King James Version

What Does Isaiah 27:1 Mean?

Isaiah 27:1 in the King James Version says “In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviatha... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea. piercing: or, crossing like a bar

Isaiah 27:1 · KJV


Context

1

In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea. piercing: or, crossing like a bar

2

In that day sing ye unto her, A vineyard of red wine .

3

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


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea. This apocalyptic vision depicts God's final triumph over evil using ancient Near Eastern mythological imagery. The Hebrew livyatan (לִוִיָתָן) appears elsewhere in Job 41 and Psalm 74:14, representing chaos monsters God subdued at creation. The threefold description—piercing serpent (nachash bariach, נָחָשׁ בָּרִחַ), crooked serpent (nachash 'aqallaton, נָחָשׁ עֲקַלָּתוֹן), and dragon in the sea (tannin asher bayam, תַּנִּין אֲשֶׁר בַּיָּם)—uses Canaanite mythological language to describe God's enemies. Ugaritic texts speak of Lotan, the seven-headed serpent, which Israel's prophets reinterpreted as symbols of hostile nations and spiritual powers opposing God.

His sore and great and strong sword (cherev haqashah vehagdolah vehachazaqah) emphasizes God's absolute power to judge. The triple adjectives (harsh, great, strong) underscore certainty of victory. In that day (bayom hahu) points eschatologically to the Day of the LORD when God finally vanquishes all rebellion. Revelation 12-13 and 20 use similar dragon imagery for Satan and antichrist, showing Isaiah's vision extends beyond historical enemies (Assyria, Babylon, Egypt) to ultimate spiritual warfare. The serpent of Genesis 3 who introduced sin will be finally destroyed by the sword of the LORD.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Written during Assyria's dominance (late 8th century BC), when empires seemed invincible. Ancient Near Eastern creation myths featured gods battling chaos monsters (Babylonian Marduk vs. Tiamat, Canaanite Baal vs. Yam/Lotan). Isaiah appropriates this imagery to show Yahweh's supremacy—He alone defeats chaos powers. For exiled Israel, this promised that empires oppressing them (symbolized as sea monsters) would be judged. The early church saw ultimate fulfillment in Christ's victory over Satan (Colossians 2:15, Hebrews 2:14).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's promise to destroy 'leviathan' encourage believers facing overwhelming evil or powerful opposition?
  2. What do the serpent/dragon images teach about spiritual warfare and Satan's ultimate defeat?
  3. How should 'in that day' shape our perspective on current injustices and God's timing for final judgment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
בַּיּ֣וֹם1 of 21

In that day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַה֡וּא2 of 21
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

יִפְקֹ֣ד3 of 21

shall punish

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

יְהוָה֩4 of 21

the LORD

H3068

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

בְּחַרְב֨וֹ5 of 21

sword

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

הַקָּשָׁ֜ה6 of 21

with his sore

H7186

severe (in various applications)

וְהַגְּדוֹלָ֣ה7 of 21

and great

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

וְהַֽחֲזָקָ֗ה8 of 21

and strong

H2389

strong (usu. in a bad sense, hard, bold, violent)

עַ֤ל9 of 21
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

לִוְיָתָ֔ן10 of 21

even leviathan

H3882

a wreathed animal, i.e., a large sea-monster; figuratively, the constellation of the dragon; also as a symbol of babylon

נָחָ֖שׁ11 of 21

serpent

H5175

a snake (from its hiss)

בָּרִ֔חַ12 of 21

the piercing

H1281

a fugitive, i.e., the serpent (as fleeing), and the constellation by that name

וְעַל֙13 of 21
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

לִוְיָתָ֔ן14 of 21

even leviathan

H3882

a wreathed animal, i.e., a large sea-monster; figuratively, the constellation of the dragon; also as a symbol of babylon

נָחָ֖שׁ15 of 21

serpent

H5175

a snake (from its hiss)

עֲקַלָּת֑וֹן16 of 21

that crooked

H6129

tortuous

וְהָרַ֥ג17 of 21

and he shall slay

H2026

to smite with deadly intent

אֶת18 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַתַּנִּ֖ין19 of 21

the dragon

H8577

a marine or land monster, i.e., sea-serpent or jackal

אֲשֶׁ֥ר20 of 21
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בַּיָּֽם׃21 of 21

that is in the sea

H3220

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif


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 27:1 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 27:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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