Isaiah 29:10
For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.
Original Language Analysis
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 15
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
נָסַ֨ךְ
hath poured out
H5258
נָסַ֨ךְ
hath poured out
Strong's:
H5258
Word #:
2 of 15
to pour out, especially a libation, or to cast (metal); by analogy, to anoint a king
עֲלֵיכֶ֤ם
H5921
עֲלֵיכֶ֤ם
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
3 of 15
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יְהוָה֙
For the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
For the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
ר֣וּחַ
upon you the spirit
H7307
ר֣וּחַ
upon you the spirit
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
5 of 15
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
וַיְעַצֵּ֖ם
and hath closed
H6105
וַיְעַצֵּ֖ם
and hath closed
Strong's:
H6105
Word #:
7 of 15
to bind fast, i.e., close (the eyes); intransitively, to be (causatively, make) powerful or numerous; to crunch the bones
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עֵֽינֵיכֶ֑ם
your eyes
H5869
עֵֽינֵיכֶ֑ם
your eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
9 of 15
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
רָאשֵׁיכֶ֥ם
and your rulers
H7218
רָאשֵׁיכֶ֥ם
and your rulers
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
13 of 15
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
Cross References
Romans 11:8(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.Isaiah 44:18They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand.Isaiah 30:10Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:1 Samuel 9:9(Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to enquire of God, thus he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer: for he that is now called a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.)Psalms 69:23Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake.2 Corinthians 4:4In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.Ezekiel 14:9And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the LORD have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel.1 Samuel 26:12So David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul's bolster; and they gat them away, and no man saw it, nor knew it, neither awaked: for they were all asleep; because a deep sleep from the LORD was fallen upon them.Micah 3:6Therefore night shall be unto you, that ye shall not have a vision; and it shall be dark unto you, that ye shall not divine; and the sun shall go down over the prophets, and the day shall be dark over them.
Historical Context
Throughout Judah's history, false prophets proliferated while true prophets were ignored or persecuted. Jeremiah later faced this: false prophets promised peace while he proclaimed judgment (Jeremiah 28). By Jesus's time, this judicial hardening was fully evident—religious leaders examined Jesus's works yet concluded He operated by Beelzebub (Matthew 12:24).
Questions for Reflection
- How does persistent rejection of God's truth lead to judicial hardening where He removes the ability to perceive?
- What warning does this give about treating God's revelation casually or repeatedly ignoring His word?
- How can spiritual leaders themselves become blinded when they prioritize institutional preservation over obedience?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep (כִּי נָסַךְ עֲלֵיכֶם יְהוָה רוּחַ תַּרְדֵּמָה, ki nasakh aleykhem YHWH ruach tardemah)—the verb נסך (nasakh) means to pour out (like a drink offering). God pours out רוּחַ תַּרְדֵּמָה (ruach tardemah), a spirit of deep sleep. The word תַּרְדֵּמָה (tardemah) appears when God put Adam into deep sleep (Genesis 2:21) and when Abraham experienced the deep sleep of covenant ratification (Genesis 15:12)—supernatural stupor, not natural drowsiness. And hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered (וַיְעַצֵּם אֶת־עֵינֵיכֶם אֶת־הַנְּבִיאִים וְאֶת־רָאשֵׁיכֶם הַחֹזִים כִּסָּה, vaye'atsem et-eyneykhem et-hanevi'im ve'et-rasheykhem hachozim kisah).
The terrifying reality: God Himself judicially blinds those who persistently refuse to see. The prophets (נְבִיאִים, nevi'im) and seers (חֹזִים, chozim)—those meant to provide spiritual vision—are covered, sealed shut. This is covenantal hardening, God's active judgment on chronic rebellion. Paul quotes this in Romans 11:8 regarding Israel's blindness to Christ. Persistent rejection of revelation results in God removing the ability to perceive it.