Isaiah 5:21

“Woe unto [therm that are] wise in their own eyes, &c.] And yet betray such stupidity and sottishness, as to call things by their wrong names; and make such a perverse judgment of them, as before described. This is a true description of the Scribes and Pharisees in Christ’s time; who said, “dost thou teach us? are we blind also?” (<430934>John 9:34-40) and prudent in their own sight; being wise above what was written; leaving the word of God, and following the traditions of the elders.”

“Fifth Woe--against those who were so "wise in their own eyes" as to think they knew better than the prophet, and therefore rejected his warnings (Isa 29:14-15).”

“Wo unto them that are wise ... - This is the fifth crime specified. It refers to those who are inflated with a false opinion of their own knowledge, and who are, therefore, self-confident and vain. This is expressly forbidden; Proverbs 3:7 : ‘Be not wise in thine own eyes;’ compare Proverbs 26:12. In their own eyes - In their own opinion, or estimation. And prudent - Knowing; self-conceited. This was, doubtless, one characteristic of the times of Isaiah. It is known to have been strikingly the characteristic of the Jews - particularly the Pharisees - in the time of our Saviour. The evil of this was, (1) That it evinced and fostered “pride.” (2) That it rendered them unwilling to be…”

“5:21 What sorrow: The fifth threat of judgment concerned the folly of self-deception.”

“wise: Job 11:12; Pro 3:7, Pro 26:12, Pro 26:16; Joh 9:41; Rom 1:22, Rom 11:25, Rom 12:16; Co1 3:18-20 in their own sight: Heb. before their face Isaiah 5:22”

“The fifth woe: "Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight." The third woe had reference to the unbelieving naturalists, the opponents of prophecy (nebuâh); the fourth to the moralists, who threw all into confusion; and to this there is appended, by a very natural association of ideas, the woe denounced upon those whom want of humility rendered inaccessible to that wisdom which went hand in hand with prophecy, and the true foundation of which was the fear of Jehovah ( Pro 1:7; Job 28:28; Ecc 12:13). "Be not wise in thine own eyes," is a fundamental rule of this wisdom ( Pro 3:7). It was upon this wisdom that that prophetic policy rested, whose warnings, as…”