Isaiah 28 17

Isaiah 28:17 kjv

Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.

Isaiah 28:17 nkjv

Also I will make justice the measuring line, And righteousness the plummet; The hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, And the waters will overflow the hiding place.

Isaiah 28:17 niv

I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plumb line; hail will sweep away your refuge, the lie, and water will overflow your hiding place.

Isaiah 28:17 esv

And I will make justice the line, and righteousness the plumb line; and hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, and waters will overwhelm the shelter."

Isaiah 28:17 nlt

I will test you with the measuring line of justice
and the plumb line of righteousness.
Since your refuge is made of lies,
a hailstorm will knock it down.
Since it is made of deception,
a flood will sweep it away.

Isaiah 28 verses

Isaiah 28 17 Meaning

The Lord of hosts has purposed, and who can annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back? This verse proclaims the sovereign, unalterable, and powerful decree of God. What He decides, no one can oppose or reverse. His actions are predetermined by His divine will, and His might is irresistible.

Isaiah 28 17 Context

This verse is found within the prophecy of Isaiah directed at the Northern Kingdom of Israel, specifically at a time of great pride and impending judgment due to their spiritual and political apostasy. The immediate context is a condemnation of the proud and false security of the leaders of Israel (and possibly Samaria, its capital) who relied on a treaty with Egypt (a "covenant with death" and "agreement with hell," verses 15), rather than on the Lord. They had sought to protect themselves from the Assyrian threat through political alliances and deceptive practices, ignoring God's warnings. Isaiah is rebuking their "righteousness" which is in reality their iniquity, and the false confidence they had placed in worldly powers. This verse, following the condemnation, serves as a declaration of God's ultimate power and His inevitable judgment against their defiant sin and misplaced trust.

Isaiah 28 17 Word Analysis

• And (וְ – wə)
  • A conjunction connecting clauses, signifying "and," "but," or indicating sequence or consequence. Here, it connects the preceding condemnation with God's declaration of His intent.
• it (אותה – otah)
  • Referring to the "righteousness" (צְדָקָה – tzedakah) previously mentioned. The righteousness of the proud and deceitful men is being brought to naught.
• is (הָיָה – hayah)
  • "To be," "to happen," "to come to pass." In this construction, it's part of a periphrastic perfect, emphasizing the completed action of the decree.
• purposed (חָשַׁב – chashab)
  • To think, to reckon, to plan, to devise, to intend, to impute. This word signifies a deep, deliberate, and thought-out plan. It highlights God's intentionality and wisdom in His decrees. The Lord of hosts has not simply willed something, but has "thought it out" and "devised it."
• the (אֶת – et)
  • A prepositional prefix indicating the definite direct object. Here, it marks "plans" as the object of the verb.
• Lord (יְהוָה – YHWH)
  • The covenant name of God, often translated as LORD (all caps). It emphasizes His personal relationship with His people and His divine authority.
• of (שַׂר – sar)
  • Chief, captain, prince, leader. Used here in the construct state with hosts.
• hosts (צְבָאוֹת – tzeva’ot)
  • Armies, hosts. Refers to heavenly armies (angels) and earthly armies. Emphasizes God's supreme power and dominion over all forces, visible and invisible. This title signifies His supreme command and might.
• and (וְ – wə)
  • Connective, leading into the question that emphasizes the futility of opposing God.
• who (מִי – mi)
  • Interrogative pronoun, "who?" Here, it functions rhetorically to highlight the impossibility of any opposition.
• shall (יוּכַל – yuchal)
  • To be able, to prevail, to overcome. From the root יכל (yakhol), meaning "to be able." This future tense indicates the inability to counter God's action.
• disannul (פָּסַל – pashal)
  • To make void, to annul, to make invalid. Derived from a root meaning to chisel away, to sculpt, implying something set aside or rendered ineffective. God’s plans are so established they cannot be 'chipped away' or negated. This word speaks to the immutable nature of God's counsel once determined.
• it (אוֹתוֹ – oto)
  • Referring to the decree or purpose of the Lord of hosts.
• his (יָדוֹ – yado)
  • His hand. The hand is a common biblical metaphor for power, action, and execution.
• hand (יָד – yad)
  • Hand. Signifies active power, doing, and executing.
• is (פָּרוּשׂ – parus)
  • Stretched out, extended. From the root פרש (parash), meaning to spread out, to separate, or to explain. Here, it indicates that God's hand is actively extended in execution, ready to act, or in the process of acting.
• stretched (פָּרוּשׂ – parus)
  • See above. Indicates preparedness and imminent action.
• out (פָּרוּשׂ – parus)
  • See above. Completes the phrase "stretched out."
• and (וְ – wə)
  • Connective, leading into the second rhetorical question.
• who (מִי – mi)
  • Interrogative pronoun, "who?" Another rhetorical question emphasizing the impossibility of resistance.
• will (יְשֻׁבֶנָּה – yeshubennah)
  • To turn back, to bring back, to reverse, to return. From the root שוב (shuv), meaning to return. It implies a forceful turning back or preventing motion.
• turn (יְשֻׁבֶנָּה – yeshubennah)
  • See above. It signifies that any attempt to halt or reverse God's action will be futile.
• it (אוֹתוֹ – oto)
  • Referring to God's extended hand or His action.

Words-group Analysis:

• The Lord of hosts (אֲדֹנָי צְבָאוֹת – Adonai Tzeva’ot): This compound title underscores God's absolute sovereignty and supreme power over all creation, including angelic armies and earthly kingdoms.
• Has purposed (חָשַׁב – chashab): This signifies God's active, thoughtful, and deliberative planning. It’s not mere chance, but a divinely conceived strategy.
• Who can annul it? (וּמִי יְפַסְּלֶנָּה – umi yfasselenah): This is a strong rhetorical question asserting the absolute inability of any created being or power to invalidate God's decrees.
• His hand is stretched out (וְיָדוֹ פְרוּשָׂה – weyado prushah): The imagery of a stretched-out hand powerfully portrays God's active power, His readiness to execute judgment or salvation, and the certainty of His action.
• Who can turn it back? (וּמִי יְשֻׁבֶנָּה – umi yeshubennah): A second rhetorical question reinforcing the first, emphasizing that no one can divert, impede, or reverse God's intended actions.

Isaiah 28 17 Bonus Section

The concept of God's absolute decree and sovereignty presented here is foundational in theological discussions regarding divine providence and predestination. While God's ultimate plan is unchangeable, the Bible also speaks of God's willingness to relent from judgment when His people repent, as seen in verses like Jeremiah 18:8. These are not contradictions but speak to the different ways God interacts with humanity: His ultimate sovereign decree over all history, and His relational responses to human obedience or disobedience within that framework. This verse highlights the "unconditional" aspect of God's determined purposes, contrasting with human "conditional" responses. The parallelism between Isaiah 28:17 and Isaiah 14:27 indicates that this was a theme already present in Isaiah's ministry, emphasizing God's consistent message of His absolute authority. The New Testament amplifies this in Christ, where God's ultimate redemptive plan is brought to ultimate fruition, inescapable by any force.

Isaiah 28 17 Commentary

This verse is a powerful assertion of God's absolute sovereignty and the unchallengeable nature of His divine will. It stands as a declaration that God's plans, once conceived in His wisdom, are immutable and cannot be resisted or reversed by any created being or earthly power. This assurance is particularly relevant in contexts of judgment or salvation. For believers, it offers comfort knowing that God's ultimate purposes are secure and will be brought to fruition despite human opposition or apparent setbacks. For those who oppose God's ways, it serves as a stark warning of the futility of resistance against omnipotence. The specific mention of "the Lord of hosts" elevates this claim, framing it within the context of God's supreme military and universal command. This concept echoes throughout Scripture, affirming that His divine counsel is final.