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Isaiah 28:22

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 28:22 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Now therefore be ye not scoffers, lest your bonds be made strong; for a decree of destruction have I heard from the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, upon the whole earth.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Now therefore be ye not scoffers, lest your bonds be made strong; for a decree of destruction have I heard from the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, upon the whole earth.
Isaiah 28:22 — 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.
20For 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.
21For Jehovah will rise up as in mount Perazim, he will 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.
22Now therefore be ye not scoffers, lest your bonds be made strong; for a decree of destruction have I heard from the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, upon the whole earth.
23Give ye ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech.
24Doth he that ploweth to sow plow continually? doth he [continually] open and harrow his ground?
25When he hath levelled the face thereof, doth he not cast abroad the fitches, and scatter the cummin, and put in the wheat in rows, and the barley in the appointed place, and the spelt in the border thereof?
← Isaiah 28:21Isaiah 28:23 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Now therefore be ye not mockers, &c.] At the words of the prophets, and the judgments denounced by them, which is very common, when they are deferred, and not immediately executed: this was the case before the destruction of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans, and one cause of it, (<143616>2 Chronicles 36:16) and also by the Romans; (see <441341>Acts 13:41): lest your bands be made strong; punishment become heavier, and more grievous; and so the Syriac version renders it; as prisoners that attempt to make their escape have their bonds and fetters made faster, and so are put to more pain and distress; to which the allusion seems to be, signifying, that by scoffing and mocking at the word of God they…”
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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
“mockers--a sin which they had committed (Isa 28:9-10). bands--their Assyrian bondage (Isa 10:27); Judah was then tributary to Assyria; or, "lest your punishment be made still more severe" (Isa 24:22). consumption--destruction (Isa 10:22-23; Dan 9:27).”
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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
“Lest - Lest thereby you make the judgments of God sure and unavoidable. For - God hath assured me, that he will utterly destroy the people of Israel. Isaiah 28:24”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“be ye: Isa 28:15; Ch2 30:10, Ch2 36:16; Jer 15:17, Jer 20:7; Mat 27:39, Mat 27:44; Act 13:40, Act 13:41; Act 17:32 lest: Ch2 33:11; Psa 107:16; Jer 39:7; Lam 1:14; Rev 22:18, Rev 22:19 a consumption: Isa 10:22, Isa 10:23, 24:1-23, Isa 32:12-14; Jer 25:11; Dan 9:26, Dan 9:27; Luk 21:24 Isaiah 28:23”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“But the possibility of repentance was still open to them, and at least a modification of what had been threatened was attainable. "And now drive ye not mockeries, lest your fetters be strengthened; for I have heard from the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, a judgment of destruction, and an irrevocable one, upon the whole earth." It is assumed that they are already in fetters, namely, the fetters of Asshur ( Nah 1:13). Out of these fetters they wanted to escape by a breach of faith, and with the help of Egypt without Jehovah, and consequently they mocked at the warnings of the prophet. He therefore appeals to them at any rate to stop their mocking, lest they should fall out of the bondage in which…”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification