Isaiah 1:29 kjv

For they shall be ashamed of the oaks which ye have desired, and ye shall be confounded for the gardens that ye have chosen.

Isaiah 1:29 nkjv

For they shall be ashamed of the terebinth trees Which you have desired; And you shall be embarrassed because of the gardens Which you have chosen.

Isaiah 1:29 niv

"You will be ashamed because of the sacred oaks in which you have delighted; you will be disgraced because of the gardens that you have chosen.

Isaiah 1:29 esv

For they shall be ashamed of the oaks that you desired; and you shall blush for the gardens that you have chosen.

Isaiah 1:29 nlt

You will be ashamed of your idol worship
in groves of sacred oaks.
You will blush because you worshiped
in gardens dedicated to idols.

Isaiah 1 verses

Isaiah 1 29 Meaning

Isaiah 1:29 declares that the people of Judah will experience profound shame and disgrace because of their chosen idolatrous practices. Their desire for and selection of pagan places of worship, symbolized by "oaks" and "gardens," will ultimately lead to public humiliation as these false objects of trust prove to be worthless. It is a pronouncement of judgment revealing the futility of turning from the Lord to alternative spiritual allegiances.

Isaiah 1 29 Context

Isaiah chapter 1 is a divine lawsuit, or "controversy," against Judah, presenting their spiritual apostasy. It begins by arraigning the people for rebellion against God, comparing them to disobedient children and even to Sodom and Gomorrah due to their extensive sin. The chapter moves from general charges of spiritual sickness and societal injustice (vv. 4-6) to critiques of their empty religious rituals (vv. 10-15). Verse 29 specifically addresses Judah's syncretistic worship, where they blended the worship of YHWH with pagan practices prevalent among their Canaanite neighbors. Historically, Judah, during Isaiah's time (8th century BC), was a client state of Assyria and frequently adopted foreign religious customs, especially those related to fertility cults, which were believed to ensure agricultural prosperity. The "oaks" and "gardens" refer to common sites for such idolatrous rituals, often involving Asherah poles or other nature-based worship, which stood in direct opposition to God's exclusive covenant with Israel.

Isaiah 1 29 Word analysis

• For you shall be ashamed (כִּי תֵבֹ֕שׁוּ - kî tēvōšû): The Hebrew word bôsh (בושׁ) means to be ashamed, disgraced, or put to shame. This shame stems from having trusted in something that ultimately disappoints or proves false. It indicates public humiliation and disappointment after the impotence of the idols is exposed. The "For" (כִּי - kî) indicates this is the consequence or reason for what has been described previously (their sinfulness).

• of the oaks (מֵאֵילִים - mēʾēlîm): Refers to large, impressive trees, often specifically terebinth or oak trees. In ancient Near Eastern religions, these trees were considered sacred and served as sites for pagan rituals and idol worship, sometimes associated with fertility deities like Asherah or Baal. These "sacred groves" were high places, forbidden by YHWH. This is a direct polemic against the veneration of creation over the Creator and the practice of syncretism.

• which you have desired (אֲשֶׁר חֲמַדְתֶּ֑ם - ʾăšer ḥămadtem): The Hebrew word ḥāmad (חמד) signifies a strong desire, longing, or coveting. While sometimes neutral, it often carries a negative connotation in the Old Testament, implying an illicit or improper desire (e.g., in the Tenth Commandment: "You shall not covet"). This highlights the people's intentional, even passionate, pursuit of forbidden idolatrous practices.

• and you shall be confounded (וְתַחְפְּרוּ - wĕtaḥpərû): The Hebrew verb ḥāpar (חָפַר) can mean to dig, but in the Hif'il stem, as here, it means to be put to shame or disgraced, similar to bôsh. It intensifies the idea of humiliation and perplexity. It suggests a deep disappointment and public exposure of the folly of their choice.

• for the gardens (מֵהַגַּנּוֹת - mēhaggannôt): Refers to cultivated gardens, which, like sacred trees, were also sites for pagan cultic activities. These often involved fertility rites, ritual prostitution, or practices of divination, offering privacy or a setting for these illicit ceremonies. These are also places of forbidden worship and directly opposed to God's ordained worship in His temple.

• which you have chosen (אֲשֶׁר בְּחַרְתֶּֽם - ʾăšer bĕḥartem): The verb bāḥar (בחר) means to choose or select. This underscores the deliberate and conscious decision of the people to engage in idolatry, turning away from God's chosen way of worship and His exclusive covenant with them. It highlights their spiritual infidelity, choosing human inventions over divine revelation.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "ashamed of the oaks which you have desired": This phrase connects the feeling of disgrace directly to the object of their misguided devotion. Their deep longing for these pagan sites will result in utter disappointment and shame, as their expectations of protection or blessings from these idols will prove empty. The desire makes the shame even more poignant.
  • "confounded for the gardens which you have chosen": Parallel to the first phrase, this reinforces the intentionality of their spiritual rebellion. Their conscious decision to seek false gods in cultic gardens will lead to confusion and exposure, highlighting the futility and ultimate shame of their path. The chosen path will lead to spiritual ruin and public ignominy.

Isaiah 1 29 Bonus section

• The specific mention of "oaks" and "gardens" is a prophetic and polemic swipe at common Canaanite religious practices that infiltrated Israelite worship. Prophets often ridiculed such nature worship, highlighting its absurdity and the impotence of the "gods" associated with it.
• The concept of "shame" (bôsh, ḥāpar) in the Bible is more than just an emotion; it often signifies disgrace, humiliation, and public exposure of failure or wickedness. For the covenant people, it was the ultimate antithesis to glory and blessing from God.
• This verse sets the stage for many prophetic passages where Isaiah will further condemn idolatry and emphasize the uniqueness and power of YHWH against the backdrop of the impotent gods of other nations. The failure of these "chosen" entities proves YHWH's absolute sovereignty.

Isaiah 1 29 Commentary

Isaiah 1:29 acts as a solemn warning and a prophetic declaration of judgment against Judah's deep-seated spiritual apostasy. The "oaks" and "gardens" symbolize the pervasive idolatry and syncretism within ancient Israel. These were not innocent recreational spots but cultic locations associated with Canaanite fertility religions and other pagan worship that included abhorrent practices. The phrase "you have desired" and "you have chosen" underscores the deliberate and willing embrace of these illicit practices by the people. This was not an accidental straying but an intentional turning away from YHWH, their covenant God.

The impending "shame" and "confusion" are consequences not just of moral failing, but of spiritual adultery. They represent the ultimate public humiliation of Judah when their reliance on these powerless idols is exposed. Their desired sources of blessing or security will fail to deliver, leading to profound disappointment and disgrace. God, being holy and jealous, will not share His glory with idols, and thus, His judgment exposes the vanity of trusting anything or anyone other than Him. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that turning away from the Creator to created things or human inventions always ends in disillusionment and shame, both personally and corporately. It underlines that only the one true God is worthy of ultimate desire and choice.