Isaiah 27:1

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

In that day {H3117} the LORD {H3068} with his sore {H7186} and great {H1419} and strong {H2389} sword {H2719} shall punish {H6485} leviathan {H3882} the piercing {H1281} serpent {H5175}, even leviathan {H3882} that crooked {H6129} serpent {H5175}; and he shall slay {H2026} the dragon {H8577} that is in the sea {H3220}.

Complete Jewish Bible

On that day ADONAI, with his great, strong, relentless sword, will punish Livyatan the fleeing serpent, the twisting serpent Livyatan; he will slay the sea monster.

Berean Standard Bible

In that day the LORD will take His sharp, great, and mighty sword, and bring judgment on Leviathan the fleeing serpent—Leviathan the coiling serpent—and He will slay the dragon of the sea.

American Standard Version

In that day Jehovah with his hard and great and strong sword will punish leviathan the swift serpent, and leviathan the crooked serpent; and he will slay the monster that is in the sea.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 27:1 serves as a powerful prophetic declaration, unveiling a future "Day of the Lord" when God, in His absolute sovereignty and wielding irresistible power, will execute decisive judgment upon all forms of cosmic evil and oppressive forces. These adversaries are vividly personified by Leviathan, the piercing and crooked serpent, and the dragon of the sea. This verse profoundly assures God's people of His ultimate dominion and the guaranteed triumph of divine righteousness over chaos, rebellion, and all that defies His holy order.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 27:1 is strategically placed within a section of the book often termed Isaiah's "Little Apocalypse" (chapters 24-27). This segment marks a significant shift from prophecies directed at specific nations to a broader, eschatological vision encompassing God's universal judgment and ultimate restoration. Chapter 24 graphically depicts the desolation of the earth under divine judgment, while chapter 25 exalts God for His salvation and His definitive victory over death. Chapter 26 presents a song of profound trust in God, anticipating the resurrection of the righteous. Building upon these themes, chapter 27 commences with this definitive statement of God's final confrontation with and conquest of the forces of evil, subsequently unfolding promises of Israel's restoration and return. The recurring phrase "In that day" (Hebrew: [yôwm](/isaiah/27-1 "Isaiah 27:1 - In That Day")) consistently signals a pivotal, divinely appointed epoch of judgment and salvation throughout this section and other prophetic books, such as the detailed description found in [Zephaniah 1:14-18](/zephaniah/1-14-18 "Zephaniah 1:14-18 - The Great Day of the Lord").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The potent imagery of Leviathan and the sea dragon is deeply rooted in ancient Near Eastern mythology, where monstrous sea creatures frequently symbolized primeval chaos or rebellious deities that were ultimately subdued by a supreme god (e.g., the Babylonian epic of Marduk's triumph over Tiamat). While the biblical text masterfully recontextualizes this imagery, it resonates profoundly with an audience familiar with such motifs, powerfully emphasizing that Yahweh, the God of Israel, is the true and singular sovereign over all forces—whether natural, political, or spiritual—that dare to threaten His divine order. During Isaiah's prophetic ministry, formidable empires like Assyria and Babylon often functioned as "sea monsters" of oppression, dominating and bringing chaos to smaller nations. Consequently, the "dragon in the sea" could also symbolically represent these oppressive geopolitical powers, whose inevitable and ultimate defeat is unequivocally assured by God's sovereign hand.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching theological themes woven throughout the book of Isaiah. Firstly, it emphatically underscores **Divine Judgment and Sovereignty**, asserting Yahweh's absolute authority and irresistible might over all creation and all forms of opposition. The "sore and great and strong sword" serves as a vivid metaphor for His irresistible power and decisive judgment, echoing similar divine interventions and instruments of justice seen in passages like [Deuteronomy 32:41](/deuteronomy/32-41 "Deuteronomy 32:41 - God's Sword of Judgment"). Secondly, it highlights the **Conquest of Cosmic Evil**, portraying God's ultimate and definitive victory over forces that defy Him, whether they are spiritual entities or earthly manifestations of rebellion. The multifaceted description of Leviathan as "piercing" and "crooked," alongside the "dragon that is in the sea," encapsulates the cunning, elusive, and deeply entrenched nature of evil. Thirdly, and crucially for God's people, this prophecy offers profound **Assurance of Victory and Hope**, emphasizing that all forms of evil, regardless of their perceived power or deep entrenchment, will ultimately be subdued by God, leading to the glorious establishment of His righteous kingdom. This theme of hope amidst impending judgment is a foundational hallmark of Isaiah's prophecy, culminating in the glorious promise of a new heaven and new earth in [Isaiah 65:17](/isaiah/65-17 "Isaiah 65:17 - New Heavens and New Earth").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sword (Hebrew, _chereb'_):** Derived from a root meaning "drought," this term broadly refers to any cutting instrument, such as a knife, dagger, or sword, and is frequently used in the context of its destructive capability. Here, it is powerfully qualified by the adjectives "sore," "great," and "strong," which collectively symbolize God's irresistible, overwhelming, and decisive power in executing judgment. It is not merely a physical weapon but a divine instrument of perfect justice and ultimate reckoning.
* **Leviathan (Hebrew, _livyâthân'_):** This word denotes a "wreathed animal," specifically a large sea-monster or serpent. In ancient Near Eastern mythology, it was often associated with primeval chaos or rebellious forces. Within this biblical context, Leviathan symbolizes a formidable, elusive, and powerful entity of evil, encompassing both spiritual and earthly forces that defy God's established order. Its description as "piercing" (_bârîyach'_, suggesting swiftness, elusiveness, or a fleeing nature) and "crooked" (_ʻăqallâthôwn'_, meaning tortuous, twisted, or deceptive) further underscores its cunning, evasive, and deeply entrenched nature.
* **Dragon (Hebrew, _tannîyn'_):** This term refers to a marine or land monster, a sea-serpent, or even a whale. It is often used in parallel with or interchangeably with Leviathan in biblical literature to represent a powerful, chaotic, and oppressive entity. Its specific location "in the sea" (_yâm'_, a realm frequently associated with chaos, mystery, and untamed forces in ancient cosmology) reinforces its symbolic representation of formidable, rebellious powers that stand in direct opposition to God's sovereign will and order.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword":** This opening phrase precisely establishes both the timing and the divine agent of the action. "In that day" points to a specific, future eschatological period, often referred to as the "Day of the Lord," which is characterized by decisive divine intervention. The "LORD" (Yahweh), God's covenant name, is the sole and sovereign actor, wielding an instrument of judgment described with three intensifying adjectives: "sore" (implying severity or grievousness), "great" (denoting immense power and magnitude), and "strong" (suggesting an unyielding, violent force). This powerful description emphasizes the absolute, overwhelming, and certain nature of God's decisive action.
* **"shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent":** This clause identifies the primary object of God's impending judgment: "leviathan." The strategic repetition of "leviathan" underscores its profound significance as a formidable and central foe. It is further characterized by two descriptive terms: "piercing" (suggesting its swift, elusive, or fleeing nature) and "crooked" (implying its twisted, coiled, or deceptive nature). This vivid imagery evokes a cunning, elusive, and deeply entrenched evil that is utterly beyond human capacity to capture or defeat. The verb "punish" (_pâqad'_) conveys a sense of a visitation with hostile intent, a definitive and inescapable reckoning.
* **"and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea":** This parallel clause powerfully reinforces and expands upon the preceding one. "He shall slay" (_hârag'_) signifies a definitive, deadly blow, an act of utter and complete destruction. The "dragon" serves as another potent symbolic representation of a powerful, chaotic, and oppressive entity, often intrinsically associated with the sea, which in ancient thought was a realm of mystery, untamed forces, and potential chaos. This final phrase solidifies the complete, total, and irreversible vanquishing of all forces of evil and chaos by the sovereign power of God.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 27:1 is profoundly rich in **Symbolism**, where "Leviathan" and "the dragon that is in the sea" are not literal zoological creatures but serve as powerful, multi-layered representations of cosmic evil, oppressive human empires, and ultimately, the spiritual forces of darkness that relentlessly oppose God. The "sore and great and strong sword" is a potent **Metaphor** for God's irresistible power and definitive judgment, emphasizing His unique and unparalleled ability to overcome what is utterly insurmountable for humanity. The verse also employs striking **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous parallelism, by repeating "leviathan" and using the descriptive phrases "piercing serpent" and "crooked serpent" to describe the same formidable entity. This is further paralleled with the "dragon that is in the sea." This deliberate repetition and variation intensify the image of the formidable foe and underscore the absolute certainty of its inevitable defeat. The use of **Hyperbole** in the description of God's sword ("sore and great and strong") further underscores the immense scale of God's power and the decisive, overwhelming nature of His ultimate victory.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 27:1 profoundly articulates God's ultimate and unwavering sovereignty over all creation and His unyielding commitment to eradicating evil from His cosmos. It speaks to a grand, cosmic battle where God, the righteous warrior, confronts and definitively defeats the forces of chaos and rebellion, whether they manifest as oppressive human empires or as malevolent spiritual adversaries. This victory is not merely a historical event confined to the past but an eschatological promise, assuring believers that God's perfect justice will prevail and His righteous kingdom will be fully established, utterly free from all that defiles or opposes Him. The imagery of Leviathan, though rooted in ancient myth, is transformed into a powerful biblical symbol of formidable evil that is utterly subservient to the Creator's power, offering deep comfort, unwavering hope, and profound assurance to those who suffer under the weight of injustice and spiritual oppression in a fallen world.

* [Psalm 74:14](/psalms/74-14 "Psalm 74:14 - God's Defeat of Leviathan")
* [Job 41:1](/job/41-1 "Job 41:1 - Description of Leviathan")
* [Revelation 20:2](/revelation/20-2 "Revelation 20:2 - The Dragon Bound")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 27:1 offers profound comfort and a clear, eternal perspective for believers navigating a world that often seems overwhelmed by pervasive evil and rampant chaos. It serves as a powerful reminder that no matter how entrenched, cunning, or seemingly invincible the forces of darkness may appear—whether manifesting in systemic injustice, oppressive regimes, or deeply personal spiritual battles—God remains utterly sovereign. His "sore and great and strong sword" signifies that His power is not merely superior, but irresistibly decisive and ultimately victorious. This profound truth instills a deep and abiding sense of hope, assuring us that ultimate justice will prevail and that every wrong will be perfectly righted in God's perfect timing. It empowers us to persevere with unwavering faith, knowing that our present struggles are temporary and that the ultimate victory over all forms of evil, including sin, death, and the Devil himself, is already secured by God's omnipotent hand. This prophecy calls us to trust implicitly in God's unfailing power, to live with courageous hope in the face of adversity, and to actively participate in His redemptive work in the world, knowing with absolute certainty that His final triumph is guaranteed.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of God's "sore and great and strong sword" challenge or comfort your understanding of God's power in the face of overwhelming evil and injustice in the world?**
* **In what contemporary ways do you perceive "leviathan" or "the dragon in the sea" manifesting today, whether as societal systems, spiritual forces, or deeply personal struggles?**
* **How does the absolute assurance of God's ultimate and decisive victory over these forces impact your daily walk of faith, your prayers, and your engagement with the world around you?**

### FAQ
**What does "Leviathan" symbolize in Isaiah 27:1?**

Answer: In Isaiah 27:1, "Leviathan" serves as a profound symbol for the most formidable, elusive, and deeply entrenched forces of evil and chaos that stand in opposition to God and His people. While its roots lie in ancient Near Eastern mythology, where it represented a primeval sea monster, in the biblical context, this imagery is reinterpreted and elevated. It can represent powerful, oppressive empires (such as Egypt or Babylon, which often acted as "sea monsters" dominating nations), or it can represent the spiritual forces of darkness, including Satan himself. The vivid description of Leviathan as "piercing" and "crooked" highlights its cunning, evasive, and deeply entrenched nature, signifying an enemy that is utterly beyond human strength to overcome. Ultimately, it represents any power, whether earthly or spiritual, that stands in rebellion against the divine order, which God alone can decisively defeat.

**What is the significance of "In that day"?**

Answer: The phrase "In that day" (Hebrew: [yôwm](/isaiah/27-1 "Isaiah 27:1 - In That Day")) is a recurring and highly significant prophetic marker found throughout the Old Testament, particularly prominent in books like Isaiah, Joel, and Zephaniah. It does not refer to a literal 24-hour period but rather to a divinely appointed, pivotal era or epoch. This "Day of the Lord" is a time of God's decisive and ultimate intervention in human history, characterized by both severe judgment and glorious salvation. For the wicked and those who oppose God, it signifies a time of inescapable reckoning and punishment. Conversely, for God's faithful people, it heralds a time of vindication, deliverance, and the full and glorious establishment of His righteous kingdom. In Isaiah 27:1, it points to the climactic moment when God will finally and completely defeat all cosmic and earthly forces of evil, thereby bringing about ultimate justice and perfect peace. This concept is foundational to understanding biblical eschatology, as vividly portrayed in [Joel 2:31](/joel/2-31 "Joel 2:31 - The Great and Awesome Day of the Lord").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 27:1, with its vivid and powerful imagery of God's decisive triumph over Leviathan and the sea dragon, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament prophecy speaks of a future "Day" of divine judgment against cosmic evil, the New Testament reveals that this ultimate confrontation and victory have been decisively inaugurated through Christ's first coming and will be gloriously consummated at His second advent. Jesus, the true [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), came precisely to destroy the works of the devil ([1 John 3:8](/1_john/3-8 "1 John 3:8 - Jesus Came to Destroy the Devil's Works")). His sacrificial death on the cross was not a defeat but a strategic and overwhelming victory, where He disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities and triumphed over them decisively ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). By His glorious resurrection, Christ conquered death itself and him who had the power of death, that is, the devil ([Hebrews 2:14](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14 - Christ's Defeat of Death")). The "piercing serpent" and "crooked serpent," potent symbols of Satan and his oppressive kingdom, are ultimately crushed under Christ's victorious heel. The final slaying of the "dragon that is in the sea" is vividly depicted in the book of Revelation, where Satan, the ancient serpent, is bound and ultimately cast into the lake of fire, signifying his eternal demise ([Revelation 20:10](/revelation/20-10 "Revelation 20:10 - The Devil Cast into the Lake of Fire")). Thus, Isaiah 27:1 stands as a profound prophetic foreshadowing of Christ's complete and final victory over sin, death, and the devil, ushering in the new heavens and new earth where righteousness dwells eternally ([2 Peter 3:13](/2_peter/3-13 "2 Peter 3:13 - New Heavens and New Earth")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ezekiel 29:3

Speak, and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I [am] against thee, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great dragon that lieth in the midst of his rivers, which hath said, My river [is] mine own, and I have made [it] for myself.

Isaiah 51:9

¶ Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. [Art] thou not it that hath cut Rahab, [and] wounded the dragon?

Revelation 12:3

And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.

Revelation 13:2

And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as [the feet] of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.

Isaiah 66:16

For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.

Psalms 104:26

There go the ships: [there is] that leviathan, [whom] thou hast made to play therein.

Job 26:13

By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent.