Isaiah 29:13

Authorized King James Version

Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר

H559

said

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֗י

H136

Wherefore the Lord

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יַ֚עַן

H3282

Forasmuch

properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause

כִּ֤י

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

נִגַּשׁ֙

H5066

draw near

to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causati

הָעָ֣ם

H5971

as this people

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

הַזֶּ֔ה

H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

בְּפִ֤יו

H6310

me with their mouth

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

וּבִשְׂפָתָיו֙

H8193

and with their lips

the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)

#10

כִּבְּד֔וּנִי

H3513

do honour

to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same

#11

וְלִבּ֖וֹ

H3820

their heart

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

#12

רִחַ֣ק

H7368

far

to widen (in any direction), i.e., (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove (literally or figuratively, of place or relation)

#13

מִמֶּ֑נִּי

H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

#14

וַתְּהִ֤י

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

#15

יִרְאָתָם֙

H3373

fearing; morally, reverent

#16

אֹתִ֔י

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#17

מִצְוַ֥ת

H4687

by the precept

a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)

#18

אֲנָשִׁ֖ים

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

#19

מְלֻמָּדָֽה׃

H3925

toward me is taught

properly, to goad, i.e., (by implication) to teach (the rod being an middle eastern incentive)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Isaiah Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How does this verse's literary context within Isaiah chapter 29 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?

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