Isaiah 28:27
New International Version
Caraway is not threshed with a sledge, nor is the wheel of a cart rolled over cumin; caraway is beaten out with a rod, and cumin with a stick.

New Living Translation
A heavy sledge is never used to thresh black cumin; rather, it is beaten with a light stick. A threshing wheel is never rolled on cumin; instead, it is beaten lightly with a flail.

English Standard Version
Dill is not threshed with a threshing sledge, nor is a cart wheel rolled over cumin, but dill is beaten out with a stick, and cumin with a rod.

Berean Standard Bible
Surely caraway is not threshed with a sledge, and the wheel of a cart is not rolled over the cumin. But caraway is beaten out with a stick, and cumin with a rod.

King James Bible
For the fitches are not threshed with a threshing instrument, neither is a cart wheel turned about upon the cummin; but the fitches are beaten out with a staff, and the cummin with a rod.

New King James Version
For the black cummin is not threshed with a threshing sledge, Nor is a cartwheel rolled over the cummin; But the black cummin is beaten out with a stick, And the cummin with a rod.

New American Standard Bible
For dill is not threshed with a threshing sledge, Nor is the cartwheel driven over cumin; But dill is beaten out with a rod, and cumin with a club.

NASB 1995
For dill is not threshed with a threshing sledge, Nor is the cartwheel driven over cummin; But dill is beaten out with a rod, and cummin with a club.

NASB 1977
For dill is not threshed with a threshing sledge, Nor is the cartwheel driven over cummin; But dill is beaten out with a rod, and cummin with a club.

Legacy Standard Bible
For dill is not threshed with a threshing sledge, Nor is the wheel of a cart driven over cumin; But dill is beaten out with a staff, and cumin with a rod.

Amplified Bible
For dill is not threshed with a sharp threshing sledge, Nor is a cartwheel rolled over cumin; But dill is beaten out with a staff, and cumin with a rod.

Christian Standard Bible
Certainly black cumin is not threshed with a threshing board, and a cart wheel is not rolled over the cumin. But black cumin is beaten out with a stick, and cumin with a rod.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Certainly black cumin is not threshed with a threshing board, and a cart wheel is not rolled over the cumin. But black cumin is beaten out with a stick, and cumin with a rod.

American Standard Version
For the fitches are not threshed with a sharp threshing instrument, neither is a cart wheel turned about upon the cummin; but the fitches are beaten out with a staff, and the cummin with a rod.

Contemporary English Version
After dill and cumin have been harvested, the stalks are pounded, not run over with a wagon.

English Revised Version
For the fitches are not threshed with a sharp threshing instrument, neither is a cart wheel turned about upon the cummin; but the fitches are beaten out with a staff, and the cummin with a rod.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Black cumin isn't threshed with a sledge, and wagon wheels aren't rolled over cumin. Black cumin is beaten with a rod and cumin with a stick.

Good News Translation
They never use a heavy club to beat out dill seeds or cumin seeds; instead they use light sticks of the proper size.

International Standard Version
For caraway is not threshed with a sharp sledge, nor is a cart wheel rolled over cumin. Instead, caraway is winnowed with a stick, and cumin with a rod.

Majority Standard Bible
Surely caraway is not threshed with a sledge, and the wheel of a cart is not rolled over the cumin. But caraway is beaten out with a stick, and cumin with a rod.

NET Bible
Certainly caraway seed is not threshed with a sledge, nor is the wheel of a cart rolled over cumin seed. Certainly caraway seed is beaten with a stick, and cumin seed with a flail.

New Heart English Bible
For the dill are not threshed with a sharp instrument, neither is a cart wheel turned over the cumin; but the dill is beaten out with a stick, and the cumin with a rod.

Webster's Bible Translation
For the vetches are not threshed with a threshing instrument, neither is a cart-wheel turned about upon the cummin; but the vetches are beaten out with a staff, and the cummin with a rod.

World English Bible
For the dill isn’t threshed with a sharp instrument, neither is a cart wheel turned over the cumin; but the dill is beaten out with a stick, and the cumin with a rod.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
For fitches are not threshed with a sharp-pointed thing, "" And the wheel of a cart turned around on cumin, "" For fitches are beaten out with a staff, "" And cumin with a rod.

Young's Literal Translation
For not with a sharp-pointed thing threshed are fitches, And the wheel of a cart on cummin turned round, For with a staff beaten out are fitches, And cummin with a rod.

Smith's Literal Translation
For the fennel flower shall not be beaten with the threshing sledge, and the wheel of a wagon shall not be turned about upon the cummin; for the fennel flower shall be beaten out with the rod and the cummin with the rod.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For gith shall not be thrashed with saws, neither shall the cart wheel turn about upon cummin: but gith shall be beaten out with a rod, and cummin with a staff.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For coriander cannot be threshed with a saw, and a cartwheel cannot revolve over cumin. Instead, coriander is shaken out with a stick, and cumin with a staff.

