Isaiah 28:23
Give ye ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech.
Original Language Analysis
הַאֲזִ֥ינוּ
Give ye ear
H238
הַאֲזִ֥ינוּ
Give ye ear
Strong's:
H238
Word #:
1 of 6
to broaden out the ear (with the hand), i.e., (by implication) to listen
וְשִׁמְע֖וּ
and hear
H8085
וְשִׁמְע֖וּ
and hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
2 of 6
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
Historical Context
Ancient Israelites, being agricultural society, would immediately connect with farming analogies. Isaiah uses their daily experience (plowing, planting, threshing) to explain divine methodology. Jesus later used similar agricultural parables (sower, wheat and tares, mustard seed). Paul applies threshing imagery to ministry support (1 Corinthians 9:9-10). The wisdom tradition frequently drew lessons from nature and agriculture (Proverbs 6:6-8, 24:30-34). God's truth is embedded in creation patterns, teaching spiritual realities through natural processes.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does Isaiah use fourfold repetition to command attention before his farming parable?
- How does God speak through creation and natural processes to teach spiritual truth?
- What does your attentiveness to Scripture reveal about how seriously you take God's instruction?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Give ye ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech. Isaiah shifts from warning (vv.1-22) to wisdom parable (vv.23-29) illustrating God's purposeful methods. The fourfold summons to attention—give ye ear (ha'azinu, הַאֲזִינוּ, listen carefully), hear my voice (shim'u qoli, שִׁמְעוּ קוֹלִי, hear my voice), hearken (haqshivu, הַקְשִׁיבוּ, pay attention), hear my speech (shim'u imrati, שִׁמְעוּ אִמְרָתִי, hear my word)—emphasizes critical importance of the following analogy. This isn't casual observation but divine instruction requiring full attention.
The repetition recalls Deuteronomy 6:4 (Shema: "Hear, O Israel") and Moses's song (Deuteronomy 32:1: "Give ear, O ye heavens"). Prophets regularly demand attention before crucial revelations (Isaiah 1:2, Jeremiah 2:4, Hosea 4:1). Jesus similarly said, "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear" (Matthew 11:15, 13:9). What follows (the farmer parable) provides theological framework for understanding God's varied dealings—why He uses different methods for different purposes, always working toward harvest.