Bible Commentaries
Isaiah 28

Introduction

Overview

Isaiah 28:1, The prophet threatens Ephraim for their pride and drunkenness; Isaiah 28:5, The residue shall be advanced in the kingdom of Christ; Isaiah 28:7, He rebukes their error; Isaiah 28:9, their untowardness to learn; Isaiah 28:14, and their security; Isaiah 28:16, Christ the sure foundation is promised; Isaiah 28:17, Their security shall be tried; Isaiah 28:23, They are incited to the consideration of God’s discreet providence.

Verse 1

am 3279, bc 725

the crown: This chapter begins a new subject, chiefly relating to the devastations of Israel and Judah by the Assyrian kings. The ancient Samaria being beautifully situated on the top of a round hill, and surrounded immediately with a rich valley, and then a circle of other hills around it, suggested the idea of a chaplet, or wreath of flowers. Isaiah 28:3, Hosea 5:5, Hosea 6:10

drunkards: Isaiah 28:7, Isaiah 5:11, Isaiah 5:22, Proverbs 23:29, Hosea 4:11, Hosea 7:5, Amos 2:8, Amos 2:12, Amos 6:6

whose: Isaiah 28:4, Isaiah 7:8, Isaiah 7:9, Isaiah 8:4, 2 Kings 14:25-27, 2 Kings 15:29, 2 Kings 18:10-12, 2 Chronicles 28:6, 2 Chronicles 30:6, 2 Chronicles 30:7, Amos 6:1

overcome: Heb. broken

Reciprocal: Genesis 45:18 - the fat Deuteronomy 11:11 - General 2 Chronicles 25:7 - for the Lord Job 41:34 - he is Psalms 103:15 - a flower Proverbs 23:21 - the drunkard Isaiah 17:3 - they shall Isaiah 17:9 - General Isaiah 24:4 - mourneth Jeremiah 23:9 - like a drunken Jeremiah 49:4 - gloriest Ezekiel 7:10 - pride Hosea 5:9 - Ephraim Hosea 7:1 - the iniquity Zechariah 9:6 - General Luke 21:34 - surfeiting 1 Timothy 3:3 - Not given to wine James 1:11 - so 2 Peter 2:19 - overcome

Verse 2

the Lord: Isaiah 9:9-12, Isaiah 27:1, Ezekiel 30:10, Ezekiel 30:11

as a tempest: Isaiah 28:15-19, Isaiah 8:7, Isaiah 8:8, Isaiah 25:4, Isaiah 29:6, Isaiah 30:30, Ezekiel 13:11, Nahum 1:8, Matthew 7:25-27, Revelation 18:8

Reciprocal: Joshua 10:11 - the Lord Psalms 124:4 - the waters Isaiah 28:17 - and the hail Isaiah 32:19 - it shall Ezekiel 38:9 - shalt ascend Haggai 2:17 - with hail Matthew 21:43 - The kingdom Revelation 8:7 - hail Revelation 11:19 - and great Revelation 12:15 - cast

Verse 3

The crown: Isaiah 28:1

shall: Isaiah 25:10, Isaiah 26:6, 2 Kings 9:33, Lamentations 1:15, Daniel 8:13, Hebrews 10:29, Revelation 11:2

under feet: Heb. with feet

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 25:36 - merry Proverbs 23:32 - At Isaiah 5:5 - trodden down Isaiah 28:18 - trodden down by it

Verse 4

shall be: Isaiah 28:1, Psalms 73:19, Psalms 73:20, Hosea 6:4, Hosea 9:10, Hosea 9:11, Hosea 9:16, Hosea 13:1, Hosea 13:15, James 1:10, James 1:11

the hasty: "No sooner," says Dr. Shaw, "doth the boccore (or early fig) draw near to perfection in the middle or latter end of June, than the kermez or summer fig, begins to be formed, though it rarely ripens before August; about which time the same tree frequently throws out a third crop, or winter fig, as we may call it. This is usually of a much longer shape and darker complexion than the kermez hanging and ripening upon the tree, even after the leaves are shed; and, provided the winter proves mild and temperate, is gathered as a delicious morsel in the spring." Micah 7:1, Nahum 3:12, Revelation 6:13

eateth: Heb. swalloweth

Reciprocal: Genesis 45:18 - the fat Psalms 103:15 - a flower Jeremiah 24:2 - first ripe Amos 8:2 - A basket

