King James Version

What Does Isaiah 29:10 Mean?

Isaiah 29:10 in the King James Version says “For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers,...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 29 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered. rulers: Heb. heads”

Isaiah 29:10 · KJV

Holy Spirit

Context

8

It shall even be as when an hungry man dreameth, and, behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and, behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh, and, behold, he is faint, and his soul hath appetite: so shall the multitude of all the nations be, that fight against mount Zion.

9

Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink. cry ye: or, take your pleasure, and riot

10

For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered. rulers: Heb. heads

11

And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed: book: or, letter

12

And the book is delivered to him that is not learned , saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.

Read Isaiah 29 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep (כִּי נָסַךְ עֲלֵיכֶם יְהוָה רוּחַ תַּרְדֵּמָה, ki nasakh aleykhem YHWH ruach tardemah)—the verb נסך (nasakh) means to pour out (like a drink offering). God pours out רוּחַ תַּרְדֵּמָה (ruach tardemah), a spirit of deep sleep. The word תַּרְדֵּמָה (tardemah) appears when God put Adam into deep sleep (Genesis 2:21) and when Abraham experienced the deep sleep of covenant ratification (Genesis 15:12)—supernatural stupor, not natural drowsiness. And hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered (וַיְעַצֵּם אֶת־עֵינֵיכֶם אֶת־הַנְּבִיאִים וְאֶת־רָאשֵׁיכֶם הַחֹזִים כִּסָּה, vaye'atsem et-eyneykhem et-hanevi'im ve'et-rasheykhem hachozim kisah).

The terrifying reality: God Himself judicially blinds those who persistently refuse to see. The prophets (נְבִיאִים, nevi'im) and seers (חֹזִים, chozim)—those meant to provide spiritual vision—are covered, sealed shut. This is covenantal hardening, God's active judgment on chronic rebellion. Paul quotes this in Romans 11:8 regarding Israel's blindness to Christ. Persistent rejection of revelation results in God removing the ability to perceive it.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Throughout Judah's history, false prophets proliferated while true prophets were ignored or persecuted. Jeremiah later faced this: false prophets promised peace while he proclaimed judgment (Jeremiah 28). By Jesus's time, this judicial hardening was fully evident—religious leaders examined Jesus's works yet concluded He operated by Beelzebub (Matthew 12:24).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does persistent rejection of God's truth lead to judicial hardening where He removes the ability to perceive?
  2. What warning does this give about treating God's revelation casually or repeatedly ignoring His word?
  3. How can spiritual leaders themselves become blinded when they prioritize institutional preservation over obedience?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
כִּֽי1 of 15
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

נָסַ֨ךְ2 of 15

“hath poured out”

H5258

to pour out, especially a libation, or to cast (metal); by analogy, to anoint a king

עֲלֵיכֶ֤ם3 of 15
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

יְהוָה֙4 of 15

“For the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

ר֣וּחַ5 of 15

“upon you the spirit”

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

תַּרְדֵּמָ֔ה6 of 15

“of deep sleep”

H8639

a lethargy or (by implication) trance

וַיְעַצֵּ֖ם7 of 15

“and hath closed”

H6105

to bind fast, i.e., close (the eyes); intransitively, to be (causatively, make) powerful or numerous; to crunch the bones

אֶת8 of 15
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

עֵֽינֵיכֶ֑ם9 of 15

“your eyes”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

אֶת10 of 15
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַנְּבִיאִ֛ים11 of 15

“the prophets”

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

וְאֶת12 of 15
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

רָאשֵׁיכֶ֥ם13 of 15

“and your rulers”

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

הַחֹזִ֖ים14 of 15

“the seers”

H2374

a beholder in vision; also a compact (as looked upon with approval)

כִּסָּֽה׃15 of 15

“hath he covered”

H3680

properly, to plump, i.e., fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 29:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 29:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Romans 11:8Isaiah 44:182 Thessalonians 2:9-12Acts 28:26-27Isaiah 30:10Isaiah 6:9-10

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