Isaiah 28:19

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 28:19 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “As often as it passeth though, it shall take you; for morning by morning shall it pass through, by day and by night: and it shall be nought but terror to understand the message.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

As often as it passeth though, it shall take you; for morning by morning shall it pass through, by day and by night: and it shall be nought but terror to understand the message.
Isaiah 28:19 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 28

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
19As often as it passeth though, it shall take you; for morning by morning shall it pass through, by day and by night: and it shall be nought but terror to understand the message.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“From the time that it goeth forth, it shall take you, &c.] Or, “as soon as it passeth through”f559, “it shall take you away”; as soon as it begins to overflow, and as it goes along, it shall make clear work, and carry you away with it; you will not be able to resist it, to withstand its motion, and stop its progress; but will be borne down by it, and carried away with it, either destroyed by it at once, or carried into captivity; so the Targum, “in the time of its passing over, it shall carry you captive:” for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night; signifying that it should come very early, before they were aware of it and prepared for it, and should be constant and…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“From the time, &c.--rather, "As often as it comes over (that is, passes through), it shall overtake you" [HORSLEY]; like a flood returning from time to time, frequent hostile invasions shall assail Judah, after the deportation of the ten tribes. vexation . . . understand . . . report--rather, "It shall be a terror even to hear the mere report of it" [MAURER], (Sa1 3:11). But G. V. SMITH, "Hard treatment (HORSLEY, 'dispersion') only shall make you to understand instruction"; they scorned at the simple way in which the prophet offered it (Isa 28:9); therefore, they must be taught by the severe teachings of adversity.”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Pass over - It shall not only come to you, but it shall abide upon you; and when it hath passed over you, it shall return again to you, morning after morning; and shall follow you day and night, without giving you the least respite. The report - So dreadful shall the judgment be, that it shall strike you with horror, when you only hear the rumour of it. Isaiah 28:20”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the time: Isa 10:5, Isa 10:6; Kg2 17:6, Kg2 18:13; Eze 21:19-23 and it: Isa 33:7, Isa 36:22, Isa 37:3; Sa1 3:11; Kg2 21:12; Jer 19:3; Dan 7:28, Dan 8:27; Hab 3:16; Luk 21:25, Luk 21:26 to understand the report: or, when he shall make you to understand doctrine Isaiah 28:20”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification