King James Version

What Does Isaiah 28:29 Mean?

Isaiah 28:29 in the King James Version says “This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Isaiah 28:29 · KJV

Context

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
This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working. Isaiah concludes the farming parable by attributing all agricultural wisdom to God. This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts (gam-zot me'et Yahweh tseva'ot yats'ah, גַּם־זֹאת מֵאֵת יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת יָצָאָה, this also from the LORD of hosts goes forth)—gam-zot (גַּם־זֹאת, this also) emphasizes everything discussed (plowing, planting, threshing) originates from God. Farmers don't originate wisdom; they receive it from the LORD of hosts (Yahweh tseva'ot, יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת), sovereign over all powers.

Which is wonderful in counsel (hiflah etsah, הִפְלִיא עֵצָה, made wonderful counsel)—pele (פֶּלֶא) means wonder, marvel, miracle. God's counsel/wisdom is beyond human comprehension (Isaiah 9:6 calls Messiah "Wonderful, Counsellor"). And excellent in working (higdil tushiyyah, הִגְדִּיל תּוּשִׁיָּה, made great sound wisdom/effective working). Tushiyyah (תּוּשִׁיָּה) means sound wisdom, effective action—God's plans actually work perfectly. Romans 11:33-36 praises God's unsearchable wisdom. If God gives farmers such precise wisdom about crops, how much more wisely does He handle souls! His counsel regarding discipline, growth, and harvest is wonderful; His working is excellent—perfectly accomplishing redemptive purposes.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This verse climaxes Isaiah 28, answering the scoffers (vv.9-10, 14-15). They mocked God's "precept upon precept" teaching as simplistic. Isaiah's parable demonstrates divine wisdom in graduated, differentiated methods—not simplistic but sophisticated, calibrated to each situation. God's counsel through prophets seemed strange (v.21), but like farming wisdom, it reflects perfect understanding. New Testament confirms this: God's "foolishness" is wiser than human wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:25). The cross seemed foolish but accomplished salvation wondrously. Pastoral ministry requires similar wisdom—knowing when to plow (confront sin), plant (teach), water (encourage), thresh (discipline), each according to spiritual state.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does recognizing that all wisdom 'cometh forth from the LORD' affect your confidence in His methods with you?
  2. In what ways have you seen God's 'wonderful counsel' and 'excellent working' in retrospect, even when His ways seemed strange at the time?
  3. How should this chapter's conclusion shape your response when God's dealings seem harsh, strange, or incomprehensible?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
גַּם1 of 10
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

זֹ֕את2 of 10
H2063

this (often used adverb)

מֵעִ֛ם3 of 10
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

יְהוָ֥ה4 of 10

“from the LORD”

H3068

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

צְבָא֖וֹת5 of 10

“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

יָצָ֑אָה6 of 10

“This also cometh forth”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

הִפְלִ֣א7 of 10

“which is wonderful”

H6381

properly, perhaps to separate, i.e., distinguish (literally or figuratively); by implication, to be (causatively, make) great, difficult, wonderful

עֵצָ֔ה8 of 10

“in counsel”

H6098

advice; by implication, plan; also prudence

הִגְדִּ֖יל9 of 10

“and excellent”

H1431

to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride)

תּוּשִׁיָּֽה׃10 of 10

“in working”

H8454

support or (by implication) ability, i.e., (direct) help, (in purpose) an undertaking, (intellectual) understanding

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 28:29 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 28:29 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Romans 11:33Jeremiah 32:19Job 5:9Isaiah 9:6Psalms 40:5Psalms 92:5

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