Isaiah 27:10

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Yet the defenced {H1219} city {H5892} shall be desolate {H910}, and the habitation {H5116} forsaken {H7971}, and left {H5800} like a wilderness {H4057}: there shall the calf {H5695} feed {H7462}, and there shall he lie down {H7257}, and consume {H3615} the branches {H5585} thereof.

Complete Jewish Bible

For the fortified city is alone, abandoned and deserted, like the desert. Calves graze and lie down there, stripping its branches bare.

Berean Standard Bible

For the fortified city lies deserted— a homestead abandoned, a wilderness forsaken. There the calves graze, and there they lie down; they strip its branches bare.

American Standard Version

For the fortified city is solitary, a habitation deserted and forsaken, like the wilderness: there shall the calf feed, and there shall he lie down, and consume the branches thereof.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 27:10 vividly portrays the utter desolation awaiting a "defenced city," symbolizing any human stronghold or nation that has rejected God's authority and relied on its own strength. This prophetic declaration speaks of a once-thriving urban center reverting to a wild, uninhabited wilderness where only livestock roam freely, signifying a complete and irreversible ruin brought about by divine judgment. The verse serves as a stark warning about the transient nature of earthly power and the inevitable consequences of rebellion against the Creator.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 27:10 is situated within a section often termed Isaiah's "Little Apocalypse" (chapters 24-27), which prophesies global judgment and the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom. Chapter 27 specifically shifts from the universal judgment of chapter 24 to focus on Israel's restoration and the judgment of its oppressors. Verses 1-6 describe God's victory over Leviathan and the flourishing of Israel as a vineyard. However, verses 7-11 then detail the necessary discipline and judgment upon Israel and surrounding nations for their idolatry and sin, emphasizing that while God's judgment on His people is measured, the desolation of their enemies will be complete. Verse 10, therefore, serves as a powerful illustration of this complete devastation, contrasting with the promise of restoration for God's faithful remnant.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "defenced city" could refer to various fortified cities in the ancient Near East, including Jerusalem itself if it continued in rebellion, or more broadly, the strongholds of nations like Assyria or Babylon, which were instruments of God's judgment but also objects of His wrath due to their own pride and cruelty. In a culture where cities represented security, civilization, and power, their desolation was the ultimate sign of defeat and divine abandonment. The imagery of a "wilderness" (Hebrew: _midbâr_) was not merely an empty space but often a dangerous, untamed region associated with divine judgment, exile, and the absence of human flourishing. The idea of livestock grazing freely in a former city highlights the complete reversal of human order and control, a common motif in prophetic literature to denote utter ruin.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Isaiah. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Judgment and Sovereignty**, asserting God's absolute authority over all nations and His readiness to execute justice upon those who defy Him. The desolation of the "defenced city" underscores the **Futility of Human Strength and Self-Reliance**, demonstrating that no human fortification or power can withstand God's righteous wrath. It also speaks to the **Consequences of Rebellion and Unfaithfulness**, illustrating how turning away from God inevitably leads to decay and ruin, transforming once-vibrant habitations into desolate wastes. This imagery of a city returning to a wild state also ties into the theme of **Reversion to Chaos**, where the order established by human civilization is undone, reflecting the spiritual disorder caused by sin, a theme echoed in passages like [Jeremiah 4:23-26](/jeremiah/4 "Jeremiah 4:23-26 - Desolation of the Land"). Ultimately, while severe, this judgment is part of God's larger plan to purify and restore His people, as hinted at in the broader context of [Isaiah 27](/isaiah/27 "Isaiah 27 - God's Vineyard and Judgment").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **defenced (Hebrew, _bâtsar'_ H1219):** This primitive root means "to clip off," but specifically in this context, "to be isolated (i.e. inaccessible by height or fortification)." It conveys the idea of being "cut off, (de-) fenced, fortify, strong, wall (up)." The use of this word emphasizes that even the most impregnable, humanly secured strongholds are vulnerable to God's judgment.
* **desolate (Hebrew, _bâdâd'_ H910):** Derived from a root meaning "separate," this word signifies being "alone, desolate, only, solitary." It paints a picture of complete abandonment and isolation, a city utterly devoid of human life and activity, left to itself in ruin.
* **wilderness (Hebrew, _midbâr'_ H4057):** From a root meaning "driving" (as in driving cattle), this term refers to "a pasture (i.e. open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert." It is not just an empty space but a wild, untamed region, often used for grazing, signifying the complete reversal of a cultivated, populated area into an unkempt natural state.
* **consume (Hebrew, _kâlâh'_ H3615):** A primitive root meaning "to end," whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume). In this context, it means "to consume (away), destroy (utterly), waste." It highlights the thoroughness of the destruction, as even the remaining vegetation is devoured, leaving nothing untouched.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Yet the defenced city [shall be] desolate":** This clause immediately sets the tone of judgment. The "defenced city," a symbol of human strength, security, and pride, is explicitly marked for ruin. Despite its fortifications and perceived invincibility, it will become utterly empty and isolated, demonstrating the futility of human defenses against divine will.
* **"[and] the habitation forsaken, and left like a wilderness":** This expands on the desolation, emphasizing the complete abandonment of human dwelling places. "Habitation" (Hebrew, _nâveh'_ H5116) refers to a home or dwelling place, underscoring the loss of human presence. The comparison to a "wilderness" (Hebrew, _midbâr'_ H4057) powerfully illustrates the reversal of order, transforming a cultivated, populated area into an untamed, uncultivated wasteland, a sign of utter ruin and the absence of human life.
* **"there shall the calf feed, and there shall he lie down, and consume the branches thereof":** This final clause provides vivid imagery of the complete takeover by nature. A "calf" (Hebrew, _ʻêgel'_ H5695), representing livestock, freely grazes and rests in what was once a bustling city. The act of consuming "branches" (Hebrew, _çâʻîyph'_ H5585), likely referring to any remaining vegetation or even the remnants of trees that grew within the ruins, signifies the final stage of desolation, where even the natural growth is subject to the wild, and nothing remains of its former glory.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 27:10 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of judgment and desolation. **Symbolism** is prominent, with the "defenced city" representing human pride, self-reliance, and any stronghold built apart from God's will. The "wilderness" symbolizes utter ruin, abandonment, and the reversal of civilization. The "calf" and its actions of feeding and lying down are symbolic of the complete takeover by wild nature, signifying that human order has been entirely eradicated. The verse also utilizes vivid **Imagery**, painting a stark picture of a once-fortified city transformed into an untamed pasture. This visual contrast between a bustling urban center and a desolate grazing ground creates a strong emotional impact. Furthermore, **Metaphor** is at play, as the city is not merely *like* a wilderness but is effectively *become* a wilderness, highlighting the profound and irreversible nature of the judgment. The description is a form of **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the completeness of the destruction by depicting an extreme scenario of desolation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 27:10 powerfully articulates the theological principle that human strength and self-reliance, when divorced from God, are ultimately futile. It underscores God's absolute sovereignty over nations and His unwavering commitment to justice. The desolation of the "defenced city" serves as a stark reminder that all earthly kingdoms and human achievements are transient and vulnerable to divine judgment, especially when they embody pride, rebellion, and a rejection of God's covenant. This prophetic warning emphasizes that true security and lasting peace are found only in submission to the Lord, not in fortified walls or military might. It highlights the spiritual decay that accompanies unfaithfulness, where spiritual barrenness mirrors physical desolation.

