For when he sees his children, the work of my hands, in his midst, they will sanctify my name; they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob and will stand in awe of the God of Israel.
English Standard Version (ESV)
While often read as simply about future restoration, this verse actually emphasizes that God's people become "the work of my hands" – not because they achieve perfection on their own, but because God sovereignly transforms them, leading them to genuinely revere Him. This transformation is the core of how they will then sanctify His name.
For when he sees his children, the work of my hands, in his midst, they will sanctify my name; they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob and will stand in awe of the God of Israel.
English Standard Version (ESV)
In the verses leading up to this one, God's judgment is pronounced upon Jerusalem, a city that outwardly honors Him but whose heart is far from Him, relying on human wisdom and traditions instead of divine guidance. The text describes a coming period of confusion and spiritual blindness for the people, where even their leaders and prophets will be unable to discern truth. However, Isaiah 29:23 offers a hopeful turn, shifting from judgment to the promise of future restoration and renewal for God's people.
Have you ever felt pride in the accomplishments of those close to you, especially your children? Isaiah points to an even greater source of pride.
The verse speaks of seeing "his children, the work of my hands." This isn't just about physical descendants, but about those God regenerates and makes new.
A Divine Creation
The True Source of Identity
The verse speaks of 'sanctifying' God's name and then 'fearing' Him. How can these seemingly different responses go hand-in-hand?
Isaiah 29:23 links two powerful responses to God: sanctification and awe (fear).
Setting Apart the Holy One
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Awe as Reverent Respect
The Connected Response
Understand the original words
qadash · Hebrew Verb
To be set apart for holy use; to treat something or someone as sacred, reverent, and distinct from the common or profane.
qadosh · Hebrew Adjective
An adjective describing God’s absolute moral purity, transcendence, and perfection, setting Him apart from all creation and sin.
yare' · Hebrew Verb
A deep, reverent fear or humble respect before God, acknowledging His greatness, holiness, and sovereignty.
This prophecy speaks to a future restoration after periods of judgment and exile, where God's people, through His direct intervention, will fully recognize and honor Him, transforming from a state of shame and spiritual blindness to one of awe and devotion.
c. 701 BC— this verse
Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem
King Sennacherib of Assyria campaigns in Judah, capturing many cities and besieging Jerusalem. Though Jerusalem is not captured, the event is a profound display of Assyrian military might and a stark reminder of Judah's vulnerability.
c. 605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon conquers Judah, deporting a portion of the elite, including young nobles like Daniel, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of Judah's Babylonian exile.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction
Babylonian forces conquer Jerusalem, destroy the city and the Temple, and deport most of the remaining population. This is the catastrophic climax of Judah's loss of sovereignty.
c. 538 BC
Return from Exile
Following Cyrus the Great of Persia's conquest of Babylon, the decree is issued allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. This marks the start of the Second Temple period.
c. 167-160 BC
Maccabean Revolt
The Maccabean Revolt erupts against Seleucid oppression, leading to a period of Hasmonean independence for Judea. This period is marked by religious and political upheaval.
This passage echoes Isaiah's declaration that the people are 'the work of my hands' by stating believers are God's 'workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works.'
Romans 9:25-26It parallels Isaiah's promise of God calling His people 'children' and making them 'the work of His hands' by quoting Hosea's prophecy about calling those who were not His people 'children of the living God.'
Isaiah 60:21This verse expands on the idea of God's people being 'the work of my hands,' prophesying that all His people shall be righteous and an inheritance for Himself, a clear fulfillment of Isaiah's vision.
1 Peter 2:9-10It connects to the theme of sanctifying God's name and fearing Him by calling believers a 'chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession,' so they can proclaim His excellencies.
Malachi 3:16This passage highlights the 'awe' and 'fear' of God mentioned in Isaiah 29:23, describing those who feared the Lord speaking to one another, and God writing down their names.
cambridgeIsaiah 29:23: "But when he seeth his children, the work of mine hands, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify my name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel."
23 . when he seeth his children, the work …] R.V. marg. “when his children see the work” [lit. “when he (his children) shall see the work, &c.”] Neither rendering is satisfactory, and “his children” should be omitted as a marginal gloss. sanctify … fear ] The same words are used in ch. Isaiah 8:13 .
barnesIsaiah 29:23: "But when he seeth his children, the work of mine hands, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify my name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel."
But when he seeth his children - The sense is, 'he shall not be ashamed of his sons, for he shall see them henceforward walking in the ways of piety and virtue.' The work of my hands - That is, this change Isaiah 29:17-19 by which the nation will be reformed, will be produced by the agency of God himself.…
While often read as simply about future restoration, this verse actually emphasizes that God's people become "the work of my hands" – not because they achieve perfection on their own, but because God sovereignly transforms them, leading them to genuinely revere Him. This transformation is the core of how they will then sanctify His name.
In the verses leading up to this one, God's judgment is pronounced upon Jerusalem, a city that outwardly honors Him but whose heart is far from Him, relying on human wisdom and traditions instead of divine guidance. The text describes a coming period of confusion and spiritual blindness for the people, where even their leaders and prophets will be unable to discern truth. However, Isaiah 29:23 offers a hopeful turn, shifting from judgment to the promise of future restoration and renewal for God's people.
In the verses leading up to this one, God's judgment is pronounced upon Jerusalem, a city that outwardly honors Him but whose heart is far from Him, relying on human wisdom and traditions instead of divine guidance. The text describes a coming period of confusion and spiritual blindness for the people, where even their leaders and prophets will be unable to discern truth. However, Isaiah 29:23 offers a hopeful turn, shifting from judgment to the promise of future restoration and renewal for God's people.
"For when he sees his children, the work of my hands, in his midst, they will sanctify my name; they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob and will stand in awe of the God of Israel." — While often read as simply about future restoration, this verse actually emphasizes that God's people become "the work of my hands" – not because they achieve perfection on their own, but because God…
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Last reviewed October 2026