---
title: "Bullinger"
description: "Woe = Ho! We now come to a cycle of woes corresponding with the \"burdens\". In these \"woes\" Jehovah"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/bullingers-companion-bible-notes/isaiah/28"
---

**Woe** = Ho! We now come to a cycle of woes corresponding with the "burdens". In these "woes" Jehovah's purpose is alternately thrown into sharp contrast (see the Structure, above). crown of pride = pride's crown, or proud crown (i.e. Samaria; compare [Amos 6:1](../../../kjv/amos/6/1) , [Amos 6:3](../../../kjv/amos/6/3) ). Figure of speech *Enallage* ( App-6 ). Referring to the circle of towers which girdled Samaria.
**to** = of.
**Ephraim** = one tribe. Put by Figure of speech *Metonymy* (of Adjunct), for all the tribes of Israel.
**a fading flower.** Compare [Isaiah 1:30](../../../kjv/isaiah/1/30) ; [Isaiah 40:7](../../../kjv/isaiah/40/7) .
**fat** = rich, or luxuriant.

**hath a mighty and strong one** = hath a mighty one, immensely strong: i.e. Assyria ([2 Kings 17:5](../../../kjv/2-kings/17/5) , [2 Kings 17:6](../../../kjv/2-kings/17/6) ).
**cast down** = cast [Ephraim] down.

**be** = become.
**and.** Omit.
**hasty fruit** = early fig [becomes].
**eateth it up** = swalloweth it.

**the Lord of hosts.** See note on [Isaiah 1:9](../../../kjv/isaiah/1/9) .

**spirit.** Hebrew. *ruach.* App-9 .
**turn** = turn, or drive, back.

**they.** Referring to Judah.
**strong drink.** Hebrew. *shekar* . App-27 .
**judgment** = pronouncing judgment.

**tabled.** Used at sacrificial feasts (Tabernacles, Harvest, &c.) [1 Samuel 20:34](../../../kjv/1-samuel/20/34) .[Ezekiel 40:39-43](../../../kjv/ezekiel/40/39-43) .[Malachi 1:7](../../../kjv/malachi/1/7) , [Malachi 1:12](../../../kjv/malachi/1/12) .

**Whom** = Whom [say they].
**milk. breasts?** (Two questions.)

**For** = For [say they] mimicking the prophet as though he were teaching little children in a school.
**must be:** or, [hath been]. The verse then reads: "For it is *zav lazav, zav lazav kav lakav, kav lakav ze'er sham, ze'er sham* . "The Figures of speech: *Epizeuxis* and *Paronomasia* ( App-6 ), for emphasis. It may be Englished by: "Law upon law, Saw upon saw".

**For** = Yea, verily. Taking the words out of their own taunting lips, and turning them against themselves. Quoted in [1 Corinthians 14:21](../../../kjv/1-corinthians/14/21) .
**stammering** = jabbering.
**another** = foreign. Referring to the Assyrian language they were (alas!) soon to hear (Compare [Isaiah 33:19](../../../kjv/isaiah/33/19) . [Deuteronomy 28:49](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/28/49) ).
**He speak:** i.e. by the Assyrians.

**To whom He said:** or, He (Jehovah) Who said to them: i.e. by His prophets ([Isaiah 7:4](../../../kjv/isaiah/7/4) ; [Isaiah 8:6](../../../kjv/isaiah/8/6) ; [Isaiah 30:15](../../../kjv/isaiah/30/15) ).

**was** = became. Giving back to the scoffers their own words (from [Isaiah 28:10](../../../kjv/isaiah/28/10) ) in the form of a threatening.
**might** = may.
**fall backward, &c.** Note the Figure of speech *Synonymia* , by which the similar words are heaped together to impress on them the solemnity and certainty of the judgment.
**taken** = caught.

**made** = cut, or solemnized.
**made a covenant.** It is alleged that the use of the word "covenant" is confined to Jehovah by the "second Isaiah" (i.e. after [Isaiah 40](../../../kjv/isaiah/40) ): but it is so used before that (See [Isaiah 24:5](../../../kjv/isaiah/24/5) ; [Isaiah 33:8](../../../kjv/isaiah/33/8) ), But why should not a covenant be made with, and by, other parties as it is here in [Isaiah 28:15](../../../kjv/isaiah/28/15) , [Isaiah 28:18](../../../kjv/isaiah/28/18) ? See App-79 .
**hell.** Hebrew Sheol. App-35 .

**I lay** = I have laid. So the Syriac and Septuagint. Laid, in the counsels of eternity: in Abraham's promise ([Genesis 12](../../../kjv/genesis/12) ); in David's covenant ([2 Samuel 7](../../../kjv/2-samuel/7) ).
**in Zion.** In Zion; not Zion itself.
**a stone.** This is a distinct reference to [Isaiah 49:24](../../../kjv/isaiah/49/24) . It is the Immanuel (of [Isaiah 7](../../../kjv/isaiah/7) ), the promised Son (of [Isaiah 9](../../../kjv/isaiah/9) ), the rod from Jesse's stem (of [Isaiah 11](../../../kjv/isaiah/11) ).
**a tried stone** = a test stone: i.e. tested itself, and testing others. Compare [Isaiah 28:17](../../../kjv/isaiah/28/17) , and [Zechariah 3:9](../../../kjv/zechariah/3/9) .
**a sure foundation.** Figure of speech *Polyptoton* ( App-6 ), for emphasis. Hebrew a foundation founded: i.e. a wellfounded foundation, or a firm or sure foundation.
**not make haste** = be constant, steady, not fleeing away. See note on [Proverbs 8:30](../../../kjv/proverbs/8/30) . Note the Figure of speech *Metonymy* (of Subject), by which the hastening, or flight is put for the confusion and shame which is the cause of it. Septuagint reads "ashamed". In [Romans 9:33](../../../kjv/romans/9/33) ; [Romans 10:11](../../../kjv/romans/10/11) . [1 Peter 2:6](../../../kjv/1-peter/2/6) , the Figure of speech is translated, and means therefore exactly the same thing: = shall have no need for hurried flight (Compare [Isaiah 49:23](../../../kjv/isaiah/49/23) ).

**Judgment also will I lay to the line, &c.** = I will make judgment the line, and righteousness the plumbline.

**take you** = take you away.
**vexation** = terror.
**report** = hearing. Put by Figure of speech *Metonymy* (of Adjunct), for what is heard.

**the bed, &c.** This allegory is to show that their false security as to the approach of Sennacherib would afford them no real rest, it would soon be disturbed.

**Perazim. Gibeon.** This could not be known or understood without reference to [2 Samuel 5:20](../../../kjv/2-samuel/5/20) , and [Joshua 10:10](../../../kjv/joshua/10/10) ; and this reference must have been in writing: too long before (700 years) to be a matter of mere memory. See App-92 .
**His strange work** = strange His work [is]. Hebrew. *zur* = foreign.
**His strange act** = unwonted [is] His act. Hebrew. *nakar.*

**earth** = land, or soil.

**plow all day:** i.e. continually = ever keep ploughing? See the note on [Isaiah 28:28](../../../kjv/isaiah/28/28) .
**he open** = he [for ever] open.

**The principal wheat** = wheat in rows. Only here. place = due order. Connect "appointed" with "place", not with "barley".

**For his God, &c.** Render: "For One hath instructed him in the right course; his God doth teach him".
**God.** Hebrew. *Elohim.* App-4 .

**threshing instrument.** Only here, and [Isaiah 41:15](../../../kjv/isaiah/41/15) .

**Bread** = Corn. Bread is put by Figure of speech *Metonymy* (of Effect), for the corn of which it is made. Compare [Job 28:5](../../../kjv/job/28/5) .
**bruised** = crushed: i.e. reduced to powder. Compare [Exodus 32:20](../../../kjv/exodus/32/20) . [2 Kings 23:6](../../../kjv/2-kings/23/6) . Render, as a question: Is corn crushed? because = nay. The Hebrew accent *t* ebir is disjunctive and requires this rendering. Compare Revised Version margin, and [Job 22:2](../../../kjv/job/22/2) .
**ever** = for ever.

**This:** i.e. this same design in His treatment of His people. His purpose is the same as that of the husbandman. Compare [Amos 9:9](../../../kjv/amos/9/9) .
**excellent** = lofty.
**working** = wisdom. The sort of wisdom which carries the purpose through to permanency. Hebrew. *tushiyah,* See note on [Proverbs 2:7](../../../kjv/proverbs/2/7) .

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