Isaiah 28 23

Isaiah 28:23 kjv

Give ye ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech.

Isaiah 28:23 nkjv

Give ear and hear my voice, Listen and hear my speech.

Isaiah 28:23 niv

Listen and hear my voice; pay attention and hear what I say.

Isaiah 28:23 esv

Give ear, and hear my voice; give attention, and hear my speech.

Isaiah 28:23 nlt

Listen to me;
listen, and pay close attention.

Isaiah 28 verses

Isaiah 28 23 Meaning

The prophet Isaiah recounts that God's judgment is not an impulsive, unpredictable act but a carefully planned and executed decree. This divine action is presented as an inevitable consequence of Israel's deliberate perversion of justice and righteousness. God, in His sovereign wisdom, has determined to bring this judgment to pass for His own righteous purposes.

Isaiah 28 23 Context

This verse is situated within Isaiah chapter 28, a significant portion of the book where the prophet addresses the unfaithfulness and impending judgment of both the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. Specifically, Isaiah is confronting the corrupt leadership and the people of Judah who, despite their religious observances, have turned to pagan alliances and corrupt practices. The chapter uses imagery of agriculture and the intoxication of false prophets to depict the spiritual stupor and self-deception that have gripped the nation. Verse 23 serves as a pivotal point, shifting from denunciation to explaining the divine source and nature of God's corrective discipline. The people are likened to farmers whose every action, from sowing to threshing, is guided by expertise; similarly, God's judgments are not random but precisely administered according to His perfect knowledge and counsel.

Isaiah 28 23 Word Analysis

• Hethkoni (חָתְנִי): A primitive root meaning "to prune, destroy, consume." This word highlights the destructive aspect of God's judgment as a process of pruning away what is corrupt.
• Pa’am (פָּעַם): From a root meaning "to strike, to beat." It implies repeated or rhythmic action, suggesting consistency or continuity in an activity. Here, it questions the continuous or relentless nature of the plowman's work.
• Shadad (שָׁדַד): To deal violently, to destroy, to lay waste. Used here in a continuous form to describe the ongoing nature of the plowman's task.
• Mishghemoth (מִשְׂגֶּה): Possibly from a root meaning "to push," hence "to be hurled forth, to spread abroad." It may refer to the patterns or paths of plowing.
• Chukko (חֻקּוֹ): Law, statute, appointed thing. Used to indicate established practices or rhythms.
• Kolel (כּוֹלֵל): To encompass, include, reckon. Here it means that the plowman's entire operation is included in his work.
• Yadaiy (יָדָע): To know, to acknowledge, to understand. In its reflexive or causative forms, it signifies being taught or instructed.
• Elokov (אֱלֹהָיו): His God. This emphasizes the intimate and personal relationship God has with His people, being the source of their instruction and guidance.

Words Group Analysis:

• "Give ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech.": This initial phrase underscores the imperative for attentiveness. The repetition of "hear" (shama – שָׁמַע) amplifies the urgency for understanding and obeying God's word. It's a call to spiritual alertness from a state of spiritual deafness caused by sin.
• "Hath the plowman plowed continually?": This is a rhetorical question. It’s not asking if plowing is a continuous activity in general, but rather implying that a wise farmer doesn't plow indiscriminately or without purpose. Each action of the plowman is purposeful, guided by knowledge.
• "This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in wisdom.": This signifies that the judgments to come, though seemingly harsh, are not arbitrary acts of divine anger but are expressions of God's supreme intelligence and deliberative planning. His counsel and wisdom orchestrate all events, even severe discipline, for ultimate good and His own glory.

Isaiah 28 23 Bonus Section

The agricultural analogy used here is prevalent throughout Scripture, symbolizing God's nurturing and judgmental work in His vineyard (Israel) and in the lives of believers. The "plowman" can be seen as a type of Christ himself, the ultimate good shepherd who instructs and guides his flock. The verse also indirectly speaks to the concept of free will and responsibility. While God orchestrates His plans, individuals are still accountable for their responses to His instructions, as illustrated by the contrast with the unheeding leadership condemned in the preceding verses. The "wisdom" and "counsel" mentioned point to the sovereign knowledge and perfect will of God, a theme revisited by Jesus when he spoke of his Father's will.

Isaiah 28 23 Commentary

Isaiah 28:23 presents a foundational principle of God's interaction with humanity: His judgments and dealings are not chaotic but are orchestrated by divine wisdom and perfect counsel. The agricultural imagery effectively communicates that just as a skilled farmer follows a precise process – plowing, sowing, and threshing with knowledge – God’s actions are deliberate and purposeful. This isn't a condemnation of God’s judgment as cruel, but an explanation of its reasoned and strategic nature. It reassures believers that even in severe trials, God is in control, guiding His creation with a wisdom far beyond human comprehension. This understanding calls for humility and a listening ear, recognizing that God's ways and thoughts are infinitely superior to ours. The verse implies that recognizing God's hand in His instructive, and at times disciplinary, actions leads to genuine wisdom.