Jesaja 29:13

13 Und der HERR spricht: Darum daß dies Volk zu mir naht mit seinem Munde und mit seinen Lippen mich ehrt, aber ihr Herz fern von mir ist und sie mich fürchten nach Menschengeboten, die sie lehren:

Jesaja 29:13 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 29:13

Wherefore the Lord said
Concerning the hypocritical people of the Jews in Christ's time, as the words are applied by our Lord himself, ( Matthew 15:7 ) : Forasmuch as this people draw near to [me] with their mouth, and
with their lips do honour me;
Kimchi observes, there is a double reading of the word (vgn) , rendered "draw near": in one reading of it, it signifies to be "afflicted"; and then the sense is, "when this people are afflicted, with their mouth, and with their lips, they honour me"; that is, when they are in distress, they pray unto him, and profess a great regard for him, speak honourably of him, and reverently to him, hoping he will help and relieve them; see ( Isaiah 26:16 ) but the other reading of the word, in which it has the signification of "drawing near", is confirmed, not only by the Masora on the text, but by the citation of it in ( Matthew 15:7 Matthew 15:8 ) and designs the approach of these people to God, in acts of religion and devotion, in praying to him, and praising of him, and expressing great love and affection for him, and zeal for his cause and interest; but were all outwardly, with their lips and mouths only: but have removed their heart far from me;
these were not employed in his service, which is the main thing he requires and regards, but were engaged elsewhere; while their bodies were presented before him, and their mouths and lips were moving to him, their affections were not set upon him, nor the desires of their souls unto him, nor had they any real hearty concern for his glory: and their fear towards me is taught by the precept of men;
their worship of God was not according to the prescription of God, and his revealed will; but according to the traditions of the elders, which they preferred to the word of God, and, by observing them, transgressed it, and made it of no effect; see ( Matthew 15:3 Matthew 15:6 Matthew 15:9 ) .

Jesaja 29:13 In-Context

11 daß euch aller Propheten Gesichte sein werden wie die Worte eines versiegelten Buches, welches man gäbe einem, der lesen kann, und spräche: Lies doch das! und er spräche: Ich kann nicht, denn es ist versiegelt;

12 oder gleich als wenn man's gäbe dem, der nicht lesen kann, und spräche: Lies doch das! und er spräche: Ich kann nicht lesen.

13 Und der HERR spricht: Darum daß dies Volk zu mir naht mit seinem Munde und mit seinen Lippen mich ehrt, aber ihr Herz fern von mir ist und sie mich fürchten nach Menschengeboten, die sie lehren:

14 so will ich auch mit diesem Volk wunderlich umgehen, aufs wunderlichste und seltsamste, daß die Weisheit seiner Weisen untergehe und der Verstand seiner Klugen verblendet werde.

15 Weh, die verborgen sein wollen vor dem HERRN, ihr Vornehmen zu verhehlen, und ihr Tun im Finstern halten und sprechen: Wer sieht uns, und wer kennt uns?