15. seek deep to hide—rather, "That seek to hide deeply," c. (compare Isaiah 30:1 Isaiah 30:2). The reference is to the secret plan which many of the Jewish nobles had of seeking Egyptian aid against Assyria, contrary to the advice of Isaiah. At the same time the hypocrite in general is described, who, under a plausible exterior, tries to hide his real character, not only from men, but even from God. read more
"Woe" announces divine condemnation of another trait of the Jerusalemites: their habitual and determined decision to try to hide from God (cf. Genesis 3:8). The political strategists seem to be particularly in view. [Note: Ibid., p. 389.] They tried to hide their plans from the Lord so they could be their own masters, as they thought, to live as they pleased rather than as He instructed them. Previously King Ahaz had tried to hide his appeal to Assyria for help (ch. 7). read more
The remedy for spiritual blindness 29:15-24The remedy for this spiritually blind state is the subject of the next "woe" (Isaiah 29:15-24). It begins with a word of condemnation for deception (Isaiah 29:15-16), proceeds to explain what God will do (Isaiah 29:17-21), and ends with a summary statement (Isaiah 29:22-24). read more
This chapter and the three which follow and complete the section, evidently belong to the very eve of Sennacherib’s invasion of Judah in701 b.c.1-8. Jerusalem is besieged and at the last extremity, but the enemy shall be suddenly discomfited. 9-24. Judah’s infatuation at this crisis, contrasted with the very different and teachable spirit that shall mark its future.1. RV ’Ho Ariel.’ Ariel is a symbolic name for Jerusalem, meaning either (1) lion of God, i.e. hero (2 Samuel 23:20), the lion... read more
(15) Woe unto them . . .—The words sound like an echo of Isaiah 5:8; Isaiah 5:11; Isaiah 5:18, and show that Isaiah had not lost the power of adding to that catalogue of woes. The sins of which he speaks here may have been either the dark sensualities which lay beneath the surface of religion, or, more probably, their clandestine intrigues with this or that foreign power—Egypt, Ethiopia, Babylon—against the Assyrian invader, instead of trusting in the Lord of hosts. read more
CHAPTER XIIARIEL, ARIELABOUT 703 B.C.Isaiah 29:1-24IN 705 Sargon, King of Assyria, was murdered, and Sennacherib, his second son, succeeded him. Before the new ruler mounted the throne, the vast empire, which his father had consolidated, broke into rebellion, and down to the borders of Egypt cities and tribes declared themselves again independent. Sennacherib attacked his problem with Assyrian promptitude. There were two forces, to subdue which at the beginning made the reduction of the rest... read more
CHAPTER 29 The Second Woe Against Ariel and the Third Woe 1. The fall of Ariel (Jerusalem) predicted (Isaiah 29:1-4 ) 2. Their enemies dealt with by Jehovah (Isaiah 29:5-8 ) 3. The people’s condition: Blinded and religious formalists (Isaiah 29:9-14 ) 4. The third woe (Isaiah 29:15-16 ) 5. In that Day: joy and blessing for the meek and iniquity punished (Isaiah 29:17-24 ) Ariel means “the lion of God.” It is one of the names of Jerusalem. A great siege of Jerusalem is predicted.... read more
29:15 Woe to them that {n} seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?(n) This is spoken of them who in heart despised God’s word, and mocked at the admonitions but outwardly bore a good face. read more
JUDAH AND EGYPT These chapters make a unit since, with the exception of the opening part of chapter 28, they chiefly deal with Judah’s futile alliance with Egypt. Isaiah 28:0 Israel, or the kingdom of the ten tribes, is addressed under the name of her leading tribe “Ephraim” (Isaiah 28:1 ). Her great sin is strong drink. “The head of the fat valley” is Samaria the capital, which is soon to be overthrown by the Assyrians (Isaiah 28:2-4 ). Observe, however, the usual forecast of the end of the... read more
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Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Isaiah 29:15-16
Isaiah 29:15-16. Woe unto them, &c.— Woe unto them who with deep dissimulation seek to hide their counsel, &c. Isaiah 29:16. This perverseness of yours is as if the potter were reputed as clay; that the work should say of its maker, He made me not; or the thing framed, say of him that framed it, He hath no understanding. Vitringa. The plain meaning of the prophet is, that their proceedings who attempted to hide their worldly counsels and subtle devices from Jehovah, were as absurd as if... read more