Isaiah 29:11-21

11 et erit vobis visio omnium sicut verba libri signati quem cum dederint scienti litteras dicent lege istum et respondebit non possum signatus est enim

12 et dabitur liber nescienti litteras diceturque ei lege et respondebit nescio litteras

13 et dixit Dominus eo quod adpropinquat populus iste ore suo et labiis suis glorificat me cor autem eius longe est a me et timuerunt me mandato hominum et doctrinis

14 ideo ecce ego addam ut admirationem faciam populo huic miraculo grandi et stupendo peribit enim sapientia a sapientibus eius et intellectus prudentium eius abscondetur

15 vae qui profundi estis corde ut a Domino abscondatis consilium quorum sunt in tenebris opera et dicunt quis videt nos et quis novit nos

16 perversa est haec vestra cogitatio quasi lutum contra figulum cogitet et dicat opus factori suo non fecisti me et figmentum dicat fictori suo non intellegis

17 nonne adhuc in modico et in brevi convertetur Libanus in Chermel et Chermel in saltum reputabitur

18 et audient in die illa surdi verba libri et de tenebris et caligine oculi caecorum videbunt

19 et addent mites in Domino laetitiam et pauperes homines in Sancto Israhel exultabunt

20 quoniam defecit qui praevalebat consummatus est inlusor et succisi sunt omnes qui vigilabant super iniquitatem

21 qui peccare faciebant homines in verbo et arguentem in porta subplantabant et declinaverunt frustra a iusto

Isaiah 29:11-21 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.