The Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 29:14

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

I will proceed to do a marvelous work. Commentators are not agreed what this "marvelous work" was. Some, with Delitzsch, consider it to be the hardening of the hearts of the Jews to such an extent that even the appearance of wisdom and understanding, which the rulers of the people had hitherto retained, would completely disappear.

Others, with Mr. Cheyne, regard it as the coming siege, with those extreme sufferings and perils (Isaiah 29:3, Isaiah 29:4) which the Jews would have to undergo—sufferings and perils barely consistent with the previous covenant-promises made to the nation.

It is difficult to decide between these two views; but, on the whole, Mr. Cheyne's view seems preferable. A marvelous work and a wonder; rather, a marvelous work and a marvel. The repetition is for the sake of emphasis.

For the wisdom; rather, and the wisdom; i.e. "when I do my marvel, then the wisdom of the wise men shall perish"—all their crafty designs and plans shall be of no avail, but come wholly to naught. The chief of these designs was that alluded to in the next verse.

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