CINXE.COM
Isaiah 29:12 Or if the scroll is handed to one unable to read, he will say, "I cannot read."
<!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 29:12 Or if the scroll is handed to one unable to read, he will say, "I cannot read."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/isaiah/29-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/23_Isa_29_12.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Isaiah 29:12 - Woe to the City of David" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Or if the scroll is handed to one unable to read, he will say, I cannot read." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/isaiah/29-12.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/isaiah/29-12.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/isaiah/">Isaiah</a> > <a href="/isaiah/29.htm">Chapter 29</a> > Verse 12</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad12.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/29-11.htm" title="Isaiah 29:11">◄</a> Isaiah 29:12 <a href="/isaiah/29-13.htm" title="Isaiah 29:13">►</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/29.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/29.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Or if you give the scroll to someone who cannot read, and say, “Read this, please,” they will answer, “I don’t know how to read.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/isaiah/29.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />When you give it to those who cannot read, they will say, “We don’t know how to read.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/isaiah/29.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And when they give the book to one who cannot read, saying, “Read this,” he says, “I cannot read.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/29.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Or if the scroll is handed to one unable to read, he will say, “I cannot read.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/isaiah/29.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/isaiah/29.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then the book is delivered to one who is illiterate, saying, “Read this, please.” And he says, “I am not literate.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/isaiah/29.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the book will be given to the one who is illiterate, saying, “Please read this.” And he will say, “I cannot read.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/isaiah/29.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then the book will be given to the one who is illiterate, saying, “Please read this.” And he will say, “I cannot read.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/isaiah/29.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then the book will be given to the one who is illiterate, saying, “Please read this.” And he will say, “I cannot read.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/isaiah/29.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then the book will be given to the one who does not know <i>how to read</i> a book, saying, “Please read this.” And he will say, “I do not know <i>how to read</i> a book.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/isaiah/29.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then the book will be given to the one who cannot read, saying, “Read this, please.” And he will say, “I cannot read.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/isaiah/29.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />And if the document is given to one who cannot read and he is asked to read it, he will say, “I can’t read.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/isaiah/29.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />And if the document is given to one who cannot read and he is asked to read it, he will say, “I can’t read.” <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/isaiah/29.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />and the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee; and he saith, I am not learned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/isaiah/29.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Others say, "We can't read it, because we don't know how to read." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/isaiah/29.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />and the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/isaiah/29.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Then you give the book to someone who can't read, saying, "Please read this." He answers, "I can't read."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/isaiah/29.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />If you give it to someone who can't read and ask him to read it to you, he will answer that he doesn't know how. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/isaiah/29.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Or when they give the book to someone who cannot read, and say, 'Read this, please,' he answers, 'I don't know how to read.'"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/isaiah/29.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Or if the scroll is handed to one unable to read, he will say, ?I cannot read.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/isaiah/29.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Or when they hand the scroll to one who can't read and say, "Read this," he says, "I can't read." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/isaiah/29.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />and the book is delivered to one who is not educated, saying, "Read this, please;" and he says, "I can't read."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/isaiah/29.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/isaiah/29.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />and the book is delivered to one who is not educated, saying, “Read this, please;” and he says, “I can’t read.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/isaiah/29.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And the scroll is given to him who has not known scrolls, "" Saying, “Please read this,” "" And he has said, “I have not known scrolls.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/isaiah/29.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the book is given to him who hath not known books, Saying, 'Read this, we pray thee,' And he hath said, 'I have not known books.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/isaiah/29.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the book was given to him not knowing writing, saying, Read now, this: and he said, I know not writing.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/isaiah/29.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And the book shall be given to one that knoweth no letters, and it shall be said to him: Read: and he shall answer: I know no letters. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/isaiah/29.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But if the book is given to someone who does not know how to read, and it is said to him, “Read,” then he will respond, “I do not know how to read.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/isaiah/29.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />When the scroll is handed to one who cannot read, with the request, “Read this,” the reply is, “I cannot read.” <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/29.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />And if it is given to those who cannot read, saying, “Read this,” they say, “We cannot read.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/29.