Isaiah 28:16
ESV
therefore thus says the Lord God, "Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: ‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.’
NIV
So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.
NASB
Therefore this is what the Lord God says: 'Behold, I am laying a stone in Zion, a tested stone, A precious cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. The one who believes in it will not be disturbed.
CSB
Therefore the Lord God said: "Look, I have laid a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will be unshakable.
NLT
Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: 'Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken.
KJV
Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
NKJV
Therefore thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; Whoever believes will not act hastily.
What does Isaiah 28:16 mean?
This is part of a contrast between what leaders of Jerusalem chose to trust versus Who they should rely on, which is the Lord. He is the only One worth trusting. The prophet has said that Jerusalem's leaders are relying on delusions and falsehoods (Isaiah 28:14–15). They are probably trusting an alliance with the Egyptians to save them (Isaiah 30:1–2). It won't.In contrast, Isaiah quotes the Lord's declaration. God alone is the trustworthy footing on which Judah should rest all its confidence. In an often-quoted statement, The Lord says He has established a "foundation in Zion," meaning Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:7–8; 1 Kings 8:1). Ancient buildings relied on large, study corners to keep a building upright. These "cornerstones" were essential, and one was always the most important. References to "the" cornerstone imply something on which the entire structure depends.
God has verified this "stone". It will bear the needed weight as the keystone for the entire building. The Lord says that anyone who believes in this stone won't "be in haste" in the sense of being panicked or alarmed. Instead, they will experience security and confidence.
Commentators say it is unclear if Isaiah has the Messiah in mind here, specifically, or if he is speaking more generally of faith in Yahweh. In either case, the New Testament writers make it clear that the cornerstone of this verse includes the Messiah, Jesus Christ:
"As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture: 'Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame'" (1 Peter 2:4–6).
The principle holds for Judah in Isaiah's time and for believers in Christ in every time: Those who trust in Christ put their hope in the surest of all foundations. Those who trust in anything else build their houses on sand (Matthew 7:24–27).
