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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Isaiah 28:20 Indeed, the bed is too short to stretch out on, and the blanket too small to wrap around you.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/isaiah/28-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/23_Isa_28_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Isaiah 28:20 - A Cornerstone in Zion" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Indeed, the bed is too short to stretch out on, and the blanket too small to wrap around you." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/isaiah/28-20.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/isaiah/28-20.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/isaiah/">Isaiah</a> > <a href="/isaiah/28.htm">Chapter 28</a> > Verse 20</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad20.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/isaiah/28-19.htm" title="Isaiah 28:19">◄</a> Isaiah 28:20 <a href="/isaiah/28-21.htm" title="Isaiah 28:21">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/isaiah/28.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/isaiah/28.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />The bed is too short to stretch out on, the blanket too narrow to wrap around you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/isaiah/28.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The bed you have made is too short to lie on. The blankets are too narrow to cover you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/isaiah/28.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />For the bed is too short to stretch oneself on, and the covering too narrow to wrap oneself in.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/28.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Indeed, the bed is too short to stretch out on, and the blanket too small to wrap around you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/isaiah/28.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For the bed is shorter than that <i>a man</i> can stretch himself <i>on it</i>: and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself <i>in it</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/isaiah/28.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For the bed is too short to stretch out <i>on,</i> And the covering so narrow that one cannot wrap himself <i>in it.</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/isaiah/28.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The bed is too short on which to stretch out, And the blanket is too small to wrap oneself in.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/isaiah/28.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The bed is too short on which to stretch out, And the blanket is too small to wrap oneself in.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/isaiah/28.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />The bed is too short on which to stretch out, And the blanket is too small to wrap oneself in.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/isaiah/28.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />The bed is too short on which to stretch out, And the blanket is too narrow to wrap oneself in.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/isaiah/28.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />For the bed is too short to stretch out on, And the blanket is too narrow to wrap around oneself [and likewise all their preparations are inadequate].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/isaiah/28.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Indeed, the bed is too short to stretch out on, and its cover too small to wrap up in.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/isaiah/28.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Indeed, the bed is too short to stretch out on, and its cover too small to wrap up in. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/isaiah/28.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it; and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/isaiah/28.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Your bed is too short, your blanket too skimpy. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/isaiah/28.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it; and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/isaiah/28.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The bed is too short to stretch out on. The blanket is too narrow to serve as a cover.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/isaiah/28.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />You will be like the person in the proverb, who tries to sleep in a bed too short to stretch out on, with a blanket too narrow to wrap himself in. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/isaiah/28.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />because the bed is too short to stretch out on, and its blankets too narrow to wrap around oneself!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/isaiah/28.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Indeed, the bed is too short to stretch out on, and the blanket too small to wrap around you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/isaiah/28.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />For the bed is too short to stretch out on, and the blanket is too narrow to wrap around oneself. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/isaiah/28.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For the bed is too short to stretch out on, and the blanket is too narrow to wrap oneself in.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/isaiah/28.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it: and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/isaiah/28.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For the bed is too short to stretch out on, and the blanket is too narrow to wrap oneself in. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/isaiah/28.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />For the bed has been shorter "" Than to stretch one’s self out in, "" And the covering has been narrower "" Than to wrap one’s self up in.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/isaiah/28.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> For shorter hath been the bed Than to stretch one's self out in, And the covering hath been narrower Than to wrap one's self up in.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/isaiah/28.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For the spreading was shortened above stretching out, and the covering narrow for hiding one's self.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/isaiah/28.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />For the bed is straitened, so that one must fall out, and a short covering can- not cover both. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/isaiah/28.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />For the bed has been narrowed, so much so that one alone would fall out, and the short blanket is not able to cover two.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/isaiah/28.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />For the bed shall be too short to stretch out in, and the cover too narrow to wrap in. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/28.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />For the bed is too short to stretch oneself on it, and the covering too narrow to wrap oneself in it.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/28.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For the cloth is too short, and the warp grows weak and is insufficient for a garment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/isaiah/28.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Because the garment is shortened to cover him and the weaver shuttle has contracted and is incomplete<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/isaiah/28.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />For the bed is too short for a man to stretch himself; And the covering too narrow when he gathereth himself up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/isaiah/28.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />ye that are distressed; we cannot fight, but we are ourselves too weak for you to be gathered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/isaiah/28-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xv9bHT-nr9s?start=5775" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/28.htm">A Cornerstone in Zion</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">19</span>As often as it passes through, it will carry you away; it will sweep through morning after morning, by day and by night.” The understanding of this message will bring sheer terror. <span class="reftext">20</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">Indeed,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4702.htm" title="4702: ham·maṣ·ṣā‘ (Art:: N-ms) -- Couch, bed. From yatsa'; a couch.">the bed</a> <a href="/hebrew/7114.htm" title="7114: qā·ṣar (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To dock off, curtail, to harvest. A primitive root; to dock off, i.e. Curtail; especially to harvest.">is too short</a> <a href="/hebrew/8311.htm" title="8311: mê·hiś·tā·rê·a‘ (Prep-m:: V-Hitpael-Inf) -- To extend. A primitive root; to prolong, i.e. be deformed by excess of members.">to stretch out on,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4541.htm" title="4541: wə·ham·mas·sê·ḵāh (Conj-w, Art:: N-fs) -- From nacak; properly, a pouring over, i.e. Fusion of metal; by implication, a libation, i.e. League; concretely a coverlet.">and the blanket</a> <a href="/hebrew/6887.htm" title="6887: ṣā·rāh (V-Qal-Perf-3fs) -- A primitive root; to cramp, literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive.">too small</a> <a href="/hebrew/3664.htm" title="3664: kə·hiṯ·kan·nês (Prep-k:: V-Hitpael-Inf) -- To gather, collect. A primitive root; to collect; hence, to enfold.">to wrap around you.</a> </span><span class="reftext">21</span>For the LORD will rise up as at Mount Perazim. He will rouse Himself as in the Valley of Gibeon, to do His work, His strange work, and to perform His task, His disturbing task.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/11-28.htm">Matthew 11:28-30</a></span><br />Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. / Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. / For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/6-16.htm">Jeremiah 6:16</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths: ‘Where is the good way?’ Then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it!’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/62-1.htm">Psalm 62:1-2</a></span><br />For the choirmaster. According to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. In God alone my soul finds rest; my salvation comes from Him. / He alone is my rock and my salvation. He is my fortress; I will never be shaken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/4-9.htm">Hebrews 4:9-11</a></span><br />There remains, then, a Sabbath rest for the people of God. / For whoever enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His. / Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following the same pattern of disobedience.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/30-15.htm">Isaiah 30:15</a></span><br />For the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said: “By repentance and rest you would be saved; your strength would lie in quiet confidence—but you were not willing.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/2-10.htm">Micah 2:10</a></span><br />Arise and depart, for this is not your place of rest, because its defilement brings destruction—a grievous destruction!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/13-10.htm">Ezekiel 13:10-16</a></span><br />Because they have led My people astray, saying, ‘Peace,’ when there is no peace, and whitewashing any flimsy wall that is built, / tell those whitewashing the wall that it will fall. Rain will come in torrents, I will send hailstones plunging down, and a windstorm will burst forth. / Surely when the wall has fallen, you will not be asked, ‘Where is the whitewash with which you covered it?’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/127-1.htm">Psalm 127:1-2</a></span><br />A song of ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain; unless the LORD protects the city, its watchmen stand guard in vain. / In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for bread to eat—for He gives sleep to His beloved.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/57-20.htm">Isaiah 57:20-21</a></span><br />But the wicked are like the storm-tossed sea, for it cannot be still, and its waves churn up mire and muck. / “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-37.htm">Matthew 23:37</a></span><br />O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/1-3.htm">Lamentations 1:3</a></span><br />Judah has gone into exile under affliction and harsh slavery; she dwells among the nations but finds no place to rest. All her pursuers have overtaken her in the midst of her distress.