Isaiah 29:13-15

13 Then the Lord said, "Because * 1this people draw near with their words And honor Me with their lip service, But they remove their hearts far from Me, And their reverence for Me consists of tradition * learned by rote,
14 Therefore behold, I will once again deal 2marvelously with this people, wondrously marvelous; And 3the wisdom of their wise men will perish, And the discernment of their discerning men will be concealed."
15 Woe to those who deeply 4hide their plans from the LORD, And whose 5deeds are done in a dark place, And they say, "6Who sees us?" or "Who knows us?"

Isaiah 29:13-15 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.

Cross References 6

  • 1. Ezekiel 33:31; Matthew 15:8, 9; Mark 7:6, 7
  • 2. Isaiah 6:9, 10; Isaiah 28:21; Isaiah 65:7; Habakkuk 1:5
  • 3. Isaiah 44:25; Jeremiah 8:9; Jeremiah 49:7; 1 Corinthians 1:19
  • 4. Psalms 10:11, 13; Isaiah 28:15; Isaiah 30:1
  • 5. Job 22:13; Isaiah 57:12; Ezekiel 8:12
  • 6. Psalms 94:7; Isaiah 47:10; Malachi 2:17

Footnotes 6

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