Isaías 29
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Isaías 29
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS The Jewish Study Bible (pp. 839-840) outlines the chapter as three separate and independent poems. Isa. 29:1-8 (starts with "woe") Isa. 29:9-12 Isa. 29:15-24 (starts with "woe") YHWH's surprising reversal of His people's problems is a recurrent theme. Isa. 3:25-5:6 Isa. 8:6-8 Isa. 8:22-9:1 Isa. 28:16 The historical setting of this chapter seems to be Sennacherib's invasion of Judah in 701 B.C. Jerusalem is spared (Isaiah's theology), but Judah is devastated. Isaiah 36-39 2 Kings 18-19 2 Chr. 32 This chapter expresses the terrible consequences of covenant disobedience. Abraham's descendants, with rare exceptions, were never obedient to the Mosaic Covenant. The curses of Lev. 26 and Deut. 28 were applied to them several times in the OT (i.e. the Assyrian and Neo-Babylon exiles, as well as the Dan. 9:24-27 prophecy). I have come to believe that the Jewish War with Rome (A.D. 66-70), which resulted in the destruction of Jerusalem and the burning of the temple, was YHWH's ultimate judgment on Israel. This eschatological theological position is called Partial Preterism. I hope you will look at my exegetical commentaries on the Olivet Discourse ‒ Matt. 24; Mark 13; Luke 17; 21 the "man of lawlessness" text of 2 Thess. 2 the book of Revelation (2024 edition)
Isaías 29:1-4
29:1 "Woe" See note at Isa. 5:8. ▣ "Ariel" (Isa. 29:1,2,7) This term can mean heroes, cf. 2 Sam. 23:20; 1 Chr. 11:22 (BDB 72 I, #3) "lion of God" (BDB 72 I #1) "hearth of God" (BDB 72 II) Because it is used in the sense of altar-hearth in Isa. 29:2, which is also found in Ezek. 43:15-16, I believe this refers to the altar-hearth of God (El), which can be seen clearly in Isa. 31:9. Because of Isa. 29:7, it is obvious that this is an allusion to Jerusalem. The first strophe (i.e. Isa. 29:1-4) deals with the capital of Judah, Jerusalem, as 28:1-4 dealt with the capital of the Northern Ten Tribes, Samaria. Again, notice Isaiah's continued imagery of "city," "cities." SPECIAL TOPIC: THE TWO "CITIES" IN ISAIAH ▣ "Add year to year, observe your feasts on schedule" This second line of Isa. 29:1 reinforces the view that Isa. 29:1-4 refer to Jerusalem, the place of Israel's feasts (cf. Exodus 23; Deuteronomy 16). add, BDB 414, KB 418, Qal IMPERATIVE observe, BDB 668, KB 722, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense SPECIAL TOPIC: FEASTS OF ISRAEL 29:2-3 These verses describe what YHWH will do, using siege imagery, to His own chosen city (i.e. Jerusalem, the place where He caused His name to dwell, cf. Deut. 12:5,11,21; 14:23,24; 16:2,6,11; 26:2). I will bring distress, BDB 847, KB 1014, Hiphil PERFECT with waw, cf. Isa. 29:7; 51:13 (twice); Deut. 28:53, 55,57. she will be like lamenting, BDB 58, cf. Isa. 21:2; 35:10; 51:11 mourning, BDB 58 doubling so characteristic of Isaiah, also note Lam. 2:5 a burned-out hearth, BDB 72, cf. Isa. 29:1,2,7 I will camp against you, BDB 333, KB 332, Qal PERFECT with waw, cf. Luke 19:43,44 I will set up siege works, BDB 848 II; KB 1015, Qal PERFECT with waw, cf. Isa. 21:2 I will raise up battle towers, BDB 877, KB 1086, Hiphil PERFECT, with waw, cf. Isa. 23:13 29:4 This verse has a series images for death. you shall be brought low, BDB 1050, KB 1631, Qal PERFECT with waw from the earth you shall speak, BDB 180, KB 210, Piel IMPERFECT from the dust where you are prostrate, BDB 1005, KB 1458, Niphal IMPERFECT your voice shall be like that of a spirit from the ground, BDB 224, KB 283, Qal PERFECT with waw your speech shall whisper from the dust, BDB 861, KB 1050, Pilpel IMPERFECT This context is not dealing with necromancy, as Deut. 18:9-12,14 is, but imagery to describe Jerusalem, on the brink of total destruction, crying out to her God in a weak voice while lying on the ground just before death.
Isaías 29:5-8
29:5-6 What a radical reversal these two verses are in the context. God has promised to judge Jerusalem and now promises to save Jerusalem from the enemy siege of Isaiah 36-37. In Isa. 29:6, there is a use of a storm imagery to describe God. This is a recurrent theme throughout the Prophets. An even stronger use of this imagery can be found in Isa. 30:27-33. Notice what YHWH (i.e. Lord of hosts, Isa. 29:6) will do to the invaders. shall become like fine dust shall become like chaff which blows away shall happen instantly, suddenly (both BDB 837, עתפ, cf. Isa. 30:13 and םאתפ, cf. Isa. 47:11; 48:3) will be punished (lit. "visited with," BDB 823, KB 955, Niphal IMPERFECT) with thunder (BDB 947) will be punished with earthquakes (BDB 950) will be punished with loud noise (BDB 876, this is used in Isa. 33:3 as a prophetic message which may parallel 1 Thess. 4:16) will be punished with whirlwind (BDB 693) will be punished with tempest (BDB 704) will be punished with the flame of consuming fire (BDB 529 CONSTRUCT BDB 77; VERBAL, BDB 37, KB 46, Qal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE) These describe the coming/visitation of YHWH for judgment (cf. Isa. 28:2). These types of violent imagery were the beginning source of apocalyptic language. SPECIAL TOPIC: LORD OF HOSTS SPECIAL TOPIC: APOCALYPTIC LITERATURE 29:5 NASB, NJB, REB, Targums "enemies" NKJV, NRSV "foes" NASB, NRSV (footnote), JPSOA "strangers" "foreigners" "oppressors" DSS of Isaiah "haughty men" "invaders" The MT has "of your strangers" (זריך, BDB 266, KB 267, Qal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE). The translation of "of your enemies" (צריך) is from the Targums. The UBS Text Project, p. 65, gives the MT a "C" rating (considerable doubt). 29:7-8 This is the use of imagery of a nightmare (lit. "dream," BDB 321; "a vision of the night," BDB 302 CONSTRUCT BDB 538) to describe the results of God's action both in Judah and to Assyria. In Isa. 29:7, Assyria's siege will be like a nightmare that passes Judah, but in Isa. 29:8 the nightmare will occur to the army of Assyria (cf. 2 Kgs. 19:35-37; 2 Chronicles 32; Isaiah 36-37). 29:7 NASB, NRSV, NET "her stronghold" "her fortress" "besieging" REB, JPSOA "siege-works" The difference between these two options is the common "R" and "D" confusion. stronghold, BDB 845 II, ומצדתה siege, BDB 849, ומצרתה The UBS Hebrew Text Project, p. 67, gives #1 a "C" rating (considerable doubt), but notice that the text could refer to the enemies' siege-works against Jerusalem (REB, JPSOA, LXX) Jerusalem's defensive bulwarks (MT, "her stronghold," NET, NRSV, TEV, NKJV)
Isaías 29:9-12
29:9 "Be delayed and wait, Blind yourselves and be blind" The first two poetic lines of this verse have four IMPERATIVES. be delayed, BDB 554, KB 552, Hithpalpel IMPERATIVE, MASCULINE PLURAL. This could have a different root, "be astounded," "dumbfounded," BDB 1069, KB 1744, Hithpael IMPERATIVE; see Hab. 1:5. This would be a similar word play to the second line wait, BDB 1069, KB 1744, Qal IMPERATIVE, MASCULINE PLURAL; lit. "be astounded," cf. Hab. 1:5 NASB ‒ "wait" NKJV ‒ "wonder" NRSV, JPSOA ‒ "be in a stupor" NJB ‒ "stunned" LXX, Peshitta ‒ "be amazed" blind yourselves, BDB 1044 I, KB 1612, Hithpalpel IMPERATIVE, MASCULINE PLURAL be blind, BDB 1044, KB 1612, Qal IMPERATIVE, MASCULINE PLURAL, cf. Isa. 6:9-10; Micah 3:6-7 It is possible that #3 and #4 are from the Hebrew root "to delight in" (BDB 1044 II), if so then the phrase is sarcasm. Notice the balance between human freedom, Isa. 29:9, and divine sovereignty, Isa. 29:10. Both are true (i.e. Phil. 2:12-13)! SPECIAL TOPIC: PREDESTINATION vs. HUMAN FREE WILL SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT ▣ "They became drunk" This is another use of the term drunkenness (BDB 1016, KB 1500, Qal PERFECT) to describe the apostasy of the political and religious leaders of God's people (cf. Isa. 28:1-4,7-8). RSV and NEB translate this VERB as an IMPERATIVE. SPECIAL TOPIC: WINE AND STRONG