Isaiah 27:11

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 27:11 stands as a profound and somber declaration within the prophet's "Little Apocalypse," vividly illustrating the dire consequences of spiritual apathy and willful ignorance. Through the stark imagery of a withered and discarded plant, the verse reveals that a people devoid of genuine understanding will inevitably face the withdrawal of divine mercy and favor from their Creator, underscoring the critical link between spiritual discernment and the sustained presence of God's benevolent hand.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within Isaiah chapters 24-27, a prophetic segment often referred to as the "Little Apocalypse" due to its sweeping scope encompassing universal judgment and eventual cosmic restoration. While chapter 27 generally shifts focus towards Israel's discipline and subsequent redemption, verse 11 offers a sharp, contrasting explanation for the desolation that precedes the promised renewal. It serves as a grim interjection, highlighting the profound spiritual deficiency that precipitates divine judgment, directly preceding more hopeful prophecies about God's future gathering of His scattered people, as detailed in [Isaiah 27:12-13](/isaiah/27-12-13 "Isaiah 27:12-13 - God Gathers His Scattered People"). This verse thus provides the theological rationale for the necessary discipline, emphasizing that the people's "no understanding" is a primary catalyst for their suffering before God's ultimate gracious intervention.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Isaiah's prophetic ministry unfolded during a volatile period in Judah's history, spanning roughly 740-680 BC under the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. This era was dominated by the rising menace of the Assyrian Empire, which ultimately led to the exile of the northern kingdom of Israel and posed an existential threat to Judah. Spiritually, Judah frequently vacillated between covenant fidelity to Yahweh and syncretistic practices with surrounding pagan religions. The agricultural imagery of "withered boughs" and "broken off" branches would have resonated deeply with an agrarian society, symbolizing decay, barrenness, and inevitable destruction—the fate of any unproductive or neglected plant. The specific mention of "women" setting the branches on fire is particularly poignant; while women commonly gathered fuel, this detail could also subtly underscore the thoroughness and even ignominy of the destruction, implying that a once-mighty nation could be brought low by seemingly ordinary means, reduced to mere kindling. The core issue of "no understanding" points to a deeper spiritual malady: a persistent failure to grasp God's covenant, His divine laws, and His prophetic warnings, despite His consistent self-revelation.
* **Key Themes:** Isaiah 27:11 powerfully articulates several foundational themes prevalent throughout the book of Isaiah and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment and Consequences**, portraying destruction not as arbitrary wrath but as the direct and just outcome of human spiritual failure. The vivid imagery of "withered boughs" being "broken off" and consumed by fire starkly depicts the inevitable result of spiritual decay and separation from the life-giving source. Secondly, the verse explicitly highlights the critical theme of **Spiritual Ignorance and Blindness**, stating that "it is a people of no understanding." This is not merely an intellectual deficit but a profound, willful refusal to comprehend God's ways, His law, and His warnings, leading to devastating outcomes. This theme is echoed elsewhere in Scripture, notably in [Hosea 4:6](/hosea/4-6 "Hosea 4:6 - My People Are Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge"), where the people face destruction for their lack of knowledge. Finally, the verse emphasizes the **Withdrawal of Mercy and Favor**, asserting that "he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them will shew them no favour." While God is eternally "merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love" ([Psalm 103:8](/psalms/103-8 "Psalm 103:8 - The Lord's Compassion and Steadfast Love")), His favor is not an unconditional guarantee in the face of persistent rebellion and spiritual apathy. This withdrawal reveals God's justice in response to unrepentant defiance.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **understanding (Hebrew, _bîynâh'_):** H998. Derived from the root `bîyn`, meaning "to discern, perceive." In this context, "no understanding" (לֹא בִּינָה, _lo bîynâh_) signifies far more than a mere intellectual deficiency; it denotes a profound absence of spiritual insight, a culpable inability or unwillingness to grasp divine truth and apply it to one's life. This spiritual dullness is presented as the fundamental cause leading to God's severe judgment, indicating a moral and spiritual failure to apprehend God's revealed will.
* **made (Hebrew, _ʻâsâh'_):** H6213. A primitive root meaning "to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application." Here, it specifically refers to God as the Creator, the sovereign One who fashioned Israel and brought them into existence as His covenant people. The phrase "he that made them" profoundly emphasizes God's foundational relationship with His people, highlighting the tragic irony of their rejection of the very One who gave them life, identity, and purpose.
* **favour (Hebrew, _chânan'_):** H2603. A primitive root meaning "to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow." This term conveys a gracious disposition, an act of unmerited kindness, compassion, or benevolence. The declaration that God "will shew them no favour" underscores the severity of the impending judgment, indicating a complete and deliberate withdrawal of His benevolent regard, protection, and unmerited kindness, directly resulting from their profound spiritual blindness and persistent rebellion.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"When the boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off:"** This clause initiates the powerful agricultural metaphor. The "boughs" (H7105, _qâtsîyr_), representing the people, are depicted as "withered" (H3001, _yâbêsh_), signifying a state of profound spiritual dryness, decay, and loss of vitality. The natural and inevitable consequence of such decay is that they "shall be broken off" (H7665, _shâbar_), indicating a severing, a destruction, or a forceful removal from the life-giving source. This imagery vividly portrays a people who have lost their spiritual life and connection to God, rendering them unproductive and ripe for divine judgment.
* **"the women come, [and] set them on fire:"** This detail intensifies the imagery of complete and thorough destruction. The mention of "women" (H802, _ʼishshâh_) gathering and "setting them on fire" (H215, _ʼôwr_) suggests a comprehensive consumption, leaving nothing behind. This could imply that even the seemingly weakest members of society contribute to the final demise, or it could symbolize the ignominious and humiliating end of a once-strong nation brought low, reduced to common fuel. The act of burning signifies total desolation and a painful purification through judgment.
* **"for it is a people of no understanding:"** This is the pivotal clause, explicitly stating the profound reason for the preceding imagery of desolation and destruction. The phrase "no understanding" (H998, _bîynâh_) points to a deep-seated spiritual ignorance, a culpable lack of discernment or insight into God's character, His ways, and His revealed will. It is not merely a cognitive deficit but a moral and spiritual failure to apprehend divine truth, leading to foolish, self-destructive choices and a persistent rejection of God's wisdom. This spiritual blindness is presented as the root cause of their dire and desperate situation.
* **"therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them will shew them no favour."** This final clause articulates the divine consequence with stark clarity. God, identified powerfully as both their "maker" (H6213, _ʻâsâh_) and "former" (H3335, _yâtsar_)—emphasizing His creative sovereignty and covenantal relationship with them—will justly withhold "mercy" (H7355, _râcham_, compassion) and "favour" (H2603, _chânan_, gracious kindness). This is not an arbitrary act of divine wrath but a righteous and just response to a people who have persistently rejected the wisdom and understanding graciously offered by their Creator, demonstrating that divine grace, while abundant, is not unconditional in the face of willful and unrepentant rebellion.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 27:11 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its severe message of judgment and its underlying rationale. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, where the people of Israel are vividly likened to "withered boughs" that are subsequently "broken off" and "set on fire." This agricultural imagery powerfully represents spiritual decay, barrenness, and the inevitable destruction that results from a severed connection to the life-giving divine source. A clear **Cause and Effect** relationship is explicitly established: the depicted destruction ("boughs... broken off... set on fire") is presented as a direct and logical consequence of the people being "of no understanding." This explicit linkage underscores the righteousness and justice of God's judgment. Furthermore, the verse utilizes striking **Parallelism** in its concluding statement: "he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them will shew them no favour." This synonymous parallelism serves to emphasize the completeness and finality of God's withdrawal of benevolence, reinforcing the gravity of the judgment. The inclusion of "the women" setting the branches on fire adds a layer of vivid **Imagery**, perhaps suggesting the ignominy, thoroughness, or even the common, unceremonious nature of the destruction.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 27:11 profoundly connects to the broader biblical narrative concerning God's covenantal relationship with His people, underscoring that spiritual understanding is not merely intellectual assent but an indispensable component of faithful living and covenant adherence. The withdrawal of mercy and favor from the Creator is presented as a severe and just consequence for a people who willfully choose ignorance and spiritual apathy over divine wisdom. This highlights God's unwavering justice, demonstrating that while His nature is indeed merciful, His mercy is not an excuse for perpetual rebellion or spiritual indifference. It powerfully reinforces the principle that a genuine and flourishing relationship with God necessitates active discernment, humble obedience, and a continuous pursuit of His truth, without which the blessings of His covenant can be forfeited, leading to a state of spiritual barrenness and ultimate judgment.

