Isaiah 29:11-14

Listen to Isaiah 29:11-14
11 And the vision of all this has become to you like the words of a book that is 1sealed. When men give it to one who can read, saying, “Read this, ” he says, “I cannot, for it is sealed. ”
12 And when they give the book to one who cannot read, saying, “Read this, ” he says, “I cannot read. ”
13 And the Lord said: “Because 2this people 3draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men,
14 therefore, behold, 4I will again do wonderful things with this people, with wonder upon wonder; and 5the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hidden. ”

Isaiah 29:11-14 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 29

This chapter contains a prophecy concerning the destruction of the temple and city of Jerusalem by the Romans; the character and condition of the people of the Jews, previous to it; the calling of the Gentiles, by the preaching of the Gospel; the ruin of antichrist, and the conversion of the Jews, in the latter day. The siege and destruction of Jerusalem are described in Isa 29:1-6 the disappointment of their enemies, notwithstanding their taking and destroying it, Isa 29:7,8 the stupidity, judicial blindness, and hardness of the Jews, which brought on their ruin, are predicted, Isa 29:9,10 the ignorance of their learned, as well as of their unlearned men, with respect to the Scripture, and the prophecies of it, Isa 29:11,12 their hypocrisy and formality in worship, Isa 29:13 a blast upon all their wisdom and prudence, who thought to be wiser than the Lord, and too many for him, whose folly and atheism are exposed, Isa 29:14-16, and a great change both in Judea and the Gentile world, by the removal of the Gospel from the one to the other, Isa 29:17 the effects of which are, deaf sinners hear the word, dark minds are enlightened, and joy increased among the meek and poor, Isa 29:18,19 the fall of the Jews, or else of antichrist, is foretold, Isa 29:20,21 and the chapter is closed with a promise and prophecy of the conversion of the seed of Abraham and Jacob, Isa 29:22-24.

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Cross References 5

  • 1. 29:11 ch. 8:16; Dan. 12:4
  • 2. 29:13 Cited Matt. 15:8, 9; Mark 7:6, 7; [Ezek. 33:31]
  • 3. 29:13 [ch. 1:12; 58:2]
  • 4. 29:14 Hab. 1:5; See ch. 3:1-4
  • 5. 29:14 Jer. 49:7; Cited 1 Cor. 1:19
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025