Isaiah 27 3

Isaiah 27:3 kjv

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

Isaiah 27:3 nkjv

I, the LORD, keep it, I water it every moment; Lest any hurt it, I keep it night and day.

Isaiah 27:3 niv

I, the LORD, watch over it; I water it continually. I guard it day and night so that no one may harm it.

Isaiah 27:3 esv

I, the LORD, am its keeper; every moment I water it. Lest anyone punish it, I keep it night and day;

Isaiah 27:3 nlt

I, the LORD, will watch over it,
watering it carefully.
Day and night I will watch so no one can harm it.

Isaiah 27 verses

Isaiah 27 3 meaning

This verse declares God's unceasing, personal, and diligent care over His people, depicted as His vineyard. It reveals His role as a perpetual guardian, continuously providing spiritual and physical sustenance while actively preventing any harm. The emphasis is on the Lord's vigilant and constant presence, ensuring the well-being and security of those He keeps.

Isaiah 27 3 Context

Isaiah chapter 27 is part of a larger section known as the "Little Apocalypse" (chapters 24-27), which portrays the Lord's universal judgment, the end of the wicked, and the ultimate restoration and triumph of His redeemed people. In contrast to Isaiah 5, where Israel is depicted as a wild, unproductive vineyard awaiting destruction, Isaiah 27:2-6 offers a comforting vision of Israel as a productive, well-cared-for vineyard, lovingly tended and vigorously protected by the Lord Himself. This particular verse, Isaiah 27:3, specifically focuses on the intimate and constant nature of God's guardianship and provision for His cherished vineyard—His covenant people, Israel, looking forward to their ultimate redemption and flourishing. The historical context reflects Israel's struggles and failures, often facing threats from powerful empires, making God's promise of vigilant, ceaseless care a profound message of hope and divine faithfulness against a backdrop of global turmoil. It challenges the common ancient belief in nature gods like Baal who were thought to bring rain, firmly declaring Yahweh as the sole source of all life and protection.

Isaiah 27 3 Word analysis

• I the LORD (אֲנִי יְהוָה - Ani Yahweh): This is a powerful, emphatic declaration of divine identity and authority. Yahweh is God's covenant name, signifying His unchanging, eternal, and personal presence, emphasizing that it is the one true God, distinct from any false deity, who makes this promise and provides this care.
• am its keeper (נֹצְרָהּ אָנִי - notzerah ani): The word notzer (from נָצַר natsar) means "to guard, preserve, watch, protect." It conveys an active, vigilant, and diligent guardianship, not merely passive observation. It speaks to a deep, intentional commitment to protect. The suffix 'הּ (-ah) indicates "it" (the vineyard), emphasizing specific care.
• I water it (אַשְׁקֶנָּה - ashqennah): This is from the root שָׁקָה (shaqah), meaning "to give drink, to irrigate, to provide water." It signifies divine provision, sustenance, and the necessary life-giving elements. It assures consistent nourishment.
• every moment (לִרְגָעִים - lirga'im): This Hebrew phrase implies "at times," "repeatedly," or "moment by moment." It emphasizes continuous, unceasing, and immediate provision, underscoring the constant nature of God's care and responsiveness. It implies diligence without lapse.
• Lest anyone harm it (פֶּן־יִפְקֹד בָּהּ - pen-yipqoq bah): Pen (פֶּן) means "lest, so that not," introducing a purpose or apprehension. Yipqoq (from פָּקַד paqad) can mean "to visit, to attend to, to inspect," but in a negative context (with "lest"), it denotes "to visit for the purpose of harm or judgment." This phrase reveals God's active role in preventing destruction or evil from befalling His vineyard.
• I keep it (אֶצֳּרֶנָּה - etzōrennah): Another form of the root נָצַר (natsar), again reinforcing the active, protective keeping and guarding. This repetition emphasizes the absolute certainty and consistency of God’s protective action.
• night and day (לַיְלָה וָיוֹם - laylah vāyom): This signifies without interruption, ceaselessly, constantly. It points to total and complete vigilance, illustrating God's boundless commitment to His vineyard's safety, day and night, at all times.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "I the LORD am its keeper; I water it every moment.": This pair of clauses immediately establishes God's personal agency, unique identity, and constant provision. The order highlights first His protective role, then His sustaining role, both in a perpetual fashion. It counters any doubt about His capability or commitment.
• "Lest anyone harm it, I keep it night and day.": This segment clarifies the purpose and intensity of God's keeping. The fear of harm is met with the certainty of His unwavering, twenty-four-hour watch. It showcases preventative rather than merely reactive protection. The repetition of "keep" (from "keeper" at the start) forms an inclusio, strengthening the promise of continuous protection.

Isaiah 27 3 Bonus section

The imagery of the "vineyard" in Isaiah 27 is significantly reinterpreted from its initial appearance in Isaiah 5:1-7. In Chapter 5, the vineyard, representing Israel, failed to produce good fruit and was condemned to desolation. Here, in Chapter 27, it symbolizes a redeemed and restored Israel, no longer under threat of divine abandonment but under continuous, meticulous care. This shift highlights the themes of divine grace and covenant faithfulness, as God's commitment to His people endures beyond their failings. It speaks to God's redemptive work, transforming what was once wild and fruitless into something precious and protected. The Lord's direct involvement ( "I the LORD," "I water," "I keep") contrasts sharply with any reliance on human effort or other gods, emphasizing His singular power and love as the sole source of security and flourishing.

Isaiah 27 3 Commentary

Isaiah 27:3 is a profound declaration of God's intimate, active, and unceasing care for His people, represented as His cherished vineyard. After previous chapters warned of judgment, this verse offers a remarkable pivot to divine restoration and protective love. It showcases Yahweh as the ever-vigilant Keeper, diligently guarding His beloved "vineyard" against any potential harm, much like a meticulous vinedresser protects his most valuable crop. His continuous watering symbolizes the spiritual and material sustenance He constantly provides, ensuring the vitality and fruitfulness of His chosen. This verse underscores the deep, covenantal bond between God and His people, demonstrating His faithfulness regardless of their past. It’s a promise of security and ongoing nourishment, assuring that His care is both total—day and night—and unwavering, ensuring the ultimate flourishing and safety of those under His sovereign watch. It can provide comfort and assurance in times of uncertainty and trial.