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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="audio" id="audio"></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> <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> </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/29.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/29.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>You have turned things upside down This phrase highlights the inversion of moral and spiritual order by the people of Israel. It reflects a common theme in the prophetic books where the people have strayed from God's ways, leading to chaos and disorder. This inversion can be seen in the broader context of Isaiah, where the people rely on human wisdom and alliances rather than trusting in God (<a href="/isaiah/30.htm">Isaiah 30:1-2</a>). The phrase also echoes the reversal of values seen in other parts of Scripture, such as in the book of Judges, where "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (<a href="/judges/21-25.htm">Judges 21:25</a>).as if the potter were regarded as clay This metaphor emphasizes the absurdity of the creation attempting to dictate to the Creator. In ancient Near Eastern culture, the potter was a common symbol for a creator or craftsman, and clay represented the malleable material shaped by the potter's hands. This imagery is used elsewhere in Scripture, such as in <a href="/jeremiah/18-6.htm">Jeremiah 18:6</a>, where God likens Israel to clay in His hands. The metaphor underscores the sovereignty of God over His creation and the folly of humans attempting to reverse this order.Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, “He did not make me”? This rhetorical question points to the arrogance and denial of God's authority by His people. It reflects a deeper spiritual rebellion where the created beings refuse to acknowledge their dependence on the Creator. This theme is echoed in <a href="/romans/9-20.htm">Romans 9:20-21</a>, where Paul discusses the rights of the Creator over His creation. The question challenges the reader to recognize God's ultimate authority and the absurdity of denying His role as Creator.Can the pottery say of the potter, “He has no understanding”? This phrase further illustrates the foolishness of questioning God's wisdom and purpose. In the cultural context, a potter was skilled and knowledgeable, crafting each piece with intention. To claim that the potter lacks understanding is to deny the evident skill and purpose in creation. This mirrors the broader biblical theme of God's wisdom, as seen in passages like <a href="/isaiah/55-8.htm">Isaiah 55:8-9</a>, where God's thoughts and ways are higher than human understanding. The phrase invites reflection on the trustworthiness of God's plan and the limitations of human perspective.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/i/isaiah.htm">Isaiah</a> A major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah is the author of the book bearing his name. He prophesied to the Kingdom of Judah during a time of moral and spiritual decline. 2. <a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a> The southern kingdom of Israel, which was often the focus of Isaiah's prophecies. The people of Judah were frequently admonished for their disobedience and lack of faith in God. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_potter_and_the_clay.htm">The Potter and the Clay</a> A metaphor used in this verse to illustrate the relationship between God (the potter) and His people (the clay). It emphasizes God's sovereignty and the absurdity of the creation questioning the Creator.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a> Recognize and submit to God's ultimate authority in our lives. Just as the potter has control over the clay, God has the right to shape our lives according to His purpose. <a href="/topical/h/humility_before_god.htm">Humility Before God</a> Acknowledge our position as the created, not the Creator. We should approach God with humility, understanding that questioning His wisdom is akin to the clay questioning the potter. <a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_wisdom.htm">Trust in God's Wisdom</a> Trust that God's plans and purposes are perfect, even when we do not understand them. His knowledge and understanding far surpass our own. <a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_obedience.htm">Repentance and Obedience</a> Turn away from the prideful attitude of self-sufficiency and independence from God. Embrace a life of obedience and alignment with His will. <a href="/topical/r/reflection_on_identity.htm">Reflection on Identity</a> Reflect on our identity as God's creation, understanding that our value and purpose are derived from Him, not from our own achievements or understanding.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_isaiah_29.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 29</a> <a href="/q/how_does_the_potter_shape_clay.htm">How does the potter shape the clay's destiny?</a> <a href="/q/why_compare_humans_to_clay,_just_god.htm">Romans 9:20–21: Why would a just God compare humans to clay destined for either honorable or dishonorable use? </a> <a href="/q/how_does_isaiah_45_9_relate_to_free_will.htm">How does Isaiah 45:9's analogy of the clay questioning the potter align with human free will and responsibility for evil?</a> <a href="/q/can_uriah_and_zechariah_be_verified.htm">Isaiah 8:1-2: How can we verify the existence of these specific witnesses (Uriah and Zechariah) historically or archaeologically?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><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>