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And the book is given to him who is not learned, saying, Read this, and he says, I am not learned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/isaiah/29.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And he shall give the scroll to him who does not know the writing, and they shall say to him: "Read this”, and he shall say, "I do not know the writing"<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/isaiah/29.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />and the writing is delivered to him that is not learned, saying: 'Read this, I pray thee'; and he saith: 'I am not learned.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/isaiah/29.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And this book shall be given into the hands of a man that is unlearned, and <i>one</i> shall say to him, Read this; and he shall say, I am not learned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/isaiah/29-12.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=6003" 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">11</span>And the entire vision will be to you like the words sealed in a scroll. If it is handed to someone to read, he will say, “I cannot, because it is sealed.” <span class="reftext">12</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5612.htm" title="5612: has·sê·p̄er (Art:: N-ms) -- A missive, document, writing, book. Or ciphrah; from caphar; properly, writing; by implication, a book.">Or if the scroll</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: wə·nit·tan (Conj-w:: V-Nifal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">is handed</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">one</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.">unable</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: yā·ḏa‘ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">to read,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5612.htm" title="5612: sê·p̄er (N-ms) -- A missive, document, writing, book. Or ciphrah; from caphar; properly, writing; by implication, a book."></a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7121.htm" title="7121: qə·rā (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To call, proclaim, read. A primitive root; to call out to."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4994.htm" title="4994: nā- (Interjection) -- I (we) pray, now. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: zeh (Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that."></a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: wə·’ā·mar (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">he will say,</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.">“I cannot read.”</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: yā·ḏa‘·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5612.htm" title="5612: sê·p̄er (N-ms) -- A missive, document, writing, book. Or ciphrah; from caphar; properly, writing; by implication, a book."></a> </span><span class="reftext">13</span>Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men.…<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/5-21.htm">Jeremiah 5:21</a></span><br />“Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/13-13.htm">Matthew 13:13-15</a></span><br />This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.’ / In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. / For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/3-14.htm">2 Corinthians 3:14-15</a></span><br />But their minds were closed. For to this day the same veil remains at the reading of the old covenant. It has not been lifted, because only in Christ can it be removed. / And even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/11-8.htm">Romans 11:8</a></span><br />as it is written: “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see, and ears that could not hear, to this very day.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/12-2.htm">Ezekiel 12:2</a></span><br />“Son of man, you are living in a rebellious house. They have eyes to see but do not see, and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/4-12.htm">Mark 4:12</a></span><br />so that, ‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/29-4.htm">Deuteronomy 29:4</a></span><br />Yet to this day the LORD has not given you a mind to understand, eyes to see, or ears to hear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/28-26.htm">Acts 28:26-27</a></span><br />‘Go to this people and say, “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.” / For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/6-9.htm">Isaiah 6:9-10</a></span><br />And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ / Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/12-40.htm">John 12:40</a></span><br />“He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they cannot see with their eyes, and understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/3-7.htm">2 Timothy 3:7</a></span><br />who are always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/4-6.htm">Hosea 4:6</a></span><br />My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/8-11.htm">Amos 8:11-12</a></span><br />Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord GOD, when I will send a famine on the land—not a famine of bread or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD. / People will stagger from sea to sea and roam from north to east, seeking the word of the LORD, but they will not find it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/2-14.htm">1 Corinthians 2:14</a></span><br />The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/44-18.htm">Isaiah 44:18</a></span><br />They do not comprehend or discern, for He has shut their eyes so they cannot see and closed their minds so they cannot understand.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray you: and he said, I am not learned.</p><p class="hdg">I am not</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/29-18.htm">Isaiah 29:18</a></b></br> And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/28-12.htm">Isaiah 28:12,13</a></b></br> To whom he said, This <i>is</i> the rest <i>wherewith</i> ye may cause the weary to rest; and this <i>is</i> the refreshing: yet they would not hear… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/5-4.htm">Jeremiah 5:4</a></b></br> Therefore I said, Surely these <i>are</i> poor; they are foolish: for they know not the way of the LORD, <i>nor</i> the judgment of their God.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/29-11.htm">Book</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-11.htm">Books</a> <a href="/isaiah/20-6.htm">Delivered</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-11.htm">Educated</a> <a href="/acts/4-13.htm">Illiterate</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-11.htm">Learned</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-11.htm">Please</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-11.htm">Read</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-11.htm">Scroll</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-11.htm">Someone</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-11.htm">Writing</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/29-18.htm">Book</a> <a href="/daniel/7-10.htm">Books</a> <a href="/isaiah/34-2.htm">Delivered</a> <a href="/daniel/1-5.htm">Educated</a> <a href="/acts/4-13.htm">Illiterate</a> <a href="/isaiah/50-4.htm">Learned</a> <a href="/isaiah/36-8.htm">Please</a> <a href="/isaiah/34-16.htm">Read</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-18.htm">Scroll</a> <a href="/ezekiel/43-6.htm">Someone</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-8.htm">Writing</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 /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <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>Or if the scroll is handed to one unable to read</b><br>This phrase highlights the inability of certain individuals to understand or interpret the message of God. In the context of Isaiah, this reflects the spiritual blindness and ignorance prevalent among the people of Judah. The scroll symbolizes God's revelation, which remains inaccessible to those who lack spiritual insight. This can be connected to the broader biblical theme of the importance of spiritual discernment, as seen in passages like <a href="/1_corinthians/2-14.htm">1 Corinthians 2:14</a>, where the natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God.<p><b>he will say, “I cannot read.”</b><br>This response underscores the helplessness and lack of understanding among those who are spiritually blind. It reflects a broader cultural context where literacy was not widespread, and many relied on scribes or religious leaders to interpret texts. This phrase can be seen as a metaphor for the rejection of God's message, similar to how Jesus spoke in parables to those who were not open to understanding (<a href="/matthew/13-13.htm">Matthew 13:13-15</a>). It also foreshadows the New Testament emphasis on the need for the Holy Spirit to illuminate the Scriptures for believers, as seen in <a href="/john/16-13.htm">John 16:13</a>.<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 a time of great turmoil and change in Israel, calling the people back to faithfulness to God.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The city is central to Isaiah's prophecies, often symbolizing the spiritual state of the nation of Israel. In <a href="/bsb/isaiah/29.htm">Isaiah 29</a>, Jerusalem is depicted as being spiritually blind and deaf to God's messages.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_scroll.htm">The Scroll</a></b><br>Represents God's revelation and truth. In this context, it symbolizes the message of God that is not understood or heeded by the people.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_unlearned.htm">The Unlearned</a></b><br>Represents those who are spiritually blind or ignorant, unable to comprehend God's message due to a lack of spiritual insight or willingness to learn.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_event_of_spiritual_blindness.htm">The Event of Spiritual Blindness</a></b><br>This passage is part of a larger discourse on the spiritual blindness and deafness of the people of Israel, who fail to understand and apply God's word.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_literacy.htm">Spiritual Literacy</a></b><br>Just as physical literacy is essential for reading, spiritual literacy is crucial for understanding God's word. We must seek the Holy Spirit's guidance to open our eyes and hearts to His truth.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_complacency.htm">The Danger of Complacency</a></b><br>The inability to read the scroll symbolizes a complacency or unwillingness to engage with God's word. We must actively pursue understanding and application of Scripture in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_humility.htm">The Role of Humility</a></b><br>Recognizing our limitations and dependence on God is vital. We should approach Scripture with humility, asking God to reveal His truths to us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_teaching.htm">The Importance of Teaching</a></b><br>Those who are able to understand God's word have a responsibility to teach and guide others, helping them to grow in spiritual literacy.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_repentance.htm">The Call to Repentance</a></b><br>Spiritual blindness can be overcome through repentance and turning back to God. We must continually examine our hearts and seek to align our lives with His will.<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/is_a_chronological_bible_best.htm">Is reading a chronological Bible the best approach?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_judaism's_five_scrolls.htm">What does exaltation mean in Mormonism?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_isaiah_61_1-2_and_luke_4_18-19_differ.htm">Why is there a discrepancy between Isaiah 61:1-2 and the version quoted by Jesus in Luke 4:18-19, if both refer to the same passage?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_overtalking.htm">What does the Bible say about excessive talking?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/29.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 12.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Him that is not learned</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> "that cannot read writing." Even in our Lord's day the ordinary Jew was not taught to read and write. Hence the surprise of the rulers at his teaching the people out of the Law (<a href="/john/7-15.htm">John 7:15</a>, "How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?"). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/isaiah/29-12.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">Or if the scroll</span><br /><span class="heb">הַסֵּ֗פֶר</span> <span class="translit">(has·sê·p̄er)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5612.htm">Strong's 5612: </a> </span><span class="str2">A missive, document, writing, book</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is given</span><br /><span class="heb">וְנִתַּ֣ן</span> <span class="translit">(wə·nit·tan)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל֩</span> <span class="translit">(‘al)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">one who</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁ֨ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹֽא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">able to read,</span><br /><span class="heb">יָדַ֥ע</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḏa‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> </span><span class="str2">To know</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he will say,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאָמַ֕ר</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’ā·mar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular<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">“I cannot read.”</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/29-12.htm">Isaiah 29:12 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/isaiah/29-12.htm">Isaiah 29:12 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/isaiah/29-12.htm">Isaiah 29:12 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/isaiah/29-12.htm">Isaiah 29:12 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/isaiah/29-12.htm">Isaiah 29:12 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/29-12.htm">Isaiah 29:12 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/29-12.htm">Isaiah 29:12 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/29-12.htm">Isaiah 29:12 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/29-12.htm">Isaiah 29:12 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/isaiah/29-12.htm">Isaiah 29:12 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/isaiah/29-12.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 29:12 And the book is delivered to one (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/29-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 29:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 29:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/29-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 29:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 29:13" /></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>