Isaiah 29:11
New International Version
For you this whole vision is nothing but words sealed in a scroll. And if you give the scroll to someone who can read, and say, “Read this, please,” they will answer, “I can’t; it is sealed.”

New Living Translation
All the future events in this vision are like a sealed book to them. When you give it to those who can read, they will say, “We can’t read it because it is sealed.”

English Standard Version
And the vision of all this has become to you like the words of a book that is sealed. When men give it to one who can read, saying, “Read this,” he says, “I cannot, for it is sealed.”

Berean Standard Bible
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.”

King James Bible
And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed:

New King James Version
The whole vision has become to you like the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one who is literate, saying, “Read this, please.” And he says, “I cannot, for it is sealed.”

New American Standard Bible
The entire vision will be to you like the words of a sealed book, which, when they give it to the one who is literate, saying, “Please read this,” he will say, “I cannot, because it is sealed.”

NASB 1995
The entire vision will be to you like the words of a sealed book, which when they give it to the one who is literate, saying, “Please read this,” he will say, “I cannot, for it is sealed.”

NASB 1977
And the entire vision shall be to you like the words of a sealed book, which when they give it to the one who is literate, saying, “Please read this,” he will say, “I cannot, for it is sealed.”

Legacy Standard Bible
The entire vision will be to you like the words of a sealed book, which when they give it to the one who is literate, saying, “Please read this,” he will say, “I cannot, for it is sealed.”

Amplified Bible
The entire vision [of all these things] will be to you like the words of a scroll that is sealed, which they give to one who can read, saying, “Read this, please,” he shall say, “I cannot, for it is sealed.”

Christian Standard Bible
For you the entire vision will be like the words of a sealed document. If it is given to one who can read and he is asked to read it, he will say, “I can’t read it, because it is sealed.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For you the entire vision will be like the words of a sealed document. If it is given to one who can read and he is asked to read it, he will say, “I can’t read it, because it is sealed.”

American Standard Version
And all vision is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee; and he saith, I cannot, for it is sealed:

Contemporary English Version
Now his message is like a sealed letter to you. Some of you say, "We can't read it, because it's sealed."

English Revised Version
And all vision is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot, for it is sealed:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
To you all these visions will be like words in a book that is closed and sealed. You give this book to someone who can read, saying, "Please read this." He answers, "I can't read it. It's sealed."

Good News Translation
The meaning of every prophetic vision will be hidden from you; it will be like a sealed scroll. If you take it to someone who knows how to read and ask him to read it to you, he will say he can't because it is sealed.

International Standard Version
"And this entire vision has become for you like the words of a sealed book. When people give it to someone who can read, and say, 'Read this, please,' he answers, 'I cannot, because it is sealed.'

Majority Standard Bible
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.?

NET Bible
To you this entire prophetic revelation is like words in a sealed scroll. When they hand it to one who can read and say, "Read this," he responds, "I can't, because it is sealed."

New Heart English Bible
All vision has become to you like the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one who is educated, saying, "Read this, please;" and he says, "I can't, for it is sealed:"

Webster's Bible Translation
And the vision of all is become to you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed:

World English Bible
All vision has become to you like the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one who is educated, saying, “Read this, please;” and he says, “I can’t, for it is sealed;”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the vision of the whole is to you, "" As words of the sealed scroll, "" That they give to one knowing scrolls, "" Saying, “Please read this,” "" And he has said, “I am not able, for it [is] sealed”;

Young's Literal Translation
And the vision of the whole is to you, As words of the sealed book, That they give unto one knowing books, Saying, 'Read this, we pray thee,' And he hath said, 'I am not able, for it is sealed;'

Smith's Literal Translation
And the vision of all will be to you as the words of the book being sealed, which they shall give to him, to him knowing writing, saying, Read now, this: and he said, I shall not be able, for it was sealed.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the vision of all shall be unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which when they shall deliver to one that is learned, they shall say: Read this: and he shall answer: I cannot, for it is sealed.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the vision of all will be to you like the words of a sealed book, which, when they have given it to someone who knows how to read, they will say, “Read this,” but he will respond, “I cannot; for it has been sealed.”

New American Bible
For you the vision of all this has become like the words of a sealed scroll. When it is handed to one who can read, with the request, “Read this,” the reply is, “I cannot, because it is sealed.”

