In this passage, the prophet Isaiah testifies of the LORD’s plan when he declares, “Therefore behold, I will once again deal marvelously with this people, wondrously marvelous; And the wisdom of their wise men will perish, And the discernment of their discerning men will be concealed” (v.14). Isaiah, who prophesied around 740-681 BC during the reigns of kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, addresses the complacency of Judah’s leaders. Their reliance on human schemes and prideful wisdom blinds them to God’s supernatural power. By using the phrase “wondrously marvelous” (v.14), Isaiah highlights the extraordinary nature of God’s intervention and reminds us that no amount of human effort can stand against the Lord’s plan.
When Isaiah states, “And the wisdom of their wise men will perish” (v.14), it emphasizes that human knowledge and political cunning have severe limitations. This theme resonates throughout Scripture. Just as in the New Testament, Paul describes how God subverts worldly wisdom so that the truth of the gospel can shine all the more brightly (1 Corinthians 1:19). God’s methods frequently challenge conventional thinking, reminding His people that He alone is supreme. In the era of Isaiah, Judah’s leadership would soon face calamity because they refused to acknowledge God’s sovereignty, and their self-sufficiency would crowd out the reverential fear of the LORD.
Finally, the statement “And the discernment of their discerning men will be concealed” (v.14) serves as a sobering warning. It is a call to humility—an invitation to recognize that genuine insight comes only when we yield ourselves to the Creator. The leaders who pride themselves on their intellect become spiritually bankrupt when they dismiss God’s guidance. Much like Jesus underscored the necessity of childlike faith (Matthew 18:3), here too, Isaiah’s words proclaim that knowledge without reliance on the Almighty eventually loses all true value.
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Isaiah 29:14 meaning
In this passage, the prophet Isaiah testifies of the LORD’s plan when he declares, “Therefore behold, I will once again deal marvelously with this people, wondrously marvelous; And the wisdom of their wise men will perish, And the discernment of their discerning men will be concealed” (v.14). Isaiah, who prophesied around 740-681 BC during the reigns of kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, addresses the complacency of Judah’s leaders. Their reliance on human schemes and prideful wisdom blinds them to God’s supernatural power. By using the phrase “wondrously marvelous” (v.14), Isaiah highlights the extraordinary nature of God’s intervention and reminds us that no amount of human effort can stand against the Lord’s plan.
When Isaiah states, “And the wisdom of their wise men will perish” (v.14), it emphasizes that human knowledge and political cunning have severe limitations. This theme resonates throughout Scripture. Just as in the New Testament, Paul describes how God subverts worldly wisdom so that the truth of the gospel can shine all the more brightly (1 Corinthians 1:19). God’s methods frequently challenge conventional thinking, reminding His people that He alone is supreme. In the era of Isaiah, Judah’s leadership would soon face calamity because they refused to acknowledge God’s sovereignty, and their self-sufficiency would crowd out the reverential fear of the LORD.
Finally, the statement “And the discernment of their discerning men will be concealed” (v.14) serves as a sobering warning. It is a call to humility—an invitation to recognize that genuine insight comes only when we yield ourselves to the Creator. The leaders who pride themselves on their intellect become spiritually bankrupt when they dismiss God’s guidance. Much like Jesus underscored the necessity of childlike faith (Matthew 18:3), here too, Isaiah’s words proclaim that knowledge without reliance on the Almighty eventually loses all true value.