Isaiah 28:20

Isaiah 28:20 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it: and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it.
• New International Version (NIV)The bed is too short to stretch out on, the blanket too narrow to wrap around you.
• English Standard Version (ESV)For the bed is too short to stretch oneself on, and the covering too narrow to wrap oneself in.
• New King James Version (NKJV)For the bed is too short to stretch out on, And the covering so narrow that one cannot wrap himself in it.

Context of Isaiah 28:20

18And your covenant with death shall be annulled, and your agreement with Sheol shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it. 19As often as it passeth through, it shall take you; for morning by morning shall it pass through, by day and by night: and it shall be nought but terror to understand the message. For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it; and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it. 21For Jehovah will rise up as in mount Perazim, he will be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon; that he may do his work, his strange work, and bring to pass his act, his strange act. 22Now therefore be ye not scoffers, lest your bonds be made strong; for a decree of destruction have I heard from the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, upon the whole earth.

Isaiah 28:20 word by word

כִּֽי־קָצַ֥ר הַמַּצָּ֖ע מֵֽהִשְׂתָּרֵ֑עַ וְהַמַּסֵּכָ֥ה צָ֖רָה כְּהִתְכַּנֵּֽס׃Read the interlinear

Cross-references for Isaiah 28:20

• Isaiah 57:12I will declare thy righteousness; and as for thy works, they shall not profit thee.
• Isaiah 59:5They hatch adders’ eggs, and weave the spider’s web: he that eateth of their eggs dieth; and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper.
• Isaiah 64:6For we are all become as one that is unclean, and all our righteousnesses are as a polluted garment: and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.
• Isaiah 66:3He that killeth an ox is as he that slayeth a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as he that breaketh a dog’s neck; he that offereth an oblation, as he that offereth swine’s blood; he that burneth frankincense, as he that blesseth an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations:
• Jeremiah 7:8Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit.
• Romans 9:30What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, who followed not after righteousness, attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith:
• 1 Corinthians 1:18For the word of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us who are saved it is the power of God.

Commentaries on Isaiah 28:20

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 20For the bed is shorter - A mashal or proverbial saying, the meaning of which is, that they will find all means of defense and protection insufficient to secure them, and cover them from the evils coming upon them. מסך massek, Isaiah 22:8, the covering, is used for the outworks of defense, the barrier of the country; and here, in the allegorical sense, it means much the same thing. Their beds were only mattresses laid on the floor; and the coverlet a…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 20For the bed is shorter … - This is evidently a proverbial saying, and means that they would find all their places of defense insufficient to secure them. They seek repose and security - as a man lies down to rest at night. But they find neither. His bed furnishes no rest; his scanty covering furnishes no security from the chills of the night. So it would be with those who sought protection in idols, in the promises of false prophets, and in the aid which…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 16-22Verses 16-22 Here is a promise of Christ, as the only foundation of hope for escaping the wrath to come. This foundation was laid in Zion, in the eternal counsels of God. This foundation is a stone, firm and able to support his church. It is a tried stone, a chosen stone, approved of God, and never failed any who made trial of it. A corner stone, binding together the whole building, and bearing the whole weight; precious in the sight of the Lord, and of…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 20the bed … the blanket: The leaders were not ready for God's judgment.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2020. Proverbial, for they shall find all their sources of confidence fail them; all shall be hopeless perplexity in their affairs.Read the comment

Topics related to Isaiah 28:20

• Infidelity
• Isaiah
• Israel, Prophecies Concerning
• Self-Righteousness
• Sin
• Wicked (People)

In the dictionaries

• Battle
• Diadem
• Doctrine
• Foundation
• Hasty
• Refuge
• Rod
• Short
• Sure
• Veil, vail

Commentaries on Isaiah 28

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings