Isaiah 27:11 kjv
When 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.
Isaiah 27:11 nkjv
When its boughs are withered, they will be broken off; The women come and set them on fire. For it is a people of no understanding; Therefore He who made them will not have mercy on them, And He who formed them will show them no favor.
Isaiah 27:11 niv
When its twigs are dry, they are broken off and women come and make fires with them. For this is a people without understanding; so their Maker has no compassion on them, and their Creator shows them no favor.
Isaiah 27:11 esv
When its boughs are dry, they are broken; women come and make a fire of them. For this is a people without discernment; therefore he who made them will not have compassion on them; he who formed them will show them no favor.
Isaiah 27:11 nlt
The people are like the dead branches of a tree,
broken off and used for kindling beneath the cooking pots.
Israel is a foolish and stupid nation,
for its people have turned away from God.
Therefore, the one who made them
will show them no pity or mercy.
Isaiah 27 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 27:11 | when its boughs are broken, women come and set them on fire; for it is a people of no understanding; its Maker will not ransom it, nor will its Maker show it favor. | Theme of spiritual unfruitfulness, rejection of divine favor |
| Jeremiah 17:5-6 | Thus says the LORD: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his arm, whose heart turns away from the LORD. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when relief comes. He shall dwell in parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land that does not dwell. | Parallel imagery of barrenness due to reliance on self |
| Jeremiah 17:18 | May my enemies be put to shame, and not succeed; may they be put to utter confusion, and be overcome with a perpetual dishonor that shall not be forgotten. | Consequences of defying God |
| Ezekiel 15:4 | Lo, it is put into the fire for fuel. The two ends are consumed, and the middle is scorched. Is it good for anything? No, not for any use as a cross-beam. | Unfit for purpose due to being corrupted |
| Zechariah 7:11-12 | But they refused to listen, and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears that they might not hear. They made their hearts like flint, lest they should hear the law and the words that the LORD of hosts by his Spirit sent by the former prophets. Therefore great wrath came from the LORD of hosts. | Rejection of God's word leads to wrath |
| Matthew 3:10 | Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. | Consequence for spiritual unfruitfulness |
| Matthew 13:41-42 | The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, and throw them into the furnace of fire. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. | Final judgment and separation of the wicked |
| Luke 13:6-9 | And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard. He came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, these three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it occupy the ground uselessly?’ And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put on manure. If it bears fruit thereafter, fine! But if not, you shall cut it down.’ | Metaphor of the unfruitful tree awaiting judgment |
| John 15:5-6 | I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. | The necessity of abiding in Christ for fruitfulness |
| Romans 11:17-22 | Some of the branches of the wild olive tree have been broken off, and you, although a wild olive tree by nature, have been grafted in among them and become partaker of the root and the richness of the olive tree, do not boast over the branches. If you do boast, remember that it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. Then you will say, ‘Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.’ That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not presume to have confidence in your own reason and wisdom, but rather be subject to the authority of the divine guidance. So tremble, and do not sin. Indeed, consider the severity and the goodness of God. There are severe judgment and destruction upon those who were cut off, but God's goodness toward you, if you continue in his goodness. Otherwise, you too will be cut off. | Warning against pride and the possibility of being cut off |
| Hebrews 6:8 | but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned. | Spiritual unfruitfulness leads to destruction |
| 1 Peter 4:17-18 | For it is time for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And if the righteous is scarcely saved, where will the wicked and the ungodly appear? | Judgment begins with believers |
| Jude 1:10 | But these creatures blasheme whatever they do not understand, and whatever they know by instinct like animals that do not reason — these are ruined. | Characteristics of the morally corrupt |
| Revelation 20:15 | And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. | Final destination of the unsaved |
| Revelation 21:8 | But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” | Description of those who face the second death |
| Deuteronomy 28:48 | therefore you shall serve your enemies whom the LORD sends against you, in hunger, in thirst, in nakedness, and in all needs. He will put a yoke of iron on your neck until he has destroyed you. | Consequences of disobedience |
| Jeremiah 5:3 | O LORD, do not your eyes look for truth? You have smitten them, but they did not wince; you have consumed them, but they refused to take correction; they have made their faces harder than rock; they have refused to return. | Stubbornness and rejection of discipline |
| Hosea 5:10-12 | Ephraim’s princes have become like those who move the landmark; I will pour out my wrath on them like water. Ephraim is oppressed, crushed in judgment, because he was willing to go after something that does not profit. Therefore I will be like a moth to Ephraim, and like dry rot to the house of Judah. | Consequences of straying from God |
| Proverbs 1:24-27 | Because I called and you refused to listen, because I extended my hand and no one attended to it, and you scorned all my counsel and would not admit my reproof, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will rejoice when panic strikes you, when panic comes as a storm and your calamity comes as a whirlwind, when calamity comes as a whirlwind and your ruin comes as a storm, when tribulation and distress come upon you. | God’s response to those who refuse correction |
| Nahum 3:4-5 | she is the tavern of blood, wholly full of lies and plunder; no cry of the raider is heard. The flash of the whip, the rattling of wheels, the galloping horses, the bounding chariots! The cavalry charge, the flashing swords, the glittering spears, the multitude of slain, the heaps of corpses, the dead bodies without end—they stumble over them! | Destruction brought upon oppressors |
Isaiah 27 verses
Isaiah 27 11 Meaning
This verse signifies the profound barrenness and desolation that will befall the wicked. Those who refuse to yield to God’s discipline will experience a severe scattering, becoming like uncultivated fields unable to produce fruit, and their oppressors will find no refuge or pasture among them.
Isaiah 27 11 Context
Isaiah chapter 27 follows a prophecy of God's decisive judgment against hostile nations, particularly Babylon and Egypt, and a subsequent restoration for Israel. The immediate context of verse 11 is the cleansing and re-establishment of God's people. Following a period of tribulation, God will gather His scattered flock, vindicate them, and secure their future. This verse, however, describes the fate of those within or associated with the corrupt system who refuse to be purified or repent. It highlights their spiritual emptiness and the ultimate rejection they will face from God, even from those who were previously considered "others." The chapter emphasizes God's sovereignty and His ultimate purpose to bring salvation and peace to His people after a period of judgment.
Isaiah 27 11 Word Analysis
“When” (Hebrew: כִּי֒ - ki) - A versatile conjunction, often translated as "when," "for," or "because." Here, it likely indicates a temporal or causal connection, suggesting a consequence or condition.
“its boughs” (Hebrew: זַּרְעִימֶהָּ — zarʻîmêhā) - Literally "its branches." In the context of a tree or vine metaphor, branches represent individual members or the fruit-bearing capacity of the entity. The breaking of boughs signifies damage, severe pruning, or a complete loss of productivity.
“are broken” (Hebrew: חָֽרְבּ֣וּ — ḥârbû) - From the root חָרַב (ḥârab), meaning "to be dry," "desolate," "ruined," or "to be broken." It conveys a state of devastation and uselessness.
“women” (Hebrew: נָשִׁ֧ים — nāšîm) - Plural of woman. This detail is noteworthy as in ancient Near Eastern cultures, women often carried out tasks related to hearth and home, including processing or consuming wood for fuel.
“come” (Hebrew: בָּ֥אוּ — bāʼû) - From the verb בּוֹא (bōʼ), meaning "to come" or "enter." They actively approach.
“and set them on fire” (Hebrew: וַֽיְשִׂימ֣וּ — wayəśîmû) - From the root שִׂימַ֠וּ (śîm), meaning "to place," "set," or "appoint." It signifies the deliberate act of igniting the broken branches as fuel. This highlights the complete and utter destruction of the formerly fruitful, now broken, entity.
“for” (Hebrew: כִּי — kî) - Again, a conjunction, signifying a reason or explanation for the preceding statement.
“it is” (Hebrew: ה֤וּא — hûʼ) - Masculine pronoun "he" or "it." Refers back to the tree/entity whose branches were broken.
“a people” (Hebrew: עָ֚ם — ʻam) - Standard Hebrew word for "people."
“of no understanding” (Hebrew: לֹ֣א־לֵ֑ב — lōʼ-lēḇ) - Literally "no heart" or "without heart/understanding." The heart in Hebrew thought was the seat of intellect, will, and emotions. Lacking a heart signifies a lack of comprehension, wisdom, and spiritual discernment. This implies a chosen, willful ignorance.
“its Maker” (Hebrew: קֹנֵ֟הוּ — qōnehū) - From the verb קָנָה (qānáh), meaning "to buy," "acquire," "possess," or "create." In this context, it strongly implies "Creator" or "Owner." It refers to God, who possesses or made this people.
“will not ransom it” (Hebrew: לֹ֣א יִרְחָמֶ֣נּוּ — lōʼ yirḥamēnnû) - From the root רָחַם (raḥam), meaning "to have mercy," "love deeply," or "show compassion." "Will not show mercy/compassion" emphasizes God's final decision regarding this incorrigible people. They are not eligible for redemption or pity because of their persistent lack of understanding and resultant destruction.
“nor” (Hebrew: וְלֹא — wəlōʼ) - Negative conjunction.
“will its Maker” (Hebrew: וְלֹא — wəlōʼ) - Repeating the negative, reinforcing the point.
“show it favor” (Hebrew: יְחֻנֶּ֚נּוּ — yəḥunnĕnnû) - From the root חָנַן (ḥânan), meaning "to be gracious," "show favor," or "be merciful." This parallels "ransom" and "have mercy," reinforcing that there will be no divine compassion or preferential treatment.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "its boughs are broken" and "women come and set them on fire": This sequence illustrates a two-stage destruction. First, the intrinsic vitality and productivity are ruined; second, external forces (represented by women as common users of fuel) completely consume what remains, highlighting utter desolation and repurposed for ignominious use.
- "people of no understanding" / "without heart": This identifies the root cause of their destruction – spiritual and intellectual blindness. They are not simply victims of circumstance but have fundamentally rejected divine wisdom.
- "its Maker will not ransom it, nor will its Maker show it favor": This dual denial signifies a complete and final forfeiture of divine intervention. God, who is their Maker and Owner, will not redeem or pity them because they have rejected His provision and corrective action.
Isaiah 27 11 Bonus Section
The imagery of branches being broken and burned has echoes in the New Testament, particularly in Jesus' discourse about abiding in Him. The lack of "heart" or understanding spoken of here resonates with descriptions of those who are spiritually darkened or hardened. The refusal of God's mercy is a recurring theme for those who persistently reject His ways. The verse powerfully illustrates the consequences of spiritual bankruptcy when a people, despite being divinely "made" or created, forfeits their capacity for life and fellowship through persistent rebellion and ignorance. It underscores that God’s judgments are not arbitrary but are a just consequence of unresponsiveness to His truth and His restorative actions.
Isaiah 27 11 Commentary
This verse depicts a stark judgment. The metaphor of a tree with broken branches being used for fuel conveys ultimate worthlessness and destruction. The people addressed are characterized by a deep-seated spiritual and intellectual failing – they possess "no heart" or understanding. This willful ignorance renders them incapable of responding to God's discipline or prophetic word. Consequently, God, their Creator and Owner, declares that He will not rescue or favor them. Their state is one of utter ruin and irreversible alienation from divine grace. They are fit only for the fire, becoming fuel for the destructive forces they failed to discern.