Isaiah 28:11, 12

Isaiah 28:11

For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.

a. NLT: So now God will have to speak to his people through foreign oppressors who speak a strange language! [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]

b. NIV: Very well then, with foreign lips and strange tongues God will speak to this people, [THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.]

c. Amplified Bible: No, but [the Lord will teach the rebels in a more humiliating way] by men with stammering lips and another tongue will He speak to this people [says Isaiah, and teach them His lessons]. [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]

d. Septuagint:  by reason of the contemptuous [words] of the lips, by means of another language: for they shall speak to this people, saying to them,

e. Stone Edition Torah/Writings/Prophets: For as if with unintelligible speech and in another tongue does one speak to this nation. [The Artscroll Series/Stone Edition, THE TANACH--STUDENT SIZE EDITION Copyright 1996, 1998 by Mesorah Publications, Ltd.]

 

1. “For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.”

a. For [Strong: 3588 kiy kee a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed:--and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al- )though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet.

b. [with] stammering [Strong: 3934 lâʻêg, law-ayg'; from H3932; a buffoon; also a foreigner:—mocker, stammering.] [BLB:The KJV translates Strong's H3934 in the following manner: mocker (1x), stammering (1x).]   

c. lips [Strong: 8193 sâphâh, saw-faw'; or (in dual and plural) שֶׂפֶת sepheth; probably from H5595or H8192 through the idea of termination (compare H5490); the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.):—band, bank, binding, border, brim, brink, edge, language, lip, prating, (sea-)shore, side, speech, talk, (vain) words.] [BLB: The KJV translates Strong's H8193 in the following manner: lip (112x), bank (10x), brim (8x), edge (8x), language (7x), speech (6x), shore (6x), brink (5x), border (3x), side (3x), prating (2x), vain (2x), miscellaneous (4x).] 

d. [and] another [Strong: 312 ʼachêr, akh-air'; from H309; properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc.:—(an-) other man, following, next, strange.] [BLB: The KJV translates Strong's H312 in the following manner: other(s) (105x), another (55x), next (2x), following (1x), man's (1x), men (1x), strange (1x).]

e. tongue [Strong: 3956  lâshôwn, law-shone'; or לָשֹׁן lâshôn; also (in plural) feminine לְשֹׁנָה lᵉshônâh; from H3960; the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame, a cove of water):— babbler, bay, evil speaker, language, talker, tongue, wedge.] [BLB: The KJV translates Strong's H3956 in the following manner: tongue (98x), language (10x), bay (3x), wedge (2x), babbler (1x), flame (1x), speaker (with H376) (1x), talkers (1x).]

f. [will he] speak [Strong: 1696 dâbar, daw-bar'; a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue:—answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, × well, × work.] [BLB: The KJV translates Strong's H1696 in the following manner: speak (840x), say (118x), talk (46x), promise (31x), tell (25x), commune (20x), pronounce (14x), utter (7x), command 4 misc (38x).]

g. to [Strong: 413 'el ale (but only used in the shortened constructive form sel {el}); a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e. near, with or among; often in general, to:--about, according to ,after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, X hath, in(- to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in).]

h. this [Strong: 2088 zeh zeh a primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that:--he, X hence, X here, it(-self), X now, X of him, the one...the other, X than the other, (X out of) the (self) same, such (a one) that, these, this (hath, man), on this side...on that side, X thus, very, which.]

i. people [Strong: 5971 * ʻam, am; from H6004; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock:—folk, men, nation, people.]

1). Isaiah 28:11, 12 is of course what the Apostle Paul was referring to in 1 Corinthians 14:21.

a). 1 Corinthians 14:21: In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.

b). In both instances it is clear that God said He would use it to speak to His people.

Isaiah 28:12

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.”

a. NLT: 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. [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]

b. NIV: 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. [THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.]

c. Amplified Bible: To these [complaining Jews the Lord] had said, This is the true rest [the way to true comfort and happiness] that you shall give to the weary, and, This is the [true] refreshing—yet they would not listen [to His teaching]. [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]

d. Septuagint: This is the rest to him that is hungry, and this is the calamity: but they would not hear.

e. Stone Edition Torah/Writings/Prophets: Though he twlls them, ‘This is the [true] rest, “Give rest to the weary”; and this is the [true] satisfaction!’ yet they would not consent to listen. [The Artscroll Series/Stone Edition, THE TANACH--STUDENT SIZE EDITION Copyright 1996, 1998 by Mesorah Publications, Ltd.]

1. “To whom he said..”

a. To [Strong: 413 'el ale (but only used in the shortened constructive form sel {el}); a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e. near, with or among; often in general, to:--about, according to ,after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, X hath, in(- to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in).

b. whom [Strong: 834 'aher ash-er' a primitive relative pronoun (of every gender and number); who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.:--X after, X alike, as (soon as), because, X every, for, + forasmuch, + from whence, + how(-soever), X if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), X though, + until, + whatsoever, when, where (+ -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, + whither(- soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection.]

c. [he] said [Strong: 559 ʼâmar, aw-mar'; a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude):—answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, × desire, determine, ×expressly, × indeed, × intend, name, × plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), × still, × suppose, talk, tell, term, × that is, × think, use (speech), utter, × verily, × yet.] [BLB: The KJV translates Strong's H559 in the following manner: said (4,874x), speak (179x), answer (99x), command (30x), tell (29x), call (7x), promised (6x), miscellaneous (84x).]

2. “…This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; …”

a. This [is] [Strong: 2063 zo'th zothe' irregular feminine of 2089; this (often used adverb):-- hereby (-in, -with), it, likewise, the one (other, same), she, so (much), such (deed), that, therefore, these, this (thing), thus.]

b. [the] rest [Strong: mᵉnûwchâh, men-oo-khaw'; or מְנֻחָה mᵉnuchâh; feminine of H4495; repose or (adverbially) peacefully; figuratively, consolation (specifically, matrimony); hence (concretely) an abode:—comfortable, ease, quiet, rest(-ing place), still.] [BLB: The KJV translates Strong's H4496 in the following manner: rest (15x), resting place (2x), comfortable (1x), ease (1x), quiet (1x), still (1x).]

c. [wherewith ye may cause the] weary [Strong: 5889 ʻâyêph, aw-yafe'; from H5888; languid:—faint, thirsty, weary.] [BLB: The KJV translates Strong's H5889 in the following manner: weary (8x), faint (6x), thirsty (3x).]

d. [to] rest [Strong: nûwach, noo'-akh; a primitive root; to rest, i.e. settle down; used in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, intransitive, transitive and causative (to dwell, stay, let fall, place, let alone, withdraw, give comfort, etc.):—cease, be confederate, lay, let down, (be) quiet, remain, (cause to, be at, give, have, make to) rest, set down.] [BLB: The KJV translates Strong's H5117 in the following manner: rest (55x), ceased (1x), confederate (1x), let down (1x), set down (1x), lay (1x), quiet (2x), remain (1x), set (1x).] [Gesenius: to set oneself down, to rest, to be at rest, from labor.]

1). The prophet says in these verses that with a stammering lip and another tongue the LORD would speak to his people and that it would not only be a rest, it would cause the weary to rest and it would be a refreshing. Those are facts.

3. “…and this is the refreshing…”

a. [and] this is [Strong: 2063 zo'th zothe' irregular feminine of 2089; this (often used adverb):-- hereby (-in, -with), it, likewise, the one (other, same), she, so (much), such (deed), that, therefore, these, this (thing), thus.]

b. [the] refreshing [Strong: 4774 margêʻâh, mar-gay-aw'; from H7280; rest:—refreshing.] [BLB: The KJV translates Strong's H4774 in the following manner: refreshing (1x).]

1). These verses are quoted by the Apostle Paul when he was discussing the regulations of tongues in a church service.

 a). 1 Corinthians 14:21: In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.

b). An interesting fact is that when Paul quotes Isaiah 28:11, 12, he leaves off most of verse 12. He leaves off, “To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing…” There is a Jewish tradition that says when the beginning of the verse and the end of it are quoted, everything in the middle is also included.

2).  I want to merge what Isaiah writes in the Old Testament with what Paul and Jude write in the New Testament about the benefits of praying in tongues.

a). 1 Corinthians 14:4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself;

(1) edifieth [Strong: 3618 oikodoméō, oy-kod-om-eh'-o; from the same as G3619; to be a house-builder, i.e. construct or (figuratively) confirm:—(be in) build(-er, -ing, up), edify, embolden.] [BLB: The KJV translates Strong's G3618 in the following manner: build (24x), edify (7x), builder (5x), build up (1x), be in building (1x), embolden (1x).]

b). Jude 20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.

(1) building up [Strong: 2026 epoikodoméō, ep-oy-kod-om-eh'-o; from G1909 and G3618; to build upon, i.e. (figuratively) to rear up:—build thereon (thereupon, on, upon).]

(2) The Greek words for “edifieth” and “building” are the same Greek root word oikodomeo; except in the word for “building” it has the prefix epi-upon.

c).  As I pray in tongues I am building an abode where I can enter into and receive rest and refreshing in my spirit from the Holy Spirit. This is one of the personal benefits of praying in the spirit, that I will receive rest and refreshing and a building up of my spirit. No doubt this is why at the same time Paul was chastising the Corinthian Church for abusing the utterance gifts of “divers kinds of tongues” and “interpretation of tongues”, in 1 Corinthians 14, he also wrote in 1 Corinthians 14:18, “I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all.” Paul prayed in tongues more than anyone in the Corinthian church because he knew the spiritual benefit, the building up and the rest and refreshing of his inner man. Although he prayed more than any of them he did not abuse them because he was praying “decently and in order” praying to his Father in personal prayer. 

d). For the most part the church has failed to understand Paul was distinguishing between two different manifestations of “divers kinds of tongues”. Paul references both of them in 1 Corinthians 14, but he deals more with one than the other. One deals with the manifestation of tongues in a church setting, the other deals with personal prayer. The regulations Paul lays out in 1 Corinthians 14 are so that the manifestation of tongues in a church setting are done “decently and in order”, of which the most clear separation is shown in verse 28.

(1) 1 Corinthians 14:28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

e). The following verses though, all deal with praying in tongues in personal prayer.

(1) 1 Corinthians 14:2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

(2) 1 Corinthians 14:4 “He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself…”

(3) 1 Corinthians 14:13, 14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

14:14 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

f). Praying in tongues, praying in the spirit is a benefit God wants for his church. Paul’s parting thoughts on this volatile subject is worth repeating.

(1) 1 Corinthians 14:36-40 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?

14:37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

14:38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. 

14:39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

4. “…yet they would not hear.”

a. they would not [14 * ‘abah] [Strong: a primitive root; to breathe after, i.e. (figuratively) to be acquiescent:--consent, rest content will, be willing.]

b. hear [8085 * shama’] [Strong: a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.):--X attentively, call (gather) together, X carefully, X certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, X diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), X indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, X surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.]

1). In Isaiah 28:12 Isaiah concludes the verse by writing “yet they would not hear”.  In 1 Corinthians 14:21 Paul writes, and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.” Is Paul saying that the Body of Christ as a whole would reject this gift? Yes, and in doing so are depriving themselves of an awesome promise that would enrich their lives and bring them into a more intimate relationship with Christ.