Isaiah Chapter 28 · Verse 19
From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only to understand the report.
Original Language Analysis
מִדֵּ֤י
From the time
H1767
מִדֵּ֤י
From the time
Strong's:
H1767
Word #:
1 of 15
enough (as noun or adverb), used chiefly with preposition in phrases
יַעֲבֹ֖ר
shall it pass over
H5674
יַעֲבֹ֖ר
shall it pass over
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
2 of 15
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
יִקַּ֣ח
it shall take
H3947
יִקַּ֣ח
it shall take
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
3 of 15
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
אֶתְכֶ֔ם
H853
אֶתְכֶ֔ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
5 of 15
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
בַּבֹּ֛קֶר
by morning
H1242
בַּבֹּ֛קֶר
by morning
Strong's:
H1242
Word #:
6 of 15
properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
בַּבֹּ֛קֶר
by morning
H1242
בַּבֹּ֛קֶר
by morning
Strong's:
H1242
Word #:
7 of 15
properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
יַעֲבֹ֖ר
shall it pass over
H5674
יַעֲבֹ֖ר
shall it pass over
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
8 of 15
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
בַּיּ֣וֹם
by day
H3117
בַּיּ֣וֹם
by day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
9 of 15
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
וּבַלָּ֑יְלָה
and by night
H3915
וּבַלָּ֑יְלָה
and by night
Strong's:
H3915
Word #:
10 of 15
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
וְהָיָ֥ה
H1961
וְהָיָ֥ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
11 of 15
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
רַק
H7535
רַק
Strong's:
H7535
Word #:
12 of 15
properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although
Historical Context
Babylon's siege of Jerusalem lasted years with repeated assaults (2 Kings 25:1-2). Famine, disease, attacks came day and night. When the walls finally breached, understanding came too late—only terror remained. Similarly, AD 70 saw Rome's relentless siege. In final judgment, Revelation 6:15-17 shows people understanding too late, crying for rocks to hide them. The time for repentance is now, while mercy is offered. Once judgment begins, understanding brings only horror.
Questions for Reflection
- Why is there a point where 'understanding' brings only terror rather than opportunity for repentance?
- How does the relentlessness of judgment ('morning by morning...day and by night') emphasize the urgency of responding to God's word now?
- What warnings from Scripture are you dismissing that might become 'vexation' when you finally understand—too late?
Analysis & Commentary
From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only to understand the report. The judgment announced (v.18) will be relentless and consuming. From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you (middei ovro yiqqach etkhem, מִדֵּי עָבְרוֹ יִקַּח אֶתְכֶם, as often as it passes through, it shall seize you) indicates repeated waves of judgment. Morning by morning...by day and by night (baboqer baboqer ya'avor bayyom uvalaylah, בַּבֹּקֶר בַּבֹּקֶר יַעֲבֹר בַּיּוֹם וּבַלָּיְלָה) emphasizes constant, unrelenting assault—no respite, no escape, no safe time.
And it shall be a vexation only to understand the report (ve-hayah raq-zvahah havin shemu'ah, וְהָיָה רַק־זְוָעָה הָבִין שְׁמוּעָה, and it shall be sheer terror to understand the message). Zeva'ah (זְוָעָה) means terror, horror. Finally understanding Isaiah's warnings brings only dread, no comfort—too late for repentance. The message they mocked (vv.9-10) becomes horrifying reality. This fulfills Proverbs 1:24-28 where wisdom warns, "I called, and ye refused...Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer." There comes a point where understanding truth brings only terror because judgment is already falling.