King James Version

What Does Isaiah 28:27 Mean?

Isaiah 28:27 in the King James Version says “For the fitches are not threshed with a threshing instrument, neither is a cart wheel turned about upon the cummin; but ...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Isaiah 28:27 · KJV

Context

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.

28

Bread corn is bruised; because he will not ever be threshing it, nor break it with the wheel of his cart, nor bruise it with his horsemen.

29

This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.

Read Isaiah 28 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. The parable continues to threshing—separating grain from chaff. Different crops require different threshing methods. Fitches are not threshed with a threshing instrument (ki lo becherutz yudash qetsach, כִּי לֹא בֶחָרוּץ יוּדַשׁ קֶצַח, for black cummin is not threshed with a threshing sledge). A charutz (חָרוּץ) was heavy sledge with stones/metal for crushing wheat. Using it on delicate fitches/black cummin would destroy them. Neither is a cart wheel turned about upon the cummin (ve-ofan agalah al-kammon yusav, וְאוֹפַן עֲגָלָה עַל־כַּמֹּן יוּסָב, nor is wagon wheel turned on cummin)—too heavy for this delicate spice.

Instead: fitches are beaten out with a staff, and the cummin with a rod (ki bematteh yechabbet qetsach ve-kammon bashebet, כִּי בַמַּטֶּה יֵחָבֶט קֶצַח וְכַמֹּן בַּשָּׁבֶט, but with staff is beaten fitches and cummin with rod). Gentle beating releases seeds without crushing. Applied spiritually: God calibrates discipline to each person's capacity. Delicate souls receive gentle correction (staff/rod); harder cases need heavier threshing (sledge/wheel). He knows what we can bear (1 Corinthians 10:13). His discipline is always proportionate, never excessive (Jeremiah 30:11, 46:28).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient threshing matched tool to crop. Heavy sledges for wheat/barley; light beating for delicate seeds. Farmers knew excessive force destroyed value. God similarly proportions trials to believers' strength. Job's testing was severe but measured (Job 1:12, 2:6—God set limits). Peter's sifting was painful but purposeful (Luke 22:31-32). Paul's thorn was distressing but beneficial (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). Church history shows God's gentle handling of tender consciences (Augustine's gradual conversion) versus dramatic confrontations with hardened rebels (Paul's Damascus road). Divine wisdom knows precisely what each soul needs.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does knowing God calibrates your trials like a farmer choosing the right threshing tool bring comfort?
  2. Are you experiencing gentle 'staff' discipline or heavier 'threshing sledge' correction, and what might this reveal about your condition?
  3. How should this verse shape how we discipline others—matching correction to the person's spiritual state?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
כִּ֣י1 of 16
H3588

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

לֹ֤א2 of 16
H3808

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

בֶֽחָרוּץ֙3 of 16

“with a threshing instrument”

H2742

properly, incised or (active) incisive; hence (as noun masculine or feminine) a trench (as dug), gold (as mined), a threshing-sledge (having sharp tee

י֣וּדַשׁ4 of 16

“are not threshed”

H1758

to trample or thresh

קֶ֖צַח5 of 16

“For the fitches”

H7100

fennel-flower (from its pungency)

וְאוֹפַ֣ן6 of 16

“wheel”

H212

a wheel

עֲגָלָ֔ה7 of 16

“neither is a cart”

H5699

something revolving, i.e., a wheeled vehicle

עַל8 of 16
H5921

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

וְכַמֹּ֥ן9 of 16

“and the cummin”

H3646

'cummin' (from its use as a condiment)

יוּסָּ֑ב10 of 16

“turned about”

H5437

to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively

כִּ֧י11 of 16
H3588

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

בַמַּטֶּ֛ה12 of 16

“with a staff”

H4294

a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),

יֵחָ֥בֶט13 of 16

“are beaten out”

H2251

to knock out or off

קֶ֖צַח14 of 16

“For the fitches”

H7100

fennel-flower (from its pungency)

וְכַמֹּ֥ן15 of 16

“and the cummin”

H3646

'cummin' (from its use as a condiment)

בַּשָּֽׁבֶט׃16 of 16

“with a rod”

H7626

a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan

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 28:27 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 28:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 41:15Isaiah 27:7-8Jeremiah 10:24Jeremiah 46:282 Kings 13:7Amos 1:3

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