Isaiah 44 27

Isaiah 44:27 kjv

That saith to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up thy rivers:

Isaiah 44:27 nkjv

Who says to the deep, 'Be dry! And I will dry up your rivers';

Isaiah 44:27 niv

who says to the watery deep, 'Be dry, and I will dry up your streams,'

Isaiah 44:27 esv

who says to the deep, 'Be dry; I will dry up your rivers';

Isaiah 44:27 nlt

When I speak to the rivers and say, 'Dry up!'
they will be dry.

Isaiah 44 verses

Isaiah 44 27 Meaning

Isaiah 44:27 declares God's absolute power and authority, specifically His ability to command the "deep" and "rivers" to dry up. This statement is a powerful affirmation of His sovereignty over creation and serves as a prophetic declaration of how He will orchestrate the deliverance of His people from Babylonian captivity. It promises the removal of obstacles that would otherwise impede their return, highlighting that nothing can hinder the divine plan for Israel's restoration.

Isaiah 44 27 Context

Isaiah 44 is situated within the "Book of Comfort" (Isaiah 40-55), a section focusing on God's unwavering faithfulness, unique sovereignty, and future restoration of Israel after the Babylonian exile. The chapter emphasizes the incomparable nature of Yahweh, contrasting Him sharply with the impotent idols worshipped by other nations. God declares His knowledge of the future and His ability to bring His plans to pass. Verse 27 specifically refers to a method of conquering Babylon by drying up its protective rivers, a direct precursor to the fulfillment described in Isaiah 44:28 and 45:1 regarding Cyrus, God's chosen instrument. Historically, Babylon was considered impregnable due to its massive walls and the protection of the Euphrates River, which flowed through it and supplied its defensive moats. For these natural defenses to be breached would require an extraordinary event, explicitly promised by God as an act of His power to ensure Israel's return.

Isaiah 44 27 Word analysis

• הָאֹמֵר (hā’ōmēr) - "who says" or "He who says". This is a participle, emphasizing a continuous characteristic or ongoing attribute of God. It highlights God as the Speaker, whose very word is active and powerful. This contrasts with the silence and inaction of idols.
• לַצּוּלָה (latzûlāh) - "to the deep" or "to the abyss." The word tzûlāh refers to profound watery depths, often carrying connotations of primeval chaos (similar to Gen 1:2) or deep, impenetrable waters. Here, it denotes formidable obstacles, specifically the powerful waters guarding Babylon. It signifies a complete mastery over even the most untamable elements.
• חִרְבִי! (ḥirəbî!) - "Be dry!" or "Dry up!" This is an imperative command, conveying direct divine authority and an irresistible force. It's a performative utterance – the speaking itself causes the action to happen, highlighting God's immediate and effective control. This stands in stark contrast to human limitations.
• וְנַהֲרֹתַיִךְ (wənahărōṯayik) - "and your rivers." This adds specificity to "the deep," identifying the direct targets of the command. The plural "rivers" (Hebrew: naharotayikh for "your rivers") likely refers to the Euphrates itself and possibly its complex network of canals and defensive moats surrounding Babylon. The suffix "your" implicitly addresses Babylon or its natural defenses.
• אוֹבִישׁ (’ōḇîš) - "I will dry up." This is a strong, emphatic verb (Hiphil imperfect of yabash) signifying the direct and deliberate action of God Himself. The repetition of "dry up" reinforces the certainty and finality of the action, emphasizing that this will be an act of divine power, not merely a natural phenomenon.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "He who says to the deep, ‘Be dry!’": This phrase establishes God as the sovereign commander over even the most chaotic and powerful elements of nature. It's a statement of cosmic authority, portraying God's voice as creative and destructive power. This imagery harks back to creation (God ordering the waters) and Exodus (God drying the Red Sea), indicating His consistent control over water for His redemptive purposes. It's a polemic against the notion that nature operates independently or that pagan deities control specific natural forces.
• "And your rivers I will dry up.": This segment applies God's general cosmic authority to a very specific, practical situation related to His immediate redemptive plan for Israel. The shift from "the deep" (general) to "your rivers" (specific, tied to Babylon) directs the prophecy towards the imminent historical event. It foretells the precise manner in which Babylon would be conquered by Cyrus (who diverted the Euphrates river), enabling the Persian army to march into the city on dry ground, thus allowing Israel's exiles to return. This demonstrates the intimate involvement of God's detailed planning in human history.

Isaiah 44 27 Bonus section

The Hebrew word tzûlāh ("deep" or "abyss") can also carry the connotation of destruction or calamity in other biblical contexts, making God's command to "dry up" an instruction for this impending disaster for Babylon. This passage subtly demonstrates God's perfect "situational awareness" across time. He doesn't just foretell a generic deliverance but describes the exact tactical means (drying rivers) by which a future conqueror (Cyrus, named in the very next verse's immediate context, Isaiah 44:28) would subdue a major power, ensuring the precision of His prophecy. The imagery of drying up rivers is a powerful sign of a new exodus, evoking the Red Sea and Jordan crossings, thereby placing the return from Babylon in the lineage of God's mighty acts of deliverance for His people. This verse, therefore, underlines that all of creation—including its most daunting natural features—is a servant to the divine decree.

Isaiah 44 27 Commentary

Isaiah 44:27 powerfully asserts the unmatched sovereignty of Yahweh over all creation and history. It's a divine declaration of omnipotence, showcasing God's ability to command even the mightiest and most protective elements—like the "deep" and "rivers"—to submit to His will. This isn't merely a theological statement but a precise prophecy with a literal fulfillment in mind: the eventual fall of Babylon. The city, heavily fortified and famously protected by the vast Euphrates River and its intricate canal system, was considered virtually impregnable. By prophesying the drying up of "her rivers," God directly addresses the means by which He would neutralize this formidable defense.

This verse builds on the broader theme of divine faithfulness to Israel and acts as a direct challenge to the idol-worship prevalent in Babylon and among the nations. Unlike the mute, powerless idols carved by human hands, God's word possesses active power, capable of reshaping geography and history. His command, "Be dry!" is effective and instantaneous. This detailed prophecy serves as undeniable proof that Yahweh is the only true God who knows the future and controls its unfolding, confirming His promises to His people, Judah. The drying of the rivers specifically alludes to the historical event where Cyrus, the Persian king, famously diverted the Euphrates, allowing his army to enter Babylon through its riverbed, ultimately leading to the city's fall and paving the way for the return of the Jewish exiles to Jerusalem.

• Example for Practical Usage: When facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles (your 'deep' or 'rivers'), remember God's power in Isaiah 44:27. He has the authority to remove any barrier blocking His redemptive plan for your life, much as He cleared the way for Israel's return. Trust His power over circumstances.