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:
And the vision {H2380} of all is become unto you as the words {H1697} of a book {H5612} that is sealed {H2856}, which men deliver {H5414} to one that is learned {H3045}, saying {H559}, Read {H7121} this, I pray thee: and he saith {H559}, I cannot {H3201}; for it is sealed {H2856}:
For you this whole prophetic vision has become like the message in a sealed-up scroll. When one gives it to someone who can read and says, "Please read this," he answers, "I can't, because it's sealed."
And the entire vision will be to you like the words sealed in a scroll. If it is handed to someone to read, he will say, “I cannot, because it is sealed.”
And all vision 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:
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Matthew 13:11
He 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 8:16
¶ Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples. -
Daniel 12:4
But 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 12:9
And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words [are] closed up and sealed till the time of the end. -
Matthew 11:25
¶ At 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. -
Matthew 16:17
And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed [it] unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. -
Revelation 5:1
¶ And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
Isaiah 29:11 describes the spiritual condition of Judah (Jerusalem, referred to as "Ariel" in this chapter) during Isaiah's time. God's prophetic message, the "vision," had become unintelligible to them, likened to a book that is sealed shut. Even a learned person, when asked to read it, declares inability because the seals prevent access to its contents.
Context of Isaiah 29:11
This verse is part of a broader prophecy in Isaiah 29, primarily directed against Jerusalem, a city that had become spiritually complacent and hypocritical. Despite their religious rituals, their hearts were far from God (Isaiah 29:13). The preceding verses (Isaiah 29:9-10) speak of a "spirit of deep sleep" that God had poured out upon them, causing their prophets and seers to be covered. This spiritual stupor meant that God's revelation, which should have been a source of guidance and life, was now inaccessible, a judgment for their rebellion and lack of true faith.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew word for "vision" is chazon (חָזוֹן), which refers to a prophetic revelation or a divine communication, often received through a vision. The term "sealed" comes from the Hebrew chatum (חָתוּם), meaning closed, hidden, or inaccessible. This concept of a sealed document or scroll implies that its contents are kept secret or preserved for a specific time or person, and cannot be read without breaking the seals. This powerfully conveys the idea that God's word was inaccessible to those who lacked spiritual discernment, regardless of their intellectual prowess.
Practical Application and Reflection
Isaiah 29:11 serves as a timeless warning against spiritual apathy and intellectual pride. It reminds us that understanding God's Word is not merely a matter of academic learning or intellectual ability, but requires a humble and receptive heart. Just as the learned man could not read the sealed book, human wisdom alone cannot unlock divine truth. True insight comes from God's Spirit, who searches all things, even the deep things of God. For us today, it underscores the necessity of prayer, humility, and reliance on the Holy Spirit to genuinely comprehend and apply the Scriptures to our lives, rather than approaching them with a closed mind or a heart hardened by disobedience.