King James Version

What Does Isaiah 28:25 Mean?

Isaiah 28:25 in the King James Version says “When he hath made plain the face thereof, doth he not cast abroad the fitches, and scatter the cummin, and cast in the p...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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? the principal: or, the wheat in the principal place, and barley in the appointed place rie: or, spelt place: Heb. border?”

Isaiah 28:25 · KJV

Context

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?

25

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? the principal: or, the wheat in the principal place, and barley in the appointed place rie: or, spelt place: Heb. border?

26

For his God doth instruct him to discretion, and doth teach him. For: or, And he bindeth it in such sort as his God doth teach him

27

For the fitches are not threshed with a threshing instrument, neither is a cart wheel turned about upon the cummin; but the fitches are beaten out with a staff, and the cummin with a rod.

Read Isaiah 28 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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? After plowing (v.24), the farmer plants—but not randomly. When he hath made plain the face thereof (halo im-shivvah faneyha, הֲלוֹא אִם־שִׁוָּה פָנֶיהָ, when he has leveled its surface) describes preparing a smooth seedbed. Then deliberate, differentiated planting: cast abroad the fitches (hefits qetsach, הֵפִיץ קֶצַח, scatter black cummin/nigella), scatter the cummin (ve-kammon yizroq, וְכַמֹּן יִזְרֹק, and sow cummin), cast in the principal wheat (ve-sam chittah sorah, וְשָׂם חִטָּה שׂוֹרָה, put wheat in rows).

The appointed barley (u-se'orah nismanah, וּשְׂעֹרָה נִסְמָנָה, and barley in appointed place) and the rie in their place (ve-kussemet gevulato, וְכֻסֶּמֶת גְּבֻלָתוֹ, and spelt in its border). Each crop receives appropriate treatment—some scattered broadcast (fitches, cummin), some in rows (wheat), some in designated spots (barley, spelt). The farmer knows each seed's needs and plants accordingly. God similarly treats people individually—not uniformly but appropriately. Some receive gentle scattering, some orderly rows, some specific placement. Divine wisdom knows what each needs for fruitfulness (1 Corinthians 12:4-6, Romans 12:3-8).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern agriculture distinguished crop types requiring different treatment. Fitches (black cummin, used as spice) and cummin were scattered in prepared areas. Wheat, the staple grain, was planted carefully in rows. Barley, hardier than wheat, went in less prime areas. Spelt (primitive wheat variety) marked borders. Paul uses similar agricultural imagery: "I have planted, Apollos watered" (1 Corinthians 3:6)—different workers, different methods, one purpose. God's varied dealings with believers (trials, blessings, gifts, callings) reflect His farming wisdom, not randomness.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's 'differentiated planting' (treating people individually according to their needs) encourage you?
  2. What kind of 'seed' are you—requiring scattering, orderly rows, or specific placement—and how does this shape God's dealings with you?
  3. How should understanding God's individualized care affect how you view others' different experiences and callings?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
הֲלוֹא֙1 of 15
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אִם2 of 15
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

שִׁוָּ֣ה3 of 15

“When he hath made plain”

H7737

properly, to level, i.e., equalize; figuratively, to resemble; by implication, to adjust (i.e., counterbalance, be suitable, compose, place, yield, et

פָנֶ֔יהָ4 of 15

“the face”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

וְהֵפִ֥יץ5 of 15

“thereof doth he not cast abroad”

H6327

to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively (especially to disperse)

קֶ֖צַח6 of 15

“the fitches”

H7100

fennel-flower (from its pungency)

וְכַמֹּ֣ן7 of 15

“the cummin”

H3646

'cummin' (from its use as a condiment)

יִזְרֹ֑ק8 of 15

“and scatter”

H2236

to sprinkle (fluid or solid particles)

וְשָׂ֨ם9 of 15

“and cast”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

חִטָּ֤ה10 of 15

“wheat”

H2406

wheat, whether the grain or the plant

שׂוֹרָה֙11 of 15

“in the principal”

H7795

properly, a ring, i.e., (by analogy) a row (adverbially)

וּשְׂעֹרָ֣ה12 of 15

“barley”

H8184

barley (as villose)

נִסְמָ֔ן13 of 15

“and the appointed”

H5567

to designate

וְכֻסֶּ֖מֶת14 of 15

“and the rie”

H3698

spelt (from its bristliness as if just shorn)

גְּבֻלָתֽוֹ׃15 of 15

“in their place”

H1367

a boundary, region

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 28:25 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 28:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 4:9Matthew 23:23Exodus 9:31-32

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