Old Testament
Isaiah 28:13
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
So the LORD's word to them will become rule after rule, rule after rule, line after line, line after line, a little here, a little there — until they stumble backward, get broken, get trapped, and get captured.
Compare translations
But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.
What Isaiah 28:13 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, God is expressing how His message is delivered to the people in a repetitive and structured manner, emphasizing the importance of His teachings. The phrase 'precept upon precept' suggests that God's instructions are meant to be learned gradually, piece by piece. However, the people are not responding positively to these teachings. Instead of understanding and growing, they are stumbling and falling backward. This indicates a failure to grasp the wisdom and guidance offered by God, leading to their downfall. The repetition in the message highlights the seriousness of their situation; they are trapped in their own ignorance and will face consequences for not heeding God's word. The verse serves as a warning about the dangers of neglecting divine instruction and the inevitable consequences that follow such disregard.
How to apply Isaiah 28:13 to your life
This verse reminds us of the importance of paying attention to God's teachings in our lives. We should not take His guidance lightly or ignore it, as doing so can lead to negative consequences. Regularly engaging with Scripture helps us grow in understanding and avoid spiritual pitfalls.
Curated for this public verse page. Isaiah Summary
Explore more of the Bible
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Joseph, Jacob's son's story: Joseph Is Born (Genesis 30:22–24)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Joseph, Jacob's son
Photo: U.S. Army photo by Spc. Samantha R. Ciaramitaro, via DVIDS and Wikimedia Commons. License: Public domain in the United States — U.S. federal-government work. Source. Location: Great Ziggurat, Ur Archaeological City (Tell el-Mukayyar), Dhi Qar Governorate, Iraq. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Ur
The city Abram's family left to travel toward Canaan.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Isaiah 28:13
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Isaiah 28:13
Related Bible verses
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Isaiah
- Author
- Isaiah the prophet
- Written
- Around 700 BC
- Genre
- Prophecy
- Original Audience
- Judah and the surrounding nations
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Isaiah 28:13 mean?
Isaiah 28:13 conveys that God's message is given in a structured and repetitive way, highlighting the importance of His teachings. However, the people fail to understand and instead stumble, indicating their ignorance and the consequences of ignoring divine guidance.
What is the meaning of 'precept upon precept' in Isaiah 28:13?
'Precept upon precept' in Isaiah 28:13 means that God's instructions are meant to be learned gradually and carefully. It emphasizes the need for people to absorb His teachings step by step, rather than dismissing them.
What are the consequences mentioned in Isaiah 28:13?
The consequences mentioned in Isaiah 28:13 include stumbling backward, being broken, and getting trapped. These outcomes reflect the dangers of ignoring God's teachings and the spiritual downfall that can result from such neglect.
How can we apply Isaiah 28:13 in our lives?
We can apply Isaiah 28:13 by actively engaging with God's teachings and not taking them lightly. Regularly studying Scripture helps us grow in understanding and avoid the pitfalls of spiritual ignorance.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.