King James Version

What Does Isaiah 28:22 Mean?

Isaiah 28:22 in the King James Version says “Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong: for I have heard from the Lord GOD of hosts a consumpti...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong: for I have heard from the Lord GOD of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth.”

Isaiah 28:22 · KJV

Context

20

For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it: and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it.

21

For the LORD shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act.

22

Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong: for I have heard from the Lord GOD of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth.

23

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

24

Doth the plowman plow all day to sow? doth he open and break the clods of his ground?

Read Isaiah 28 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong: for I have heard from the Lord GOD of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth. Isaiah issues urgent warning to the scoffers of verses 14-15. Be ye not mockers (ve'attah al-titlotasu, וְעַתָּה אַל־תִּתְלוֹצָצוּ, and now do not be scoffers) pleads for repentance. Letsin (לֵצִין, mockers/scoffers from same root as v.14) are those who ridicule God's word. The consequence of continued mocking: lest your bands be made strong (pen-yechezequ mosroteikhem, פֶּן־יֶחֶזְקוּ מוֹסְרוֹתֵיכֶם, lest your bonds/chains be strengthened). Persistent scoffing hardens into bondage; mocking becomes chains. Freedom to repent diminishes with continued resistance.

For I have heard from the Lord GOD of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth (ki chalah ve-necheratsah shamati me'et Adonai Yahweh tseva'ot al kol-ha'arets, כִּי כָלָה וְנֶחֱרָצָה שָׁמַעְתִּי מֵאֵת אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה צְבָאוֹת עַל כָּל־הָאָרֶץ). Kalah (כָּלָה, completion, destruction) and necheratsah (נֶחֱרָצָה, decreed, determined) indicate fixed divine decision. This isn't mere threat but determined reality. The scope is the whole earth, not just Jerusalem—universal judgment. This points beyond Babylon to final judgment (2 Peter 3:7, Revelation 20:11-15).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Isaiah heard this directly from God—prophetic certainty, not speculation. Babylon's conquest was determined decree, already decided in heaven's court. Later prophets confirmed this (Jeremiah 25:12-14). Jesus similarly spoke of determined destruction for Jerusalem (Luke 21:20-24). The "whole earth" awaits final judgment—Peter warns scoffers of this very thing (2 Peter 3:3-7). The urgency: stop mocking before your bonds become too strong to break, before determined judgment falls. Procrastination hardens hearts and seals doom.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does persistent mocking and scoffing at God's word create 'bands' that make repentance increasingly difficult?
  2. What does it mean that judgment is 'determined'—already decreed in heaven's court?
  3. How should awareness of coming 'consumption upon the whole earth' create urgency in your witness to others?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וְעַתָּה֙1 of 17
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

אַל2 of 17
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תִּתְלוֹצָ֔צוּ3 of 17

“Now therefore be ye not mockers”

H3887

properly, to make mouths at, i.e., to scoff; hence (from the effort to pronounce a foreign language) to interpret, or (generally) intercede

פֶּֽן4 of 17
H6435

properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest

יֶחְזְק֖וּ5 of 17

“be made strong”

H2388

to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra

מֽוֹסְרֵיכֶ֑ם6 of 17

“lest your bands”

H4147

properly, chastisement, i.e., (by implication) a halter; figuratively, restraint

כִּֽי7 of 17
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

כָלָ֨ה8 of 17

“a consumption”

H3617

a completion; adverb, completely; also destruction

וְנֶחֱרָצָ֜ה9 of 17

“even determined”

H2782

properly, to point sharply, i.e., (literally) to wound; figuratively, to be alert, to decide

שָׁמַ֗עְתִּי10 of 17

“for I have heard”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

מֵאֵ֨ת11 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֲדֹנָ֧י12 of 17

“from the Lord”

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יְהוִ֛ה13 of 17
H3068

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

צְבָא֖וֹת14 of 17

“of hosts”

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

עַל15 of 17
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כָּל16 of 17
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָאָֽרֶץ׃17 of 17

“upon the whole earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

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 28:22 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 28:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 10:22-23Isaiah 24:1-23Jeremiah 39:7Isaiah 28:14-15Psalms 107:16Matthew 27:44

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