Commentaries:
Adam Clarke
For precept must be upon precept - The original is remarkably abrupt and sententious. The hemistichs are these: -
\trowd \trgaph108 \trleft-108 x1663 x3434 x5205 x6976 x8747
d
d \row \trowd \trgaph108 \trleft-108 x1663 x3434 x5205 x6976 x8747
d latsav tsav latsav tsav ki
d \row
d
d \row
d lakau kau lakau kau
d \row
d
d \row \trowd \trgaph108 \trleft-108 x1663 x3434 x5205 x6976 x8747
d sham zeeir sham zeeir
d \row
d
For, - Command to command, command to command.
Line to line, line to line.
A little there, a little there.
Kimchi says tsau , precept, is used here for mitsuah , command, and is used in no other place for it but here. tsau signifies a little precept, such as is suited to the capacity of a child; see Isaiah 28:9. kau signifies the line that a mason stretches out to build a layer of stones by. After one layer or course is placed, he raises the line and builds another; thus the building is by degrees regularly completed. This is the method of teaching children, giving them such information as their narrow capacities can receive; and thus the prophet dealt with the Israelites. See Kimchi in loc., and see a fine parallel passage, Hebrews 5:12-14, by which this may be well illustrated.
My old MS. Bible translates oddly: -
For sende efter sende, sende efter sende:
Abide efter abiide, abide efter abiide:
Lytyl ther, lytyl ther.
Coverdale is also singular: -
Commande that may be commanded;
Byd that maye be bydden:
Foorbyd that maye be forbydden;
Kepe backe that maye be kepte backe:
Here a litle, there a litle.
Other Adam Clarke entries containing Isaiah 28:10:
Isaiah 28:9
Romans 10:18
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