Isaiah 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.

And it shall come to pass in that day {H3117}, that the LORD {H3068} shall beat off {H2251} from the channel {H7641} of the river {H5104} unto the stream {H5158} of Egypt {H4714}, and ye shall be gathered {H3950} one {H259} by one {H259}, O ye children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}.

On that day ADONAI will beat out the grain between the Euphrates River and the Vadi of Egypt; and you will be gathered, one by one, people of Isra'el!

In that day the LORD will thresh from the flowing Euphrates to the Wadi of Egypt, and you, O Israelites, will be gathered one by one.

And it shall come to pass in that day, that Jehovah will beat off his fruit from the flood of the River unto the brook of Egypt; and ye shall be gathered one by one, O ye children of Israel.

Commentary

Isaiah 27:12 is a prophetic declaration of God's future, comprehensive restoration of His people, Israel. It depicts a meticulous and thorough ingathering of the scattered "children of Israel" from the furthest reaches of their dispersion back to their homeland.

Context

This verse concludes a section of Isaiah (chapters 24-27) often referred to as Isaiah's "Little Apocalypse." These chapters describe God's universal judgment on the earth, followed by a glorious future of salvation, peace, and restoration for His covenant people. After detailing the Lord's victory over His enemies and the establishment of His kingdom, Isaiah 27:12-13 shifts focus to the specific act of God bringing His scattered remnant home, emphasizing the divine initiative and the personal nature of this gathering.

Key Themes

  • Divine Restoration and Ingathering: The central message is God's unwavering commitment to His promises to His people. He actively "shall beat off" and gather them, signifying a powerful and intentional act of redemption. This aligns with many Old Testament prophecies of Israel's return from exile, such as those found in Jeremiah 23:7-8 and Ezekiel 36:24.
  • Comprehensive Scope: The geographical markers "from the channel of the river unto the stream of Egypt" define the vast extent of this gathering. The "channel of the river" typically refers to the Euphrates River (the traditional northeastern boundary of the promised land) and the "stream of Egypt" (likely the Wadi el-Arish or a branch of the Nile, representing the southwestern boundary). This imagery ensures that no member of Israel, no matter how far dispersed, will be overlooked in this future restoration.
  • Individual Care: The phrase "ye shall be gathered one by one" profoundly emphasizes God's personal attention to each individual. This is not a generalized movement but a meticulous, personal collection of every single person belonging to His covenant people. It highlights God's intimate knowledge and care for each member of His flock, similar to how a shepherd knows his sheep by name (John 10:3).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew verb translated "beat off" is chavat (Χ—ΦΈΧ‘Φ·Χ˜). This word is often used in agricultural contexts, meaning to thresh, beat, or knock down, particularly in reference to beating olives from a tree (Deuteronomy 24:20) or beating out grain. The imagery here suggests a thorough and painstaking process of collection, ensuring that not a single olive or grain is missed. It conveys the idea that God will meticulously search out and retrieve every last one of His people, leaving none behind.

Practical Application

Isaiah 27:12 offers immense hope and reassurance. For believers today, this prophecy speaks to God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises, both to physical Israel and to all who are the spiritual children of Abraham through faith in Christ. It reminds us that:

  • God's plans for ultimate restoration and justice will surely come to pass.
  • God's care for His people is personal and meticulous; He knows each one of us "by name" and will not lose any of His own.
  • Even in times of dispersion, trial, or feeling lost, God is actively working to bring His people to their intended destiny and secure their place in His kingdom. This should inspire trust and patience in His perfect timing.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 15:18 (5 votes)

    In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:

  • Deuteronomy 30:3 (3 votes)

    That then the LORD thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath scattered thee.

  • Deuteronomy 30:4 (3 votes)

    If [any] of thine be driven out unto the outmost [parts] of heaven, from thence will the LORD thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee:

  • Nehemiah 1:9 (3 votes)

    But [if] ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, [yet] will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there.

  • Isaiah 56:8 (3 votes)

    The Lord GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather [others] to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.

  • Psalms 72:8 (2 votes)

    He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.

  • Matthew 18:12 (2 votes)

    How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?