* [Jeremiah 9:11](/jeremiah/9-11 "Jeremiah 9:11 - Desolation of Jerusalem")
* [Micah 3:12](/micah/3-12 "Micah 3:12 - Zion Plowed Like a Field")
* [Revelation 18:2](/revelation/18-2 "Revelation 18:2 - Fall of Babylon the Great")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 27:10 challenges us to critically examine the foundations upon which we build our lives, our communities, and our nations. Are we placing our trust in "defenced cities" of our own making – be it financial security, political power, intellectual achievements, or social status – rather than in the living God? This verse serves as a sobering reminder that all human constructs, no matter how seemingly impregnable, are ultimately temporary and susceptible to decay and divine judgment if they are not aligned with God's will. It calls us to humility, urging us to recognize the fleeting nature of worldly security and to seek enduring refuge in God's unfailing grace and truth. For the individual, it prompts introspection: have areas of our lives become "desolate" or "wilderness-like" due to spiritual neglect, pride, or rebellion? The call is to repent, turn back to God, and build our lives on the solid rock of His Word, ensuring that our "habitation" is one of spiritual vitality and dependence on Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "defenced cities" or sources of security do I tend to rely on more than God in my life?**
* **In what ways might spiritual neglect or rebellion manifest as "desolation" or a "wilderness" in my personal life or community?**
* **How does the transient nature of earthly power, as depicted in this verse, influence my priorities and aspirations?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of the "defenced city" in Isaiah 27:10?**

Answer: The "defenced city" symbolizes any human stronghold, nation, or system that relies on its own strength, fortifications, and perceived invincibility rather than on God. It represents human pride, self-sufficiency, and resistance to divine authority. While it might have had specific historical referents (like Jerusalem or other fortified cities of the ancient Near East), its primary significance is as a universal symbol for any entity that defiantly stands against God's will. Its prophesied desolation underscores the futility of human power when it opposes the Almighty, a theme echoed in [Psalm 33:16-17](/psalm/33-16 "Psalm 33:16-17 - No King is Saved by the Size of His Army").

**How does the imagery of a "calf feeding" in a desolate city contribute to the message?**

Answer: The imagery of a calf (or livestock) feeding and lying down in a once-fortified and populated city is a powerful metaphor for complete and utter desolation and abandonment. It signifies that the city has not merely been conquered, but has reverted to a wild, untamed state, completely devoid of human inhabitants and their civilizing influence. It illustrates the reversal of order, where human habitation is replaced by a wilderness suitable only for animals, emphasizing the depth of the ruin and the finality of the judgment. This stark contrast highlights that human endeavors, apart from God, are ultimately transient and vulnerable to becoming nothing more than a pasture for beasts, as also seen in [Isaiah 34:13-15](/isaiah/34-13 "Isaiah 34:13 - Desolation of Edom").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 27:10, with its stark depiction of a "defenced city" reduced to a wilderness, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in the destruction of a literal city, but in the triumph of God's kingdom over all human strongholds built on pride and rebellion. The "defenced city" represents the systems of the world, human self-sufficiency, and the kingdom of darkness that stand in opposition to God. Christ, through His life, death, and resurrection, utterly dismantled these spiritual strongholds. The "desolation" of such a city foreshadows the ultimate judgment on all who reject God's rule, culminating in the destruction of "Babylon the Great" in [Revelation 18](/revelation/18 "Revelation 18 - The Fall of Babylon"), which symbolizes the world system in rebellion against God. In contrast to the transient and vulnerable earthly cities, Christ establishes an eternal and impregnable city, the New Jerusalem, which is not built by human hands but by God Himself ([Hebrews 11:10](/hebrews/11-10 "Hebrews 11:10 - Abraham Looked for a City")). The "calf feeding" in the desolate city can be seen as a picture of the peace and new order that God establishes after judgment, where His creation is restored to its proper state under His sovereign rule, contrasting with the chaos of human rebellion. Ultimately, Christ is the true "stronghold" and "refuge" for His people ([Psalm 9:9](/psalm/9-9 "Psalm 9:9 - The Lord is a Stronghold for the Oppressed")), offering a security that no human defense can provide, and His kingdom will never be laid waste ([Daniel 2:44](/daniel/2-44 "Daniel 2:44 - God's Kingdom Endures Forever")).

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

Isaiah 17:2

The cities of Aroer [are] forsaken: they shall be for flocks, which shall lie down, and none shall make [them] afraid.

Micah 3:12

Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed [as] a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest.

Jeremiah 26:6

Then will I make this house like Shiloh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth.

Isaiah 32:13

Upon the land of my people shall come up thorns [and] briers; yea, upon all the houses of joy [in] the joyous city:

Isaiah 32:14

Because the palaces shall be forsaken; the multitude of the city shall be left; the forts and towers shall be for dens for ever, a joy of wild asses, a pasture of flocks;

Isaiah 17:9

¶ In that day shall his strong cities be as a forsaken bough, and an uppermost branch, which they left because of the children of Israel: and there shall be desolation.

Jeremiah 26:18

Micah the Morasthite prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and spake to all the people of Judah, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Zion shall be plowed [like] a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of a forest.