Wherefore hear the word of the Lord, ye scornful men
Men of scorn and mockery, that scoffed and mocked at the word of God, as in the preceding verse ( Isaiah 28:13 ) ; or at the threatenings of punishment; and even made a jest of death and hell, as in the following words: "the word of the Lord" they are called upon to hear, hearken, and attend to, is either the word of promise of the Messiah, ( Isaiah 28:16 ) or rather the word threatening them with ruin, ( Isaiah 28:18 ) or it may be both:
that rule this people which [is] in Jerusalem;
which must not be understood of the chief ruler Hezekiah, but rather of some subordinate rulers, such as Shebna and others; these set a very bad example to the common people: no wonder that irreligion and profaneness prevail, when civil magistrates are scoffers at religion. It agrees best with the rulers of the Jewish people in the times of Christ, who mocked at him and his ministry, and that of his apostles.