FocusMisplaced trust and promised renewal
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Warnings against false security and accounts of judgment lead into a vision of restoration and return.
interpretation Isaiah 28:9
KJVWhom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
Read it in context
The Captivity of Ephraim
Start reading at Isaiah 28:1 (Isaiah 28:1 to Isaiah 28:13).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Warnings against false security and accounts of judgment lead into a vision of restoration and return.
- 28:1 Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower, which are on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine!
- 28:2 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.
- 28:3 The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, shall be trodden under feet:
- 28:4 And the glorious beauty, which is on the head of the fat valley, shall be a fading flower, and as the hasty fruit before the summer; which when he that looketh upon it seeth, while it is yet in his hand he eateth it up.
- 28:5 In that day shall the LORD of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people,
- 28:6 And for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate.
- 28:7 But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.
- 28:8 For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean.
- 28:9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
- 28:10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
- 28:11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.
- 28:12 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.
- 28:13 But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Isaiah son of Amoz is the named prophet and the traditional author. The New Testament attributes passages from both earlier and later portions to Isaiah; scholars differ about the book's later composition and collection. Biblical references: Isaiah 1:1; John 12:38; John 12:39. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Isaiah 28:1–33:24): Ephraim, Jerusalem, Judah's leaders, and those relying on foreign alliances are the principal groups challenged by the prophetic warnings. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Judah and Jerusalem are the principal named audience, with messages also concerning Israel and other nations. Later portions address God's people in the horizon of exile, return, and restoration. Biblical references: Isaiah 1:1; Isaiah 40:1; Isaiah 48:20. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? The Captivity of Ephraim. Read Isaiah 28:1 through Isaiah 28:13 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Warnings against false security and accounts of judgment lead into a vision of restoration and return. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The opening names the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. Some passages speak toward later restoration; the time pictured in an oracle is not necessarily its composition date. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? Judah and Jerusalem are central, but the oracles address surrounding nations and distant powers as well. The named audience and location vary by oracle. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in The Captivity of Ephraim (Isaiah 28:1 to Isaiah 28:13). Start reading at Isaiah 28:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The New Testament explicitly applies passages of Isaiah to Jesus, including the servant passage discussed in Acts 8. Use those links while preserving each oracle's immediate wording and audience. See Isaiah 53:7, Acts 8:32, Acts 8:35, Matthew 12:17. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Reject empty worship that coexists with injustice, and respond to the calls to trust and return. Preserve the named recipients and conditions of particular promises. interpretation
Cited: Isaiah 28:1, Isaiah 28:13, Isaiah 53:7, Acts 8:32, Acts 8:35, Matthew 12:17
Who wrote it, and how we know
Isaiah the prophet
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book opens with the vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz and names him throughout. The New Testament quotes both the earlier and later chapters as Isaiah's words.
Isaiah 1:1Isaiah 6:1John 12:38John 12:39
Early traditionJewish and Christian tradition holds the whole book to be Isaiah's.
What is debatedMany critical scholars propose a second and third author for chapters 40 and following, based on setting and style. John 12 quoting both sections as Isaiah is a significant argument against that view.
Related passages
- shall he teach Isa 30:10-12 Ps 50:17 Prov 1:29 Jer 5:31 Jer 6:10 John 3:19 John 12:38,47-48
- doctrine Isa 53:1
- weaned Ps 131:2 Matt 11:25 Matt 21:15-16 Mark 10:15 1 Pet 2:2
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Isaiah 28
Isaiah's opening locates his vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem in named royal reigns. The book includes warnings, narratives, and promises addressed to different settings. Identify the immediate audience before extending a promise or judgment to later readers. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Isaiah 1:1 Isaiah 6:1 Isaiah 40:1
A Cornerstone in Zion
Isaiah 28:14–22FocusMisplaced trust and promised renewal
Connection to the wholeWarnings against false security and accounts of judgment lead into a vision of restoration and return.
interpretation Listen and Hear
Isaiah 28:23–29FocusMisplaced trust and promised renewal
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. Warnings against false security and accounts of judgment lead into a vision of restoration and return.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Isaiah
Isaiah's opening locates his vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem in named royal reigns. The book includes warnings, narratives, and promises addressed to different settings. Identify the immediate audience before extending a promise or judgment to later readers.
Isaiah 1:1 Isaiah 6:1 Isaiah 40:1
Judah confronted and hope announced
Isaiah 1:1–12:6FocusSin, judgment, and the promised ruler
Connection to the wholeThe opening visions confront Judah's rebellion while joining judgment with promises concerning the remnant and the Davidic ruler.
interpretation Oracles concerning the nations
Isaiah 13:1–23:18FocusThe LORD's judgment beyond Judah
Connection to the wholeThe series addresses surrounding nations and powers, locating Judah's troubles within a wider scene of divine judgment.
interpretation Judgment and deliverance
Isaiah 24:1–27:13FocusThe earth, the people, and renewed worship
Connection to the wholeThe scope widens through visions of judgment, praise, and gathering, linking the LORD's rule with His people's hope.
interpretation FocusMisplaced trust and promised renewal
Connection to the wholeWarnings against false security and accounts of judgment lead into a vision of restoration and return.
interpretation Hezekiah's crisis
Isaiah 36:1–39:8FocusAssyria, deliverance, and Babylon
Connection to the wholeThe narratives connect trust and deliverance with an announcement concerning Babylon, bridging earlier warnings and later words of comfort.
interpretation Comfort and the servant
Isaiah 40:1–55:13FocusThe LORD's saving purpose
Connection to the wholeThe movement announces comfort, challenges idols, and develops the servant passages and invitations to receive the LORD's provision.
interpretation The community and the final hope
Isaiah 56:1–66:24FocusRighteousness, worship, and renewal
Connection to the wholeThe closing chapters confront ongoing sin while presenting the LORD's promised renewal, maintaining both warning and hope.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.