King James Version

What Does Isaiah 29:14 Mean?

Isaiah 29:14 in the King James Version says “Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for th... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 29 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Isaiah 29:14 · KJV


Context

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?

16

Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding?


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder (לָכֵן הִנְנִי יוֹסִף לְהַפְלִיא אֶת־הָעָם־הַזֶּה הַפְלֵא וָפֶלֶא, lakhen hineni yosif lehafli et-ha'am-hazeh hafle vafele)—God will יוֹסִף (yosif, continue, add to, proceed) to do הַפְלֵא וָפֶלֶא (hafle vafele, a wonder and a wonder), an emphatic doubling. The verb פלא (pala) means to be wonderful, surpassing, extraordinary. For the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid (וְאָבְדָה חָכְמַת חֲכָמָיו וּבִינַת נְבֹנָיו תִּסְתַּתָּר, ve'avedah chakhmat chakhamaw uvinat nevonayw tistattar).

Paul quotes this in 1 Corinthians 1:19 when explaining how the cross confounds human wisdom. God's 'marvelous work' involves inverting human categories: making the wise foolish, hiding understanding from the prudent, revealing truth to babes (Matthew 11:25). The gospel itself is this wonder—rejected by Jewish scholars and Greek philosophers but embraced by fishermen and tax collectors. Human wisdom cannot access divine revelation; God must grant it.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Judah's wise men (court advisors, scribes) advocated Egyptian alliances, relying on political calculation rather than prophetic word. Their 'wisdom' led to disaster. Later, Jewish scholars expected a conquering Messiah and political restoration, missing Jesus. Greek philosophers dismissed resurrection as foolishness (Acts 17:32). God's marvelous work—salvation through a crucified Messiah—confounded both.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the gospel itself function as the 'marvelous work' that confounds human wisdom?
  2. Why must God 'hide' understanding from the self-sufficient wise to reveal it to humble dependents?
  3. Where are you tempted to trust your own wisdom rather than submitting to God's 'foolish' ways?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
לָכֵ֗ן1 of 15
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

הִנְנִ֥י2 of 15
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

יוֹסִ֛ף3 of 15

Therefore behold I will proceed

H3254

to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)

הַפְלֵ֣א4 of 15

even a marvellous work

H6381

properly, perhaps to separate, i.e., distinguish (literally or figuratively); by implication, to be (causatively, make) great, difficult, wonderful

אֶת5 of 15
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

הָֽעָם6 of 15

among this people

H5971

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

הַזֶּ֖ה7 of 15
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

הַפְלֵ֣א8 of 15

even a marvellous work

H6381

properly, perhaps to separate, i.e., distinguish (literally or figuratively); by implication, to be (causatively, make) great, difficult, wonderful

וָפֶ֑לֶא9 of 15

and a wonder

H6382

a miracle

וְאָֽבְדָה֙10 of 15

men shall perish

H6

properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)

חָכְמַ֣ת11 of 15

for the wisdom

H2451

wisdom (in a good sense)

חֲכָמָ֔יו12 of 15

of their wise

H2450

wise, (i.e., intelligent, skilful or artful)

וּבִינַ֥ת13 of 15

and the understanding

H998

understanding

נְבֹנָ֖יו14 of 15

of their prudent

H995

to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e., (generally) understand

תִּסְתַּתָּֽר׃15 of 15

men shall be hid

H5641

to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively


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 29:14 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 29:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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