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/12-9.htm">2 Corinthians 12:9-10</a></span><br />But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. / That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/8-9.htm">Isaiah 8:9-10</a></span><br />Huddle together, O peoples, and be shattered; pay attention, all you distant lands; prepare for battle, and be shattered; prepare for battle, and be shattered! / Devise a plan, but it will be thwarted; state a proposal, but it will not happen. For God is with us.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/20-22.htm">Job 20:22</a></span><br />In the midst of his plenty, he will be distressed; the full force of misery will come upon him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-19.htm">Luke 12:19-20</a></span><br />Then I will say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take it easy. Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ / But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it: and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it.</p><p class="hdg">the bed</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/57-12.htm">Isaiah 57:12,13</a></b></br> I will declare thy righteousness, and thy works; for they shall not profit thee… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/59-5.htm">Isaiah 59:5,6</a></b></br> They hatch cockatrice' eggs, and weave the spider's web: he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/64-6.htm">Isaiah 64:6</a></b></br> But we are all as an unclean <i>thing</i>, and all our righteousnesses <i>are</i> as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/14-11.htm">Bed</a> <a href="/isaiah/26-21.htm">Cover</a> <a href="/isaiah/28-17.htm">Covered</a> <a href="/isaiah/25-7.htm">Covering</a> <a href="/isaiah/9-20.htm">Enough</a> <a href="/isaiah/17-5.htm">Gathereth</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-27.htm">Narrow</a> <a href="/ezekiel/42-6.htm">Narrower</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-16.htm">One's</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-18.htm">Oneself</a> <a href="/isaiah/26-20.htm">Short</a> <a href="/ezekiel/42-5.htm">Shorter</a> <a href="/isaiah/24-6.htm">Small</a> <a href="/psalms/144-7.htm">Stretch</a> <a href="/isaiah/25-7.htm">Stretched</a> <a href="/isaiah/26-15.htm">Wide</a> <a href="/isaiah/22-17.htm">Wrap</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/57-7.htm">Bed</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-1.htm">Cover</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-9.htm">Covered</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-1.htm">Covering</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-14.htm">Enough</a> <a href="/isaiah/33-4.htm">Gathereth</a> <a href="/isaiah/49-19.htm">Narrow</a> <a href="/ezekiel/42-5.htm">Narrower</a> <a href="/isaiah/54-6.htm">One's</a> <a href="/isaiah/47-14.htm">Oneself</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-17.htm">Short</a> <a href="/ezekiel/42-5.htm">Shorter</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-5.htm">Small</a> <a href="/isaiah/31-3.htm">Stretch</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-30.htm">Stretched</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-23.htm">Wide</a> <a href="/jeremiah/43-12.htm">Wrap</a><div class="vheading2">Isaiah 28</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/28-1.htm">The prophet threatens Ephraim for their pride and drunkenness</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/28-5.htm">The residue shall be advanced in the kingdom of Christ</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/28-7.htm">He rebukes their error</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/28-9.htm">Their unwillingness to learn</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/28-14.htm">And their security</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/28-16.htm">Christ the sure foundation is promised</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/28-17.htm">Their security shall be tried</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/28-23.htm">They are incited to the consideration of God's providence</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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In the context of <a href="/isaiah/28.htm">Isaiah 28</a>, it reflects the insufficiency of the leaders' plans and alliances, particularly with Egypt, to provide security and rest for Judah. Historically, this period was marked by political instability and threats from Assyria. The imagery of a short bed suggests that their efforts to find peace and safety outside of God's provision were futile. This can be connected to the broader biblical theme of relying on God rather than human strength, as seen in <a href="/psalms/127.htm">Psalm 127:1</a>, which emphasizes that unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.<p><b>and the blanket too small to wrap around you.</b><br>This part of the verse continues the metaphor of inadequacy, highlighting the inability to find warmth and protection. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, a blanket was essential for comfort and survival, especially during cold nights. The small blanket symbolizes the false security offered by alliances and human wisdom, which cannot cover or protect the people adequately. This imagery can be linked to the concept of false security found in <a href="/jeremiah/17-5.htm">Jeremiah 17:5</a>, where reliance on human strength is contrasted with trust in the Lord. Additionally, it foreshadows the ultimate fulfillment of security and rest in Jesus Christ, who offers true peace and protection, as seen in <a href="/matthew/11-28.htm">Matthew 11:28-30</a>, where He invites the weary to find rest in Him.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/i/isaiah.htm">Isaiah</a></b><br>A major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah is the author of the book bearing his name. He prophesied to the Kingdom of Judah during a time of moral and spiritual decline.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a></b><br>The southern kingdom of Israel, which was facing impending judgment due to its disobedience and reliance on foreign alliances rather than God.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/assyria.htm">Assyria</a></b><br>A powerful empire during Isaiah's time, often seen as a threat to Judah. The Assyrian threat is a backdrop to many of Isaiah's prophecies.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/god's_judgment.htm">God's Judgment</a></b><br>The context of this verse is a warning of God's impending judgment on Judah for its lack of faith and reliance on human solutions.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/m/metaphor_of_insufficiency.htm">Metaphor of Insufficiency</a></b><br>The imagery of a bed too short and a blanket too small symbolizes the inadequacy of Judah's attempts to find security outside of God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_human_solutions.htm">The Futility of Human Solutions</a></b><br>Just as a short bed and small blanket cannot provide comfort, human solutions without God are inadequate for true security and peace.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_trusting_in_god.htm">The Importance of Trusting in God</a></b><br>True rest and security come from trusting in God rather than in our own efforts or alliances.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_disobedience.htm">The Consequences of Disobedience</a></b><br>Ignoring God's guidance and relying on worldly solutions can lead to judgment and discomfort, as seen in Judah's experience.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sufficiency.htm">God's Sufficiency</a></b><br>Unlike the inadequate bed and blanket, God's provision is always sufficient for our needs when we trust in Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_readiness.htm">Spiritual Readiness</a></b><br>We must be spiritually prepared and aligned with God's will to experience His peace and security.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_isaiah_28.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 28</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_the_characteristics_of_god.htm">What are the characteristics of God?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_gibeah's_role_in_the_bible.htm">What does the Bible say about decreeing and declaring?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_satan_bound_for_1000_years.htm">(Revelation 20:1-3) How can Satan be literally bound for a thousand years and then released if he is not a physical being?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_is_jesus_and_his_divine_purpose.htm">Who is Jesus and what is his divine purpose?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/isaiah/28.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(20) <span class= "bld">For the bed is shorter . . .</span>--The image represents vividly a policy that ended in failure. Hezekiah's counsellors had "made their bed," and would have to lie on it, in their Egyptian alliance, but it would not meet their wants. Bed and blankets would be all too scanty, and leave them in a restless disquietude.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/28.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 20.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">For the bed</span>, etc. We have a proverb, "As a man makes his bed, so must he lie in <span class="accented">it</span>." The Jews will have made themselves a bed in which they can have no comfort or ease, and consequently no rest. But they will only have themselves to blame for it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/isaiah/28-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Indeed,</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(kî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the bed</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמַּצָּ֖ע</span> <span class="translit">(ham·maṣ·ṣā‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4702.htm">Strong's 4702: </a> </span><span class="str2">Couch, bed</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is too short</span><br /><span class="heb">קָצַ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(qā·ṣar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7114.htm">Strong's 7114: </a> </span><span class="str2">To dock off, curtail, to harvest</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to stretch out on,</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵֽהִשְׂתָּרֵ֑עַ</span> <span class="translit">(mê·hiś·tā·rê·a‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Verb - Hitpael - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8311.htm">Strong's 8311: </a> </span><span class="str2">To prolong, be deformed by excess of members</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and the blanket</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהַמַּסֵּכָ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ham·mas·sê·ḵāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4541.htm">Strong's 4541: </a> </span><span class="str2">A pouring over, fusion of metal, a libation, league, a coverlet</span><br /><br /><span class="word">too small</span><br /><span class="heb">צָ֖רָה</span> <span class="translit">(ṣā·rāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6887.htm">Strong's 6887: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bind, tie up, be restricted, narrow, scant, or cramped</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to wrap around you.</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּהִתְכַּנֵּֽס׃</span> <span class="translit">(kə·hiṯ·kan·nês)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Verb - Hitpael - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3664.htm">Strong's 3664: </a> </span><span class="str2">To collect, to enfold</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/28-20.htm">Isaiah 28:20 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/isaiah/28-20.htm">Isaiah 28:20 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/isaiah/28-20.htm">Isaiah 28:20 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/isaiah/28-20.htm">Isaiah 28:20 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/isaiah/28-20.htm">Isaiah 28:20 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/28-20.htm">Isaiah 28:20 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/28-20.htm">Isaiah 28:20 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/28-20.htm">Isaiah 28:20 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/28-20.htm">Isaiah 28:20 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/isaiah/28-20.htm">Isaiah 28:20 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/isaiah/28-20.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 28:20 For the bed is too short (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/28-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 28:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 28:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/28-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 28:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 28:21" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>