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?

ISAIAH 40:14KJV
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Isaiah 40:14 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 40:14 mean?

Isaiah 40:14 asks a series of questions to show that no one has ever advised, taught, or guided God in matters of judgment, knowledge, or understanding. The verse emphasizes that God’s wisdom and understanding are completely independent and unmatched by any human or other being.

In this part of Isaiah, the prophet is speaking to the people of Israel, reminding them of God’s greatness and uniqueness. The questions highlight that God did not need a counselor or teacher when creating and governing the world. This is meant to comfort and assure the people that God’s ways are perfect and far above human wisdom.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 40:14

  • counsel (יָעַץ, ya‘ats): This word means to give advice or guidance. The verse stresses that God never needed anyone to give Him advice.
  • instructed (בִּין, bin): Often means to make someone understand or to give insight. The verse points out that no one ever had to help God understand anything.
  • taught (לָמַד, lamad): Means to teach or train. The repetition underlines that God was never a student or learner from anyone else.
  • judgment (מִשְׁפָּט, mishpat): Refers to justice or the right way of doing things. The verse is saying God did not need to learn how to judge rightly.
  • knowledge (דַּעַת, da‘at) and understanding (תְּבוּנָה, tevunah): Both words point to deep wisdom and insight. The verse highlights that these qualities are God’s own, not borrowed or learned from another.

Why Isaiah 40:14 matters

  • Isaiah 40:14 clears up any idea that God’s wisdom is limited or learned from others, showing that He is the ultimate source of all knowledge and understanding.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage, which comforts Israel by contrasting God’s greatness with human weakness and the emptiness of idols.
  • This verse helps readers see that God’s decisions and actions are not based on outside advice, making His guidance trustworthy and sure.

Where else these words appear

“understanding” Hebrew H8394 · used in 42 verses

  • Exodus 31:3 And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,
  • Psalms 147:5 Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.
  • Proverbs 18:2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.

“path” Hebrew H734 · used in 58 verses

  • Genesis 18:11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.
  • Psalms 25:10 All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
  • Proverbs 5:6 Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them.

“counsel” Hebrew H3289 · used in 74 verses

  • Exodus 18:19 Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:
  • 2 Chronicles 22:4 Wherefore he did evil in the sight of the LORD like the house of Ahab: for they were his counsellors after the death of his father to his destruction.
  • Isaiah 1:26 And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city.

“taught” Hebrew H3925 · used in 80 verses

  • Deuteronomy 4:1 Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you.
  • Psalms 25:4 Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.
  • Proverbs 5:13 And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!