Isaiah 28:22

So now, do not mock, or your shackles will become heavier. Indeed, I have heard from the Lord GOD of Hosts a decree of destruction against the whole land.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The Lord GOD of Hosts addresses a mocking audience in Judah, intervening between His warning of a strange work in Isaiah 28:21 and His command to listen in Isaiah 28:23.

The words — The verse hinges on תִּתְלוֹצָ֔צוּ (tit.lo.Tza.tzu), literally "you show yourself a mocker," and כָלָ֨ה (kha.Lah), literally "complete destruction," which mark the boundary between derision and the certainty of the coming judgment.

The thread — This decree of destruction against the land recurs in Isaiah 10:22, Isaiah 24:1, and 2 Chronicles 30:10.

Why it lands — The text demands cessation of derision and recognition that a divine judgment has already been issued, requiring immediate attention rather than dismissal.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

וְעַתָּה֙ve./'a.Tahand/ therefore אַל־'al-may not תִּתְלוֹצָ֔צוּtit.lo.Tza.tzuyou show yourself a mocker פֶּֽן־pen-lest יֶחְזְק֖וּyech.ze.Kuthey should become strong מֽוֹסְרֵיכֶ֑םmos.rei./Khemfetters/ your כִּֽי־ki-for כָלָ֨הkha.Lahcomplete destruction וְנֶחֱרָצָ֜הve./ne.che.ra.Tzahand/ [what] has been decided שָׁמַ֗עְתִּיsha.Ma'.tiI have heard מֵאֵ֨תme./'Etfrom/ with אֲדֹנָ֧י'a.do.Nai[the] Lord יְהוִ֛הYah.wehYahweh צְבָא֖וֹתtze.va.'otof hosts עַל־'al-on כָּל־kol-all הָאָֽרֶץ׃ha./'A.retzthe/ land

King James Version

Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong: for I have heard from the Lord God of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth.

Cross-references

Isaiah 10:22 Though your people, O Israel, be like the sand of the sea, only a remnant will return. Destruction has been decreed, overflowing with righteousness.
Isaiah 24:1 Behold, the LORD lays waste the earth and leaves it in ruins. He will twist its surface and scatter its inhabitants—
2 Chronicles 30:10 And the couriers traveled from city to city through the land of Ephraim and Manasseh as far as Zebulun, but the people scorned and mocked them.
2 Chronicles 36:16 But they mocked the messengers of God, despising His words and scoffing at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD against His people was stirred up beyond remedy.
Psalms 107:16 For He has broken down the gates of bronze and cut through the bars of iron.
Isaiah 28:14 Therefore hear the word of the LORD, O scoffers who rule this people in Jerusalem.
Isaiah 32:12 Beat your breasts for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vines,
Jeremiah 15:17 I never sat with the band of revelers, nor did I celebrate with them. Because Your hand was on me, I sat alone, for You have filled me with indignation.
Jeremiah 20:7 You have deceived me, O LORD, and I was deceived. You have overcome me and prevailed. I am a laughingstock all day long; everyone mocks me.
Jeremiah 25:11 And this whole land will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon for seventy years.