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.

And the book {H5612} is delivered {H5414} to him that is not learned {H3045}{H5612}, saying {H559}, Read {H7121} this, I pray thee: and he saith {H559}, I am not learned {H3045}.

If the scroll is given to someone who can't read with the request, "Please read this," he says, "I can't read."

Or if the scroll is handed to one unable to read, he will say, “I cannot read.”

and the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee; and he saith, I am not learned.

Isaiah 29:12 (KJV) presents a poignant illustration of spiritual blindness and the inability of God's people to comprehend His divine revelation. Following the previous verse, which depicted the learned unable to read the "sealed book," this verse describes the opposite scenario: the "book" (God's prophetic word or law) is given to someone who admits, "I am not learned," signifying an inability to read or understand due to lack of education or spiritual insight.

Context

This verse is part of a larger prophetic lament in Isaiah 29 concerning Jerusalem, referred to as "Ariel," and the spiritual state of Judah. The prophet Isaiah condemns the nation for its hypocrisy and spiritual dullness. God declares that He has poured out a "spirit of deep sleep" upon them, causing their prophets and seers to be blind (Isaiah 29:10). Verses 11 and 12 together paint a complete picture of this widespread spiritual incapacity: whether learned or unlearned, the people are unable to grasp the significance of God's message, highlighting a profound disconnect between divine revelation and human understanding.

Key Themes

  • Spiritual Blindness and Ignorance: The core theme is the inability to understand God's truth. This isn't merely about literal literacy but symbolizes a deeper spiritual dullness that prevents recognition and acceptance of divine messages.
  • Divine Revelation and Human Response: God continuously reveals Himself through His word, but humanity's spiritual condition often hinders true comprehension, leading to a rejection or misunderstanding of His will.
  • The Need for Spiritual Discernment: The passage underscores that intellectual capacity alone is insufficient for understanding God's ways; it requires an open heart and spiritual perception, which the people of Judah largely lacked. This contrasts sharply with the idea that the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "book" is sepher (סֵפֶר), which refers to a scroll or any written document, here specifically God's word or prophecy. The phrase "not learned" translates the Hebrew lo yādaʿ (לֹא יָדַע), meaning "not knowing" or "not understanding." While it can imply illiteracy, in this spiritual context, it extends to a lack of spiritual insight or wisdom, highlighting an ignorance that prevents them from grasping the profound truths contained within the prophetic message.

Practical Application

Isaiah 29:12 serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of spiritual literacy and a receptive heart. It challenges us to examine our own approach to God's Word:

  • Humility in Learning: True understanding of scripture is not solely dependent on intellectual prowess or formal education, but on humility and a willingness to be taught by the Holy Spirit.
  • Overcoming Spiritual Apathy: The inability to comprehend God's message, whether due to perceived lack of knowledge or spiritual indifference, can lead to missing out on divine guidance and blessings. We are called to study to show ourselves approved unto God.
  • Seeking Divine Illumination: Just as the people in Isaiah's day struggled to understand, we too need divine help to grasp spiritual truths. Prayer for understanding and reliance on the Holy Spirit are crucial for discerning the depths of God's Word.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • John 7:15

    And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?

  • John 7:16

    Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.

  • Isaiah 29:18

    And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness.

  • Jeremiah 5:4

    Therefore I said, Surely these [are] poor; they are foolish: for they know not the way of the LORD, [nor] the judgment of their God.

  • Hosea 4:6

    ¶ My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

  • Isaiah 28:12

    To whom he said, This [is] the rest [wherewith] ye may cause the weary to rest; and this [is] the refreshing: yet they would not hear.

  • Isaiah 28:13

    But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, [and] there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

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