Isaiah 28:11 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 28:11 mean?

Isaiah 28:11 says that God will speak to the people of Israel through foreign languages and unfamiliar speech, using "stammering lips and another tongue" as a sign to them. This verse points to a time when outsiders—people speaking languages the Israelites do not understand—will deliver God's message or judgment.

Isaiah is speaking to the leaders and people of Israel, warning them because they have ignored God's clear instructions. The "stammering lips" and "another tongue" refer to the speech of foreign invaders, likely the Assyrians, who would come as a result of Israel's stubbornness. The verse highlights how, since the people refused to listen when God spoke plainly, they will now hear through the confusing and unsettling words of foreigners.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 28:11

• "stammering" (לַעֵג — la‘ēg): This word means mocking, babbling, or unintelligible speech. It emphasizes how the foreign language will sound confusing and harsh to the Israelites, underlining their inability to understand.
• "another" (אַחֵר — ’acher): This word means "another" or "different," stressing that the language spoken will not be their own but that of outsiders.
• "tongue" (לָשׁוֹן — lashon): This word means "language" or "speech." Here, it refers to the foreign language of the invaders, making the warning more vivid.
• "speak" (דָּבַר — dabar): This word means "to speak" or "to communicate." The use here shows that God is still reaching out to His people, but now through a means that will be hard for them to grasp.

Why Isaiah 28:11 matters

• Isaiah 28:11 clarifies that God sometimes uses unexpected or uncomfortable methods to get people's attention when they ignore His direct words.
• The verse connects to the wider passage by showing the consequences of refusing to listen to God's prophets: the people will now hear from foreign conquerors instead.
• Understanding the reference to foreign speech helps explain why this verse is sometimes linked to later biblical discussions about speaking in tongues or God using outsiders to fulfill His purposes.