Isaiah 29:14

Therefore behold, I will proceed to do a marueilous worke amongst this people, euen a marueilous worke and a wonder: for the wisedome of their wise men shall perish, and the vnderstanding of their prudent men shall be hid. Isaiah 29:14 (KJV)

Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people,

even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise

men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent

men shall be hid. Isaiah 29:14 (KJV)

Isaiah 29:14 is a prophetic passage that addresses the spiritual condition and impending judgment of Jerusalem. In this verse God expresses His intention to perform a remarkable and astonishing work among His people. Let us examine the verse in its broader context.

Historical Context: Isaiah was a prophet during the reigns of several kings of Judah in the 8th century BC. At that time Israel was turning away from God, indulging in idolatry and neglecting His commands. This verse belongs to a larger section (Isaiah 29:1‑24) in which the prophet warns of Jerusalem’s coming judgment and eventual restoration.

Spiritual Blindness: The verses immediately preceding 29:14 criticize the people’s insincere worship. They honor God with their lips while their hearts are far from Him (Isaiah 29:13). Consequently God declares that the wisdom of the wise and the understanding of the prudent will fail them; human knowledge will be of no use in discerning God’s purposes.

The Marvelous Work of God: Despite this spiritual blindness God announces a “marvellous work” and a “wonder.” The work includes the historical judgments on Jerusalem—first the Assyrian siege under Sennacherib and later the Babylonian exile—which served as discipline and purification. Many interpreters also see this declaration as foreshadowing the coming Messiah and the establishment of His kingdom, the ultimate work of wonder.

Fulfillment in the New Testament: The New Testament reflects the same theme. In 1 Corinthians 1:18‑31 Paul contrasts the wisdom of the world with the wisdom of God, noting that the message of the cross appears foolish to human standards yet holds the power of salvation. Paul’s argument echoes Isaiah’s warning that human wisdom will perish.

In summary, Isaiah 29:14 proclaims God’s intention to bring about a remarkable work among a people blinded by their own wisdom. The passage points to historical judgments, the exile, and ultimately to the fulfillment in Christ. Believers are reminded that the wisdom of the world pales before God’s wisdom, and our trust should rest in Him rather than in human understanding.