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Isaiah 29:13
Verse
Context
Woe to David’s City
12Or if the scroll is handed to one unable to read, he will say, “I cannot read.” 13Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men. 14Therefore I will again confound these people with wonder upon wonder. The wisdom of the wise will vanish, and the intelligence of the intelligent will be hidden. ”
Sermons





Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
The Lord "Jehovah" - For אדני Adonai, sixty-three MSS. of Kennicott's, and many of De Rossi's, and four editions, read יהוה Yehovah, and five MSS. add יהוה. Kimchi makes some just observations on this verse. The vision, meaning the Divine revelation of all the prophets, is a book or letter that is sealed - is not easily understood. This is delivered to one that is learned - instructed in the law. Read this; and he saith, I cannot, for it is sealed; a full proof that he does not wish to know the contents else he would apply to the prophet to get it explained. See Kimchi on the place. And their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men "And vain is their fear of me teaching the commandments of men" - I read for ותהי vattehi, ותהו vethohu, with the Septuagint, Mat 15:9; Mar 8:7; and for מלמדה melummedah, מלמדים melummedim, with the Chaldee.
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
This stupefaction was the self-inflicted punishment of the dead works with which the people mocked God and deceived themselves. "The Lord hath spoken: Because this people approaches me with its mouth, and honours me with its lips, and keeps its heart far from me, and its reverence of me has become a commandment learned from men: therefore, behold, I will proceed wondrously with this people, wondrously and marvellously strange; and the wisdom of its wise men is lost, and the understanding of its intelligent men becomes invisible." Ever since the time of Asaph (Ps 50, cf., Psa 78:36-37), the lamentation and condemnation of hypocritical ceremonial worship, without living faith or any striving after holiness, had been a leading theme of prophecy. Even in Isaiah's introductory address (chapter 1) this complain was uttered quite in the tone of that of Asaph. In the time of Hezekiah it was peculiarly called for, just as it was afterwards in that of Josiah (as the book of Jeremiah shows). The people had been obliged to consent to the abolition of the public worship of idols, but their worship of Jehovah was hypocrisy. Sometimes it was conscious hypocrisy, arising from the fear of man and favour of man; sometimes unconscious, inasmuch as without any inward conversion, but simply with work-righteousness, the people contented themselves with, and even prided themselves upon, an outward fulfilment of the law (Mic 6:6-8; Mic 3:11). Instead of נגּשׁ (lxx, Vulg., Syr., Mat 15:8; Mar 7:6), we also meet with the reading נגּשׂ, "because this people harasses itself as with tributary service;" but the antithesis to richaq (lxx πόῤῥω ἀπέχει ) favours the former reading niggash, accedit; and bephı̄v (with its moth) must be connected with this, though in opposition to the accents. This self-alienation and self-blinding, Jehovah would punish with a wondrously paradoxical judgment, namely, the judgment of a hardening, which would so completely empty and confuse, that even the appearance of wisdom and unity, which the leaders of Israel still had, would completely disappear. יוסיף (as in Isa 38:5) is not the third person fut. hiphil here (so that it could be rendered, according to Isa 28:16, "Behold, I am he who;" or more strictly still, "Behold me, who;" which, however, would give a prominence to the subject that would be out of place here), but the part. kal for יוסף. That the language really allowed of such a lengthening of the primary form qatĭl into qatı̄l, and especially in the case of יוסיף, is evident from Ecc 1:18 (see at Psa 16:5). In ופלא הפלא, פלא (cf., Lam 1:9) alternates with the gerundive (see at Isa 22:17): the fifth example in this one address of the emphatic juxtaposition of words having a similar sound and the same derivation (vid., Isa 29:1, Isa 29:5, Isa 29:7, Isa 29:9).
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
precept of men--instead of the precepts of God, given by His prophets; also worship external, and by rule, not heartfelt as God requires (Joh 4:24). Compare Christ's quotation of this verse from the Septuagint.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Wherefore the Lord said,.... Concerning the hypocritical people of the Jews in Christ's time, as the words are applied by our Lord himself, Mat 15:7, Forasmuch as this people draw near to me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me; Kimchi observes, there is a double reading of the word rendered "draw near": in one reading of it, it signifies to be "afflicted"; and then the sense is, "when this people are afflicted, with their mouth, and with their lips, they honour me"; that is, when they are in distress, they pray unto him, and profess a great regard for him, speak honourably of him, and reverently to him, hoping he will help and relieve them; see Isa 26:16 but the other reading of the word, in which it has the signification of "drawing near", is confirmed, not only by the Masora on the text, but by the citation of it in Mat 15:7 and designs the approach of these people to God, in acts of religion and devotion, in praying to him, and praising of him, and expressing great love and affection for him, and zeal for his cause and interest; but were all outwardly, with their lips and mouths only: but have removed their heart far from me; these were not employed in his service, which is the main thing he requires and regards, but were engaged elsewhere; while their bodies were presented before him, and their mouths and lips were moving to him, their affections were not set upon him, nor the desires of their souls unto him, nor had they any real hearty concern for his glory: and their fear towards me is taught by the precept of men; their worship of God was not according to the prescription of God, and his revealed will; but according to the traditions of the elders, which they preferred to the word of God, and, by observing them, transgressed it, and made it of no effect; see Mat 15:3.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
29:13 These people used pious-sounding language in their prayers and talk (see Matt 15:8; Mark 7:6-7), but they did not truly honor God. • In their hearts, they were not committed to the Lord at all. • In their worship, they followed man-made rules and regulations rather than God’s word.
Isaiah 29:13
Woe to David’s City
12Or if the scroll is handed to one unable to read, he will say, “I cannot read.” 13Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men. 14Therefore I will again confound these people with wonder upon wonder. The wisdom of the wise will vanish, and the intelligence of the intelligent will be hidden. ”
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Life Story of Keith Green - Part 2
By Melody Green3.0K1:11:19Keith GreenISA 29:13HOS 10:12AMO 5:21MAT 19:16LUK 9:23EPH 4:30JAS 4:14In the sermon transcripts, Keith shares his burden for revival and the need for more people to come forward and experience a true transformation in their faith. He emphasizes the importance of putting our focus on Jesus Christ rather than on pastors or Christian music. Keith also talks about the urgency of using music to draw the lost and preach the gospel, highlighting the shortness of life and the responsibility of Christians to reach out to every nation. He concludes by discussing the lack of workers in the world compared to the abundance of the gospel in the United States, urging Christians to obey the command to go and make disciples.
K-053 Come Up and Be There
By Art Katz3.0K1:21:24RaptureEXO 24:15ISA 29:13MAT 27:35ACT 17:281CO 11:1EPH 3:20In this sermon, the preacher reflects on the power and wealth of the world compared to the power and reality found in the Word of God. He shares a personal experience of a ten-day fast and twenty-four hours of prayer, emphasizing the importance of waiting upon the Lord. The preacher highlights the brevity of God's words in the New Testament, particularly in the crucifixion of Jesus, and emphasizes the inseparability of the man and his message in the Gospel. The sermon also references the story of Moses going up into the mountain of God and the manifestation of God's glory in the cloud.
(In the Word) 06 - Hearing the Word of God
By Milton Green2.1K1:00:55ISA 29:13MAT 6:33MRK 7:6ROM 12:2COL 2:82TI 3:12JAS 5:14In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of following the Word of God rather than the traditions of men. They urge the listeners to listen to all the tapes in the series in numerical order to fully understand the teaching. The speaker also addresses the tactics of the powers of darkness to intimidate and discourage believers from embracing the Word of God. They highlight the need to stay firm in the face of pressure and fear, and not to water down the Word of God to suit personal preferences. The sermon concludes by emphasizing that God is the one who opens doors and works through believers, and that they should not strive to obtain things for God.
Heart Surrender
By Steve Gallagher1.7K39:35SurrenderISA 29:13MAT 6:33In this sermon, the speaker addresses the issue of people honoring God with their words and outward actions, but neglecting to keep their hearts close to Him. He criticizes the prevalence of the prosperity gospel and the tendency to tell people what they want to hear. The speaker emphasizes the importance of seeking and embracing the truth, even if it is uncomfortable. He encourages listeners to examine their hearts and let go of any indulgences or fears that may be holding them back from fully surrendering to God. The sermon concludes with a call to return to God with all our hearts and engage in fasting as a means of drawing closer to Him.
Necessity of Reforming the Church 3 of 4 (1544)
By John Calvin1.7K1:31:07ISA 29:13JER 7:4JER 7:11In this sermon, the speaker addresses the primacy of the Romish sea, which refers to the authority of the Roman Catholic Church. The speaker acknowledges that the adversaries of the Church have good reason to maintain this primacy, as they believe their dependence lies in it. However, the speaker argues that this supremacy was established by the will of man, not divine authority. The speaker emphasizes the importance of unity in adhering to God and the Gospel as the only rule of a good and holy life. The speaker also addresses the accusation that the preaching of the Gospel leads to licentiousness, arguing that it is not the fault of the ministers of the Gospel but rather the result of individuals' rejection of God's authority.
(Through the Bible) Ezekiel 11-15
By Chuck Smith1.5K1:18:17PSA 115:4ISA 6:9ISA 29:13JER 5:21JER 38:17EZK 12:2ZEC 11:12In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that society today is not like the Victorian age or a puritan society. He warns against forsaking God's commandments and living like the people around us, as it will lead to destruction. The preacher shares a powerful example of a man falling dead while he was prophesying, illustrating that God will find ways to communicate His message to us. The sermon also references a prophecy of a coming famine and the desolation of the land due to the violence of the people. The preacher draws parallels to the nation of Israel and their failure to bear fruit, highlighting the importance of bringing forth fruit unto God. The sermon concludes with the preacher using dramatic actions to capture the attention of the people, as God seeks to communicate with them.
07 New Wine in New Wineskins - Jesus the Only Thing That Matters
By Sandeep Poonen1.5K1:01:23PSA 73:25ISA 29:13JHN 16:13ROM 12:11JN 5:3This sermon emphasizes the importance of making Jesus the sole focus of our lives, above all other desires and distractions. It highlights the journey from considering Jesus a great person to making Him the main priority, ultimately reaching a place where Jesus is everything, the sole passion and focus. The speaker challenges the audience to seek a deep, personal relationship with Jesus, surrendering all other worldly desires and distractions to find true satisfaction and fulfillment in Christ alone.
The Lord's Work Done the Lord's Way, Part One
By K.P. Yohannan1.5K25:59The Lord's WorkEXO 29:38ISA 29:13JHN 5:19JHN 8:38JHN 12:49JHN 14:10REV 2:5In this sermon, Brother K.P. Johannon discusses the problem of people doing things for themselves rather than for the Lord. He emphasizes the importance of seeking the Lord's direction and staying balanced in life. He shares the story of Jacob, who faced challenges and deception but ultimately trusted in God's plan. Brother K.P. highlights the difference between the old covenant, which focused on following rules, and the new covenant, which calls believers to be one with Christ and obey his commandments out of love and gratitude.
(Through the Bible) Matthew 14-15
By Chuck Smith1.4K1:03:49ISA 29:13MAT 14:15MAT 15:1MAT 15:13MAT 15:17MRK 7:6In this sermon, the speaker shares two stories from the Bible to illustrate important lessons. The first story is about Jesus feeding the multitude with just a few loaves and fishes, showing the abundance that comes from sharing and the power of a child's example. The second story is about Jesus walking on water and Peter's attempt to do the same. It highlights the importance of keeping our focus on Jesus and not getting distracted by our circumstances. The speaker emphasizes the compassion and ministry of Jesus, even in moments when he sought solitude but was met with a multitude of people.
I Saw the Lord!
By Steve Gallagher1.3K42:14IsaiahLEV 19:2ISA 1:12ISA 6:6ISA 29:13MAT 6:33In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of preparing one's heart to receive the word of God. He encourages listeners to consecrate themselves and not evade the reality of their spiritual condition. The preacher references biblical figures like Isaiah, Micaiah, Daniel, and John, who all had powerful encounters with God and saw Him as the great I am. He highlights the need for humility and true worship, emphasizing that worship is not just singing songs but bowing down before God.
Vanity, or Spirit and Truth?
By Chip Brogden1.3K27:47TruthISA 29:13MAT 15:7MRK 7:6ACT 9:1GAL 1:11PHP 3:10In this sermon, the speaker expresses his frustration with the traditional practices of the church and emphasizes the need for a genuine relationship with Jesus. He references the story of Saul on the way to Damascus, highlighting how Saul's encounter with Jesus transformed him from a religious teacher to a follower of Christ. The speaker emphasizes the importance of worshiping God in spirit and truth, rather than going through empty motions. He shares his personal experience of seeking the Lord for truth and how God revealed His Son in him.
(Matthew) ch.14:22-16:12
By Zac Poonen1.3K54:38ISA 29:13MAT 6:33MAT 14:19MAT 16:11TI 5:8In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the miracle of Peter walking on water towards Jesus as a parable for our lives. He emphasizes that just as Jesus overcame the law of gravity and walked on water, we too can overcome the law of sin and death. The preacher also highlights the importance of directing people's attention towards God rather than ourselves in our ministry. The sermon further discusses Jesus' compassion for the multitude and his willingness to provide for their needs, using the examples of the feeding of the five thousand and the four thousand. The preacher encourages the audience to trust in God's ability to meet their needs, no matter how great they may be.
What Is Worship?
By Denny Kenaston1.3K39:42WorshipPSA 95:6ISA 29:13MAT 6:33JHN 4:20ROM 12:1HEB 12:28In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of true worship. He highlights that true worship is not just going through the motions or worshiping a God of our own imagination, but rather worshiping God according to his true nature and character. The preacher emphasizes that God seeks true worshipers who worship him in spirit and in truth. He also mentions the desire for revival, where God's people can experience the reality of who God is in their lives. The sermon references John 4:23-24 and Genesis 22 to support these points.
False Complacency - Part 1
By Joshua Daniel1.2K25:40ISA 29:13MAT 5:21MAT 28:19JAS 4:17REV 3:14This sermon emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and spiritual precision in our walk with God, highlighting the need to accurately assess our spiritual state and not be lukewarm or self-satisfied. It challenges the listener to seek a deeper relationship with Jesus and avoid spiritual deadness by focusing on eternal matters. The message also touches on the significance of fulfilling the command to spread the good news and build the kingdom of God, rather than being complacent or feeling self-sufficient.
A Man of God - Part 7
By Leonard Ravenhill1.2K09:02ISA 29:13MAT 16:261CO 3:131CO 6:19JAS 4:6REV 20:12This sermon emphasizes the need for true repentance and revival, highlighting the story of a man who experienced a deep transformation after years of living in sin and denial of God's calling. It calls for a rediscovery of the value of each human soul, the importance of genuine repentance, and the understanding of key spiritual concepts like atonement, forgiveness, and justification. The speaker also addresses the consequences of living in arrogance and sin, urging a return to a sincere relationship with God and a recognition of the coming judgment.
Discipline and Blessing Part 2
By Chuck Smith1.2K25:04BlessingISA 29:13ISA 35:5ISA 41:10ISA 61:1MAT 6:33MAT 11:2REV 19:20In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the illogical premise that creation can exist without a creator. He argues that children are being taught this illogical premise from an early age, which leads them to believe that there is no real design behind the human body or the world. The preacher compares this teaching to a child being taught that 2 plus 2 equals 5, which would hinder their ability to understand and do math. The sermon also touches on the importance of recognizing Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, and the miracles he performed to confirm his identity.
Faith Rooted in Need
By Ian Murray1.2K50:24ISA 29:13MAT 15:1MAT 15:28ROM 3:10In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of true faith and the need for a genuine sense of need in order to truly understand and appreciate the gospel. He uses the example of a woman who broke through to Christ despite knowing very little about him, highlighting the power of faith that grows from a deep sense of need. The preacher also emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in convicting hearts and leading individuals to behold the greatness of Jesus Christ. He warns against superficiality and self-reliance, urging listeners to look away from themselves and towards the Savior. The sermon also mentions the truth that offends every person by nature - the realization that we are lost and have no claim or right in the presence of God. The preacher encourages listeners to cry out to the Lord for help, just as the woman in the passage did. The sermon concludes with the story of Robert Haldane, a Scottish nobleman who sought to see if Calvin's gospel was still being preached in Geneva, highlighting the importance of the doctrines of grace.
Discernment in the Church
By Vance Havner1.0K25:18ISA 29:13JHN 3:3ROM 8:81CO 1:181CO 2:14EPH 5:8COL 3:11TH 5:21HEB 5:14JAS 1:5This sermon emphasizes the importance of spiritual discernment in a time of confusion and uncertainty within the Church. It contrasts the clear, unwavering beliefs of past leaders like Spurgeon with the current trend of ambiguity and compromise. The speaker highlights the need for believers to have discernment to distinguish truth from falsehood, to understand the times, and to recognize the spirits at work. The sermon also addresses the shallowness of worship, the danger of idol worship, and the necessity of being spiritually reborn to truly grasp divine truth.
The Pure Heart #5
By Milton Green9611:01:05ISA 29:13MAT 13:11REV 14:1REV 17:5REV 18:4This sermon emphasizes the importance of repentance, turning away from idols and sins, and seeking God with a pure heart. It warns against following false teachings and doctrines of demons, highlighting the need to cleanse oneself from all rebellion and defilement. The message calls for a return to God, following His word, and being marked with His name on the forehead as a sign of purity and allegiance.
The Narrow Way
By Vincent G. Artese92655:51Narrow WayISA 29:13MAT 4:9LUK 13:18JHN 15:4EPH 5:26HEB 3:18HEB 4:12In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being workers for God's kingdom. He questions where the workers are and if they have been enticed by worldly gain or fallen into Satan's trap. The preacher highlights the power of the word of God, describing it as living and powerful, able to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart. The sermon also discusses the concept of entering God's rest through obedience and faith, and the journey of a believer through trials and tests. The preacher warns about the dangers of following the wide and destructive path and encourages staying connected to Jesus, the vine, in order to bear fruit.
(Isaiah) the Cause & Cure of Spiritual Blindness
By David Guzik85756:26PRO 29:25ISA 5:23ISA 29:10ISA 29:13ISA 29:18ISA 29:22In this sermon, the preacher focuses on God's message to the spiritually blind people of Jerusalem. He emphasizes that it is not enough to speak spiritually and honor God with words if our hearts are far from Him. The preacher warns that we cannot judge a person's heart solely based on what they say or do. God will judge both Jerusalem and the nations that come against it, bringing down the proud and raising up the humble. The preacher also reminds us that even though our struggles may feel never-ending, God assures us that it is only for a little while before He brings about His plans.
When the Wicked Man Rules
By Shane Idleman57150:392CH 7:14PSA 12:8PRO 29:2ISA 29:13MAT 23:12JHN 4:23JAS 4:101PE 5:5This sermon emphasizes the importance of the gospel permeating every area of our lives, including political engagement. It highlights the need for the church to address critical issues like abortion, gay marriage, and leadership direction, urging believers to seek God's wisdom and discernment in all aspects of life. The message stresses the significance of humility, boldness, and genuine worship as essential components of a faithful Christian life.
Worship, Our Highest Calling
By David Ravenhill461:12:49Surrender to GodWorshipGEN 22:51CH 16:29PSA 29:2PSA 99:5ISA 29:13MAT 4:10JHN 4:24ROM 12:1COL 3:23HEB 13:15David Ravenhill emphasizes the profound calling of worship, which he believes surpasses all other roles in the church. He explores seven facets of worship, including its priority, person, provision, picture, price, posture, and power, stressing that true worship is an unreserved giving of oneself to God. Ravenhill argues that worship is not limited to music but is a lifestyle of surrender and devotion to God, reflecting a heart fully committed to Him. He highlights the importance of engaging the mind, emotions, and will in worship, and concludes that God seeks true worshippers who will worship Him in spirit and truth.
(Worship) Session 3: A True Heart
By Joseph Carroll3151:09Surrender to GodWorshipTrue WorshipGEN 6:5GEN 8:21ISA 29:13MAT 15:7HEB 10:19Joseph Carroll emphasizes the necessity of approaching God with a true heart, highlighting that true worship is not merely a matter of words but a heartfelt commitment to God. He illustrates this through personal anecdotes and biblical examples, particularly focusing on Abraham's willingness to surrender his son Isaac as a testament to total devotion. Carroll stresses that a true heart encompasses the intellect, emotions, and will, and that only through the Holy Spirit can one achieve such a heart. He calls for believers to surrender completely to God, as this is foundational for effective worship and service. Ultimately, he reminds the congregation that God seeks those with true hearts to show His strength and blessings.
Draw Near to Hear - Part 1
By Phil Beach Jr.191:07:11Seeking GodDrawing Near to GodThe Power of WordsPSA 139:23PRO 18:21ISA 29:13MAT 11:28JHN 13:23JAS 3:2Phil Beach Jr. emphasizes the transformative power of drawing near to God to hear His heart, urging believers to overcome fears and failures that hinder their relationship with Him. He illustrates that true nearness to God enhances our ability to hear Him clearly, just as understanding one another's hearts improves communication in relationships. The sermon challenges listeners to prioritize listening over speaking, recognizing that our words carry significant weight and consequences. Beach encourages repentance and a commitment to draw closer to God, assuring that this nearness will lead to clarity and healing in our lives and relationships. Ultimately, he calls for a heartfelt response to God's love, inviting everyone to embrace the challenge of drawing near to Him.
- Adam Clarke
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
The Lord "Jehovah" - For אדני Adonai, sixty-three MSS. of Kennicott's, and many of De Rossi's, and four editions, read יהוה Yehovah, and five MSS. add יהוה. Kimchi makes some just observations on this verse. The vision, meaning the Divine revelation of all the prophets, is a book or letter that is sealed - is not easily understood. This is delivered to one that is learned - instructed in the law. Read this; and he saith, I cannot, for it is sealed; a full proof that he does not wish to know the contents else he would apply to the prophet to get it explained. See Kimchi on the place. And their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men "And vain is their fear of me teaching the commandments of men" - I read for ותהי vattehi, ותהו vethohu, with the Septuagint, Mat 15:9; Mar 8:7; and for מלמדה melummedah, מלמדים melummedim, with the Chaldee.
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
This stupefaction was the self-inflicted punishment of the dead works with which the people mocked God and deceived themselves. "The Lord hath spoken: Because this people approaches me with its mouth, and honours me with its lips, and keeps its heart far from me, and its reverence of me has become a commandment learned from men: therefore, behold, I will proceed wondrously with this people, wondrously and marvellously strange; and the wisdom of its wise men is lost, and the understanding of its intelligent men becomes invisible." Ever since the time of Asaph (Ps 50, cf., Psa 78:36-37), the lamentation and condemnation of hypocritical ceremonial worship, without living faith or any striving after holiness, had been a leading theme of prophecy. Even in Isaiah's introductory address (chapter 1) this complain was uttered quite in the tone of that of Asaph. In the time of Hezekiah it was peculiarly called for, just as it was afterwards in that of Josiah (as the book of Jeremiah shows). The people had been obliged to consent to the abolition of the public worship of idols, but their worship of Jehovah was hypocrisy. Sometimes it was conscious hypocrisy, arising from the fear of man and favour of man; sometimes unconscious, inasmuch as without any inward conversion, but simply with work-righteousness, the people contented themselves with, and even prided themselves upon, an outward fulfilment of the law (Mic 6:6-8; Mic 3:11). Instead of נגּשׁ (lxx, Vulg., Syr., Mat 15:8; Mar 7:6), we also meet with the reading נגּשׂ, "because this people harasses itself as with tributary service;" but the antithesis to richaq (lxx πόῤῥω ἀπέχει ) favours the former reading niggash, accedit; and bephı̄v (with its moth) must be connected with this, though in opposition to the accents. This self-alienation and self-blinding, Jehovah would punish with a wondrously paradoxical judgment, namely, the judgment of a hardening, which would so completely empty and confuse, that even the appearance of wisdom and unity, which the leaders of Israel still had, would completely disappear. יוסיף (as in Isa 38:5) is not the third person fut. hiphil here (so that it could be rendered, according to Isa 28:16, "Behold, I am he who;" or more strictly still, "Behold me, who;" which, however, would give a prominence to the subject that would be out of place here), but the part. kal for יוסף. That the language really allowed of such a lengthening of the primary form qatĭl into qatı̄l, and especially in the case of יוסיף, is evident from Ecc 1:18 (see at Psa 16:5). In ופלא הפלא, פלא (cf., Lam 1:9) alternates with the gerundive (see at Isa 22:17): the fifth example in this one address of the emphatic juxtaposition of words having a similar sound and the same derivation (vid., Isa 29:1, Isa 29:5, Isa 29:7, Isa 29:9).
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
precept of men--instead of the precepts of God, given by His prophets; also worship external, and by rule, not heartfelt as God requires (Joh 4:24). Compare Christ's quotation of this verse from the Septuagint.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Wherefore the Lord said,.... Concerning the hypocritical people of the Jews in Christ's time, as the words are applied by our Lord himself, Mat 15:7, Forasmuch as this people draw near to me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me; Kimchi observes, there is a double reading of the word rendered "draw near": in one reading of it, it signifies to be "afflicted"; and then the sense is, "when this people are afflicted, with their mouth, and with their lips, they honour me"; that is, when they are in distress, they pray unto him, and profess a great regard for him, speak honourably of him, and reverently to him, hoping he will help and relieve them; see Isa 26:16 but the other reading of the word, in which it has the signification of "drawing near", is confirmed, not only by the Masora on the text, but by the citation of it in Mat 15:7 and designs the approach of these people to God, in acts of religion and devotion, in praying to him, and praising of him, and expressing great love and affection for him, and zeal for his cause and interest; but were all outwardly, with their lips and mouths only: but have removed their heart far from me; these were not employed in his service, which is the main thing he requires and regards, but were engaged elsewhere; while their bodies were presented before him, and their mouths and lips were moving to him, their affections were not set upon him, nor the desires of their souls unto him, nor had they any real hearty concern for his glory: and their fear towards me is taught by the precept of men; their worship of God was not according to the prescription of God, and his revealed will; but according to the traditions of the elders, which they preferred to the word of God, and, by observing them, transgressed it, and made it of no effect; see Mat 15:3.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
29:13 These people used pious-sounding language in their prayers and talk (see Matt 15:8; Mark 7:6-7), but they did not truly honor God. • In their hearts, they were not committed to the Lord at all. • In their worship, they followed man-made rules and regulations rather than God’s word.