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Can the pottery say of the potter, "He has no understanding"?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/isaiah/29-16.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/23_Isa_29_16.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Isaiah 29:16 - Woe to the City of David" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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? 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Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, &#8220You did not make me"? Can the pot say to the potter, &#8220You know nothing"? <a href="/nlt/isaiah/29.htm">New Living Translation</a> How foolish can you be? He is the Potter, and he is certainly greater than you, the clay! Should the created thing say of the one who made it, “He didn’t make me”? Does a jar ever say, “The potter who made me is stupid”? <a href="/esv/isaiah/29.htm">English Standard Version</a> You turn things upside down! Shall the potter be regarded as the clay, that the thing made should say of its maker, “He did not make me”; or the thing formed say of him who formed it, “He has no understanding”? <a href="/bsb/isaiah/29.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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”? <a href="/kjv/isaiah/29.htm">King James Bible</a> 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? <a href="/nkjv/isaiah/29.htm">New King James Version</a> Surely you have things turned around! Shall the potter be esteemed as the clay; For shall the thing made say of him who made it, “He did not make me”? Or shall the thing formed say of him who formed it, “He has no understanding”? <a href="/nasb_/isaiah/29.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> You turn things around! Shall the potter be considered as equal with the clay, That what is made would say to its maker, “He did not make me”; Or what is formed say to him who formed it, “He has no understanding”? <a href="/nasb/isaiah/29.htm">NASB 1995</a> You turn things around! Shall the potter be considered as equal with the clay, That what is made would say to its maker, &#8220He did not make me"; Or what is formed say to him who formed it, &#8220He has no understanding &#8220? <a href="/nasb77/isaiah/29.htm">NASB 1977 </a> You turn things around! Shall the potter be considered as equal with the clay, That what is made should say to its maker, “He did not make me”; Or what is formed say to him who formed it, “He has no understanding”? <a href="/lsb/isaiah/29.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> You turn things around! Shall the potter be considered as equal with the clay, That what is made would say to its maker, “He did not make me” Or what is formed say to him who formed it, “He has no understanding”? <a href="/amp/isaiah/29.htm">Amplified Bible</a> You turn things upside down [with your perversity]! Shall the potter be considered equal with the clay, That the thing that is made would say to its maker, “He did not make me”; Or the thing that is formed say to him who formed it, “He has no understanding”? <a href="/csb/isaiah/29.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> You have turned things around, as if the potter were the same as the clay. How can what is made say about its maker, “He didn’t make me”? How can what is formed say about the one who formed it, “He doesn’t understand what he’s doing”? <a href="/hcsb/isaiah/29.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> You have turned things around, as if the potter were the same as the clay. How can what is made say about its maker,&#8221 He didn&#8217t make me"? How can what is formed say about the one who formed it,&#8221 He doesn&#8217t understand what he&#8217s doing"? <a href="/asv/isaiah/29.htm">American Standard Version</a> 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? <a href="/cev/isaiah/29.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> You have it all backwards. A clay dish doesn't say to the potter, "You didn't make me. You don't even know how." <a href="/erv/isaiah/29.htm">English Revised Version</a> Ye turn things upside down! Shall the potter be counted as clay; that the thing made should say of him that made it, He made me not; or the thing framed say of him that framed it, He hath no understanding? <a href="/gwt/isaiah/29.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> You turn things upside down! Is the potter no better than his clay? Can something that has been made say about its maker, "He didn't make me"? Can a piece of pottery say about the potter, "He doesn't understand"? <a href="/gnt/isaiah/29.htm">Good News Translation</a> They turn everything upside down. Which is more important, the potter or the clay? Can something you have made say, "You didn't make me"? Or can it say, "You don't know what you are doing"? <a href="/isv/isaiah/29.htm">International Standard Version</a> He has turned the tables on you — as if the potter were thought to be like heat. Can what is made say of the one who made it, 'He did not make me?' Or can what is formed say of the ones who formed it, 'He has no skill?' <a href="/msb/isaiah/29.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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”? <a href="/net/isaiah/29.htm">NET Bible</a> Your thinking is perverse! Should the potter be regarded as clay? Should the thing made say about its maker, "He didn't make me"? Or should the pottery say about the potter, "He doesn't understand"? <a href="/nheb/isaiah/29.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> You turn things upside down. Should the potter be thought to be like clay; that the thing made should say about him who made it, "He did not make me;" or the thing formed say of him who formed it, "He has no understanding?" <a href="/wbt/isaiah/29.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> 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? <a href="/web/isaiah/29.htm">World English Bible</a> You turn things upside down! Should the potter be thought to be like clay, that the thing made should say about him who made it, “He didn’t make me;” or the thing formed say of him who formed it, “He has no understanding?” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/isaiah/29.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Your perversion! Is the potter esteemed as clay, "" That the work says of its maker, “He has not made me?” And the framed thing said of its framer, “He did not understand?” <a href="/ylt/isaiah/29.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Your perversion! as clay is the potter esteemed? That the work saith of its maker, 'He hath not made me?' And the framed thing said of its framer, 'He did not understand?' <a href="/slt/isaiah/29.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Shall not your perverting be reckoned as the potter's clay? for shall the work say to him making it, He made me not? and he being formed, say to him forming, He understood not?<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/isaiah/29.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> This thought of yours is perverse: as if the clay should think against the potter, and the work should say to the maker thereof: Thou madest me not: or the thing framed should say to him that fashioned it: Thou understandest not. <a href="/cpdv/isaiah/29.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> This intention of yours is perverse. It is as if the clay were to plan against the potter, or as if the work were to say to its maker: “You did not make me.” Or it is as if what has been formed were to say to the one who formed it, “You do not understand.” <a href="/nabre/isaiah/29.htm">New American Bible</a> Your perversity is as though the potter were taken to be the clay: As though what is made should say of its maker, “He did not make me!” Or the vessel should say of the potter, “He does not understand.” <a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/29.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> You turn things upside down! Shall the potter be regarded as the clay? Shall the thing made say of its maker, “He did not make me”; or the thing formed say of the one who formed it, “He has no understanding”?<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/29.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Surely you are esteemed as the potter's clay; for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? Or shall the thing formed say of him that formed it, He has not fashioned me wisely? <a href="/hpbt/isaiah/29.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> You are esteemed as the clay of a potter. Does the work say to its maker: "You have not made me"? And does the crafted thing say to its craftsman, "You have not wisely formed me?”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/isaiah/29.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> O your perversity! 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 framed say of him that framed it: 'He hath no understanding?' <a href="/sep/isaiah/29.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> Shall ye not be counted as clay of the potter? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Thou didst not form me? or the work to the maker, Thou hast not made me wisely? <a href="/parallel/isaiah/29-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xv9bHT-nr9s?start=6048" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/isaiah/29.htm">Woe to the City of David</a> …15Woe to those who dig deep to hide their plans from the LORD. In darkness they do their works and say, “Who sees us, and who will know?” 16<a href="/hebrew/2017.htm" title="2017: hap̄·kə·ḵem (N-msc:: 2mp) -- Perversity, turning of things upside down. From haphak; an upset, i.e. perversity.">You have turned things upside down,</a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">as if</a> <a href="/hebrew/3335.htm" title="3335: hay·yō·ṣêr (Art:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- Probably identical with yatsar;); to mould into a form; especially as a potter; figuratively, to determine (i.e. Form a resolution).">the potter</a> <a href="/hebrew/2803.htm" title="2803: yê·ḥā·šêḇ (V-Nifal-Imperf-3ms) -- To think, account. ">were regarded</a> <a href="/hebrew/2563.htm" title="2563: kə·ḥō·mer (Prep-k:: N-msc) -- From chamar; properly, a bubbling up, i.e. Of water, a wave; of earth, mire or clay; also a heap; hence, a chomer or dry measure.">as clay.