Isaiah 27:3

I the LORD do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest [any] hurt it, I will keep it night and day.

I the LORD {H3068} do keep {H5341} it; I will water {H8248} it every moment {H7281}: lest any hurt {H6485} it, I will keep {H5341} it night {H3915} and day {H3117}.

"I, ADONAI, guard it. Moment to moment I water it. So that no harm will come to it, I guard it night and day.

I, the LORD, am its keeper; I water it continually. I guard it night and day so no one can disturb it;

I Jehovah am its keeper; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day.

Isaiah 27:3 offers a powerful promise of divine care and protection, particularly concerning God's people, Israel, often depicted as a vineyard in biblical imagery. This verse stands as a beacon of hope and assurance amidst prophecies of judgment and restoration.

Context

This verse is part of Isaiah's larger prophetic work, specifically within a section (chapters 24-27) often referred to as "Isaiah's Apocalypse." These chapters describe a future day of judgment on the earth and the ultimate restoration of God's people. Chapter 27, in particular, contrasts with the earlier, more somber "Song of the Vineyard" in Isaiah 5:1-7, where the vineyard (Israel) yielded wild grapes and faced destruction. Here, in Isaiah 27:2, the vineyard is described as a "pleasant vineyard" or "vineyard of wine," signifying a redeemed and fruitful Israel that the Lord Himself will guard and nurture. Verse 3 directly follows this renewed imagery, emphasizing God's personal and constant involvement in its well-being after periods of chastisement.

Key Themes

  • Divine Preservation and Care: The central message is God's unwavering commitment to His chosen people. The phrase "I the LORD do keep it" highlights His active role as a guardian. This protection is not passive but involves continuous vigilance over His vineyard.
  • Constant Sustenance and Growth: "I will water it every moment" speaks of God's provision for spiritual vitality and fruitfulness. Just as a vineyard needs constant irrigation to thrive, God promises to supply all that is necessary for His people's growth and flourishing. This echoes the concept of Christ as the true vine in John 15, where believers are branches dependent on His life-giving flow.
  • Unceasing Vigilance: The promise, "lest [any] hurt it, I will keep it night and day," underscores the absolute and continuous nature of God's watchfulness. There is no moment when His care lapses. This unwavering watchfulness offers profound security, similar to the assurance found in Psalm 121:4, "He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep."
  • Covenant Faithfulness: Despite Israel's past failings, this verse reaffirms God's enduring faithfulness to His covenant promises, promising future restoration and protection for a repentant remnant.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "keep" used here is shamar (שָׁמַר), which conveys the idea of guarding, preserving, or watching over. It implies active protection and diligent attention. The phrase "every moment" (לִרְגָעִים - lirga'im) literally means "to moments" or "moment by moment," emphasizing the continuous, uninterrupted nature of God's watering and care. This isn't sporadic attention but a perpetual, ongoing commitment to nurture and protect.

Practical Application

For believers today, Isaiah 27:3 serves as a powerful reminder of God's personal and constant care. We are part of God's spiritual vineyard, and He promises to nurture us, provide for our spiritual growth, and protect us from harm. In times of uncertainty, fear, or spiritual dryness, this verse offers immense comfort: the Lord Himself is our gardener and guardian. We can rest in the knowledge that He is always watching, always providing, and always working to ensure our well-being, both day and night. It encourages us to trust in His unfailing providence and to abide in Him for all our needs, knowing that His promise to keep us is as steadfast as His character.

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 58:11

    And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.

  • John 15:1

    I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

  • John 15:2

    Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every [branch] that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

  • 1 Samuel 2:9

    He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.

  • Psalms 121:3

    He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

  • Psalms 121:5

    The LORD [is] thy keeper: the LORD [is] thy shade upon thy right hand.

  • Ezekiel 34:11

    For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, [even] I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out.
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