To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.

ISAIAH 28:12KJV
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Isaiah 28:12 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 28:12 mean?

Isaiah 28:12 describes a message God had given to his people: they were offered a place of rest for the weary, but they refused to listen. The verse contrasts God’s offer of relief with the people’s unwillingness to receive what he said.

The picture is of tired people being given a place to recover their strength. In the surrounding passage, Isaiah addresses leaders whose drinking and confusion affect their judgment. After the mention of unfamiliar speech in verse 11, Isaiah recalls a message the people had already been given.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 28:12

  • “rest” — מְנוּחָה (menukha): This word can mean a resting place or a settled condition of rest. Here it presents rest as something offered to people who are weary.
  • “refreshing” — מַרְגֵּעָה (margēʿah): This word carries the sense of relief or repose. Alongside “rest,” it adds the picture of weariness being eased.

Why Isaiah 28:12 matters

  • The refusal is directed at a message, not merely at a chance to be comfortable. The words “yet they would not hear” describe the people’s response to what God had said.
  • The offer includes care for others who are tired. “Ye may cause the weary to rest” presents the listeners as people who could make room for the weary to find relief.
  • The contrast helps explain the warning that follows. In verse 13, the result of the people’s response is described in the language of stumbling, falling, and being caught.

Where else these words appear

“weary” Hebrew H5889 · used in 17 verses

  • Genesis 25:29 And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint:
  • 2 Samuel 16:14 And the king, and all the people that were with him, came weary, and refreshed themselves there.
  • Proverbs 25:25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

“rest” Hebrew H4496 · used in 21 verses

  • Genesis 49:15 And he saw that rest was good, and the land that it was pleasant; and bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant unto tribute.
  • 1 Kings 8:56 Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant.
  • Isaiah 11:10 And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.

“would” Hebrew H14 · used in 52 verses

  • Genesis 24:5 And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest?
  • 1 Samuel 22:17 And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD.
  • 1 Chronicles 10:4 Then said Saul to his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. So Saul took a sword, and fell upon it.

“rest” Hebrew H5117 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 8:4 And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat.
  • 2 Samuel 7:11 And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house.
  • Isaiah 7:2 And it was told the house of David, saying, Syria is confederate with Ephraim. And his heart was moved, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind.