Isaiah Chapter 28 · Verse 9

Authorized King James Version

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Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.

Original Language Analysis

אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 1 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִי֙ H4310
מִי֙
Strong's: H4310
Word #: 2 of 12
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
יוֹרֶ֣ה Whom shall he teach H3384
יוֹרֶ֣ה Whom shall he teach
Strong's: H3384
Word #: 3 of 12
properly, to flow as water (i.e., to rain); transitively, to lay or throw (especially an arrow, i.e., to shoot); figuratively, to point out (as if by
דֵעָ֔ה knowledge H1844
דֵעָ֔ה knowledge
Strong's: H1844
Word #: 4 of 12
knowledge
וְאֶת H853
וְאֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 5 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִ֖י H4310
מִ֖י
Strong's: H4310
Word #: 6 of 12
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
יָבִ֣ין and whom shall he make to understand H995
יָבִ֣ין and whom shall he make to understand
Strong's: H995
Word #: 7 of 12
to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e., (generally) understand
שְׁמוּעָ֑ה doctrine H8052
שְׁמוּעָ֑ה doctrine
Strong's: H8052
Word #: 8 of 12
something heard, i.e., an announcement
גְּמוּלֵי֙ them that are weaned H1580
גְּמוּלֵי֙ them that are weaned
Strong's: H1580
Word #: 9 of 12
to treat a person (well or ill), i.e., benefit or requite; by implication (of toil), to ripen, i.e., (specifically) to wean
מֵֽחָלָ֔ב from the milk H2461
מֵֽחָלָ֔ב from the milk
Strong's: H2461
Word #: 10 of 12
milk (as the richness of kine)
עַתִּיקֵ֖י and drawn H6267
עַתִּיקֵ֖י and drawn
Strong's: H6267
Word #: 11 of 12
removed, i.e., weaned; also antique
מִשָּׁדָֽיִם׃ from the breasts H7699
מִשָּׁדָֽיִם׃ from the breasts
Strong's: H7699
Word #: 12 of 12
the breast of a woman or animal (as bulging)

Cross References

Psalms 131:2Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.Jeremiah 6:10To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: behold, the word of the LORD is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it.John 12:38That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?Matthew 11:25At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.Isaiah 53:1Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?Isaiah 54:13And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.Jeremiah 5:31The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?John 3:19And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.Isaiah 50:4The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.Psalms 50:17Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee.

Analysis & Commentary

Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. Verses 9-13 present disputed interpretation. Either:

  1. drunk leaders mockingly ask who Isaiah thinks he's teaching—toddlers?, or
  2. Isaiah/God asks rhetorically who can receive teaching—only those mature enough.

Context favors (1): drunken leaders resent Isaiah's rebuke, sarcastically asking whom shall he teach knowledge? (et-mi yoreh de'ah, אֶת־מִי יוֹרֶה דֵּעָה) and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? (ve'et-mi yavin shemu'ah, וְאֶת־מִי יָבִין שְׁמוּעָה, whom will he make understand the message?).

Their sneering answer: them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts (gmule mechalav atiqei mishaddayim, גְּמוּלֵי מֵחָלָב עַתִּיקֵי מִשָּׁדָיִם, those weaned from milk, removed from breasts)—little children just past nursing! They mock Isaiah as treating them like infants needing elementary instruction. The irony: their drunken stupor proves they DO need basic teaching. They think themselves wise but are actually immature (1 Corinthians 3:1-2, Hebrews 5:12-14). Those who should teach others still need milk, not solid food.

Historical Context

Throughout history, corrupt leaders resent prophetic rebuke. Amaziah told Amos to leave (Amos 7:12-13). Pashhur struck Jeremiah (Jeremiah 20:1-2). Herodias killed John the Baptist (Matthew 14:3-10). Jesus faced religious leaders who rejected His teaching as offensive (John 6:60, 66). Paul rebuked Corinthians for remaining infants in Christ (1 Corinthians 3:1). The church has always struggled with leaders who think themselves advanced but lack basic spiritual maturity. Pride blinds people to their need for instruction.

Questions for Reflection