Isaiah 28:13 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 28:13 mean?

Isaiah 28:13 describes how the word of the LORD became to the people a series of repeated commands—"precept upon precept, line upon line, here a little, and there a little"—but instead of helping them, it led to their stumbling, downfall, and capture. The verse shows that because the people would not listen, even God's instructions became something that tripped them up rather than guided them.

In this verse, Isaiah is speaking to the people of Israel, who have been ignoring God's warnings and teachings. The repeated phrases highlight how God patiently taught them bit by bit, but their stubbornness turned these teachings into a burden. The result is that instead of being built up, the people "fall backward" and are "broken, snared, and taken," showing the consequences of their refusal to heed God's word.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 28:13

• Precept (צַו, tsav): This word means a command or instruction. The repetition ("precept upon precept") emphasizes how God's teaching was given step by step, but the people treated it as meaningless repetition.
• Line (קַו, qav): This word can mean a measuring line or rule. Here, it suggests careful, measured teaching, but the people saw it as tedious and unhelpful.
• Little (זְעֵיר, ze‘ir): This means "a little" or "a bit." The phrase "here a little, and there a little" shows that God gave them instruction in manageable pieces, but they dismissed it as trivial.
• Fall (כָּשַׁל, kashal) and snared (יָקַשׁ, yaqash): These words describe the consequences—stumbling and being trapped—showing that ignoring God's word leads to harm rather than help.

Why Isaiah 28:13 matters

• Isaiah 28:13 clears up the idea that God's instructions are always automatically helpful; the verse shows that when people refuse to listen, even clear teaching can become a stumbling block.
• The verse emphasizes the patience and persistence of God's teaching, but also the seriousness of ignoring it—repetition does not guarantee understanding or obedience.
• This verse connects to the wider passage by highlighting the stubbornness of Israel's leaders and people, setting up the warning of judgment that follows in Isaiah's message.