Isaiah 5:28
New International Version
Their arrows are sharp, all their bows are strung; their horses’ hooves seem like flint, their chariot wheels like a whirlwind.

New Living Translation
Their arrows will be sharp and their bows ready for battle. Sparks will fly from their horses’ hooves, and the wheels of their chariots will spin like a whirlwind.

English Standard Version
their arrows are sharp, all their bows bent, their horses’ hoofs seem like flint, and their wheels like the whirlwind.

Berean Standard Bible
Their arrows are sharpened, and all their bows are strung. The hooves of their horses are like flint; their chariot wheels are like a whirlwind.

King James Bible
Whose arrows are sharp, and all their bows bent, their horses' hoofs shall be counted like flint, and their wheels like a whirlwind:

New King James Version
Whose arrows are sharp, And all their bows bent; Their horses’ hooves will seem like flint, And their wheels like a whirlwind.

New American Standard Bible
Its arrows are sharp and all its bows are bent; The hoofs of its horses seem like flint, and its chariot wheels like a storm wind.

NASB 1995
Its arrows are sharp and all its bows are bent; The hoofs of its horses seem like flint and its chariot wheels like a whirlwind.

NASB 1977
Its arrows are sharp, and all its bows are bent; The hoofs of its horses seem like flint, and its chariot wheels like a whirlwind.

Legacy Standard Bible
Its arrows are sharp and all its bows are bent; The hoofs of its horses seem like flint and its chariot wheels like a whirlwind.

Amplified Bible
Their arrows are sharp and all their bows are strung and bent; Their horses’ hoofs seem like flint and their chariot wheels like a whirlwind.

Christian Standard Bible
Their arrows are sharpened, and all their bows strung. Their horses’ hooves are like flint; their chariot wheels are like a whirlwind.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Their arrows are sharpened, and all their bows strung. Their horses’ hooves are like flint; their chariot wheels are like a whirlwind.

American Standard Version
whose arrows are sharp, and all their bows bent; their horses' hoofs shall be accounted as flint, and their wheels as a whirlwind:

Contemporary English Version
Their arrows are sharp, and their bows are ready. The hoofs of their horses are hard as flint; the wheels of their war chariots turn as fast as a whirlwind.

English Revised Version
whose arrows are sharp, and all their bows bent; their horses' hoofs shall be counted like flint, and their wheels like a whirlwind:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Their arrows are sharpened; all their bows are ready to shoot. Their horses' hoofs are as hard as flint. Their chariot wheels are as quick as the wind.

Good News Translation
Their arrows are sharp, and their bows are ready to shoot. Their horses' hoofs are as hard as flint, and their chariot wheels turn like a whirlwind.

International Standard Version
Their arrows are sharp, all their bows ready for action. Their horses' hooves seem like flint, and their chariot wheels spin like a whirlwind.

Majority Standard Bible
Their arrows are sharpened, and all their bows are strung. The hooves of their horses are like flint; their chariot wheels are like a whirlwind.

NET Bible
Their arrows are sharpened, and all their bows are prepared. The hooves of their horses are hard as flint, and their chariot wheels are like a windstorm.

New Heart English Bible
whose arrows are sharp, and all their bows bent. Their horses' hoofs will be like flint, and their wheels like a whirlwind.

Webster's Bible Translation
Whose arrows are sharp, and all their bows bent, their horses' hoofs shall be counted like flint, and their wheels like a whirlwind:

World English Bible
whose arrows are sharp, and all their bows bent. Their horses’ hoofs will be like flint, and their wheels like a whirlwind.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Whose arrows [are] sharp, and all its bows bent, "" Hooves of its horses have been reckoned as flint, "" And its wheels as a windstorm!

Young's Literal Translation
Whose arrows are sharp, and all its bows bent, Hoofs of its horses as flint have been reckoned, And its wheels as a hurricane!

Smith's Literal Translation
Whose arrows were sharpened, and all their bows bent, the hoofs of their horses were reckoned as the rock, and their wheels as the whirlwind.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Their arrows are sharp, and all their bows are bent. The hoofs of their horses shall be like the hint, and their wheels like the violence of a tempest.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Their arrows are sharp, and all their bows are taut. The hoofs of their horses are like flint, and their wheels are like the force of a tempest.

New American Bible
Their arrows are sharp, and all their bows are bent, The hooves of their horses like flint, and their chariot wheels like the whirlwind.

New Revised Standard Version
their arrows are sharp, all their bows bent, their horses’ hoofs seem like flint, and their wheels like the whirlwind.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Their arrows are sharp and their bows are bent, their horses' hoofs shall be counted like flint, and their wheels like a whirlwind.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Their arrows are sharp and their bows are filled, and the hooves of their horses shall be considered as flint and their wheels as a whirlwind
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Whose arrows are sharp, And all their bows bent; Their horses' hoofs shall be counted like flint, And their wheels like a whirlwind;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Whose arrows are sharp, and their bows bent; their horses' hoofs are counted as solid rock: their chariot-wheels are as a storm.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Woes to the Wicked
27None of them grows weary or stumbles; no one slumbers or sleeps. No belt is loose and no sandal strap is broken. 28 Their arrows are sharpened, and all their bows are strung. The hooves of their horses are like flint; their chariot wheels are like a whirlwind. 29Their roaring is like that of a lion; they roar like young lions. They growl and seize their prey; they carry it away from deliverance.…

Cross References
Jeremiah 4:13
Behold, he advances like the clouds, his chariots like the whirlwind. His horses are swifter than eagles. Woe to us, for we are ruined!

Habakkuk 1:8
Their horses are swifter than leopards, fiercer than wolves of the night. Their horsemen charge ahead, and their cavalry comes from afar. They fly like a vulture, swooping down to devour.

Nahum 2:4
The chariots dash through the streets; they rush around the plazas, appearing like torches, darting about like lightning.

Ezekiel 23:24
They will come against you with a host of peoples, with weapons, chariots, and wagons. They will array themselves against you on every side with buckler and shield and helmet. I will delegate judgment to them, and they will punish you according to their own standards.

Jeremiah 47:3
at the sound of the galloping hooves of stallions, the rumbling of chariots, and the clatter of their wheels. The fathers will not turn back for their sons; their hands will hang limp.

Joel 2:4-5
Their appearance is like that of horses, and they gallop like swift steeds. / With a sound like that of chariots they bound over the mountaintops, like the crackling of fire consuming stubble, like a mighty army deployed for battle.

Amos 2:15
The archer will not stand his ground, the fleet of foot will not escape, and the horseman will not save his life.

2 Kings 19:23
Through your servants you have taunted the Lord, and you have said: “With my many chariots I have ascended to the heights of the mountains, to the remote peaks of Lebanon. I have cut down its tallest cedars, the finest of its cypresses. I have reached its farthest outposts, the densest of its forests.

Jeremiah 6:23
They grasp the bow and spear; they are cruel and merciless. Their voice roars like the sea, and they ride upon horses, lined up like men in formation against you, O Daughter of Zion.”

Lamentations 4:19
Those who chased us were swifter than the eagles in the sky; they pursued us over the mountains and ambushed us in the wilderness.

Revelation 9:9
They also had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the roar of many horses and chariots rushing into battle.

Revelation 9:7
And the locusts looked like horses prepared for battle, with something like crowns of gold on their heads; and their faces were like the faces of men.

Matthew 24:27
For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

Luke 17:24
For just as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other, so will be the Son of Man in His day.

Revelation 6:2
So I looked and saw a white horse, and its rider held a bow. And he was given a crown, and he rode out to overcome and conquer.


Treasury of Scripture

Whose arrows are sharp, and all their bows bent, their horses' hoofs shall be counted like flint, and their wheels like a whirlwind:

arrows

Psalm 45:5
Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; whereby the people fall under thee.

Psalm 120:4
Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.

Jeremiah 5:16
Their quiver is as an open sepulchre, they are all mighty men.

their horses

Judges 5:22
Then were the horsehoofs broken by the means of the pransings, the pransings of their mighty ones.

Jeremiah 47:3
At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his strong horses, at the rushing of his chariots, and at the rumbling of his wheels, the fathers shall not look back to their children for feebleness of hands;

Micah 4:13
Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion: for I will make thine horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs brass: and thou shalt beat in pieces many people: and I will consecrate their gain unto the LORD, and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth.

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Accounted Arrows Bent Bow Bows Chariot Counted Feet Flint Hoofs Horses Hurricane Reckoned Rock Rushing Seem Sharp Storm Strung Wheels Whirlwind
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Accounted Arrows Bent Bow Bows Chariot Counted Feet Flint Hoofs Horses Hurricane Reckoned Rock Rushing Seem Sharp Storm Strung Wheels Whirlwind
Isaiah 5
1. Under the parable of a vineyard, God excuses his severe judgment
8. His judgments upon covetousness
11. Upon lasciviousness
13. Upon impiety
20. And upon injustice
26. The executioners of God's judgments














Their arrows are sharp
The imagery of "arrows" in this context symbolizes the precision and deadly effectiveness of the impending judgment. In the Hebrew text, the word for "sharp" (חַדּוֹת, chadot) conveys a sense of readiness and lethal capability. Historically, arrows were a primary weapon in ancient warfare, representing both the skill of the archer and the inevitability of the attack. This phrase underscores the certainty and swiftness of God's judgment through the instruments He chooses, reminding us of the divine precision in executing justice.

All their bows are strung
The phrase "bows are strung" indicates a state of preparedness and tension. In ancient times, a bow that was strung was ready for immediate use, signifying that the warriors were poised for battle. The Hebrew word for "strung" (דָּרוּכִים, darukim) suggests a readiness to release power. This readiness reflects the urgency and immediacy of the divine action that is about to unfold. It serves as a reminder of the vigilance required in spiritual warfare and the preparedness expected of God's people.

Their horses’ hooves are like flint
The comparison of "hooves" to "flint" emphasizes strength and resilience. Flint, known for its hardness and ability to spark fire, symbolizes the unstoppable and fierce nature of the advancing forces. In the ancient Near Eastern context, horses were symbols of military might and speed. The Hebrew word for "flint" (צֹר, tzor) conveys an image of unyielding determination. This phrase highlights the formidable power of God's instruments of judgment, urging believers to recognize the might of God and the seriousness of His warnings.

Their chariot wheels are like a whirlwind
The imagery of "chariot wheels" likened to a "whirlwind" evokes a sense of overwhelming force and rapid movement. In Hebrew, the word for "whirlwind" (סוּפָה, suphah) suggests chaos and unstoppable momentum. Chariots were the pinnacle of military technology in Isaiah's time, representing speed and destructive capability. This phrase illustrates the swift and comprehensive nature of divine judgment, serving as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and the futility of resisting His will. It calls believers to trust in God's ultimate plan and to seek refuge in His protection.

Verse 28. - Whose arrows are sharp, and all their bows bent. The special weapon of the Assyrian soldiers is the bow. From the king in his chariot to the light-armed recruit just pressed into the service, all fight mainly with this weapon, more particularly in the earlier times (see 'Ancient Monarchies,' vol. 1. pp. 414, 423, 424-437, etc.). Swords and spears are also known, but comparatively little used. Their horses' hoofs... like flint. Hard, strong, and solid, as was most necessary when shoeing was unknown. Their wheels like a whirlwind. Sennacherib (Isaiah 37:24) is represented as boasting of the "multitude of his chariots;" and both the sculptures and the inscriptions of Assyria show that the chariot throe was numerous, and was regarded as more important than any other. The king always went to battle in a chariot. For the comparison of the rush of chariot-wheels to a whirlwind, see below, Isaiah 66:15; and comp. Jeremiah 4:13).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Their arrows
חִצָּיו֙ (ḥiṣ·ṣāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2671: A piercer, an arrow, a wound, thunderbolt, the shaft of a, spear

are sharpened,
שְׁנוּנִ֔ים (šə·nū·nîm)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine plural
Strong's 8150: To point, to pierce, to inculcate

and all
וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

their bows
קַשְּׁתֹתָ֖יו (qaš·šə·ṯō·ṯāw)
Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7198: A bow, for, shooting, the iris

are strung.
דְּרֻכ֑וֹת (də·ru·ḵō·wṯ)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine plural
Strong's 1869: To tread, to walk, to string a, bow

The hooves
פַּרְס֤וֹת (par·sō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 6541: A claw, split hoof

of their horses
סוּסָיו֙ (sū·sāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5483: A swallow, swift (type of bird)

are like flint;
כַּצַּ֣ר (kaṣ·ṣar)
Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6862: Narrow, a tight place, a pebble, an opponent

their chariot wheels
וְגַלְגִּלָּ֖יו (wə·ḡal·gil·lāw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1534: A wheel, a whirlwind, dust

[are] like a whirlwind.
כַּסּוּפָֽה׃ (kas·sū·p̄āh)
Preposition-k, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5492: A storm wind


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 5:28 Whose arrows are sharp and all their (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 5:27
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