King James Version

What Does Isaiah 29:13 Mean?

Isaiah 29:13 in the King James Version says “Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but h... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 29 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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:

Isaiah 29:13 · KJV


Context

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:

14

Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid. proceed: Heb. add

15

Woe unto them that 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?


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me (וַיֹּאמֶר אֲדֹנָי יַעַן כִּי נִגַּשׁ הָעָם הַזֶּה בְּפִיו וּבִשְׂפָתָיו כִּבְּדוּנִי, vayomer Adonai ya'an ki nigash ha'am hazeh befiw uvisefataw kibeduni)—they נִגַּשׁ (nigash, draw near) with פֶּה (peh, mouth) and שְׂפָתַיִם (sefatayim, lips) to כִּבֵּד (kibed, honor) God. But have removed their heart far from me (וְלִבּוֹ רִחַק מִמֶּנִּי, velibo richaq mimeni)—their לֵב (lev, heart) is רָחַק (rachaq, far, distant). And their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men (וַתְּהִי יִרְאָתָם אֹתִי מִצְוַת אֲנָשִׁים מְלֻמָּדָה, vatehi yir'atam oti mitsvat anashim melumdah)—their יִרְאָה (yir'ah, fear/reverence) is merely human tradition, מְלֻמָּדָה (melumdah, taught/learned by rote).

Jesus quoted this verse verbatim when confronting Pharisaic tradition-worship (Matthew 15:8-9, Mark 7:6-7). The diagnosis: externalized religion divorced from internal transformation. Lips move in prayer, rituals are performed, but the heart—center of will and affection—remains distant. The fear of God has devolved into human tradition, rules taught by rote rather than reverent response to God's character. Orthodoxy without heart equals hypocrisy.

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Historical & Cultural Context

By Isaiah's time, Israel's religion had ossified into ritualism. The Temple functioned, sacrifices continued, festivals were observed—all the machinery of Mosaic worship operated. But hearts were far from God, pursuing idolatry and injustice. This pattern repeated: by Jesus's day, Pharisees meticulously tithed garden herbs while neglecting justice and mercy (Matthew 23:23).

Reflection Questions

  1. How do we 'draw near' to God with words while our hearts remain distant?
  2. What's the difference between fearing God reverently versus following religious traditions mechanically?
  3. In what areas might your spiritual practices be 'taught by the precept of men' rather than flowing from genuine love?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 19

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֗י2 of 19

Wherefore the Lord

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יַ֚עַן3 of 19

Forasmuch

H3282

properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause

כִּ֤י4 of 19
H3588

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

נִגַּשׁ֙5 of 19

draw near

H5066

to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causati

הָעָ֣ם6 of 19

as this people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

הַזֶּ֔ה7 of 19
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

בְּפִ֤יו8 of 19

me with their mouth

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

וּבִשְׂפָתָיו֙9 of 19

and with their lips

H8193

the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)

כִּבְּד֔וּנִי10 of 19

do honour

H3513

to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same

וְלִבּ֖וֹ11 of 19

their heart

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

רִחַ֣ק12 of 19

far

H7368

to widen (in any direction), i.e., (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove (literally or figuratively, of place or relation)

מִמֶּ֑נִּי13 of 19
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

וַתְּהִ֤י14 of 19
H1961

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

יִרְאָתָם֙15 of 19
H3373

fearing; morally, reverent

אֹתִ֔י16 of 19
H853

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

מִצְוַ֥ת17 of 19

by the precept

H4687

a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)

אֲנָשִׁ֖ים18 of 19
H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

מְלֻמָּדָֽה׃19 of 19

toward me is taught

H3925

properly, to goad, i.e., (by implication) to teach (the rod being an middle eastern incentive)


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 29:13 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 29:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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