Isaiah 44:27

KJV

That saith to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up thy rivers:

KJV (with Strong's)

That saith {H559} to the deep {H6683}, Be dry {H2717}, and I will dry up {H3001} thy rivers {H5104}:

Complete Jewish Bible

I say to the deep sea, 'Dry up! I will make your streams run dry.'

Berean Standard Bible

who says to the depths of the sea, ‘Be dry, and I will dry up your currents,’

American Standard Version

that saith to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up thy rivers;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 44:27 stands as a profound declaration of Yahweh's unparalleled sovereignty and His absolute control over creation, specifically foretelling His ability to manipulate the natural world to achieve His divine purposes. This verse powerfully portrays the Lord as the incomparable Creator who speaks with performative authority, bringing about His will by commanding the "deep" and "rivers" to dry up. This prophetic utterance not only underscores God's infallible foreknowledge but also His ultimate authority over all obstacles, demonstrating that no barrier, natural or geopolitical, can impede the execution of His redemptive plan for Israel's deliverance from Babylonian exile.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is intricately woven into the fabric of Isaiah's "Book of Comfort" (chapters 40-55), a section primarily addressed to the exiled Israelites, offering solace, hope, and assurance of future restoration. The overarching theological argument throughout these chapters is the absolute incomparability of Yahweh, the God of Israel, contrasted sharply with the utter impotence of pagan idols. God repeatedly asserts His unique identity as the sole Creator, the one who declares the end from the beginning, and the only Savior capable of delivering His people. Specifically, [Isaiah 44](/isaiah/44 "Isaiah 44 - God's Sovereignty and Israel's Redemption") and [Isaiah 45](/isaiah/45 "Isaiah 45 - Cyrus, God's Anointed") reveal God's astonishing plan to use Cyrus the Great, a foreign, pagan king, as His chosen instrument to overthrow the formidable Babylonian Empire and facilitate the return of the Jewish exiles to Jerusalem. The preceding verses in [Isaiah 44](/isaiah/44 "Isaiah 44 - God's Sovereignty and Israel's Redemption") emphasize God's role as Israel's Redeemer and the futility of idol worship, while the subsequent verses continue to detail God's specific prophecies regarding Cyrus and the restoration of Jerusalem and the temple. The command to the "deep" and "rivers" in verse 27 serves as a concrete, miraculous example of God's power to manipulate creation for His redemptive purposes, reinforcing the certainty of His promises in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Isaiah 44:27 is the impending Babylonian exile and the subsequent period of captivity (586-539 BC). The prophet Isaiah, writing roughly two centuries before these events, delivers a message of profound hope and assurance to a people who would eventually face displacement, despair, and the apparent triumph of their enemies. Babylon, at its zenith, was a formidable empire, renowned for its impenetrable double walls and the mighty Euphrates River that flowed directly through its heart, forming a crucial natural defense. The city was considered impregnable, relying heavily on its elaborate water defenses, including a network of canals and moats. The prophecy of drying up the "deep" and "rivers" directly alludes to the precise historical method by which Babylon would ultimately fall. Ancient accounts, particularly from Herodotus and Xenophon, describe how Cyrus's army, in 539 BC, ingeniously diverted the Euphrates River, allowing his troops to march through the dried riverbed under the city walls and capture Babylon by surprise. This historical event serves as a precise and miraculous fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy, demonstrating God's meticulous control over world events and His ability to name and use individuals (like Cyrus, mentioned by name in [Isaiah 44:28](/isaiah/44-28 "Isaiah 44:28 - God Names Cyrus") and [Isaiah 45:1](/isaiah/45-1 "Isaiah 45:1 - God's Anointed, Cyrus")) to accomplish His sovereign will for His people.
* **Key Themes:** Isaiah 44:27 powerfully contributes to several foundational themes prevalent throughout the book of Isaiah. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Omnipotence**, showcasing God's absolute and unchallenged authority over all creation. His mere command, "Be dry," is sufficient to alter the most fundamental elements of the natural world, emphasizing that no obstacle, however formidable or natural, can stand in the way of His purposes. Secondly, it underscores **Prophetic Fulfillment**, demonstrating God's infallible foreknowledge and unique ability to declare the future with certainty. The specific detail of drying up waters for Babylon's fall provides irrefutable evidence that God alone knows and controls history, distinguishing Him from the false gods of the nations who cannot predict or perform (as challenged in [Isaiah 41:21-24](/isaiah/41-21-24 "Isaiah 41:21-24 - God Challenges Idols to Predict the Future")). This theme assures the exiles that God's promise of deliverance is not a mere hope but a guaranteed reality. Thirdly, the verse speaks profoundly to God's role as **Deliverer and Redeemer**. By supernaturally removing the seemingly insurmountable watery defenses of Babylon, God clears the path for His chosen instrument (Cyrus) to liberate His people, mirroring earlier acts of divine intervention, such as the miraculous parting of the Red Sea for Israel's exodus from Egypt (cf. [Exodus 14:21](/exodus/14-21 "Exodus 14:21 - Parting of the Red Sea")). This act of making a way through impassable barriers symbolizes God's ongoing commitment to rescue and restore His covenant people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **saith (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** From H559, this primitive root means "to say" and is used with great latitude, encompassing concepts like answering, appointing, bidding, commanding, declaring, and telling. In Isaiah 44:27, its use emphasizes the authoritative and performative nature of God's speech. It is not a suggestion or a wish, but a divine decree that brings about immediate and undeniable results. God's word is inherently powerful and effective, directly causing the drying of the waters. This highlights God's sovereignty, where His spoken word carries the weight of execution.
