Isaiah 29:12
And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.
Original Language Analysis
וְנִתַּ֣ן
is delivered
H5414
וְנִתַּ֣ן
is delivered
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
1 of 15
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
סֵֽפֶר׃
And the book
H5612
סֵֽפֶר׃
And the book
Strong's:
H5612
Word #:
2 of 15
properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book
עַל֩
H5921
עַל֩
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
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 15
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָדַ֖עְתִּי
I am not learned
H3045
יָדַ֖עְתִּי
I am not learned
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
6 of 15
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
סֵֽפֶר׃
And the book
H5612
סֵֽפֶר׃
And the book
Strong's:
H5612
Word #:
7 of 15
properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book
קְרָ֣א
Read
H7121
קְרָ֣א
Read
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
9 of 15
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 #:
10 of 15
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
13 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Historical Context
Ancient society divided sharply between the literate elite (scribes, priests, aristocracy) and the illiterate masses. Isaiah's prophecy encompasses both, showing that neither class possesses inherent spiritual advantage. Jesus's ministry demonstrated this: religious scholars missed Him while uneducated fishermen became apostles. Spiritual illumination transcends human educational categories.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does neither education nor simplicity guarantee spiritual discernment?
- How does this challenge both intellectual pride and anti-intellectualism in the church?
- What must happen for sealed revelation to become opened understanding?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned (וְנִתַּן הַסֵּפֶר עַל לֹא־יָדַע סֵפֶר לֵאמֹר קְרָא נָא־זֶה וְאָמַר לֹא יָדַעְתִּי סֵפֶר, venitan hasefer al lo-yada sefer lemor qera na-zeh ve'amar lo yadati sefer)—the unlearned (לֹא־יָדַע סֵפֶר, lo yada sefer, one not knowing books) pleads illiteracy. The irony compounds: the educated cannot read the sealed scroll; the uneducated cannot read the opened scroll. Neither learning nor simplicity provides access.
This couplet (verses 11-12) creates a comprehensive condemnation: no category of people—educated or simple, religious elite or common folk—can access God's revelation under judicial hardening. The problem isn't educational; it's spiritual. Human capability, whether maximal (the learned) or minimal (the illiterate), proves equally impotent when God seals spiritual understanding. Only divine grace can open sealed revelation, whether to the learned (Paul) or unlearned (Peter).