Isaiah 28:28

KJV

Bread [corn] is bruised; because he will not ever be threshing it, nor break [it with] the wheel of his cart, nor bruise it [with] his horsemen.

KJV (with Strong's)

Bread {H3899} corn is bruised {H1854}; because he will not ever {H5331} be threshing {H156}{H1758} it, nor break {H2000} it with the wheel {H1536} of his cart {H5699}, nor bruise {H1854} it with his horsemen {H6571}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When crushing grain for bread, one doesn't thresh it forever; one drives the horse and cart wheels over it but doesn't crush it to powder.

Berean Standard Bible

Grain for bread must be ground, but it is not endlessly threshed. Though the wheels of the cart roll over it, the horses do not crush it.

American Standard Version

Bread grain is ground; for he will not be always threshing it: and though the wheel of his cart and his horses scatter it, he doth not grind it.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 28:28 employs a vivid agricultural metaphor to illuminate the profound wisdom and measured purpose of God's dealings with humanity. It portrays the careful process of threshing grain, emphasizing that while "bruising" is necessary to separate the valuable kernel from the chaff, this process is neither endless nor arbitrary. Instead, it is precisely controlled by the divine Farmer, demonstrating that God's discipline and judgments are always administered with a specific, redemptive aim, never for total destruction.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within a larger prophetic discourse (Isaiah 28:23-29) where Isaiah uses the analogy of a skilled farmer to illustrate God's intelligent and purposeful actions. The preceding verses establish the farmer's meticulous care in preparing the ground and sowing different seeds according to their specific needs. Following stern warnings of judgment against the northern kingdom of Ephraim and the southern kingdom of Judah for their spiritual arrogance, drunkenness, and covenant infidelity, Isaiah pivots to assure his audience that God's actions are not chaotic or vindictive. Just as a farmer knows the precise methods and timing for each stage of cultivation and harvest, God applies discipline with discerning wisdom, ensuring that the necessary "bruising" serves a refining, not annihilating, purpose. This specific verse focuses on the final stage of grain processing—threshing—to underscore the controlled nature of divine discipline.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The agricultural imagery in Isaiah 28:28 would have resonated deeply with an ancient Israelite audience, whose society was predominantly agrarian. Threshing was a common and essential process for preparing staple grains like wheat and barley. Different methods were employed based on the toughness of the grain: lighter grains might be beaten with a rod, while tougher ones required the use of a heavy threshing sledge (often with iron teeth) pulled by oxen, or a cart wheel, or even the trampling of animals. The objective was always to separate the valuable grain from the worthless straw and chaff. This verse specifically mentions the use of a "wheel of his cart" and "horsemen" (implying trampling by animals), indicating methods for more robust grains. The cultural understanding was that an experienced farmer knew exactly when to stop, lest the grain itself be destroyed or turned into powder, rendering it useless. This practical wisdom forms the backdrop for understanding God's judicious application of discipline.
* **Key Themes:** The primary theme conveyed by Isaiah 28:28 is **God's Sovereign Wisdom and Discernment**. The analogy of the farmer highlights that God's actions, even those involving severe discipline, are meticulously planned and executed with perfect knowledge of the desired outcome. He knows precisely how much pressure to apply and when to cease, ensuring purification without destruction. This leads to a second theme: **Purposeful Discipline and Refinement**. The "bruising" of the grain is not an act of arbitrary punishment but a necessary process to separate the valuable from the worthless, akin to how God refines His people (compare [Malachi 3:3](/malachi/3-3 "Malachi 3:3 - The Refiner's Fire") and [Zechariah 13:9](/zechariah/13-9 "Zechariah 13:9 - Refined as Silver")). Finally, the verse subtly introduces the theme of **Hope Amidst Judgment**. The farmer "will not ever be threshing it," implying a definite limit and a cessation to the process. This offers assurance that God's judgments, while severe, are temporary and ultimately aim for restoration and the production of spiritual fruit, not the utter annihilation of His people (see [Jeremiah 30:11](/jeremiah/30-11 "Jeremiah 30:11 - God's Promise Not to Destroy")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **bruised (Hebrew, _dâqaq'_):** From H1854, a primitive root meaning "to crush (or intransitively) crumble; beat in pieces (small), bruise, make dust, (into) [idiom] powder, (be, very) small, stamp (small)." In this context, it refers to the process of breaking open the grain husk to release the kernel, but with the implicit warning that excessive "bruising" would render the grain useless dust, highlighting the need for precise control.
* **threshing (Hebrew, _ʼâdash'_):** From H156, a primitive root meaning "to tread out (grain); thresh." This is the core agricultural activity described, the process of separating the grain from the straw and chaff. The KJV also includes "dûwsh" (H1758) which is a synonym for trampling or threshing, reinforcing the action. The verse emphasizes that this necessary process will not be perpetual.
* **wheel (Hebrew, _gilgâl'_):** From H1536, a variation of `galgal`, meaning "a wheel; by analogy, a whirlwind; also dust (as whirled)." Here, it specifically refers to the heavy wheel of a threshing cart, a tool used for more robust grains, indicating a forceful but still controlled method of separation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Bread [corn] is bruised":** This opening clause establishes the subject—grain, which is destined to become bread—and the initial state of being subjected to a forceful process. The "bruising" is the necessary first step in preparing the grain for consumption, implying that a certain level of pressure or difficulty is inherent in the refining process.
* **"because he will not ever be threshing it":** This crucial phrase introduces the divine limitation and purpose. The "he" refers to the farmer (God in the analogy). It signifies that the threshing, or the "bruising," is not an endless, destructive act. There is a definite end point, a cessation, to the process, ensuring that the grain is refined but not annihilated.
* **"nor break [it with] the wheel of his cart":** This specifies one method of threshing—the heavy, crushing action of a cart wheel. It highlights the intensity of the process, particularly for tougher grains. Yet, the preceding negative ("nor break") reinforces the idea that even with such powerful tools, the farmer's aim is not to utterly destroy the grain.
* **"nor bruise it [with] his horsemen":** This refers to another method, likely the trampling of grain by horses or oxen, driven by "horsemen." This method also involves significant force. The repetition of "nor bruise it" underscores the farmer's (God's) deliberate restraint and control, ensuring the integrity of the grain is maintained, even under intense pressure.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Isaiah 28:28 is **Metaphor**. The entire verse functions as an extended metaphor, comparing God's wise and purposeful discipline of His people to a skilled farmer's careful process of threshing grain. The "bruising" and "threshing" represent divine judgment, trials, or chastening, while the "grain" symbolizes God's people. The farmer's precise knowledge of when to start and, crucially, when to stop the threshing process illustrates God's perfect wisdom and control over the duration and intensity of His discipline. This metaphor is further enhanced by **Analogy**, drawing a direct parallel between the farmer's practical wisdom in agriculture and God's spiritual wisdom in governing His creation and His covenant people. The detailed description of various threshing methods (cart wheel, horsemen) adds vivid imagery, making the analogy relatable and impactful.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 28:28 powerfully articulates the theological truth that God's discipline is always purposeful and precisely measured, never arbitrary or destructive. Just as a wise farmer knows exactly how much pressure is needed to separate the valuable grain from the worthless chaff without destroying the grain itself, so God applies trials and judgments to refine His people, remove impurities, and produce spiritual fruit. This verse underscores God's perfect wisdom and sovereignty, assuring us that even in the midst of hardship, He is working with a specific, redemptive goal in mind, ensuring that the "bruising" leads to purification and not annihilation. It speaks to the divine balance between judgment and mercy, demonstrating that even His severest actions are rooted in His ultimate love and desire for His people's good.

* [Hebrews 12:6-7](/hebrews/12-6 "Hebrews 12:6-7 - God Disciplines Those He Loves")
* [Proverbs 3:11-12](/proverbs/3-11 "Proverbs 3:11-12 - Do Not Despise Discipline")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - All Things Work for Good")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 28:28 offers profound comfort and a vital perspective for believers navigating life's inevitable trials and difficulties. When we experience what feels like intense "bruising"—whether through personal suffering, relational strain, professional setbacks, or spiritual struggles—this verse reminds us that God is not a chaotic or cruel taskmaster. Instead, He is the infinitely wise Farmer, orchestrating every challenge with divine precision and a specific, purifying purpose. Our trials are not random acts of misfortune but divinely permitted processes designed to refine our character, expose and remove impurities, deepen our faith, and make us more useful for His kingdom. The assurance that He "will not ever be threshing it" means there is a limit to the intensity and duration of our hardships; God knows precisely when to ease the pressure, ensuring that we are refined, not destroyed. This understanding calls us to trust God's sovereign hand even when the process is painful, knowing that His ultimate goal is our good and His glory, transforming us into nourishing "bread" for a hungry world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you currently feel "bruised" or under intense pressure?**
* **How does the analogy of God as the wise Farmer, who knows when to stop the threshing, change your perspective on your present difficulties?**
* **What "chaff" or impurities might God be seeking to separate from your life through the current challenges you face?**
* **How can remembering God's purposeful discipline help you to endure trials with greater hope and trust, rather than despair?**

### FAQ
**What does "corn" mean in this verse, and why is it "bruised"?**

Answer: In the King James Version, "corn" is an archaic term referring to grain in general, such as wheat or barley, not specifically maize (which was unknown in the ancient Near East). The Hebrew word is `lechem` (H3899), which can mean food, bread, or grain. The grain is "bruised" (Hebrew `dâqaq`, H1854) as part of the threshing process, which is necessary to separate the valuable kernels from the worthless husks and straw. This "bruising" is a metaphor for God's precise and purposeful discipline, which, while sometimes painful, is intended to refine and purify His people, not to destroy them (as seen throughout [Isaiah 28](/isaiah/28 "Isaiah 28 - The Farmer's Wisdom")).

**What is the significance of the farmer "not ever be threshing it"?**

Answer: This phrase is crucial because it highlights the controlled and limited nature of the threshing process. It means the farmer (representing God) will not continue to thresh indefinitely or excessively. There is a precise time to stop, ensuring that the grain is separated and prepared, but not utterly destroyed or ground into useless powder. The Hebrew word for "ever" here is `netsach` (H5331), implying continually or perpetually. This signifies that God's discipline, while necessary, has a definite end and is always administered with a discerning purpose, never leading to the complete annihilation of His people. It offers a profound assurance of God's mercy and wisdom even amidst judgment, promising that His refining work will not go beyond what is necessary to achieve His good purposes (compare [Lamentations 3:32](/lamentations/3-32 "Lamentations 3:32 - God's Compassion")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 28:28, with its agricultural metaphor of purposeful bruising and threshing, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament speaks of God's discipline for Israel's refinement, Christ embodies the perfect wisdom of the divine Farmer. He is the "grain" that was truly "bruised" for our sake, not by a cart wheel or horsemen, but by the crushing weight of sin and divine judgment on the cross. The prophet Isaiah himself foreshadowed this in [Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - Bruised for Our Iniquities"), declaring, "He was bruised for our iniquities." This ultimate "bruising" was not for His own purification, for He was sinless, but for the separation of humanity from the chaff of sin and death, providing the "bread of life" for all who believe. Through His sacrifice, Christ became the perfect "bread" (as He declared in [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - The Bread of Life")), broken and given for the life of the world. Furthermore, as the Head of the Church, Christ continues the work of refinement in believers, allowing trials and "bruising" experiences not to destroy us, but to conform us to His image (as described in [Romans 8:29](/romans/8-29 "Romans 8:29 - Conformed to Christ's Image")) and to prepare us as His pure and spotless bride, ultimately presenting us blameless before God (as seen in [Ephesians 5:27](/ephesians/5-27 "Ephesians 5:27 - A Glorious Church")). The limited nature of the threshing also points to Christ's finished work, where the ultimate judgment for sin was fully borne by Him, ensuring that those in Him will never face eternal condemnation, but rather eternal life and glory (see [Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation")).

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

Matthew 13:37

He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;

Matthew 13:43

Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Amos 9:9

For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations, like as [corn] is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth.

Matthew 3:12

Whose fan [is] in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

1 Corinthians 9:9

For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?

1 Corinthians 9:10

Or saith he [it] altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, [this] is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.

John 12:24

Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.