New American Bible
For caraway is not threshed with a sledge, nor does a cartwheel roll over cumin. But caraway is beaten out with a staff, and cumin with a rod.

New Revised Standard Version
Dill is not threshed with a threshing sledge, nor is a cart wheel rolled over cummin; but dill is beaten out with a stick, and cummin with a rod.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For dill is not threshed under the feet of oxen, nor is a threshing instrument turned about upon cummin, but dill is beaten out with a staff, and cummin with a rod.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because the fennel is not trodden in threshing, neither is a thresher turned around on the cumin, because the fennel is beaten out with a staff, and the cumin with a rod
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For the black cummin is not threshed with a threshing-sledge, Neither is a cart-wheel turned about upon the cummin; But the black cummin is beaten out with a staff, And the cummin with a rod.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For the black poppy is not cleansed with harsh treatment, nor will a wagon-wheel pass over the cumin; but the black poppy is threshed with a rod, and the cumin shall be eaten with bread;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Listen and Hear
26For his God instructs and teaches him properly. 27Surely caraway is not threshed with a sledge, and the wheel of a cart is not rolled over the cumin. But caraway is beaten out with a stick, and cumin with a rod. 28Grain for bread must be ground, but it is not endlessly threshed. Though the wheels of the cart roll over it, the horses do not crush it.…

Cross References
Proverbs 20:26
A wise king separates out the wicked and drives the threshing wheel over them.

Isaiah 28:24-26
Does the plowman plow for planting every day? Does he continuously loosen and harrow the soil? / 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. / For his God instructs and teaches him properly.

Isaiah 28:28-29
Grain for bread must be ground, but it is not endlessly threshed. Though the wheels of the cart roll over it, the horses do not crush it. / This also comes from the LORD of Hosts, who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom.

Matthew 13:24-30
Jesus put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. / But while everyone was asleep, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and slipped away. / When the wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the weeds also appeared. ...

Jeremiah 15:7
I will scatter them with a winnowing fork at the gates of the land. I will bereave and destroy My people who have not turned from their ways.

Amos 9:9
“For surely I will give the command, and I will shake the house of Israel among all the nations as grain is sifted in a sieve; but not a pebble will reach the ground.

Matthew 3:12
His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

Luke 3:17
His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

Job 39:10-12
Can you hold him to the furrow with a harness? Will he plow the valleys behind you? / Can you rely on his great strength? Will you leave your hard work to him? / Can you trust him to bring in your grain and gather it to your threshing floor?

Hosea 10:11
Ephraim 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.

1 Corinthians 9:9-10
For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Is it about oxen that God is concerned? / Isn’t He actually speaking on our behalf? Indeed, this was written for us, because when the plowman plows and the thresher threshes, they should also expect to share in the harvest.

Deuteronomy 25:4
Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.

2 Timothy 2:6
The hardworking farmer should be the first to partake of the crops.

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.

Ruth 2:17
So Ruth gathered grain in the field until evening. And when she beat out what she had gleaned, it was about an ephah of barley.


Treasury of Scripture

For the fitches are not threshed with a threshing instrument, neither is a cart wheel turned about on the cummin; but the fitches are beaten out with a staff, and the cummin with a rod.

threshed

Isaiah 41:15
Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff.

2 Kings 13:7
Neither did he leave of the people to Jehoahaz but fifty horsemen, and ten chariots, and ten thousand footmen; for the king of Syria had destroyed them, and had made them like the dust by threshing.

Amos 1:3
Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have threshed Gilead with threshing instruments of iron:

the fitches

Isaiah 27:7,8
Hath he smitten him, as he smote those that smote him? or is he slain according to the slaughter of them that are slain by him? …

Jeremiah 10:24
O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.

Jeremiah 46:28
Fear thou not, O Jacob my servant, saith the LORD: for I am with thee; for I will make a full end of all the nations whither I have driven thee: but I will not make a full end of thee, but correct thee in measure; yet will I not leave thee wholly unpunished.

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Beaten Black Cart Club Cumin Cummin Dill Driven Fitches Grain Hammered Instrument Rod Rolled Sharp Sledge Staff Stick Threshed Threshing Threshing-Sledge Turned Vetches Wheel
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Beaten Black Cart Club Cumin Cummin Dill Driven Fitches Grain Hammered Instrument Rod Rolled Sharp Sledge Staff Stick Threshed Threshing Threshing-Sledge Turned Vetches Wheel
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














For caraway is not threshed with a sledge
The word "caraway" refers to a small, aromatic seed used in ancient times for flavoring. In Hebrew, the term is "ketsach," which is believed to be a reference to a plant similar to dill or fennel. The phrase "is not threshed with a sledge" indicates a gentle process. Threshing with a sledge was a method used for more robust grains, implying that caraway requires a more delicate approach. This highlights God's wisdom in dealing with His people, using methods appropriate to their nature and needs.

and the wheel of a cart is not rolled over the cumin
"Cumin" is another spice, known for its distinctive flavor, and in Hebrew, it is "kammon." The imagery of a "wheel of a cart" suggests a heavy, crushing force, which is unsuitable for cumin. This phrase emphasizes the care and precision God uses in His judgments and teachings. Just as a farmer knows the right tools for each crop, God knows the right approach for each individual and situation.

but caraway is beaten out with a stick
The "stick" represents a lighter, more controlled tool, signifying the careful handling required for caraway. This reflects the idea that God’s discipline is measured and appropriate, tailored to the needs of His people. It reassures believers that God’s correction is never more than they can bear and is always for their ultimate good.

and cumin with a rod
The "rod" is slightly more forceful than a stick but still indicates a level of care and precision. This suggests that while some situations may require firmer discipline, it is always administered with love and purpose. The use of a rod for cumin illustrates the balance between justice and mercy in God’s dealings with humanity.

(27) For the fitches are not threshed . . .--Better, fennel seed, as before. The eye of the prophet passes from the beginning to the end of the husbandman's work. He finds there also the varying methods of a like discrimination. A man would be thought mad who threshed his fennel seed and cummin with the same instrument that he uses for his barley and his wheat. It is enough to beat or tap them with the "rod," or "staff," which was, in fact, used in each case. Interpreting this parable, we may see in the fennel and the cummin the little ones of the earth, with whom God deals more gently than with the strong. "Tribulation," as the etymology of the word (tribulum, a threshing instrument) tells us, is a threshing process. The lesson of the parable is that it comes to nations and individuals in season and in measure. The main idea is familiar enough in the language of the prophets (Micah 4:13; Habakkuk 3:12). The novelty of Isaiah's treatment of it consists in his bringing in the minute details, and drawing this lesson from them.

Verse 27. - For the fitches are not threshed with a threshing-instrument. The Nigella sativa is too lender a plant to be subjected to the rude treatment of a threshing-instrument, or "threshing-sledge." Such instruments are of the coarsest and clumsiest character in the East, and quite inapplicable to plants of a delicate fabric. Karsten Niebuhr thus describes the Arabian and Syrian practices: "Quand le grain dolt etre battu, les Arabes de Yemen posent le bled par terre en deux tangles, epis center epis, apres quoi ils font trainer par-dessus une grosse pierre tiree par deux boeufs. La machine dent on se sert en Syrie consiste en quelques planches garnies par-dessous d'une quantite de pierres a fusil" ('Description de l'Arabie,' p. 140). Neither is a cart wheel turned about upon the cummin. The allusion is to aim the coarse mode of threshing practiced in Palestine and elsewhere, by driving a cart with broad wheels over the grain. But the fitches are beaten out with a staff, and the cummin with a rod. Canon Tristram says, "While the cummin can easily be separated from its case by a slender rod, the harder pod of the Nigella requires to be beaten by a stout staff" ('Natural History of the Bible,' p. 445).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Surely
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

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

is not
לֹ֤א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

threshed
י֣וּדַשׁ (yū·ḏaš)
Verb - Hofal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1758: To trample, thresh

with a sledge,
בֶֽחָרוּץ֙ (ḇe·ḥā·rūṣ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2742: Incised, incisive, a trench, gold, a threshing-sledge, determination, eager

and the wheel
וְאוֹפַ֣ן (wə·’ō·w·p̄an)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 212: A wheel

of a cart
עֲגָלָ֔ה (‘ă·ḡā·lāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5699: Something revolving, a wheeled vehicle

is not rolled
יוּסָּ֑ב (yūs·sāḇ)
Verb - Hofal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5437: To turn about, go around, surround

over
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the cumin.
כַּמֹּ֖ן (kam·mōn)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3646: Cummin (a plant grown as a condiment)

But
כִּ֧י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

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

is beaten out
יֵחָ֥בֶט (yê·ḥā·ḇeṭ)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2251: To beat off, beat out

with a stick,
בַמַּטֶּ֛ה (ḇam·maṭ·ṭeh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4294: A staff, rod, shaft, branch, a tribe

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

with a rod.
בַּשָּֽׁבֶט׃ (baš·šā·ḇeṭ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7626: Rod, staff, club, scepter, tribe


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 28:27 For the dill are not threshed (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 28:26
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