Isaiah 40:12 - Exposition

Who hath measured the waters? (comp. Proverbs 30:4 and Job 38:4-6 ). The might of God is especially shown in creation, which Isaiah assumes to be God's work. How infinitely above man must he be, who arranged in such perfection, "by measure and number and weight" (Wis. 11:20), the earth, the waters, and the heavens, so proportioning each to each as to produce that admirable order and regularity which the intelligent observer cannot but note in the material universe as among its chief characteristics! In the hollow of his hand . The anthropomorphism is strong, no doubt, but softened by the preceding mention (in verse 10) of God's "arm," and by the comparison of God to a shepherd (in verse 11). Isaiah's exalted notion of God renders him fearless with regard to anthropomorphism . And meted out heaven with the span ; rather, with a span (comp. Isaiah 48:13 , "My right hand hath spanned the heavens"). And comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure; literally, in a tierce . The measure intended is probably the seah , which was the third part of an ephah , and held about three gallons. The seah was "the ordinary measure for household purposes." In scales … in a balance . The peles , here translated "scales," is probably the steelyard, while the mozenaim is "the balance" or "pair of scales" ordinarily used for weighing. God metes out all things with measures, scales, and balances of his own, which are proportioned to his greatness.