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Who will know?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/isaiah/29.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />What sorrow awaits those who try to hide their plans from the LORD, who do their evil deeds in the dark! “The LORD can’t see us,” they say. “He doesn’t know what’s going on!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/isaiah/29.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Ah, you who hide deep from the LORD your counsel, whose deeds are in the dark, and who say, “Who sees us? Who knows us?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/29.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Woe 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?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/isaiah/29.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/isaiah/29.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Woe to those who seek deep to hide their counsel far from the LORD, And their works are in the dark; They say, “Who sees us?” and, “Who knows us?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/isaiah/29.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Woe to those who deeply hide their plans from the LORD, And whose deeds are <i>done</i> in a dark place, And they say, “Who sees us?” or “Who knows us?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/isaiah/29.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Woe to those who deeply hide their plans from the LORD, And whose deeds are done in a dark place, And they say, &#8220Who sees us?&#8221 or &#8220Who knows us?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/isaiah/29.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Woe to those who deeply hide their plans from the LORD, And whose deeds are <i>done</i> in a dark place, And they say, “Who sees us?” or “Who knows us?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/isaiah/29.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Woe to those who deeply hide their counsel from Yahweh, And whose deeds are <i>done</i> in a dark place, And they say, “Who sees us?” or “Who knows us?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/isaiah/29.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Woe (judgment is coming) to those who [try to] deeply hide their plans from the LORD, Whose deeds are <i>done</i> in a dark place, And who say, “Who sees us?” or “Who knows us?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/isaiah/29.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Woe to those who go to great lengths to hide their plans from the LORD. They do their works in the dark, and say, “Who sees us? Who knows us? ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/isaiah/29.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Woe to those who go to great lengths to hide their plans from the LORD. They do their works in darkness, and say, &#8220Who sees us? Who knows us?&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/isaiah/29.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Woe unto them that hide deep their counsel from Jehovah, and whose works are in the dark, and that say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/isaiah/29.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />You are in for trouble, if you try to hide your plans from the LORD! Or if you think what you do in the dark can't be seen. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/isaiah/29.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/isaiah/29.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />How horrible it will be for those who try to hide their plans from the LORD. Their deeds are done in the dark, and they say, "No one can see us" and "No one can recognize us."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/isaiah/29.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Those who try to hide their plans from the LORD are doomed! They carry out their schemes in secret and think no one will see them or know what they are doing. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/isaiah/29.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"How terrible it will be for you who go to great depths to hide your plans from the LORD, you whose deeds have been done in the dark, and who say, 'Who can see us? Who has recognized us?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/isaiah/29.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Woe 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??<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/isaiah/29.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Those who try to hide their plans from the LORD are as good as dead, who do their work in secret and boast, "Who sees us? Who knows what we're doing?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/isaiah/29.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Woe to those who deeply hide their counsel from the LORD, and whose works are in the dark, and who say, "Who sees us?" and "Who knows us?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/isaiah/29.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Woe to them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/isaiah/29.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Woe to those who deeply hide their counsel from Yahweh, and whose deeds are in the dark, and who say, “Who sees us?” and “Who knows us?” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/isaiah/29.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Woe [to] those going deep from YHWH to hide counsel, "" And whose works have been in darkness. And they say, “Who is seeing us? And who is knowing us?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/isaiah/29.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Woe to those going deep from Jehovah to hide counsel, And whose works have been in darkness. And they say, 'Who is seeing us? And who is knowing us?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/isaiah/29.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Wo to those making deep to hide counsel from Jehovah, and their work was in darkness, and they will say, Who saw us? and who knew us?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/isaiah/29.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Woe to you that are deep of heart, to hide your counsel from the Lord: and their works are in the dark, and they say: Who seeth us, and who knoweth us? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/isaiah/29.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Woe to you who use the depths of the heart, so that you may hide your intentions from the Lord. Their works are done in darkness, and so they say: “Who sees us?” and “Who knows us?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/isaiah/29.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Ah! You who would hide a plan too deep for the LORD! Who work in the dark, saying, “Who sees us, who knows us?” <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/29.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Ha! You who hide a plan too deep for the LORD, whose deeds are in the dark, and who say, “Who sees us? Who knows us?”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/29.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Woe to them who act perversely to hide their counsel from the LORD; and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who sees us? And, Who knows what we do corruptly?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/isaiah/29.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Woe to those who are perverted from LORD JEHOVAH to hide counsel, and their works are in darkness and are saying: "Who sees us?" or "Who knows what we have perverted?"<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/isaiah/29.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, And their works are in the dark, And they say: 'Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/isaiah/29.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Woe to them that deepen their counsel, and not by the Lord. Woe to them that take secret counsel, and whose works are in darkness, and they say, Who has seen us? and who shall know us, or what we do?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/isaiah/29-15.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=6037" 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/29.htm">Woe to the City of David</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">14</span>Therefore I will again confound these people with wonder upon wonder. The wisdom of the wise will vanish, and the intelligence of the intelligent will be hidden.” <span class="reftext">15</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/6009.htm" title="6009: ham·ma·‘ă·mî·qîm (Art:: V-Hifil-Prtcpl-mp) -- To be deep. A primitive root; to be deep.">to those who dig deep</a> <a href="/hebrew/5641.htm" title="5641: las·tir (Prep-l:: V-Hifil-Inf) -- To hide, conceal. A primitive root; to hide, literally or figuratively.">to hide</a> <a href="/hebrew/6098.htm" title="6098: ‘ê·ṣāh (N-fs) -- Counsel, advice. From ya'ats; advice; by implication, plan; also prudence.">their plans</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: wə·hā·yāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (Prep-m:: N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">from the LORD.</a> <a href="/hebrew/4285.htm" title="4285: ḇə·maḥ·šāḵ (Prep-b:: N-ms) -- Dark place. From chashak; darkness; concretely, a dark place.">In darkness</a> <a href="/hebrew/4639.htm" title="4639: ma·‘ă·śê·hem (N-mpc:: 3mp) -- A deed, work. From asah; an action; generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product or property.">they do their works</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mə·rū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">and say,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4310.htm" title="4310: mî (Interrog) -- An interrogative pronoun of persons, as mah is of things, who?; also whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix.">“Who</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: rō·’ê·nū (V-Qal-Prtcpl-msc:: 1cp) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">sees us,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4310.htm" title="4310: ū·mî (Conj-w:: Interrog) -- An interrogative pronoun of persons, as mah is of things, who?; also whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix.">and who</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: yō·wḏ·‘ê·nū (V-Qal-Prtcpl-msc:: 1cp) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">will know?”</a> </span><span class="reftext">16</span>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”?…<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="/jeremiah/23-24.htm">Jeremiah 23:24</a></span><br />“Can a man hide in secret places where I cannot see him?” declares the LORD. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/94-7.htm">Psalm 94:7-11</a></span><br />They say, “The LORD does not see; the God of Jacob pays no heed.” / Take notice, O senseless among the people! O fools, when will you be wise? / He who affixed the ear, can He not hear? He who formed the eye, can He not see? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/8-12.htm">Ezekiel 8:12</a></span><br />“Son of man,” He said to me, “do you see what the elders of the house of Israel are doing in the darkness, each at the shrine of his own idol? For they are saying, ‘The LORD does not see us; the LORD has forsaken the land.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/22-13.htm">Job 22:13-14</a></span><br />Yet you say: ‘What does God know? Does He judge through thick darkness? / Thick clouds veil Him so He does not see us as He traverses the vault of heaven.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/9-2.htm">Amos 9:2-4</a></span><br />Though they dig down to Sheol, from there My hand will take them; and though they climb up to heaven, from there I will pull them down. / Though they hide themselves atop Carmel, there I will track them and seize them; and though they hide from Me at the bottom of the sea, there I will command the serpent to bite them. / Though they are driven by their enemies into captivity, there I will command the sword to slay them. I will fix My eyes upon them for harm and not for good.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/15-3.htm">Proverbs 15:3</a></span><br />The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/16-17.htm">Jeremiah 16:17</a></span><br />For My eyes are on all their ways. They are not hidden from My face, and their guilt is not concealed from My eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/10-11.htm">Psalm 10:11</a></span><br />He says to himself, “God has forgotten; He hides His face and never sees.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/139-11.htm">Psalm 139:11-12</a></span><br />If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me, and the light become night around me”— / even the darkness is not dark to You, but the night shines like the day, for darkness is as light to You.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-2.htm">Luke 12:2-3</a></span><br />There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, and nothing hidden that will not be made known. / What you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the housetops.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/4-13.htm">Hebrews 4:13</a></span><br />Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/10-26.htm">Matthew 10:26</a></span><br />So do not be afraid of them. For there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, and nothing hidden that will not be made known.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/4-5.htm">1 Corinthians 4:5</a></span><br />Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/2-16.htm">Romans 2:16</a></span><br />on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Christ Jesus, as proclaimed by my gospel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/3-19.htm">John 3:19-20</a></span><br />And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light because their deeds were evil. / Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.</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 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?</p><p class="hdg">seek</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/5-18.htm">Isaiah 5:18,19</a></b></br> Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/28-15.htm">Isaiah 28:15,17</a></b></br> Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/30-1.htm">Isaiah 30:1</a></b></br> Woe to the rebellious children, saith 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:</p><p class="hdg">and their works</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/24-13.htm">Job 24:13-17</a></b></br> They are of those that rebel against the light; they know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the paths thereof… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/34-22.htm">Job 34:22</a></b></br> <i>There is</i> no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/12-1.htm">Luke 12:1-3</a></b></br> In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy… </p><p class="hdg">who seeth</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/47-10.htm">Isaiah 47:10</a></b></br> For thou hast trusted in thy wickedness: thou hast said, None seeth me. Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted thee; and thou hast said in thine heart, I <i>am</i>, and none else beside me.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/59-7.htm">Psalm 59:7</a></b></br> Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords <i>are</i> in their lips: for who, <i>say they</i>, doth hear?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/73-11.htm">Psalm 73:11</a></b></br> And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/28-29.htm">Acts</a> <a href="/isaiah/28-29.htm">Counsel</a> <a href="/isaiah/13-10.htm">Dark</a> <a href="/isaiah/9-2.htm">Darkness</a> <a href="/isaiah/12-4.htm">Deeds</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-10.htm">Deep</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-10.htm">Deeply</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-15.htm">Depths</a> <a href="/isaiah/25-11.htm">Designs</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-13.htm">Far</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-6.htm">Great</a> <a href="/isaiah/26-20.htm">Hide</a> <a href="/isaiah/25-1.htm">Plans</a> <a href="/isaiah/28-17.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/isaiah/26-9.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/isaiah/10-7.htm">Think</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-1.htm">Wo</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-1.htm">Woe</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-14.htm">Work</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-3.htm">Works</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/55-3.htm">Acts</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-1.htm">Counsel</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-18.htm">Dark</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-18.htm">Darkness</a> <a href="/isaiah/32-8.htm">Deeds</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-33.htm">Deep</a> <a href="/isaiah/31-6.htm">Deeply</a> <a href="/isaiah/51-10.htm">Depths</a> <a href="/isaiah/32-7.htm">Designs</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-22.htm">Far</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-25.htm">Great</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-20.htm">Hide</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-1.htm">Plans</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-11.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/isaiah/31-1.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/isaiah/36-5.htm">Think</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-1.htm">Wo</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-1.htm">Woe</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-16.htm">Work</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-24.htm">Works</a><div class="vheading2">Isaiah 29</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/29-1.htm">God's heavy judgment upon Jerusalem</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/29-7.htm">The insatiableness of her enemies</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/29-9.htm">The senselessness</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/29-13.htm">And deep hypocrisy of the people</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/29-17.htm">A promise of sanctification to the godly</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/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><b>Woe to those who dig deep to hide their plans from the LORD.</b><br>This phrase begins with a pronouncement of "woe," a term often used by prophets to signal impending judgment or disaster. The act of "digging deep" suggests a deliberate and determined effort to conceal intentions, indicating a profound level of deceit and rebellion against God. In the biblical context, this reflects the actions of the leaders of Judah who sought alliances with foreign nations, such as Egypt, rather than trusting in God (<a href="/isaiah/30.htm">Isaiah 30:1-2</a>). Theologically, it underscores the futility of attempting to hide anything from an omniscient God, as seen in <a href="/psalms/139-7.htm">Psalm 139:7-12</a>, where the psalmist acknowledges that nothing is hidden from God's sight. This phrase also echoes the deceit of Adam and Eve in <a href="/genesis/3.htm">Genesis 3</a>, who attempted to hide from God after their disobedience.<p><b>In darkness they do their works</b><br>The reference to "darkness" symbolizes evil, ignorance, and the absence of God's truth. Biblically, darkness is often associated with sin and separation from God (<a href="/john/3-19.htm">John 3:19-20</a>). The works done in darkness imply actions that are morally corrupt and intended to be hidden from others. This reflects the cultural and historical context of secretive political maneuvers and idolatrous practices that were prevalent in ancient Judah. Theologically, it contrasts with the call for believers to walk in the light, as children of light (<a href="/ephesians/5-8.htm">Ephesians 5:8-11</a>), and serves as a warning against living a life of hypocrisy and hidden sin.<p><b>and say, “Who sees us, and who will know?”</b><br>This rhetorical question reveals the arrogance and self-deception of those who believe they can act without accountability. It reflects a denial of God's omnipresence and omniscience, similar to the attitude of the wicked described in <a href="/psalms/10-11.htm">Psalm 10:11</a>, who think God has forgotten and does not see. Historically, this attitude was prevalent among the leaders of Judah who believed their secret plans would not be discovered. Theologically, it serves as a reminder that God sees all actions and knows all thoughts (<a href="/hebrews/4-13.htm">Hebrews 4:13</a>). This phrase also foreshadows the ultimate judgment where all hidden things will be brought to light (<a href="/1_corinthians/4-5.htm">1 Corinthians 4:5</a>), emphasizing the need for integrity and transparency before 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 bearing his name. He prophesied during a time of great political turmoil and spiritual decline in Judah.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a></b><br>The southern kingdom of Israel, where Isaiah primarily ministered. During this time, Judah was often tempted to rely on political alliances rather than trusting in God.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_leaders_of_judah.htm">The Leaders of Judah</a></b><br>The specific audience of this verse, these leaders were attempting to make secret plans and alliances, likely with foreign nations, to secure their safety and prosperity.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant God of Israel, who sees and knows all things, including the hidden intentions and plans of His people.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/d/darkness.htm">Darkness</a></b><br>Symbolically represents secrecy, sin, and rebellion against God. The leaders' actions in darkness signify their attempt to operate outside of God's will and knowledge.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_omniscience.htm">God's Omniscience</a></b><br>We cannot hide our thoughts, plans, or actions from God. He knows our hearts and intentions, and we should live with this awareness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/integrity_in_leadership.htm">Integrity in Leadership</a></b><br>Leaders, whether in the church or society, must act with integrity and transparency, recognizing that God sees all hidden motives and plans.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_secrecy.htm">The Futility of Secrecy</a></b><br>Attempting to hide our sins or plans from God is futile. Instead, we should bring everything into the light through confession and repentance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god_over_human_schemes.htm">Trust in God Over Human Schemes</a></b><br>Like the leaders of Judah, we may be tempted to rely on our own schemes or alliances. True security and wisdom come from trusting in God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/living_in_the_light.htm">Living in the Light</a></b><br>As believers, we are called to live in the light, reflecting God's truth and righteousness in all our actions and decisions.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_isaiah_29.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 29</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_adrian_rogers'_impact.htm">Do they honor me with lips, not hearts?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_believed_in_the_old_testament.htm">Who were the believers in the Old Testament?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_jeremiah_31_15_forced_in_matthew.htm">Does Jeremiah 31:15 ('Rachel weeping for her children') align historically with Matthew's account, or is it a forced connection?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_isaiah_29_13_contradict_sincere_worship.htm">Isaiah 29:13 accuses people of insincere worship by human tradition; does this contradict other passages that stress genuine, heartfelt devotion?</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>(15) <span class= "bld">Woe unto them . . .</span>--The words sound like an echo of <a href="/isaiah/5-8.htm" title="Woe to them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the middle of the earth!">Isaiah 5:8</a>; <a href="/isaiah/5-11.htm" title="Woe to them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!">Isaiah 5:11</a>; <a href="/isaiah/5-18.htm" title="Woe to them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope:">Isaiah 5:18</a>, and show that Isaiah had not lost the power of adding to that catalogue of woes. The sins of which he speaks here may have been either the dark sensualities which lay beneath the surface of religion, or, more probably, their clandestine intrigues with this or that foreign power--Egypt, Ethiopia, Babylon--against the Assyrian invader, instead of trusting in the Lord of hosts.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/29.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 15.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the Lord</span>. The allusion is to the schemes which were afloat for calling in the aid of Egypt. As Isaiah had long since denounced these schemes as the height of folly (<a href="/isaiah/19-11.htm">Isaiah 19:11-17</a>), and prophesied their failure (<a href="/isaiah/20-5.htm">Isaiah 20:5, 6</a>), every effort was made to conceal them from his knowledge end from the knowledge of all who were like-minded (comp. <a href="/isaiah/30-1.htm">Isaiah 30:1, 2</a>). Steps were probably even now being taken for the carrying out of the schemes, which were studiously concealed from the prophet. <span class="cmt_word">Their works are in the dark.</span> Underhand proceedings ere at all times suspicious. "Men love darkness rather than light, <span class="accented">because their deeds are evil</span>." The very fact of concealment was an indication that the works in which the rulers were engaged were evil, and that they knew them to be evil. <span class="cmt_word">They say, Who seeth us?</span> (comp. <a href="/psalms/73-11.htm">Psalm 73:11</a>, "Tush, they say, How should God perceive? Is there knowledge in the Most High?"). The wicked persuade themselves that God does not see their actions. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/isaiah/29-15.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">ה֛וֹי</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 dig deep</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמַּעֲמִיקִ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(ham·ma·‘ă·mî·qîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6009.htm">Strong's 6009: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be, deep</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to hide</span><br /><span class="heb">לַסְתִּ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(las·tir)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5641.htm">Strong's 5641: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hide, conceal</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their plans</span><br /><span class="heb">עֵצָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(‘ê·ṣāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6098.htm">Strong's 6098: </a> </span><span class="str2">Advice, plan, prudence</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from the LORD.</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵֽיהוָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">In darkness</span><br /><span class="heb">בְמַחְשָׁךְ֙</span> <span class="translit">(ḇə·maḥ·šāḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4285.htm">Strong's 4285: </a> </span><span class="str2">Darkness, a dark place</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they do their works</span><br /><span class="heb">מַֽעֲשֵׂיהֶ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(ma·‘ă·śê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4639.htm">Strong's 4639: </a> </span><span class="str2">An action, a transaction, activity, a product, property</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and say,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mə·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Who</span><br /><span class="heb">מִ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(mî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4310.htm">Strong's 4310: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sees us,</span><br /><span class="heb">רֹאֵ֖נוּ</span> <span class="translit">(rō·’ê·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> </span><span class="str2">To see</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and who</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמִ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(ū·mî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4310.htm">Strong's 4310: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will know?”</span><br /><span class="heb">יוֹדְעֵֽנוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(yō·wḏ·‘ê·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> </span><span class="str2">To know</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/29-15.htm">Isaiah 29:15 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/isaiah/29-15.htm">Isaiah 29:15 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/isaiah/29-15.htm">Isaiah 29:15 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/isaiah/29-15.htm">Isaiah 29:15 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/isaiah/29-15.htm">Isaiah 29:15 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/29-15.htm">Isaiah 29:15 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/29-15.htm">Isaiah 29:15 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/29-15.htm">Isaiah 29:15 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/29-15.htm">Isaiah 29:15 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/isaiah/29-15.htm">Isaiah 29:15 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/isaiah/29-15.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 29:15 Woe to those who deeply hide their (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/29-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 29:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 29:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/29-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 29:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 29:16" /></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>