Isaiah 28:22

KJV

Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong: for I have heard from the Lord GOD of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth.

KJV (with Strong's)

Now therefore be ye not mockers {H3887}, lest your bands {H4147} be made strong {H2388}: for I have heard {H8085} from the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069} of hosts {H6635} a consumption {H3617}, even determined {H2782} upon the whole earth {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Therefore, now, stop your scoffing, or your bonds will be further tightened; for I have heard from Adonai ELOHIM-Tzva'ot that destruction is decreed for the whole land.

Berean Standard Bible

So now, do not mock, or your shackles will become heavier. Indeed, I have heard from the Lord GOD of Hosts a decree of destruction against the whole land.

American Standard Version

Now therefore be ye not scoffers, lest your bonds be made strong; for a decree of destruction have I heard from the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, upon the whole earth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 28:22 delivers a stark and urgent prophetic warning to the scornful leaders of Judah and Ephraim, exhorting them to abandon their derisive attitude lest their impending judgment and spiritual bondage intensify. The prophet emphatically declares that he has received an unalterable decree directly from the sovereign Lord GOD of hosts: a complete and devastating "consumption" that is "determined upon the whole earth," signifying the inescapable and universal nature of God's righteous judgment against those who defiantly mock His divine word and authority.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 28 opens with a severe "Woe" pronounced against the "proud crown of the drunkards of Ephraim" ([Isaiah 28:1](/isaiah/28-1 "Isaiah 28:1 - Woe to Ephraim")), condemning the northern kingdom's arrogance, revelry, and spiritual blindness. The prophet contrasts their fleeting glory with God's enduring foundation, the precious cornerstone laid in Zion ([Isaiah 28:16](/isaiah/28-16 "Isaiah 28:16 - The Cornerstone of Zion")). The narrative then shifts focus to the leaders in Jerusalem, who exhibit a similarly mocking spirit, dismissing Isaiah's simple, repetitive messages as babbling suitable only for infants ([Isaiah 28:9-10](/isaiah/28-9-10 "Isaiah 28:9-10 - Scornful Leaders Dismiss Isaiah's Message")). They boast of a deceptive "covenant with death and an agreement with Sheol" ([Isaiah 28:15](/isaiah/28-15 "Isaiah 28:15 - The Covenant with Death")), believing they are immune to divine judgment. Verse 22 serves as a direct and stern rebuttal to this scoffing, emphasizing the terrifying certainty of the judgment they so flippantly disregard, setting the stage for the parable of the farmer in [Isaiah 28:23-29](/isaiah/28-23-29 "Isaiah 28:23-29 - The Parable of the Farmer"), which illustrates God's wise and purposeful actions, even in the execution of His judgments.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy of Isaiah 28 is situated against the ominous backdrop of the Assyrian Empire's relentless expansion and dominance in the 8th century BCE. Both the northern kingdom of Israel (Ephraim/Samaria) and the southern kingdom of Judah faced existential threats from this formidable power. Ephraim, having repeatedly rejected God's covenant, was relying on precarious political alliances and military strength, often involving treaties with pagan nations, rather than trusting in the Lord's protective hand. Their culture was characterized by moral decay, widespread drunkenness, and a dismissive attitude towards the prophetic warnings sent by God. Judah's leaders, while perhaps less overtly idolatrous than their northern counterparts, shared a similar spiritual arrogance and a dangerous tendency to seek security in human schemes and political maneuvering rather than in divine providence. The "consumption...determined upon the whole earth" likely refers to the widespread devastation brought by the Assyrian war machine, which God was using as an instrument of His judgment, but it also carries broader implications of an ultimate divine reckoning that transcends their immediate historical context.
* **Key Themes:** This verse profoundly contributes to several overarching themes woven throughout the book of Isaiah. It underscores the **danger of spiritual arrogance and mockery**, powerfully demonstrating that scoffing at God's word and His messengers only invites more severe consequences, tightening the "bands" of judgment upon the defiant. It highlights the **inevitability and certainty of divine judgment**, emphasizing that God's decrees are "determined" and cannot be thwarted by human resistance, disbelief, or clever schemes. The majestic title "Lord GOD of hosts" reinforces **God's absolute sovereignty and omnipotent power** over all nations, armies, and historical events, including the Assyrian invasion, which is seen as His divinely orchestrated instrument. Furthermore, it subtly introduces the theme of **God's purposeful work**, even in judgment, as seen in the broader context of [Isaiah 28](/isaiah/28 "Isaiah 28 - Woe to Ephraim and Jerusalem"), which contrasts the impending destruction with the ultimate establishment of God's righteous cornerstone in Zion ([Isaiah 28:16](/isaiah/28-16 "Isaiah 28:16 - The Cornerstone of Zion")), revealing His ultimate redemptive plan amidst punitive actions.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Mockers (Hebrew, _lûwts'_):** From H3887, this term describes individuals who scoff, scorn, or deride, often displaying cynical contempt for what is sacred, serious, or true. In this context, it refers specifically to the leaders of Judah and Ephraim who dismiss God's warnings and His prophets with disdain, treating divine truth as foolishness or irrelevant babble. Their persistent mockery hardens their hearts, rendering them unreceptive to repentance and sealing their fate under impending judgment.
