Isaiah 28:10

For precept [must be] upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, [and] there a little:

For precept {H6673} must be upon precept {H6673}, precept {H6673} upon precept {H6673}; line {H6957} upon line {H6957}, line {H6957} upon line {H6957}; here a little {H2191}, and there a little {H2191}:

so that [one has to use nursery rhymes]? Tzav la-tzav, tzav la-tzav, kav la-kav, kav la-kav z'eir sham, z'eir sham [Precept by precept, precept by precept, line by line, line by line, a little here, a little there].

For they hear: โ€œOrder on order, order on order, line on line, line on line; a little here, a little there.โ€

For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, there a little.

Commentary

Context of Isaiah 28:10

Isaiah 28:10 is part of a prophetic oracle delivered by the prophet Isaiah primarily against the northern kingdom of Israel (Ephraim), and implicitly against Judah's leadership as well. The leaders, described as "drunken" and spiritually arrogant, scorned Isaiah's straightforward, simple messages from God. They mocked the prophet's repetitive warnings and instructions, dismissing them as childish babbleโ€”like speaking to toddlers. Their sarcastic imitation, "precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little," reflects their disdain for divine revelation and their spiritual blindness. This mockery foreshadows the impending judgment where God would indeed speak to them, but through the foreign language of their Assyrian conquerors (Isaiah 28:11).

Key Themes and Messages

  • Rejection of Divine Authority: The verse highlights the leaders' profound disrespect for God's word and His chosen messenger. They preferred their own wisdom and revelry over divine guidance.
  • Spiritual Immaturity: The repetitive nature of the "precept upon precept" reflects the leaders' inability or unwillingness to grasp deeper spiritual truths, necessitating foundational, repeated instructions. This is presented not as an ideal teaching method but as a consequence of their stubbornness.
  • Judgment and Consequences: Their scoffing at God's simple truths would lead to a more severe form of "instruction" โ€“ the harsh reality of foreign invasion and exile, where God would indeed speak to them in a way they could not ignore.
  • God's Patient Instruction: Despite their rebellion, God continued to send clear, albeit basic, messages, demonstrating His persistent desire for His people to repent and understand.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase behind "precept upon precept, line upon line" is tzav latzav, tzav latzav, qav laqav, qav laqav (ืฆื• ืœืฆื• ืฆื• ืœืฆื• ืงื• ืœืงื• ืงื• ืœืงื•). The word tzav (precept) denotes a command or an instruction, often simple and direct. Qav (line) refers to a measuring line, a rule, or an established standard. The repetitive structure in the original Hebrew powerfully conveys the mocking tone of the leaders, mimicking what they perceived as the prophet's simplistic, monotonous teaching. It sounds almost like gibberish, emphasizing their contempt for God's orderly and progressive revelation.

Significance and Application

While often quoted positively today to describe a gradual, incremental approach to learning, the original context of Isaiah 28:10 is a sharp rebuke. However, it still offers valuable insights:

  • Humility in Learning: The passage warns against spiritual arrogance and the danger of despising simple, foundational truths. True spiritual growth requires a humble heart willing to receive God's word, regardless of how basic it may seem.
  • God's Pedagogical Method: Although mocked here, the principle of building knowledge "here a little, and there a little" is indeed how God often teaches us. He reveals truth progressively, line upon line, as we are able to receive it. This mirrors how we learn complex subjects, starting with basics and building upwards. The New Testament similarly speaks of spiritual growth from "milk" to "solid food" (Hebrews 5:12).
  • Patience in Teaching and Learning: The verse underscores the patience of God in repeatedly instructing His people, even when they are stubborn. It also reminds us that spiritual understanding often comes through consistent, repeated engagement with scripture and patient application of its principles.
  • Consequences of Rejection: Ultimately, rejecting God's clear and simple instructions leads to more severe consequences, as God may allow circumstances to teach lessons that words could not.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 28:13

    But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, [and] there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

  • 2 Timothy 3:7

    Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

  • Jeremiah 11:7

    For I earnestly protested unto your fathers in the day [that] I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, [even] unto this day, rising early and protesting, saying, Obey my voice.

  • Jeremiah 25:3

    From the thirteenth year of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, even unto this day, that [is] the three and twentieth year, the word of the LORD hath come unto me, and I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye have not hearkened.

  • Jeremiah 25:7

    Yet ye have not hearkened unto me, saith the LORD; that ye might provoke me to anger with the works of your hands to your own hurt.

  • Hebrews 5:12

    For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which [be] the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

  • Deuteronomy 6:1

    ยถ Now these [are] the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do [them] in the land whither ye go to possess it: