Isaiah 28:22
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.
Original Language Analysis
וְעַתָּה֙
H6258
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
2 of 17
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּתְלוֹצָ֔צוּ
Now therefore be ye not mockers
H3887
תִּתְלוֹצָ֔צוּ
Now therefore be ye not mockers
Strong's:
H3887
Word #:
3 of 17
properly, to make mouths at, i.e., to scoff; hence (from the effort to pronounce a foreign language) to interpret, or (generally) intercede
פֶּֽן
H6435
פֶּֽן
Strong's:
H6435
Word #:
4 of 17
properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest
יֶחְזְק֖וּ
be made strong
H2388
יֶחְזְק֖וּ
be made strong
Strong's:
H2388
Word #:
5 of 17
to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra
מֽוֹסְרֵיכֶ֑ם
lest your bands
H4147
מֽוֹסְרֵיכֶ֑ם
lest your bands
Strong's:
H4147
Word #:
6 of 17
properly, chastisement, i.e., (by implication) a halter; figuratively, restraint
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
7 of 17
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
כָלָ֨ה
a consumption
H3617
כָלָ֨ה
a consumption
Strong's:
H3617
Word #:
8 of 17
a completion; adverb, completely; also destruction
וְנֶחֱרָצָ֜ה
even determined
H2782
וְנֶחֱרָצָ֜ה
even determined
Strong's:
H2782
Word #:
9 of 17
properly, to point sharply, i.e., (literally) to wound; figuratively, to be alert, to decide
שָׁמַ֗עְתִּי
for I have heard
H8085
שָׁמַ֗עְתִּי
for I have heard
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
10 of 17
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
מֵאֵ֨ת
H853
מֵאֵ֨ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוִ֛ה
H3068
יְהוִ֛ה
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
13 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָא֖וֹת
of hosts
H6635
צְבָא֖וֹת
of hosts
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
14 of 17
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
15 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Acts 17:32And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.Psalms 107:16For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.Jeremiah 20:7O LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me.Jeremiah 25:11And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.Jeremiah 15:17I sat not in the assembly of the mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of thy hand: for thou hast filled me with indignation.Jeremiah 39:7Moreover he put out Zedekiah's eyes, and bound him with chains, to carry him to Babylon.Matthew 27:39And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,Matthew 27:44The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.Luke 21:24And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.Lamentations 1:14The yoke of my transgressions is bound by his hand: they are wreathed, and come up upon my neck: he hath made my strength to fall, the Lord hath delivered me into their hands, from whom I am not able to rise up.
Historical Context
Isaiah heard this directly from God—prophetic certainty, not speculation. Babylon's conquest was determined decree, already decided in heaven's court. Later prophets confirmed this (Jeremiah 25:12-14). Jesus similarly spoke of determined destruction for Jerusalem (Luke 21:20-24). The "whole earth" awaits final judgment—Peter warns scoffers of this very thing (2 Peter 3:3-7). The urgency: stop mocking before your bonds become too strong to break, before determined judgment falls. Procrastination hardens hearts and seals doom.
Questions for Reflection
- How does persistent mocking and scoffing at God's word create 'bands' that make repentance increasingly difficult?
- What does it mean that judgment is 'determined'—already decreed in heaven's court?
- How should awareness of coming 'consumption upon the whole earth' create urgency in your witness to others?
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Analysis & Commentary
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. Isaiah issues urgent warning to the scoffers of verses 14-15. Be ye not mockers (ve'attah al-titlotasu, וְעַתָּה אַל־תִּתְלוֹצָצוּ, and now do not be scoffers) pleads for repentance. Letsin (לֵצִין, mockers/scoffers from same root as v.14) are those who ridicule God's word. The consequence of continued mocking: lest your bands be made strong (pen-yechezequ mosroteikhem, פֶּן־יֶחֶזְקוּ מוֹסְרוֹתֵיכֶם, lest your bonds/chains be strengthened). Persistent scoffing hardens into bondage; mocking becomes chains. Freedom to repent diminishes with continued resistance.
For I have heard from the Lord GOD of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth (ki chalah ve-necheratsah shamati me'et Adonai Yahweh tseva'ot al kol-ha'arets, כִּי כָלָה וְנֶחֱרָצָה שָׁמַעְתִּי מֵאֵת אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה צְבָאוֹת עַל כָּל־הָאָרֶץ). Kalah (כָּלָה, completion, destruction) and necheratsah (נֶחֱרָצָה, decreed, determined) indicate fixed divine decision. This isn't mere threat but determined reality. The scope is the whole earth, not just Jerusalem—universal judgment. This points beyond Babylon to final judgment (2 Peter 3:7, Revelation 20:11-15).