Isaiah 29:11: Meaning Explained
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...
All God's visions are like a sealed scroll. When someone who can read is asked to read it, they say 'I can't, it's sealed.'
What’s Happening Here
People can't understand God's message because they've sealed themselves off from it.
Key Words
Why It Matters
This verse reminds us that spiritual understanding requires an open heart; even when God's message is available, we can miss it if we are closed off or indifferent.
Did You Know?
In ancient times, important scrolls were sealed with clay or wax to protect their contents, making them unreadable until opened by an authorized person.
Tradition Spectrum
Word Study
Cross References
Frequently asked questions
What does Isaiah 29:11 mean?
All God's visions are like a sealed scroll. When someone who can read is asked to read it, they say 'I can't, it's sealed.'
What is the context of Isaiah 29:11?
People can't understand God's message because they've sealed themselves off from it.
Why does Isaiah 29:11 matter?
This verse reminds us that spiritual understanding requires an open heart; even when God's message is available, we can miss it if we are closed off or indifferent.
What's a surprising detail about Isaiah 29:11?
In ancient times, important scrolls were sealed with clay or wax to protect their contents, making them unreadable until opened by an authorized person.
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- Abbott-Smith, G. (1921) A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Brown, F., Driver, S.R. and Briggs, C.A. (1906) A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press. [Public Domain]
- Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]
Commentary on Isaiah 29:11
(Verse 9 and following) Be astonished and amazed: fluctuate and waver, become drunk, not with wine, be moved, not with intoxication. For the Lord has mixed into you the spirit of deep sleep: he will close your eyes, your prophets and leaders who see visions he will cover. And the vision of all will be like the words of a sealed book, which when they give to one who knows letters, they will say: read this, and he will answer, I cannot, for it is sealed. And a book will be given to one who knows not letters, and it shall be said to him, read; and he shall answer, I know not letters. For the spirit of sleep, LXX, is interpreted as compunction: Theodotius, the passing away of the mind: Aquila, κ…
[Daniel 12:4] "But Thou, O Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, even to the time appointed. Many shall pass over, and knowledge shall be manifold." He who had revealed manifold truth to Daniel now signifies that the things he has said are matters of secrecy, and he orders him to roll up the scroll containing his words and set a seal upon the book, with the result that many shall read it and inquire as to its fulfilment in history, differing in their opinions because of its great obscurity. And as for the statement, "Many shall pass over" or "go through," this indicates that it will be read by many people. For it is a familiar expression to say: "I have gone through a book," or, "I ha…