Show Bible Commentary For A Bible Verse

Click here to show/hide instructions.

Selected Verse: Isaiah 28:16 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Isa 28:16	Strong Concordance	Therefore thus saith [0559] the Lord [0136] GOD [03069], Behold, I lay [03245] in Zion [06726] for a foundation a stone [068], a tried [0976] stone [068], a precious [03368] corner [06438] stone, a sure [03245] foundation [04143]: he that believeth [0539] shall not make haste [02363].
	King James	Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

Open All | Close All Open All | Close All

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
Literally, "Behold Me as Him who has laid"; namely, in My divine counsel (Rev 13:8); none save I could lay it (Isa 63:5). stone--Jesus Christ; Hezekiah [MAURER], or the temple [EWALD], do not realize the full significancy of the language; but only in type point to Him, in whom the prophecy receives its exhaustive accomplishment; whether Isaiah understood its fulness or not (Pe1 1:11-12), the Holy Ghost plainly contemplated its fulfilment in Christ alone; so in Isa 32:1; compare Gen 49:24; Psa 118:22; Mat 21:42; Rom 10:11; Eph 2:20. tried--both by the devil (Luk 4:1-13) and by men (Luke 20:1-38), and even by God (Mat 27:46); a stone of tested solidity to bear the vast superstructure of man's redemption. The tested righteousness of Christ gives its peculiar merit to His vicarious sacrifice. The connection with the context is, though a "scourge" shall visit Judea (Isa 28:15), yet God's gracious purpose as to the elect remnant, and His kingdom of which "Zion" shall be the center, shall not fail, because its rests on Messiah (Mat 7:24-25; Ti2 2:19). precious--literally, "of preciousness," so in the Greek, (Pe1 2:7). He is preciousness. corner-stone-- (Kg1 5:17; Kg1 7:9; Job 38:6); the stone laid at the corner where two walls meet and connecting them; often costly. make haste--flee in hasty alarm; but the Septuagint has "be ashamed"; so Rom 9:33, and Pe1 2:6, "be confounded," substantially the same idea; he who rests on Him shall not have the shame of disappointment, nor flee in sudden panic (see Isa 30:15; Isa 32:17).

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

Literally, "Behold Me as Him who has laid"; namely, in My divine counsel (Rev 13:8); none save I could lay it (Isa 63:5).

stone--Jesus Christ; Hezekiah [MAURER], or the temple [EWALD], do not realize the full significancy of the language; but only in type point to Him, in whom the prophecy receives its exhaustive accomplishment; whether Isaiah understood its fulness or not (Pe1 1:11-12), the Holy Ghost plainly contemplated its fulfilment in Christ alone; so in Isa 32:1; compare Gen 49:24; Psa 118:22; Mat 21:42; Rom 10:11; Eph 2:20.

tried--both by the devil (Luk 4:1-13) and by men (Luke 20:1-38), and even by God (Mat 27:46); a stone of tested solidity to bear the vast superstructure of man's redemption. The tested righteousness of Christ gives its peculiar merit to His vicarious sacrifice. The connection with the context is, though a "scourge" shall visit Judea (Isa 28:15), yet God's gracious purpose as to the elect remnant, and His kingdom of which "Zion" shall be the center, shall not fail, because its rests on Messiah (Mat 7:24-25; Ti2 2:19).

precious--literally, "of preciousness," so in the Greek, (Pe1 2:7). He is preciousness.

corner-stone-- (Kg1 5:17; Kg1 7:9; Job 38:6); the stone laid at the corner where two walls meet and connecting them; often costly.

make haste--flee in hasty alarm; but the Septuagint has "be ashamed"; so Rom 9:33, and Pe1 2:6, "be confounded," substantially the same idea; he who rests on Him shall not have the shame of disappointment, nor flee in sudden panic (see Isa 30:15; Isa 32:17).

