Yesaya 40:14

40:14 From whom does he receive directions? ¹ 

Who ²  teaches him the correct way to do things, ³ 

or imparts knowledge to him,

or instructs him in skillful design? ⁴ 

Yesaya 51:7

51:7 Listen to me, you who know what is right,

you people who are aware of my law! ⁵ 

Don’t be afraid of the insults of men;

don’t be discouraged because of their abuse!

Yesaya 63:12

63:12 the one who made his majestic power available to Moses, ⁶ 

who divided the water before them,

gaining for himself a lasting reputation, ⁷ 

Yesaya 66:1

66:1 This is what the Lord says:

“The heavens are my throne

and the earth is my footstool.

Where then is the house you will build for me?

Where is the place where I will rest?

[40:14]  ¹ tn Heb “With whom did he consult, so that he gave discernment to him?”

[40:14]  ² tn 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.

[40:14]  ³ tn The phrase אֹרַח מִשְׁפָּט (’orakh mishpat) could be translated “path of justice” (so NASB, NRSV), 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 BDB 1049 s.v. מִשְׁפָּט 6); cf. NIV, NCV “the right way.”

[40:14]  ⁴ tn Heb “or the way of understanding causes him to know?”

[40:14]  sn 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 (SOTSMS), 64-77.

[51:7]  ⁵ tn Heb “people (who have) my law in their heart.”

[63:12]  ⁶ tn Heb “who caused to go at the right hand of Moses the arm of his splendor.”

[63:12]  ⁷ tn Heb “making for himself a lasting name.”