Then the wayward will gain understanding, and complainers will accept instruction.
Parallel translations
- WEB They also who err in spirit will come to understanding, and those who grumble will receive instruction.”
- KJV They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.
- BSB Then the wayward in spirit will come to understanding, and those who grumble will accept instruction.”
- NKJV These also who erred in spirit will come to understanding, And those who complained will learn doctrine.”
- NASB “Those who err in mind will know the truth, And those who criticize will accept instruction.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Those once confused in spirit will gain understanding, and complainers will receive instruction. It matters because God promises to heal not just circumstances but the heart and mind.
Overview
The oracle ends with a promise of inward transformation: the spiritually erring will come to discernment and the murmurers will be teachable. This reverses the spiritual blindness condemned earlier in the chapter. It foreshadows the work of the Spirit, who opens hearts to understand the truth and gives a willing, instructed spirit to God's people in the new covenant.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 16
- Isa 28:7They also reel with wine, and stagger with strong drink. The priest and the prophet reel with strong drink. They are swallowed up by wine. They stagger with strong drink. They err in vision. They stumble in judgment.
- Luke 15:17–19But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough to spare, and I’m dying with hunger!
- Heb 5:2The high priest can deal gently with those who are ignorant and going astray, because he himself is also surrounded with weakness.
- Rev 20:2–3He seized the dragon, the old serpent, which is the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole inhabited earth, and bound him for a thousand years,
- 1 Tim 1:13–15although I was before a blasphemer, a persecutor, and insolent. However, I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
- Isa 30:21and when you turn to the right hand, and when you turn to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way. Walk in it.”
- 1 Cor 6:11Such were some of you, but you were washed. But you were sanctified. But you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and in the Spirit of our God.
- Acts 2:37Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
- Isa 60:16You will also drink the milk of the nations, and will nurse from royal breasts. Then you will know that I, Yahweh, am your Savior, your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.
- Luke 7:47Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”
- Acts 6:7The word of God increased and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly. A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
- Zech 12:10I will pour on David’s house, and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplication; and they will look to me whom they have pierced; and they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for his only son, and will grieve bitterly for him, as one grieves for his firstborn.
- Acts 9:19–20He took food and was strengthened. Saul stayed several days with the disciples who were at Damascus.
- Matt 21:28–32But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first, and said, ‘Son, go work today in my vineyard.’
- Isa 29:10–11For Yahweh has poured out on you a spirit of deep sleep, and has closed your eyes, the prophets; and he has covered your heads, the seers.
- Isa 41:20that they may see, know, consider, and understand together, that Yahweh’s hand has done this, and the Holy One of Israel has created it.
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Christ at the center
Isaiah sees him most clearly: the virgin's son Immanuel, the child on David's throne, the shoot from Jesse, the light to the nations, and above all the Suffering Servant pierced for our transgressions (ch. 53).
How Isaiah 29:24 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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