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">Shall</a> <a href="/hebrew/4639.htm" title="4639: ma·‘ă·śeh (N-ms) -- A deed, work. From asah; an action; generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product or property.">what is formed</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: yō·mar (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">say</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: lə·‘ō·śê·hū (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-msc:: 3ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">to him who formed it,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">“He did not</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: ‘ā·śā·nî (V-Qal-Perf-3ms:: 1cs) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">make me”?</a> <a href="/hebrew/3336.htm" title="3336: wə·yê·ṣer (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- A form, framing, purpose. From yatsar; a form; figuratively, conception.">Can the pottery</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ā·mar (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">say</a> <a href="/hebrew/3335.htm" title="3335: lə·yō·wṣ·rōw (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-msc:: 3ms) -- Probably identical with yatsar;); to mould into a form; especially as a potter; figuratively, to determine (i.e. Form a resolution).">of the potter,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">“He has no</a> <a href="/hebrew/995.htm" title="995: hê·ḇîn (V-Hifil-Perf-3ms) -- To discern. A primitive root; to separate mentally, i.e.(generally) understand.">understanding”?</a> <div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/romans/9-20.htm">Romans 9:20-21</a> But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, “Why did You make me like this?” / Does not the potter have the right to make from the same lump of clay one vessel for special occasions and another for common use? <a href="/jeremiah/18-6.htm">Jeremiah 18:6</a> “O house of Israel, declares the LORD, can I not treat you as this potter treats his clay? Just like clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel. <a href="/isaiah/45-9.htm">Isaiah 45:9</a> Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker—one clay pot among many. Does the clay ask the potter, ‘What are you making?’ Does your work say, ‘He has no hands’? <a href="/job/9-12.htm">Job 9:12</a> If He takes away, who can stop Him? Who dares to ask Him, ‘What are You doing?’ <a href="/job/33-13.htm">Job 33:13</a> Why do you complain to Him that He answers nothing a man asks? <a href="/isaiah/64-8.htm">Isaiah 64:8</a> But now, O LORD, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are the potter; we are all the work of Your hand. <a href="/psalms/2-1.htm">Psalm 2:1-4</a> Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? / The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together, against the LORD and against His Anointed One: / “Let us break Their chains and cast away Their cords.” ... <a href="/1_corinthians/1-25.htm">1 Corinthians 1:25</a> For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength. <a href="/proverbs/21-30.htm">Proverbs 21:30</a> There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD. <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-13.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:13</a> Consider the work of God: Who can straighten what He has bent? <a href="/daniel/4-35.htm">Daniel 4:35</a> All the peoples of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’” <a href="/matthew/20-15.htm">Matthew 20:15</a> Do I not have the right to do as I please with what is mine? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ <a href="/1_corinthians/10-22.htm">1 Corinthians 10:22</a> Are we trying to provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He? <a href="/romans/11-34.htm">Romans 11:34</a> “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?” <a href="/isaiah/10-15.htm">Isaiah 10:15</a> Does an axe raise itself above the one who swings it? Does a saw boast over him who saws with it? It would be like a rod waving the one who lifts it, or a staff lifting him who is not wood!</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>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?your turning<a href="/isaiah/24-1.htm">Isaiah 24:1</a> Behold, the LORD maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof.<a href="/acts/17-6.htm">Acts 17:6</a> And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;as the potter's<a href="/isaiah/45-9.htm">Isaiah 45:9,10</a> 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? … <a href="/jeremiah/18-1.htm">Jeremiah 18:1-10</a> The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, … <a href="/romans/9-19.htm">Romans 9:19,21</a> Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? … or shall<a href="/isaiah/45-11.htm">Isaiah 45:11</a> 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.<a href="/psalms/94-8.htm">Psalm 94:8,9</a> Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise? … <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/40-2.htm">Clay</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-12.htm">Considered</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-4.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-7.htm">Equal</a> <a href="/isaiah/2-22.htm">Esteemed</a> <a href="/songs/4-3.htm">Form</a> <a href="/isaiah/27-11.htm">Formed</a> <a href="/psalms/33-15.htm">Forming</a> <a href="/psalms/64-6.htm">Framed</a> <a href="/isaiah/27-11.htm">Maker</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-14.htm">Perverseness</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-30.htm">Perversity</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-6.htm">Pot</a> <a href="/psalms/2-9.htm">Potter</a> <a href="/psalms/2-9.htm">Potter's</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-24.htm">Regarded</a> <a href="/isaiah/25-9.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/isaiah/22-11.htm">Thought</a> <a href="/isaiah/28-24.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/isaiah/28-24.htm">Turning</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-14.htm">Understanding</a> <a href="/isaiah/24-1.htm">Upside</a> <a href="/songs/5-2.htm">Wet</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-15.htm">Work</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/41-25.htm">Clay</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-17.htm">Considered</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-23.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-25.htm">Equal</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-17.htm">Esteemed</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-1.htm">Form</a> <a href="/isaiah/37-26.htm">Formed</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-1.htm">Forming</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-21.htm">Framed</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-28.htm">Maker</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-12.htm">Perverseness</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-5.htm">Perversity</a> <a href="/isaiah/45-9.htm">Pot</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-25.htm">Potter</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-14.htm">Potter's</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-17.htm">Regarded</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-17.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/isaiah/33-18.htm">Thought</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-21.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-11.htm">Turning</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-24.htm">Understanding</a> <a href="/acts/17-6.htm">Upside</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-25.htm">Wet</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-23.htm">Work</a><div class="vheading2">Isaiah 29</div>1. <a href="/isaiah/29-1.htm">God's heavy judgment upon Jerusalem</a> 7. <a href="/isaiah/29-7.htm">The insatiableness of her enemies</a> 9. <a href="/isaiah/29-9.htm">The senselessness</a> 13. <a href="/isaiah/29-13.htm">And deep hypocrisy of the people</a> 17. <a href="/isaiah/29-17.htm">A promise of sanctification to the godly</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/isaiah/29.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div>You have turned things upside down This phrase captures the essence of rebellion against divine order. In Hebrew, the word for "turned upside down" is "haphak," which implies a complete reversal or overthrow. Historically, this reflects Israel's tendency to invert God's commandments and pursue their own ways, contrary to His divine will. The imagery suggests chaos and disorder, a world where human pride attempts to usurp divine authority. This serves as a warning against the folly of human arrogance and the need to align with God's established order.as if the potter were regarded as clay The metaphor of the potter and clay is a powerful illustration of the relationship between God and humanity. The Hebrew word for "potter" is "yatsar," meaning to form or fashion, emphasizing God's role as the Creator. By regarding the potter as clay, the Israelites are depicted as reversing roles, attempting to place themselves in the position of the Creator. This highlights the absurdity of humans trying to dictate terms to God, a theme consistent throughout Scripture, underscoring the need for humility and submission to God's sovereignty.Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'He did not make me'? This rhetorical question emphasizes the absurdity of denying God's creative authority. The Hebrew word for "formed" is "yatsar," the same as for potter, reinforcing the Creator-creature relationship. Historically, this reflects Israel's denial of God's hand in their lives, akin to modern tendencies to reject divine involvement in creation. The question challenges the reader to recognize and affirm God's role as the ultimate Creator, encouraging a posture of gratitude and acknowledgment of His handiwork in our lives.Can the pot say to the potter, 'He has no understanding'? This phrase further illustrates the folly of questioning God's wisdom. The pot, representing humanity, lacks the perspective and understanding of the potter, who symbolizes God. The Hebrew word for "understanding" is "biynah," which denotes discernment and insight. This rhetorical question serves as a reminder of God's infinite wisdom compared to human limitations. It calls believers to trust in God's perfect plan, even when it surpasses human comprehension, and to rely on His guidance rather than their own understanding.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/isaiah/29.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(16) Surely your turning of things upside down.--The words are better taken as exclamatory, O your perversity! Isaiah was indignant at that habit of always taking things at their wrong end, and looking on them from the wrong side.Shall be esteemed as the potter's clay . . .--Better, Shall the potter be counted as the clay? The Authorised version is scarcely intelligible. Taken as a question, the words bring out the character of the perversity, the upside-downness, of which the prophet speaks. The men whom he condemns were inverting the relations of the Creator and the creature, the potter and the clay, acting practically as atheists, denying that there was a Divine order of which they formed a part.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/29.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 16. - Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay; rather, O for your perverseness! Shall the potter be reckoned as clay? They were so perverse and wrong-headed that they inverted the relation in which they stood to God and God to them. God was to be passive, or merely give opportunities of action, and they were to mould their own plans and carve out their own destinies. For shall the work say, etc.? rather, for the work saith. Taking their destinies into their own hands was equivalent to saying that they were their own masters, which they could not be if God made them. Shall the thing framed say, etc.? rather, yea, the thing formed hath said. To refuse to take counsel of God, and direct the national policy by the light of their own reason, was to tax God with having no understanding. <a href="/commentaries/isaiah/29-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>You have turned things upside down, הַ֨פְכְּכֶ֔ם (hap̄·kə·ḵem) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2017.htm">Strong's 2017: </a> Perversity, turning of things upside down as if אִם־ (’im-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not the potter הַיֹּצֵ֖ר (hay·yō·ṣêr) Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3335.htm">Strong's 3335: </a> To mould into a, form, as a, potter, to determine were regarded יֵֽחָשֵׁ֑ב (yê·ḥā·šêḇ) Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2803.htm">Strong's 2803: </a> To think, account as clay. כְּחֹ֥מֶר (kə·ḥō·mer) Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2563.htm">Strong's 2563: </a> A bubbling up, of water, a wave, of earth, mire, clay, a heap, a chomer, dry measure Shall כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction what is formed מַעֲשֶׂ֤ה (ma·‘ă·śeh) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4639.htm">Strong's 4639: </a> An action, a transaction, activity, a product, property say יֹאמַ֨ר (yō·mar) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say to him who formed it, לְעֹשֵׂ֙הוּ֙ (lə·‘ō·śê·hū) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> To do, make “He did not לֹ֣א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no make me”? עָשָׂ֔נִי (‘ā·śā·nî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> To do, make Can the pottery וְיֵ֛צֶר (wə·yê·ṣer) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3336.htm">Strong's 3336: </a> A form, framing, purpose say אָמַ֥ר (’ā·mar) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say of the potter, לְיוֹצְר֖וֹ (lə·yō·wṣ·rōw) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3335.htm">Strong's 3335: </a> To mould into a, form, as a, potter, to determine “He has no לֹ֥א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no understanding”? הֵבִֽין׃ (hê·ḇîn) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_995.htm">Strong's 995: </a> To separate mentally, understand <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/29-16.htm">Isaiah 29:16 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/isaiah/29-16.htm">Isaiah 29:16 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/isaiah/29-16.htm">Isaiah 29:16 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/isaiah/29-16.htm">Isaiah 29:16 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/isaiah/29-16.htm">Isaiah 29:16 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/29-16.htm">Isaiah 29:16 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/29-16.htm">Isaiah 29:16 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/29-16.htm">Isaiah 29:16 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/29-16.htm">Isaiah 29:16 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/isaiah/29-16.htm">Isaiah 29:16 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-16.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 29:16 You turn things upside down! (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/29-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 29:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 29:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/29-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 29:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 29:17" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>