King James Version

What Does Isaiah 29:11 Mean?

Isaiah 29:11 in the King James Version says “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...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 29 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Isaiah 29:11 · KJV

Prayer

Context

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.

13

Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

Read Isaiah 29 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed (וַתְּהִי לָכֶם חָזוּת הַכֹּל כְּדִבְרֵי הַסֵּפֶר הֶחָתוּם, vatehi lakhem chazut hakol kedivrey hasefer hechatom)—all prophetic חָזוּת (chazut, vision) becomes like a sealed סֵפֶר (sefer, scroll/book). The verb חתם (chatam) means to seal, make inaccessible. Which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed—even the literate, the יוֹדֵעַ סֵפֶר (yodea sefer, one knowing books), cannot access it.

Isaiah illustrates comprehensive spiritual illiteracy. Not ignorance—the scroll exists, the learned person can read—but imposed inaccessibility. God's revelation is present but sealed, tantalizingly close yet unreachable. This is more frustrating than simple absence; it's revelation rendered useless by divine judgment. The tragedy: not lack of Scripture, but inability to comprehend it despite possessing it. Jesus quoted verse 13 when confronting Pharisees who studied Scripture yet missed its Author (Matthew 15:8-9).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient scrolls were sealed with wax or clay impressions bearing a signet ring (Daniel 12:4, Revelation 5:1). Breaking the seal required authority. Isaiah's metaphor: even with revelation physically present, spiritual blindness makes it as inaccessible as a sealed document. First-century Judaism possessed Scripture yet predominantly rejected Jesus, the Word made flesh.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can people possess Scripture yet find it 'sealed'—inaccessible despite availability?
  2. What's the difference between intellectual knowledge of the Bible and spiritually discerning its truth?
  3. When have you encountered passages that seemed 'sealed' until God opened your understanding?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וַתְּהִ֨י1 of 23
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לָכֶ֜ם2 of 23
H0
חָז֣וּת3 of 23

“And the vision”

H2380

a look; hence (figuratively) striking appearance, revelation, or (by implication) compact

הַכֹּ֗ל4 of 23
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

כְּדִבְרֵי֮5 of 23

“of all is become unto you as the words”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הסֵ֛פֶר6 of 23

“of a book”

H5612

properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book

חָת֖וּם7 of 23

“for it is sealed”

H2856

to close up; especially to seal

אֲשֶֽׁר8 of 23
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יִתְּנ֣וּ9 of 23

“which men deliver”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אֹת֗וֹ10 of 23
H853

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

אֶל11 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יוֹדֵ֥עַ12 of 23

“to one that is learned”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

הסֵ֛פֶר13 of 23

“of a book”

H5612

properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book

וְאָמַר֙14 of 23

“saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

קְרָ֣א15 of 23

“Read”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

נָא16 of 23
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

זֶ֑ה17 of 23
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

וְאָמַר֙18 of 23

“saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לֹ֣א19 of 23
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אוּכַ֔ל20 of 23

“I cannot”

H3201

to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)

כִּ֥י21 of 23
H3588

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

חָת֖וּם22 of 23

“for it is sealed”

H2856

to close up; especially to seal

הֽוּא׃23 of 23
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

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 29:11 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 29:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 13:11Daniel 12:4Isaiah 8:16Daniel 12:9Matthew 11:25Matthew 16:17

Test Your Knowledge

Isaiah 29 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterIsaiah Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Isaiah 29 with CommentaryAll Isaiah ChaptersComplete Isaiah QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes