Isaiah 28:23 — Word Study
WLCהַאֲזִ֥ינוּ וְשִׁמְע֖וּ קוֹלִ֑י הַקְשִׁ֥יבוּ וְשִׁמְע֖וּ אִמְרָתִֽי׃
BSAListenʼâzan [give ear, hearken] and hearshâmaʻ [pay attention to, obey] my voiceqôwl [sound, speech] Pay attentionqâshab [listen carefully, hearken] and hearshâmaʻ [give heed to, listen to] what I sayʼimrâh [my word, my speech]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| הַאֲזִ֥ינוּ | give ear | Verb, Hiphil, imperative second person masculine plural |
| וְשִׁמְע֖וּ | and hear | Conjunction, verb qal imperative second person masculine plural |
| קוֹלִ֑י | voice my | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| הַקְשִׁ֥יבוּ | pay attention | Verb, Hiphil, imperative second person masculine plural |
| וְשִׁמְע֖וּ | and hear | Conjunction, verb qal imperative second person masculine plural |
| אִמְרָתִֽי׃ | utterance my | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Listen and hear my voice. Pay attention and hear what I say. |
| KJV | ¶ Give ye ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech. |
| ASV | Give ye ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech. |
| YLT | Give ear, and hear my voice, Attend, and hear my saying: |
| WEB | Give ear, and hear my voice! Listen, and hear my speech! |
| BBE | Let your ears be open to my voice; give attention to what I say. |
All translations agree on the imperative call to listen.
The verse consists of two main commands, emphasizing the importance of listening and paying attention.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbאָזַן
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Isaiah 28:23
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — God's Call to Attentiongenerated
Isaiah 28:23 is a call from God to His people, emphasizing the importance of listening to His voice and paying attention to His words. This verse is part of a larger message where God contrasts the actions of a plowman with the need for His people to heed divine instruction. The surrounding verses highlight the consequences of ignoring God's call, as seen in verse 22, where mockery leads to heavier shackles.
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 | Deuteronomy 32:1 | Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak; hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. |
| 3 | Jeremiah 22:29 | O land, land, land, hear the word of the LORD! |
| 4 | Revelation 2:7–11 | 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. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 4 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — הַאֲזִ֥ינוּ, ha.'a.Zi.nugenerated
The word הַאֲזִ֥ינוּ (ha.'a.Zi.nu) is a Hiphil imperative form of the verb אָזַן (azan), which means 'to listen' or 'to hear.' It implies not just hearing but also a call to obedience and attentiveness. This word appears frequently in the Hebrew Bible, often in contexts where God commands His people to listen to His instructions.
In this verse, it serves as a direct command to the audience, indicating that they should actively engage with what is being said. The use of the imperative form emphasizes urgency and importance, as God desires His people to pay close attention to His voice.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
All translations agree on the imperative call to listen: Listen (BSB, KJV, ASV, YLT, WEB, BBE).
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse comprises two main clauses, both beginning with imperatives: הַאֲזִ֥ינוּ (Listen) and הַקְשִׁ֥יבוּ (Pay attention). The structure emphasizes the commands given by God, highlighting the importance of both listening and paying attention.
The parallel structure of the imperatives reinforces the urgency of the message, as both clauses call for active engagement with God's words.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates הַאֲזִ֥ינוּ as ἐνωτίζεσθε, which carries a similar meaning of listening attentively. This choice reflects a consistent call for attentiveness to God's voice.
The use of ἐνωτίζεσθε indicates a direct appeal to the audience, aligning with the Hebrew imperative and emphasizing the importance of heeding God's instructions.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Isaiah 28:23 urges the people to listen carefully to God's voice and pay attention to His words. This call to attentiveness is crucial for understanding God's guidance and instruction.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Listening to God's voice means paying attention to His words and being obedient to His instructions, as emphasized in this verse.
Paying attention to God's words is essential for receiving guidance and understanding His will for our lives.
We can ensure we are listening to God by reading Scripture, praying, and being open to His guidance in our daily lives.
Ignoring God's voice can lead to negative consequences, as indicated in the surrounding verses where mockery leads to heavier burdens.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can I actively listen to God's voice in my daily life?
- How can I cultivate a habit of paying attention to God's words?
- What steps can I take to ensure I am obedient to what I hear from God?
- How does understanding God's voice impact my relationship with Him?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Jerome comments on this verse, emphasizing the importance of listening to God's voice and understanding His message.
Pay attention and listen to my voice: listen and hear my speech. Does the plowman plow all day to sow, break up the soil, and harrow it? When he has leveled its surface, does he not sow dill, scatter cumin, plant wheat in rows, barley,Early Church Fathers on Isaiah 28 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Isaiah 28:23 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleGive 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
Read John Gill on Isaiah 28 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryGive 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).
Read Robert Jamieson on Isaiah 28 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleObserve what I say, and do you judge if it be not reasonable.
Read Matthew Poole on Isaiah 28 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsIsaiah 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.
Read John Trapp on Isaiah 28 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(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…
Read Charles John Ellicott on Isaiah 28 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 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…
Read AdamClarke on Isaiah 28 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges23–29. 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…
Read Cambridge on Isaiah 28 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleGive ye ear - In this verse the prophet introduces an important and striking illustration drawn from the science of agriculture.
Read Albert Barnes on Isaiah 28 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Listen and hear my voice. Pay attention and hear what I say.
Give ear, and hear my voice! Listen, and hear my speech!
Listen and hear my voice. Pay attention and hear what I say.
Pay attention and listen to my message! Be attentive and listen to what I have to say!
Tyndale line
¶ Give ye ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech.
Give ye ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech.
Give ye ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech.
Give ye ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech.
Hearken ye, and heare my voyce: hearken ye, and heare my speach.
Strictly literal
Give ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech.
Give ear, and hear my voice, Attend, and hear my saying:
Give ear, and hear my voice, || Attend, and hear my saying:
Give ye ear, and hear my voice; listen, and hear my speech.
Pay attention and listen to my voice; be attentive and listen to my words.
From the Latin
Give ear, and hear my voice, hearken, and hear my speech.
Simplified
Listen to what I'm saying! Listen and pay attention! Hear what I have to say!
Let your ears be open to my voice; give attention to what I say.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text, the Septuagint, and the Dead Sea Scrolls all present the same essential message, with the wording closely aligned across these texts. The Dead Sea Scrolls reflect the same imperative commands as found in the Masoretic Text.
הַאֲזִ֥ינוּ וְשִׁמְע֖וּ קוֹלִ֑י הַקְשִׁ֥יבוּ וְשִׁמְע֖וּ אִמְרָתִֽי׃
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
האזינו ושמעו קול׳י הקשיבו ושמעו אמרת׳י
6 words on the leather.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Isaiah 28:23
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
אָזַן (azan) is a verb meaning to listen or hear, derived as a denominative from a root suggesting the broadening of the ear. It encompasses the act of giving ear, being obedient, and specifically refers to God listening to prayers. The entries do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.
[אָזַן] 42 vb. denom. Hiph. give ear, listen, hear
hear, perceive by the ear
of God, listening (with favour) to prayer
base
H238 אָזַן vb. denom. Hiph. give ear, listen, hear
238 'azan aw-zan'
a primitive root; probably to expand; but used only as a
denominative from 241; to broaden out the ear (with the hand),
i.e. (by implication) to listen:--give (perceive by the) ear,
hear(-ken). See 239.
see HEBREW for 0241
see HEBREW for 0239
אָזַן (a.zan) — to listen.
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)
V-Hiphil-Impv-2mp — Verb · Hiphil · imperative second person masculine pluralHVhv2mp
er ('ozen; ous, otion, the latter word (literally, "earlet") in all the Gospels only used of the ear of the high priest's servant, which was cut off by Peter: Mt 26:51; Mr 14:47; Lu 22:51 (not 22:50); Joh 18:10,26):
(1) The physical organ of hearing which was considered of peculiar importance as the chief instrument by which man receives information and commandments. For this reason the ear of the priest had to be specially sanctified, the tip of the right ear being touched with sacrificial blood at the consecration (Le 8:23). Similarly the ear of the cleansed leper had to be rededicated to the service of God by blood…
Ear
Used frequently in a figurative sense (Ps. 34:15). To “uncover the ear” is to show respect to a person (1 Sam. 20:2 marg.). To have the “ear heavy”, or to have “uncircumcised ears” (Isa. 6:10), is to be inattentive and disobedient. To have the ear “bored” through with an awl was a sign of perpetual servitude (Ex. 21:6).
The Hebrew word שָׁמַע (shama`) means 'to hear' and encompasses a range of meanings including listening, obeying, and proclaiming. It is built from a primitive root and can imply attention and understanding. The entries highlight various grammatical forms, such as Qal, Niphal, Piel, and Hiphil, indicating different nuances of hearing and obeying. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.
שָׁמַע 1152 vb. hear
Qal 1052
subj. pers. hum.
י׳ (God) subj.
Niph. 42 be heard, of voice, sound
be heard of
be regarded, obeyed
= (favourable) hearing was granted to their voice.
Pi. he caused the people to hear
Hiph. 63
of man
י׳ subj.
base
H8085 שָׁמַע hear
8085 shama` shaw-mah'
a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with
implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to
tell, etc.):--X attentively, call (gather) together, X
carefully, X certainly, consent, consider, be content,
declare, X diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make
to) hear(-ken, tell), X indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be)
obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish,
regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, X surely, tell,
understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.
שָׁמַע (sha.ma) — to hear: hear.
: 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
שָׁמַע (sha.ma) — to hear: obey.
: obey
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)
Conj | V-Qal-Impv-2mp — Conjunction · verb qal imperative second person masculine pluralHC/Vqv2mp
קוֹל (qol) primarily means 'voice' or 'sound,' encompassing various contexts such as music, noise, and even thunder. It can also denote lightness or frivolity. The word is built from a root meaning to call aloud and appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament, including a reference in Jeremiah 3:9.
ref
H6963a קוֹל sound, voice H6963b קֹל lightness, frivolity
6963 qowl kole
or qol {kole}; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a
voice or sound:--+ aloud, bleating, crackling, cry (+ out),
fame, lightness, lowing, noise, + hold peace, (pro-)claim,
proclamation, + sing, sound, + spark, thunder(-ing), voice, +
yell.
קוֹל (qol) — voice.
: voice/shout/loud
1) voice, sound, noise
1a) voice
1b) sound (of instrument)
קֹל (qol) — frivolity.
lightness, frivolity
קוֹל (qol) — voice: sound.
: sound/noise
1) voice, sound, noise
1a) voice
1b) sound (of instrument)
קוֹל (qol) — voice: thunder.
: thunder
1) voice, sound, noise
1a) voice
1b) sound (of instrument)
קוֹל (qol) — voice: message.
: message/proclaim
1) voice, sound, noise
1a) voice
1b) sound (of instrument)
קוֹל (qol) — voice: [sound of].
: [sound_of](THING)
1) voice, sound, noise
1a) voice
1b) sound (of instrument)
קוֹל (qol) — voice: listen.
: listen
1) voice, sound, noise
1a) voice
1b) sound (of instrument)
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp1bs
קָשַׁב (qashab) is a Hebrew verb meaning to listen or pay attention, particularly with reference to inclining one's ears. It encompasses actions like hearkening and giving heed. The word appears in contexts such as Isaiah 32:3, where it emphasizes attentiveness. The entries consistently describe its usage in both the Qal and Hiphil forms.
[קָשַׁב] 46 vb. incline, attend, of ears
Qal Is 32:3
Hiph. give attention
base
H7181 קָשַׁב incline, attend, of ears
7181 qashab kaw-shab'
a primitive root; to prick up the ears, i.e.
hearken:--attend, (cause to) hear(-ken), give heed, incline,
mark (well), regard.
קָשַׁב (qa.shav) — to listen.
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
V-Hiphil-Impv-2mp — Verb · Hiphil · imperative second person masculine pluralHVhv2mp
The Hebrew word שָׁמַע (shama`) means 'to hear' and encompasses a range of meanings including listening, obeying, and proclaiming. It is built from a primitive root and can imply attention and understanding. The entries highlight various grammatical forms, such as Qal, Niphal, Piel, and Hiphil, indicating different nuances of hearing and obeying. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.
שָׁמַע 1152 vb. hear
Qal 1052
subj. pers. hum.
י׳ (God) subj.
Niph. 42 be heard, of voice, sound
be heard of
be regarded, obeyed
= (favourable) hearing was granted to their voice.
Pi. he caused the people to hear
Hiph. 63
of man
י׳ subj.
base
H8085 שָׁמַע hear
8085 shama` shaw-mah'
a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with
implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to
tell, etc.):--X attentively, call (gather) together, X
carefully, X certainly, consent, consider, be content,
declare, X diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make
to) hear(-ken, tell), X indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be)
obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish,
regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, X surely, tell,
understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.
שָׁמַע (sha.ma) — to hear: hear.
: 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
שָׁמַע (sha.ma) — to hear: obey.
: obey
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)
Conj | V-Qal-Impv-2mp — Conjunction · verb qal imperative second person masculine pluralHC/Vqv2mp
אִמְרָה (imrah) refers to an utterance, speech, or word, and can denote a word of God, including commands and promises. It also has a connotation of a threat, particularly in the context of divine judgment. The term is feminine and is derived from a related root, אֶמְרָה (emrah), which shares similar meanings.
ref
H565a אִמְרָה utternace, speech, word H565b אֶמְרָה id. [565a]
565 'imrah im-raw'
or memrah {em-raw'}; feminine of 561, and meaning the
same:--commandment, speech, word.
see HEBREW for 0561
אִמְרָה (im.rah) — word.
1) utterance, speech, word
1a) word of God (command and promise)
אֶמְרָה (im.rah) — threat.
threat (of judgement from God)
N-fs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp1bs