* [Proverbs 1:7](/proverbs/1-7 "Proverbs 1:7 - The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Knowledge")
* [Jeremiah 8:7](/jeremiah/8-7 "Jeremiah 8:7 - The Stork Knows Its Appointed Times")
* [Romans 1:28](/romans/1-28 "Romans 1:28 - God Gives Them Over to a Debased Mind")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 27:11 delivers a timeless and sobering warning for all who identify as God's people, compelling us to deeply examine the quality and depth of our own spiritual understanding. It urges us to move beyond superficial knowledge to cultivate a profound discernment of God's character, His revealed will, and His intricate ways. In an age characterized by an overwhelming influx of information, the true spiritual challenge lies not merely in acquiring data, but in cultivating wisdom—the Spirit-empowered ability to apprehend God's truth and apply it faithfully and consistently to every facet of life. This verse serves as a stark reminder that spiritual apathy, a willful neglect of God's Word, or a persistent refusal to heed His warnings, can lead to a state of spiritual barrenness, leaving us vulnerable to consequences far more severe than we might initially imagine. While God's mercy is indeed boundless, it is graciously extended to those who turn to Him with a teachable spirit, genuinely seeking to understand and obey. We are called to be a people who actively and earnestly pursue divine wisdom, diligently allowing the Holy Spirit to illuminate our minds and transform our hearts, thereby ensuring that we remain intimately connected to the life-giving vine and continue to bear abundant fruit for His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life might I be exhibiting a "lack of understanding" regarding God's will or revealed truth?**
* **How does my personal pursuit of spiritual knowledge and discernment compare to my pursuit of worldly knowledge, entertainment, or material gain?**
* **What concrete, practical steps can I commit to taking this week to deepen my understanding of God's Word and apply its principles more faithfully to my daily life?**
* **How does the solemn warning of God withholding mercy and favor motivate me to seek Him more earnestly, with a humble and teachable spirit?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse mean God is not merciful?**

Answer: No, this verse does not imply that God is inherently unmerciful or that His mercy is exhausted. Rather, it highlights the severe and just consequences that arise from persistent spiritual ignorance and willful rebellion against Him. Throughout the entirety of Scripture, God's character is consistently portrayed as profoundly merciful, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love (e.g., [Psalm 103:8](/psalms/103-8 "Psalm 103:8 - The Lord's Compassion")). However, His mercy, while abundant, is not unconditionally granted in the face of prolonged and deliberate rejection of His truth and His ways. Isaiah 27:11 speaks to a specific, dire situation where a people, despite being lovingly "made" and "formed" by God, chose a path of "no understanding," thereby forfeiting the favor and mercy that would otherwise be extended to those who walk in His ways. It underscores God's unwavering justice and the profound biblical principle that there are indeed solemn consequences for spiritual apathy, willful disobedience, and a persistent refusal to acknowledge and obey the Creator.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 27:11, with its stark depiction of a people devoid of understanding facing the withdrawal of divine mercy and favor, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "people of no understanding" described by Isaiah vividly foreshadows humanity's inherent spiritual blindness and our profound inability to comprehend God's truth apart from divine intervention—a fallen condition that the New Testament eloquently describes as being "darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them" ([Ephesians 4:18](/ephesians/4-18 "Ephesians 4:18 - Alienated from God's Life")). Jesus, however, enters human history as the very embodiment of divine understanding and wisdom, the eternal [Logos of God](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God") through whom all things were made and by whom all truth is revealed. He is the one who graciously opens the eyes of the blind, both physically and spiritually, enabling true comprehension of God's will and the Scriptures themselves ([Luke 24:45](/luke/24-45 "Luke 24:45 - Jesus Opens Their Minds to Understand the Scriptures")). Furthermore, while Isaiah speaks of God withholding mercy from the disobedient, Christ's advent radically redefines and secures the path to mercy and favor. Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Jesus became the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), inaugurating a new covenant of grace where boundless mercy is extended to all who believe, regardless of their past ignorance or rebellion ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")). He is the true vine, and those who remain in Him will not wither and be broken off, but rather will bear much fruit, receiving the Father's everlasting favor and abundant mercy ([John 15:5](/john/15-5 "John 15:5 - I Am the Vine, You Are the Branches")). Thus, what was a severe warning of judgment in Isaiah transforms, in the light of Christ, into a glorious promise of renewed understanding, boundless mercy, and eternal favor for all who are united with Him by faith.

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 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.