Isaiah 29:13

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:

Wherefore the Lord {H136} said {H559}, Forasmuch {H3282} as this people {H5971} draw near {H5066} me with their mouth {H6310}, and with their lips {H8193} do honour {H3513} me, but have removed {H7368} their heart {H3820} far {H7368} from me, and their fear {H3374} toward me is taught {H3925} by the precept {H4687} of men {H582}:

Then Adonai said: "Because these people approach me with empty words, and the honor they bestow on me is mere lip-service; while in fact they have distanced their hearts from me, and their 'fear of me' is just a mitzvah of human origin

Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men.

And the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw nigh unto me, and with their mouth and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment of men which hath been taught them;

Isaiah 29:13 delivers a powerful and piercing indictment from the Lord against the superficiality of religious observance, highlighting the critical difference between outward ritual and genuine heart devotion. This verse serves as a timeless warning against hypocrisy in spiritual life.

Context

This prophecy from Isaiah is directed towards Judah and Jerusalem during a period when the nation was steeped in religious formalism but lacked true spiritual vitality. While people maintained the outward appearance of worship, participating in temple rituals and offering prayers, their hearts had grown distant from God. The surrounding chapters in Isaiah 29 speak of spiritual blindness, impending judgment, and the ultimate promise of restoration, emphasizing the consequences of their spiritual apathy and reliance on human wisdom over divine revelation.

Key Themes

  • Hypocritical Worship: The central theme is the condemnation of "lip service" – honoring God with words while the heart is far away. This challenges the notion that mere outward adherence to religious practices is sufficient for true faith.
  • Heart vs. Lips: God emphasizes that He looks beyond outward expressions to the inner condition of the heart. True honor and worship must originate from an authentic love and reverence for Him, not just rote recitation or ceremonial acts.
  • Man-Made Religion: The phrase "their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men" points to the danger of relying on human traditions, rules, and doctrines instead of God's revealed truth. Such man-made systems can lead people astray, fostering a form of godliness that denies its power (2 Timothy 3:5).
  • Spiritual Distance: The core issue is a heart "removed far" from God. This distance is not merely passive neglect but an active turning away, indicating a lack of genuine relationship and intimacy with the Divine.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "precept" (piqqud) refers to ordinances, statutes, or commandments. When paired with "men" (anashim), it underscores the human origin of these rules, contrasting them sharply with God's divine commands. The phrase "removed their heart far" uses a verb that implies an active, deliberate act of putting distance between oneself and God, not just a passive drifting.

Significance and Cross-References

The profound significance of Isaiah 29:13 is underscored by its direct quotation in the New Testament. Jesus Himself cites this very verse when confronting the Pharisees and scribes about their traditions and hypocrisy in Matthew 15:8-9 and Mark 7:6-7. This demonstrates that the problem of outward piety without inward devotion was persistent, even centuries later. The New Testament continually stresses the importance of worshipping God in spirit and in truth (John 4:24) and guarding the heart above all else (Proverbs 4:23).

Practical Application

Isaiah 29:13 calls believers today to a profound self-examination. It challenges us to look beyond mere religious duties and ask whether our hearts are truly engaged with God. Are our prayers, worship, and service genuine expressions of love and reverence, or are they simply rote actions? This verse reminds us:

  • Authenticity in Faith: God desires a real, intimate relationship, not just outward conformity.
  • Prioritize God's Word: Our understanding and fear of the Lord should be rooted in His revealed Word, not in human doctrines or cultural norms that might dilute or distort true piety.
  • Examine Your Heart: Regularly assess your inner spiritual condition. Is your heart drawing near to God, or is it drifting away?

Ultimately, this verse is a timeless call for sincerity, authenticity, and heart-felt devotion in all aspects of our walk with God.

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.

  • Mark 7:2

    And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.

  • Mark 7:13

    Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

  • Ezekiel 33:31

    And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee [as] my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, [but] their heart goeth after their covetousness.

  • Ezekiel 33:33

    And when this cometh to pass, (lo, it will come,) then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them.

  • Jeremiah 12:2

    Thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root: they grow, yea, they bring forth fruit: thou [art] near in their mouth, and far from their reins.

  • Matthew 15:2

    Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.

  • Matthew 15:9

    But in vain they do worship me, teaching [for] doctrines the commandments of men.
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