Isaiah 5 27

Isaiah 5:27 kjv

None shall be weary nor stumble among them; none shall slumber nor sleep; neither shall the girdle of their loins be loosed, nor the latchet of their shoes be broken:

Isaiah 5:27 nkjv

No one will be weary or stumble among them, No one will slumber or sleep; Nor will the belt on their loins be loosed, Nor the strap of their sandals be broken;

Isaiah 5:27 niv

Not one of them grows tired or stumbles, not one slumbers or sleeps; not a belt is loosened at the waist, not a sandal strap is broken.

Isaiah 5:27 esv

None is weary, none stumbles, none slumbers or sleeps, not a waistband is loose, not a sandal strap broken;

Isaiah 5:27 nlt

They will not get tired or stumble.
They will not stop for rest or sleep.
Not a belt will be loose,
not a sandal strap broken.

Isaiah 5 verses

Isaiah 5 27 Meaning

Isaiah 5:27 describes the formidable and relentless characteristics of the foreign nation God will summon to execute His judgment upon Judah. This divinely-empowered army will operate with tireless efficiency, unhindered movement, constant vigilance, and impeccable readiness, ensuring the swift and absolute fulfillment of God's disciplinary purpose without any impediment or failure on their part.

Isaiah 5 27 Context

Isaiah chapter 5 begins with the "Song of the Vineyard," portraying God's loving care for Israel as His vineyard, which, despite all His efforts, yielded wild grapes, symbolizing Judah's moral corruption. This sets the stage for a series of six "Woes" (v. 8-25) against specific sins: greed, revelry, mocking God, confusing good and evil, self-conceit, and perverting justice. These "Woes" outline the deep moral decay that characterized Judah in the 8th century BC.

Verses 26-30 describe the instrument of God's impending judgment. After detailing the reasons for Judah's impending doom, the Lord declares that He will "raise a signal for a distant nation" (v. 26). Isaiah 5:27 then elaborates on the exceptional, almost supernatural, characteristics of this invading army. Historically, this primarily pointed to the Assyrians, a fierce and disciplined military power God used as His "rod of anger" (Isa 10:5), but the principles of an unstoppable divine instrument of judgment are universal. This divine summoning signifies that the impending destruction is not mere human conflict but the direct consequence of God's just anger against His rebellious people.

Isaiah 5 27 Word analysis

• None shall be weary:

  • Hebrew: יָעֵף (ya'eph).
  • Meaning: To be faint, exhausted, or to give up.
  • Significance: This describes an unceasing, relentless advance. Unlike human armies prone to fatigue, this force is divinely enabled or incredibly disciplined, never flagging in its mission. Their strength seems inexhaustible, highlighting the inevitability of the judgment they deliver.

• nor stumble:

  • Hebrew: כָּשַׁל (kashal).
  • Meaning: To stumble, trip, falter, or collapse.
  • Significance: They encounter no obstacles, internal or external, that would hinder their swift progress. Their march is perfectly coordinated, undisturbed by rough terrain or enemy resistance. This emphasizes the smoothness and efficiency of God's appointed instruments.

• among them:

  • Refers to the formidable invading nation summoned by God.

• none shall slumber:

  • Hebrew: יָנוּם (yanum).
  • Meaning: To doze, become drowsy, be sleepy.
  • Significance: Denotes an absence of idleness or laxity. They are acutely aware, constantly alert, and vigilant, demonstrating unbroken focus on their mission.

• nor sleep:

  • Hebrew: יִישַׁן (yishan).
  • Meaning: To sleep soundly, be in a deep sleep.
  • Significance: This goes beyond merely dozing, implying no profound rest or periods of inaction. It further stresses their absolute vigilance, watchfulness, and unremitting pursuit, reflecting a divinely imposed urgency.

• neither shall the girdle of their loins be loosed:

  • Hebrew: וְלֹא יֻפַת אֵזוֹר חֲלָצָיו (v'lo yupat ezor khalatzav).
  • Meaning: "Girdle" (ezor) was a belt or sash that gathered up long outer garments, enabling freedom of movement, particularly for labor, running, or battle. To have one's girdle "loosed" (yupat, from pathach - to open/unfasten) signifies being unprepared, relaxed, or weakened.
  • Significance: This image portrays perfect readiness for action and combat. A tightened girdle allowed swift and unhindered movement; its being loosed indicated a state of rest or disarray. Thus, they are always "dressed for action" (Job 38:3; Luke 12:35), ready for battle, highlighting their complete discipline and unwavering readiness.

• nor the latchet of their shoes be broken:

  • Hebrew: וְלֹא יִנָּתֵק שְׁרוֹךְ נַעֲלוֹ (v'lo yinātheq sherōkh na'alō).
  • Meaning: "Latchet" (sherokh) refers to the thong or strap of a sandal, critical for securing it. "Broken" (yinnateq, from nathaq - to tear or break off).
  • Significance: This implies an absolute absence of material or equipment failure that might impede their movement or progress. Every piece of their gear is intact and functional, allowing for swift and unimpeded travel. It underscores their complete operational integrity and the perfection with which they execute their task, pointing to divine preservation and empowering.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "None shall be weary nor stumble... none shall slumber nor sleep": This parallelism paints a vivid picture of inexhaustible energy and unwavering vigilance. It is a description of a perfectly sustained, unceasing effort, almost supernatural in its character, indicative of a force fully dedicated and empowered for its task, unable to be delayed or deflected.
  • "neither shall the girdle of their loins be loosed, nor the latchet of their shoes be broken": These two phrases collectively emphasize absolute and perpetual readiness and operational efficiency. They indicate that there will be no personal or material impediment to their advance. Their preparedness is total, reflecting a divine design that ensures their successful execution of judgment down to the smallest detail of equipment.

Isaiah 5 27 Bonus section

• The divine command in verse 26, "He will raise a signal for a distant nation, and whistle for it from the end of the earth," illustrates God's absolute sovereignty over all nations, even pagan ones. They are merely instruments, called by His "whistle" (like a shepherd calls his flock), to fulfill His disciplinary purposes. This emphasizes that no human power can stand against God's ultimate plan or His chosen means to execute it.
• The qualities described in verse 27 are an indirect condemnation of Judah's spiritual state. Judah was complacent, enjoying luxury, drunk (v. 11), ethically blind (v. 20), and spiritually arrogant (v. 21). The approaching army, by contrast, embodies watchfulness, diligence, and preparedness, serving as a mirror reflecting Judah's fatal spiritual decay.

Isaiah 5 27 Commentary

Isaiah 5:27 provides a terrifying yet powerful description of the Lord's chosen instrument of judgment against Judah. The characteristics ascribed to this invading army—tireless endurance, unfaltering movement, constant vigilance, and impeccable readiness—collectively signify an unstoppable force. This is not merely a disciplined military but a divinely commissioned agent, whose attributes reflect the absolute certainty and severity of God's impending justice. There is no weakness, no delay, and no chance for the doomed nation to escape. Every aspect of their readiness and advance is flawless, portraying the comprehensive and meticulous nature of divine retribution.

The contrast between the described discipline and readiness of this pagan army and the spiritual sloth and moral corruption of Judah, as detailed in the "Woes" preceding this verse, is striking. While Judah lives in luxurious self-indulgence, the instruments of their destruction are described as lean, swift, and ever-prepared. This underscores that when God determines to act, nothing—not human weakness, material defect, nor any earthly barrier—can hinder His purpose. This passage serves as a stark warning about the inevitable consequences of persistent sin and the unwavering nature of God's righteousness, reminding us that His will is executed with absolute precision and power.