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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Isaiah 5:21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/isaiah/5-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/23_Isa_05_21.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Isaiah 5:21 - Woes to the Wicked" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/isaiah/5-20.htm" title="Isaiah 5:20">◄</a> Isaiah 5:21 <a href="/isaiah/5-22.htm" title="Isaiah 5:22">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/isaiah/5.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/isaiah/5.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/isaiah/5.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />What sorrow for those who are wise in their own eyes and think themselves so clever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/isaiah/5.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/isaiah/5.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Woe unto <i>them that are</i> wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/isaiah/5.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Woe to <i>those who are</i> wise in their own eyes, And prudent in their own sight!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/isaiah/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes And clever in their own sight!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/isaiah/5.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes And clever in their own sight!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/isaiah/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, And clever in their own sight!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/isaiah/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes And understanding in their own sight!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/isaiah/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Woe (judgment is coming) to those who are wise in their own eyes And clever <i>and</i> shrewd in their own sight!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/isaiah/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Woe to those who consider themselves wise and judge themselves clever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/isaiah/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Woe to those who are wise in their own opinion and clever in their own sight. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/isaiah/5.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/isaiah/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />You think you are clever and smart. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/isaiah/5.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Woe unto them that are wise their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/isaiah/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />How horrible it will be for those who think they are wise and consider themselves to be clever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/isaiah/5.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />You are doomed! You think you are wise, so very clever. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/isaiah/5.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"How terrible it will be for those who are wise in their own opinion, and clever in their own reckoning!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/isaiah/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/isaiah/5.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Those who think they are wise are as good as dead, those who think they possess understanding. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/isaiah/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/isaiah/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Woe to them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/isaiah/5.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/isaiah/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Woe [to] the wise in their own eyes, "" And—before their own faces—intelligent!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/isaiah/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Woe to the wise in their own eyes, And -- before their own faces -- intelligent!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/isaiah/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Wo to the wise in their eyes, and knowing before their face.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/isaiah/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Woe to you that rue wise in your own eyes, and prudent in your own conceits. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/isaiah/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Woe to you who are wise in your own eyes, and prudent in your own sight!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/isaiah/5.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Ah! Those who are wise in their own eyes, prudent in their own view! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Ah, you who are wise in your own eyes, and shrewd in your own sight!<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and prudent in their own sight!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/isaiah/5.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Woe to those who are wise in the eyes of their soul and are intelligent in front of their own faces!<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/isaiah/5.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, And prudent in their own sight!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/isaiah/5.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Woe <i>to them</i> that are wise in their own conceit, and knowing in their own sight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/isaiah/5-21.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xv9bHT-nr9s?start=1074" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/5.htm">Woes to the Wicked</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">20</span>Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter. <span class="reftext">21</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1945.htm" title="1945: hō·w (Interjection) -- Ah! alas! ha! A prolonged form of how; oh!">Woe</a> <a href="/hebrew/2450.htm" title="2450: ḥă·ḵā·mîm (Adj-mp) -- Wise. From chakam; wise.">to those who are wise</a> <a href="/hebrew/5869.htm" title="5869: bə·‘ê·nê·hem (Prep-b:: N-cdc:: 3mp) -- An eye. Probably a primitive word; an eye; by analogy, a fountain.">in their own eyes</a> <a href="/hebrew/995.htm" title="995: nə·ḇō·nîm (V-Nifal-Prtcpl-mp) -- To discern. A primitive root; to separate mentally, i.e.(generally) understand.">and clever</a> <a href="/hebrew/5048.htm" title="5048: wə·ne·ḡeḏ (Conj-w:: Prep) -- From nagad; a front, i.e. Part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually over against or before.">in</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: pə·nê·hem (N-mpc:: 3mp) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">their own sight.</a> </span><span class="reftext">22</span>Woe to those who are heroes in drinking wine and champions in mixing strong drink,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/3-7.htm">Proverbs 3:7</a></span><br />Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/26-12.htm">Proverbs 26:12</a></span><br />Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-16.htm">Romans 12:16</a></span><br />Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but associate with the lowly. Do not be conceited.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/3-18.htm">1 Corinthians 3:18</a></span><br />Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/28-26.htm">Proverbs 28:26</a></span><br />He who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/3-13.htm">James 3:13-17</a></span><br />Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. / But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth. / Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/8-8.htm">Jeremiah 8:8-9</a></span><br />How can you say, ‘We are wise, and the Law of the LORD is with us,’ when in fact the lying pen of the scribes has produced a deception? / The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejected the word of the LORD, what wisdom do they really have?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-19.htm">1 Corinthians 1:19-20</a></span><br />For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” / Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/14-12.htm">Proverbs 14:12</a></span><br />There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/8-1.htm">1 Corinthians 8:1-2</a></span><br />Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. / The one who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/12-15.htm">Proverbs 12:15</a></span><br />The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/11-25.htm">Matthew 11:25</a></span><br />At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-25.htm">1 Corinthians 1:25</a></span><br />For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/16-2.htm">Proverbs 16:2</a></span><br />All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed out by the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-27.htm">1 Corinthians 1:27-29</a></span><br />But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. / He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, / so that no one may boast in His presence.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Woe to them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!</p><p class="hdg">wise</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/11-12.htm">Job 11:12</a></b></br> For vain man would be wise, though man be born <i>like</i> a wild ass's colt.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/3-7.htm">Proverbs 3:7</a></b></br> Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/26-12.htm">Proverbs 26:12,16</a></b></br> Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? <i>there is</i> more hope of a fool than of him… </p><p class="hdg">in their own sight.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/3-3.htm">Clever</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-20.htm">Cursed</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-3.htm">Esteem</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-15.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-15.htm">Faces</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-3.htm">Intelligent</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-15.htm">Pride</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-2.htm">Prudent</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-18.htm">Seem</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-25.htm">Shrewd</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-16.htm">Sight</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-11.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-3.htm">Wise</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-11.htm">Wo</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-20.htm">Woe</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_corinthians/1-19.htm">Clever</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-22.htm">Cursed</a> <a href="/isaiah/13-17.htm">Esteem</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-30.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/isaiah/6-2.htm">Faces</a> <a href="/isaiah/10-13.htm">Intelligent</a> <a href="/isaiah/9-9.htm">Pride</a> <a href="/isaiah/10-13.htm">Prudent</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-28.htm">Seem</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-22.htm">Shrewd</a> <a href="/isaiah/11-3.htm">Sight</a> <a href="/isaiah/8-21.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/isaiah/6-10.htm">Wise</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-22.htm">Wo</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-22.htm">Woe</a><div class="vheading2">Isaiah 5</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/5-1.htm">Under the parable of a vineyard, God excuses his severe judgment</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/5-8.htm">His judgments upon covetousness</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/5-11.htm">Upon lasciviousness</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/5-13.htm">Upon impiety</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/5-20.htm">And upon injustice</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/5-26.htm">The executioners of God's judgments</a></span><br></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><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/5.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/isaiah/5.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Woe to those</b><br>The term "woe" is a strong expression of lament or judgment. In the context of Isaiah, it is often used to pronounce divine judgment upon the people of Israel for their sins. This particular "woe" is part of a series of six woes in <a href="/isaiah/5.htm">Isaiah 5</a>, which highlight various sins of the nation. The use of "woe" indicates the seriousness of the offense and the impending consequences.<p><b>who are wise in their own eyes</b><br>This phrase addresses the sin of pride and self-reliance. In the biblical context, wisdom is highly valued, but true wisdom comes from God (<a href="/proverbs/2-6.htm">Proverbs 2:6</a>). The people being addressed here are those who rely on their own understanding rather than seeking divine guidance. This self-reliance is condemned because it leads to moral and spiritual blindness. The phrase echoes <a href="/proverbs/3-7.htm">Proverbs 3:7</a>, "Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil."<p><b>and clever in their own sight.</b><br>The term "clever" here is synonymous with being shrewd or cunning, often with a negative connotation. It suggests a reliance on human intellect and craftiness rather than on God's wisdom. This attitude is reminiscent of the serpent's cunning in <a href="/genesis/3.htm">Genesis 3</a>, where human wisdom led to the fall. The phrase warns against the arrogance of thinking one can navigate life successfully without God's guidance. It also connects to the New Testament, where Paul warns against being "wise in your own sight" (<a href="/romans/12-16.htm">Romans 12:16</a>), emphasizing humility and dependence on God.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/i/isaiah.htm">Isaiah</a></b><br>A major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah is the author of the book that bears his name. He prophesied during the reigns of several kings of Judah and is known for his messages of both judgment and hope.