Isaiah 29:24
They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.
Original Language Analysis
וְיָדְע֥וּ
shall come
H3045
וְיָדְע֥וּ
shall come
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
1 of 7
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
תֹֽעֵי
They also that erred
H8582
תֹֽעֵי
They also that erred
Strong's:
H8582
Word #:
2 of 7
to vacillate, i.e., reel or stray (literally or figuratively); also causative of both
ר֖וּחַ
in spirit
H7307
ר֖וּחַ
in spirit
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
3 of 7
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
Cross References
Hebrews 5:2Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.Isaiah 28:7But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.
Historical Context
This transformation characterizes new covenant reality. At Pentecost, Spirit-filled believers spoke mysteries of God (Acts 2). Former persecutors (Paul) became teachers of doctrine. Those erring in idolatry (Gentile converts) gained understanding. The Ethiopian eunuch, unable to understand Isaiah without help (Acts 8:30-31), represents pre-transformation confusion; Philip's explanation brought enlightenment—a microcosm of this prophecy's fulfillment.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the Holy Spirit transform spiritual wandering into understanding and murmuring into learning?
- What areas of 'erring in spirit' in your life need divine illumination to gain true understanding?
- How can you move from being a 'murmurer' to becoming a student of God's doctrine?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding (וְיָדְעוּ תֹעֵי־רוּחַ בִּינָה, veyade'u to'ey-ruach binah)—those who תָּעָה (ta'ah, erred, wandered, strayed) in רוּחַ (ruach, spirit) will יָדַע (yada, know) בִּינָה (binah, understanding, discernment). And they that murmured shall learn doctrine (וְרֹגְנִים יִלְמְדוּ־לֶקַח, verogenim yilmedu-leqach)—the רָגַן (ragan, murmurers, complainers) will לָמַד (lamad, learn) לֶקַח (leqach, doctrine, instruction, teaching).
Isaiah concludes chapter 29 with comprehensive restoration: spiritual wanderers gain understanding, complainers become students of truth. This reverses the judicial blinding of verses 9-12. Those drunk in spiritual stupor, unable to read sealed scrolls, hostile to God's word—all transformed by grace into understanding disciples. The verb 'know' (יָדַע, yada) indicates intimate, experiential knowledge, not mere intellectual assent. The murmurers who grumbled against God's providence (like Israel in wilderness) will learn His doctrine willingly.