Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.

ISAIAH 28:9KJV
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Isaiah 28:9 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 28:9 mean?

Isaiah 28:9 describes a question about who is ready to receive true knowledge and understanding of God’s teachings, suggesting that only those who have moved beyond spiritual infancy are prepared for deeper instruction. The verse uses the image of children just weaned from milk to highlight the need for maturity before someone can grasp more advanced truths.

In this part of Isaiah, the prophet is speaking to the leaders and people of Israel, many of whom are acting immaturely and refusing to listen to God’s message. Isaiah uses the picture of infants just off their mother’s milk to challenge whether his audience is ready for serious teaching, hinting that they are behaving like spiritual children who are not yet able to handle deeper lessons.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 28:9

  • "teach" (יָרָה, yarah): This word often means to instruct or direct, especially in the sense of giving guidance or pointing the way. Here, it emphasizes the act of giving real, meaningful knowledge, not just basic facts.
  • "knowledge" (דַּעַת, daʿat): This word refers to understanding or insight, not just information. Isaiah is talking about a deeper, more mature grasp of God’s ways.
  • "weaned" (גָּמַל, gamal): This word means to be taken off milk, moving from infancy to a stage where a child can eat solid food. The image stresses the need for growth and readiness before receiving more challenging teaching.

Why Isaiah 28:9 matters

  • Isaiah 28:9 clears up the idea that everyone is automatically ready for deep spiritual truths; it points out that some people are still at a very basic level and need to grow before they can understand more.
  • The verse highlights the frustration Isaiah feels with the leaders, who should be mature but act like spiritual infants, missing the seriousness of God’s message.
  • This verse sets up the following verses, where Isaiah explains how God will deal with people who refuse to listen, showing the consequences of spiritual immaturity in the wider passage.

Where else these words appear

“drawn” Hebrew H6267 · used in 2 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 4:22 And Jokim, and the men of Chozeba, and Joash, and Saraph, who had the dominion in Moab, and Jashubilehem. And these are ancient things.

“knowledge” Hebrew H1844 · used in 6 verses

  • 1 Samuel 2:3 Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.
  • Job 36:4 For truly my words shall not be false: he that is perfect in knowledge is with thee.
  • Isaiah 11:9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

“doctrine” Hebrew H8052 · used in 24 verses

  • 1 Samuel 2:24 Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the LORD'S people to transgress.
  • 2 Chronicles 9:6 Howbeit I believed not their words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the one half of the greatness of thy wisdom was not told me: for thou exceedest the fame that I heard.
  • Jeremiah 49:14 I have heard a rumour from the LORD, and an ambassador is sent unto the heathen, saying, Gather ye together, and come against her, and rise up to the battle.

“breasts” Hebrew H7699 · used in 24 verses

  • Genesis 49:25 Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under, blessings of the breasts, and of the womb:
  • Song of Solomon 7:7 This thy stature is like to a palm tree, and thy breasts to clusters of grapes.
  • Lamentations 4:3 Even the sea monsters draw out the breast, they give suck to their young ones: the daughter of my people is become cruel, like the ostriches in the wilderness.