Isaiah Chapter 28 · Verse 24

Authorized King James Version

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Doth the plowman plow all day to sow? doth he open and break the clods of his ground?

Original Language Analysis

הֲכֹ֣ל H3605
הֲכֹ֣ל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 1 of 8
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַיּ֔וֹם all day H3117
הַיּ֔וֹם all day
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 2 of 8
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
הַחֹרֵ֖שׁ Doth the plowman H2790
הַחֹרֵ֖שׁ Doth the plowman
Strong's: H2790
Word #: 3 of 8
to scratch, i.e., (by implication) to engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to fabricate (of any material); figuratively, to devise (in a bad
הַחֹרֵ֖שׁ Doth the plowman H2790
הַחֹרֵ֖שׁ Doth the plowman
Strong's: H2790
Word #: 4 of 8
to scratch, i.e., (by implication) to engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to fabricate (of any material); figuratively, to devise (in a bad
לִזְרֹ֑עַ to sow H2232
לִזְרֹ֑עַ to sow
Strong's: H2232
Word #: 5 of 8
to sow; figuratively, to disseminate, plant, fructify
יְפַתַּ֥ח doth he open H6605
יְפַתַּ֥ח doth he open
Strong's: H6605
Word #: 6 of 8
to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve
וִֽישַׂדֵּ֖ד and break the clods H7702
וִֽישַׂדֵּ֖ד and break the clods
Strong's: H7702
Word #: 7 of 8
to abrade, i.e., harrow a field
אַדְמָתֽוֹ׃ of his ground H127
אַדְמָתֽוֹ׃ of his ground
Strong's: H127
Word #: 8 of 8
soil (from its general redness)

Analysis & Commentary

Doth the plowman plow all day to sow? doth he open and break the clods of his ground? Isaiah begins the agricultural parable with rhetorical questions expecting "No" answers. Doth the plowman plow all day to sow? (hakol hayyom yacharosh hacharesh lizro'a, הֲכֹל הַיּוֹם יַחֲרֹשׁ הַחֹרֵשׁ לִזְרוֹעַ, does the plowman plow all the day for sowing?) Obviously not—plowing is preparatory, not the goal. Doth he open and break the clods of his ground? (yefatach visadded admato, יְפַתַּח וִיסַדֵּד אַדְמָתוֹ, does he open and harrow his land?) Harrowing breaks up clods, but it's temporary stage, not perpetual activity.

The point: farmers don't plow endlessly. Plowing prepares soil for planting; it's not the end but means to an end. Applied theologically: God's judgments (plowing/breaking) are preparatory for restoration (planting/harvest). He doesn't discipline forever but works toward fruitfulness. This comforts those under God's "plowing"—painful breaking isn't purposeless or permanent but preparation for planting. Hosea 10:12 commands, "Break up your fallow ground," recognizing hard hearts need breaking before good seed can be sown.

Historical Context

Ancient plowing was arduous—wooden plows pulled by oxen broke hard ground, preparing for seed. Harrowing further broke clods. Farmers knew when to stop plowing and start planting—endless plowing would be absurd, accomplishing nothing. Similarly, God's judgments have purpose and limits. Exile to Babylon was 70 years (Jeremiah 25:11), not forever. Church discipline aims at restoration (2 Corinthians 2:6-8), not permanent condemnation. Even hell's judgment serves God's purposes in demonstrating justice (Romans 9:22). God never acts randomly or excessively—every action serves redemptive purposes.

Questions for Reflection