Isaiah 28 2

Isaiah 28:2 kjv

Behold, the Lord hath a mighty and strong one, which as a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty waters overflowing, shall cast down to the earth with the hand.

Isaiah 28:2 nkjv

Behold, the Lord has a mighty and strong one, Like a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, Like a flood of mighty waters overflowing, Who will bring them down to the earth with His hand.

Isaiah 28:2 niv

See, the Lord has one who is powerful and strong. Like a hailstorm and a destructive wind, like a driving rain and a flooding downpour, he will throw it forcefully to the ground.

Isaiah 28:2 esv

Behold, the Lord has one who is mighty and strong; like a storm of hail, a destroying tempest, like a storm of mighty, overflowing waters, he casts down to the earth with his hand.

Isaiah 28:2 nlt

For the Lord will send a mighty army against it.
Like a mighty hailstorm and a torrential rain,
they will burst upon it like a surging flood
and smash it to the ground.

Isaiah 28 verses

Isaiah 28 2 Meaning

Isaiah 28:2 describes the coming judgment upon the proud Northern Kingdom of Israel, particularly Samaria, depicting it as an overwhelming, irresistible force. The Lord is portrayed as sending a "strong and mighty one," likely a foreign army, to devastate the land and bring low the arrogance of Ephraim, much like a destructive tempest of hail, a furious storm, or a mighty, overflowing flood. This judgment will decisively cast down their perceived glory and security.

Isaiah 28 2 Context

Isaiah chapter 28 initiates a series of "woes" directed at various groups. This particular woe targets the proud and drunken leaders of Ephraim, which is another name for the Northern Kingdom of Israel, with its capital Samaria. The preceding verse (Isaiah 28:1) explicitly sets the stage by denouncing "the proud crown of the drunkards of Ephraim" and their fading glory. The "strong and mighty one" introduced in verse 2 is the instrument through which God's judgment will be executed, signaling the imminent downfall of Samaria. Historically, this points to the Assyrian empire, which conquered the Northern Kingdom in 722 BCE, as documented in 2 Kings 17. The leaders in Samaria felt secure, despite their moral and spiritual corruption, due to perceived alliances or fortifications. However, Isaiah's prophecy asserts that their confidence is misplaced, as the Lord Himself has a destructive force prepared to sweep them away. The chapter then shifts to warning the leaders of Judah about similar dangers and the necessity of trusting God's established "cornerstone" (Isa 28:16).

Isaiah 28 2 Word analysis

• Behold (Hebrew: הִנֵּה, hinnēh): This interjection serves to draw immediate attention, signifying the importance, certainty, and immediacy of what is about to be revealed. It creates a dramatic emphasis, as if pointing directly to a tangible event about to unfold.
• the Lord (Hebrew: אֲדֹנָי, ʾĂḏōnāy): A common designation for God, emphasizing His supreme authority, sovereignty, and mastery. It highlights that the impending judgment is not random, but an intentional act by the ultimate ruler of all creation, who is in full control.
• has a strong and mighty one (Hebrew: חָזָק וְאָמִּץ, ḥāzāq wəʾammîṣ):
  • ḥāzāq: Implies robust strength, firm, mighty.
  • ʾammîṣ: Suggests valiant, fierce, determined.
  • Together, these describe an overwhelmingly powerful and resolute agent. While not named here, the biblical context and historical fulfillment clearly indicate this refers to an external human force, specifically the Assyrian army or its king. This shows God's sovereign hand using nations as His instruments, even those who do not acknowledge Him.
• as a tempest of hail (Hebrew: כְּזֶרֶם בָּרָד, kəzærem bārāḏ): A powerful simile.
  • kəzærem: Like a downpour, torrent, cloudburst.
  • bārāḏ: Hail, especially large and destructive hailstones.
  • This imagery conveys suddenness, force, and crushing destruction, capable of leveling structures and ruining crops.
• a destroying storm (Hebrew: שְׂעָרַת קָטֶב, śəʿārat qāṭeb):
  • śəʿārat: Storm, whirlwind, tempest.
  • qāṭeb: Destruction, cutting off, plague.
  • This phrase emphasizes the complete and utter devastation brought by the powerful entity, signifying that nothing will remain standing in its path.
• as a flood of mighty waters overflowing (Hebrew: כְּשֶׁטֶף מַיִם כַּבִּירִים שֹׁטְפִים, kəšeṭep mayim kabbîrîm šōṭpîm): Another vivid simile.
  • kəšeṭep: A sweeping overflow, deluge.
  • mayim kabbîrîm: Mighty waters, massive floods.
  • šōṭfîm: Overflowing, surging, sweeping away.
  • This image signifies an irresistible, widespread, and completely overwhelming force that submerges and carries away everything in its path, leaving desolation behind. It emphasizes the scale and inevitability of the destruction.
• he will cast down to the earth (Hebrew: יַנִּיחַ אֶל אָרֶץ, yannîaḥ ʾel ʾāreṣ):
  • yannîaḥ: Hiphil of nûaḥ, meaning "to cause to rest," "to lay down," or "to settle." In this aggressive context, it implies forcibly bringing something low, casting it to the ground with destructive force. It is not a gentle setting down.
  • ʾel ʾāreṣ: To the earth, to the ground. This indicates the total collapse, humiliation, and eradication of what was once held high.
• with his hand (Hebrew: בְּיָד, bəyāḏ): This indicates direct, active, and complete execution of the action. It implies the agency and effective control of the "strong and mighty one" (God's instrument) in performing this forceful act. It speaks to the purposeful and powerful action, guided by the Lord.

Isaiah 28 2 Bonus section

• The personification of the Assyrian army as "a strong and mighty one" demonstrates God's use of even pagan nations as His "rod of anger" (Isa 10:5), underscoring His universal dominion.
• This verse starkly contrasts the seemingly stable and prideful status of Samaria ("the proud crown" of Ephraim) with the sudden, overwhelming devastation God will bring. What appears strong in human eyes is weak before divine power.
• The progression from hailstorm to destroying storm to overwhelming flood signifies increasing intensity and comprehensive nature of the judgment – from a localized impact to an inescapable deluge.
• The phrase "he will cast down to the earth with his hand" signifies that the destruction is not accidental or coincidental; it is deliberate and complete, an act executed by the empowered agent directly on behalf of God's will.
• This prophecy highlights a recurring biblical theme: complacency and false security, especially when coupled with sin and rebellion against God's covenant, inevitably lead to divine discipline and judgment.

Isaiah 28 2 Commentary

Isaiah 28:2 stands as a powerful testament to God's sovereignty over the nations and natural elements, demonstrating His unwavering resolve to judge sin, particularly pride and misplaced security. The imagery chosen – hail, storm, and flood – are not mere literary devices but represent the terrifying force and scope of God's coming judgment on Israel through the Assyrians. These natural disasters are chaotic and uncontrollable by human effort, much like the foreign invasion that would sweep away the Northern Kingdom. The "strong and mighty one" is God's divinely appointed instrument, showing that even the actions of ruthless empires are ultimately orchestrated by the Lord for His purposes. The verse serves as a profound warning that no human pride, false security, or earthly alliance can withstand the holy and righteous wrath of the Almighty. Their boasting, drunkenness, and spiritual blindness will lead to a humiliating and inescapable fall, "cast down to the earth." It underlines the biblical truth that God is the true master of history and judges all who oppose His ways, bringing the proud low.