* **Bands (Hebrew, _môwçêr'_):** From H4147, this word literally refers to bonds, fetters, or chains. Figuratively, it denotes restraint, oppression, or captivity. The warning "lest your bands be made strong" implies that their continued mockery will not lead to liberation or escape from their troubles. Instead, it will tighten the grip of their impending judgment, leading to increased spiritual, social, or physical bondage, making their distress more severe and inescapable.
* **Consumption (Hebrew, _kâlâh'_):** From H3617, this word signifies a completion, a full end, or utter destruction. It denotes something utterly consumed, brought to an end, or entirely spent. Coupled with the word "determined," it emphasizes the decisive, complete, and devastating nature of the judgment that God has decreed, leaving no room for evasion, reversal, or partial escape.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now therefore be ye not mockers,"**: This serves as a direct, urgent, and impassioned admonition from the prophet to the scornful leaders. The prophet implores them to cease their derisive attitude towards God's warnings and His messengers. It is a solemn call to recognize the profound gravity of their spiritual state and the serious, perilous implications of their disdain for divine truth.
* **"lest your bands be made strong:"**: This clause reveals the dire and inevitable consequence of continued mockery and spiritual hardening. Their rejection of divine truth and their hardened hearts will not lead to freedom or immunity but to a deepening of their existing or impending bondage. The "bands" represent the oppressive forces or judgments that will tighten their grip on them, making their suffering, captivity, or spiritual enslavement more severe and inescapable.
* **"for I have heard from the Lord GOD of hosts a consumption,"**: This introduces the divine authority, absolute certainty, and terrifying nature behind the prophetic warning. Isaiah emphasizes that his message is not a human opinion but a direct, authoritative revelation from "the Lord GOD of hosts," a majestic title highlighting God's supreme sovereignty over all creation, heavenly armies, and earthly powers. The "consumption" refers to a complete, utter, and devastating destruction or end, signifying the severity and finality of the impending judgment.
* **"even determined upon the whole earth."**: This final phrase underscores the unalterable and universal scope of this divine decree. The judgment is not merely a possibility or a conditional threat but a fixed, unchangeable decision ("determined" by God's sovereign will). While it has immediate implications for Judah and Ephraim, the phrase "upon the whole earth" suggests a broader, perhaps ultimate, eschatological judgment that transcends their immediate historical context, demonstrating God's universal dominion and His righteous governance over all humanity.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 28:22 employs several potent literary devices to convey its urgent and severe message. The direct command, "be ye not mockers," functions as a **Prophetic Warning**, a common and critical feature in prophetic literature designed to elicit immediate repentance and avert impending disaster. The phrase "lest your bands be made strong" utilizes **Metaphor** to vividly portray the escalating consequences of their actions; "bands" symbolize the oppressive forces of judgment, captivity, or the tightening grip of sin that will ensnare them. The concept of a "consumption... determined upon the whole earth" serves as a **Divine Oracle**, a solemn pronouncement directly from the sovereign God, emphasizing the unalterable and universal nature of His decree. Furthermore, there is a profound element of **Irony** embedded in the verse: the mockers, in their arrogance, believe they are clever and immune to consequence, yet their very act of mockery is precisely what strengthens the chains and intensifies the judgment they seek to avoid, leading them deeper into the bondage they disdain.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully articulates God's unwavering resolve to execute righteous judgment against unrepentant sin, spiritual arrogance, and mocking defiance. It reveals that God's warnings are never idle threats but are expressions of His holy character, His commitment to justice, and His desire for humanity to turn from destructive paths. The "consumption" is presented as a divine decree, illustrating that God is not merely reactive to human sin but is sovereignly active in history, bringing about His determined purposes. This judgment is not arbitrary but a direct and just consequence of human rejection of divine truth and persistent rebellion against His authority.