Verse 5

shall the: Isaiah 41:16, Isaiah 45:25, Isaiah 60:1-3, Isaiah 60:19, Isaiah 62:3, Jeremiah 9:23, Jeremiah 9:24, Zechariah 6:13-15, Luke 2:32, 1 Corinthians 1:30, 1 Corinthians 1:31, 2 Corinthians 4:17, 1 Peter 5:4

for a diadem: Job 29:14, Psalms 90:16, Psalms 90:17

residue: Isaiah 10:20, Isaiah 10:21, Isaiah 11:16, Isaiah 37:31, Isaiah 37:32, Romans 11:5, Romans 11:6

Reciprocal: Proverbs 4:9 - a crown Isaiah 2:11 - in that day Ezekiel 16:11 - and a 1 Peter 2:7 - precious

Verse 6

for a spirit: Isaiah 11:2-4, Isaiah 32:15, Isaiah 32:16, Genesis 41:38, Genesis 41:39, Numbers 11:16, Numbers 11:17, Numbers 27:16-18, 1 Kings 3:28, Psalms 72:1-4, Proverbs 20:8, John 3:34, John 5:30, 1 Corinthians 12:8

and for strength: Deuteronomy 20:4, Joshua 1:9, Psalms 18:32-34, Psalms 46:1, Psalms 46:11

Reciprocal: Genesis 23:10 - all that Exodus 31:3 - filled Judges 5:10 - ye that sit Judges 5:11 - go down 2 Samuel 18:4 - by the gate 1 Chronicles 19:9 - put the battle Psalms 18:34 - teacheth Zechariah 12:5 - The inhabitants Matthew 16:18 - and the Acts 6:3 - full Acts 24:25 - temperance

Verse 7

erred: Isaiah 19:14, Isaiah 56:10-12, Leviticus 10:9, Leviticus 10:10, Proverbs 20:1, Proverbs 31:4, Proverbs 31:5, Ecclesiastes 10:17, Ezekiel 44:21, Hosea 4:11, Micah 2:11, Matthew 24:29, Luke 21:34, Ephesians 5:28

are swallowed: Psalms 107:27, *marg.

err in: Isaiah 3:12, Isaiah 9:16, Jeremiah 14:14, Jeremiah 23:13, Jeremiah 23:16, Lamentations 2:4, Ezekiel 13:7, Hosea 4:12

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 25:36 - merry Proverbs 23:29 - Who hath woe Proverbs 23:32 - At Ecclesiastes 10:16 - and Isaiah 5:11 - inflame Isaiah 5:22 - mighty Isaiah 28:1 - drunkards Isaiah 29:9 - they are Isaiah 29:24 - also Isaiah 43:27 - and thy Isaiah 56:12 - I will Jeremiah 2:8 - priests Jeremiah 6:13 - and Jeremiah 8:10 - from the prophet Jeremiah 14:18 - yea Hosea 4:6 - because Hosea 7:5 - made Habakkuk 2:16 - and shameful Matthew 23:25 - full Luke 6:25 - full Acts 24:25 - temperance Romans 13:13 - rioting 2 Corinthians 2:7 - swallowed 1 Timothy 3:3 - Not given to wine Titus 1:7 - not given to wine Hebrews 3:10 - err Hebrews 9:7 - errors 1 Peter 4:3 - excess

Verse 8

Proverbs 26:11, Jeremiah 48:26, Habakkuk 2:15, Habakkuk 2:16

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 25:36 - merry Proverbs 23:29 - Who hath woe Proverbs 23:32 - At Proverbs 31:4 - General Ecclesiastes 10:16 - and Isaiah 5:11 - inflame Isaiah 19:14 - as a Isaiah 29:9 - they are Isaiah 56:12 - I will Hosea 7:5 - made Matthew 23:25 - full Romans 13:13 - rioting

