Isaiah 28:9

ยถ Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? [them that are] weaned from the milk, [and] drawn from the breasts.

Whom shall he teach {H3384} knowledge {H1844}? and whom shall he make to understand {H995} doctrine {H8052}? them that are weaned {H1580} from the milk {H2461}, and drawn {H6267} from the breasts {H7699}.

Can no one be taught anything? Can no one understand the message? Must one teach barely weaned toddlers, babies just taken from the breast,

Whom is He trying to teach? To whom is He explaining His message? To infants just weaned from milk? To babies removed from the breast?

Whom will he teach knowledge? and whom will he make to understand the message? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts?

Commentary

Isaiah 28:9 (KJV) asks a rhetorical question, "Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? [them that are] weaned from the milk, [and] drawn from the breasts," using vivid imagery to convey a profound spiritual truth about readiness for divine instruction.

Context

This verse is situated within a prophetic message in Isaiah 28, often referred to as the "Woe to Ephraim." Isaiah is condemning the spiritual arrogance and moral decay of the leaders in the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Ephraim) and, by extension, Judah. These leaders are depicted as drunken scoffers who mock Isaiah's simple, direct, and repetitive teaching, comparing it to the babbling of infants: "precept upon precept; line upon line; here a little, and there a little" (Isaiah 28:10). In verse 9, Isaiah turns their mockery back on them, implicitly asking who, among such immature and rebellious people, is truly capable of receiving God's profound knowledge and understanding His doctrine.

Key Themes

  • Spiritual Maturity and Readiness: The core message revolves around the necessity of spiritual maturity to grasp divine truths. Being "weaned from the milk" signifies moving past infancy, being ready for solid spiritual food, and possessing the spiritual discernment needed for deeper understanding.
  • Humility in Learning: The verse subtly contrasts the arrogant, scoffing leaders with those who are humble and teachable, like children who have matured beyond needing only milk. True understanding requires a receptive and humble heart, not pride or self-sufficiency.
  • The Nature of Divine Instruction: God's teaching and doctrine are not simplistic or trivial, though they may begin with foundational principles. They require a mind and spirit prepared to receive and process deeper wisdom, which the scoffing leaders lacked.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts" (ื’ึฐึผืžื•ึผืœึตื™ ืžึตื—ึธืœึธื‘, ืขึทืชึดึผื™ืงึตื™ ืžึดืฉึธึผืื“ึทื™ึดื - g'muley meikhalav, 'attikei mishadayim) literally refers to young children who have just been taken off their mother's milk. Isaiah uses this imagery ironically. While the leaders accused him of speaking to them as if they were babies, Isaiah implies that their spiritual immaturity and resistance to truth *make* them like infants, unable to digest anything beyond the most basic instruction, if even that. This highlights their inability to move beyond simple, repetitive lessons because of their stubborn hearts.

Practical Application

Isaiah 28:9 serves as a timeless reminder for believers today. It challenges us to assess our own spiritual readiness and posture towards God's Word. Are we content with spiritual "milk," or do we earnestly seek to grow in knowledge and understanding of deeper doctrines? The Apostle Paul similarly speaks of the need to move from spiritual infancy to maturity, desiring "solid food" over "milk" (1 Corinthians 3:2; Hebrews 5:12-14). This verse encourages a lifelong pursuit of learning, marked by humility and a teachable spirit, so that we can truly grasp the profound wisdom and knowledge God desires to impart through His Word and by His Spirit (John 14:26).

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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

  • Psalms 131:2

    Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul [is] even as a weaned child.

  • Jeremiah 6:10

    To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? behold, their ear [is] uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: behold, the word of the LORD is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it.

  • John 12:38

    That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?

  • Matthew 21:15

    And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased,

  • Matthew 21:16

    And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?

  • Matthew 11:25

    ยถ At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

  • 1 Peter 2:2

    As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: