Isaiah 29:1

ΒΆ Woe to Ariel, to Ariel, the city [where] David dwelt! add ye year to year; let them kill sacrifices.

Woe {H1945} to Ariel {H740}, to Ariel {H740}, the city {H7151} where David {H1732} dwelt {H2583}! add {H5595} ye year {H8141} to year {H8141}; let them kill {H5362} sacrifices {H2282}.

Woe to Ari'el [fireplace on God's altar, lion of God] - Ari'el, the city where David encamped! Celebrate the feasts for a few more years,

Woe to you, O Ariel, the city of Ariel where David camped! Year upon year let your festivals recur.

Ho Ariel, Ariel, the city where David encamped! add ye year to year; let the feasts come round:

Commentary

Isaiah 29:1 opens a powerful prophetic message directed at Jerusalem, here called "Ariel." The prophet Isaiah delivers a solemn "Woe" to the city, signaling impending judgment from God. This verse sets the stage for a chapter filled with warnings against spiritual blindness and hypocrisy, characteristic of Judah during Isaiah's time.

Context

This verse is part of a larger section in Isaiah (chapters 28-33) often referred to as the "Woes," where the prophet pronounces judgment upon various nations and, significantly, upon Judah and Jerusalem. Historically, this prophecy likely relates to the period when Judah faced threats from the powerful Assyrian Empire during the reign of King Hezekiah. Despite the external threat, the core issue addressed here is Jerusalem's internal spiritual condition: a reliance on outward religious observance without true heart devotion or obedience to God's commands.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment: The opening "Woe to Ariel" immediately signifies God's impending judgment upon Jerusalem. This is not arbitrary punishment but a consequence of the city's spiritual complacency and rebellion.
  • Jerusalem's Identity: "Ariel" is a symbolic name for Jerusalem. The phrase "the city where David dwelt" firmly identifies it, highlighting its historical significance as the capital established by King David and the spiritual center of Israel.
  • Ritualism vs. True Faith: The instruction "add ye year to year; let them kill sacrifices" points to a people engaged in religious routine, performing rituals without genuine repentance or a heart attuned to God's will. This highlights a recurring prophetic critique of outward religious observance without inward transformation.

Linguistic Insights

The name Ariel (Hebrew: ΧΦ²Χ¨Φ΄Χ™ΧΦ΅Χœ, 'ariy'el) is significant. It literally means "lion of God," which could symbolize Jerusalem's strength, or God's fierce judgment upon it. However, it is also closely associated with "altar hearth" or "hearth of God" (see Ezekiel 43:15-16), referring to the altar of burnt offering in the Temple. This dual meaning suggests that Jerusalem, the place of sacrifices, would itself become like an altar hearth, consumed by divine fire of judgment. The word "Woe" (Hebrew: Χ”Χ•ΦΉΧ™, hoy) is a common prophetic exclamation of lament and condemnation, frequently used to introduce pronouncements of doom.

Practical Application

Isaiah 29:1 serves as a powerful warning against spiritual complacency and hypocrisy. It reminds us that God desires genuine devotion and obedience over mere ritualistic practices. For believers today, this verse underscores the importance of a living, heartfelt relationship with God, rather than simply going through the motions of religious duties. It challenges us to examine our own hearts: are we truly seeking God and His will, or are we just "adding year to year" in our religious routines? This judgment on Jerusalem, despite its sacred status, underscores a principle found throughout Scripture: to whom much is given, much is required. While this verse speaks of impending judgment, the broader context of Isaiah often balances judgment with a promise of future restoration for God's people, as seen in passages like Isaiah 62:1.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Samuel 5:9

    So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward.

  • Amos 4:4

    Come to Bethel, and transgress; at Gilgal multiply transgression; and bring your sacrifices every morning, [and] your tithes after three years:

  • Amos 4:5

    And offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven, and proclaim [and] publish the free offerings: for this liketh you, O ye children of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.

  • Micah 6:6

    ΒΆ Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, [and] bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old?

  • Micah 6:7

    Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, [or] with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn [for] my transgression, the fruit of my body [for] the sin of my soul?

  • Hosea 8:13

    They sacrifice flesh [for] the sacrifices of mine offerings, and eat [it; but] the LORD accepteth them not; now will he remember their iniquity, and visit their sins: they shall return to Egypt.

  • Hosea 5:6

    They shall go with their flocks and with their herds to seek the LORD; but they shall not find [him]; he hath withdrawn himself from them.
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