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a></b><br>The southern kingdom of Israel, where Isaiah primarily directed his prophecies. During Isaiah's time, Judah was facing both internal corruption and external threats.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_people_of_judah.htm">The People of Judah</a></b><br>The audience of Isaiah's prophecy, who were often rebuked for their pride, idolatry, and injustice.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_vineyard.htm">The Vineyard</a></b><br>Earlier in <a href="/bsb/isaiah/5.htm">Isaiah 5</a>, the nation of Israel is compared to a vineyard that God has lovingly tended, yet it produced only bad fruit, symbolizing their moral and spiritual failings.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/w/woe_oracles.htm">Woe Oracles</a></b><br>A series of pronouncements in <a href="/bsb/isaiah/5.htm">Isaiah 5</a>, where the prophet declares "woe" upon various sins of the people, including pride, injustice, and indulgence.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_pride.htm">The Danger of Pride</a></b><br>Pride in one's own wisdom is a significant spiritual danger. It leads to self-reliance and a departure from God's guidance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/true_wisdom_comes_from_god.htm">True Wisdom Comes from God</a></b><br>True wisdom is not self-derived but comes from a relationship with God. Believers are encouraged to seek wisdom through prayer and Scripture.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/humility_as_a_virtue.htm">Humility as a Virtue</a></b><br>Humility is essential in the Christian life. Recognizing our limitations and dependence on God is crucial for spiritual growth.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_self-deception.htm">The Consequences of Self-Deception</a></b><br>Being wise in one's own eyes can lead to self-deception and moral failure. It is important to remain teachable and open to correction.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_and_accountability.htm">Community and Accountability</a></b><br>Engaging with a community of believers provides accountability and helps guard against the pitfalls of self-reliance and pride.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_isaiah_5.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 5</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_were_the_jim_crow_laws.htm">What does QAnon represent?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_divine_healing_for_all.htm">Is divine healing promised to everyone by God?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/where's_evidence_for_isaiah_61_1-2_acts.htm">Where is the historical or archaeological evidence supporting the miraculous acts attributed to the anointed figure in Isaiah 61:1-2?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_healthcare.htm">What is the Bible's perspective on healthcare?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/isaiah/5.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(21) <span class= "bld">Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes.</span>--Here again the prophet would seem to have definite individual counsellors in his mind. For such men the ideal of statesmanship was a series of shifts and expedients, based upon no principle of righteousness. (Comp. <a href="/isaiah/29-15.htm" title="Woe to them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who sees us? and who knows us?">Isaiah 29:15</a>; <a href="/isaiah/30-1.htm" title="Woe to the rebellious children, said the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:">Isaiah 30:1</a>.)<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 21.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes</span>. <span class="accented">The fifth woe</span>. Self-conceit is the antithesis of humility; and as humility is, in a certain sense, the crowning virtue, so self-conceit is a sort of finishing touch put to vice. While a man thinks humbly of himself, there is a chance that he may repent and amend. When he is "wise in his own eyes," he does not see why he should change. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/isaiah/5-21.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Woe</span><br /><span class="heb">ה֖וֹי</span> <span class="translit">(hō·w)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1945.htm">Strong's 1945: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ah! alas! ha!</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to those who are wise</span><br /><span class="heb">חֲכָמִ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(ḥă·ḵā·mîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2450.htm">Strong's 2450: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wise</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in their own eyes</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּעֵֽינֵיהֶ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(bə·‘ê·nê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - cdc | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5869.htm">Strong's 5869: </a> </span><span class="str2">An eye, a fountain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and clever</span><br /><span class="heb">נְבֹנִֽים׃</span> <span class="translit">(nə·ḇō·nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_995.htm">Strong's 995: </a> </span><span class="str2">To separate mentally, understand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in</span><br /><span class="heb">וְנֶ֥גֶד</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ne·ḡeḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5048.htm">Strong's 5048: </a> </span><span class="str2">A front, part opposite, a counterpart, mate, over against, before</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their own sight.</span><br /><span class="heb">פְּנֵיהֶ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(pə·nê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> </span><span class="str2">The face</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/5-21.htm">Isaiah 5:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/isaiah/5-21.htm">Isaiah 5:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/isaiah/5-21.htm">Isaiah 5:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/isaiah/5-21.htm">Isaiah 5:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/isaiah/5-21.htm">Isaiah 5:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/5-21.htm">Isaiah 5:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/5-21.htm">Isaiah 5:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/5-21.htm">Isaiah 5:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/5-21.htm">Isaiah 5:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/isaiah/5-21.htm">Isaiah 5:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/isaiah/5-21.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 5:21 Woe to those who are wise (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/5-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 5:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 5:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/5-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 5:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 5:22" /></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>