FocusThe earth, the people, and renewed worship
Connection to the wholeThe scope widens through visions of judgment, praise, and gathering, linking the LORD's rule with His people's hope.
interpretation Isaiah 27:11
KJVWhen 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.
Read it in context
The Lord's Vineyard and Israel's Restoration
Start reading at Isaiah 27:1 (Isaiah 27:1 to Isaiah 27:13).
The entire chapter 27 forms a cohesive unit describing God's judgment on His enemies and His care for Israel, culminating in their restoration and gathering.
- 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.
- 27:2 In that day sing ye unto her, A vineyard of red wine.
- 27:3 I the LORD do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day.
- 27:4 Fury 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.
- 27:5 Or let him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me; and he shall make peace with me.
- 27:6 He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root: Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit.
- 27:7 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?
- 27:8 In measure, when it shooteth forth, thou wilt debate with it: he stayeth his rough wind in the day of the east wind.
- 27:9 By 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.
- 27:10 Yet 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.
- 27:11 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.
- 27:12 And 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.
- 27:13 And 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.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Isaiah son of Amoz is the named prophet and the traditional author. The New Testament attributes passages from both earlier and later portions to Isaiah; scholars differ about the book's later composition and collection. Biblical references: Isaiah 1:1; John 12:38; John 12:39. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Isaiah 24:1–27:13): The prophetic hearers receive a vision of judgment and salvation extending to the earth, with God's people and the inhabitants of Judah and Zion addressed within it. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Judah and Jerusalem are the principal named audience, with messages also concerning Israel and other nations. Later portions address God's people in the horizon of exile, return, and restoration. Biblical references: Isaiah 1:1; Isaiah 40:1; Isaiah 48:20. stated in the text
What
- What is the main event or theme? Isaiah 27:11 describes the judgment upon a people lacking understanding, likening them to withered boughs that are broken off and burned. This is part of a broader prophecy concerning God's judgment on His enemies and the eventual restoration of Israel, but also the purging of the unfaithful within Israel.
- What is God revealing? God is revealing His righteous judgment against spiritual ignorance and disobedience. He states that He will not show mercy or favor to those who lack understanding, despite being His creation. This underscores His sovereignty and the consequences of rejecting His wisdom.
- What is the literary style? The literary style is prophetic, employing vivid imagery and poetic language. The passage uses metaphors such as "withered boughs" and "fire" to convey the severity of judgment, within the larger context of a prophetic vision.
When
- When was it written? The book of Isaiah was written between approximately 700 and 680 B.C. book background
- When does the event take place? The passage speaks of events occurring "In that day" (Isaiah 27:1, 2, 12, 13), indicating a future prophetic time of judgment and restoration for Israel. This could encompass historical events (such as the return from exile) and eschatological events.
Where
- Where did it happen? The judgment described in Isaiah 27:11 is general, but the broader context of chapter 27 refers to the land of Israel, with mentions of "the channel of the river unto the stream of Egypt," "the land of Assyria," "the land of Egypt," and "the holy mount at Jerusalem" (Isaiah 27:12-13).
- Where was the author located? The author, Isaiah, was located in Jerusalem when he wrote this prophecy. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in The Lord's Vineyard and Israel's Restoration (Isaiah 27:1 to Isaiah 27:13). Start reading at Isaiah 27:1. The entire chapter 27 forms a cohesive unit describing God's judgment on His enemies and His care for Israel, culminating in their restoration and gathering.
How
- How does it fit the broader context? Isaiah 27:11 serves as a stark contrast to the promise of restoration for Israel (the fruitful vineyard) in verses 2-6. While God promises to keep and water His vineyard, verse 11 describes the fate of those within Israel who are withered due to a lack of understanding, indicating that not all will partake in the full blessing without repentance and spiritual discernment. It highlights the purging of iniquity mentioned in 27:9. stated in the text
- How does it point to Christ? The imagery of withered branches being cut off and burned directly foreshadows Jesus' teaching in John 15:6, where He states, "If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned." This passage emphasizes the necessity of abiding in Christ, the true vine, to bear fruit and avoid spiritual barrenness and judgment. Christ is the source of true understanding and the one through whom mercy and favor are extended. interpretation
- How do I apply it today? This passage serves as a warning against spiritual ignorance and a call to seek understanding of God's word and ways. Those who refuse to understand God's truth and remain spiritually barren risk losing God's mercy and favor. It underscores the importance of spiritual discernment and bearing fruit in one's life, lest one be found among those "of no understanding" who face judgment. interpretation
Cited: Isaiah 27:1, Isaiah 27:2, Isaiah 27:3, Isaiah 27:6, Isaiah 27:9, Isaiah 27:11, Isaiah 27:12, Isaiah 27:13, John 15:6
Who wrote it, and how we know
Isaiah the prophet
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book opens with the vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz and names him throughout. The New Testament quotes both the earlier and later chapters as Isaiah's words.
Isaiah 1:1Isaiah 6:1John 12:38John 12:39
Early traditionJewish and Christian tradition holds the whole book to be Isaiah's.
What is debatedMany critical scholars propose a second and third author for chapters 40 and following, based on setting and style. John 12 quoting both sections as Isaiah is a significant argument against that view.
Related passages
- the boughs Ps 80:15-16 Ezek 15:2-8 Ezek 20:47 Matt 3:10 John 15:6
- for it is Isa 1:3 Isa 44:18-20 Deut 4:6 Deut 32:28-29 Jer 4:22 Jer 5:4-5,21-22 Jer 8:7 Hos 4:6
- therefore Isa 43:1,7 Isa 44:20-21,24 Gen 6:6-7 Deut 32:18-25 2 Chr 36:16-17 Ps 106:40 Ezek 9:10 1 Thess 2:16
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Isaiah 27
Isaiah's opening locates his vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem in named royal reigns. The book includes warnings, narratives, and promises addressed to different settings. Identify the immediate audience before extending a promise or judgment to later readers. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Isaiah 1:1 Isaiah 6:1 Isaiah 40:1
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Isaiah
Isaiah's opening locates his vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem in named royal reigns. The book includes warnings, narratives, and promises addressed to different settings. Identify the immediate audience before extending a promise or judgment to later readers.
Isaiah 1:1 Isaiah 6:1 Isaiah 40:1
Judah confronted and hope announced
Isaiah 1:1–12:6FocusSin, judgment, and the promised ruler
Connection to the wholeThe opening visions confront Judah's rebellion while joining judgment with promises concerning the remnant and the Davidic ruler.
interpretation Oracles concerning the nations
Isaiah 13:1–23:18FocusThe LORD's judgment beyond Judah
Connection to the wholeThe series addresses surrounding nations and powers, locating Judah's troubles within a wider scene of divine judgment.
interpretation FocusThe earth, the people, and renewed worship
Connection to the wholeThe scope widens through visions of judgment, praise, and gathering, linking the LORD's rule with His people's hope.
interpretation Warnings and the way of restoration
Isaiah 28:1–35:10FocusMisplaced trust and promised renewal
Connection to the wholeWarnings against false security and accounts of judgment lead into a vision of restoration and return.
interpretation Hezekiah's crisis
Isaiah 36:1–39:8FocusAssyria, deliverance, and Babylon
Connection to the wholeThe narratives connect trust and deliverance with an announcement concerning Babylon, bridging earlier warnings and later words of comfort.
interpretation Comfort and the servant
Isaiah 40:1–55:13FocusThe LORD's saving purpose
Connection to the wholeThe movement announces comfort, challenges idols, and develops the servant passages and invitations to receive the LORD's provision.
interpretation The community and the final hope
Isaiah 56:1–66:24FocusRighteousness, worship, and renewal
Connection to the wholeThe closing chapters confront ongoing sin while presenting the LORD's promised renewal, maintaining both warning and hope.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.