather than his personal Spirit (see 925 ).
30 Heb “or [as] the man of his counsel causes him to know?”
31 Heb “With whom did he consult, so that he gave discernment to him?”
32 Heb “and taught him.” The vav (ו) consecutive with prefixed verbal form continues the previous line. The translation employs an interrogative pronoun for stylistic reasons.
33 The phrase אֹרַח מִשְׁפָּט (’orakh mishpat) could be translated “path of justice” (so , ), but in this context, where creative ability and skill is in view, the phrase is better understood in the sense of “the way that is proper or fitting” (see 1049 מִשְׁפָּט 6); cf. , “the right way.”
34 Heb “or the way of understanding causes him to know?” The implied answer to the rhetorical questions in vv. 13–14 is, “No one.” In contrast to Marduk, the creator-god of Mesopotamian myths who receives help from the god of wisdom, the Lord neither needs nor receives any such advice or help. See R. Whybray, Heavenly Counsellor (), 64–77.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand

and marked off the heavens with a span,

enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure

and weighed the mountains in scales

and the hills in a balance?

Who has measured the Spirit of the Lord,

or what man shows him his counsel?

Whom did he consult,

and who made him understand?

Who taught him the path of justice,

and taught him knowledge,

and showed him the way of understanding?

NIVNew International Version (2011)

Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand,

or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens?

Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket,

or weighed the mountains on the scales

and the hills in a balance?

Who can fathom the Spirit of the Lord,

or instruct the Lord as his counselor?

Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him,

and who taught him the right way?

Who was it that taught him knowledge,

or showed him the path of understanding?

CSBChristian Standard Bible

Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand

or marked off the heavens with the span of his hand?

Who has gathered the dust of the earth in a measure

or weighed the mountains on a balance

and the hills on the scales?

Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord,

or who gave him counsel?

Who did he consult?

Who gave him understanding

and taught him the paths of justice?

Who taught him knowledge

and showed him the way of understanding?

NLTNew Living Translation

Who else has held the oceans in his hand?

Who has measured off the heavens with his fingers?

Who else knows the weight of the earth

or has weighed the mountains and hills on a scale?

Who is able to advise the Spirit of the Lord?

Who knows enough to give him advice or teach him?

Has the Lord ever needed anyone’s advice?

Does he need instruction about what is good?

Did someone teach him what is right

or show him the path of justice?

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand

and marked off the heavens with a span,

comprehended the dust of the earth in a third of a measure

and weighed out the mountains in the scales, and the hills in a balance?

Who has measured up the spirit of Yahweh

or informed him as his counselor?

With whom has he consulted, that he enlightened him

and taught him the path of justice,

and taught him knowledge,

and made the way of understanding known to him?

KJV 1900King James Version

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 directed the Spirit of the Lord,

Or being his counseller hath taught him?

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?

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