Isaiah 28:14

The covenant with death overturned

14 Therefore, hear the LORD's word, you scoffers who rule this people in Jerusalem.

Isaiah 28:14 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 28:14

Wherefore hear the word of the Lord, ye scornful men
Men of scorn and mockery, that scoffed and mocked at the word of God, as in the preceding verse ( Isaiah 28:13 ) ; or at the threatenings of punishment; and even made a jest of death and hell, as in the following words: "the word of the Lord" they are called upon to hear, hearken, and attend to, is either the word of promise of the Messiah, ( Isaiah 28:16 ) or rather the word threatening them with ruin, ( Isaiah 28:18 ) or it may be both:

that rule this people which [is] in Jerusalem;
which must not be understood of the chief ruler Hezekiah, but rather of some subordinate rulers, such as Shebna and others; these set a very bad example to the common people: no wonder that irreligion and profaneness prevail, when civil magistrates are scoffers at religion. It agrees best with the rulers of the Jewish people in the times of Christ, who mocked at him and his ministry, and that of his apostles.

Isaiah 28:14 In-Context

12 He has said to them, "This is the place of rest; give rest to the weary; this is the place of repose"; but they refused to listen.

13 So the LORD's word will be for them: "tsav letsav, tsav letsav; qav leqav, qav leqav," a little of this, a little of that. So that they will go and stagger backward, they will be broken, snared, and captured.

14 Therefore, hear the LORD's word, you scoffers who rule this people in Jerusalem.

15 You said, "We've cut a deal with death; with the underworld we made a pact. When the overflowing flood passes through, it won't reach us; for we have made lies our hiding place, and in falsehood we take shelter."

16 Therefore, the LORD God says: Look! I'm laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, a valuable cornerstone, a sure foundation: the one who trusts won't tremble.