Romans 11:34
New International Version
“Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?”

New Living Translation
For who can know the LORD’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice?

English Standard Version
“For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?”

Berean Standard Bible
“Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?”

Berean Literal Bible
"For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been His counselor?"

King James Bible
For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counseller?

New King James Version
“For who has known the mind of the LORD? Or who has become His counselor?”

New American Standard Bible
For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR?

NASB 1995
For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR?

NASB 1977
For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR?

Legacy Standard Bible
For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR?

Amplified Bible
For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO HAS BEEN HIS COUNSELOR?

Christian Standard Bible
For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?

American Standard Version
For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?

Contemporary English Version
"Has anyone known the thoughts of the Lord or given him advice?

English Revised Version
For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Who knows how the Lord thinks? Who can become his adviser?"

Good News Translation
As the scripture says, "Who knows the mind of the Lord? Who is able to give him advice?

International Standard Version
Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become his adviser?

Majority Standard Bible
?Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor??

NET Bible
For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?

New Heart English Bible
For "Who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?"

Webster's Bible Translation
For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counselor?

Weymouth New Testament
"Who has ever known the mind of the Lord, or shared His counsels?"

World English Bible
“For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
For who knew the mind of the LORD? Or who became His counselor?

Berean Literal Bible
"For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been His counselor?"

Young's Literal Translation
for who did know the mind of the Lord? or who did become His counsellor?

Smith's Literal Translation
For who knew the mind of the Lord? or who was his counsel?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For who hath known the mind of the Lord? Or who hath been his counsellor?

Catholic Public Domain Version
For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?

New American Bible
“For who has known the mind of the Lord or who has been his counselor?”

New Revised Standard Version
“For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For who has known the mind of the LORD? or who has been his counsellor?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For who has known the mind of THE LORD JEHOVAH, or who has been a counselor to him?
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or, who has been his counsellor?

Godbey New Testament
For who has known the mind of the Lord? who became his counsellor?

Haweis New Testament
For who hath known the mind of the Lord, or who hath been admitted his counsellor?

Mace New Testament
for who hath known the mind of the Lord, or who hath been his counsellor?

Weymouth New Testament
"Who has ever known the mind of the Lord, or shared His counsels?"

Worrell New Testament
For who knew the mind of the Lord? Or who became His counsellor?

Worsley New Testament
For who hath known the mind of the Lord, or who hath been his counsellor?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Hymn of Praise
33O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways! 34 “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?” 35“Who has first given to God, that God should repay him?”…

Cross References
Isaiah 40:13
Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, or informed Him as His counselor?

1 Corinthians 2:16
“For who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

Job 15:8
Do you listen in on the council of God or limit wisdom to yourself?

Job 36:22-23
Behold, God is exalted in His power. Who is a teacher like Him? / Who has appointed His way for Him, or told Him, ‘You have done wrong’?

Job 11:7-9
Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty? / They are higher than the heavens—what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol—what can you know? / Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.

Job 21:22
Can anyone teach knowledge to God, since He judges those on high?

Job 38:4-5
Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. / Who fixed its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched a measuring line across it?

Jeremiah 23:18
But which of them has stood in the council of the LORD to see and hear His word? Who has given heed to His word and obeyed it?

Isaiah 55:8-9
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. / “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.

Proverbs 30:4
Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in His hands? Who has bound up the waters in His cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is the name of His Son—surely you know!

Psalm 92:5
How great are Your works, O LORD, how deep are Your thoughts!

Psalm 139:6
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

Ecclesiastes 3:11
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men, yet they cannot fathom the work that God has done from beginning to end.

Daniel 2:20-22
and declared: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him. / He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. / He reveals the deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him.

1 Corinthians 1:25
For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.


Treasury of Scripture

For who has known the mind of the Lord? or who has been his counselor?

Job 15:8
Hast thou heard the secret of God? and dost thou restrain wisdom to thyself?

Job 36:22
Behold, God exalteth by his power: who teacheth like him?

Isaiah 40:13
Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counseller hath taught him?

Jump to Previous
Counsellor Counselor Counsels Mind Part Purposes Shared
Jump to Next
Counsellor Counselor Counsels Mind Part Purposes Shared
Romans 11
1. God has not cast off all Israel.
7. Some were elected, though the rest were hardened.
16. There is hope of their conversion.
18. The Gentiles may not exult over them;
26. for there is a promise of their salvation.
33. God's judgments are unsearchable.














Who has known the mind of the Lord?
This phrase emphasizes the incomprehensibility and sovereignty of God. It echoes Isaiah 40:13, which highlights God's wisdom and understanding as beyond human grasp. The rhetorical question underscores the vast difference between divine and human knowledge. In the biblical context, this serves as a reminder of God's omniscience, a theme prevalent throughout Scripture, such as in Job 38-41, where God questions Job to illustrate His own infinite wisdom. The phrase also reflects the mystery of God's plans, particularly in the context of salvation history, as Paul discusses in Romans 11 regarding the inclusion of Gentiles and the future of Israel.

Or who has been His counselor?
This part of the verse further emphasizes God's self-sufficiency and the futility of human attempts to advise or influence Him. It suggests that God does not require guidance or advice from His creation, reinforcing His omnipotence and independence. This is consistent with passages like Job 21:22 and Isaiah 40:14, which affirm that God is the source of all wisdom and knowledge. Historically, this challenges the Greco-Roman cultural context, where gods were often depicted as needing counsel from other deities or humans. Theologically, it points to the perfection of God's will and His ultimate authority over all creation, a theme that resonates with the portrayal of Christ as the wisdom of God in 1 Corinthians 1:24.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul the Apostle
The author of the Book of Romans, Paul was a key figure in the early Christian church, known for his missionary journeys and theological insights.

2. The Church in Rome
The recipients of the letter, the Roman Christians were a diverse group of Jewish and Gentile believers living in the heart of the Roman Empire.

3. The Lord (God)
The central figure in this verse, referring to the omniscient and omnipotent God of the Bible, whose wisdom and knowledge are beyond human comprehension.
Teaching Points
God's Incomprehensible Wisdom
God's wisdom is beyond human understanding. We must approach Him with humility, acknowledging our limitations.

Trust in God's Sovereignty
Since we cannot fully understand God's plans, we are called to trust in His sovereign will, knowing that He works all things for good.

The Futility of Human Counsel
Human wisdom is limited and flawed. We should seek God's guidance through prayer and Scripture rather than relying solely on human advice.

The Role of Faith
Faith is essential in our relationship with God. We must believe that His ways are higher than ours, even when we do not understand them.

Encouragement in Uncertainty
In times of uncertainty, remember that God is in control. His plans are perfect, and He knows what is best for us.(34) For who hath known the mind of the Lord?--The two clauses in this verse are illustrative of the wisdom and knowledge of God, just as the next verse is illustrative of His "riches."



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
“Who
Τίς (Tis)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

has known
ἔγνω (egnō)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1097: A prolonged form of a primary verb; to 'know' in a great variety of applications and with many implications.

[the] mind
νοῦν (noun)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3563: Probably from the base of ginosko; the intellect, i.e. Mind; by implication, meaning.

of [the] Lord?
Κυρίου (Kyriou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

Or
(ē)
Conjunction
Strong's 2228: Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.

who
τίς (tis)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

has been
ἐγένετο (egeneto)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.

His
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

counselor?”
σύμβουλος (symboulos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4825: An adviser, counselor. From sun and boule; a consultor, i.e. Adviser.


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NT Letters: Romans 11:34 For who has known the mind (Rom. Ro)
Romans 11:33
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