Old Testament
Isaiah 28:9
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
They mock the prophet, saying, "Who does he think he's teaching? Who is he explaining his message to? Babies just weaned from their mother's milk?"
Compare translations
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.
What Isaiah 28:9 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In Isaiah 28:9, the prophet addresses the skepticism of the people regarding his teachings. They question his authority and the relevance of his message, comparing it to teaching infants who have just been weaned. This reflects their dismissive attitude towards spiritual knowledge, implying that they believe they are beyond basic teachings. The verse highlights a disconnect between the prophet's message and the audience's readiness to receive it. The people are portrayed as immature in their understanding, unable to grasp deeper spiritual truths. This situation serves as a critique of their spiritual condition, suggesting that they are not prepared to learn or grow in their faith. The prophet's role is to convey knowledge and doctrine, but the audience's mockery indicates their unwillingness to engage with the message. This sets the stage for a broader discussion about the importance of humility and openness in receiving spiritual instruction.
How to apply Isaiah 28:9 to your life
This verse encourages us to reflect on our own openness to spiritual teachings. Are we dismissive of messages that challenge us? We should strive to approach learning with humility, recognizing that growth often requires us to revisit foundational truths, no matter how advanced we think we are.
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 28:9
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 28:9
Related Bible verses
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 28:9 mean?
Isaiah 28:9 addresses the skepticism of the people towards the prophet's teachings. They mock him, questioning who he thinks he is teaching, implying that they consider themselves too advanced for basic spiritual lessons.
What is the significance of being 'weaned from milk' in Isaiah 28:9?
In Isaiah 28:9, being 'weaned from milk' symbolizes spiritual maturity. The people are compared to infants, suggesting they are not ready to understand deeper spiritual truths and are dismissive of foundational teachings.
How does Isaiah 28:9 relate to spiritual growth?
Isaiah 28:9 emphasizes the importance of humility in spiritual growth. It suggests that dismissing basic teachings can hinder one's ability to understand and accept deeper spiritual truths.
Why do the people mock the prophet in Isaiah 28:9?
The people mock the prophet in Isaiah 28:9 because they feel his teachings are irrelevant to them, comparing his message to that of teaching infants. This reflects their arrogance and lack of openness to spiritual instruction.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.