King James Version

What Does Isaiah 14:27 Mean?

Isaiah 14:27 in the King James Version says “For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it bac... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?

Isaiah 14:27 · KJV


Context

25

That I will break the Assyrian in my land, and upon my mountains tread him under foot: then shall his yoke depart from off them, and his burden depart from off their shoulders.

26

This is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth: and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations.

27

For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?

28

In the year that king Ahaz died was this burden.

29

Rejoice not thou, whole Palestina, because the rod of him that smote thee is broken: for out of the serpent's root shall come forth a cockatrice, and his fruit shall be a fiery flying serpent. cockatrice: or, adder


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?' Two rhetorical questions expecting the answer 'No one!' Who can nullify God's purpose? No one. Who can turn back His hand? No one. This is divine immutability and omnipotence: God's plans cannot be thwarted, His actions cannot be reversed. The questions challenge all human pride and power: try to stop God—you cannot. This provides assurance for believers (God's saving purposes cannot fail) and warning for rebels (God's judgment cannot be escaped). The verse caps the oracle against nations with absolute declaration of divine sovereignty.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Throughout history, nations and individuals have tried to resist God's purposes—Pharaoh refusing to release Israel, Sennacherib threatening Jerusalem, Herod killing babies to prevent Messiah, Saul persecuting Christians. All failed. God's purposes advance despite—even through—opposition. The crucifixion seemed to defeat God's plan; instead it fulfilled it (Acts 2:23). Reformed theology emphasizes divine sovereignty: God's decretive will cannot be frustrated. This doesn't eliminate human responsibility but grounds assurance—salvation, sanctification, and glorification all rest on God's unshakeable purpose, not fluctuating human will.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the impossibility of annulling God's purpose provide assurance regarding your salvation and eternal security?
  2. What does the unanswerable question 'who shall turn it back?' teach about the futility of resisting God's will?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
כִּֽי1 of 10
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

יְהוָ֧ה2 of 10

For the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

צְבָא֛וֹת3 of 10

of hosts

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

יָעָ֖ץ4 of 10

hath purposed

H3289

to advise; reflexively, to deliberate or resolve

וּמִ֣י5 of 10
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

יָפֵ֑ר6 of 10

and who shall disannul

H6565

to break up (usually figuratively), i.e., to violate, frustrate

וְיָד֥וֹ7 of 10

it and his hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

הַנְּטוּיָ֖ה8 of 10

is stretched out

H5186

to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)

וּמִ֥י9 of 10
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

יְשִׁיבֶֽנָּה׃10 of 10

and who shall turn it back

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 14:27 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 14:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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