Isaiah 28:14

ye scornful men Better: scoffing men. The "scoffer" (lêç, a word almost confined to Pss. and Prov.) represents the last degree of ungodliness, open contempt of religion. The phrase here is applied to worldly politicians, who form their plans in defiance of Jehovah's revealed will (cf. Isaiah 28:22; ch. Isaiah 29:20).

that rule this people The prophet's antagonists are the party which has gained the upper hand in the councils of state; the king himself is tacitly acquitted of responsibility.

15 is the protasis to Isaiah 28:16 f.

Because ye have said Isaiah no doubt clothes the thoughts of the conspirators in his own language; but the vagueness of the allusions corresponds to the air of mystery which shrouded their designs. The utmost secrecy was observed with regard to the negotiations with Egypt (ch. Isaiah 29:15; Isaiah 30:1), and it is doubtful if at this time Isaiah knew exactly what project was on foot.

with hell are we at agreement Lit. with Sheôl we have made a vision. The simplest explanation of this and the preceding expression is that the political plot had been ratified by a compact with the dreaded powers of the underworld. That those who had renounced the guidance of Jehovah should have recourse to necromancy and other superstitions was natural (ch. Isaiah 8:19). At the same time the phrases may be proverbial, or they may merely express Isaiah's abhorrence of the dark immorality which marked the proceedings. In any case the feeling attributed to the schemers is one of absolute security against the worst that fate could bring.

the overflowing scourge a mixture of metaphors, which is still further increased in Isaiah 28:18.

we have made lies our refuge The reference might be to conscious political treachery (towards Assyria), but more probably it is to false grounds of confidence, such as false oracles (Ezekiel 13:6-8; Micah 2:11), Isaiah putting his own language into their mouth.