Definition: 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?
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this incredibly complex Bible verse. It’s a really poetic way of describing God’s absolute power and control over everything. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is about God's complete understanding and mastery of all things – from the smallest particles to the largest mountains. He knows everything, and he handles it all with perfect precision. Let’s unpack each part: “Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand?” This is a really striking image. Imagine a hand that’s incredibly small – so tiny you can barely see it. Measuring the water in that tiny space means God knows everything, even things we can't imagine or measure. It shows He has complete knowledge and control. “And meted out heaven with the span?” "Heaven" refers to all of creation – the earth, sky, plants, animals, everything. "The span" is a very large measure, representing God’s absolute power and authority. This means God created it all and has complete control over it. “And comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure?” This speaks to His understanding of every single particle that makes up everything. He knows the composition of matter perfectly. “And weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?” This is the most powerful part. “Mountains” represent human endeavors – our ambitions, our struggles, our achievements. "Scales" symbolize His judgment and justice. He has weighed them all – good and bad - and knows exactly what each one deserves. Overall Meaning: The verse is a statement of God's absolute sovereignty and wisdom. It’s saying that God isn't just watching things; He actively controls every aspect of existence. He understands everything, has complete knowledge, and can judge everything with perfect accuracy. It's often interpreted as: God's ultimate authority: He is in charge of all creation. A divine plan: His actions are perfectly ordered and designed. Eternal justice: He will always bring about what is right, regardless of how things look today. Important Note: This is a very complex passage filled with symbolism. It’s not meant to be taken literally; it's used to express the profound reality of God's power and control. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Give you an analogy that helps illustrate the concept? Discuss its significance within a particular religious context (like Judaism or Christianity)?