Isaiah 28:25
New International Version
When he has leveled the surface, does he not sow caraway and scatter cumin? Does he not plant wheat in its place, barley in its plot, and spelt in its field?

New Living Translation
Does he not finally plant his seeds— black cumin, cumin, wheat, barley, and emmer wheat— each in its proper way, and each in its proper place?

English Standard Version
When he has leveled its surface, does he not scatter dill, sow cumin, and put in wheat in rows and barley in its proper place, and emmer as the border?

Berean Standard Bible
When he has leveled its surface, does he not sow caraway and scatter cumin? He plants wheat in rows and barley in plots, and rye within its border.

King James Bible
When he hath made plain the face thereof, doth he not cast abroad the fitches, and scatter the cummin, and cast in the principal wheat and the appointed barley and the rie in their place?

New King James Version
When he has leveled its surface, Does he not sow the black cummin And scatter the cummin, Plant the wheat in rows, The barley in the appointed place, And the spelt in its place?

New American Standard Bible
Does he not level its surface And sow dill and scatter cumin And plant wheat in rows, Barley in its place and rye within its area?

NASB 1995
Does he not level its surface And sow dill and scatter cummin And plant wheat in rows, Barley in its place and rye within its area?

NASB 1977
Does he not level its surface, And sow dill and scatter cummin, And plant wheat in rows, Barley in its place, and rye within its area?

Legacy Standard Bible
Does he not level its surface And sow dill and scatter cumin And plant wheat in rows, Barley in its place and rye within its area?

Amplified Bible
When he has leveled its surface, Does he not sow [the seed of] dill and scatter cumin, And plant wheat in rows, And barley in its [intended] place and rye within its border?

Christian Standard Bible
When he has leveled its surface, does he not then scatter black cumin and sow cumin? He plants wheat in rows and barley in plots, with spelt as their border.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When he has leveled its surface, does he not then scatter black cumin and sow cumin? He plants wheat in rows and barley in plots, with spelt as their border.

American Standard Version
When he hath levelled the face thereof, doth he not cast abroad the fitches, and scatter the cummin, and put in the wheat in rows, and the barley in the appointed place, and the spelt in the border thereof?

Contemporary English Version
When a field is ready, they scatter the seeds of dill and cumin; they plant the seeds of wheat and barley in the proper places and sow other grains around the edges.

English Revised Version
When he hath made plain the face thereof, doth he not cast abroad the fitches, and scatter the cummin, and put in the wheat in rows and the barley in the appointed place and the spelt in the border thereof?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When he has smoothed its surface, doesn't he scatter black cumin seed and plant cumin? Doesn't he plant wild wheat in rows? Doesn't he put barley in its own area and winter wheat at its borders?

Good News Translation
Once they have prepared the soil, they plant the seeds of herbs such as dill and cumin. They plant rows of wheat and barley, and at the edges of their fields they plant other grain.

International Standard Version
When he has leveled its surface, he scatters caraway and sows cumin, doesn't he? He plants wheat in rows, barley in its designated place, and feed for livestock around its borders, doesn't he?

Majority Standard Bible
When he has leveled its surface, does he not sow caraway and scatter cumin? He plants wheat in rows and barley in plots, and rye within its border.

NET Bible
Once he has leveled its surface, does he not scatter the seed of the caraway plant, sow the seed of the cumin plant, and plant the wheat, barley, and grain in their designated places?

New Heart English Bible
When he has leveled its surface, doesn't he plant the dill, and scatter the cumin seed, and put in the wheat in rows, the barley in the appointed place, and emmer as its borders?

Webster's Bible Translation
When he hath made even the face of it, doth he not cast abroad the vetches, and scatter the cummin, and cast in the principal wheat, and the appointed barley, and the rye in their place?

World English Bible
When he has leveled its surface, doesn’t he plant the dill, and scatter the cumin seed, and put in the wheat in rows, the barley in the appointed place, and the spelt in its place?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Has he not, if he has made its face level, "" Then scattered fitches, and sprinkles cumin, "" And has placed the principal wheat, "" And the appointed barley, "" And the rye [in] its own border?

Young's Literal Translation
Hath he not, if he have made level its face, Then scattered fitches, and cummin sprinkle, And hath placed the principal wheat, And the appointed barley, And the rie in its own border?

Smith's Literal Translation
Did he not make level its face and disperse the fennel flower, and he will scatter the cummin, and he set the wheat in order, and designated the barley, and the spilt in his bound?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Will he not, when he hath made plain the surface thereof, sow gith, and scatter cummin, and put wheat in order, and barley, and millet, and vetches in their bounds?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Will he not, when he has made the surface level, sow coriander, and scatter cumin, and plant wheat in rows, and barley, and millet, and vetch in their places?

New American Bible
When he has leveled the surface, does he not scatter caraway and sow cumin, Put in wheat and barley, with spelt as its border?

New Revised Standard Version
When they have leveled its surface, do they not scatter dill, sow cummin, and plant wheat in rows and barley in its proper place, and spelt as the border?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Does he not, after he has leveled its surface, scatter the dill and sow cummin, and put in wheat and barley, and rye in its borders?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Is it not whenever he levels its surface, he scatters the fennel, and he sows cumin, and casts wheat and barley and rye at its borders?
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
When he hath made plain the face thereof, Doth he not cast abroad the black cummin, and scatter the cummin, And put in the wheat in rows and the barley in the appointed place And the spelt in the border thereof?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Does he not, when he has levelled the surface thereof, then sow the small black poppy, or cumin, and afterward sow wheat, and barley, and millet, and bread-corn in thy borders?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Listen and Hear
24Does the plowman plow for planting every day? Does he continuously loosen and harrow the soil? 25When he has leveled its surface, does he not sow caraway and scatter cumin? He plants wheat in rows and barley in plots, and rye within its border. 26For his God instructs and teaches him properly.…

Cross References
Matthew 13:3-9
And He told them many things in parables, saying, “A farmer went out to sow his seed. / And as he was sowing, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. / Some fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow. ...

Mark 4:3-9
“Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. / And as he was sowing, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. / Some fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow. ...

Luke 8:5-8
“A farmer went out to sow his seed. And as he was sowing, some seed fell along the path, where it was trampled, and the birds of the air devoured it. / Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the seedlings withered because they had no moisture. / Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the seedlings. ...

James 5:7
Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer awaits the precious fruit of the soil—how patient he is for the fall and spring rains.

1 Corinthians 3:6-9
I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. / So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. / He who plants and he who waters are one in purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. ...

Galatians 6:7-9
Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. / The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. / Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

2 Corinthians 9:10
Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your store of seed and will increase the harvest of your righteousness.

John 4:35-38
Do you not say, ‘There are still four months until the harvest’? I tell you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are ripe for harvest. / Already the reaper draws his wages and gathers a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may rejoice together. / For in this case the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. ...

Matthew 9:37-38
Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. / Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest.”

Hebrews 6:7
For land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is tended receives the blessing of God.

Psalm 126:5-6
Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy. / He who goes out weeping, bearing a trail of seed, will surely return with shouts of joy, carrying sheaves of grain.

Hosea 10:12
Sow for yourselves righteousness and reap the fruit of loving devotion; break up your unplowed ground. For it is time to seek the LORD until He comes and sends righteousness upon you like rain.

Jeremiah 4:3
For 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.

Proverbs 20:4
The slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there.

Ecclesiastes 11:6
Sow your seed in the morning, and do not rest your hands in the evening, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or if both will equally prosper.


Treasury of Scripture

When he has made plain the face thereof, does he not cast abroad the fitches, and scatter the cummin, and cast in the principal wheat and the appointed barley and the rye in their place?

in the principal, etc.

rye.

Exodus 9:31,32
And the flax and the barley was smitten: for the barley was in the ear, and the flax was bolled…

Ezekiel 4:9
Take thou also unto thee wheat, and barley, and beans, and lentiles, and millet, and fitches, and put them in one vessel, and make thee bread thereof, according to the number of the days that thou shalt lie upon thy side, three hundred and ninety days shalt thou eat thereof.

place.

Jump to Previous
Abroad Appointed Area Barley Border Cast Cumin Cummin Different Dill Earth Edge Face Fitches Grain Leveled Lines Plain Plant Principal Proper Rows Rye Scatter Seed Sorts Spelt Surface Thereof Vetches Wheat Within
Jump to Next
Abroad Appointed Area Barley Border Cast Cumin Cummin Different Dill Earth Edge Face Fitches Grain Leveled Lines Plain Plant Principal Proper Rows Rye Scatter Seed Sorts Spelt Surface Thereof Vetches Wheat Within
Isaiah 28
1. The prophet threatens Ephraim for their pride and drunkenness
5. The residue shall be advanced in the kingdom of Christ
7. He rebukes their error
9. Their unwillingness to learn
14. And their security
16. Christ the sure foundation is promised
17. Their security shall be tried
23. They are incited to the consideration of God's providence














When he has leveled its surface
The phrase "leveled its surface" refers to the preparation of the ground for planting. In the Hebrew context, the word for "leveled" is often associated with making something straight or smooth, which is essential for effective sowing. This imagery reflects the spiritual preparation necessary for receiving God's word. Just as a farmer prepares the soil, believers are called to prepare their hearts, removing obstacles and making their lives receptive to divine truth.

does he not sow caraway
"Caraway" is a spice known for its aromatic seeds, used in ancient times for both culinary and medicinal purposes. The Hebrew word for caraway, "ketsach," suggests a careful and deliberate planting process. Spiritually, this can symbolize the intentional sowing of God's word in our lives, where each seed represents a specific truth or teaching meant to grow and flourish within us.

and scatter cumin?
"Cumin" is another spice, similar to caraway, and its scattering implies a broader distribution. The Hebrew term "kammon" indicates a spreading out, which can be seen as the dissemination of God's teachings to a wider audience. This reflects the Great Commission, where believers are called to spread the gospel to all nations, ensuring that the seeds of faith reach every corner of the earth.

He plants wheat in rows
"Wheat" is a staple grain, symbolizing sustenance and life. In Hebrew, "chittah" represents abundance and provision. Planting in "rows" suggests order and intentionality, highlighting the structured and purposeful nature of God's plan for humanity. Just as wheat provides physical nourishment, God's word offers spiritual sustenance, carefully arranged to meet the needs of His people.

and barley in plots
"Barley" was a common grain in biblical times, often associated with humility and simplicity. The Hebrew word "se'orah" reflects its role as a basic food source. Planting in "plots" indicates designated areas, suggesting that God has specific purposes and places for each of us. Barley’s humble nature reminds believers to embrace simplicity and humility in their walk with God.

and rye within its border
"Rye" is less common in biblical texts, but it represents diversity in God's creation. The Hebrew term "kussemeth" implies a boundary or limit, as seen in "within its border." This signifies the importance of boundaries in our spiritual lives, ensuring that we remain within the protective limits set by God. Rye's inclusion in the verse underscores the variety and richness of God's provision, encouraging believers to appreciate the diverse ways He meets our needs.

(25) Doth he not cast abroad the fitches. . . .?--Modern English would give vetches. Each verb is carefully chosen to describe the special process that belonged to each kind of seed. We have, as it were, an excerpt from the "Georgics" of Palestine. Identification in such cases is not always easy; but I follow Mr. Carruthers (Bible Educator, i. 38) in reading "fennel seed" for the "fitches" of the English version. This, proverbially among the smallest of seeds, so as to be a type of the microscopic unseen, was scattered broadcast; "cummin," also proverbial for its smallness, was sown by a like process, with some technical variation, indicated by the use of the Hebrew words. Wheat and barley were "dropped in" more deliberately by the hand of the sower, and then (instead of "the rie in their place"), "vetches for the borders thereof," these being used in the East as a kind of herbaceous hedge round the field of corn. The point of the enumeration is that the wise tiller of the soil is discriminating in his methods, and deals with each seed according to its nature. So is it, the prophet suggests through the parable which he does not interpret, with the great Husbandman, whose field is the world, and for whom the nations are as seed. For "cast in the principal wheat . . ." read set the wheat in lines and the barley in the appointed place.

Verse 25. - When he hath made plain the face thereof; i.e. leveled it - brought the ground to a tolerably even surface. Doth he not cast abroad the fitches? The Hebrew word translated "fitches" - i.e. "vetches" - is qetsach, which is generally allowed to represent the Nigella sativa, a sort of ranun-cuhs, which is cultivated in many parts of the East for the sake of its seeds. These are black, and have an aromatic flavor. Dioscorides (3:83) and Pliny (19:8) say that they were sometimes mixed with bread. And scatter the cummin. "Cummin" (Cuminum sativum) is "an umbelliferous plant, something like fennel." The seeds - or rather, berries - have "a bitterish warm taste, with an aromatic flavor" ('Dict. of the Bible,' vol. 1. p. 372). They seem to have been eaten as a relish with various kinds of food. And cast in the principal wheat; rather, and put in wheat in rows. Drill-ploughs, which would deposit grain in rows, were known to the Assyrians ('Ancient Monarchies,' vol. 2. p. 198). And the rie in their place. Cussemeth, the word translated "rie," is probably the Holeus sorghum, or "spelt," which is largely cultivated in Palestine and other parts of the East, and is the ordinary material of the bread eaten by the poorer classes (see the 'Pulpit Commentary' on Exodus, pp. 219, 220). For "in their place," Kay translates, "in its own border." The wheat and the barley and the spelt would all be sown separately, according to the direction of Leviticus 19:19, "Thou shalt not sow thy field with mingled seed."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
When
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

he has leveled
שִׁוָּ֣ה (šiw·wāh)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7737: To level, equalize, to resemble, to adjust

its surface,
פָנֶ֔יהָ (p̄ā·ne·hā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 6440: The face

does he not
הֲלוֹא֙ (hă·lō·w)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

sow
יִזְרֹ֑ק (yiz·rōq)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2236: Be here and there, scatter, sprinkle, strew

caraway
קֶ֖צַח (qe·ṣaḥ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7100: Fennelflower

and scatter
וְהֵפִ֥יץ (wə·hê·p̄îṣ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6327: To be dispersed or scattered

cumin?
וְכַמֹּ֣ן (wə·ḵam·mōn)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3646: Cummin (a plant grown as a condiment)

He plants
וְשָׂ֨ם (wə·śām)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set

wheat
חִטָּ֤ה (ḥiṭ·ṭāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2406: Wheat

in rows
שׂוֹרָה֙ (śō·w·rāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7795: A ring, a row

and barley
וּשְׂעֹרָ֣ה (ū·śə·‘ō·rāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8184: Barley

in plots,
נִסְמָ֔ן (nis·mān)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5567: To designate

with rye
וְכֻסֶּ֖מֶת (wə·ḵus·se·meṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 3698: Spelt (a kind of wheat)

within its border.
גְּבֻלָתֽוֹ׃ (gə·ḇu·lā·ṯōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1367: A boundary, region


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 28:25 When he has leveled its surface doesn't (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 28:24
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