Woe to Ephraim and Judah: Drunkenness and Judgment
Isaiah 28:1-29
Isa.28.1 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- הוי: INTJ
- עטרת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- גאות: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- שכרי: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1cs
- אפרים: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וציץ: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נבל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- צבי: NOUN,m,sg,cs
- תפארתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- על: PREP
- ראש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גיא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שמנים: NUM,card,pl,m,abs
- הלומי: ADJ,ptc,qal,m,pl,abs
- יין: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 28:7 (verbal): Same chapter: condemns priests/prophets who err and reel from strong drink—continues the motif of drunkenness and impaired leadership introduced in 28:1.
- Isaiah 5:11 (thematic): Woe-oracle against those who pursue strong drink (
- Amos 6:1-6 (thematic): Denounces the complacent elites of Samaria/Israel for lavishness, feasting, and drunken ease—parallels Ephraim's pride, luxury, and intoxication in 28:1.
- Hosea 4:11 (allusion): Specifically indicts Ephraim for sexual corruption and wine ("whoredom and wine take away the heart"), echoing the pattern of Ephraim's moral failure and intoxication found in Isaiah 28:1.
Alternative generated candidates
- Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, and to the fading flower, the glory of his beauty, that sits upon the head of the fertile valley—those overcome by wine.
- Woe to the crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, and to the fading flower of his glorious splendor, who sit upon the head of the valley of fatness, stricken by wine.
Isa.28.2 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- הנה: PART
- חזק: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- ואמץ: VERB,hif,perf,3,m,sg
- לאדני: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,m,poss1s
- כזרם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ברד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שער: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- קטב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כזרם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- כבירים: PREP+ADJ,m,pl,abs
- שטפים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- הניח: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,sg
- לארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ביד: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Nahum 1:3-6 (thematic): Portrays the Lord's wrath as whirlwind, storm, and flood that punishes the wicked—same motif of divine power coming like a tempest to destroy.
- Psalm 18:12-15 (verbal): Uses thunder, hailstones and outpoured waters as imagery of God's intervention and judgment, echoing Isaiah's storm/hail language.
- Exodus 9:23-24 (structural): Narrates God sending a devastating hailstorm as a means of judgment on Egypt—concrete precedent for the motif of hail/violent storm as divine punishment.
- Job 38:22-23 (allusion): Speaks of God's storehouses of hail and his authority to release it, underscoring the theme of hail as an instrument under divine control.
- Isaiah 29:6 (structural): Within Isaiah, depicts the Lord bringing thunder, earthquake, whirlwind and fire upon a people—closely parallels Isaiah 28:2's portrayal of God acting like a violent storm.
Alternative generated candidates
- Behold, the LORD has one mighty and strong; like the storm of hail and the destroying blast, like waters overflowing in a torrent—he will cast them down to the earth with his hand.
- Behold, the LORD of hosts has one mighty and strong; like a hailstorm of destruction, like a tempest of driving hail, like a flood of overflowing waters—he will lay it low upon the earth by his hand.
Isa.28.3 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ברגלים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- תרמסנה: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,pl
- עטרת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- גאות: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- שכורי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- אפרים: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 28:1 (verbal): Direct verbal parallel within the same oracle—both verses speak of the ‘crown of pride’ and condemn the ‘drunkards of Ephraim,’ repeating the denunciation.
- Isaiah 28:5 (thematic): Contrasting/antithetical parallel: 28:3 predicts the trampled crown of human pride, while 28:5 portrays Yahweh as a true ‘crown of glory’ for the faithful remnant—contrast between human arrogance and divine vindication.
- Isaiah 63:3-6 (verbal): Shared imagery of trampling/treading (winepress) and divine retribution—both passages use violent trampling language to depict judgment on the proud/enemies.
- Proverbs 16:18 (thematic): Common moral theme: pride leads to downfall. The proverb ‘pride goes before destruction’ echoes the idea that a crown of pride will be brought low and trampled.
Alternative generated candidates
- The crown of pride shall be trampled underfoot— the drunkards of Ephraim shall be dashed in pieces.
- With his feet he will trample down the crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim.
Isa.28.4 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- והיתה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- ציצת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- נבל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- צבי: NOUN,m,sg,cs
- תפארתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+3,m
- אשר: PRON,rel
- על: PREP
- ראש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גיא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שמנים: NUM,card,pl,m,abs
- כבכורה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בטרם: PREP
- קיץ: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יראה: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- הראה: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,sg
- אותה: PRON,dem,3,f,sg
- בעודה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- בכפו: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+3ms
- יבלענה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg+3,f,sg
Parallels
- Hosea 9:10 (verbal): Uses the same image of Israel likened to early/first-ripe figs (before summer), connecting national status with the fig/early-fruit motif — an explicit verbal parallel to Isaiah’s ‘first-ripe fig before summer.’
- Jeremiah 24:1-2 (thematic): The two baskets of figs symbolize the fate of Judah/Israel (good and bad figs); like Isaiah’s fig-figure, Jeremiah uses figs as a metaphor for national condition and divine judgment.
- Amos 8:1-2 (structural): Amos’s vision of a basket of summer fruit (qayits) employs harvest/fruit imagery to signify imminent judgment — paralleling Isaiah’s ‘before summer’/early-fruit motif that signals premature loss and judgment.
- Judges 9:10-13 (thematic): The parable of the trees, including the fig tree’s refusal to reign, uses fig imagery to represent provision, status, and expectations; thematically akin to Isaiah’s use of figs to portray national prestige and its rapid removal.
- Matthew 21:19 (thematic): Jesus’ cursing of the barren fig tree (followed by withering) functions as a judgment symbol against unfruitfulness and the removal of honor — resonant with Isaiah’s image of glorious beauty consumed prematurely as divine judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the fading flower, the glory of his beauty that is on the head of the fertile valley, shall be like the first ripe fig before the summer—when one sees it he swallows it up in his hand.
- The fading flower, the glorious splendor on the head of the valley of fatness, will be like a first-ripe fig before the summer: when one sees it, he takes it and eats it in his hand.
Isa.28.5 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ביום: PREP
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- יהיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- צבאות: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לעטרת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,cons
- צבי: NOUN,m,sg,cs
- ולצפירת: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,cons
- תפארה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לשאר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עמו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Isaiah 62:3 (verbal): Uses nearly identical imagery—Zion as a 'crown of beauty' and a 'royal diadem' in the hand of the LORD, echoing the ornament/diadem language applied to God's people.
- Zechariah 9:16 (thematic): Speaks of God's people being honored like stones of a crown and lifted as an ensign—parallel motif of restoration resulting in regal ornamentation for the remnant.
- Isaiah 61:10 (thematic): Celebrates restoration with nuptial/adornment imagery (garments, ornaments, a bride adorned), thematically parallel to the depiction of God as a crowning ornament for his people.
- 1 Peter 5:4 (verbal): New Testament use of the phrase 'crown of glory' for the faithful echoes the 'crown/diadem' language applied to God's people in Isaiah 28:5.
Alternative generated candidates
- In that day the LORD of hosts will be a crown of glory, and a diadem of beauty to the remnant of his people.
- On that day the LORD of hosts will be a crown of glory and a diadem of beauty to the remnant of his people.
Isa.28.6 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ולרוח: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- משפט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ליושב: PREP+PTCP,qal,ptcp,m,sg
- על: PREP
- המשפט: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ולגבורה: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- משיבי: VERB,qal,ptc,mp
- מלחמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- שערה: NOUN,m,sg,abs+suff:3,fs
Parallels
- Isaiah 11:2-4 (verbal): Both passages speak of a Spirit granting judgment/justice and strength to the one who sits in judgment; Isaiah 11 explicitly links the Spirit (wisdom, counsel, might) with righteous judging, echoing ״רוח משפט״ and ״לגבורה משיבי מלחמה״ in Isa 28:6.
- Jeremiah 23:5-6 (thematic): The promise of a future righteous Davidic ruler who will ‘execute justice and righteousness’ parallels Isa 28:6’s emphasis on judicial authority and military/communal protection for the remnant.
- Psalm 82:3-4 (thematic): Psalmist injunction to ‘defend the weak and fatherless… rescue the weak and needy’ parallels Isa 28:6’s focus on just judgment and strength exercised on behalf of the community at the gate.
- Micah 6:8 (thematic): Micah’s call to ‘do justice, love mercy, walk humbly’ resonates with Isa 28:6’s concern for righteous judgment and the protective power that secures communal justice.
Alternative generated candidates
- He will be a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment, and strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate.
- And a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment, and might to those who bring victory at the gate.
Isa.28.7 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וגם: CONJ
- אלה: DEM,pl,abs
- ביין: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שגו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- ובשכר: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תעו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- כהן: NOUN,m,sg,const
- ונביא: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שגו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- בשכר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נבלעו: VERB,niphal,perf,3,pl
- מן: PREP
- היין: NOUN,m,sg,def
- תעו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- מן: PREP
- השכר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- שגו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- בראה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- פקו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- פליליה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Hosea 4:11 (thematic): Condemns wine and sexual immorality as causes of loss of understanding—parallels Isaiah's charge that drink leads priests/prophets to err.
- Proverbs 31:4–5 (thematic): Warns that wine makes rulers forget justice and pervert rights, echoing Isaiah's theme that intoxication leads to faulty vision and judgment.
- Leviticus 10:9 (verbal): A priestly injunction not to drink wine or strong drink before entering the tent of meeting—background legal norm violated by Isaiah's erring priests.
- Ezekiel 44:21 (verbal): Commands priests not to drink wine when serving in the sanctuary, reflecting the expected sobriety that Isaiah's priests neglect.
- Isaiah 28:1–6 (structural): Immediate context: the chapter's judgment oracle on drunken leaders and a nation reeling—Isaiah 28:7 is part of this larger portrayal of impaired leadership.
Alternative generated candidates
- But also these reel with wine and stagger with strong drink: the priest and the prophet reel with strong drink; they are swallowed by wine; they stagger with strong drink; they err in vision and stumble in giving judgment.
- But these also reel with wine—priests and prophets reel with strong drink; they err through drink and are swallowed by wine; they wander in their cups, they go astray in vision and stagger in judgment.
Isa.28.8 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- כל: DET
- שלחנות: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- מלאו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- קיא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- צאה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בלי: PREP
- מקום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 28:7 (structural): Immediate context — the preceding verse describes drunken priests and prophets whose corrupt behavior (intoxication, false teaching) leads into the image of tables full of vomit, showing the passage is part of a contiguous denunciation.
- Proverbs 26:11 (verbal): Uses the image of returning to vomit for repeated, disgraceful behavior; parallels Isaiah’s use of vomit to portray moral filth and degradation.
- Revelation 3:16 (thematic): God’s metaphorical repulsion—'I will spit/ spew you out of my mouth'—echoes the vomit imagery as a symbol of divine rejection of corrupt, unrepentant communities.
- Ezekiel 16:43 (thematic): Describes Jerusalem’s exposed filth and shame before the nations; thematically parallels Isaiah’s portrayal of communal uncleanness and moral contamination.
Alternative generated candidates
- For all the tables are full of vomit and filth; there is no place clean.
- For all the tables are full of vomit and filth; there is no place clean.
Isa.28.9 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- את: PRT,acc
- מי: PRON,interr,sg
- יורה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דעה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- מי: PRON,interr,sg
- יבין: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שמועה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- גמולי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- מחלב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עתיקי: ADJ,m,pl,cons
- משדים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 28:10-13 (verbal): Immediate context: 28:10–13 expands the same teaching-theme using the famous refrain 'line upon line, precept upon precept' and continues the contrast between infantile recipients and those ready for instruction.
- Hebrews 5:12-14 (thematic): Uses the imagery of milk versus solid food and criticizes believers who remain spiritual infants and are not ready for deeper teaching—echoing Isaiah’s distinction between the weaned and the unweaned.
- 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 (thematic): Paul calls certain Christians 'infants in Christ' and contrasts milk and solid food to describe lack of spiritual maturity, paralleling Isaiah’s metaphor of those 'weaned from milk.'
- 1 Peter 2:2 (thematic): Urges believers to desire 'pure spiritual milk' in order to grow, drawing on the same infant/milk imagery about readiness and growth in understanding.
Alternative generated candidates
- To whom will he teach knowledge, and to whom will he make the message clear—those weaned from milk, those drawn from the breasts?
- To whom does he teach knowledge, and to whom does he explain the message? To those weaned from milk, to those taken from the breasts?
Isa.28.10 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- צו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- לצו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- צו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- לצו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- קו: INTJ
- לקו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- קו: INTJ
- לקו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- זעיר: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- שם: ADV
- זעיר: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- שם: ADV
Parallels
- Isaiah 28:9 (structural): Immediate context: a rhetorical question about whom God can teach—verse 9 sets up the address to 'those who are weaned from milk,' to which the 'precept upon precept' formula answers.
- Isaiah 28:13 (verbal): Direct verbal parallel and reprise of the same teaching formula; verse 13 repeats the 'precept upon precept, line upon line' motif while describing the consequence of dull comprehension.
- Isaiah 29:13 (thematic): Related theme of superficial instruction and failure to understand true teaching—'they draw near with their mouth, and honor me with their lips' highlights the spiritual failure that the 'line upon line' critique targets.
- Zechariah 4:10 (thematic): Shares the idea of 'small things' mattering: 'who despises the day of small things?' resonates with 'here a little, there a little,' emphasizing incremental or modest elements of God's work or instruction.
Alternative generated candidates
- For precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, there a little.
- For precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; a little here, a little there.
Isa.28.11 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- בלעגי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שפה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ובלשון: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אחרת: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- ידבר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
Parallels
- Isaiah 28:12 (structural): Immediate continuation of the prophecy; 28:11–12 form a unit about God speaking in 'stammering lips' and the people's failure to hear—Paul cites both verses together in 1 Cor 14.
- 1 Corinthians 14:21 (quotation): Paul explicitly quotes Isaiah 28:11 (and 28:12) to argue that speaking in tongues serves as a sign—he treats Isaiah's words as prophecy about foreign speech and unbelief.
- Acts 2:6-11 (thematic): The Pentecost episode of hearers hearing the apostles 'in their own tongues' echoes the motif of God speaking in other languages as a sign affecting different peoples; used in New Testament discussions of 'tongues.'
- Deuteronomy 28:49 (thematic): A Deuteronomic warning that God will bring a distant nation 'whose language you do not understand' as judgment parallels Isaiah's image of foreign/stammering speech used as a punitive sign.
Alternative generated candidates
- For with stammering lips and another tongue he will speak to this people.
- For by stammering lips and a foreign tongue he will speak to this people.
Isa.28.12 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- זאת: DEM,f,sg
- המנוחה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הניחו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לעיף: PREP+ADJ,m,sg
- וזאת: CONJ+DEM,f,sg
- המרגעה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ולא: CONJ
- אבוא: VERB,qal,impf,1,NA,sg
- שמוע: VERB,qal,infc
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 14:21 (quotation): Paul explicitly cites Isaiah 28:11–12 about speaking with foreign lips and the people not listening—he applies the Isaiah text to the phenomenon of tongues and stubborn unbelief.
- Matthew 11:28–29 (thematic): Jesus' promise "Come to me... I will give you rest" echoes Isaiah's offer of 'rest' and 'refreshing' to the weary; both texts share the motif of divine rest and relief for the exhausted.
- Isaiah 28:11 (structural): The immediate preceding verse ('with stammering lips and another tongue...') forms the pair with 28:12 in the same prophetic unit: the strange-speech sign followed by the offer of rest and the people's refusal to hear.
- Hebrews 4:9–11 (thematic): The NT discussion of a remaining 'Sabbath rest' and the warning not to fail to enter God's rest resonates with Isaiah's offer of rest and the problem of refusing God's provision of rest.
- Psalm 95:7–11 (thematic): Psalm 95 recounts Israel's hardening and failure to enter God's rest; this theme of refusal to heed God's offer of rest parallels Isaiah 28:12 and undergirds later New Testament use (e.g., Hebrews).
Alternative generated candidates
- He said to them, “This is rest; give rest to the weary; this is repose”—yet they would not hear.
- To whom he said, 'This is a rest; give rest to the weary, this is refreshment'—and they would not hear.
Isa.28.13 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- צו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- לצו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- צו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- לצו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- קו: INTJ
- לקו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- קו: INTJ
- לקו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- זעיר: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- שם: ADV
- זעיר: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- שם: ADV
- למען: PREP
- ילכו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- וכשלו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אחור: ADV
- ונשברו: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,pl
- ונוקשו: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,pl
- ונלכדו: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Isaiah 28:10 (verbal): Uses the nearly identical pedagogical formula ('precept on precept, line on line; here a little, there a little'), the immediate verbal parallel within the same chapter framing the messenger‑speech about instruction.
- Isaiah 28:11-12 (structural): Contextual continuation: vv.11–12 describe God speaking with foreign lips/tongues as a form of judgment, the circumstance that leads to the stumbling, breaking and capture described in v.13.
- 1 Corinthians 14:21-22 (quotation): Paul explicitly cites Isaiah 28:11–12 about speaking in foreign tongues and applies it to the role of tongues and signs—an NT appropriation of the Isaiah passage that illuminates the prophetic context behind v.13's judgment motif.
- Isaiah 29:13 (cf. Matthew 15:8-9) (thematic): Both Isaiah 29:13 and Jesus' citation in Matthew condemn superficial, lip‑service religion and humanly devised teaching; thematically they connect to v.13's outcome of stumbling caused by false or inadequate instruction.
- Hosea 4:6 (thematic): ‘My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge’ parallels the theme that improper instruction or absence of true teaching results in stumbling, ruin and captivity as portrayed in Isa. 28:13.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore the word of the LORD to them will be: precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; little here, little there—so that they may go, and fall backward; be broken, snared, and taken captive.
- Therefore the word of the LORD to them will be: 'Precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; a little here, a little there'—that they may go, and fall backward, and be broken, snared and taken.
Isa.28.14 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- לכן: ADV
- שמעו: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,pl
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אנשי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- לצון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- משלי: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בירושלם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 28:9-13 (structural): Immediate literary context: the chiding and pedagogical imagery ('precept upon precept, line upon line') and the refrain of hearing God's word form a single judicial address that frames 28:14–22.
- Isaiah 1:10 (verbal): Same imperative formula 'Hear the word of the LORD' directed to culpable leaders/people ('rulers of Sodom'), paralleling the prophetic summons to Jerusalem's scornful rulers in 28:14.
- Micah 3:9-12 (thematic): A prophetic denunciation addressed to leaders/heads of Israel in Jerusalem—calls for them to 'hear' and then pronounces judgment for their corrupt rulings, echoing the charge against the 'scornful men' in Isa 28:14.
- Psalm 2:10-12 (thematic): An admonition to rulers to be wise and submit to God's anointed; shares the motif of a divine address to political leaders and the warning-consequence dynamic found in Isa 28:14.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore hear the word of the LORD, you scoffing leaders of this people who are in Jerusalem.
- Therefore hear the word of the LORD, you scoffing rulers of this people who are in Jerusalem.
Isa.28.15 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- אמרתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- כרתנו: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,pl
- ברית: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- מות: VERB,qal,infabs
- ועם: CONJ+PREP
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עשינו: VERB,qal,perf,1,pl
- חזה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שוט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שוטף: VERB,qal,ptc,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- יעבר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- יבואנו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- שמנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1,pl
- כזב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מחסנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,1,pl
- ובשקר: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נסתרנו: VERB,niphal,perf,1,_,pl
Parallels
- Isaiah 28:18 (verbal): Direct continuation/parallel in same oracle: repeats and reverses the 'covenant with death/Sheol' language—God declares that covenant will not stand when the sweeping scourge comes.
- Ezekiel 13:10–16 (thematic): Condemns prophets who promise 'peace' and give false assurances (building with untempered mortar); parallels the theme of false security and relying on lies as protection.
- Isaiah 30:12–13 (thematic): Condemns leaders who demand smooth, deceptive prophecy and trust in foreign help—similar motif of refusing God's truth and seeking safety in deceptive agreements.
- Psalm 91:1–2 (thematic): Contrasts true refuge in the Lord ('shelter'/'shadow') with the false refuge of lies described in Isa 28:15—highlights competing notions of where safety is found.
Alternative generated candidates
- For you have said, “We have made a covenant with Death, and with Sheol we are at agreement; when the overflowing scourge passes through, it will not come to us; for we have made lies our refuge, and in falsehood we have hid ourselves.”
- For you say, 'We have made a covenant with Death, and with Sheol we have an agreement; when the overflowing scourge passes through, it will not reach us; for we have made lies our refuge, and in falsehood we have hidden ourselves.'
Isa.28.16 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- לכן: ADV
- כה: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- הנני: PRT+PRON,1,sg
- יסד: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בציון: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אבן: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אבן: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בחן: ADJ,ptc,pass,f,sg
- פנת: NOUN,f,pl,construct
- יקרת: ADJ,f,pl,abs
- מוסד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מוסד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המאמין: NOUN,ptc,qal,m,sg,def
- לא: PART_NEG
- יחיש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Peter 2:6-8 (quotation): Direct citation/adaptation of Isa. 28:16: presents Christ as the chosen, precious cornerstone in Zion and affirms 'whoever believes will not be put to shame,' while also linking the stone to stumbling for unbelievers.
- Romans 9:33 (quotation): Paul echoes Isa. 28:16 (and Isa. 8:14) to describe Christ as a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, using the prophetic image to explain Israel's unbelief.
- Isaiah 8:14-15 (verbal): Closely related prophetic language: speaks of a 'stone of stumbling' and 'rock of offense'—the negative counterpart to the secure cornerstone of Isa. 28:16.
- Psalm 118:22 (verbal): Parallel cornerstone motif: 'The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.' This verse is paired with Isa. 28:16 in later Jewish and Christian interpretation about the Messiah.
- Ephesians 2:20 (thematic): Uses the cornerstone/building imagery theologically: the church is built on the apostles and prophets with Christ as the cornerstone—develops the foundational role implied in Isa. 28:16.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I lay in Zion a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; he who believes will not make haste.
- Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I lay in Zion a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will not hasten.
Isa.28.17 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ושמתי: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- משפט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לקו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וצדקה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- למשקלת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ויעה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ברד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מחסה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כזב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וסתר: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ישטפו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Amos 7:7-8 (verbal): Uses the image of a plumb line (measuring rod) set by God to judge Israel — directly parallels Isaiah's 'משקלת' (plummet) as God's standard of judgment.
- Deuteronomy 25:13-16 (thematic): Commands against dishonest weights and measures; thematically connects to Isaiah's equation of 'justice' and 'righteousness' with the measuring line and plummet.
- Nahum 1:8 (thematic): Speaks of an 'overflowing flood' that makes a full end of refuge — parallels Isaiah's image of waters overflowing the hiding place and hail sweeping away false refuge.
- Psalm 89:14 (thematic): Declares 'Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne,' echoing Isaiah's linking of justice/righteousness with God's measuring standard.
Alternative generated candidates
- I will make justice the line and righteousness the plummet; hail will sweep away your refuge of lies, and waters will overflow your hiding place.
- I will make justice a measuring line and righteousness a plumb line; hail will sweep away your refuge of lies, and waters will overflow your hiding place.
Isa.28.18 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וכפר: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בריתכם: NOUN,f,sg,abs,2,mp
- את: PRT,acc
- מות: VERB,qal,infabs
- וחזותכם: NOUN,f,sg,abs,2,mp
- את: PRT,acc
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- תקום: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- שוט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שוטף: VERB,qal,ptc,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- יעבר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- והייתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- למרמס: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
Parallels
- Isaiah 28:15 (quotation): The exact phrase and idea — 'we have made a covenant with death / with Sheol' — appears earlier as the claim being condemned; Isa.28:18 directly answers and overturns that assertion.
- Isaiah 28:17 (structural): Immediate context in the same oracle: both verses contrast false assurances with coming judgment (justice as plumbline; the sweeping flood/scourge that will overrun their refuge).
- Ezekiel 7:25-26 (thematic): Speaks of sudden calamity and people seeking death in the face of judgment — similar theme of judgment making death/Sheol no refuge and turning hopes to ruin.
- Hosea 13:14 (verbal): Explicit mention of death and Sheol and God's power over them ('I will ransom them... O Death, where are your plagues?'), engaging the same vocabulary and theological issue of Sheol's impotence before God.
- Revelation 6:8 (thematic): Imagery links Death and Hades (Sheol) as agents associated with judgment; echoes the motif that death/Sheol cannot ultimately secure or protect against divine judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- Your covenant with Death shall be annulled, and your agreement with Sheol shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge passes through, you will be trampled down by it.
- Your covenant with Death shall be annulled, and your agreement with Sheol shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge passes through, you shall be trampled by it.
Isa.28.19 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- מדי: PREP
- עברו: VERB,qal,imp,2,pl
- יקח: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
- כי: CONJ
- בבקר: PREP
- בבקר: PREP
- יעבר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ביום: PREP
- ובלילה: CONJ+PREP
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- רק: PRT
- זועה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הבין: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- שמועה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 28:18 (structural): Immediate context — the preceding verse speaks of the annulment of the covenant with Death and the coming scourge; 28:19 continues the theme of an ongoing, inescapable divine judgment against Ephraim.
- Isaiah 50:4 (verbal): Shares the phrase 'morning by morning' (Heb. בֹּקֶר בֹּקֶר) describing a repeated, daily action of the LORD — here used for recurrent visitation/judgment rather than the teacher’s daily waking in 50:4.
- Lamentations 3:22-23 (verbal): Uses similar imagery of what occurs 'every morning' (Heb. בֹּקֶר בֹּקֶר) to characterize a recurring divine act; parallels the motif of daily, repeated divine activity (here mercy in Lam., judgment/visitation in Isa.).
- Joel 2:1 (thematic): The sounding of an alarm and the imminent 'day of the LORD' in Joel conveys the same theme of urgent, inescapable divine judgment announced and realized suddenly — analogous to Isa. 28’s repeated, day-and-night visitation of calamity.
Alternative generated candidates
- When it passes it will seize you—morning by morning it will come; by day and by night it will pass through—and terror shall be its report.
- It will seize you continually; morning by morning it passes through—by day and by night—and the understanding of the message will be but terror.
Isa.28.20 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- קצר: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- המצע: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מהשתרע: PREP+VERB,hithpael,inf
- והמסכה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,def
- צרה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כהתכנס: CONJ+VERB,hithpael,inf
Parallels
- Isaiah 28:21 (structural): Immediate context: continues the same prophetic argument—God will rise to execute judgment, explaining why the ‘bed is too short’ (no place of rest or protection) for the sinners.
- Isaiah 1:8 (thematic): Both verses use imagery of inadequate shelter (Zion 'like a booth' in Isa 1:8; a bed/covering too short in Isa 28:20) to portray vulnerability and impending disaster.
- Nahum 3:5 (thematic): Speaks of being exposed and stripped of covering in the face of divine judgment; parallels Isa 28:20’s motif that customary protections will fail.
- Ezekiel 16:37 (thematic): Describes Israel being stripped and exposed as part of judgment; thematically parallels the idea that familiar coverings/refuges will not suffice under God’s wrath.
Alternative generated candidates
- For the bed is too short to stretch oneself, and the covering too narrow to wrap oneself in.
- For the bed is too short for stretching, and the cover too narrow for wrapping.
Isa.28.21 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- כהר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- פרצים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- יקום: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כעמק: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בגבעון: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ירגז: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לעשות: VERB,qal,inf
- מעשהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs,suf3m
- זר: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- מעשהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs,suf3m
- ולעבד: CONJ+VERB,qal,inf
- עבדתו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- נכריה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- עבדתו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Samuel 5:20-25 (allusion): Mentions Baal‑Perazim and the valley of Gibeon in the account of David’s battles—Isaiah alludes to these historical theophanies where Yahweh ‘rose up’ to scatter Israel’s enemies.
- Joshua 10:10-11 (allusion): The battle at Gibeon where the LORD intervenes miraculously (stones from heaven, rout of the enemy); parallels Isaiah’s reference to God’s unexpected, violent action in the valley of Gibeon.
- Psalm 18:7-15 (thematic): A theophany depicting Yahweh bursting forth, shaking earth and routing enemies—echoes Isaiah’s imagery of God rising up like at Perazim to perform a powerful, awe‑inspiring act.
- Job 9:5-10 (thematic): Describes God’s strange, uncontrollable works in nature (moving mountains, altering the heavens)—parallels Isaiah’s language about God doing a ‘strange’/alien work when he rises to act.
Alternative generated candidates
- For the LORD will rise up as at Mount Perazim; he will be stirred as in the valley of Gibeon, to do his deed, his strange deed; and work, his foreign work.
- For the LORD will rise up as at Mount Perazim, he will be stirred as in the Valley of Gibeon, to work his work—strange is his work—and to execute his deed—foreign is his deed.
Isa.28.22 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ועתה: CONJ
- אל: NEG
- תתלוצצו: VERB,hitp,impf,2,m,pl
- פן: CONJ
- יחזקו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- מוסריכם: NOUN,m,sg,abs+2mp
- כי: CONJ
- כלה: ADV
- ונחרצה: VERB,niphal,perf,3,f,sg
- שמעתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,sg
- מאת: PREP
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- צבאות: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- על: PREP
- כל: DET
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Isaiah 28:14-19 (structural): Immediate context: the same oracle addresses the 'scoffers' and pronounces that their mockery will not avert God's judgment; verse 22 completes this theme with a decree of appointed destruction over the land.
- Proverbs 1:22-27 (thematic): Both warn scoffers/fools that deriding wisdom or warning will bring inescapable calamity when divine judgment comes at the appointed time.
- Ezekiel 7:2-4 (thematic): Ezekiel proclaims 'an end' upon the land—an imminent, divinely determined devastation—parallel to Isaiah’s announcement of a decided destruction upon the whole earth.
- Zephaniah 1:14-18 (thematic): Zephaniah’s 'day of the LORD' imagery and universal warning of wrath mirror Isaiah’s portrayal of an appointed, sweeping judgment affecting the whole land.
- Jeremiah 4:23-28 (thematic): Jeremiah depicts the land as made desolate by God's judgment; the universal, desolating scope of that judgment echoes Isaiah’s declaration of devastation heard from the LORD.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now therefore do not mock, lest your bands be made strong; for I have heard from the LORD of hosts a decree determined against the whole land.
- Therefore do not be mockers, lest your fetters be strengthened; for I have heard a fixed decree from the LORD GOD of hosts concerning the whole earth.
Isa.28.23 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- האזינו: VERB,hiph,imp,2,m,pl
- ושמעו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,pl
- קולי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1
- הקשיבו: VERB,hiphil,imp,2,m,pl
- ושמעו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,pl
- אמרתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,com,sg
Parallels
- Deut.6.4 (verbal): The classic imperative 'Hear' (Shema) calling Israel to listen to divine instruction mirrors Isaiah's opening summons to attend and hear.
- Isa.30.21 (thematic): Both verses emphasize attentive hearing of God's word and guidance—'your ears shall hear' and a directive to listen for instruction.
- Amos 3.1 (verbal): A prophetic summons 'Hear this word' parallels Isaiah's imperative to listen to a prophetic message addressed to the people.
- Matt.11.15 (allusion): Jesus' repeated formula 'He who has ears to hear, let him hear' echoes the prophetic call to attentive listening found throughout the prophets, including Isaiah 28:23.
- Jer.6.10 (thematic): Jeremiah highlights the people's failure to hear despite summonses to listen—a related motif contrasting Isaiah's call to give careful attention.
Alternative generated candidates
- Give ear and hear my voice; pay attention and hear my words.
- Give ear and hear my voice; give heed and hear my speech.
Isa.28.24 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- הכל: PRON,m,sg,abs
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- יחרש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- החרש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לזרע: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יפתח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- וישדד: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אדמתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Jeremiah 4:3 (verbal): Both verses use the image of breaking/opening the ground and sowing—Jeremiah commands to 'break up your fallow ground' and not sow among thorns, echoing the plough-and-sow motif in Isaiah.
- Hosea 10:12 (thematic): Uses sowing-and-reaping agricultural imagery in prophetic exhortation—'Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love'—paralleling Isaiah's farmer metaphor for deliberate, fruitful work.
- Proverbs 20:4 (thematic): Speaks of ploughing and the necessity of timely agricultural labor ('the sluggard does not plow'), resonating with Isaiah’s depiction of the farmer’s intentional plowing and sowing.
- Galatians 6:7 (thematic): Paul’s moral axiom 'one reaps what one sows' echoes the agricultural principle underlying Isaiah’s image of sowing and harvesting as consequence and practice.
- 2 Corinthians 9:6 (thematic): Uses the sowing/reaping metaphor ('whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully') to teach about providence and reward, thematically linked to Isaiah’s farmer illustration.
Alternative generated candidates
- Does the plowman plow all day to sow? Does he continually open and harrow his ground?
- When a man plows for sowing, does he plow continually to sow? Does he continually open and level his field?
Isa.28.25 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- הלוא: PART
- אם: CONJ
- שוה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- פניה: NOUN,f,sg,suff
- והפיץ: VERB,hiphil,perf,3,m,sg
- קצח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכמן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יזרק: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ושם: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חטה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- שורה: NOUN,prop,f,sg,abs
- ושערה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- נסמן: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- וכסמת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- גבלתו: NOUN,m,sg,pr
Parallels
- Isaiah 28:23-29 (structural): Same poetic unit of rhetorical agricultural questions describing the farmer's skill—Isa 28:25 is part of this extended farming metaphor about sowing, selection, and boundaries.
- Jeremiah 4:3 (verbal): Uses the image of breaking up fallow ground (׳חרוש־אדמה) and preparing soil—language and agricultural motif closely parallel the tilling/sowing language of Isa 28:25.
- Matthew 13:3-9 (thematic): Parable of the Sower: uses sowing/seed imagery to teach about distribution of seed and varied outcomes—parallels Isa 28:25's focus on how seed is sown and placed.
- Hosea 10:12 (thematic): Calls for 'sowing righteousness' and 'breaking up fallow ground'—employs agricultural sowing as moral/spiritual instruction similar to Isa 28:25's use of farming practice as instructive imagery.
Alternative generated candidates
- When he has leveled its surface, does he not scatter dill, and cast cumin, and sow wheat in rows, and barley in its place, and spelt as the border?
- When he has leveled its surface, does he not scatter dill, sow cumin, place wheat in rows, barley in its place, and spelt at the border?
Isa.28.26 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויסרו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- למשפט: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלהיו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- יורנו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg,obj=1,pl
Parallels
- Exod.31:3-5 (thematic): God endows people with skill and wisdom for their labors (craftsmen filled with the Spirit), paralleling Isaiah's claim that God instructs and teaches the worker.
- Job 38:36 (thematic): God as source of wisdom and understanding — the rhetorical question about who gives wisdom echoes Isaiah's point that discernment and skill come from God.
- Ps.104:14-15 (thematic): God provides the plants and food and so sustains agricultural work; this complements Isaiah's image of God instructing the farmer in his craft.
- Deut.8:7-10 (thematic): God as giver of a fruitful land and provider of produce for harvest — underlining the dependence of agricultural success on God's provision and guidance.
Alternative generated candidates
- For his God instructs him rightly and teaches him.
- For his God directs him in discretion and instructs him.
Isa.28.27 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- בחרוץ: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יודש: VERB,qal,ptcp,3,m,sg
- קצח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואופן: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עגלה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- כמן: ADV
- יוסב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- במטה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- יחבט: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- קצח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכמן: CONJ
- בשבט: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 28:25 (verbal): Immediate context: verse 25 begins the farmer-analogy, listing sowing and planting practices whose technical detail continues in 28:27; shares agricultural vocabulary and the pedagogical function of grounding instruction in farming methods.
- Isaiah 28:28 (verbal): Direct continuation: 28:28 continues the explanation of how different tools are used for different crops, reinforcing the point made in 28:27 about appropriate methods (staff/rod, cartwheel) and God’s ordered wisdom in affairs.
- Isaiah 28:29 (structural): Conclusion of the unit: 28:29 draws the theological lesson from the detailed farmer-metaphor of 28:24–28, attributing the wise ordering of these practices to the LORD—thus interpreting the practical examples of 28:27 theologically.
- Matthew 3:12 (thematic): John the Baptist's winnowing/threshing imagery echoes the agrarian language of separation and processing (threshing/winnowing) used in Isaiah to illustrate judgment and discernment; both use agricultural processes metaphorically.
- Psalm 1:4 (thematic): Uses agricultural imagery (chaff) to depict what is ineffectual or exposed—thematically related to Isaiah's use of farming processes to illustrate proper method, outcome, and divine ordering of results.
Alternative generated candidates
- For he does not crush dill with a threshing sledge, nor is a cart-wheel turned over cumin; dill is beaten out with a staff, and cumin with a rod.
- For dill is not threshed with a heavy threshing instrument, nor is a cartwheel rolled over cumin; dill is beaten out with a stick, and cumin with a rod.
Isa.28.28 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- לחם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יודק: VERB,qal,imperf,3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- לנצח: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אדוש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ידושנו: VERB,qal,imperf,3,m,sg
- והמם: VERB,hif,perf,3,m,sg
- גלגל: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- עגלתו: NOUN,f,sg,cons+3ms
- ופרשיו: NOUN,m,pl,poss,3,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- ידקנו: VERB,qal,imperf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Isaiah 41:15 (verbal): Uses the image of a new threshing instrument and grinding—similar agricultural/threshing vocabulary to describe God's handling of nations or grain.
- Hosea 10:11 (thematic): Speaks of a trained heifer that loves to thresh and of a yoke placed on her—related threshing/grinding imagery about agricultural practice and judgment/restraint.
- Joel 3:13 (thematic): Calls for putting in the sickle and treading the winepress—harvest and crushing metaphors comparable to Isaiah’s picture of grinding and trampling grain.
- Isaiah 63:3 (verbal): The prophet depicts treading the winepress and staining garments with juice—closely related verbal imagery of crushing and trampling used for divine action.
- Revelation 14:19–20 (allusion): The apocalyptic scene of the angel treading the winepress echoes Old Testament crushing/threshing imagery (harvest, trampling) applied to divine judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- Bread is crushed—he will not thresh it forever; the wheels of his cart and the hooves of his horses will not bruise it.
- Grain is ground—though not forever; the wheel of the cart and the hoofs of the horses do not crush it continually.
Isa.28.29 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- גם: ADV
- זאת: DEM,f,sg
- מעם: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- צבאות: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- יצאה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- הפליא: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,sg
- עצה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הגדיל: VERB,hif,perf,3,m,sg
- תושיה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Job 12:13 (verbal): Explicitly attributes wisdom, counsel, and understanding to God—similar vocabulary and the claim that wisdom originates with the LORD.
- Proverbs 8:14 (verbal): Wisdom personified declares, “Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom,” echoing Isaiah’s link between God and excellent counsel.
- Isaiah 40:13-14 (allusion): Rhetorical questions about who can be the LORD’s counselor highlight the same theme that counsel and wisdom reside with God alone.
- Romans 11:33-34 (thematic): A New Testament doxology marveling at the depth and inscrutability of God’s wisdom and judgments, paralleling Isaiah’s praise of God’s wondrous counsel.
Alternative generated candidates
- This also comes from the LORD of hosts; wonderful in counsel, and magnificent in wisdom.
- This also comes from the LORD of hosts; he is wonderful in counsel and great in wisdom.
Woe to the crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, and the faded blossom, the splendor of his glory that rests on the head of the fertile valley—those reeling with wine!
Behold, the LORD has a mighty and strong one; like a tempest of hail, like a destroying storm, like rushing mighty waters that he lays upon the earth by his hand.
By his feet he will trample down the crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim.
The faded blossom, the splendor of his glory that is on the head of the fertile valley, shall be like the first fig before the summer—when one sees it he swallows it up at once, while it is yet in his hand.
On that day the LORD of hosts will be a crown of glory, and a diadem of beauty to the remnant of his people. And a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment, and strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate. But these also stagger with wine and reel with strong drink: priest and prophet err through strong drink; they are swallowed up by wine, stagger through strong drink; they err in vision and stumble in judgment.
For all the tables are full of vomit and filth; there is no place clean.
To whom will he teach knowledge, and to whom will he explain the message? To those weaned from milk, drawn from the breasts.
For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, there a little.
For by stammering lips and another tongue he will speak to this people.
To whom he said, 'This is rest; give rest to the weary; and this is refreshing'—and yet they would not listen.
Therefore the word of the LORD to them will be: precept upon precept, line upon line; here a little, there a little—so that they may go, and fall backward, and be broken, snared, and taken.
Therefore hear the word of the LORD, you scoffers who rule this people in Jerusalem.
For you have said, 'We have made a covenant with Death, and with Sheol we are in agreement; when the overwhelming scourge passes through, it will not come to us; for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood we hide ourselves.'
Therefore thus says the LORD GOD: Behold, I lay in Zion a tested stone, a costly cornerstone, a sure foundation; he who believes will not be in haste.
I will make justice the line and righteousness the plumbline; hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, and waters will overflow the hiding place. And your covenant with Death shall be annulled, and your agreement with Sheol shall not stand; when the overwhelming scourge passes through, you shall be trampled by it.
Whenever it passes it will take you away; morning by morning it will pass by—by day and by night—and there shall be terror; the report will bring bewilderment to the hearer.
For the bed is too short to stretch oneself on, and the covering too narrow to wrap oneself in.
For the LORD will rise up as at Mount Perazim, he will be stirred as in the valley of Gibeon—to do his deed, strange is his deed; and his work is a foreign work.
Therefore do not mock, lest your fetters be strengthened; for a decree has gone out from the LORD of hosts—an utterance determined against the whole land.
Give ear and hear my voice; listen and hear what I say.
Does the farmer plow all day to sow? Does he continually break up and harrow his ground?
Does he not level it, scatter the clods, cast in cumin and scatter cumin, set wheat in rows, barley in its place, and spelt as the border?
His God instructs him and teaches him the right way.
For not with a threshing-sledge is cumin threshed, nor is a cartwheel rolled over cumin; cumin is beaten out with a staff, and cumin with a rod.
Bread is crushed; for he will not thresh it forever—when his cart wheel has passed over it and his horses have trampled it, he does not beat it out further.
This also comes from the LORD of hosts; marvelous in counsel, great in wisdom.