King James Version

What Does Isaiah 27:10 Mean?

Isaiah 27:10 in the King James Version says “Yet the defenced city shall be desolate, and the habitation forsaken, and left like a wilderness: there shall the calf f...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Yet the defenced city shall be desolate, and the habitation forsaken, and left like a wilderness: there shall the calf feed, and there shall he lie down, and consume the branches thereof.”

Isaiah 27:10 · KJV

Context

8

In measure, when it shooteth forth, thou wilt debate with it: he stayeth his rough wind in the day of the east wind. it shooteth: or, thou sendest it forth he: or, when he removeth it with

9

By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged; and this is all the fruit to take away his sin; when he maketh all the stones of the altar as chalkstones that are beaten in sunder, the groves and images shall not stand up. images: or, sun images

10

Yet the defenced city shall be desolate, and the habitation forsaken, and left like a wilderness: there shall the calf feed, and there shall he lie down, and consume the branches thereof.

11

When the boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off: the women come, and set them on fire: for it is a people of no understanding: therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them will shew them no favour.

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.

Read Isaiah 27 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Yet the defenced city shall be desolate, and the habitation forsaken, and left like a wilderness: there shall the calf feed, and there shall he lie down, and consume the branches thereof. After promises of restoration (vv.2-9), this verse describes ongoing desolation of enemy cities. The defenced city (ir betsura, עִיר בְּצוּרָה, fortified city) likely refers to hostile capitals like Samaria, Damascus, or symbolically to all God-opposing powers. Desolate...forsaken...like a wilderness (badad...ne'ezav...kamidbar, בָּדָד...נֶעֱזָב...כַּמִּדְבָּר) emphasizes complete abandonment.

The image of domestic animals grazing in ruins—there shall the calf feed...lie down...consume the branches—depicts pastoral peace replacing urban power. Ruins return to nature, cattle graze where armies once drilled. This judgment is permanent, contrasting with Israel's temporary exile. Isaiah 5:17 similarly pictures lambs grazing in ruins of the wealthy's estates. Babylon's prophesied desolation (Isaiah 13:19-22) where wild animals dwell rather than humans exemplifies this. Revelation 18 applies similar imagery to spiritual Babylon's fall.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient fortified cities seemed invincible—massive walls, strategic locations, military might. Yet history proved Isaiah right: Samaria fell (722 BC), Damascus conquered, Babylon destroyed (539 BC then gradually abandoned), Nineveh obliterated (612 BC). Archaeological tells (ruin mounds) throughout the Middle East testify to once-great cities now desolate. Rome fell, Constantinople fell, all earthly powers eventually crumble. Only God's kingdom remains forever (Daniel 2:44).

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the desolation of seemingly invincible 'defenced cities' teach about earthly power and security?
  2. How should the temporary nature of all human kingdoms affect believers' priorities and allegiances?
  3. What modern 'fortified cities' (institutions, ideologies, powers) does this verse warn will eventually fall?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
כִּ֣י1 of 15
H3588

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

עִ֤יר2 of 15

“city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

בְּצוּרָה֙3 of 15

“Yet the defenced”

H1219

to gather grapes; also to be isolated (i.e., inaccessible by height or fortification)

בָּדָ֔ד4 of 15

“shall be desolate”

H910

separate; adverb, separately

נָוֶ֕ה5 of 15

“and the habitation”

H5116

(adjectively) at home; hence (by implication of satisfaction) lovely; also (noun) a home, of god (temple), men (residence), flocks (pasture), or wild

מְשֻׁלָּ֥ח6 of 15

“forsaken”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

וְנֶעֱזָ֖ב7 of 15

“and left”

H5800

to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc

כַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר8 of 15

“like a wilderness”

H4057

a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert

שָׁ֣ם9 of 15
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

יִרְעֶ֥ה10 of 15

“feed”

H7462

to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie

עֵ֛גֶל11 of 15

“there shall the calf”

H5695

a (male) calf (as frisking round), especially one nearly grown (i.e., a steer)

וְשָׁ֥ם12 of 15
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

יִרְבָּ֖ץ13 of 15

“and there shall he lie down”

H7257

to crouch (on all four legs folded, like a recumbent animal); by implication, to recline, repose, brood, lurk, imbed

וְכִלָּ֥ה14 of 15

“and consume”

H3615

to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)

סְעִפֶֽיהָ׃15 of 15

“the branches”

H5585

a fissure (of rocks); also a bough (as subdivided)

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 27:10 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 27:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 17:2Isaiah 17:9Isaiah 32:13-14Jeremiah 26:6Jeremiah 26:18Micah 3:12

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