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
Therefore thus saith the Lord - God. This verse is introductory to the solemn threatening which follows. Its design seems to be this. The prophet was about to utter an awful threatening of the judgment of God upon the nation. It might be supposed, perhaps, that the intention was completely to sweep them, and destroy them - that the threatened calamity would remove every vestige of the Jewish people and of the true religion together. To meet this supposition, God says that this should not occur. Zion was founded on a rock. It should be like an edifice that was reared on a firm, well-tried cornerstone - one that could endure all the storms that should beat around it, and be unmoved. The general sentiment of the verse is, therefore, that though a tempest of calamity was about to beat upon the people for their sins; though the temple was to be destroyed, the city laid in ashes, and many of the people slain; yet it was the purpose of God that his empire on earth should not be destroyed. A foundation, a cornerstone was to be laid that would be unshaken and unmoved by all the assaults of the foes of God, and all who were truly resting on that should be safe. The perpetuity of his kingdom, and the safety of his true people, is, therefore, the essential idea in this passage. That it refers to the Messiah, and is designed to show that his kingdom will be perpetual because it is reared on him, we shall see by an examination of the words which occur in the verse. In Zion - (see the note at Isa 1:8). Zion here is put for his empire, kingdom, or church in general on earth. To lay a cornerstone in Zion, means that his kingdom would be founded on a rock, and would be secure amidst all the storms that might beat upon it. For a foundation a stone - That is, I lay a firm foundation which nothing can move; I build it on a rock so that the storms and tempests of calamity cannot sweep it away (compare Mat 7:24-25). The Targum renders this, 'Lo! I appoint in Zion a king, a strong, mighty, and terrible king.' That the passage before us has reference to the Messiah there can be no doubt. The writers of the New Testament so understood and applied it. Thus it is applied by Peter Pe1 2:6, 'Wherefore, also, it is contained in the Scripture, Behold I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious; and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded' (see the notes at Rom 9:33; compare Rom 10:11; Mat 21:42; Luk 20:17-18; Luk 2:34; Eph 2:20). Such a reference also exactly suits the conection. The stability of the kingdom of God on earth rests on the Messiah. God had determined to send him; and, consequently, amidst all the agitations and revolutions that could take place among his ancient people, this promise was sure, and it was certain that he would come, and that his church would be preserved. A tried stone - The word which is used here is applied commonly to "metals" which are tried in the fire to test their quality (see Job 23:10; Psa 66:10; Jer 9:6; Zac 13:9). The idea is, that God would lay for a foundation not a stone whose qualities are unknown, and whose stability might be doubtful, but one whose firmness and solidity were so fully known, that the foundation and the superstructure would be secure. A precious cornerstone - The word 'precious' (Septuagint, and Pe1 2:6, ἔμτιμον entimon) refers to the fact that the most solid stone would be used to sustain the corner of the edifice. The principal weight of the superstructure rests on the corners, and hence, in building, the largest and firmest blocks are selected and placed there. He that believeth - He that confides in that; he that believes that that foundation is firm, and that he is secure in trusting in that, shall not make haste. The great doctrine of faith in the Messiah as a ground of security and salvation, on which so much stress is laid in the New Testament, is here distinctly adverted to. The sense is, that confidence in him should keep the mind firm, and preserve him that believes in safety. Shall not make haste - The Septuagint renders it, Ου ̓ μὴ καταισχυνθῆ Ou mē kataischunthē - 'Shall not be ashamed.' So Peter, Pe1 2:6; and Paul, Rom 9:33. The Hebrew word יחישׁ yachiysh, from חוּשׁ chôsh, means properly "to make haste;" and then to urge on; and then to be afraid, to flee. The idea is derived from one who is alarmed, and flees to a place of safety. The specific thought here is that of a man on whose house the tempest beats, and who apprehends that the foundation is insecure, and leaves it to seek a more safe position. The prophet says here, that the foundation on which Zion was reared would be so firm that if a man trusted to that he would have no cause of alarm, however, much the storms should beat around it. The same idea essentially is conveyed in the version of the Septuagint, and by Paul and Peter, where it is rendered 'shall not be ashamed,' or 'confounded.' That is, he shall have no reason to be ashamed of his confidence in the firm foundation; he shall not flee from it as a man does who puts his trust in that which fails him in the day of trial.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
Therefore - Because your refuges are so vain, and deceitful; therefore I will direct you to a surer refuge, which God hath laid in Zion. But if you despise that refuge; then know, that I will lay judgment to the line, &c. I lay - I have promised it, and will, in the fulness of time, perform it. In Zion - In my church. A foundation - Upon which I will build my church. A stone - The Messiah. Tried - Which I have tried, and approved as every way sufficient. Corner - stone - Uniting the several parts of the building together. Sure - Upon whom you may securely rest. Believeth - This promise. Shall not - Hastily catch at any way of escaping danger, but shall patiently wait upon God in his way, 'till he deliver him.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
Behold, I lay in Zion - See the notes on Gen 49:32; Psa 118:22 (note); Mat 21:42 (note); Act 4:11 (note); Rom 9:33 (note); Rom 10:11 (note); Eph 2:20 (note); Pe1 2:6-8 (note). Kimchi understands this of Hezekiah; but it most undoubtedly belongs to Jesus Christ alone; and his application of it to himself, even the Jews could not contest.

