Isaiah 28:10

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}:

Complete Jewish Bible

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].

Berean Standard Bible

For they hear: “Order on order, order on order, line on line, line on line; a little here, a little there.”

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 28:10, often misunderstood, is a profound expression of the spiritual arrogance of Judah and Israel's leaders, who sarcastically mocked the prophet Isaiah's divinely inspired messages. They scorned God's clear, foundational instructions as simplistic, repetitive babble, akin to the rudimentary teaching given to infants. This verse encapsulates their profound spiritual blindness, their disdain for divine authority, and chillingly foreshadows God's impending judgment, where He would speak to them not through His patient prophets, but through the harsh, foreign language of their Assyrian conquerors, compelling them to learn "line upon line" through bitter, inescapable experience.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 28 opens with a severe "Woe to the proud crown of the drunkards of Ephraim," directly addressing the northern kingdom of Israel (Ephraim) and its capital, Samaria, for their profound spiritual and moral decay. The prophet condemns their revelry, arrogance, and outright rejection of God's word. The preceding verses detail their spiritual stupor and inability to discern truth. Isaiah 28:9-10 directly quotes the contemptuous words of these leaders, who deride Isaiah's teaching as simplistic and monotonous, fit only for toddlers. This sets the stage for God's powerful and terrifying response in [Isaiah 28:11-13](/isaiah/28-11-13 "Isaiah 28:11-13 - God's Judgment through Foreign Tongues"), where He declares that He will indeed speak to them, but through the foreign tongues of their conquerors, turning their scorn into a horrific reality. The passage starkly contrasts God's patient, clear instruction with the people's stubborn refusal to listen, leading inevitably to their stumbling and judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy in Isaiah 28 is delivered against the ominous backdrop of the Assyrian Empire's relentless expansion and dominance in the 8th century BCE. The northern kingdom of Israel, particularly Ephraim, was characterized by political instability and a perilous tendency to seek alliances with foreign powers (such as Egypt) rather than placing their trust in Yahweh. Spiritually, they were deeply entrenched in idolatry and moral corruption, adopting pagan practices from surrounding nations. The description of their leaders as "drunkards" likely refers to both literal intoxication and a pervasive spiritual stupor that rendered them incapable of sober judgment and discernment. They perceived Isaiah's messages, which called for repentance and unwavering reliance on God, as an irritating inconvenience or an insult to their perceived sophistication. The pedagogical concept of "precept upon precept" and "line upon line" would have been a common method for teaching young children, making their mockery particularly condescending and deeply insulting to the prophet and, by extension, to God Himself.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes woven throughout the book of Isaiah. Firstly, it highlights the pervasive theme of the **rejection of divine revelation** by God's own covenant people, a recurring motif across the prophetic literature. The leaders' scorn for Isaiah's "simple" messages vividly underscores their spiritual arrogance and their preference for human wisdom and revelry over the profound truth of God. Secondly, it emphasizes the theme of **judgment and consequence**, illustrating how God's long-suffering patience eventually gives way to a more severe form of "instruction." Their stubborn refusal to learn from God's gentle, clear teaching, which offered them rest and refreshment ([Isaiah 28:12](/isaiah/28-12 "Isaiah 28:12 - God's Offer of Rest")), ultimately leads to a far harsher lesson delivered through foreign invasion and exile. Thirdly, it subtly points to **God's pedagogical patience**, even in the face of flagrant rebellion. Despite their mocking, God had indeed been teaching them progressively, "here a little, and there a little," demonstrating His persistent desire for their repentance and understanding before the inevitable onset of judgment. This theme resonates deeply with the broader biblical principle of God's incremental and gracious revelation of truth to humanity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Precept (Hebrew, _tsav'_):** From the root meaning "to command" or "to enjoin," this word (H6673) refers to an injunction, a commandment, or a divine instruction. In this context, it denotes a simple, direct, and foundational command from God, which the mocking leaders found simplistic and irritating. The repetition of "precept upon precept" emphasizes the basic, perhaps even monotonous, nature of the instructions as perceived by the scoffers.
* **Line (Hebrew, _qav'_):** This term (H6957) literally means "a cord" or "a measuring line," but figuratively it refers to a rule, a standard, or an established guideline. The repetition "line upon line" suggests a methodical, incremental unfolding of truth or a series of rules that build upon one another. The leaders' mockery implies they felt these "lines" were too elementary or too numerous, failing to appreciate the orderly and progressive nature of divine revelation.
* **Little (Hebrew, _zᵉʻêyr'_):** Derived from an unused root meaning "to dwindle," this word (H2191) signifies something small or insignificant. The phrase "here a little, and there a little" further underscores the leaders' contempt, portraying Isaiah's teaching as fragmented, piecemeal, and lacking in profound insight, akin to disjointed lessons given to a young child.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For precept upon precept, precept upon precept;":** This phrase, a direct and scornful quote of the mocking leaders, encapsulates their utter disdain for Isaiah's prophetic messages. They perceived God's commands as overly simplistic and childishly repetitive, perhaps delivered in short, staccato bursts, like instructions given to an infant. The doubling emphasizes the perceived monotony and lack of sophistication in God's teaching methods, which they found insulting to their supposed wisdom.
* **"line upon line, line upon line;":** Continuing their sarcastic imitation, this clause further ridicules the prophet's method of divine instruction. The "lines" refer to rules or standards, suggesting that God's revelation was being presented in a basic, step-by-step fashion, which the "wise" leaders found beneath their intellectual and spiritual capacity. They saw it as an affront to their intelligence, not a patient, foundational instruction designed for their true spiritual growth.
* **"here a little, and there a little:":** This final phrase completes the picture of condescending mockery. It implies that God's truth was being dispensed in small, fragmented doses, seemingly without a grand, coherent vision or profound insight. The leaders scoffed at the incremental nature of divine revelation, utterly failing to grasp that God teaches progressively, building understanding "a little" at a time, as His people are able to receive and apply it.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 28:10 is exceptionally rich in **Irony**, **Repetition**, and **Onomatopoeia**. The primary device is profound **Irony**, as the prophet quotes the very words of his scoffers, which God then turns back upon them as a terrifying prophecy of judgment in the subsequent verses. What they mock as childish babble ("precept upon precept," "line upon line") becomes the very manner in which God will speak to them through foreign invaders ([Isaiah 28:11](/isaiah/28-11 "Isaiah 28:11 - God's Foreign Tongue")). The deliberate **Repetition** of "precept upon precept" and "line upon line" is a masterful literary choice that precisely mimics the perceived monotonous and simplistic teaching style that the leaders are ridiculing. This repetition also brilliantly creates a sense of **Onomatopoeia** in the original Hebrew ( _tzav latzav, tzav latzav, qav laqav, qav laqav_ ), which is designed to sound like nonsensical, disjointed babbling. This use of sound to reflect meaning powerfully underscores the leaders' spiritual immaturity and their profound, contemptuous disrespect for divine revelation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 28:10, though born from a context of scorn and impending judgment, reveals profound truths about God's pedagogical approach and humanity's often-flawed response to divine revelation. It highlights the perilous danger of spiritual arrogance, where those who deem themselves wise dismiss or reject foundational truths, leading inevitably to a state of profound spiritual blindness. God's patient, incremental teaching, though scorned by some, is a testament to His enduring desire for His people to grow in understanding and obedience. However, when this patient instruction is stubbornly rejected, God, in His sovereign wisdom, allows circumstances to become the teacher, often through severe judgment, forcing lessons that words alone could not impart. This serves as a solemn warning against despising the "simplicity that is in Christ" and a powerful reminder that true wisdom begins with profound humility before God's revealed word.

* [Deuteronomy 6:6-7](/deuteronomy/6-6-7 "Teach Diligently")
* [Hebrews 5:12](/hebrews/5-12 "Milk and Solid Food")
* [2 Timothy 3:16-17](/2_timothy/3-16-17 "All Scripture is God-Breathed")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the original context of Isaiah 28:10 is undeniably one of scorn and impending judgment, the underlying principle embedded in the phrase "precept upon precept, line upon line; here a little, and there a little" has been thoughtfully reappropriated in Christian tradition to describe the gradual, progressive nature of spiritual learning and growth. This reapplication, though not the prophet's original intent, holds a profoundly valuable truth: God often reveals Himself and His divine will incrementally, building our understanding step by step, as we are able to receive and assimilate it. This calls for profound humility and enduring patience in our spiritual journey, recognizing that the most profound and transformative truths are often built upon foundational principles. We are therefore encouraged to diligently and consistently engage with Scripture, allowing its truths to accumulate and integrate deeply into our hearts and minds, trusting that God, in His faithfulness, will lead us from the "milk" of basic understanding to the "solid food" of deeper theological insight as we mature. Conversely, the original context serves as a potent and sobering warning against spiritual arrogance, reminding us that despising simple truths or mocking God's clear instructions inevitably leads to spiritual blindness and, ultimately, severe consequences. We must vigilantly guard against becoming so "wise" in our own eyes that we reject the very word of God that offers eternal life, true wisdom, and spiritual flourishing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my spiritual life might I be prone to spiritual arrogance, dismissing foundational truths as too simple or beneath me?**
* **How can I cultivate a more humble, patient, and consistent approach to learning and applying God's word, embracing the "precept upon precept" method He often uses?**
* **Am I diligently applying the "little" truths I've already received and understood, or am I constantly seeking "deeper" or more complex insights without truly mastering the basics?**
* **What are the potential consequences in my life if I ignore, mock, or dismiss the clear, simple instructions God has already given me through His Word and Spirit?**

### FAQ

**Is Isaiah 28:10 a positive statement about how God teaches?**

Answer: While often quoted positively today to describe a gradual learning process, in its original context, Isaiah 28:10 is a statement of **mockery** by the spiritually arrogant leaders of Israel and Judah. They were ridiculing the prophet Isaiah's clear, simple, and repetitive divine instructions, viewing them as childish babble fit only for infants. The verse immediately following, [Isaiah 28:11](/isaiah/28-11 "Isaiah 28:11 - God's Foreign Tongue"), clarifies God's response: because they rejected His simple teaching, He would indeed speak to them, but through the harsh, terrifying foreign tongues of their Assyrian conquerors, a lesson they would be forced to learn. So, while it describes a *method* of teaching (incremental), it's presented negatively by the scoffers and then turned into a prophecy of judgment.

**What does "precept upon precept" and "line upon line" actually mean?**

Answer: The Hebrew words behind these phrases, _tsav latzav_ (precept upon precept) and _qav laqav_ (line upon line), refer to basic commands, instructions, or established rules and standards. The repetition emphasizes the foundational, elementary nature of the teaching. In the context of the mocking leaders, it implies they found God's messages to be overly simplistic, repetitive, and condescending, as if God were speaking to toddlers. It highlights their profound disdain for the patient, step-by-step revelation of divine truth, which they considered beneath their intellectual and spiritual sophistication.

**How can this verse be applied constructively today, despite its negative origin?**

Answer: Although the original context is negative, the underlying principle of incremental learning is universally true and can be applied constructively to spiritual growth. God does often reveal truth progressively, "here a little, and there a little," building our understanding over time. This verse can serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of **humility** in learning God's word, valuing even the most basic truths as foundational for deeper understanding. It encourages **patience** in spiritual growth, recognizing that true mastery and spiritual maturity come through consistent, repeated engagement with Scripture. It also serves as a solemn warning against **spiritual arrogance**, reminding us not to despise simple truths or God's patient teaching, lest we face harsher lessons down the line, much like the leaders of ancient Israel.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Isaiah 28:10 primarily functions as a prophetic indictment of Israel's spiritual arrogance and impending judgment, it subtly points to the ultimate pedagogical patience and profound wisdom of God, fully and perfectly revealed in Christ. The very "precepts" and "lines" that the leaders scorned were integral parts of God's unfolding redemptive revelation, meticulously preparing the way for the Messiah. Jesus, the Living Word made flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), perfectly embodies God's truth, delivering it not as fragmented "little" bits, but as the complete and authoritative revelation of the Father ([John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - No One Has Seen God")). He taught His disciples "line upon line" through parables, miracles, and direct, patient instruction, progressively building their understanding of the Kingdom of God. The New Testament speaks eloquently of spiritual growth from "milk" to "solid food" ([Hebrews 5:12-14](/hebrews/5-12-14 "Hebrews 5:12-14 - From Milk to Solid Food")), echoing the principle of progressive revelation and spiritual maturation that the Old Testament leaders so tragically rejected. Ultimately, the "line" of God's redemptive plan, which began with foundational precepts, culminates in Christ, the "cornerstone" upon whom the entire spiritual temple is built ([Ephesians 2:20](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Christ the Cornerstone")). Those who, like the ancient leaders, reject God's clear, simple truth in Christ will stumble and be broken ([1 Peter 2:7-8](/1_peter/2-7-8 "1 Peter 2:7-8 - Christ, a Stumbling Stone")), but those who humbly receive Him find salvation, wisdom beyond measure ([1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ Our Wisdom")), and eternal life.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI 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

¶ 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: