Woe to Ariel (Jerusalem) and Promise of Enlightenment
Isaiah 29:1-24
Isa.29.1 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- הוי: INTJ
- אריאל: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אריאל: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- קרית: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- חנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ספו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- שנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- שנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- חגים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ינקפו: VERB,niphal,impf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- 2 Samuel 5:7 (verbal): Uses the same designation 'city of David' (Zion); context also concerns David's capture/possession of the city that becomes Jerusalem.
- 1 Kings 8:1 (thematic): Speaks of the assembly at 'the city of David' and the cultic transfer of the ark to Jerusalem—connects municipal identity with religious feasts and ritual life.
- Psalm 122:1–4 (thematic): A pilgrim psalm celebrating going up to Jerusalem (the city of the king) for worship/feasts; resonates with Isaiah's reference to annual feasts in the city of David.
- Amos 5:21–23 (thematic): Prophetic critique of ritual observance (new moons, sabbaths, assemblies) without justice—helps read Isaiah's 'year on year, feasts' language in a prophetic-judicial context.
Alternative generated candidates
- Woe to Ariel, Ariel, the city where David encamped! Add year to year; let the festivals come round.
- Woe to Ariel, Ariel, the city where David encamped! Year upon year your festivals shall be turned into mourning.
Isa.29.2 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- והציקותי: VERB,hiphil,perf,1,na,sg
- לאריאל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- והיתה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- תאניה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואניה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- והיתה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- כאריאל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 29:1 (verbal): Same address to 'Ariel'—the verse immediately precedes 29:2 and uses the same name and woe-formula, linking the call of judgment against Jerusalem.
- Isaiah 29:3-4 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same oracle; repeats siege imagery (encamping, distress, humiliation) and the theme of Jerusalem/Ariel’s subjection.
- Isaiah 33:7-8 (thematic): Describes the panic and lament of a city under threat—valiant men crying out, highways deserted—paralleling the siege/distress predicted for Ariel.
- Isaiah 1:8 (thematic): Portrays Jerusalem (the daughter of Zion) as isolated and desolate like a hut in a vineyard—a vivid image of humiliation and vulnerability comparable to the degradation of Ariel.
- Zephaniah 3:1-6 (thematic): Condemns Jerusalem for rebellion and predicts judgment and shame; like Isaiah 29:2 it frames Jerusalem’s coming humiliation as the result of covenant unfaithfulness.
Alternative generated candidates
- I will distress Ariel; she shall be a burden of travail and groaning; and she shall be to me like Ariel.
- I will distress Ariel; she shall be a place of groaning and lamentation, and she shall be to me like Ariel.
Isa.29.3 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וחניתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,common,sg
- כדור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עליך: PREP+2ms
- וצרתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,common,sg
- עליך: PREP+2ms
- מצב: VERB,pual,ptcp,-,m,sg
- והקימתי: CONJ+VERB,hiph,perf,1,m,sg
- עליך: PREP+2ms
- מצרת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Ezek.4.2 (verbal): Ezekiel’s symbolic siege-action uses nearly identical language—“lay siege against it; build a fort against it; set camps against it; set battering rams against it round about”—a close verbal and structural echo of Isaiah 29:3.
- 2 Kgs 25.1 (verbal): Narrative report of Nebuchadnezzar encamping against Jerusalem and building forts around it; echoes Isaiah’s imagery of surrounding/camping and raising siege-works.
- Jer.52.4 (quotation): Parallel account to 2 Kings describing the Babylonian siege—Jeremiah 52 repeats the same siege language of encamping and constructing forts around Jerusalem, reflecting the same motif as Isaiah 29:3.
- Deut.28.52 (thematic): Part of the Deuteronomic curse where enemies surround and besiege the land/cities; provides the covenantal-theological backdrop for prophetic siege imagery like Isaiah 29:3.
Alternative generated candidates
- I will thrust against you with a spear, and I will besiege you; I will raise siegeworks against you and set up a mound.
- I will encamp against you like a host; I will besiege you with a mound and raise siegeworks against you.
Isa.29.4 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ושפלת: VERB,qal,perf,2,f,sg
- מארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- תדברי: VERB,qal,impf,2,f,sg
- ומעפר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תשח: VERB,qal,impf,2,f,sg
- אמרתך: NOUN,f,sg,abs+2f
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- כאוב: ADJ,m,sg
- מארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- קולך: NOUN,m,sg,suf
- ומעפר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אמרתך: NOUN,f,sg,abs+2f
- תצפצף: VERB,qal,impf,2,f,sg
Parallels
- Isaiah 14:9-11 (structural): Speaks of the dead/condemned voice from beneath the earth and the humiliation of a proud ruler — closely parallels the imagery of a voice/utterance coming from the ground and the theme of shameful abasement.
- Ezekiel 37:1-14 (thematic): The valley of dry bones vision uses dust/death and breath/voice imagery (life coming from the dead ground); thematically echoes the motif of speech, breath, and existence emerging from the dust/earth.
- Genesis 3:19 (thematic): ‘For you are dust and to dust you shall return’ — foundational biblical motif of human lowliness and association with the dust, which underlies Isaiah’s image of speech and being brought low into the earth.
- Psalm 83:17-18 (thematic): Prayer for Israel’s enemies to be ashamed and silenced so that they know God — parallels Isaiah’s oracle that foes will be brought low and their speech reduced to whispering, a motif of confounding and silencing adversaries.
- Job 30:20-23 (thematic): Job’s lament about being humbled, mocked, and feeling unheard captures the experience of abasement and ineffective speech, resonating with Isaiah’s image of powerless, dust‑born utterance.
Alternative generated candidates
- You shall be brought low to the ground and speak from the dust; your voice shall whisper from the earth, your words shall murmur from the dust.
- You shall be brought low to the ground and shall speak from the dust; your speech shall whisper from the earth, your voice shall be as one in a dream, your words shall hiss from the dust.
Isa.29.5 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- כאבק: PREP
- דק: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- המון: NOUN,m,sg,def
- זריך: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- וכמץ: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המון: NOUN,m,sg,def
- עריצים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- לפתע: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- פתאם: ADV
Parallels
- Psalm 73:20 (verbal): Uses the same simile 'like a dream when one awakes' to describe the transitory end of the wicked/enemies, paralleling Isaiah's 'and it shall be suddenly' dream‑like vanishing.
- Psalm 90:5-6 (thematic): Speaks of human life and the fate of nations as a dream/grass of the morning—same theme of sudden transience and ephemeral appearance as in Isaiah 29:5.
- Psalm 83:13-14 (thematic): Prays that God make Israel's enemies like wheel‑dust or stubble before the wind—dust/chaff imagery of enemies being scattered like Isaiah's 'fine dust'.
- Isaiah 41:15-16 (verbal): God's destruction of hostile peoples pictured with threshing/chaff imagery ('make the hills as chaff'), closely echoing Isaiah 29:5's motif of enemies reduced to dust/chaff by sudden divine action.
Alternative generated candidates
- Your hordes shall be like fine dust, the throng of your enemies like chaff driven away; suddenly—suddenly it shall be gone.
- Your throngs of enemies shall be like fine dust, the multitude of tyrants like chaff blown away; it shall be sudden, suddenly.
Isa.29.6 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- מעם: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- צבאות: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- תפקד: VERB,qal,imperfect,2,ms
- ברעם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וברעש: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וקול: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גדול: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- סופה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וסערה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ולהב: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אוכלה: VERB,qal,ptc,f,sg
Parallels
- Haggai 2:6 (verbal): Both passages speak of the LORD’s decisive shaking of heaven and earth—Haggai’s language about God’s impending shake echoes Isaiah’s earthquake/thunder imagery.
- Joel 2:10-11 (thematic): Joel depicts earthquakes, tumult and the LORD’s mighty presence/army (thunder, whirlwind, great noise), paralleling Isaiah’s storm and devouring-fire motifs.
- Psalm 29:3-9 (verbal): Psalm 29 repeatedly uses thunder, the voice of the LORD, and storm imagery (temporal/whirlwind effects) similar to Isaiah’s thunder, tempest and consuming flame.
- Nahum 1:5-6 (thematic): Nahum images mountains quaking, the earth moved, and God’s consuming anger/fire—paralleling Isaiah’s earthquake, tumult and devouring flame as acts of divine judgment.
- Psalm 18:7-15 (thematic): Psalm 18 describes earth-quaking, smoke, fire and the LORD’s tempestuous coming—language and motifs that closely parallel Isaiah’s thunder, earthquake and consuming fire.
Alternative generated candidates
- From the LORD of hosts there shall come upon you thunder and earthquake, the sound of a mighty crashing, whirlwind and tempest, and a consuming flame of fire.
- This comes from the LORD of hosts: a summons with thunder and earthquake, a great voice, tempest and storm, and a consuming flame of fire.
Isa.29.7 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- כחלום: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חזון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לילה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המון: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כל: DET
- הגוים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- הצבאים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- על: PREP
- אריאל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- צביה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ומצדתה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,f,sg
- והמציקים: CONJ+PART,qal,act,pl,m,def
- לה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
Parallels
- Isaiah 29:8 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same image—verse 8 completes the ‘dream/night-vision’ simile, describing the attacking nations as a fleeting, empty dream when God acts.
- Psalm 73:20 (verbal): Uses the same simile—enemies are 'like a dream' at God’s arising—echoing Isaiah’s portrayal of hostile nations as insubstantial and swept away.
- Zechariah 12:2-3 (thematic): Predicts surrounding nations turning against Jerusalem and experiencing shame/confusion when God defends the city—parallel theme of divine intervention causing the nations’ discomfiture.
- 2 Chronicles 20:22-23 (thematic): When Judah praised the LORD, He set ambushes against the attacking armies so they destroyed one another—an historical instance of God turning besieging nations into a bewildered, defeated multitude, resonant with Isaiah’s image.
Alternative generated candidates
- It shall be to the whole host of nations as a dream, a vision of the night, to the multitude of all peoples arrayed against Ariel—against all her camps, against her strongholds and those who distress her.
- It will be to the multitude of all the nations that besiege Ariel like a dream, a night vision—every one of their camps, her fortresses, and those who oppress her.
Isa.29.8 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- כאשר: CONJ
- יחלם: VERB,qal,imf,3,m,sg
- הרעב: NOUN,m,sg,def
- והנה: ADV
- אוכל: VERB,qal,part,1,m,sg
- והקיץ: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- וריקה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- נפשו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- וכאשר: CONJ
- יחלם: VERB,qal,imf,3,m,sg
- הצמא: NOUN,m,sg,def
- והנה: ADV
- שתה: VERB,qal,impv,2,sg
- והקיץ: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- והנה: ADV
- עיף: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- ונפשו: NOUN,f,sg,suff
- שוקקה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- כן: ADV
- יהיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- המון: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כל: DET
- הגוים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- הצבאים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- על: PREP
- הר: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ציון: NOUN,prop,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 29:9-10 (verbal): Immediate context: repeats the dream/sleep imagery and the motif of awakening to find appetite unsatisfied; verse 10 explicitly attributes a spirit of deep sleep/stupefaction over the people, closely paralleling the language and theme of 29:8.
- Zechariah 14:2 (thematic): Both passages describe many nations assembling against Jerusalem/Mount Zion to do battle; Zechariah depicts nations gathered around the city, echoing the ‘multitude of all the nations’ besieging Zion in Isaiah 29:8.
- Psalm 2:1-3 (thematic): Speaks of nations and peoples plotting and raging against the LORD and his anointed—a broader prophetic motif of hostile nations arrayed against God's city/kingdom that parallels the threat to Mount Zion in Isaiah 29:8.
- Joel 2:2 (thematic): Describes an overwhelming invading host compared to the noise of many waters—parallels the image of a vast multitude of nations pressing against Zion, emphasizing the scale and pressure of the assault.
Alternative generated candidates
- It shall be as when a hungry man dreams—behold he eats, but he awakens and his soul is empty; or as when a thirsty man dreams—behold he drinks, but he awakens and is faint, and his soul longs for drink. So shall be the multitude of all the nations that wage war against Mount Zion.
- As when a hungry man dreams and behold he eats, then awakens and his soul is empty; or when a thirsty man dreams and behold he drinks, then awakens and lo, he is faint and his soul craves—so shall be the multitude of all the nations that besiege Mount Zion.
Isa.29.9 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- התמהמהו: VERB,hitpael,perf,3,m,pl
- ותמהו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- השתעשעו: VERB,hitpael,perf,3,m,pl
- ושעו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- שכרו: NOUN,m,sg,suff,3,m
- ולא: CONJ
- יין: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נעו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- ולא: CONJ
- שכר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 29:10 (structural): Immediate continuation: explains the cause — the LORD has poured out a spirit of deep sleep, accounting for the stunned/blind/drunken imagery in v.9.
- Isaiah 6:9-10 (verbal): Same prophetic motif of God hardening the people by dulling perception—'make the heart of this people fat… shut their eyes' parallels the blindness and stupefaction in 29:9.
- Hosea 4:11 (verbal): Connects wine/drunkenness imagery to loss of understanding: 'whoredom, wine, and new wine take away the understanding,' echoing v.9's 'drunk but not with wine' theme.
- Ezekiel 12:2 (thematic): Similar reproach about a rebellious people who 'have eyes to see and see not' and ears to hear and hear not — the theme of divinely permitted blindness/daze under judgment.
- Romans 11:8 (quotation): Paul directly cites Isaiah's idea (Isa. 29:10) of God giving a spirit of stupor/hardening, applying the passage to Israel's partial blindness in salvation history.
Alternative generated candidates
- Be astonished and be bewildered; play the fool and reel—yet not with wine; stagger—yet not with strong drink.
- Be astonished and be dismayed; be intoxicated, yet not with wine; stagger, yet not with strong drink.
Isa.29.10 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- נסך: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עליכם: PREP+PRON,2mp
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- רוח: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- תרדמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ויעצם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- עיניכם: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- הנביאים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ואת: CONJ
- ראשיכם: NOUN,m,pl,def,poss:2,m,pl
- החזים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- כסה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Isaiah 6:9-10 (verbal): Uses the same motif and similar language of God causing people to hear without understanding and see without perceiving—a parallel prophetic description of divinely‑imposed blindness.
- Romans 11:8 (quotation): Paul explicitly echoes Isaiah's language ('a spirit of stupor,' eyes that cannot see) to explain Israel's present hardening and inability to receive the gospel.
- John 12:40 (quotation): John cites Isaiah's theme of God blinding and hardening people's perception, applying the prophetic verdict to those who would not believe in Jesus.
- Acts 28:26-27 (quotation): Luke (quoting Isaiah) uses the formula about hearing without understanding and seeing without perceiving to account for Israel's rejection of the apostolic message.
Alternative generated candidates
- For the LORD has poured out upon you a spirit of deep sleep and has shut your eyes; the prophets and your leaders, the seers he has covered.
- For the LORD has poured out upon you a spirit of deep sleep and has closed your eyes—the prophets and your rulers, the seers he has covered.
Isa.29.11 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ותהי: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- חזות: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הכל: PRON,m,sg,abs
- כדברי: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- הספר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- החתום: ADJ,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יתנו: VERB,qal,impf,3,pl
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- אל: NEG
- יודע: VERB,qal,ptc,ms,sg
- ספר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- קרא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- נא: PART
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
- ואמר: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- אוכל: VERB,qal,part,1,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- חתום: VERB,qal,ptcp,m,sg
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Daniel 12:4,9 (verbal): Speaks of a book being sealed until the end (’shut up and sealed’), echoing the motif of a sealed scroll that cannot be read.
- Revelation 5:1-5 (allusion): Portrays a sealed scroll that no one can open or read—the NT development of the sealed-book image found in Isaiah/Daniel.
- Isaiah 6:9-10 (structural): Same prophetic theme of a message given to a people who are unable or unwilling to perceive or understand God’s word (closed eyes/hearts).
- Acts 8:30-31 (thematic): The Ethiopian’s inability to understand the Scripture without a guide (‘How can I, except someone guide me?’) parallels the image of giving a book to one who says, ‘I cannot; it is sealed.’
Alternative generated candidates
- And the vision of all shall to you be like the words of a sealed book, which when they give it to the one who can read, saying, “Read this,” he answers, “I cannot, for it is sealed.”
- And the vision to you shall be as the words of a sealed book: when they give it to one who can read they say, 'Read this, please;' and he answers, 'I cannot, for it is sealed.'
Isa.29.12 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ונתן: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- הספר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- על: PREP
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לא: PART_NEG
- ידע: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ספר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- קרא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- נא: PART
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
- ואמר: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- ידעתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,?,sg
- ספר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 6:9-10 (thematic): Same prophetic motif in Isaiah: people are made unable or unwilling to perceive and understand God's message — hearing without understanding and seeing without perceiving, which frames the unreadable/undigestible book image in 29:12.
- Acts 8:30-35 (thematic): The Ethiopian eunuch is reading Scripture but cannot understand it without an interpreter — parallels the scene of a book given to one who cannot read/understand, highlighting lack of comprehension/access to God's word.
- Revelation 5:1-5 (structural): A sealed scroll/ book that none can open appears as a dramatic symbol of hidden divine counsel; parallels Isaiah's use of a written book as a sign of inaccessibility and judgment.
- Ezekiel 3:1-3 (verbal): Prophetic use of a written scroll as the medium of revelation (Ezekiel is told to eat the scroll) — echoes the tangible book/scroll motif in Isaiah 29, where the written word itself is a symbolic act.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the book is given to one who cannot read, saying, “Read this,” and he replies, “I cannot read.”
- And the book is given to one who cannot read, saying, 'Read this, please;' and he answers, 'I do not know how to read.'
Isa.29.13 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- יען: CONJ
- כי: CONJ
- נגש: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- בפיו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,3,m
- ובשפתיו: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- כבדוני: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl+PRON,1,sg
- ולבו: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- רחק: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- ממני: PREP,suff,1,m,sg
- ותהי: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- יראתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,pl
- אתי: PRON,1,sg
- מצות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- אנשים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- מלמדה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
Parallels
- Matthew 15:8-9 (quotation): Jesus directly quotes Isaiah 29:13 to condemn people who honor God with lips while their hearts are distant, adding that their worship is taught by human precepts.
- Mark 7:6-7 (quotation): Parallel to Matthew 15:8–9: Mark records Jesus citing Isaiah 29:13 to rebuke external religiosity and reliance on human traditions instead of true devotion to God.
- Isaiah 1:11-17 (thematic): Isaiah elsewhere criticizes empty ritual and calls for genuine righteousness and justice, contrasting outward sacrifices with moral obedience—same prophetical theme as 29:13.
- Amos 5:21-24 (thematic): Amos rejects the people's religious festivals and offerings because they lack justice and righteousness—another prophetic denunciation of mere outward worship.
- Matthew 23:27-28 (thematic): Jesus charges the scribes and Pharisees with hypocrisy—appearing righteous externally while being corrupt inside—reflecting the Isaianic contrast between lip-service and true devotion.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the LORD said: Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their heart is far from me, and their fear of me is but a commandment taught by men,
- And the Lord said: Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their reverence for me is but a commandment taught by men,
Isa.29.14 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- לכן: ADV
- הנני: PRT+PRON,1,sg
- יוסף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- להפליא: VERB,hifil,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- הפלא: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ופלא: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואבדה: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- חכמת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- חכמיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,3,m,sg
- ובינת: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,cs
- נבניו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,3,m,sg
- תסתתר: VERB,qal,imprf,3,f,sg
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 1:19 (quotation): Paul explicitly quotes Isaiah 29:14 (Greek LXX) — 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise...' — to show God confounds human wisdom.
- 1 Corinthians 1:27 (thematic): Paul's teaching that God chooses the foolish to shame the wise echoes Isaiah's theme that human wisdom will be overturned.
- Matthew 11:25 (allusion): Jesus thanks the Father for hiding truths from the 'wise and learned' and revealing them to children (cf. Luke 10:21), echoing the motif of God thwarting human wisdom.
- Isaiah 29:13 (structural): Immediate context: 29:13 condemns superficial worship and hypocrisy, which 29:14 follows by declaring God's wondrous acts that will confound the wise.
Alternative generated candidates
- therefore behold, I will again do marvelous and wondrous things with this people; the wisdom of the wise shall perish, and the discernment of the discerning shall be hidden.
- therefore, behold, I will again work marvels among this people—marvel upon marvel—and the wisdom of their wise shall perish, and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hidden.
Isa.29.15 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- הוי: INTJ
- המעמיקים: ADJ,m,pl,def
- מיהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לסתר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עצה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- במחשך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- מעשיהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,pl
- ויאמרו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
- מי: PRON,interr,sg
- ראנו: VERB,qal,perf,1,pl
- ומי: PRON,interr
- יודענו: VERB,qal,perf,1,pl
Parallels
- Jeremiah 23:24 (thematic): God challenges the notion that people can hide from him in secret places—directly counters the claim ‘Who sees us?’ in Isaiah 29:15.
- Luke 12:2 (verbal): Jesus states that nothing concealed will remain hidden, echoing Isaiah’s theme that secret deeds are not unknown to God and will be revealed.
- Psalm 10:11 (thematic): The wicked declare that God does not see or remember—parallel to Isaiah’s reproach of those who think their secret counsel escapes God’s knowledge.
- Proverbs 15:3 (thematic): Affirms that the eyes of the LORD observe all, opposing the attitude in Isaiah 29:15 that God is unaware of hidden actions.
- Job 34:21 (thematic): Asserts that God watches human ways and sees all steps, resonating with Isaiah’s denunciation of those who presume to act as if unseen by God.
Alternative generated candidates
- Woe to those who hide deep counsel from the LORD and whose deeds are in the dark, saying, “Who sees us? Who knows us?”
- Woe to those who hide deep plans from the LORD and devise in the dark, saying, 'Who sees us? Who knows us?'
Isa.29.16 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- הפככם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- אם: CONJ
- כחמר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- היצר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- יחשב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- יאמר: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- מעשה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לעשהו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- עשני: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg+1,sg
- ויצר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ליוצרו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- הבין: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 45:9 (verbal): Uses the same potter-and-clay image and near-verbal rhetorical question—'Shall the clay say to the potter…'—challenging those who fault God's workmanship.
- Jeremiah 18:1-6 (thematic): Narrative parable of the potter shaping clay used to teach God's sovereign right to reshape nations and individuals—same pottery metaphor and theological point.
- Romans 9:20-21 (quotation): Paul echoes the rhetorical challenge to human complaint toward God—'Who are you to argue with God?… Will the thing formed say to the maker…'—applying the potter/clay logic to divine sovereignty in election.
- Job 10:8-9 (thematic): Job's language about being formed from clay and addressed as the Potter’s work connects anthropological dependency on the Creator and the theme of creaturely subordination to the Maker.
Alternative generated candidates
- Shall the work turn back upon the potter? Shall the thing formed say of its former maker, “He did not make me,” or the clay say to the one who formed it, “You have no understanding”?
- Shall what is formed say to its former, 'He did not make me'? Or the thing molded say to its molder, 'He has no understanding'?
Isa.29.17 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- הלוא: PART
- עוד: ADV
- מעט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מזער: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ושב: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- לבנון: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לכרמל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- והכרמל: CONJ+NOUN,prop,m,sg,def
- ליער: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יחשב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Isaiah 35:1 (thematic): Both speak of barren or desolate places bursting into life as a sign of divine restoration (wilderness/land blossoming).
- Isaiah 41:18-19 (verbal): God promises to make rivers and to plant cedars, myrtles and olive trees—similar language of transforming lands and planting trees (cedars/Lebanon imagery).
- Ezekiel 17:22-24 (allusion): Image of a sprig becoming a lofty cedar in Lebanon and all trees knowing God's rule echoes the exaltation and reversal of fortunes in Isa 29:17.
- Amos 9:13-15 (thematic): Promise that the land will be fruitful—mountains dripping with sweet wine and restoration of Israel’s fortunes parallels the transformation of Lebanon/Carmel.
- Hosea 14:6-7 (thematic): Tree and vegetation imagery (branches spreading, flourishing) used to describe Israel’s renewal, resonating with Isaiah’s picture of transformed landscapes.
Alternative generated candidates
- Yet a little while and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful plain, and the fruitful plain shall be counted for a forest.
- Behold, a little while and Lebanon will be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field will be regarded as a forest.
Isa.29.18 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ושמעו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,pl
- ביום: PREP
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- החרשים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- דברי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,c,sg
- ספר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ומאפל: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ומחשך: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עיני: NOUN,f,pl,cons+1s
- עורים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- תראינה: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,pl
Parallels
- Isaiah 35:5-6 (verbal): Closely parallels the wording and theme: 'the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped,' a messianic restoration of sight and hearing like Isa 29:18.
- Isaiah 42:7 (thematic): Speaks of God 'opening the eyes of the blind' and bringing prisoners out of darkness, sharing the covenantal theme of liberating the helpless found in Isa 29:18.
- Matthew 11:5 (quotation): Jesus cites the prophetic signs—'the blind receive sight, the deaf hear'—as evidence of the kingdom, echoing Isaiah's promise of restored sight and hearing.
- Luke 7:22 (quotation): Parallel to Matthew 11:5; Jesus points to healing of the blind and deaf as fulfillment of Isaiah's messianic expectations present in Isa 29:18.
- Psalm 146:8 (thematic): Affirms the LORD 'opens the eyes of the blind and lifts up those bowed down,' resonating with Isaiah's portrayal of God's restorative action for the blind and deaf.
Alternative generated candidates
- In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book, and out of gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see.
- In that day the deaf will hear the words of a book, and out of darkness and gloom the eyes of the blind will see.
Isa.29.19 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויספו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- ענוים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- ביהוה: PREP+PN,sg
- שמחה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואביוני: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- אדם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בקדוש: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יגילו: VERB,qal,impf,3,mp
Parallels
- Isaiah 61:10 (thematic): Both verses celebrate joy in the Lord/Holy One and the vindication or rejoicing of God’s people—language of delight and salvation centered on God.
- Psalm 35:9 (verbal): “Then my soul shall rejoice in the LORD” closely echoes Isaiah’s formula of rejoicing in the Lord, linking personal joy with divine deliverance.
- Matthew 5:5 (thematic): Jesus’ beatitude on the meek (the humble) receiving blessing parallels Isaiah’s promise that the meek/poor will rejoice in God—continuity of the theme that God vindicates the lowly.
- Luke 1:46-53 (thematic): Mary’s Magnificat praises God for exalting the humble and filling the hungry—a New Testament echo of the reversal motif: the poor and meek rejoice because of God’s action.
- Psalm 113:7-8 (thematic): Speaks of God raising the poor from the dust and lifting the needy—parallels Isaiah’s focus on God’s care for the lowly and the resulting joy.
Alternative generated candidates
- The meek shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among mankind shall exult in the Holy One of Israel.
- The humble shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the needy of mankind shall exult in the Holy One of Israel.
Isa.29.20 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- אפס: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עריץ: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לץ: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ונכרתו: VERB,nip,imperfect,3,m,pl
- כל: DET
- שקדי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- און: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Psalm 37:9-10 (verbal): Declares that evildoers will be cut off—echoes Isaiah’s language that the ruthless/scoffer will perish and be cut off.
- Psalm 1:4-6 (thematic): Contrasts the fate of the righteous and the wicked: the wicked ‘will not stand’ and their way perishes, paralleling Isaiah’s pronouncement of the end of the wicked.
- Proverbs 21:24 (verbal): Uses the term ‘scoffer/mocker’ (parallel to Hebrew לֵץ) describing the proud mocker whose fate is judged—connects to Isaiah’s condemnation of the scoffer.
- Job 27:8 (thematic): Asks what hope the godless have ‘when God takes away his life’—reflects the theme of the violent/wicked being cut off as in Isaiah 29:20.
Alternative generated candidates
- For the ruthless shall come to an end, the scoffer shall cease, and all who watch to do evil shall be cut off.
- For the ruthless shall be no more, the scoffer shall cease, and all who watch to do evil shall be cut off.
Isa.29.21 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- מחטיאי: VERB,qal,ptc,m,pl
- אדם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בדבר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולמוכיח: CONJ+PREP+VERB,qal,ptc,m,sg
- בשער: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יקשון: VERB,qal,impf,3,pl
- ויטו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- בתהו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- צדיק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 16:18-20 (structural): Commands appointment of judges 'at your gates' and insists on impartial justice—echoes Isaiah’s setting of judicial action at the gate and the theme of perverted judgment.
- Proverbs 17:15 (verbal): States that justifying the wicked and condemning the righteous are an abomination—closely parallels Isaiah’s rebuke of those who pervert justice and condemn the upright.
- Proverbs 6:16-19 (thematic): Lists evils God hates including a false witness and one who sows discord—relates to 'causing a person to err by a word' and corrupt speech in Isaiah 29:21.
- Exodus 23:6-8 (thematic): Prohibits perverting the cause of the poor and accepting bribes that blind judgment and promote false testimony—parallels Isaiah’s condemnation of corrupt advocacy and miscarriage of justice.
- Micah 7:3 (thematic): Describes leaders and judges who rule for a bribe and pervert justice—echoes Isaiah’s critique of judicial corruption and those who turn the righteous aside.
Alternative generated candidates
- Those who strike down a man with a word and those who reprove at the gate shall be silenced; they will turn aside the righteous by falsehood.
- Those who make men offend by a word, and those who rebuke at the gate shall be ashamed; and the righteous way shall be turned aside into confusion.
Isa.29.22 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- לכן: ADV
- כה: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יעקב: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- פדה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- אברהם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- עתה: ADV
- יבוש: VERB,qal,impf,3,ms,sg
- יעקב: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- עתה: ADV
- פניו: NOUN,m,pl,cons+3,m,sg
- יחורו: VERB,qal,impf,3,pl
Parallels
- Isaiah 29:23 (structural): Immediate context and continuation: the promise that those who sanctify Israel will be sanctified and nations will fear—continues the assurance that Jacob will not be put to shame.
- Isaiah 54:4-5 (thematic): Assures Israel they need not fear or be ashamed because the Lord is their vindicator/redeemer—parallels the promise that Jacob’s shame will be lifted and his dignity restored.
- Micah 7:9-10 (thematic): Speaks of God turning his face toward his people so they will no longer be ashamed or overcome—echoes the theme of vindication and the end of Israel’s disgrace.
- Isaiah 63:16 (verbal): Uses the language of God as Israel’s redeemer and father; connects the covenantal/ redeeming role invoked in 29:22 ('the LORD who redeemed Abraham').
- Exodus 2:24-25 (allusion): God ‘remembered his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob’ and acted to deliver Israel—parallels the motif that God’s dealings with Israel are grounded in his covenant/relationship with Abraham invoked in 29:22.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore thus says the LORD, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob: Jacob shall not now be put to shame, nor shall his face now grow pale.
- Therefore thus says the LORD, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob: 'Jacob shall not now be ashamed, nor shall his face now grow pale.'
Isa.29.23 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- בראתו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ילדיו: NOUN,m,pl,poss3,m,sg
- מעשה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ידי: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- בקרבו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRS,3,sg
- יקדישו: VERB,hiphil,impf,3,m,pl
- שמי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1cs
- והקדישו: CONJ+VERB,hiphil,impf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- קדוש: ADJ,m,sg
- יעקב: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יעריצו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Isaiah 43:21 (verbal): Speaks of a people formed by God 'for myself' who 'shall shew forth my praise'—paralleling 'the work of my hands' and their sanctifying/declaring of God's name in Isa.29:23.
- Ezekiel 36:22-23 (verbal): God declares He will sanctify His great name through restoring Israel—closely matching Isa.29:23's emphasis that God's people will 'sanctify my name' and honor the God of Israel.
- Jeremiah 33:9 (thematic): Promises that restored Judah and Jerusalem will become 'a name, and for praise, and for glory' to God, echoing the theme of Israel's restoration leading to sanctifying and glorifying God's name in Isa.29:23.
- Ephesians 2:10 (verbal): Calls believers 'his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus'—paralleling Isa.29:23's description of Israel as 'the work of my hands' who in turn honor and glorify God.
- 1 Peter 2:9 (thematic): Describes God's people as a chosen priestly people called to 'proclaim the excellencies' of God, resonating with Isa.29:23's motif that God's restored children will sanctify and revere the God of Israel.
Alternative generated candidates
- For when he has created his children, he will be recognized; the work of my hands in their midst I will consecrate—my name they shall sanctify; they shall honor the Holy One of Jacob and stand in awe of the God of Israel.
- For when he has created his children, he will acknowledge my name; and they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob and stand in awe of the God of Israel.
Isa.29.24 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וידעו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- תעי: ADJ,part,m,pl,abs
- רוח: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בינה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ורוגנים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ילמדו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- לקח: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Isaiah 29:18 (structural): Immediate context: promises that the deaf will hear and the blind will see—continuation of the theme of spiritual restoration and gaining understanding.
- Isaiah 35:5–6 (thematic): Speaks of miraculous restoration (eyes opened, ears unstopped) and deliverance, paralleling Isaiah 29:24’s theme of those formerly deficient in perception being enabled to perceive and learn.
- Ezekiel 36:26–27 (allusion): God’s promise to give a new heart and put his Spirit within so people will follow his statutes—connects the idea that divine action/Spirit produces true understanding and obedience.
- Jeremiah 31:34 (thematic): Foretells a time when people will ‘know the LORD’ so that teaching by intermediaries is no longer necessary—parallels the universal acquisition of knowledge/understanding described in Isaiah 29:24.
- Proverbs 1:23 (verbal): Calls for turning to reproof while promising to ‘pour out my spirit’ and make words known—verbal resonance with Isaiah’s link between Spirit, instruction, and those who learn.
Alternative generated candidates
- Those who are foolish in spirit shall gain understanding, and the stammerers shall learn instruction.
- And those who err in spirit shall gain understanding, and the stammerers shall be taught insight.
Woe to Ariel, Ariel, the city where David encamped! Add year to year; let the festivals come round.
I will distress Ariel, and she shall be a place of mourning and lamentation; and she shall be to me as Ariel.
I will camp against you round about; I will besiege you with towers and raise siegeworks against you.
You shall speak from the ground; from the dust your words shall whisper. Your voice shall be as one speaking from the earth; from the dust your speech shall mutter.
Your many foes shall be like very fine dust; the multitude of ruthless ones like chaff that passes away—suddenly, in an instant.
From the LORD of hosts there shall come upon you thunder and earthquake, the rumble and the crash, a whirlwind and tempest, and the flame of consuming fire.
It shall be to the multitude of all the nations that besiege Ariel like the vision of a dream by night—every one who encamps against her and all who press upon her and her strongholds.
As when a hungry man dreams and, behold, he eats; but he wakes, and his soul is empty; or when a thirsty man dreams and, behold, he drinks, but he wakes and is faint—so shall the multitude of all the nations be that besiege Mount Zion.
Be astonished and bewildered; be blind and stagger—drunk, yet not with wine; reeling, yet not with strong drink.
For the LORD has poured out upon you a spirit of deep sleep; he has closed the eyes of your prophets and covered the heads of your seers. And the whole vision to you shall be like the words of a sealed scroll, which men give to one who does not know letters, saying, “Read this, please,” and he replies, “I cannot, for it is sealed.”
Or they give the scroll to one who cannot read and say, “Read this,” and he answers, “I cannot read.”
Then the LORD said: Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their heart is far from me, and their reverence for me is but a command of men learned by rote,
therefore behold, I will act wonderfully and marvellously among this people—marvel upon marvel; and the wisdom of the wise shall perish, and the discernment of the discerning shall be hidden.
Woe to those who hide deep counsel from the LORD and whose deeds are done in darkness, who say, “Who sees us? Who knows us?”
Shall the clay say to its potter, “He did not make me”? Or shall the thing formed say of him who formed it, “He has no understanding”?
Yet a little while and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be regarded as a forest.
In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book, and out of gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see.
The meek shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among mankind shall exult in the Holy One of Israel.
For the ruthless shall come to nothing, the scoffer shall cease, and all who watch to do evil shall be cut off.
Those who make a man an offender for a word, who lay a snare for the one who reproves at the gate, and who with empty pleas turn aside the righteous for a bribe—
therefore thus says the LORD, who redeemed Abraham: “Jacob shall not now be ashamed, nor shall his face now grow pale.
For when he sees his children—the work of my hands within him—then he will honor my name; he will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob and will stand in awe of the God of Israel. And the simple shall learn discernment, the thoughtless shall gain understanding; and the scoffer shall cease, and fools shall learn instruction.