Isaiah 28:23
Isaiah 28:23 in Multiple Translations
Listen and hear my voice. Pay attention and hear what I say.
¶ Give ye ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech.
Give ye ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech.
Let your ears be open to my voice; give attention to what I say.
Listen to what I'm saying! Listen and pay attention! Hear what I have to say!
Hearken ye, and heare my voyce: hearken ye, and heare my speach.
Give ear, and hear my voice, Attend, and hear my saying:
Give ear, and hear my voice! Listen, and hear my speech!
Give ye ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech.
Give ear, and hear my voice, hearken, and hear my speech.
Listen [IDM] to what I say; pay attention carefully.
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 28:23
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 28:23 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
הַאֲזִ֥ינוּ
וְ/שִׁמְע֖וּ
קוֹלִ֑/י
הַקְשִׁ֥יבוּ
וְ/שִׁמְע֖וּ
אִמְרָתִֽ/י
הַאֲזִ֥ינוּ
ʼâzan
H238
to listen
V-Hiphil-Impv-2mp
וְ/שִׁמְע֖וּ
shâmaʻ
H8085
to hear
Conj | V-Qal-Impv-2mp
קוֹלִ֑/י
qôwl
H6963
voice
N-ms | Suff
הַקְשִׁ֥יבוּ
qâshab
H7181
to listen
V-Hiphil-Impv-2mp
וְ/שִׁמְע֖וּ
shâmaʻ
H8085
to hear
Conj | V-Qal-Impv-2mp
אִמְרָתִֽ/י
ʼimrâh
H565
word
N-fs | Suff
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 28:23
הַאֲזִ֥ינוּ
ʼâzan
H238
"to listen"
V-Hiphil-Impv-2mp
To listen or hear is the meaning of this Hebrew word, often implying obedience or paying attention to what is being said, as in 1 Kings 3:9.
Definition: 1) to hear, listen 1a) (Hiphil) 1a1) to hear, listen, give ear 1a2) to be obedient, harken 1a3) to hear or listen to prayers (of God)
Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: give (perceive by the) ear, hear(-ken). See H239 (אָזַן). See also: Genesis 4:23; Psalms 77:2; Psalms 5:2.
וְ/שִׁמְע֖וּ
shâmaʻ
H8085
"to hear"
Conj | V-Qal-Impv-2mp
To hear and listen is what this Hebrew word means, often implying attention and obedience. In Exodus and Deuteronomy, it is used when God speaks to the people, and they must listen and obey.
Definition: : hear v 1) to hear, listen to, obey 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to hear (perceive by ear) 1a2) to hear of or concerning 1a3) to hear (have power to hear) 1a4) to hear with attention or interest, listen to 1a5) to understand (language) 1a6) to hear (of judicial cases) 1a7) to listen, give heed 1a7a) to consent, agree 1a7b) to grant request 1a8) to listen to, yield to 1a9) to obey, be obedient 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be heard (of voice or sound) 1b2) to be heard of 1b3) to be regarded, be obeyed 1c) (Piel) to cause to hear, call to hear, summon 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound 1d2) to sound aloud (musical term) 1d3) to make proclamation, summon 1d4) to cause to be heard n m 2) sound
Usage: Occurs in 1072 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness. See also: Genesis 3:8; Exodus 32:18; Deuteronomy 27:9.
קוֹלִ֑/י
qôwl
H6963
"voice"
N-ms | Suff
A voice or sound, it can refer to the sound of a person speaking, an animal, or a musical instrument. In the Bible, it is often used to describe God's voice or the sound of praise and worship.
Definition: : sound/noise 1) voice, sound, noise 1a) voice 1b) sound (of instrument)
Usage: Occurs in 436 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] aloud, bleating, crackling, cry ([phrase] out), fame, lightness, lowing, noise, [phrase] hold peace, (pro-) claim, proclamation, [phrase] sing, sound, [phrase] spark, thunder(-ing), voice, [phrase] yell. See also: Genesis 3:8; Judges 5:11; Job 4:10.
הַקְשִׁ֥יבוּ
qâshab
H7181
"to listen"
V-Hiphil-Impv-2mp
To listen carefully is what this Hebrew word means, like pricking up your ears to hear something. It's used in many Bible verses, including Proverbs and Isaiah, to encourage people to pay attention. The KJV translates it as 'attend' or 'hear'.
Definition: 1) to hear, be attentive, heed, incline (of ears), attend (of ears), hearken, pay attention, listen 1a) (Qal) incline, attend (of ears), hearken, pay attention, listen 1b) (Hiphil) to pay attention, give attention
Usage: Occurs in 45 OT verses. KJV: attend, (cause to) hear(-ken), give heed, incline, mark (well), regard. See also: 1 Samuel 15:22; Song of Solomon 8:13; Psalms 5:3.
וְ/שִׁמְע֖וּ
shâmaʻ
H8085
"to hear"
Conj | V-Qal-Impv-2mp
To hear and listen is what this Hebrew word means, often implying attention and obedience. In Exodus and Deuteronomy, it is used when God speaks to the people, and they must listen and obey.
Definition: : hear v 1) to hear, listen to, obey 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to hear (perceive by ear) 1a2) to hear of or concerning 1a3) to hear (have power to hear) 1a4) to hear with attention or interest, listen to 1a5) to understand (language) 1a6) to hear (of judicial cases) 1a7) to listen, give heed 1a7a) to consent, agree 1a7b) to grant request 1a8) to listen to, yield to 1a9) to obey, be obedient 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be heard (of voice or sound) 1b2) to be heard of 1b3) to be regarded, be obeyed 1c) (Piel) to cause to hear, call to hear, summon 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound 1d2) to sound aloud (musical term) 1d3) to make proclamation, summon 1d4) to cause to be heard n m 2) sound
Usage: Occurs in 1072 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness. See also: Genesis 3:8; Exodus 32:18; Deuteronomy 27:9.
אִמְרָתִֽ/י
ʼimrâh
H565
"word"
N-fs | Suff
In the Bible, this word means a threat or warning, often from God. It appears in the context of judgement or punishment. The KJV translates it as commandment, speech, or word.
Definition: 1) utterance, speech, word 1a) word of God (command and promise)
Usage: Occurs in 35 OT verses. KJV: commandment, speech, word. See also: Genesis 4:23; Psalms 119:116; Psalms 12:7.
Study Notes — Isaiah 28:23
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 28:23 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 28:23
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 28:23
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 28:23
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 28:23
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 28:23
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 28:23
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 28:23
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 28:23
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 28:23
- Sermons on Isaiah 28:23
Context — Listen and Hear
21For the LORD will rise up as at Mount Perazim. He will rouse Himself as in the Valley of Gibeon, to do His work, His strange work, and to perform His task, His disturbing task.
22So 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.
23Listen and hear my voice. Pay attention and hear what I say.
24Does the plowman plow for planting every day? Does he continuously loosen and harrow the soil? 25When he has leveled its surface, does he not sow caraway and scatter cumin? He plants wheat in rows and barley in plots, and rye within its border.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 1:2 | Listen, O heavens, and give ear, O earth, for the LORD has spoken: “I have raised children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against Me. |
| 2 | Jeremiah 22:29 | O land, land, land, hear the word of the LORD! |
| 3 | Revelation 2:11 | He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who overcomes will not be harmed by the second death. |
| 4 | Revelation 2:14 | But I have a few things against you, because some of you hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block before the Israelites so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality. |
| 5 | Revelation 2:29 | He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. |
| 6 | Revelation 2:7 | He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes, I will grant the right to eat from the tree of life in the Paradise of God. |
| 7 | Deuteronomy 32:1 | Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak; hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. |
Isaiah 28:23 Summary
[Isaiah 28:23 is a call to stop and listen to God's voice, to pay attention to what He is saying to us. This means taking time to read the Bible and pray, as encouraged in Psalms 119:105, and to seek a deep, personal relationship with Him. By listening to God's voice, we can gain guidance, wisdom, and direction for our lives, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6. As we listen to God's voice, we can also experience a deeper sense of peace and comfort, as promised in Isaiah 26:3.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'listen and hear' God's voice in Isaiah 28:23?
To listen and hear God's voice means to pay attention to and obey His commands, as seen in Isaiah 28:23, and to seek a deep, personal relationship with Him, as encouraged in Psalms 119:145-152.
Why is God urging us to pay attention to His voice in this verse?
God is urging us to pay attention to His voice because He wants to guide and instruct us, as stated in Proverbs 3:5-6, and to warn us of potential dangers, as seen in the context of Isaiah 28:21-22.
How can we apply the command to 'listen and hear' God's voice in our daily lives?
We can apply this command by taking time to read and meditate on Scripture, as encouraged in Joshua 1:8, and by seeking to hear God's voice through prayer and quiet reflection, as seen in Psalms 46:10.
What are the consequences of not listening to God's voice, as warned in the surrounding verses?
The consequences of not listening to God's voice can be severe, including increased spiritual bondage, as warned in Isaiah 28:22, and missing out on the blessings and guidance that God desires to give us, as seen in Deuteronomy 28:1-14.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can prioritize listening to God's voice in my daily life, and what distractions might I need to avoid?
- How can I balance the command to 'listen and hear' God's voice with the need to take action and make decisions in my life?
- What are some specific things that God might be saying to me right now, and how can I tune in to hear His voice more clearly?
- In what ways can I use the command to 'listen and hear' God's voice as a catalyst for personal growth and spiritual transformation?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 28:23
Give ye ear, and hear my voice,.... So said the prophet, as the Targum introduces the words; and because what he was about to say was of importance, and delivered in a parabolical manner, and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 28:23
Give ye ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech. Give ye ear, and hear my voice - calling attention to the following illustration from husbandry (Psalms 49:1-2).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 28:23
Observe what I say, and do you judge if it be not reasonable.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 28:23
Isaiah 28:23 Give ye ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech.Ver. 23. Give ear, and hear my voice; hearken, &c.] Being to assure the faithful of God’ s fatherly care of their safety and indemnity amidst all those distractions and disturbances of the times; he calleth for their utmost attention, as knowing how slow of heart and dull of hearing the best are; how backward to believe, and apt to "forget the consolation," παρακλησις.
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 28:23
(23) Give ye ear . . .—The words remind us of the style of the “wisdom” books of the Old Testament (Proverbs 2:1; Proverbs 4:1; Proverbs 5:1; Psalms 34:11) in which Isaiah had been trained. Isaiah is about to set before those who have ears to hear a parable which he does not interpret, and which will, therefore, task all their energies. The idea that lies at the root of the parable is like that of Mat 16:2-4, that men fail to apply in discerning the signs of the times the wisdom which they practise or recognise in the common phenomena of nature and the tillage of the soil. As that tillage presents widely varied processes, differing with each kind of grain, so the sowing and the threshing of God’s spiritual husbandry presents a like diversity of operations. What that diversity indicates in detail the prophet proceeds to show with what may again be called a Dante-like minuteness.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 28:23
Verse 23. Give ye ear, and hear my voice - "Listen ye, and hear my voice"] The foregoing discourse, consisting of severe reproofs, and threatenings of dreadful judgments impending on the Jews for their vices, and their profane contempt of God's warnings by his messengers, the prophet concludes with an explanation and defence of God's method of dealing with his people in an elegant parable or allegory; in which he employs a variety of images, all taken from the science of agriculture. As the husbandman uses various methods in preparing his land, and adapting it to the several kinds of seeds to be sown, with a due observation of times and seasons; and when he hath gathered in his harvest, employs methods as various in separating the corn from the straw and the chaff by different instruments, according to the nature of the different sorts of grain; so God, with unerring wisdom, and with strict justice, instructs, admonishes, and corrects his people; chastises and punishes them in various ways, as the exigence of the case requires; now more moderately, now more severely; always tempering justice with mercy; in order to reclaim the wicked, to improve the good, and, finally, to separate the one from the other.
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 28:23
23–29. A parable derived from husbandry. The motive of its insertion in this place was probably the different treatment meted out to Samaria and to Jerusalem. The precise point of the analogy is somewhat uncertain; but perhaps we may interpret the thought as follows. There are two parts. The first (Isaiah 28:24-26) appears to justify Jehovah’s procedure by the end He has in view. As the farmer does not go on ploughing for ever out of a mere blind passion for ploughing, but ploughs in order to sow; so Jehovah’s work of judgment is to issue in the preparation of a seed-plot, and in due time ploughing will give place (in the case of Judah) to sowing. The second (Isaiah 28:27-29) draws the lesson that the operation of threshing varies with the material to be operated on. The delicate fennel, e.g. would be destroyed by the rough implements used on coarser grain; and in Judah there is (what there was not in Samaria) the tender growth of the “holy seed,” the nucleus of the true Israel, for whose sake judgment must be tempered with mercy.
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 28:23
Give ye ear - In this verse the prophet introduces an important and striking illustration drawn from the science of agriculture.
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 28:23
23. Give ye ear… hear my speech — It might seem, and properly, that the prophet’s address has closed, and he enters here on a new view, a relieving side to the woe.
Sermons on Isaiah 28:23
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Husbanding by Abner Kauffman | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the importance of taking care of our homes and families. He uses the analogy of threshing instruments to emphasize that each family is uniqu |
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Threshing - the Lord's Method by T. Austin-Sparks | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the parable of the sower from the Bible. He emphasizes that spiritual understanding is the main point of the parable. The preacher explains t |
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Repentance Prophetic Word by John Mulinde | This sermon emphasizes the importance of surrendering to God completely, highlighting the need to abandon human ways and embrace the life and power that comes from Christ. It recou |
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The Anatomy of Adultery by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of taking action and living a holy life. He urges the audience to not just go through the motions of attending church, but to |
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Where Does It Lie by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the speaker uses a metaphor of a ship carrying valuable cargo to illustrate the dangers of being led astray by false teachings and sinful behaviors. He emphasizes t |
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Preaching - a Sacred Responsibility - Part 2 by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker describes his experience of being called to speak to a happy congregation. However, he is faced with a choice - to speak based on the reality that the p |
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Identifying the True Prophet - Part 1 by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the prophetic call and the role of a prophet in proclaiming God's message. He emphasizes the importance of a prophet being able to see and art |