DRINK 29:10-12 Notice YHWH's activities in removing His message from His people (cf. Isa. 6:9-10; Mic. 3:6-7). the Lord has poured on you (BDB 650, KB 703, Qal PERFECT) a spirit of deep sleep (BDB 924 CONSTRUCT BDB 922) He has shut (BDB 783, KB 868, Piel IMPERFECT with waw) the eyes of your prophets He has covered (BDB 491, KB 487, Piel PERFECT, TEV "blindfolded") both the civic and religious leadership's eyes (cf. Isa. 29:11-12; 6:9-10; 8:16) Verse 10 is quoted by Paul in his discussion of Israel's failure to believe/trust in Jesus as Israel's Messiah in Rom. 11:8. SPECIAL TOPIC: GOD HARDENED 29:11 "sealed" This VERBAL (BDB 367, KB 364, Qal PASSIVE PARTICIPLE) is also used by Isaiah in Isa. 8:16, where it refers to a revelatory scroll written by the prophet at God's direction. The "sealing" referred to a way of indicating ownership assuring security This was accomplished by blob of wax (or clay) on the rolled up edge with a signet ring of the sender impressed in it two blobs of wax (or clay) with a string between them and both impressed with the sender's ring or symbol As Isaiah was told to seal up the message in Isa. 8:16, so too, Daniel in Dan. 12:4. However, in Isa. 29:11 it is simply imagery for the ceasing of God's revelation. SPECIAL TOPIC: SEAL
Isaías 29:13-14
29:13 "Lord" See SPECIAL TOPIC: Lord (adon and kurios). ▣ "draw near with their words" This term (BDB 620, KB 670, Niphal PERFECT) speaks of public acts of worship in the temple. It was originally used of priests approaching the shrine or altar (i.e. Exod. 19:22). ▣ "their reverence for Me consists of tradition learned by rote" This is a significant theological truth which shows that ritual and liturgy, without personal relationship, accompanied by lifestyle, love, and morality, are an abomination to God (cf. Isa. 1:10-15; 58:1-5; Jeremiah 7; Amos 5:21-24; Micah 6:6-8; Matt. 15:1-20; Mark 7:1-23; Col. 2:16-23; 2 Tim. 3:5). The ritual was not wrong, it was the person's attitude that attempted to manipulate God. The above line of poetry is parallel to the next, "honor Me with their lip service" (cf. Jer. 12:2). They say one thing, but live another (cf. Matt. 15:8-9; Mark 7:6-7, where "words" and "lip" are described as "neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men," illustrated in Mark 7:3,5,9,13). 29:14 "I will once again deal marvelously. . .wondrously marvelous" In English these phrases sound good, but they are the Hiphil INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT; the Hiphil INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE and the NOUN all of the same root (BDB 810; see SPECIAL TOPIC: WONDERFUL THINGS), which denotes extraordinary plagues in Exod. 3:20; Deut. 28:59 extraordinary counsel in Isa. 9:6; 28:29 wonderful acts in Exod. 34:10; 1 Chr. 16:9,12,24; Isa. 25:1 Context must determine if it is positive or negative. Here it is negative of YHWH's judgment on His own people. This judgment will be that their wise counselors and religious leaders will fail to do their job (cf. Isa. 29:9-12). Paul quotes this verse in 1 Cor. 1:19 in his discussion of the foolishness of human wisdom, especially as it deals with understanding why the Messiah had to suffer and die (i.e. the gospel). See SPECIAL TOPIC: A SUFFERING MESSIAH
Isaías 29:15-16
29:15 "Woe" See note at Isa. 5:8. ▣ "hide their plans from the Lord" This refers to Judah's leadership's plan for a political alliance with Egypt (cf. Isa. 28:7-22; 30:1-5; 31:1-3) to protect them from Assyria. They are trusting in Egypt, not YHWH! ▣ "Who sees us?" or "Who knows us" This is basically a denial of God's personal presence. Verse 16 expresses the logic and foolishness of these statements. 29:16 "the potter" God as potter is a common biblical imagery (cf. Isa. 45:9; 64:8; Jer. 18:4ff; Job 10:9). It possibly developed from the initial creation of humanity in Gen. 2:7 being formed by God from clay. Paul alludes to this text in Rom. 9:20. Romans 9 is the affirmation of the complete and total sovereignty of God!
Isaías 29:17-21
29:17-21 This describes the new Messianic day that is coming (see note at 32:20 and SPECIAL TOPIC: THE MESSIANIC ERA). it is coming soon, Isa. 29:17a (cf. Isa. 10:24-25) Lebanon will become very fertile, Isa. 29:17b,c, cf. Isa. 32:15; 35:1-2 (the NASB Study Bible, p. 996, links this to Isa. 10:34 and asserts that Lebanon might be a way of referring to Assyria). Sennacherib bragged of his exploitation of Lebanon's forest (cf. Isa. 37:24; 2 Kgs. 19:23). the deaf shall hear, Isa. 29:18a, cf. Isa. 32:3; 35:5 the blind shall see, Isa. 29:18b, cf. Isa. 32:3; 35:5 the afflicted shall be glad in the Lord, Isa. 29:19a, cf. Isa. 11:4; 61:1 the needy shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel, Isa. 29:19b, cf. Isa. 3:14-15; 11:4; 14:30,32 the ruthless will come to an end, Isa. 29:20a the scorner will be finished, Isa. 29:20a, cf. Isa. 28:14 those intent on doing evil will be cut off, Isa. 29:20b justice will be restored at the gate, Isa. 29:21, cf. Isa. 32:7 This is parallel theologically to the wonderful description of YHWH's character in Isa. 25:4. Be sure to note that #3 and #4 are primarily imagery for receiving and understanding YHWH's revelation (cf. Deut. 29:4; Isa. 5:12,13; 6:9; 30:9). 29:19 "Holy" See SPECIAL TOPIC: THE HOLY ONE. 29:21 Notice that the 3 lines of poetry all describe rigged judicial acts. line 1 ‒ accusation by a false witness line 2 ‒ ensnare the elders/judges at the city gate line 3 ‒ defraud the innocent with false legal arguments There are examples of this judicial trickery in Amos 5:10,15.
Isaías 29:22-24
29:22-24 As Isa. 29:5-8 (and also Isa. 28:16) break into the context of judgment on Jerusalem with a word of hope, so too, Isa. 29:22-24. This rapid contrast between judgment oracles and promise oracles is characteristic of the Prophets. Judgment is always for the purpose of restoration! Yes, God will judge His people when they sin and break His covenant, but He has a greater purpose for them (i.e. an eternal redemptive plan for all humanity). Notice the different phrases and titles that denote the covenant Deity. the Lord, who redeemed Abraham, Isa. 29:22 his children, the work of My hands, Isa. 29:23 My name. . .the Holy One of Jacob, Isa. 29:23 the God of Israel, Isa. 29:23, cf. Isa. 1:4 SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN 29:22 The chosen family of Abraham developed into the tribes of Jacob's sons. YHWH promises a day when, by His power and covenant, they shall not be ashamed, BDB 101, KB 116, Qal IMPERFECT, used often in the Psalms, Isaiah, and Jeremiah nor shall his face grow pale, BDB 301, KB 299, Qal IMPERFECT, the VERB is found only here Both of these VERBS refer to Hebrew idioms of despair and guilt over disobedient behavior. The sinner feels the displeasure of God! SPECIAL TOPIC: SHAME SPECIAL TOPIC: KEEP ▣ "who redeemed Abraham" This VERB (BDB 804, KB 911, Qal PERFECT), is here used of Abraham. This could mean redeemed from a polytheistic family (cf. Genesis 11) uniquely chosen as God's covenant partner (i.e. Genesis 12; 15; 17) a specific act of physical deliverance from Pharaoh (cf. Gen. 12:10-20) from Abimelech (cf. Genesis 20) YHWH is called "the Redeemer of Israel" (cf. Isa. 41:14; 43:14; 48:17; 49:7,26; 54:5,8). That concept of YHWH as the special redeemer of a chosen family may be the theological thrust of Isa. 29:22-23. SPECIAL TOPIC: RANSOM/REDEEM 29:24 This verse is the opposite of Isa. 29:9-12,14. Revelation and understanding shall return to God's people through His called leadership, both civil and religious! This is a lifting of the Divine blindness and deafness of Isa. 6:9-10!! ▣ "the Holy One" See SPECIAL TOPIC: THE HOLY ONE. "mind" NKJV, NRSV, LXX, Peshitta "spirit" REB, JPSOA "the confused" The Hebrew word is ruah (BDB 924), used in this context in the sense of mental activity (cf. Exod. 28:3; Deut. 34:9; 1 Chr. 28:12; Job 20:3; Ezek. 20:32). Remember, context, context, context determines word meaning! SPECIAL TOPIC: BREATH, WIND, SPIRIT