Isaiah 28:24

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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

Complete Jewish Bible:

Does a farmer sowing keep plowing forever? Does he never stop breaking up and harrowing his land?

Berean Standard Bible:

Does the plowman plow for planting every day? Does he continuously loosen and harrow the soil?

American Standard Version:

Doth he that ploweth to sow plow continually? doth he continually open and harrow his ground?

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Doth the plowman^{H2790} plow^{H2790} all day^{H3117} to sow^{H2232}? doth he open^{H6605} and break the clods^{H7702} of his ground^{H127}?

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Isaiah 28:24

Isaiah 28:24 is a verse from the Old Testament book of Isaiah, which is a collection of prophecies attributed to the prophet Isaiah, who lived in the 8th century BCE. This verse is part of a larger agricultural metaphor used by Isaiah to convey a message to the people of Judah, particularly to its leaders. In the historical context, Judah was facing both political and spiritual crises, and the leaders were seeking alliances with foreign nations rather than trusting in God.

The verse itself uses the imagery of a farmer plowing his field as a teaching tool. The rhetorical questions asked—"Doth the plowman plow all day to sow? doth he open and break the clods of his ground?"—suggest that there is a proper process and timing for farming activities. A farmer does not plow endlessly; there is a season for plowing and a time to stop and sow the seeds. This metaphor is meant to illustrate that there is wisdom in recognizing the appropriate time for different actions.

The broader theme here is one of wisdom and discernment, emphasizing that actions should be thoughtfully timed and appropriate to the situation. Isaiah is criticizing the shortsightedness and foolishness of the leaders who are not following the right path or timing in their governance. Just as a farmer must prepare the soil before sowing, the leaders must prepare their people through righteousness and trust in God before expecting a fruitful outcome. The verse encourages a shift from reliance on human strategies to reliance on divine guidance, suggesting that the people's current strategies (like making foreign alliances) are as misguided as a farmer who plows without knowing when to sow.

In summary, Isaiah 28:24 uses an agricultural metaphor to rebuke the leaders of Judah for their lack of wisdom and trust in God. It calls for a recognition of the proper time and method for actions, implying that the people's strategies are ill-timed and misguided. The verse is a call to return to divine guidance and righteous leadership, with the understanding that true fruitfulness comes from aligning with God's will and timing.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H2790
   There are 66 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חָרַשׁ
   Transliteration: chârash
   Pronunciation: khaw-rash'
   Description: a primitive root; 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 sense); hence (from the idea of secrecy) to be silent, to let alone; hence (by implication) to be deaf (as an accompaniment of dumbness); [idiom] altogether, cease, conceal, be deaf, devise, ear, graven, imagine, leave off speaking, hold peace, plow(-er, man), be quiet, rest, practise secretly, keep silence, be silent, speak not a word, be still, hold tongue, worker.
   
2. Strong's Number: H3117
   There are 1931 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יוֹם
   Transliteration: yôwm
   Pronunciation: yome
   Description: from an unused root meaning to be hot; 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 associated term), (often used adverb); age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger.
   
3. Strong's Number: H2232
   There are 54 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: זָרַע
   Transliteration: zâraʻ
   Pronunciation: zaw-rah'
   Description: a primitive root; to sow; figuratively, to disseminate, plant, fructify; bear, conceive seed, set with sow(-er), yield.
   
4. Strong's Number: H6605
   There are 133 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּתַח
   Transliteration: pâthach
   Pronunciation: paw-thakh'
   Description: a primitive root; to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve; appear, break forth, draw (out), let go free, (en-) grave(-n), loose (self), (be, be set) open(-ing), put off, ungird, unstop, have vent.
   
5. Strong's Number: H7702
   There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׂדַד
   Transliteration: sâdad
   Pronunciation: saw-dad'
   Description: a primitive root; to abrade, i.e. harrow afield; break clods, harrow.
   
6. Strong's Number: H127
   There are 372 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֲדָמָה
   Transliteration: ʼădâmâh
   Pronunciation: ad-aw-maw'
   Description: from אָדַם; soil (from its general redness); country, earth, ground, husband(-man) (-ry), land.