Verse 9

shall he teach: Isaiah 30:10-12, Psalms 50:17, Proverbs 1:29, Jeremiah 5:31, Jeremiah 6:10, John 3:19, John 12:38, John 12:47, John 12:48

doctrine: Heb. the hearing, Isaiah 53:1, *marg.

weaned: Psalms 131:2, Matthew 11:25, Matthew 21:15, Matthew 21:16, Mark 10:15, 1 Peter 2:2

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 8:2 - could hear with understanding Psalms 34:11 - Come Jeremiah 5:4 - General Jeremiah 35:13 - Will Matthew 11:17 - We Matthew 15:16 - General Matthew 21:27 - We cannot tell Mark 7:18 - General Luke 7:32 - are Ephesians 4:14 - no more Hebrews 5:12 - teach Hebrews 5:13 - he

Verse 10

For precept: Isaiah 28:13, Isaiah 5:4, Deuteronomy 6:1-6, 2 Chronicles 36:15, 2 Chronicles 36:16, Nehemiah 9:29, Nehemiah 9:30, Jeremiah 11:7, Jeremiah 25:3-7, Matthew 21:34-41, Philippians 3:1, 2 Timothy 3:7, Hebrews 5:12

must be: or, hath been

Reciprocal: Exodus 4:8 - if they Jeremiah 27:14 - hearken Haggai 1:7 - General Matthew 13:24 - put Matthew 15:16 - General Mark 7:18 - General Luke 13:5 - except

Verse 11

with: Deuteronomy 28:49, Jeremiah 5:15, 1 Corinthians 14:21

stammering lips: Heb. stammerings of lips

will he speak: or, he hath spoken.

Reciprocal: Psalms 81:5 - where Isaiah 33:19 - deeper Acts 2:4 - began

Verse 12

This: Isaiah 30:15, 2 Chronicles 14:11, 2 Chronicles 16:8, 2 Chronicles 16:9, Jeremiah 6:16, Matthew 11:28, Matthew 11:29

yet: Psalms 81:11-13, Jeremiah 44:16, Zechariah 7:11, Zechariah 7:14, Hebrews 12:25

Reciprocal: Numbers 10:33 - a resting place Isaiah 29:12 - I am not Isaiah 30:7 - Their Luke 14:18 - all 1 Corinthians 14:21 - With 2 Timothy 4:3 - they will Hebrews 4:3 - we

Verse 13

precept upon precept: Isaiah 28:10, Jeremiah 23:36-38, Hosea 6:5, Hosea 8:12

that: Isaiah 6:9, Isaiah 6:10, Isaiah 8:14, Isaiah 8:15, Psalms 69:22, Matthew 13:14, Matthew 21:44, Romans 11:9, 2 Corinthians 2:16, 1 Peter 2:7, 1 Peter 2:8, 2 Peter 3:16

Reciprocal: Psalms 9:16 - wicked Psalms 70:2 - be turned Psalms 119:165 - nothing shall offend them Isaiah 8:9 - and ye Isaiah 29:12 - I am not Jeremiah 15:6 - thou art Ezekiel 33:31 - show much love Matthew 13:24 - put Luke 14:18 - all 2 Timothy 2:26 - out Hebrews 5:12 - teach

Verse 14

ye: Isaiah 28:22, Isaiah 1:10, Isaiah 5:9, Isaiah 29:20, Proverbs 1:22, Proverbs 3:34, Proverbs 29:8, Hosea 7:5, Acts 13:41

Reciprocal: Numbers 16:27 - and stood 1 Kings 22:19 - Hear thou 2 Chronicles 18:18 - hear the word Proverbs 13:1 - but Proverbs 19:28 - scorneth Isaiah 8:8 - he shall pass Isaiah 33:14 - sinners Jeremiah 5:12 - have belied Jeremiah 10:1 - General Jeremiah 13:15 - be Jeremiah 22:2 - Hear Jeremiah 23:36 - for ye Jeremiah 36:23 - he cut Jeremiah 44:24 - Hear Ezekiel 12:27 - for Ezekiel 13:2 - Hear Ezekiel 16:35 - hear Ezekiel 21:23 - as a Hosea 4:1 - Hear Amos 6:13 - Have Amos 8:4 - Hear Amos 9:10 - The evil Micah 2:3 - go Malachi 3:13 - Your John 7:49 - General 2 Peter 3:3 - scoffers