New Revised Standard Version
The vision of all this has become for you like the words of a sealed document. If it is given to those who can read, with the command, “Read this,” they say, “We cannot, for it is sealed.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the vision of all is become to them as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one who is learned, saying, Read this, and he says, I cannot; for it is sealed:

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the vision of all of them will be with them as the words of a book that is sealed, which, one who gives it will say to him who knows the writing: “Read this”, and he shall say: "I cannot, because it is sealed"
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the vision of all this is become unto you as the words of a writing that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying: 'Read this, I pray thee'; and he saith: 'I cannot, for it is sealed';

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And all these things shall be to you as the words of this sealed book, which if they shall give to a learned man, saying, Read this, he shall then say, I cannot read it, for it is sealed.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Woe to the City of David
10For the LORD has poured out on you a spirit of deep sleep. He has shut your eyes, O prophets; He has covered your heads, O seers. 11And 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.” 12Or if the scroll is handed to one unable to read, he will say, “I cannot read.”…

Cross References
Matthew 13:13-15
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.’

2 Corinthians 3:14-16
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. / But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

Romans 11:8
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.”

Matthew 15:14
Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”

2 Timothy 3:7
who are always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.

Jeremiah 5:21
“Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear.

Ezekiel 12:2
“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.

Deuteronomy 29:4
Yet to this day the LORD has not given you a mind to understand, eyes to see, or ears to hear.

Mark 4:11-12
He replied, “The mystery of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to those on the outside everything is expressed in parables, / so that, ‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven.’”

John 12:39-40
For this reason they were unable to believe. For again, Isaiah says: / “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.”

Acts 28:26-27
‘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.’

Psalm 69:23
May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever.

Proverbs 28:5
Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD comprehend fully.

Isaiah 6:9-10
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.”

Isaiah 44:18
They do not comprehend or discern, for He has shut their eyes so they cannot see and closed their minds so they cannot understand.


Treasury of Scripture

And the vision of all is become to you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray you: and he said, I cannot; for it is sealed:

book.

Isaiah 8:16
Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.

I cannot

Daniel 12:4,9
But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased…

Matthew 11:25
At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

Matthew 13:11
He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

Jump to Previous
Able Book Books Deliver Educated Entire Learned Please Read Scroll Sealed Shut Someone Vision Whole Words Writing
Jump to Next
Able Book Books Deliver Educated Entire Learned Please Read Scroll Sealed Shut Someone Vision Whole Words Writing
Isaiah 29
1. God's heavy judgment upon Jerusalem
7. The insatiableness of her enemies
9. The senselessness
13. And deep hypocrisy of the people
17. A promise of sanctification to the godly














And the entire vision will be to you like the words sealed in a scroll.
This phrase refers to the prophetic vision given to Isaiah, which is incomprehensible to the people of Judah due to their spiritual blindness and hard-heartedness. In biblical times, scrolls were common for recording important documents, and a sealed scroll indicated that its contents were not accessible to everyone, often reserved for those with authority or understanding. This imagery highlights the people's inability to grasp God's message because of their disobedience and lack of faith. The sealed scroll also foreshadows the book of Revelation, where a sealed scroll is opened by the Lamb, symbolizing Christ's unique authority to reveal God's ultimate plan (Revelation 5:1-5).

If it is handed to someone to read,
This part of the verse emphasizes the act of attempting to understand or interpret the vision. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, literacy was not widespread, and reading was often a task for scribes or those educated in the Scriptures. The act of handing the scroll to someone signifies the desire for understanding and the seeking of wisdom, which is a recurring theme in the Bible (Proverbs 2:3-6).

he will say, “I cannot, because it is sealed.”
The response of the person indicates the futility of trying to comprehend divine revelation without spiritual insight. The sealed nature of the scroll symbolizes the hiddenness of God's wisdom to those who are not spiritually attuned. This echoes the New Testament teaching that spiritual truths are discerned through the Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:14). The inability to read the sealed scroll serves as a metaphor for the spiritual condition of the people, who are unable to perceive God's truth due to their rebellion and lack of repentance. This also points to the necessity of divine intervention for true understanding, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who opens the Scriptures to His followers (Luke 24:45).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Isaiah
A major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah is the author of the book bearing his name. He prophesied during a time of great turmoil and impending judgment for Israel and Judah.

2. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, which was often the focus of Isaiah's prophecies. During Isaiah's time, Judah faced threats from surrounding nations and internal spiritual decline.

3. The Vision
Refers to the prophetic revelations given to Isaiah, which were often difficult for the people to understand or accept due to their spiritual blindness.

4. The Sealed Scroll
Symbolizes the hidden or inaccessible nature of God's message to those who are spiritually blind or unrepentant.

5. The Reader
Represents those who are unable to comprehend or accept God's message due to their hardened hearts or lack of spiritual insight.
Teaching Points
Spiritual Blindness
Just as the scroll was sealed, spiritual truths can be hidden from those who are not open to God's revelation. We must seek God with a humble and repentant heart to truly understand His Word.

The Importance of Revelation
God's Word is a treasure that requires spiritual insight to unlock. We should pray for wisdom and understanding as we study the Scriptures.

The Role of Jesus
Jesus is the key to understanding God's revelation. Through Him, the mysteries of God are made known to us. We should focus on Christ as the center of our study and faith.

The Danger of Complacency
The people of Judah were complacent and spiritually blind, leading to their inability to understand God's message. We must guard against spiritual complacency in our own lives.

Active Engagement with Scripture
Like the sealed scroll, the Bible requires active engagement and a willingness to delve deeper. We should approach Bible study with diligence and a desire to grow in our faith.(11) The vision of all . . .--Better, the whole vision, i.e., the entire substance of Isaiah's teaching. The words perhaps imply that this had been committed to writing, but that to the unbelievers they were as "the roll of a sealed book." The same imagery meets us in Revelation 5:2. The wise of this world treated its dark sayings as seals, which forbade their making any attempt to study it. The poorer unlearned class could plead a more genuine and less guilty ignorance, but the effect was the same with both.

Verse 11. - The vision of all; i.e. "the entire vision" - all that Isaiah has put before them in vers. 1-8. As the words of a book that is sealed; rather, the words of a letter (marginal rendering) or writing. Written documents were often sealed up to secure secrecy, the sealing being done in various ways. When the writing was on a clay tablet, it was often enclosed in a clay envelope, so that the document could not be read till the outer clay covering was broken. Rolls of papyrus or parchment were secured differently. One that is learned; i.e. "one that can read writing," which the ordinary Jew could not do, any more than the ordinary European in the Middle Ages. Neither the learned nor the unlearned Jews would be able to understand Isaiah's prophecy, so as to realize and accept its literal truth. They were devoid of spiritual discernment. Even the rulers were but "blind loaders of the blind."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And the entire
הַכֹּ֗ל (hak·kōl)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

vision
חָז֣וּת (ḥā·zūṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 2380: A look, striking appearance, revelation, compact

will be
וַתְּהִ֨י (wat·tə·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

to you
לָכֶ֜ם (lā·ḵem)
Preposition | second person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew

like the words
כְּדִבְרֵי֮ (kə·ḏiḇ·rê)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

sealed
הֶֽחָתוּם֒ (he·ḥā·ṯūm)
Article | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 2856: To seal, affix a seal, seal up

in a scroll.
הַסֵּ֣פֶר (has·sê·p̄er)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5612: A missive, document, writing, book

If it
אֲשֶֽׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

is handed
יִתְּנ֣וּ (yit·tə·nū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

a reader,
יוֹדֵ֥עַ (yō·w·ḏê·a‘)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3045: To know

he will say,
וְאָמַר֙ (wə·’ā·mar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“I cannot [read it],
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

because
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

it
הֽוּא׃ (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

is sealed.”
חָת֖וּם (ḥā·ṯūm)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 2856: To seal, affix a seal, seal up


Links
Isaiah 29:11 NIV
Isaiah 29:11 NLT
Isaiah 29:11 ESV
Isaiah 29:11 NASB
Isaiah 29:11 KJV

Isaiah 29:11 BibleApps.com
Isaiah 29:11 Biblia Paralela
Isaiah 29:11 Chinese Bible
Isaiah 29:11 French Bible
Isaiah 29:11 Catholic Bible

OT Prophets: Isaiah 29:11 All vision has become to you like (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 29:10
Top of Page
Top of Page