Isaiah 28 25

Isaiah 28:25 kjv

When he hath made plain the face thereof, doth he not cast abroad the fitches, and scatter the cummin, and cast in the principal wheat and the appointed barley and the rie in their place?

Isaiah 28:25 nkjv

When he has leveled its surface, Does he not sow the black cummin And scatter the cummin, Plant the wheat in rows, The barley in the appointed place, And the spelt in its place?

Isaiah 28:25 niv

When he has leveled the surface, does he not sow caraway and scatter cumin? Does he not plant wheat in its place, barley in its plot, and spelt in its field?

Isaiah 28:25 esv

When he has leveled its surface, does he not scatter dill, sow cumin, and put in wheat in rows and barley in its proper place, and emmer as the border?

Isaiah 28:25 nlt

Does he not finally plant his seeds ?
black cumin, cumin, wheat, barley, and emmer wheat ?
each in its proper way,
and each in its proper place?

Isaiah 28 verses

Isaiah 28 25 meaning

Isaiah 28:25 illustrates that God's dealings with humanity, specifically His judgments and instructions, are precise, purposeful, and perfectly suited to His ultimate divine design, akin to a wise farmer's meticulous agricultural practices. Just as a farmer expertly prepares the soil and then judiciously plants a variety of seeds using methods best suited to each—some scattered, some in rows, some in specific places—God executes His plans with methodical intelligence and individualized care for every situation and person, aiming for spiritual fruitfulness and righteousness. This verse emphasizes the order, wisdom, and diverse strategy inherent in God's governance.

Isaiah 28 25 Context

Isaiah chapter 28, often termed the "Woe to Ephraim and Jerusalem" chapter, is part of a larger section (chapters 28-33) addressing the apostasy of both the Northern and Southern Kingdoms of Israel. Leading up to verse 25, Isaiah condemns the proud, drunken, and arrogant leaders of Ephraim (Northern Kingdom) who rely on human alliances rather than God (vv. 1-8). He then turns to Judah, castigating their scoffing disregard for divine instruction, which they consider too simplistic (vv. 9-13). God declares that He will use Assyria as an instrument of judgment, laying a "cornerstone" in Zion for those who trust Him, while judgment will still fall on those who have made a "covenant with death" (vv. 14-22).

Verses 23-29 form a distinct parable, the "Parable of the Farmer," which beautifully contrasts God's righteous and measured judgment with the short-sighted, scoffing attitude of His people. The preceding declarations of severe judgment might imply arbitrary destruction, but this parable clarifies that God's actions are never chaotic. Instead, like a wise farmer, God’s methods are varied, skillful, purposeful, and perfectly suited to each situation and His ultimate desired outcome. Verse 25, specifically, delves into the meticulous diversity of a farmer’s planting, setting the stage for the profound theological insight in the concluding verses that such wisdom ultimately originates from God Himself.

Isaiah 28 25 Word analysis

• "When he has leveled its surface": The Hebrew "יִשְׁוָה פָּנֶיהָ" (yishwah faneihah) means to make its face or surface even, smooth, or straight. It signifies a careful and thorough preparation of the ground before sowing. In divine terms, this represents God's meticulous preparatory work—clearing away obstacles, preparing hearts, or arranging circumstances—essential for His subsequent actions to bear fruit. It indicates an intentional and orderly groundwork for spiritual development or divine intervention.

• "does he not scatter dill": "קֶצַח" (qetsach) refers to black cumin or nigella. These are small, delicate seeds often scattered directly onto the soil surface, not deeply planted. This action signifies a lighter, less intrusive approach to certain aspects of God's work. It suggests that God, with wisdom, applies different methods for different spiritual "seeds," knowing some require only surface-level attention or gentler dissemination.

• "and sow cumin": "כַּמּוֹן" (kammon) is common cumin, another seed often sown on the surface. Its inclusion further emphasizes the farmer's (and God's) detailed knowledge and differentiation between various "seeds," even those that seem similar. It highlights the tailored approach God takes, never treating all His creations or circumstances uniformly but always with perfect understanding of individual needs.

• "and put in wheat in rows": "חִטָּה" (chittah) is wheat, a staple crop planted in "שׂוּמֹן" (sūmōn) or rows. Planting in rows signifies an organized, systematic, and intentional method for the primary, vital aspects of cultivation. Spiritually, this suggests that God provides core spiritual nourishment (like His Word or fundamental truths) in a structured, accessible, and orderly manner, ensuring maximum growth and harvest of righteousness from those who receive it.

• "and barley in its appointed place": "שְׂעֹרָה" (se'orah), barley, a hardy and important grain (though sometimes considered secondary to wheat), is placed in a "נִסְמָן" (nismān), a designated, marked-out, or specific place. This denotes precise allocation and careful consideration for where and how certain elements fit into the larger plan. It means even less prominent aspects or individuals in God’s kingdom have a divinely appointed, unique, and necessary position.

• "and rye in its border?": "כֻּסֶּמֶת" (kussemeth), also translated as spelt or emmer wheat, a sturdy grain. It's planted "גְּבֻל" (gĕbûl), along the border or edge of the field. This action shows a wise and efficient use of all available resources and space, strategic placement for particular plant types based on their characteristics. This implies that God's comprehensive plan considers every corner and individual, assigning roles and locations for maximum benefit and impact within the divine purpose, ensuring nothing is wasted or left outside His care.

• "he has leveled its surface, does he not scatter dill and sow cumin and put in wheat in rows, and barley in its appointed place, and rye in its border?": This full sequence vividly demonstrates the Lord's diversified, methodical, and profoundly wise approach to managing His creation and instructing His people. The series of rhetorical questions reinforces that such practical wisdom, though observed in a farmer, emanates from divine understanding. God, like this master farmer, adapts His methods to the specific needs of each "crop" or individual, ensuring an optimal outcome—be it spiritual growth, correction, or judgment—with strategic foresight and perfect order.

Isaiah 28 25 Bonus section

The parable of the farmer in Isaiah 28:23-29 concludes by attributing this agricultural wisdom directly to God, stating, "This also comes from the Lord of hosts, who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom" (v. 29). This critical link underscores that all true wisdom, even the practical wisdom of a simple farmer, ultimately flows from the Creator. By showing that even the farmer acts with "judgment" (מִשְׁפָּט, mishpat) and "instruction" (תּוֹרָה, torah) (v. 26)—terms used for God's laws and righteous decrees—Isaiah not only justifies God's methods but also gently corrects His people's condescending view of His divine instructions. It teaches that God's governance, His discipline, and His leading are characterized by this same "wonderful counsel" and "excellent wisdom," assuring His people that even their trials are part of His perfectly orchestrated plan for their ultimate good.

Isaiah 28 25 Commentary

Isaiah 28:25 functions as a rhetorical question, guiding the audience to acknowledge the undeniable wisdom inherent in a farmer's diverse and precise agricultural practices, which serves as a divine parable. The prophet’s point is that just as an experienced farmer applies varied techniques – preparing the soil, scattering small seeds, planting main crops in neat rows, and allocating other grains to specific zones – according to the distinct needs of each plant and the desired harvest, so too does God conduct His judgments and administer His instruction. His actions are not chaotic, harsh, or random, as some of His people perceived; rather, they are the perfectly calibrated and wise methods of a Master Designer. God deals with each person and situation with absolute intelligence, exercising diverse forms of discipline, guidance, or testing, each precisely measured for a specific, righteous outcome. It highlights His purposeful order amidst apparent difficulty, ensuring that every divine action, even one that seems severe, serves to cultivate spiritual fruit and bring about justice in due course.