Does the plowman plow for planting every day? Does he continuously loosen and harrow the soil?
Parallel translations
- WEB Does he who plows to sow plow continually? Does he keep turning the soil and breaking the clods?
- KJV Doth the plowman plow all day to sow? doth he open and break the clods of his ground?
- NKJV Does the plowman keep plowing all day to sow? Does he keep turning his soil and breaking the clods?
- NASB Does the farmer plow continually to plant seed? Does he continually turn and break up his ground?
- NLT Does a farmer always plow and never sow? Is he forever cultivating the soil and never planting?
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
A wise farmer does not endlessly plow; plowing serves the goal of planting.
Overview
Isaiah observes that a farmer plows only for a season, then moves on to sowing. The point is that each task has its proper time and purpose in a wise plan. So too God's seemingly harsh dealings, like plowing, are purposeful and limited, aimed at a good harvest.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 2
- Jer 4:3For this is what the LORD says to the men of Judah and Jerusalem: “Break up your unplowed ground, and do not sow among the thorns.
- Hos 10:11–12Ephraim is a well-trained heifer that loves to thresh; but I will place a yoke on her fair neck. I will harness Ephraim, Judah will plow, and Jacob will break the hard ground.
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Christ at the center
Isaiah sees him most clearly: the virgin's son Immanuel, the child on David's throne, the shoot from Jesse, the light to the nations, and above all the Suffering Servant pierced for our transgressions (ch. 53).
How Isaiah 28:24 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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