Breakdown of Isaiah 28:14-22

"Therefore hear the word of the LORD, you scoffers, who rule this people in Jerusalem! Because you have said, “We have made a covenant with death, and with Sheol we have an agreement, when the overwhelming whip passes th…" — These leaders aren't just any scoffing individuals; they are specifically the ones in charge of Jerusalem and its people. Isaiah's word choice highlights the dangerous irony that those entrusted wi…

All verses

Isaiah 28:14-22

What does Isaiah 28:14-22 mean?

These leaders aren't just any scoffing individuals; they are specifically the ones in charge of Jerusalem and its people. Isaiah's word choice highlights the dangerous irony that those entrusted with guiding the nation are the very ones mocking the divine counsel meant to save them.

Therefore hear the word of the LORD, you scoffers, who rule this people in Jerusalem! Because you have said, “We have made a covenant with death, and with Sheol we have an agreement, when the overwhelming whip passes through it will not come to us, for we have made lies our refuge, and in falsehood we have taken shelter”; therefore thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: ‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.’ And I will make justice the line, and righteousness the plumb line; and hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, and waters will overwhelm the shelter.” Then your covenant with death will be annulled, and your agreement with Sheol will not stand; when the overwhelming scourge passes through, you will be beaten down by it. As often as it passes through it will take you; for morning by morning it will pass through, by day and by night; and it will be sheer terror to understand the message. For the bed is too short to stretch oneself on, and the covering too narrow to wrap oneself in. For the LORD will rise up as on Mount Perazim; as in the Valley of Gibeon he will be roused; to do his deed—strange is his deed! and to work his work—alien is his work! Now therefore do not scoff, lest your bonds be made strong; for I have heard a decree of destruction from the Lord GOD of hosts against the whole land.

English Standard Version (ESV)

What Isaiah 28:14-22 means

Isaiah is addressing the leaders in Jerusalem, calling them "scoffers" because they are dismissing God's warnings and relying on their own clever schemes for security. They believe they've made a pact with death itself, assuring them that no disaster can touch them, but Isaiah reveals their confidence is built on lies. This message directly follows a woe pronounced against the drunkards of Ephraim, highlighting a pervasive spiritual blindness and arrogance that has seized the nation's leaders.

The Danger of Scoffing at God's Word

Have you ever dismissed important warnings as 'overkill' or 'fear-mongering'? Those who scoff at God's truth face a unique peril.

Isaiah begins this section with a direct address: "hear the word of the LORD, you scoffers." This isn't a casual invitation; it's a stern command. The Hebrew word for "scoffers" (lutz) implies mockery, derision, and a profound contempt for truth. These aren't just people who disagree; they actively make fun of God and His messages. The commentary highlights that this contempt often stems from a false sense of security and worldly wisdom, leading them to trust in their own plans and alliances over God's warnings.

This scoffing attitude isn't harmless. It's a spiritual disease that hardens the heart and blinds the mind to reality. When people mock God's word, they're not just insulting Him; they're sealing themselves off from the very wisdom and guidance they desperately need.

Rulers' Responsibility and Their False Covenants

What happens when those in power dismiss God's authority and rely on their own schemes? Their 'security' can become their downfall.

Isaiah specifically targets the "scoffers" who also "rule this people in Jerusalem." This is critical because it highlights that leadership comes with significant responsibility before God. These rulers weren't just individuals making light of God; they were in positions of influence, leading others astray with their cynicism and self-reliance.

The commentary reveals that these rulers felt secure, having made "covenants with death" and "agreements with hell." This is powerful imagery for relying on human strategies, alliances, or even illicit practices to guarantee safety, completely ignoring God's sovereignty. They trusted in "lies" and "falsehood" as their refuge, believing their own cleverness and political maneuvering would protect them from the "overflowing scourge" (likely referring to the Assyrian army).

Ask a follow-up

Ask Sola about this verse

This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.

What Isaiah 28:14-22 means

The original words in Isaiah 28:14-22

scoffersלֵץ

lēts · Hebrew Noun/Adjective

Those who mock or deride God and His messengers; they are characterized by an arrogant refusal to submit to divine wisdom or authority.

covenantבְּרִית

bərîth · Hebrew Noun

A solemn, binding agreement or treaty, often established by God with His people, characterized by mutual obligations or divine promises of faithfulness.

Sheolשְׁאוֹל

she’ôl · Hebrew Noun

The realm of the dead or the underworld in the Old Testament, representing the grave or the place where human existence apart from God's presence continues in a shadowy state.

refugeמַחְסֶה

machseh · Hebrew Noun

A place of protection or safety, often used metaphorically for trust in God, but here used ironically to describe the false security found in deceit.

falsehoodשֶׁקֶר

sheqer · Hebrew Noun

Intentional deception, untruth, or vanity; that which is not real or lasting and stands in opposition to the truth of God.

Lord GODאֲדֹנָי יְהוִה

Adonai Yahweh · Hebrew Noun phrase

A title for God emphasizing His absolute sovereignty, authority, and covenantal relationship with His people; it combines the personal name of God (Yahweh) with the title of Ruler/Master (Adonai).

foundationמוּסָד

musad · Hebrew Noun

Metaphorical term representing the foundational support or basis of a structure; in biblical typology, it refers to the stability of God's plan or the promised Messiah upon whom the faith of the people rests.

Zionצִיּוֹן

Tsiyyon · Hebrew Noun

A symbolic term used for God's presence, the site of the Temple, and the center of God's redemptive work; it represents the gathering place of God's people and the seat of His throne.

testedבָּחַן

bachan · Hebrew Adjective

A term denoting a reliable, trustworthy, and proven object; it signifies that God's work is established and capable of sustaining the weight placed upon it.

cornerstoneפִּנָּה

pinnah · Hebrew Noun

A stone placed at the intersection of two walls to provide stability; theologically, it refers to the indispensable, foundational element or Person (Christ) that supports the entire structure of God's kingdom.

believesאָמַן

aman · Hebrew Verb

To put trust in, rely upon, or hold fast to; in a biblical context, it signifies a settled confidence in God's promises that produces stability of soul, preventing panicked or rash behavior.

righteousnessצְדָקָה

tsedaqah · Hebrew Noun

A state of moral rightness, fairness, and adherence to the law; it describes the quality of character that aligns with God's own holiness and the standard He demands for His people.

plumb lineמִשְׁקֹלֶת

mishqoleth · Hebrew Noun

A tool used to ensure vertical alignment; in a spiritual sense, it represents the standard of God's holiness by which the lives and structures of men are measured and found wanting.

covenantבְּרִית

beriyth · Hebrew Noun

A formal, binding agreement or promise between parties; in Scripture, it often refers to the sacred relationship between God and His people, or—as used here—an illegitimate alliance made in violation of God's will.

Sheolשְׁאוֹל

Sheol · Hebrew Noun

The abode of the dead or the grave; in the Old Testament, it represents the destination of all humanity after death, often associated with darkness, separation from the living, and final judgment.

messageשְׁמוּעָה

shemuah · Hebrew Noun

A divine decree, message, or revealed word from God; it carries the weight of authority and demands a response from those who hear it, whether for salvation or judgment.

LORDיְהוָה

YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun

The personal, covenantal name of God, revealed to Israel, signifying His self-existence, eternal nature, and faithfulness to His promises.

scoffלָוּץ

lûts · Hebrew Verb

A state of being in opposition or hostility to God or His purposes; it implies stubbornness, disobedience, and moral rebellion against divine authority.

bondsמוֹסֵרָה

môsērâ · Hebrew Noun

A binding obligation or constraint, often used metaphorically for suffering, judgment, or spiritual captivity resulting from sin.

decree of destructionכָּלָה

kālâ · Hebrew Noun

A decisive command, judicial decision, or fixed purpose issued by God regarding the course of history or the judgment of nations.

Lord GOD of hostsצָבָא

Yahweh Sebaoth · Hebrew Noun

A title for God emphasizing His sovereignty as the Commander of the vast heavenly armies (angels) and the entire created universe.

What does Isaiah 28:14-22 mean?

What Isaiah 28:14-22 means

The Danger of Scoffing at God's Word

Rulers' Responsibility and Their False Covenants

Ask Sola about this verse

What Isaiah 28:14-22 means

The Danger of Scoffing at God's Word

Rulers' Responsibility and Their False Covenants

Ask Sola about this verse

The original words in Isaiah 28:14-22

The situation behind Isaiah 28:14-22

The historical timeline around Isaiah 28:14-22

Key themes in Isaiah 28:14-22

Verses connected to Isaiah 28:14-22

Scholarly commentary on Isaiah 28:14-22

Frequently asked questions about Isaiah 28:14-22

Study this verse in Sola