Isaiah 28:20
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
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.
American King James Version (AKJV)
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.
American Standard Version (ASV)
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.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
For the bed is not long enough for a man to be stretched out on: and the cover is not wide enough for him to be covered with.
Webster's Revision
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.
World English Bible
For the bed is too short to stretch out on, and the blanket is too narrow to wrap oneself in.
English Revised Version (ERV)
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.
Clarke's Isaiah 28:20 Bible Commentary
For the bed is shorter - A mashal or proverbial saying, the meaning of which is, that they will find all means of defense and protection insufficient to secure them, and cover them from the evils coming upon them. מסך massek, Isaiah 22:8, the covering, is used for the outworks of defense, the barrier of the country; and here, in the allegorical sense, it means much the same thing. Their beds were only mattresses laid on the floor; and the coverlet a sheet, or in the winter a carpet, laid over it, in which the person wrapped himself. For כהתכנס kehithcannes, it ought probably to be מהתכנס mehithcannes. Houbigant, Secker.
Barnes's Isaiah 28:20 Bible Commentary
For the bed is shorter ... - This is evidently a proverbial saying, and means that they would find all their places of defense insufficient to secure them. They seek repose and security - as a man lies down to rest at night. But they find neither. His bed furnishes no rest; his scanty covering furnishes no security from the chills of the night. So it would be with those who sought protection in idols, in the promises of false prophets, and in the aid which might be obtained from Egypt. So it is with sinners. Their vain refuges shall not shield them. The bed on which they seek rest shall give them no repose; the covering with which they seek to clothe themselves shall not defend them from the wrath of God.
Wesley's Isaiah 28:20 Bible Commentary
28:20 For - For those lying refuges, to which you trust, will not be able to give you that protection, which you expect from them; no more than a man can stretch himself upon a bed that is too short for him.