* [Proverbs 1:22](/proverbs/1-22 "Proverbs 1:22 - The Folly of Scorners")
* [Psalm 2:4-5](/psalm/2-4-5 "Psalm 2:4-5 - God's Derision of Rebellious Nations")
* [Romans 2:5](/romans/2-5 "Romans 2:5 - Hardness of Heart Leads to Judgment")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 28:22 stands as a timeless and profoundly sobering reminder of the seriousness with which God regards our response to His revealed word. It compels us to diligently examine our own hearts for any subtle traces of cynicism, dismissiveness, or spiritual apathy towards divine truths, especially those pronouncements that call us to repentance, warn of consequences, or challenge our comfortable assumptions. A mocking spirit is not merely a personality quirk or an intellectual posture; it is a dangerous spiritual condition that hardens the heart, rendering it impervious to the very grace, wisdom, and guidance designed to set us free from sin's oppressive grip. This verse challenges us to cultivate a posture of humility, to listen intently and receptively to God's voice as revealed in Scripture, and to understand that His warnings are not intended to frighten us into submission but to lovingly guide us away from paths that inevitably lead to deeper bondage and inescapable judgment. To take God's word seriously, even its sternest pronouncements, is to walk in true wisdom and to open ourselves to His transformative power, thereby preventing the "bands" of sin and its devastating consequences from tightening their hold on our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be subtly mocking, dismissing, or minimizing God's clear instructions or warnings from His Word?**
* **How does my attitude towards challenging or difficult biblical truths reflect my trust in God's ultimate sovereignty and perfect goodness?**
* **What "bands" or forms of spiritual, emotional, or relational bondage in my life might be strengthened by a lack of humility or a dismissive spirit towards God's counsel?**
* **How can I actively cultivate a more receptive, humble, and obedient heart towards God's word, even when it directly challenges my comfort, preferences, or ingrained assumptions?**

### FAQ

**What does "lest your bands be made strong" mean in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "lest your bands be made strong" is a powerful and dire warning indicating that continued mockery and defiance of God's word will not lead to freedom or escape from trouble, but rather to an intensification of their current or impending bondage. "Bands" (Hebrew: _môwçêr_) literally refers to fetters, chains, or restraints used to bind. Figuratively, it represents the oppressive consequences of their sin, such as political subjugation, spiritual captivity to their own hardened hearts, or the tightening grip of their own destructive choices. The more the leaders scoffed at divine warnings and rejected the path of repentance, the more they hardened their hearts, making them less likely to turn to God and thus ensuring that the judgment God had "determined" would fall upon them with greater severity, binding them more tightly in their distress. This is a direct, divinely ordained consequence of their spiritual arrogance and rebellion, as seen throughout the broader context of [Isaiah 28](/isaiah/28 "Isaiah 28 - Woe to Ephraim and Jerusalem").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 28:22, with its stark warning against mockery and its declaration of a "consumption... determined upon the whole earth," finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. While the verse speaks of a judgment that tightens the "bands" of sin and rebellion, Christ is the one who ultimately breaks these very bonds. He came not to strengthen the chains of humanity but to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to those who are bound, as prophesied in [Isaiah 61:1](/isaiah/61-1 "Isaiah 61:1 - The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me") and powerfully fulfilled in His inaugural sermon in [Luke 4:18-19](/luke/4-18-19 "Luke 4:18-19 - Jesus' Inaugural Sermon"). The "consumption" of sin and its devastating consequences, which was determined by God's righteous decree, was fully and perfectly borne by Christ on the cross. He became the ultimate sacrifice, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), thereby consuming the power of sin, death, and the law's condemnation for all who believe. Furthermore, while Isaiah warns of a judgment "determined upon the whole earth," Christ is the one appointed by God to be the Judge of the living and the dead ([Acts 10:42](/acts/10-42 "Acts 10:42 - Jesus Appointed Judge")). His first coming offered grace and deliverance from the "bands" of sin, and His second coming will bring the final, righteous judgment, fulfilling the "determined consumption" for those who persist in mocking defiance, while ushering in eternal freedom and life for those who have placed their faith and trust in Him.

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 10:22

For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, [yet] a remnant of them shall return: the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness.

Isaiah 10:23

For the Lord GOD of hosts shall make a consumption, even determined, in the midst of all the land.

Isaiah 24:1

¶ Behold, the LORD maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof.

Isaiah 24:23

Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.

Jeremiah 20:7

¶ O LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me.

Lamentations 1:14

The yoke of my transgressions is bound by his hand: they are wreathed, [and] come up upon my neck: he hath made my strength to fall, the Lord hath delivered me into [their] hands, [from whom] I am not able to rise up.

2 Chronicles 30:10

So the posts passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh even unto Zebulun: but they laughed them to scorn, and mocked them.