Isaiah 29:16

Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding?

Surely your turning of things upside down {H2017} shall be esteemed {H2803} as the potter's {H3335} clay {H2563}: for shall the work {H4639} say {H559} of him that made {H6213} it, He made {H6213} me not? or shall the thing framed {H3336} say {H559} of him that framed {H3335} it, He had no understanding {H995}?

How you turn things upside down! - Is the potter not better than the clay, Does something made say of its maker, "He didn't make me"? Does the product say of its producer, "He has no discernment"?

You have turned things upside down, as if the potter were regarded as clay. Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, “He did not make me”? Can the pottery say of the potter, “He has no understanding”?

Ye turn things upside down! Shall the potter be esteemed as clay; that the thing made should say of him that made it, He made me not; or the thing formed say of him that formed it, He hath no understanding?

Commentary

Isaiah 29:16 delivers a powerful rebuke to those who attempt to subvert God's divine order and deny His sovereignty. The verse uses a vivid analogy of a potter and clay to illustrate the absurdity of creation questioning its Creator.

Context

This verse is found within a section of Isaiah (chapters 28-33) where the prophet pronounces woes upon Judah (specifically Jerusalem, referred to as Ariel) for their spiritual blindness, hypocrisy, and reliance on human wisdom and political alliances rather than on God. The people of Judah were "turning things upside down" by prioritizing their own flawed understanding and plans over God's revealed will, effectively denying His role and wisdom in their lives and the world.

Key Themes

  • God's Unquestionable Sovereignty: The core message is God's absolute authority as the Creator. Just as a potter has full control over the clay, God has ultimate dominion over His creation and its affairs.
  • Human Arrogance and Rebellion: The rhetorical questions — "shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding?" — expose the profound arrogance of humanity attempting to deny or challenge the wisdom and existence of their Maker.
  • The Potter and Clay Analogy: This timeless metaphor, also seen in Jeremiah 18:6 and Romans 9:20-21, emphasizes the dependent nature of creation upon its Creator. Human efforts to "turn things upside down" are futile and insignificant when compared to God's power.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "turning of things upside down" comes from the Hebrew word hapakh (הָפַךְ), which means to overturn, overthrow, or pervert. It implies a deliberate subversion of established order or truth. The idea is that the people are reversing the natural and divine order, placing their own wisdom and plans above God's. The terms "made it" and "framed it" underscore God's role as the intentional designer and craftsman of all existence, highlighting His meticulous understanding and power.

Practical Application

Isaiah 29:16 serves as a timeless reminder for believers today:

  • Embrace Humility: We are called to humble ourselves before God, acknowledging that He is the Creator and we are His creation. Our understanding is limited, and His wisdom is infinite.
  • Trust God's Plan: Even when circumstances seem chaotic or His ways are beyond our comprehension, we are to trust that God "has understanding" and is working according to His perfect plan. This echoes the wisdom found in Proverbs 3:5-6.
  • Beware of Spiritual Arrogance: This verse cautions against the danger of spiritual pride, where individuals or societies believe they can determine truth or morality apart from God. True wisdom begins with the recognition of God's sovereignty, as stated in Psalm 100:3, "Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves."
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Romans 9:19

    Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?

  • Romans 9:21

    Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

  • Isaiah 64:8

    But now, O LORD, thou [art] our father; we [are] the clay, and thou our potter; and we all [are] the work of thy hand.

  • Isaiah 45:9

    Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! [Let] the potsherd [strive] with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?

  • Isaiah 45:11

    ¶ Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me.

  • Psalms 94:8

    Understand, ye brutish among the people: and [ye] fools, when will ye be wise?

  • Psalms 94:9

    He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?
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