King James Version

What Does Isaiah 27:13 Mean?

Isaiah 27:13 in the King James Version says “And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to pe...” — 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 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.”

Isaiah 27:13 · KJV

Salvation

Context

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 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. This climactic verse describes the eschatological gathering. The great trumpet (shofar gadol, שׁוֹפָר גָּדוֹל) recalls key moments: Sinai's theophany (Exodus 19:16), Jubilee year release (Leviticus 25:9), and prophetic Day of the LORD (Joel 2:1, Zephaniah 1:16). Jesus spoke of angels gathering elect "with a great sound of a trumpet" (Matthew 24:31). Paul describes the resurrection trumpet (1 Corinthians 15:52, 1 Thessalonians 4:16). Revelation's seven trumpets announce final judgments and Christ's kingdom (Revelation 8-11).

They shall come which were ready to perish (ha'ovedim be'erets Ashur, הָאֹבְדִים בְּאֶרֶץ אַשּׁוּר, those lost/perishing in land of Assyria) and the outcasts in the land of Egypt (vehaniddachim be'erets Mitsrayim, וְהַנִּדָּחִים בְּאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם, those driven out in land of Egypt) represents all dispersed Israelites. "Ready to perish" suggests desperate straits, near total loss. "Outcasts" (niddachim, from nadach, נָדַח, driven away, banished) emphasizes forced exile. Yet none are beyond God's reach or restoration.

And shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem (vehishtachavu la-Yahweh behar haqqodesh biYrushalayim, וְהִשְׁתַּחֲווּ לַיהוָה בְּהַר הַקֹּדֶשׁ בִּירוּשָׁלָ‍ִם) depicts the goal: not merely geographic return but restored worship. Hishtachavah (הִשְׁתַּחֲוָה) means to bow down, prostrate oneself—covenant worship of Yahweh. Jerusalem's holy mount (Temple Mount/Zion) represents God's presence. Hebrews 12:22-24 spiritualizes this as believers coming to heavenly Jerusalem. Revelation 21-22 pictures New Jerusalem descending, ultimate restoration where God dwells with His people forever.

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Historical & Cultural Context

No single historical event exhausts this prophecy. Partial returns occurred after Babylonian exile, but full worldwide regathering awaits consummation. Modern Israeli statehood (1948) saw Jews return from worldwide dispersion, which some see as beginning fulfillment. The church sees spiritual fulfillment as all nations worship in Zion (the church, Hebrews 12:22-23, Galatians 4:26). Ultimate fulfillment comes when Christ returns and establishes His kingdom, gathering elect from earth's four corners (Matthew 24:31, Revelation 7:9-10) to worship eternally in new creation.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the 'great trumpet' symbolize about God's final summons to His scattered people?
  2. How does this promise encourage believers who feel like 'outcasts' or 'ready to perish' in hostile environments?
  3. In what ways do you see partial fulfillment of worldwide gathering to worship God, and how does this shape your hope for Christ's return?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וְהָיָ֣ה׀1 of 18
H1961

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

בַּיּ֣וֹם2 of 18

“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

הַה֗וּא3 of 18
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

יִתָּקַע֮4 of 18

“shall be blown”

H8628

to clatter, i.e., slap (the hands together), clang (an instrument); by analogy, to drive (a nail or tent-pin, a dart, etc.); by implication, to become

בְּשׁוֹפָ֣ר5 of 18

“trumpet”

H7782

a cornet (as giving a clear sound) or curved horn

גָּדוֹל֒6 of 18

“that the great”

H1419

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

וּבָ֗אוּ7 of 18

“and they shall come”

H935

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

הָאֹֽבְדִים֙8 of 18

“which were ready to perish”

H6

properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)

בְּאֶ֣רֶץ9 of 18

“in the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אַשּׁ֔וּר10 of 18

“of Assyria”

H804

ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire

וְהַנִּדָּחִ֖ים11 of 18

“and the outcasts”

H5080

to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to expel, mislead, strike, inflict, etc.)

בְּאֶ֣רֶץ12 of 18

“in the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרָ֑יִם13 of 18

“of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

וְהִשְׁתַּחֲו֧וּ14 of 18

“and shall worship”

H7812

to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)

לַיהוָ֛ה15 of 18

“the LORD”

H3068

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

בְּהַ֥ר16 of 18

“mount”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

הַקֹּ֖דֶשׁ17 of 18

“in the holy”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

בִּירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃18 of 18

“at Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

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 27:13 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 27:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 24:31Leviticus 25:9Hebrews 12:22Isaiah 19:23-251 Chronicles 15:24John 4:21-24

Places in This Verse

AssyriaRegion · Modern: Nineveh · 36.36°N, 43.15°E141 verses across 15 books
EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Isaiah 27 →

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