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Selected Verse: Isaiah 5:21 - Strong Concordance
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Isa 5:21 |
Strong Concordance |
Woe [01945] unto them that are wise [02450] in their own eyes [05869], and prudent [0995] in their own sight [06440]! |
| |
King James |
Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
| Fifth Woe--against those who were so "wise in their own eyes" as to think they knew better than the prophet, and therefore rejected his warnings (Isa 29:14-15). |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
Wo unto them that are wise ... - This is the fifth crime specified. It refers to those who are inflated with a false opinion of their own knowledge, and who are, therefore, self-confident and vain. This is expressly forbidden; Pro 3:7 : 'Be not wise in thine own eyes;' compare Pro 26:12.
In their own eyes - In their own opinion, or estimation.
And prudent - Knowing; self-conceited. This was, doubtless, one characteristic of the times of Isaiah. It is known to have been strikingly the characteristic of the Jews - particularly the Pharisees - in the time of our Saviour. The evil of this was,
(1) That it evinced and fostered "pride."
(2) That it rendered them unwilling to be instructed, and especially by the prophets.
As they supposed that they were already wise enough, they refused to listen to others. This is always the effect of such self-confidence: and hence, the Saviour required his disciples to be meek, and humble, and teachable as children. |
| Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78] |
| The fifth woe: "Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight." The third woe had reference to the unbelieving naturalists, the opponents of prophecy (nebuâh); the fourth to the moralists, who threw all into confusion; and to this there is appended, by a very natural association of ideas, the woe denounced upon those whom want of humility rendered inaccessible to that wisdom which went hand in hand with prophecy, and the true foundation of which was the fear of Jehovah (Pro 1:7; Job 28:28; Ecc 12:13). "Be not wise in thine own eyes," is a fundamental rule of this wisdom (Pro 3:7). It was upon this wisdom that that prophetic policy rested, whose warnings, as we read in Isa 28:9-10, they so scornfully rejected. The next woe, which has reference to the administration of justice in the state, shows very clearly that in this woe the prophet had more especially the want of theocratic wisdom in relation to the affairs of state in his mind. |
14 Therefore, behold, I will proceed [03254] to do a marvellous work [06381] among this people [05971], even a marvellous work [06381] and a wonder [06382]: for the wisdom [02451] of their wise [02450] men shall perish [06], and the understanding [0998] of their prudent [0995] men shall be hid [05641].
15 Woe [01945] unto them that seek deep [06009] to hide [05641] their counsel [06098] from the LORD [03068], and their works [04639] are in the dark [04285], and they say [0559], Who seeth [07200] us? and who knoweth [03045] us?
12 Seest [07200] thou a man [0376] wise [02450] in his own conceit [05869]? there is more hope [08615] of a fool [03684] than of him.
7 Be not wise [02450] in thine own eyes [05869]: fear [03372] the LORD [03068], and depart [05493] from evil [07451].
9 Whom shall he teach [03384] knowledge [01844]? and whom shall he make to understand [0995] doctrine [08052]? them that are weaned [01580] from the milk [02461], and drawn [06267] from the breasts [07699].
10 For precept [06673] must be upon precept [06673], precept [06673] upon precept [06673]; line [06957] upon line [06957], line [06957] upon line [06957]; here a little [02191], and there a little [02191]:
7 Be not wise [02450] in thine own eyes [05869]: fear [03372] the LORD [03068], and depart [05493] from evil [07451].
13 Let us hear [08085] the conclusion [05490] of the whole matter [01697]: Fear [03372] God [0430], and keep [08104] his commandments [04687]: for this is the whole duty of man [0120].
28 And unto man [0120] he said [0559], Behold, the fear [03374] of the Lord [0136], that is wisdom [02451]; and to depart [05493] from evil [07451] is understanding [0998].
7 The fear [03374] of the LORD [03068] is the beginning [07225] of knowledge [01847]: but fools [0191] despise [0936] wisdom [02451] and instruction [04148].