Isaiah 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.

When the boughs {H7105} thereof are withered {H3001}, they shall be broken off {H7665}: the women {H802} come {H935}, and set them on fire {H215}: for it is a people {H5971} of no understanding {H998}: therefore he that made {H6213} them will not have mercy {H7355} on them, and he that formed {H3335} them will shew them no favour {H2603}.

When its harvest dries up, it is broken off; women come and set it on fire. For this is a people without understanding. Therefore he who made them will not pity them, he who formed them will show them no mercy.

When its limbs are dry, they are broken off. Women come and use them for kindling; for this is a people without understanding. Therefore their Maker has no compassion on them, and their Creator shows them no favor.

When the boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off; the women shall come, and set them on fire; for it is a people of no understanding: therefore he that made them will not have compassion upon them, and he that formed them will show them no favor.

Isaiah 27:11 (KJV) delivers a sobering warning about the consequences of spiritual ignorance and disobedience, using powerful imagery of decay and destruction.

Context of Isaiah 27:11

This verse is situated within a section of Isaiah often referred to as the "Little Apocalypse" (chapters 24-27), which foretells God's universal judgment and the ultimate restoration of His people. Chapter 27 specifically shifts focus to Israel, describing both divine discipline and future redemption. Verse 11, however, highlights the reason for past and impending desolation: the people's profound lack of spiritual discernment. It contrasts sharply with the hope of restoration presented in later verses of the same chapter, such as the future gathering of God's scattered people mentioned in Isaiah 27:12-13.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Consequences: The imagery of "withered boughs" being "broken off" and "set on fire" vividly portrays complete destruction. This is a direct consequence of the people's actions, or lack thereof, indicating a severe divine reckoning.
  • Spiritual Ignorance: The core reason for judgment is explicitly stated: "for it is a people of no understanding." This refers not merely to intellectual deficiency but to a willful refusal to comprehend God's ways, His law, and His warnings. This spiritual blindness leads to devastating outcomes, as also seen in Hosea 4:6, where the people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
  • Withdrawal of Mercy and Favor: The verse emphasizes that "he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them will shew them no favour." This underscores God's justice. While God is abundant in mercy (Psalm 103:8), His favor is not unconditional and can be withdrawn when His people persistently reject His wisdom and understanding.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "no understanding" in Hebrew is lo binah (לֹא בִּינָה), signifying not just a lack of knowledge, but an absence of discernment, insight, or spiritual wisdom. It points to an inability or unwillingness to grasp spiritual truth and apply it, leading to foolish and destructive choices. This spiritual dullness is presented as the foundational sin leading to God's severe judgment.

Symbolism

  • Withered Boughs: This common biblical metaphor represents a state of spiritual decay, fruitlessness, and readiness for destruction. It signifies a people who have lost their vitality and connection to the source of life, much like a branch that no longer draws nourishment from the vine (John 15:6).
  • Women Setting Fire: The detail of "the women come, and set them on fire" might suggest a particularly humiliating or thorough destruction, as women were sometimes involved in gathering fuel, or it could imply that even the weakest elements of society could contribute to the downfall of such a depleted nation.

Practical Application

Isaiah 27:11 serves as a timeless warning against spiritual apathy and willful ignorance. For believers today, it highlights the critical importance of actively seeking wisdom and understanding from God's Word. We are called to be a people who discern His will, heed His commands, and live according to His truth, rather than being spiritually blind. This verse reminds us that while God is merciful, His mercy is not an excuse for continued disobedience or a lack of spiritual growth. It urges us to cultivate a responsive heart and mind, valuing divine understanding above all else, lest we find ourselves outside of His favor.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 1:3

    The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: [but] Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.

  • Isaiah 43:1

    ¶ But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called [thee] by thy name; thou [art] mine.

  • Isaiah 43:7

    [Even] every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.

  • Jeremiah 8:7

    Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the LORD.

  • Isaiah 44:24

    Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I [am] the LORD that maketh all [things]; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;

  • Deuteronomy 4:6

    Keep therefore and do [them]; for this [is] your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation [is] a wise and understanding people.

  • John 15:6

    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.

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