King James Version

What Does Isaiah 27:11 Mean?

Isaiah 27:11 in the King James Version says “When the boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off: the women come, and set them on fire: for it is a people...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Isaiah 27:11 · KJV

Context

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.

13

And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem.

Read Isaiah 27 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. This verse continues describing the desolate city, now using agricultural imagery. When the boughs thereof are withered (beyavesh qetsireyha, בִּיבֹשׁ קְצִירֶיהָ, literally "when its harvest/branches dry up") pictures dead, brittle branches. They shall be broken off (tishavarna, תִּשָּׁבַרְנָה) suggests easy snapping of lifeless wood.

The women come, and set them on fire (nashim ba'ot me'irot otah, נָשִׁים בָּאוֹת מְאִירוֹת אֹתָהּ)—women gathering dead branches for fuel, the most mundane domestic task, occurs in ruins of once-great powers. The reason for this irreversible judgment: for it is a people of no understanding (ki lo am-binot hu, כִּי לֹא עַם־בִּינוֹת הוּא). Binah (בִּינָה) means discernment, insight, wisdom—specifically spiritual understanding. Romans 1:21-22 describes Gentiles who "became vain in their imaginations...professing themselves to be wise, they became fools." Rejecting knowledge of God leads to judicial abandonment.

Therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them will shew them no favour reverses covenant language. God as Creator (osehu, עֹשֵׂהוּ, maker) and Former (yotsero, יֹצְרוֹ, potter/shaper) normally implies care, but willful rejection of understanding results in forfeited mercy (lo yerachamenu, לֹא יְרַחֲמֶנּוּ) and favour (lo yechannenu, לֹא יְחֻנֶּנּוּ). This is Hosea's "Lo-ruhamah" ("no mercy," Hosea 1:6) and "Lo-ammi" ("not my people," Hosea 1:9) made permanent for those who finally reject God.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Nations surrounding Israel had access to knowledge of the true God through Israel's presence, Scripture, and prophets, yet persistently chose idolatry and opposed God's people. Their lack of understanding was willful, not innocent ignorance. Romans 1:18-32 explains how suppressing truth leads to darkened understanding and judicial hardening. For the church, this warning applies to apostates who had knowledge but rejected it (Hebrews 6:4-6, 10:26-27). Persisting in unbelief despite clear revelation results in irreversible judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does this verse teach about the consequences of willfully rejecting spiritual understanding?
  2. How does being created and formed by God increase accountability for those who reject Him?
  3. What distinguishes 'a people of no understanding' (willful rejection) from genuine spiritual seekers who struggle with doubts?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
בִּיבֹ֤שׁ1 of 20

“thereof are withered”

H3001

to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither (as herbage)

קְצִירָהּ֙2 of 20

“When the boughs”

H7105

severed, a limb (of a tree, or simply foliage)

תִּשָּׁבַ֔רְנָה3 of 20

“they shall be broken off”

H7665

to burst (literally or figuratively)

נָשִׁ֕ים4 of 20

“the women”

H802

a woman

בָּא֖וֹת5 of 20

“come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

מְאִיר֣וֹת6 of 20

“and set them on fire”

H215

to be (causative, make) luminous (literally and metaphorically)

אוֹתָ֑הּ7 of 20
H853

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

כִּ֣י8 of 20
H3588

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

לֹ֤א9 of 20
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

עַם10 of 20

“for it is a people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

בִּינוֹת֙11 of 20

“of no understanding”

H998

understanding

ה֔וּא12 of 20
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

עַל13 of 20
H5921

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

כֵּן֙14 of 20
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

לֹֽא15 of 20
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יְרַחֲמֶ֣נּוּ16 of 20

“them will not have mercy”

H7355

to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate

עֹשֵׂ֔הוּ17 of 20

“therefore he that made”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

וְיֹצְר֖וֹ18 of 20

“on them and he that formed”

H3335

to mould into a form; especially as a potter; figuratively, to determine (i.e., form a resolution)

לֹ֥א19 of 20
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יְחֻנֶּֽנּוּ׃20 of 20

“them will shew them no favour”

H2603

properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (i.e., move to favor by petition)

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 27:11 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 27:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 43:7Jeremiah 8:7Isaiah 44:24Isaiah 1:3Isaiah 43:1Ezekiel 15:2-8

Test Your Knowledge

Isaiah 27 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterIsaiah Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Isaiah 27 with CommentaryAll Isaiah ChaptersComplete Isaiah QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes