Isaiah 5:21

21 Ah! [Those who are] wise in their own eyes and have understanding {in their view}!

Isaiah 5:21 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 5:21

Woe unto [therm that are] wise in their own eyes
And yet betray such stupidity and sottishness, as to call things by their wrong names; and make such a perverse judgment of them, as before described. This is a true description of the Scribes and Pharisees in Christ's time; who said, "dost thou teach us? are we blind also?" ( John 9:34-40 ) and prudent in their own sight;
being wise above what was written; leaving the word of God, and following the traditions of the elders.

Isaiah 5:21 In-Context

19 those who say, "Let him make haste; let him hurry his work so that we may see it and let it draw near and let the plan of the holy one of Israel come so that we may know [it]!"

20 Ah! Those who call evil good and good evil, those who put darkness for light and light for darkness, those who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!

21 Ah! [Those who are] wise in their own eyes and have understanding {in their view}!

22 Ah! Heroes at drinking wine, and men of capability at mixing strong drink!

23 Those who acquit the guilty because of a bribe and remove [the] justice of [the] innocent from him.

Footnotes

• [a]. Literally "before their faces"