Verse 15

We have: To be in covenant with a thing, says Bp. Lowth, is a proverbial expression to denote perfect security from mischief or evil of which it is the cause. Isaiah 5:18, Isaiah 5:19, Ecclesiastes 8:8, Job 5:23, Job 15:25-27, Jeremiah 44:17, Ezekiel 8:12, Hosea 2:18, Zephaniah 1:12

when: Isaiah 8:7, Isaiah 8:8, Daniel 11:22

we have made: Isaiah 30:10, Jeremiah 5:31, Jeremiah 14:13, Jeremiah 16:19, Jeremiah 28:15-17, Ezekiel 13:16, Ezekiel 13:22, Amos 2:4, Jonah 2:8, 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11

Reciprocal: Genesis 27:19 - I am Joshua 7:21 - they are hid Judges 9:46 - an hold 2 Samuel 15:8 - I will serve Psalms 10:5 - thy judgments Psalms 56:7 - escape Psalms 62:10 - Trust Proverbs 13:1 - but Proverbs 16:25 - General Isaiah 10:22 - the consumption Isaiah 16:6 - but Isaiah 28:2 - as a tempest Isaiah 28:17 - and the hail Isaiah 28:22 - be ye Isaiah 29:15 - seek Isaiah 30:12 - and trust Isaiah 33:14 - sinners Isaiah 44:20 - Is there Isaiah 47:10 - thou hast trusted Isaiah 50:11 - all ye Jeremiah 5:12 - have belied Jeremiah 7:8 - ye trust Jeremiah 13:25 - trusted Jeremiah 36:23 - he cut Jeremiah 44:25 - Ye and Ezekiel 11:5 - Thus have Ezekiel 12:27 - for Ezekiel 13:11 - there shall Ezekiel 21:23 - as a Amos 5:18 - desire Amos 6:13 - Have Amos 9:10 - The evil Habakkuk 2:9 - set Malachi 3:13 - Your Romans 5:5 - hope

Verse 16

Behold: Isaiah 8:14, Genesis 49:10, Genesis 49:24, Psalms 118:22, Zechariah 3:9, Matthew 21:42, Mark 12:10, Luke 20:17, Luke 20:18, Acts 4:11, Acts 4:12, Romans 9:33, Romans 10:11, 1 Corinthians 3:11, Ephesians 2:20, 1 Peter 2:6-8

he that: Isaiah 30:18, Psalms 112:7, Psalms 112:8, Habakkuk 2:3, Habakkuk 2:4, James 5:7, James 5:8

Reciprocal: Exodus 5:23 - neither hast thou delivered Deuteronomy 20:3 - tremble Deuteronomy 32:4 - the Rock Joshua 4:10 - stood in the midst Joshua 6:10 - until the day Ruth 3:18 - Sit still 1 Samuel 14:19 - Withdraw 1 Kings 5:17 - costly stones 1 Kings 7:10 - the foundation 1 Kings 8:1 - out of the city 2 Kings 21:12 - whosoever Job 38:6 - fastened Job 40:23 - hasteth Psalms 25:2 - O Psalms 87:1 - His Proverbs 19:2 - and Isaiah 35:4 - fearful Isaiah 46:13 - salvation Isaiah 52:12 - ye shall Jeremiah 42:7 - General Jeremiah 44:28 - shall know Daniel 2:34 - a stone Daniel 2:45 - thou sawest Daniel 3:26 - come forth Zechariah 4:7 - headstone Matthew 16:18 - upon Luke 6:48 - and laid Luke 24:44 - in the prophets 2 Timothy 2:19 - the foundation Hebrews 6:19 - both Hebrews 12:22 - ye are come 1 Peter 2:4 - stone

Verse 17

Judgment: Isaiah 10:22, 2 Kings 21:13, Psalms 94:15, Amos 7:7-9, Romans 2:2, Romans 2:5, Romans 9:28, Revelation 19:2

and the hail: Isaiah 28:2, Isaiah 28:15, Isaiah 25:4, Isaiah 32:2, Isaiah 32:18, Isaiah 32:19, Exodus 9:18, Exodus 9:19, Joshua 10:11, Jeremiah 7:4-8, Jeremiah 7:14, Jeremiah 7:20, Jeremiah 23:19, Jeremiah 30:23, Jeremiah 30:24, Ezekiel 13:10-16, Ezekiel 38:22, Revelation 8:7, Revelation 11:19, Revelation 16:21

and the waters: Isaiah 30:28, Job 22:16, Daniel 11:22, Matthew 7:27, 2 Peter 3:6, 2 Peter 3:7

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 13:5 - prophet Job 9:17 - For he Psalms 69:1 - the waters Psalms 83:15 - General Isaiah 8:7 - the Lord bringeth Isaiah 9:15 - the prophet Isaiah 17:12 - make a noise Isaiah 20:6 - whither Isaiah 29:15 - seek Isaiah 33:14 - sinners Jeremiah 19:7 - I will make Jeremiah 36:23 - he cut Jeremiah 47:2 - waters Lamentations 2:8 - stretched Ezekiel 40:3 - with Nahum 1:8 - with 1 Corinthians 3:13 - and the fire 2 Corinthians 10:13 - rule

Verse 18

your covenant: Isaiah 7:7, Isaiah 8:10, Jeremiah 44:28, Ezekiel 17:15, Zechariah 1:6

shall be disannulled: For kuppar Houbigant, Archbp. Secker, and Bp. Lowth, would read tuppar; but the former may well have the sense ascribed to it here, as it signifies in Chaldee and Syriac, abstersit, diluit, abolevit.

when: Isaiah 2:15, Isaiah 8:8, Jeremiah 47:2, Daniel 8:9-13, Daniel 9:26, Daniel 9:27, Daniel 11:40, Revelation 12:15, Revelation 17:15

trodden down by it: Heb. a treading down to it, Isaiah 28:3, Malachi 4:1-3

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 13:5 - prophet Job 40:8 - disannul Ecclesiastes 8:8 - neither Isaiah 5:5 - trodden down Isaiah 16:6 - but Isaiah 30:28 - an overflowing Isaiah 59:6 - webs Jeremiah 19:7 - I will make Lamentations 1:15 - trodden Galatians 3:17 - cannot

Verse 19

the time: Isaiah 10:5, Isaiah 10:6, 2 Kings 17:6, 2 Kings 18:13, Ezekiel 21:19-23

and it: Isaiah 33:7, Isaiah 36:22, Isaiah 37:3, 1 Samuel 3:11, 2 Kings 21:12, Jeremiah 19:3, Daniel 7:28, Daniel 8:27, Habakkuk 3:16, Luke 21:25, Luke 21:26

to understand the report: or, when he shall make you to understand doctrine

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 28:20 - vexation Job 1:18 - there came Job 41:9 - shall Isaiah 28:21 - his strange Jeremiah 6:24 - We have Ezekiel 21:7 - For the Zephaniah 3:5 - every morning

Verse 20

the bed: Isaiah 57:12, Isaiah 57:13, Isaiah 59:5, Isaiah 59:6, Isaiah 64:6, Isaiah 66:3-6, Jeremiah 7:8-10, Romans 9:30-32, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Reciprocal: Genesis 3:7 - and they Isaiah 8:8 - Immanuel Isaiah 30:1 - cover Malachi 2:16 - covereth

Verse 21

in mount Perazim: 2 Samuel 5:20, 1 Chronicles 14:11

the valley: Joshua 10:10, Joshua 10:12, 2 Samuel 5:25, Geba, 1 Chronicles 14:16

his strange: Isaiah 28:19, Deuteronomy 29:21-24, Jeremiah 30:14, Lamentations 2:15, Lamentations 3:33, Ezekiel 33:21, Luke 19:41-44

Reciprocal: Numbers 16:30 - make a new thing Joshua 18:25 - Gibeon Job 31:3 - a strange Isaiah 28:29 - cometh Isaiah 29:14 - I will Isaiah 31:2 - arise Habakkuk 1:5 - for Habakkuk 3:11 - sun 1 Peter 4:12 - think

Verse 22

be ye: Isaiah 28:15, 2 Chronicles 30:10, 2 Chronicles 36:16, Jeremiah 15:17, Jeremiah 20:7, Matthew 27:39, Matthew 27:44, Acts 13:40, Acts 13:41, Acts 17:32

lest: 2 Chronicles 33:11, Psalms 107:16, Jeremiah 39:7, Lamentations 1:14, Revelation 22:18, Revelation 22:19

a consumption: Isaiah 10:22, Isaiah 10:23, Isaiah 24:1-23, Isaiah 32:12-14, Jeremiah 25:11, Daniel 9:26, Daniel 9:27, Luke 21:24

Reciprocal: Genesis 19:14 - as one Numbers 17:13 - consumed Job 13:9 - as one Psalms 89:8 - O Lord Proverbs 9:12 - General Proverbs 19:29 - Judgments Isaiah 28:14 - ye Isaiah 28:29 - cometh Jeremiah 23:36 - for ye Ezekiel 12:23 - I will Habakkuk 1:5 - for Matthew 27:41 - General Acts 8:23 - the bond Romans 9:28 - and cut

Verse 23

Isaiah 1:2, Deuteronomy 32:1, Jeremiah 22:29, Revelation 2:7, Revelation 2:11, Revelation 2:14, Revelation 2:29

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 24:19 - but they would Isaiah 32:9 - give ear Isaiah 46:12 - Hearken Mark 4:3 - there

Verse 24

break: Jeremiah 4:3, Hosea 10:11, Hosea 10:12

Reciprocal: Genesis 9:20 - an husbandman Genesis 47:23 - here is seed Exodus 28:3 - wise hearted Exodus 31:3 - the spirit of God Exodus 35:34 - Aholiab Mark 4:26 - as 1 Corinthians 3:9 - ye are God's 2 Timothy 2:6 - husbandman

Verse 25

in the principal: etc. or, the wheat in the principal place, and the barley in the appointed place. rye. or, spelt. Exodus 9:31, Exodus 9:32, Ezekiel 4:9

place: Heb. border

Reciprocal: Genesis 47:23 - here is seed Job 28:5 - out of it

Verse 26

For his God: etc. or, And he bindeth it in such sort as his God doth teach him, Exodus 28:3, Exodus 31:3-6, Exodus 36:2, Job 35:11, Job 39:17, Psalms 144:1, Daniel 1:17, James 1:17

Reciprocal: Genesis 32:7 - and he Genesis 32:16 - space Exodus 35:30 - See Exodus 35:31 - And he Exodus 35:35 - he filled 1 Kings 7:14 - he was filled 2 Chronicles 2:7 - cunning Nehemiah 7:5 - put into mine Job 38:36 - who hath given Psalms 94:10 - teacheth man Proverbs 8:12 - knowledge Acts 6:3 - full 2 Timothy 2:7 - and

Verse 27

threshed: Isaiah 41:15, 2 Kings 13:7, Amos 1:3

the fitches: Isaiah 27:7, Isaiah 27:8, Jeremiah 10:24, Jeremiah 46:28

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 25:4 - treadeth out 1 Chronicles 21:23 - the oxen Proverbs 20:26 - bringeth Isaiah 28:28 - the wheel

Verse 28

Bread: Isaiah 21:10, Amos 9:9, Matthew 3:12, Matthew 13:37-43, Luke 22:31, Luke 22:32, John 12:24, 1 Corinthians 3:9, 1 Corinthians 9:9, 1 Corinthians 9:10

the wheel: Isaiah 28:27

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 21:23 - the oxen Proverbs 20:26 - bringeth

Verse 29

cometh: Isaiah 28:21, Isaiah 28:22, Isaiah 9:6, Job 5:9, Job 37:23, Psalms 40:5, Psalms 92:5, Jeremiah 32:19, Daniel 4:2, Daniel 4:3, Romans 11:33

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 2:7 - cunning Isaiah 25:1 - thy counsels Acts 2:11 - wonderful Acts 4:28 - and Ephesians 1:11 - the counsel