# my hand laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens Here "hand" refers to Yahweh. Alternate translation: "I laid the foundation of the earth, and I spread out the heavens" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche]]) # the foundation of the earth The word "foundation" normally refers to a stone structure that gives support to a building from underneath. Here it describes a similar structure that was thought to support and hold the earth in place. See how you translated this in [Isaiah 24:18](../24/18.md). # spread out the heavens Yahweh speaks of creating the heavens as if they were fabric which Yahweh stretched out. See how you translated a similar phrase in [Isaiah 42:5](../42/05.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor]]) # when I call to them, they stand up together Standing up when Yahweh calls is a metaphor for being ready to obey him. Yahweh speaks of the earth and the heavens as if they were able to hear him and obey him. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-personification]]) # when I call to them Possible meanings are 1) "when I call the earth and the heavens" or 2) "when I call the stars in the heavens."