29:1 Ariel The following phrases suggest this is a poetic reference to Jerusalem; the usage here is unusual. Ariel may be a name meaning “lion of God” since the Hebrew word ari means “lion” and el means “god.”

the city where David encamped See 2 Sam 5:7–9.

29:2 I will inflict Ariel God brings the coming calamity against Jerusalem.

it shall be to me like an altar hearth This context suggests the term here is referring to an altar hearth. The other possible translations make little sense here, as an ironic reference to Jerusalem’s former glory seems out of place. See note on Isa 29:1.

29:3 I will encamp in a circle against you The coming siege is the work of Yahweh Himself, commander in chief of all armies—heavenly and human (see v. 6 and note). Yahweh besieges then rescues Zion.

29:4 you shall be low Yahweh besieges and humiliates Zion (see 2:11–12). God humbles anything or anyone that exalts themselves over or apart from God Himself.

like a ghost Compare the muttering sounds of those who communicate with the dead in 8:19.

29:5 your strangers shall be like fine dust Yahweh ordained the siege, but also the rescue. While He uses the foreign invaders to teach a lesson, He can easily remove them like dust or chaff.

in an instant The Assyrians depart suddenly after divine intervention in 37:36–37 (compare 2 Kgs 19:35).

29:6 Yahweh of hosts This title refers to God as the leader of the heavenly armies. See note on Isa 1:9.

thunder Natural events like thunder and earthquake often accompany a theophany or appearance of God (see 6:4; 30:30; 1 Kgs 19:11–12; Exod 19:16–20).

Theophany in the Old Testament

29:7 like a dream, a vision of the night The enemy disappears so quickly it seems to have been a dream (see Isa 17:14; 37:36–37; 2 Kgs 19:35).

Ariel May mean “altar hearth” in this context. See note on Isa 29:1.

those who fight against her and her stronghold See Zech 12:9; Micah 4:11–13.

29:9 Be astonished and be amazed The recipients of this command are unknown until the following verse.

They are drunk but not from wine What appears to be a depiction of the staggering blindness of the nations defeated by Yahweh turns into an indictment of Judah’s religious leaders in Isa 29:10.

29:10 a spirit of deep sleep A divinely induced slumber, as when Yahweh took Adam’s rib to create Eve (Gen 2:21) or when deep sleep fell on Abraham during the covenant ceremony (Gen 15:12). Compare 1 Sam 26:12.

29:11 the words of a sealed document The prophet’s message is like a document sealed up for a future audience that will be able to understand it. A seal could only be broken by one with the proper authority—breaking it was akin to opening mail not addressed to you (compare 8:16; Dan 12:4).

29:13 its heart is far from me The people appeared to be following Yahweh, but it was only mechanical rituals—their hearts were not in it (see Isa 1:10–17).

a commandment of men that has been taught See Matt 15:9.

29:14 doing something spectacular and a spectacle with this spectacular people Despite their wandering and lack of true worship, God has not abandoned them; He will continue to work through them (see Isa 58:2; Hab 1:5).

the wisdom of its wise men shall perish Quoted in 1 Cor 1:19.

29:15 Those who make a plan deep, to hide it from Yahweh An expression of grief alluding to the leaders of Judah’s plans to ally with Egypt (see Isa 30:1–5).

and their deeds are in a dark place The elders of Israel are similarly depicted as conducting sinful business in the dark in Ezek 8:12.

who knows us? An assertion of their own self-sufficiency.

29:16 a potter shall be regarded as the clay Isa 10:15 describes a tool, which is useless without one to wield it, to illustrate God’s sovereignty over all contemporary powers. Here, Yahweh’s sovereignty is illustrated by the image of a potter and clay. Just like the tool has no say in how it is used, the pot has no right to question the design of the potter. The potter and clay image is reused in 45:9; 64:8; and Jer 18:4–6. The theme is also applied in Rom 9:20–22.

29:17 Lebanon A region north of Israel (Psa 72:16; Hos 14:8; Zech 10:10; Song 4:15).

a fruitful land The Hebrew term can refer to a garden in the midst of fruit trees or a lush forest (see 10:18; 37:25; Jer 2:7; 48:33).

29:18 deaf shall hear the words of Contrasts Isa 29:9–12, where no one could decipher or understand the message. Now, the deaf and blind shall miraculously hear and see the message.

29:19 the meek have joy after joy Depicts concern for the less fortunate of society; compare Matt 5:3.

the needy of the people shall rejoice The meek and the poor are depicted exhibiting a proper attitude of worship and dependence on God (compare Isa 61:1).

the holy one of Israel This title emphasizes God’s holiness. See note on 1:4.

29:21 set a trap for the arbitrator The wicked and ruthless have no respect for those who support justice (see Amos 5:10–12).

29:23 his children, the work of my hands God’s chosen are also referred to as the work of His hands in Isa 60:21. In 19:25, Assyria and Egypt are folded into the chosen people (symbolizing salvation extending to the nations).

they will treat the holy one of Jacob as holy Compare 8:12–13, where Isaiah exhorts Ahaz and the house of David to regard Yahweh as holy.

29:24 will learn instruction Understanding and accepting instruction are prerequisites of true wisdom (see Prov 1:1–7; 9:9).