Isaiah 28:12

12 to whom he said, “This is the resting place, let the weary rest”; and, “This is the place of repose”— but they would not listen.

Isaiah 28:12 in Other Translations

KJV
12 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.
ESV
12 to whom he has said, "This is rest; give rest to the weary; and this is repose"; yet they would not hear.
NLT
12 God has told his people, “Here is a place of rest; let the weary rest here. This is a place of quiet rest.” But they would not listen.
MSG
12 and he'll do it through foreign oppressors. He said before, "This is the time and place to rest, to give rest to the weary. This is the place to lay down your burden." But they won't listen.
CSB
12 He had said to them: "This is the place of rest, let the weary rest; this is the place of repose." But they would not listen.

Isaiah 28:12 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 28:12

To whom he said
Either the Lord himself, or the prophet Isaiah; or rather the Lord by him, and other prophets; so the Targum,

``to whom the prophets said;''
that is, the true prophets of the Lord said to the people, or to the priests and other prophets; or Christ and his apostles, as follows: This [is] the rest [wherewith] ye may cause the weary to rest: and
this [is] the refreshing:
that is, by teaching the word of God, the true knowledge of him, and the sound doctrines of the Gospel, and the duties of religion; this would be the best way of casing and refreshing the minds and consciences of the people, burdened with a sense of sin, or distressed and disconsolate through afflictions and calamities upon them, and be the most effectual method of continuing them in ease and peace in their own land, and of preserving them from captivity, and other judgments threatened with; see ( Matthew 11:28 ) : yet they would not hear;
having no regard to the Lord and his prophets; nor any compassion to their countrymen, afflicted and distressed in mind or body; nor to the doctrine of Christ and his apostles.

Isaiah 28:12 In-Context

10 For it is: Do this, do that, a rule for this, a rule for that ; a little here, a little there.”
11 Very well then, with foreign lips and strange tongues God will speak to this people,
12 to whom he said, “This is the resting place, let the weary rest”; and, “This is the place of repose”— but they would not listen.
13 So then, the word of the LORD to them will become: Do this, do that, a rule for this, a rule for that; a little here, a little there— so that as they go they will fall backward; they will be injured and snared and captured.
14 Therefore hear the word of the LORD, you scoffers who rule this people in Jerusalem.

Cross References 1

  • 1. S Exodus 14:14; S Joshua 1:13; S Job 11:18; S Isaiah 11:10; Matthew 11:28-29
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.