Isaiah 28:11
Isaiah 28:11 in Multiple Translations
Indeed, with mocking lips and foreign tongues, He will speak to this people
For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.
Nay, but by men of strange lips and with another tongue will he speak to this people;
No, but with broken talk, and with a strange tongue, he will give his word to this people:
Fine—so now the Lord will talk to this people in foreign languages that sound strange to them!
For with a stammering tongue and with a strange language shall he speake vnto this people.
For by scorned lip, and by another tongue, Doth He speak unto this people.
But he will speak to this nation with stammering lips and in another language,
For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.
For with the speech of lips, and with another tongue he will speak to this people.
So now, Yahweh will need to force them to listen to Assyrians speaking to them in a language that they do not understand.
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 28:11
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Isaiah 28:11 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כִּ֚י
בְּ/לַעֲגֵ֣י
שָׂפָ֔ה
וּ/בְ/לָשׁ֖וֹן
אַחֶ֑רֶת
יְדַבֵּ֖ר
אֶל
הָ/עָ֥ם
הַ/זֶּֽה
כִּ֚י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
בְּ/לַעֲגֵ֣י
lâʻêg
H3934
mocking
Prep | N-mp
שָׂפָ֔ה
sâphâh
H8193
lips
N-fs
וּ/בְ/לָשׁ֖וֹן
lâshôwn
H3956
tongue
Conj | Prep | N-cs
אַחֶ֑רֶת
ʼachêr
H312
another
Adj
יְדַבֵּ֖ר
dâbar
H1696
to speak
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
הָ/עָ֥ם
ʻam
H5971
Amaw
Art | N-ms
הַ/זֶּֽה
zeh
H2088
this
Art | Pron
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 28:11
כִּ֚י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
בְּ/לַעֲגֵ֣י
lâʻêg
H3934
"mocking"
Prep | N-mp
A buffoon or someone who mocks others is what this word describes, also sometimes referring to a foreigner who speaks in a stammering way.
Definition: 1) mocking 1a) mocker (noun cstr)
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: mocker, stammering. See also: Psalms 35:16; Isaiah 28:11.
שָׂפָ֔ה
sâphâh
H8193
"lips"
N-fs
This word refers to lips or language, and can also mean the edge or border of something. It is used in the Bible to describe the shore of a sea or the edge of a cup.
Definition: : lips/mouth 1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding 1a) lip (as body part) 1b) language 1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)
Usage: Occurs in 164 OT verses. KJV: band, bank, binding, border, brim, brink, edge, language, lip, prating, (sea-)shore, side, speech, talk, (vain) words. See also: Genesis 11:1; Psalms 120:2; Psalms 12:3.
וּ/בְ/לָשׁ֖וֹן
lâshôwn
H3956
"tongue"
Conj | Prep | N-cs
The tongue, used for eating, speaking, or describing a language. In the Bible, it appears in many books, including Genesis 11:1 and Acts 2:4.
Definition: : tongue/words 1) tongue 1a) tongue (of men) 1a1) tongue (literal) 1a2) tongue (organ of speech) 1b) language 1c) tongue (of animals) 1d) tongue (of fire) 1e) wedge, bay of sea (tongue-shaped)
Usage: Occurs in 115 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] babbler, bay, [phrase] evil speaker, language, talker, tongue, wedge. See also: Genesis 10:5; Psalms 126:2; Psalms 5:10.
אַחֶ֑רֶת
ʼachêr
H312
"another"
Adj
Means another or next in the original Hebrew, often referring to someone or something that follows or is different. It appears in various contexts, including descriptions of people and events in the Bible.
Definition: 1) another, other, following 1a) following, further 1b) other, different
Usage: Occurs in 161 OT verses. KJV: (an-) other man, following, next, strange. See also: Genesis 4:25; 1 Kings 13:10; Psalms 16:4.
יְדַבֵּ֖ר
dâbar
H1696
"to speak"
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms
To speak or communicate, like God speaking to Moses in Exodus or a king commanding his people. It can also mean to promise or warn someone.
Definition: : speak/tell/command 1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing 1a) (Qal) to speak 1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to speak 1c2) to promise 1d) (Pual) to be spoken 1e) (Hithpael) to speak 1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight
Usage: Occurs in 1049 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work. See also: Genesis 8:15; Exodus 12:25; Leviticus 23:9.
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
הָ/עָ֥ם
ʻam
H5971
"Amaw"
Art | N-ms
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Definition: This name means nation, people
Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.
הַ/זֶּֽה
zeh
H2088
"this"
Art | Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning this or that, used to point out a specific person or thing. It appears in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms, to indicate something specific. The KJV translates it as he, here, or it.
Definition: 1) this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, another, such 1a) (alone) 1a1) this one 1a2) this...that, the one...the other, another 1b) (appos to subst) 1b1) this 1c) (as predicate) 1c1) this, such 1d) (enclitically) 1d1) then 1d2) who, whom 1d3) how now, what now 1d4) what now 1d5) wherefore now 1d6) behold here 1d7) just now 1d8) now, now already 1e) (poetry) 1e1) wherein, which, those who 1f) (with prefixes) 1f1) in this (place) here, then 1f2) on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter 1f3) thus and thus 1f4) as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus 1f5) from here, hence, on one side...on the other side 1f6) on this account 1f7) in spite of this, which, whence, how
Usage: Occurs in 1061 OT verses. KJV: he, [idiom] hence, [idiom] here, it(-self), [idiom] now, [idiom] of him, the one...the other, [idiom] than the other, ([idiom] out of) the (self) same, such (a one) that, these, this (hath, man), on this side...on that side, [idiom] thus, very, which. Compare H2063 (זֹאת), H2090 (זֹה), H2097 (זוֹ), H2098 (זוּ). See also: Genesis 5:1; Exodus 10:17; Numbers 14:16.
Study Notes — Isaiah 28:11
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 28:11 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 28:11
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 28:11
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 28:11
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 28:11
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 28:11
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 28:11
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 28:11
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 28:11
- Sermons on Isaiah 28:11
Context — The Captivity of Ephraim
9Whom is He trying to teach? To whom is He explaining His message? To infants just weaned from milk? To babies removed from the breast?
10For they hear: “Order on order, order on order, line on line, line on line; a little here, a little there.”
11Indeed, with mocking lips and foreign tongues, He will speak to this people
12to whom He has said: “This is the place of rest, let the weary rest; this is the place of repose.” But they would not listen. 13Then the word of the LORD to them will become: “Order on order, order on order, line on line, line on line; a little here, a little there,” so that they will go stumbling backward and will be injured, ensnared, and captured.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Corinthians 14:21 | It is written in the Law: “By strange tongues and foreign lips I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to Me, says the Lord.” |
| 2 | Deuteronomy 28:49 | The LORD will bring a nation from afar, from the ends of the earth, to swoop down upon you like an eagle—a nation whose language you will not understand, |
| 3 | Isaiah 33:19 | You will no longer see the insolent, a people whose speech is unintelligible, who stammer in a language you cannot understand. |
| 4 | Jeremiah 5:15 | Behold, I am bringing a distant nation against you, O house of Israel,” declares the LORD. “It is an established nation, an ancient nation, a nation whose language you do not know and whose speech you do not understand. |
Isaiah 28:11 Summary
[This verse, Isaiah 28:11, means that God will use unexpected ways to communicate with His people, such as through other nations or languages, to get their attention and call them back to Himself, as seen in Acts 2:1-21, where the Holy Spirit speaks through the disciples in different languages. God wants to speak to us in a way that we will understand and respond to, but sometimes that means using unexpected or uncomfortable means. We can see examples of this in the Bible, such as when God spoke to the prophet Jeremiah in Jeremiah 1:4-10, or when Jesus taught in parables in Matthew 13:1-23. By listening to God's voice, we can learn to trust and obey Him, even when it's hard.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for God to speak to His people with mocking lips and foreign tongues?
This verse, Isaiah 28:11, indicates that God will use unexpected and perhaps even uncomfortable means to communicate with His people, much like He used the Assyrian army to discipline Israel in Isaiah 10:5-6, and as seen in the way Jesus taught in parables to the crowds, as mentioned in Matthew 13:10-17.
Is God being cruel by speaking to His people in a way they cannot understand?
No, God's intention is not to confuse or punish, but to get the attention of a people who have become complacent and disobedient, as seen in Isaiah 28:12, where He offers rest to the weary, but they refuse to listen, similar to the way the Israelites refused to listen to Moses in Exodus 6:9.
How does this verse relate to the idea of God's judgment on a disobedient people?
This verse is part of a larger section in Isaiah that warns of God's judgment on Judah for their rebellion and idolatry, and it emphasizes that God will use various means to speak to them, including foreign invaders, as seen in Isaiah 28:18-19, and as prophesied in Deuteronomy 28:49-50, where God warns of the consequences of disobedience.
What is the significance of 'foreign tongues' in this verse?
The phrase 'foreign tongues' likely refers to the languages of the nations that God will use to judge His people, such as the Assyrians or Babylonians, as mentioned in Isaiah 36:11, where the Rabshakeh speaks to the people of Jerusalem in the language of the Judeans, and as prophesied in Jeremiah 5:15, where God warns of the invasion of a distant nation with a strange language.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which God has spoken to me in unexpected or uncomfortable ways, and how have I responded?
- How can I cultivate a willingness to listen to God's voice, even when it is difficult or challenging to hear?
- What are some areas in my life where I may be rebelling against God or refusing to listen to His message, and what steps can I take to repent and obey?
- How can I trust that God is speaking to me in love, even when His words are difficult or uncomfortable to hear, as seen in Hebrews 12:5-11, where God disciplines those He loves?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 28:11
For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 28:11
In that day shall the LORD of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people, -The prophet now turns to Judah, a gracious promise to the remnant
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 28:11
For; or, therefore, as this particle is oft used. For this seems to be the punishment of their dulness. With stammering lips; either, 1. In way of condescension, as mothers and nurses teach children, lisping and stammering with them. Or, 2. In way of judgment; which suits best with the next clause. And another tongue; by people of a strange language, whom he shall bring among them, and into whose power he shall deliver them; which is a great aggravation of their misery: see . Will he speak to this people: seeing they will not hear him speaking by his prophets and ministers, in their own language, they shall hear their enemies speaking to them in a strange and rough language.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 28:11
Isaiah 28:11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.Ver. 11. For with stammering lips, &c.] With a lisping lip. Heb., With scoffs of lip, or with language of mocks. Surely God scorneth the scorners, for he loveth to retaliate, and proportion choice to choice, device to device, frowardness to frowardness, scoffing to scoffing. And with another tongue.] Lingua exotica, such as they shall be no whit the better for. See 1 Corinthians 14:21. We read of John Elmar, Bishop of London in Queen Elizabeth’ s reign, that on a time when he saw his audience grow dull in their attention to his sermon, he presently read unto them many verses of the Hebrew text, whereat they all started, admiring what use he meant to make thereof; then showed he them their folly, that whereas they neglected English, whereby they might be edified, they listened to Hebrew, whereof they understood not a word; and how justly God might bring in Popery again, - with Latin service, blind obedience, and dumb offices, - for their contempt of the gospel.
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 28:11
(11) With stammering lips and another tongue . . .—The “stammering lips” are those of the Assyrian conquerors, whose speech would seem to the men of Judah as a barbarous patois. They, with their short sharp commands, would be the next utterers of Jehovah’s will to the people who would not listen to the prophet’s teaching. The description of the “stammering tongue” re-appears in Isaiah 33:19. (Comp. Deuteronomy 28:49.) In 1 Corinthians 14:21, the words are applied to the gift of “tongues,” which, in its ecstatic utterances, was unintelligible to those who heard it, and was therefore, as the speech of the barbarian conquerors was in Isaiah’s thoughts, the antithesis of true prophetic teaching.
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 28:11
11. Isaiah parries the gibe with a terrible threat. Jehovah is about to employ a more uncouth language, to which their mocking description will fully apply, viz., the harsh barbarous accents of the Assyrian invaders. stammering lips] either “stammerings of lip” or “stammerers of lip” (cf. the Greek use of βάρβαρος). Comp. 1 Corinthians 14:21.
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 28:11
For - This verse is to be understood as a response to what the complaining and dissatisfied people had said, as expressed in the previous verse.
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 28:11
11, 12. For — One explanation of this is, that the wicked prophets were about to continue, and got as far as “for,” when Isaiah snatched the word from them and proceeded thence himself: “Yes, for,” etc.
Sermons on Isaiah 28:11
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Healing and Tongues by Kenneth Wuest | In this sermon, the preacher discusses three topics: divine healing, speaking in tongues, and the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the book of Acts. The first point focuses on an exa |
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(Through the Bible) Isaiah 26-30 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the preacher discusses various topics related to the word of God. He starts by emphasizing the complexity and functions of the nervous system and the brain, highlig |
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The Eternal Spirit the Gifts That Ceased by Willie Mullan | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on 2 Timothy chapter 4 and verse 11. The speaker mentions that Paul had many companions during his missionary journeys, including Silas, Timothy |
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Edition 7 - Many Witnesses to the Power of the Blood and of the Holy Ghost by William Seymour | G.B. Cashwell reports Pentecost spreading in the South, with miraculous healings, speaking in tongues, and angelic encounters. In San Francisco, conversions, sanctifications, and d |
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The Gift of Tongues (Part 1) by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith discusses the gift of speaking in tongues, emphasizing its controversial nature and its unique presence in the New Testament compared to the Old Testament. He reference |
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The Work of the Holy Spirit in the Believer by John F. Walvoord | John F. Walvoord preaches about the important work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a Christian, focusing on spiritual gifts, experiences, and service for God. He emphasizes the s |
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Edition 1 - Pentecost Has Come by William Seymour | Brother Charles Parham shares testimonies of the powerful move of the Holy Spirit in Los Angeles, with many being converted, sanctified, and filled with the Holy Ghost, speaking in |