Isaiah 27

King James Version

Full text for Isaiah Chapter 27

1¶ In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that [is] in the sea.

2In that day sing ye unto her, A vineyard of red wine.

3I the LORD do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest [any] hurt it, I will keep it night and day.

4Fury [is] not in me: who would set the briers [and] thorns against me in battle? I would go through them, I would burn them together.

5Or let him take hold of my strength, [that] he may make peace with me; [and] he shall make peace with me.

6He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root: Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit.

7¶ Hath he smitten him, as he smote those that smote him? [or] is he slain according to the slaughter of them that are slain by him?

8In measure, when it shooteth forth, thou wilt debate with it: he stayeth his rough wind in the day of the east wind.

9By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged; and this [is] all the fruit to take away his sin; when he maketh all the stones of the altar as chalkstones that are beaten in sunder, the groves and images shall not stand up.

10Yet the defenced city [shall be] desolate, [and] the habitation forsaken, and left like a wilderness: there shall the calf feed, and there shall he lie down, and consume the branches thereof.

11When the boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off: the women come, [and] set them on fire: for it [is] a people of no understanding: therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them will shew them no favour.

12And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] the LORD shall beat off from the channel of the river unto the stream of Egypt, and ye shall be gathered one by one, O ye children of Israel.

13And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

In that day, the Lord will punish Leviathan, the piercing and crooked serpent, with His mighty sword. He will also protect and water Israel, His vineyard, ensuring its fruitfulness and global spread. Though a defenced city will be desolate due to a lack of understanding, the children of Israel will ultimately be gathered from their dispersion to worship the Lord in Jerusalem.

Medium Summary

The chapter opens with a declaration of the Lord's future judgment upon Leviathan, the great sea serpent, executed with His powerful sword. Simultaneously, the Lord proclaims His constant care for Israel, depicted as a vineyard of red wine, which He waters and protects day and night. While God expresses no fury towards those who seek His strength for peace, He promises that Jacob shall take root, blossom, and fill the world with fruit. However, Jacob's iniquity will be purged through a measured discipline, leading to the destruction of idolatrous altars and groves. A defenced city will face desolation because its people lack understanding and mercy from their Maker. Nevertheless, the chapter concludes with a promise of the children of Israel being gathered one by one from Assyria and Egypt, summoned by a great trumpet to worship the Lord in the holy mount at Jerusalem.

Long Summary

Isaiah 27 begins with a powerful prophecy of "that day" when the LORD, with His "sore and great and strong sword," will execute judgment upon Leviathan, described as both the piercing and crooked serpent, and the dragon in the sea. This formidable act of divine power sets the stage for a contrasting image: Israel, referred to as a "vineyard of red wine," which the Lord Himself promises to keep, water every moment, and protect night and day from any harm. The Lord declares that fury is not in Him, inviting any who would oppose Him to instead take hold of His strength and make peace. He assures that those who come of Jacob shall take root, blossom, bud, and ultimately fill the entire world with their fruit. The chapter then addresses the nature of Israel's suffering, questioning if they were smitten with the same severity as their oppressors, implying a measured discipline. This discipline is revealed as a means by which the iniquity of Jacob shall be purged, with the fruit of this process being the removal of sin, specifically through the destruction of all stones of the altar, groves, and images, rendering them like "chalkstones that are beaten in sunder." In contrast to the flourishing vineyard, a "defenced city" is prophesied to become desolate, its habitation forsaken and left like a wilderness, where only calves will feed. This desolation is attributed to the people's lack of understanding, leading to a withdrawal of mercy and favour from their Maker. The chapter culminates with a glorious promise of restoration: in "that day," the Lord shall beat off the children of Israel from the channel of the river to the stream of Egypt, gathering them one by one. A great trumpet will be blown, summoning those ready to perish in Assyria and the outcasts in Egypt, who will then come to worship the Lord in the holy mount at Jerusalem.

Core Concepts

  • Divine JudgmentThe Lord's powerful and decisive judgment against Leviathan, the symbolic serpent and dragon, signifies the ultimate defeat of oppressive forces or spiritual evil. This judgment is executed with His "sore and great and strong sword."
  • The Vineyard of IsraelIsrael is metaphorically depicted as a vineyard of red wine, which the Lord Himself diligently keeps, waters constantly, and protects from harm. This imagery emphasizes God's intimate care and preservation of His people.
  • Purging of IniquityJacob's iniquity is purged through a process of divine discipline, which leads to the destruction of idolatrous altars, groves, and images. This signifies a cleansing from sin and a return to pure worship.
  • Desolation of the Defenced CityA strong, fortified city is prophesied to become desolate and forsaken due to the people's lack of understanding. This serves as a warning of the consequences of spiritual ignorance and disobedience.
  • Restoration and GatheringThe chapter concludes with a promise of Israel's future restoration, where the scattered children of Israel will be gathered one by one from lands of exile like Assyria and Egypt. They will be summoned by a great trumpet to worship the Lord in Jerusalem.
  • Peace Through StrengthThe Lord invites those who would oppose Him to instead take hold of His strength, promising that by doing so, they can make peace with Him. This highlights God's desire for reconciliation over conflict.
  • Israel's FruitfulnessA promise is made that Jacob shall take root, blossom, and bud, ultimately filling the face of the world with fruit. This signifies Israel's future prosperity, growth, and global influence under God's blessing.