King James Version

What Does Isaiah 28:13 Mean?

Isaiah 28:13 in the King James Version says “But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here ...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Isaiah 28:13 · KJV

Context

11

For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. stammering: Heb. stammerings of lip will: or, he hath spoken

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.

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.

14

Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem.

15

Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through , it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:

Read Isaiah 28 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. God ironically uses the mockers' own baby-talk (v.10) against them. Since they ridiculed His patient, incremental teaching, that same word becomes their judgment. The repetition precept upon precept, line upon line, here a little, there a little (identical Hebrew to v.10: tsav la-tsav...qav la-qav...ze'er sham ze'er sham) now carries ominous purpose: that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken (lema'an yelku ve-kashlu achor ve-nishbaru ve-noqshu ve-nilkadu, לְמַעַן יֵלְכוּ וְכָשְׁלוּ אָחוֹר וְנִשְׁבָּרוּ וְנוֹקְשׁוּ וְנִלְכָּדוּ).

Five devastating verbs: go (aimlessly wander), fall backward (stumble in retreat), be broken (shattered), be snared (trapped like animals), be taken (captured/exiled). What was meant for blessing (patient instruction) becomes curse when rejected. The same sun that softens wax hardens clay. The same gospel that saves believers condemns rejecters (2 Corinthians 2:15-16). Romans 11:7-10 cites this principle—Israel's hardening through rejecting revelation. Jesus said parables both reveal and conceal (Matthew 13:10-15). God's word either sanctifies or hardens, depending on the heart receiving it.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Historically fulfilled when Assyria/Babylon invaded. Those who mocked Isaiah's warnings stumbled backward in defeat, were broken in battle, snared in sieges, taken into exile. Spiritually, this applies whenever people resist God's word—it becomes their condemnation. Pharaoh's hardening (Exodus 9:12, Romans 9:17-18) illustrates judicial hardening. The Pharisees rejected Jesus, so His teaching hardened them (John 12:37-40). Those who persistently reject truth eventually lose capacity to receive it (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12). This is terrifying warning against mocking God's word.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can the same Scripture that brings life to some bring hardening and judgment to others?
  2. What does this verse warn about the consequences of persistently mocking or rejecting biblical teaching?
  3. Have you seen people who once heard God's word clearly become progressively hardened through continued rejection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וְהָיָ֨ה1 of 23
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לָהֶ֜ם2 of 23
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

דְּבַר3 of 23

“But the word”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

יְהוָ֗ה4 of 23

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לָצָו֙5 of 23

“precept”

H6673

an injunction

לָצָו֙6 of 23

“precept”

H6673

an injunction

לָצָו֙7 of 23

“precept”

H6673

an injunction

לָצָו֙8 of 23

“precept”

H6673

an injunction

לָקָ֔ו9 of 23

“line”

H6957

a cord (as connecting), especially for measuring; figuratively, a rule; also a rim, a musical string or accord

לָקָ֔ו10 of 23

“line”

H6957

a cord (as connecting), especially for measuring; figuratively, a rule; also a rim, a musical string or accord

לָקָ֔ו11 of 23

“line”

H6957

a cord (as connecting), especially for measuring; figuratively, a rule; also a rim, a musical string or accord

לָקָ֔ו12 of 23

“line”

H6957

a cord (as connecting), especially for measuring; figuratively, a rule; also a rim, a musical string or accord

זְעֵ֣יר13 of 23

“and there a little”

H2191

small

שָׁ֖ם14 of 23
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

זְעֵ֣יר15 of 23

“and there a little”

H2191

small

שָׁ֑ם16 of 23
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

לְמַ֨עַן17 of 23
H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

יֵלְכ֜וּ18 of 23
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

וְכָשְׁל֤וּ19 of 23

“and fall”

H3782

to totter or waver (through weakness of the legs, especially the ankle); by implication, to falter, stumble, faint or fall

אָחוֹר֙20 of 23

“backward”

H268

the hinder part; hence (adverb) behind, backward; also (as facing north) the west

וְנִשְׁבָּ֔רוּ21 of 23

“and be broken”

H7665

to burst (literally or figuratively)

וְנוֹקְשׁ֖וּ22 of 23

“and snared”

H3369

to ensnare (literally or figuratively)

וְנִלְכָּֽדוּ׃23 of 23

“and taken”

H3920

to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by lot); figuratively, to cohere

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 28:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 28:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 13:14Isaiah 6:9-10Matthew 21:44Jeremiah 23:36-38Isaiah 8:14-152 Peter 3:16

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