Bible Commentaries
Isaiah 29

Verses 1-8

Jerusalem Besieged and Delivered (29:1-8)

This prophecy concerning Ariel, a special name for Jerusalem, is composed of two parts. The first (vss. 1-4) dates from the period 705-701 b.c. and refers to the coming destruction of Jerusalem. God’s siege against it is compared to David’s siege against the city mentioned in 2 Samuel 5:6-7. This was a lament, beginning with the Hebrew word which is translated in 28:1; 29:15; 30:1; and 31:1 as “woe” (see comment on 5:8-23). In verse 3 we should probably read with the Greek translation “and I will encamp against you like David.” The reason for the use of “Ariel” for the name of Jerusalem is not known. In verse 2, however, there is a play on the word, which has the meaning “altar hearth.” That is, Jerusalem shall be like the top of the altar where burnt offerings are made.

Verses 5-8 portray God’s sudden visitation against the foreign armies attacking Jerusalem, so that the city is saved. This, then, is a revision of the previous prophecy in the light of the unfolding circumstances which reveal to the prophet God’s will. It can perhaps be interpreted along with 37:21-36 as belonging to a later Assyrian siege of Jerusalem, about 690 b.c. (see Introduction) .

Verses 9-24

The Present Conspiracy and the Future Salvation

(29:9-24)

The remainder of chapter 29 is by no means unified but is composed of fragments. Verses 9-16 come from the prophecies uttered in connection with Jerusalem’s rebellion against Assyria in the period 705-701 b.c. The irresponsible action of the government has made the people as insensitive as though they were in a stupor; they become blind or drunk, so that they can hear nothing and see nothing (vss. 9-10). Verses 11-12 appear to be an editorial comment to the effect that the prophet’s words are like a book that is sealed and which no one can read. Men’s minds are regarded as tightly closed and impervious to all suggestions from the Lord or his prophet.

Verses 13-14 refer to the superficiality of the people’s religion. Their worship is a worship of words only, and reverence (“fear of me”) is merely something formal, lacking completely in depth. Yet God has not finished with his people. He will again do marvelous things with them, but only after the false “wisdom” of their supposedly wise has perished. One should note the quotation of verse 13 in Matthew 15:8-9 and Mark 7:6-7, and the Apostle Paul’s effective use of verse 14 as seen in 1 Corinthians 1:19.

Verses 15-16 refer directly to the conspirators planning the Assyrian revolt. They are people who pay no attention to the Lord or, rather, who think that they can hide what they are doing.

In verses 17-24 there is a sudden change to the distant future beyond the current darkness. This future will be the time of restoration and of renewal and of hallowing. The suggestion that these verses may derive from the period of Second Isaiah is given support by the reference to Abraham in verse 22. Reference to the first of the patriarchs is very rare in the prophets and appears elsewhere in the Isaiah literature only in 63:16.