* **deep (Hebrew, _tsûwlâh'_):** From H6683, this term refers to an "abyss (of the sea)" or "deep." It denotes a vast, profound, and often mysterious body of water. In this context, "the deep" likely refers to the immense and seemingly unmanageable waters of the Euphrates River and its extensive network of canals that protected Babylon. Its inclusion highlights the magnitude of the obstacle that God effortlessly commands, underscoring the extraordinary nature of His power to control even the most formidable elements of creation.
* **dry (Hebrew, _chârab'_):** From H2717, this primitive root means "to parch (through drought)," and by analogy, to desolate, destroy, or waste. When God commands "Be dry," it signifies a complete and utter desiccation, rendering the vast waters impotent and passable. This word choice emphasizes the destructive and transformative power of God's command, turning a protective barrier into a pathway for His purposes. It speaks to a radical alteration of the natural state, not merely a reduction.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"That saith to the deep,"**: This opening clause unequivocally identifies the speaker as the sovereign God, the one who possesses ultimate and unchallenged authority over all creation. The act of "saith" (commands) indicates a direct, authoritative divine decree. Addressing "the deep" refers to the vast, seemingly unconquerable waters, specifically the Euphrates River and its associated canals that fortified Babylon, presenting them as a formidable, natural obstacle. This highlights the immense power of the one who can speak to such an entity.
* **"Be dry,"**: This is a direct imperative, a divine command revealing God's power to instantaneously and supernaturally alter the natural order. It signifies a complete and immediate desiccation of the waters, rendering them impassable as a defense but passable as a path. This command is not merely a prediction but an active declaration of God's will, which will inevitably come to pass, demonstrating His absolute control over the elements and His ability to achieve His purposes with a mere word.
* **"and I will dry up thy rivers:"**: This final clause reiterates and powerfully reinforces the previous command, emphasizing God's personal agency and direct involvement in the act. The use of "I will dry up" confirms that this is not a natural phenomenon but a deliberate, intentional act of God. The "rivers" (plural) further highlights the extensive and complex water defenses of Babylon, underscoring the comprehensive nature of God's intervention. This phrase solidifies the certainty that God Himself will execute this drying, specifically to fulfill His plan for the fall of Babylon and the liberation of His people.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 44:27 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of divine power and prophetic certainty. **Personification** is strikingly evident as God addresses "the deep" as if it were a conscious entity capable of receiving and obeying a command, thereby emphasizing God's absolute dominion over inanimate creation. The phrase "Be dry" is a quintessential example of **Divine Fiat**, where God's word itself is the instrument of creation and transformation, demonstrating His ability to bring about His will simply by speaking it into existence. The verse also functions as a clear **Prophecy**, foretelling a specific historical event—the drying of the Euphrates for Babylon's capture—centuries before its occurrence. This serves as irrefutable proof of God's unique foreknowledge and His singular status as the only true God, distinguishing Him from the impotent idols of the nations. Furthermore, the imagery of drying up vast waters functions as powerful **Symbolism**, representing God's capacity to remove any obstacle, no matter how insurmountable it appears, to clear the way for His redemptive purposes. This echoes earlier symbolic acts of divine intervention, such as the miraculous parting of the Red Sea, reinforcing a consistent pattern of God making a way where there is none.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 44:27 is a profound theological statement on God's omnipotence and His meticulous involvement in human history to achieve His redemptive purposes. It asserts that God is not merely a distant observer but an active participant who directs nations and natural forces to fulfill His covenant promises. The drying of the "deep" and "rivers" is a powerful demonstration that no physical, military, or political barrier can thwart the divine will. This specific prophecy, fulfilled precisely in the fall of Babylon, serves as irrefutable evidence of God's unique foreknowledge, distinguishing Him from all false gods and assuring His people of the certainty of His word. It underscores God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant with Israel, even in their exile, and His commitment to their ultimate restoration, demonstrating that His plans will always prevail.

* [Isaiah 45:1-3](/isaiah/45-1-3 "Isaiah 45:1-3 - God Anoints Cyrus to Conquer Babylon")
* [Exodus 14:21-22](/exodus/14-21-22 "Exodus 14:21-22 - The Parting of the Red Sea")
* [Joshua 3:15-17](/joshua/3-15-17 "Joshua 3:15-17 - The Crossing of the Jordan River")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 44:27 offers profound encouragement and a steadfast call to trust in God's unwavering power and faithfulness, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Just as God cleared the way for Cyrus and the return of His people by drying up the mighty waters that protected Babylon, He remains supremely capable of overcoming any "deep" or "river" in our lives—whether they be personal challenges, societal barriers, spiritual strongholds, or seemingly impossible circumstances. This verse reminds us that our God is not limited by human impossibilities or the sheer magnitude of our problems. He is the one who commands the elements, orchestrates history, and fulfills His promises with absolute certainty and precision. Therefore, when we encounter situations that appear impassable, we are called to remember that the same God who spoke "Be dry" to the Euphrates can speak to our circumstances, making a way where there seems to be none. Our faith is to be placed not in the absence of obstacles, but in the omnipotent presence and unstoppable power of the God who effortlessly removes them for His glory and our good, always working according to His perfect plan.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "deep" or "rivers" in your life currently feel insurmountable, and how does this verse challenge your perspective on them?**
* **How does God's historical fulfillment of this prophecy in Isaiah 44:27 strengthen your trust in His promises for your own life, especially those yet to be realized?**
* **In what practical ways can you surrender seemingly impossible situations to the God who commands the deep and dries up rivers, trusting in His sovereign intervention?**

### FAQ
**How did the "drying up" of the rivers relate to the fall of Babylon?**

Answer: Historical accounts from ancient historians like Herodotus and Xenophon corroborate this prophecy with remarkable precision. In 539 BC, during the siege of Babylon, Cyrus the Great's Persian army ingeniously diverted the Euphrates River, which flowed directly through the city and formed a crucial part of its defenses, including its inner gates. By lowering the water level significantly, Persian soldiers were able to march along the dried riverbed and enter the city through the river gates, catching the Babylonians by complete surprise during a festival (as dramatically alluded to in [Daniel 5](/daniel/5 "Daniel 5 - The Fall of Babylon")). This strategic and unexpected maneuver directly fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy, demonstrating God's precise foreknowledge and meticulous control over historical events.

**Does this verse imply God directly intervenes in all natural processes?**

Answer: While God sustains all natural processes through His immanent power and established laws, this verse highlights instances of extraordinary, direct divine intervention where God supernaturally alters nature to achieve specific redemptive or judgmental purposes. It doesn't mean every drought or dry spell is a direct, unique command like this one. Rather, it affirms God's ultimate sovereignty and His ability to override natural laws when it serves His divine plan. It emphasizes His power to make a way where there is no way, as seen in other biblical accounts like the miraculous parting of the Red Sea in [Exodus 14](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - The Parting of the Red Sea") or the stopping of the Jordan River for Israel's crossing in [Joshua 3](/joshua/3 "Joshua 3 - Crossing the Jordan"). This verse speaks to God's *unlimited* power, not necessarily His *typical* mode of operation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Isaiah 44:27 directly prophesies a specific historical event related to Israel's physical deliverance from Babylonian captivity, its deeper Christ-centered fulfillment lies in how God, through Christ, overcomes the ultimate "deep" and "rivers" that separate humanity from Him: sin and death. Just as God commanded the literal waters to dry up to make a way for His people's physical liberation, so too did He, in Christ, command the spiritual "deep" of human depravity and the "rivers" of divine judgment to be overcome. Jesus, as the incarnate Word of God, possesses the same divine authority to speak and bring about transformative change. His sacrificial death on the cross and triumphant resurrection effectively "dried up" the insurmountable barrier of sin, making a way for reconciliation with God (cf. [Colossians 2:13-14](/colossians/2-13-14 "Colossians 2:13-14 - Forgiveness and Victory Over Sin")). Furthermore, Christ's decisive victory over death "dried up" the ultimate river of separation, opening the path to eternal life and communion with God for all who believe (cf. [1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54-57 "1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - Victory Over Death Through Christ")). He is the one who, like the God of Isaiah 44:27, speaks with absolute authority, bringing about salvation, new creation, and transforming the seemingly impassable into a highway for His redeemed (cf. [John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")).

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 42:15

I will make waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools.

Jeremiah 50:38

A drought [is] upon her waters; and they shall be dried up: for it [is] the land of graven images, and they are mad upon [their] idols.

Jeremiah 51:36

Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will plead thy cause, and take vengeance for thee; and I will dry up her sea, and make her springs dry.

Psalms 74:15

Thou didst cleave the fountain and the flood: thou driedst up mighty rivers.

Isaiah 11:15

And the LORD shall utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with his mighty wind shall he shake his hand over the river, and shall smite it in the seven streams, and make [men] go over dryshod.

Isaiah 11:16

And there shall be an highway for the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria; like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.

Jeremiah 51:32

And that the passages are stopped, and the reeds they have burned with fire, and the men of war are affrighted.