Top

¹⁷ And the work [04639] of righteousness [06666] shall be peace [07965]; and the effect [05656] of righteousness [06666] quietness [08252] and assurance [0983] for [05704] ever [05769].

¹⁵ For thus saith [0559] the Lord [0136] GOD [03069], the Holy One [06918] of Israel [03478]; In returning [07729] and rest [05183] shall ye be saved [03467]; in quietness [08252] and in confidence [0985] shall be your strength [01369]: and ye would [014] not.

³³ As [2531] it is written [1125], Behold [2400], I lay [5087] in [1722] Sion [4622] a stumblingstone [3037] [4348] and [2532] rock [4073] of offence [4625]: and [2532] whosoever [3956] believeth [4100] on [1909] him [846] shall [2617] not [3756] be ashamed [2617].

⁶ Whereupon are the foundations [0134] thereof fastened [02883]? or who laid [03384] the corner [06438] stone [068] thereof;

⁹ All these were of costly [03368] stones [068], according to the measures [04060] of hewed stones [01496], sawed [01641] with saws [04050], within [01004] and without [02351], even from the foundation [04527] unto the coping [02947], and so on the outside [02351] toward the great [01419] court [02691].

¹⁷ And the king [04428] commanded [06680], and they brought [05265] great [01419] stones [068], costly [03368] stones [068], and hewed [01496] stones [068], to lay the foundation [03245] of the house [01004].

⁷ Unto you [5213] therefore [3767] which [3588] believe [4100] he is precious [5092]: but [1161] unto them which be disobedient [544], the stone [3037] which [3739] the builders [3618] disallowed [593], the same [3778] is made [1096] [1519] the head [2776] of the corner [1137],

¹⁹ Nevertheless [3305] the foundation [2310] of God [2316] standeth [2476] sure [4731], having [2192] this [5026] seal [4973], The Lord [2962] knoweth [1097] them that are [5607] his [846]. And [2532], Let [868] every one [3956] that nameth [3687] the name [3686] of Christ [5547] depart [868] from [575] iniquity [93].

²⁴ Therefore [3767] whosoever [3956] [3748] heareth [191] these [5128] sayings [3056] of mine [3450], and [2532] doeth [4160] them [846], I will liken [3666] him [846] unto a wise [5429] man [435], which [3748] built [3618] his [846] house [3614] upon [1909] a rock [4073]:
²⁵ And [2532] the rain [1028] descended [2597], and [2532] the floods [4215] came [2064], and [2532] the winds [417] blew [4154], and [2532] beat upon [4363] that [1565] house [3614]; and [2532] it fell [4098] not [3756]: for [1063] it was founded [2311] upon [1909] a rock [4073].

¹⁵ Because ye have said [0559], We have made [03772] a covenant [01285] with death [04194], and with hell [07585] are we [06213] at agreement [02374]; when the overflowing [07857] scourge [07752] [07885] shall pass through [05674] [05674], it shall not come [0935] unto us: for we have made [07760] lies [03577] our refuge [04268], and under falsehood [08267] have we hid [05641] ourselves:

⁴⁶ And [1161] about [4012] the ninth [1766] hour [5610] Jesus [2424] cried [310] with a loud [3173] voice [5456], saying [3004], Eli [2241], Eli [2241], lama [2982] sabachthani [4518]? that [5123] is to say, My [3450] God [2316], my [3450] God [2316], why [2444] hast thou forsaken [1459] me [3165]?

¹ And [1161] Jesus [2424] being full [4134] of the Holy [40] Ghost [4151] returned [5290] from [575] Jordan [2446], and [2532] was led [71] by [1722] the Spirit [4151] into [1519] the wilderness [2048],
² Being [3985] forty [5062] days [2250] tempted [3985] of [5259] the devil [1228]. And [2532] in [1722] those [1565] days [2250] he did eat [5315] nothing [3756] [3762]: and [2532] when they [846] were ended [4931], he afterward [5305] hungered [3983].
³ And [2532] the devil [1228] said [2036] unto him [846], If [1487] thou be [1488] the Son [5207] of God [2316], command [2036] this [5129] stone [3037] that [2443] it be made [1096] bread [740].
⁴ And [2532] Jesus [2424] answered [611] him [4314] [846], saying [3004], It is written [1125], That [3754] man [444] shall [2198] not [3756] live [2198] by [1909] bread [740] alone [3441], but [235] by [1909] every [3956] word [4487] of God [2316].
⁵ And [2532] the devil [1228], taking [321] him [846] up [321] into [1519] an high [5308] mountain [3735], shewed [1166] unto him [846] all [3956] the kingdoms [932] of the world [3625] in [1722] a moment [4743] of time [5550].
⁶ And [2532] the devil [1228] said [2036] unto him [846], All [537] this [5026] power [1849] will I give [1325] thee [4671], and [2532] the glory [1391] of them [846]: for [3754] that is delivered [3860] unto me [1698]; and [2532] to [3739] whomsoever [1437] I will [2309] I give [1325] it [846].
⁷ If [1437] thou [4771] therefore [3767] wilt worship [4352] me [1799] [3450], all [3956] shall be [2071] thine [4675].
⁸ And [2532] Jesus [2424] answered [611] and said [2036] unto him [846], Get thee [5217] behind [3694] me [3450], Satan [4567]: for [1063] it is written [1125], Thou shalt worship [4352] the Lord [2962] thy [4675] God [2316], and [2532] him [846] only [3441] shalt thou serve [3000].
⁹ And [2532] he brought [71] him [846] to [1519] Jerusalem [2419], and [2532] set [2476] him [846] on [1909] a pinnacle [4419] of the temple [2411], and [2532] said [2036] unto him [846], If [1487] thou be [1488] the Son [5207] of God [2316], cast [906] thyself [4572] down [2736] from hence [1782]:
¹⁰ For [1063] [3754] it is written [1125], He shall give [1781] his [846] angels [32] charge [1781] over [4012] thee [4675], to keep [1314] thee [4571]:
¹¹ And [2532] [3754] in [1909] their hands [5495] they shall bear [142] thee [4571] up [142], lest at any time [3379] thou dash [4350] thy [4675] foot [4228] against [4314] a stone [3037].
¹² And [2532] Jesus [2424] answering [611] said [2036] unto him [846], It is said [3754] [2046], Thou shalt [1598] not [3756] tempt [1598] the Lord [2962] thy [4675] God [2316].
¹³ And [2532] when the devil [1228] had ended [4931] all [3956] the temptation [3986], he departed [868] from [575] him [846] for [891] a season [2540].

²⁰ And are built [2026] upon [1909] the foundation [2310] of the apostles [652] and [2532] prophets [4396], Jesus [2424] Christ [5547] himself [846] being [5607] the chief corner [204] stone;

¹¹ For [1063] the scripture [1124] saith [3004], Whosoever [3956] believeth [4100] on [1909] him [846] shall [2617] not [3756] be ashamed [2617].

⁴² Jesus [2424] saith [3004] unto them [846], Did ye [314] never [3763] read [314] in [1722] the scriptures [1124], The stone [3037] which [3739] the builders [3618] rejected [593], the same [3778] is become [1096] [1519] the head [2776] of the corner [1137]: this [3778] is [3844] the Lord's [2962] doing [1096], and [2532] it is [2076] marvellous [2298] in [1722] our [2257] eyes [3788]?

²² The stone [068] which the builders [01129] refused [03988] is become the head [07218] stone of the corner [06438].

²⁴ But his bow [07198] abode [03427] in strength [0386], and the arms [02220] of his hands [03027] were made strong [06339] by the hands [03027] of the mighty [046] God of Jacob [03290]; (from thence is the shepherd [07462], the stone [068] of Israel [03478]:)

¹ Behold, a king [04428] shall reign [04427] in righteousness [06664], and princes [08269] shall rule [08323] in judgment [04941].

¹¹ Searching [2045] what [1519] [5101], or [2228] what manner [4169] of time [2540] the Spirit [4151] of Christ [5547] which [3588] was in [1722] them [846] did signify [1213], when it testified beforehand [4303] the sufferings [3804] of [1519] Christ [5547], and [2532] the glory [1391] that should follow [3326] [5023].
¹² Unto whom [3739] it was revealed [601], that [3754] not [3756] unto themselves [1438], but [1161] unto us [2254] they did minister [1247] the things [846], which [3739] are [312] now [3568] reported [312] unto you [5213] by [1223] them that have preached the gospel [2097] unto you [5209] with [1722] the Holy [40] Ghost [4151] sent down [649] from [575] heaven [3772]; which things [3739] the angels [32] desire [1937] to look [3879] into [1519].

⁵ And I looked [05027], and there was none to help [05826]; and I wondered [08074] that there was none to uphold [05564]: therefore mine own arm [02220] brought salvation [03467] unto me; and my fury [02534], it upheld [05564] me.

⁸ And [2532] all [3956] that dwell [2730] upon [1909] the earth [1093] shall worship [4352] him [846], whose [3739] names [3686] are [1125] not [3756] written [1125] in [1722] the book [976] of life [2222] of the Lamb [721] slain [4969] from [575] the foundation [2602] of the world [2889].

⁹ And I will bring [0935] the third part [07992] through the fire [0784], and will refine [06884] them as silver [03701] is refined [06884], and will try [0974] them as gold [02091] is tried [0974]: they shall call [07121] on my name [08034], and I will hear [06030] them: I will say [0559], It is my people [05971]: and they shall say [0559], The LORD [03068] is my God [0430].

⁶ Thine habitation [03427] is in the midst [08432] of deceit [04820]; through deceit [04820] they refuse [03985] to know [03045] me, saith [05002] the LORD [03068].

¹⁰ For thou, O God [0430], hast proved [0974] us: thou hast tried [06884] us, as silver [03701] is tried [06884].

¹⁰ But he knoweth [03045] the way [01870] that I take [05978]: when he hath tried [0974] me, I shall come forth [03318] as gold [02091].

²⁰ And are built [2026] upon [1909] the foundation [2310] of the apostles [652] and [2532] prophets [4396], Jesus [2424] Christ [5547] himself [846] being [5607] the chief corner [204] stone;

³⁴ And [2532] Simeon [4826] blessed [2127] them [846], and [2532] said [2036] unto [4314] Mary [3137] his [846] mother [3384], Behold [2400], this [3778] child is set [2749] for [1519] the fall [4431] and [2532] rising again [386] of many [4183] in [1722] Israel [2474]; and [2532] for [1519] a sign [4592] which shall be spoken against [483];

¹⁷ And [1161] he beheld [1689] them [846], and said [2036], What [5101] is [2076] this [5124] then [3767] that is written [1125], The stone [3037] which [3739] the builders [3618] rejected [593], the same [3778] is become [1096] the head [2776] of [1519] the corner [1137]?
¹⁸ Whosoever [3956] shall fall [4098] upon [1909] that [1565] stone [3037] shall be broken [4917]; but [1161] on [1909] whomsoever [3739] [302] it shall fall [4098], it will grind [3039] him [846] to powder [3039].

¹¹ For [1063] the scripture [1124] saith [3004], Whosoever [3956] believeth [4100] on [1909] him [846] shall [2617] not [3756] be ashamed [2617].

⁸ And the daughter [01323] of Zion [06726] is left [03498] as a cottage [05521] in a vineyard [03754], as a lodge [04412] in a garden of cucumbers [04750], as a besieged [05341] city [05892].

⁶ Wherefore [1352] also [2532] it is contained [4023] in [1722] the scripture [1124], Behold [2400], I lay [5087] in [1722] Sion [4622] a chief corner [204] stone [3037], elect [1588], precious [1784]: and [2532] he that believeth [4100] on [1909] him [846] shall [2617] not be [3364] confounded [2617].
⁷ Unto you [5213] therefore [3767] which [3588] believe [4100] he is precious [5092]: but [1161] unto them which be disobedient [544], the stone [3037] which [3739] the builders [3618] disallowed [593], the same [3778] is made [1096] [1519] the head [2776] of the corner [1137],
⁸ And [2532] a stone [3037] of stumbling [4348], and [2532] a rock [4073] of offence [4625], even to them which [3739] stumble [4350] at the word [3056], being disobedient [544]: whereunto [1519] [3739] also [2532] they were appointed [5087].

²⁰ And are built [2026] upon [1909] the foundation [2310] of the apostles [652] and [2532] prophets [4396], Jesus [2424] Christ [5547] himself [846] being [5607] the chief corner [204] stone;

¹¹ For [1063] the scripture [1124] saith [3004], Whosoever [3956] believeth [4100] on [1909] him [846] shall [2617] not [3756] be ashamed [2617].

¹¹ This [3778] is [2076] the stone [3037] which [3588] was set at nought [1848] of [5259] you [5216] builders [3618], which [3588] is become [1096] the head [2776] of [1519] the corner [1137].

²² The stone [068] which the builders [01129] refused [03988] is become the head [07218] stone of the corner [06438].

³² The purchase [04735] of the field [07704] and of the cave [04631] that is therein was from the children [01121] of Heth [02845].