Isaiah 29:13 NIV

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Isaiah 29:13

(13) Wherefore the Lord said . . .—We pass from the effect to the cause. The blind stupor was the outcome of a long hypocrisy. Lip-homage and an estranged heart had been the notes of the religious life of Israel, and they could bear no other fruit.Their fear toward me . . .—The words point to what we may call an anticipated Pharisaism. Side by side with the great commandments of the Law and with the incisive teaching of the prophets there was growing up even then a traditional system of ethics... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Isaiah 29:1-24

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

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Isaiah 29:1-24

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

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Isaiah 29:13

29:13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people {k} draw near [me] with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their {l} fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:(k) Because they are hypocrites and not sincere in heart, as in Matthew 15:7-8 .(l) That is, their religion was learned by man’s doctrine, and not by my word. read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Isaiah 29:1-24

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

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Isaiah 29:1-24

The Doom of Ariel Isaiah 29:0 This is a mysterious chapter, and has been left practically unexplained. No one can say what "Ariel" means, definitely; though there are some etymological suggestions which are not wanting in value. It is a poetical term. The best conjecture is that it signifies Jerusalem. Men have often to speak and to write in cipher; especially in Scriptural days had men to do the best they could with their meaning, owing to circumstances of a hostile nature. The Bible is full... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Isaiah 29:13

Plain Speaking Isa 29:13 Let us use these words as Jesus Christ used them in Matthew ( Mat 15:7 ), "Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you." There are three points, the first of which is the importance of plain speaking on all questions affecting the interests of truth. Jesus Christ was pre-eminently a plain speaker. He did not round his sentences for the purpose of smoothing his way. When he had occasion to administer rebuke or to point out the errors of those who were round about... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Isaiah 29:3-13

Here are the same, or similar denunciations, as have been before noticed. God's judgments for men's rebellion. And what makes the whole most awful, is, that those judgments and punishments remain unsanctified. The people did indeed, when the Lord's afflictions were upon them, call upon the Lord; but it was in form only, not in heart. Lip service, not soul affection, constituted the whole of their religion. Reader! look narrowly over your own heart, under this particular: rottenness begins... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Isaiah 29:13

Men. Our Saviour applies this to the Jews. The evangelists follow the Septuagint, Matthew xv. 8., and Mark vii. 6. (Calmet) --- "This people approacheth to me, (Grabe adds, with its mouth and with) their lips they honour me, but their heart is far from me. Yet in vain do they honour me, teaching the commands of men and doctrines." (Haydock) --- They still continue to corrupt God's word by their false interpretations. read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 29:9-16

9-16 The security of sinners in sinful ways, is cause for lamentation and wonder. The learned men, through prejudice, said that the Divine prophecies were obscure; and the poor urged their want of learning. The Bible is a sealed book to every man, learned or unlearned, till he begins to study it with a simple heart and a teachable spirit, that he may thence learn the truth and the will of God. To worship God, is to approach him. And if the heart be full of his love and fear, out of the... read more