King James Version

What Does Isaiah 27:12 Mean?

Isaiah 27:12 in the King James Version says “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 Egy...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Isaiah 27:12 · KJV

Context

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
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. After judgment on enemies (vv.10-11), focus returns to Israel's restoration. In that day points eschatologically to God's final gathering. The LORD shall beat off (yachbot Yahweh, יַחְבֹּט יְהוָה) uses agricultural imagery of beating olive trees to harvest fruit (Deuteronomy 24:20) or threshing grain. Here God beats/shakes the land to dislodge His scattered people.

From the channel of the river (mishib'olet hannahar, מִשִּׁבֹּלֶת הַנָּהָר, from the flowing of the Euphrates) indicates Mesopotamia/Babylon. Unto the stream of Egypt (ad-nachal Mitsrayim, עַד־נַחַל מִצְרָיִם, to the brook/wadi of Egypt) defines southern boundary. These represent the full extent of the Promised Land (Genesis 15:18) and directions of exile. God will reclaim His people from all dispersion points.

Ye shall be gathered one by one (tulqatu le'achad echad, תְּלֻקְּטוּ לְאַחַד אֶחָד, literally "gleaned one one") emphasizes individual, careful collection—like gleaning grain or gathering scattered sheep. No one is overlooked; each person matters. Jesus echoed this in the parable of the lost sheep (Luke 15:4-7) and promised to lose none the Father gave Him (John 6:39). The Hebrew term for gathering (laqat, לָקַט) is used of Ruth gleaning (Ruth 2:2-3), suggesting God's tender care in restoration.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Historically, Jews scattered from Babylon to Egypt to Persia were partially regathered after 538 BC, but full restoration awaited Messianic age. Jesus began gathering scattered Israel (Matthew 23:37), and the church continues gathering Jews and Gentiles into one body (Ephesians 2:11-22). Premillennial interpreters see future literal regathering of Israel to the land; amillennial interpreters see spiritual gathering of all God's people (Jew and Gentile) into the church. Either way, the promise is comprehensive restoration—no lost sheep left behind.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does God's beating/shaking the land to gather His people teach about His determined effort to restore them?
  2. How does 'one by one' gathering emphasize God's individual care and personal knowledge of each of His people?
  3. In what ways does this verse comfort believers who feel scattered, isolated, or far from God's purposes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וְהָיָה֙1 of 16
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

בַּיּ֣וֹם2 of 16

“And it shall come to pass 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

הַה֔וּא3 of 16
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

יַחְבֹּ֧ט4 of 16

“shall beat off”

H2251

to knock out or off

יְהוָ֛ה5 of 16

“that the LORD”

H3068

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

מִשִּׁבֹּ֥לֶת6 of 16

“from the channel”

H7641

a stream (as flowing); also an ear of grain (as growing out); by analogy, a branch

הַנָּהָ֖ר7 of 16

“of the river”

H5104

a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity

עַד8 of 16
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

נַ֣חַל9 of 16

“unto the stream”

H5158

a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)

מִצְרָ֑יִם10 of 16

“of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

וְאַתֶּ֧ם11 of 16
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

תְּלֻקְּט֛וּ12 of 16

“and ye shall be gathered”

H3950

properly, to pick up, i.e., (generally) to gather; specifically, to glean

אֶחָ֖ד13 of 16

“by one”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

אֶחָ֖ד14 of 16

“by one”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

בְּנֵ֥י15 of 16

“O ye children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃16 of 16

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

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 27:12 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 27:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 15:18Deuteronomy 30:3-4Nehemiah 1:9Isaiah 56:8John 10:16Psalms 72:8

Places in This Verse

Brook of EgyptRiver · Modern: Wadi al Arish · 31.15°N, 33.81°E9 verses across 7 books
EuphratesRiver · Modern: Euphrates River · 31.00°N, 47.44°E44 verses across 16 books
View all places in Isaiah 27 →

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