Isaiah 29:11
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 learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed:
Original Language Analysis
וַתְּהִ֨י
H1961
וַתְּהִ֨י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 23
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
חָז֣וּת
And the vision
H2380
חָז֣וּת
And the vision
Strong's:
H2380
Word #:
3 of 23
a look; hence (figuratively) striking appearance, revelation, or (by implication) compact
הַכֹּ֗ל
H3605
הַכֹּ֗ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 23
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
כְּדִבְרֵי֮
of all is become unto you as the words
H1697
כְּדִבְרֵי֮
of all is become unto you as the words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
5 of 23
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
הסֵ֛פֶר
of a book
H5612
הסֵ֛פֶר
of a book
Strong's:
H5612
Word #:
6 of 23
properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book
אֲשֶֽׁר
H834
אֲשֶֽׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
8 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִתְּנ֣וּ
which men deliver
H5414
יִתְּנ֣וּ
which men deliver
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
9 of 23
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֹת֗וֹ
H853
אֹת֗וֹ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יוֹדֵ֥עַ
to one that is learned
H3045
יוֹדֵ֥עַ
to one that is learned
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
12 of 23
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
הסֵ֛פֶר
of a book
H5612
הסֵ֛פֶר
of a book
Strong's:
H5612
Word #:
13 of 23
properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book
קְרָ֣א
Read
H7121
קְרָ֣א
Read
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
15 of 23
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
נָא
H4994
נָא
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
16 of 23
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
19 of 23
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אוּכַ֔ל
I cannot
H3201
אוּכַ֔ל
I cannot
Strong's:
H3201
Word #:
20 of 23
to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
21 of 23
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Cross References
Matthew 13:11He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.Isaiah 8:16Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.Daniel 12:4But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.Daniel 12:9And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.Matthew 11:25At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
Historical Context
Ancient scrolls were sealed with wax or clay impressions bearing a signet ring (Daniel 12:4, Revelation 5:1). Breaking the seal required authority. Isaiah's metaphor: even with revelation physically present, spiritual blindness makes it as inaccessible as a sealed document. First-century Judaism possessed Scripture yet predominantly rejected Jesus, the Word made flesh.
Questions for Reflection
- How can people possess Scripture yet find it 'sealed'—inaccessible despite availability?
- What's the difference between intellectual knowledge of the Bible and spiritually discerning its truth?
- When have you encountered passages that seemed 'sealed' until God opened your understanding?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed (וַתְּהִי לָכֶם חָזוּת הַכֹּל כְּדִבְרֵי הַסֵּפֶר הֶחָתוּם, vatehi lakhem chazut hakol kedivrey hasefer hechatom)—all prophetic חָזוּת (chazut, vision) becomes like a sealed סֵפֶר (sefer, scroll/book). The verb חתם (chatam) means to seal, make inaccessible. Which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed—even the literate, the יוֹדֵעַ סֵפֶר (yodea sefer, one knowing books), cannot access it.
Isaiah illustrates comprehensive spiritual illiteracy. Not ignorance—the scroll exists, the learned person can read—but imposed inaccessibility. God's revelation is present but sealed, tantalizingly close yet unreachable. This is more frustrating than simple absence; it's revelation rendered useless by divine judgment. The tragedy: not lack of Scripture, but inability to comprehend it despite possessing it. Jesus quoted verse 13 when confronting Pharisees who studied Scripture yet missed its Author (Matthew 15:8-9).