Isaiah 29:1 kjv
Woe to Ariel, to Ariel, the city where David dwelt! add ye year to year; let them kill sacrifices.
Isaiah 29:1 nkjv
"Woe to Ariel, to Ariel, the city where David dwelt! Add year to year; Let feasts come around.
Isaiah 29:1 niv
Woe to you, Ariel, Ariel, the city where David settled! Add year to year and let your cycle of festivals go on.
Isaiah 29:1 esv
Ah, Ariel, Ariel, the city where David encamped! Add year to year; let the feasts run their round.
Isaiah 29:1 nlt
"What sorrow awaits Ariel, the City of David.
Year after year you celebrate your feasts.
Isaiah 29 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 29:1 | "Woe to Ariel, to Ariel the city where David encamped!" | Woe upon Jerusalem/Judah |
| Isaiah 29:2 | "I will press Uriah" | Siege of Jerusalem threatened |
| Isaiah 29:3 | "I will encamp against you all around" | Encampment/Siege Imagery |
| Isaiah 29:4 | "You shall be brought down" | Humiliation of the proud |
| Isaiah 29:5 | "But your enemies will become like fine dust" | Scattering of enemies |
| Isaiah 29:6 | "From the LORD of hosts you will be visited with thunder" | God's intervention with judgment |
| Isaiah 29:7 | "And the multitude of all nations that fight against Ariel" | Nations against Jerusalem |
| Isaiah 29:13 | "This people draw near with their mouth" | Hypocritical worship |
| Jeremiah 4:20 | "Destruction upon destruction is cried" | Judgment on the land |
| Jeremiah 21:13 | "O inhabitant of the valley, rock of the plain" | Similar imagery for Jerusalem |
| Ezekiel 4:2 | "Set cities against it round about, and cast up a bank" | Siege ramp imagery |
| Luke 21:20 | "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies" | Jesus' prophecy of Jerusalem's siege |
| Luke 21:24 | "And they will fall by the edge of the sword" | Destruction by sword |
| 2 Samuel 5:6 | "And the king and his men went to Jerusalem" | David capturing Jerusalem |
| 2 Samuel 5:7 | "Nevertheless, David took the stronghold of Zion" | David's victory in Zion |
| 1 Chronicles 11:4 | "David marched to Jerusalem, to Jebus" | David captures Jerusalem |
| Psalm 125:1 | "Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion" | Security in God's presence |
| Micah 3:12 | "Therefore Zion shall be plowed like a field" | Destruction of Zion |
| John 11:48 | "If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him" | Fear of Jesus' popularity |
| Acts 4:25 | "Who by the mouth of our father David your servant" | Appeal to David's writings |
Isaiah 29 verses
Isaiah 29 1 Meaning
This verse declares doom upon Ariel, a symbolic name for Jerusalem. It identifies the city as a "booth" or a place of protection, now to be besieged and become a place of lamentation and distress. God’s judgment is declared against this cherished city.
Isaiah 29 1 Context
This verse is the beginning of a major prophetic oracle against Jerusalem and the nation of Judah in the book of Isaiah. Isaiah is speaking during a period of significant political and religious upheaval, likely before or during the Assyrian invasions. The Assyrians were a formidable power in the ancient Near East, and their military might threatened the independence of the surrounding kingdoms, including Judah. The specific historical backdrop for this chapter is often linked to the reign of King Hezekiah and the impending or actual threat from the Assyrian Empire under Sennacherib. The "booth" imagery is particularly poignant given the city's role as the seat of Davidic kingship and the dwelling place of God's presence.
Isaiah 29 1 Word Analysis
- Woe (H338: hoy) - An interjection expressing grief, lamentation, or condemnation. It signifies an announcement of impending disaster or misfortune.
- to (H413: el) - A preposition meaning "to," "toward," "into." Indicates the recipient or object of the "woe."
- Ariel (H745: Ariy'el) - Literally means "Lion of God" or "Hearth of God." It is a symbolic name for Jerusalem, highlighting its strength, vitality, or possibly its divine connection. Its use here, however, precedes God’s judgment, turning a name of potential pride into a target of condemnation. Some interpretations connect it to a sacrificial altar or hearth due to the context of divine judgment.
- Ariel (H745: Ariy'el) - Repeated for emphasis, underscoring the intensity of the judgment upon this specific city.
- the city (H'ir: iyr) - Refers to Jerusalem, the capital city.
- where (H'afer: 'asher) - A relative pronoun introducing a subordinate clause, describing a characteristic of the city.
- David (H1732: David) - The second king of Israel, a significant figure associated with Jerusalem as his capital. The mention of David evokes the Davidic dynasty and covenant, making the impending judgment on Jerusalem even more profound.
- encamped (H2583: chanah) - In the Niphal stem, meaning "to set up camp," "to lodge," or "to besiege." In the context of David, it likely refers to David’s capture and establishment of a presence in Jerusalem after taking the Jebusite stronghold.
Words-Group Analysis
- "Woe to Ariel, to Ariel": This repetition immediately signals a pronouncement of divine judgment. The city, so central to God's people and His covenant promises, is designated for severe affliction. The duality of "Ariel" could also be interpreted as addressing both the literal city and the spiritual state of its inhabitants.
- "the city where David encamped": This phrase is crucial. It links Jerusalem's destiny directly to its foundation by King David and its subsequent role as the seat of the Davidic monarchy. It signifies the violation of a place consecrated by God's presence and the lineage of the promised king. It contrasts the past glory and divine favor with the impending judgment, implying that their heritage does not grant immunity from consequence.
Isaiah 29 1 Bonus Section
The symbolic name "Ariel" appears elsewhere in Scripture, notably in Ezra 8:23, where it refers to a temple servant or place, and potentially in Daniel 8:23 for a prince or nation that caused destruction, suggesting "Ariel" could have varied meanings or associations within prophetic literature. Some interpretations connect "Ariel" to the Passover lamb sacrifice, drawing a parallel to Christ’s sacrifice for sins, and suggesting a future redemptive aspect for Jerusalem. The act of "encamping" by David also alludes to taking possession and establishing sovereignty, a stark contrast to the foreign armies that would later "encamp" against Jerusalem in siege. This highlights the theme of divine ownership and the consequences of defying that ownership.
Isaiah 29 1 Commentary
Isaiah 29:1 is a powerful opening to a chapter that critiques Jerusalem's spiritual condition and pronounces God's severe judgment. The prophet’s "Woe!" immediately establishes the gravity of the message. The symbolic name "Ariel," meaning "Lion of God" or "Hearth of God," is used to address Jerusalem. This name could imply strength or the sacrificial hearth where God's presence is symbolized. However, the chapter's context will reveal that this "hearth" will become a place of fiery judgment, and its supposed strength will fail. The mention of David's encampment emphasizes Jerusalem's history as the city David conquered and established as his capital, a place chosen by God for His dwelling. Yet, this chosen status and noble lineage do not prevent God's impending wrath due to the people's disobedience and spiritual hypocrisy. The verse sets a somber tone, announcing a siege and a reversal of fortune for the city cherished by both its inhabitants and God, until their repentance.