King James Version

What Does Isaiah 27:6 Mean?

Isaiah 27:6 in the King James Version says “He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root: Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with f...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root: Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit.”

Isaiah 27:6 · KJV

Context

4

Fury is not in me: who would set the briers and thorns against me in battle? I would go through them, I would burn them together. go: or, march against

5

Or let him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me; and he shall make peace with me.

6

He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root: Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit.

7

Hath he smitten him, as he smote those that smote him? or is he slain according to the slaughter of them that are slain by him? as: Heb. according to the stroke of

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

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root: Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit. This prophecy shifts from individual peace-making (v.5) to corporate restoration of Jacob/Israel. The Hebrew yashrish (יַשְׁרִשׁ, cause to take root) uses agricultural imagery of deep, secure rooting—no longer the shallow planting vulnerable to removal. The triple promise—blossom and bud (yatsits ufarach, יָצִיץ וּפָרַח) and fill the face of the world with fruit (umalu pnei tevel tenu'ah, וּמָלְאוּ פְנֵי־תֵבֵל תְּנוּבָה)—escalates from rooting to flowering to worldwide fruit-bearing.

This reverses the barren vineyard of chapter 5. God's restored people won't just survive but flourish globally. The phrase fill the face of the world suggests universal scope—Israel's blessing extending to all nations, fulfilling Abrahamic covenant promises (Genesis 12:3). Paul applies this to the gospel's worldwide spread through Jewish-Gentile church (Romans 11:12-15). Jesus's parable of the mustard seed (Matthew 13:31-32) and His promise of disciples bearing much fruit (John 15:8, 16) echo this vision. Pentecost began this fulfillment as Spirit-empowered witnesses went to all nations (Acts 1:8).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Post-exilic Jews returning from Babylon were a tiny remnant, hardly "filling the world." This prophecy pointed beyond immediate restoration to Messianic age when God's kingdom would spread globally. The church, grafted into Israel's olive tree (Romans 11:17-24), became the agent of this worldwide fruit-bearing. By the 4th century, Christianity had spread throughout the Roman Empire and beyond. Today, global Christianity numbers over 2 billion—Isaiah's vision of worldwide fruitfulness continues unfolding.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's promise that Israel would 'fill the face of the world with fruit' find fulfillment in the global church?
  2. What does the progression from 'take root' to 'blossom' to 'fill the world' teach about God's patient, purposeful growth?
  3. In what ways can your life bear fruit that extends beyond your immediate circle to impact the world?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
הַבָּאִים֙1 of 10

“He shall cause them that come”

H935

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

יַשְׁרֵ֣שׁ2 of 10

“to take root”

H8327

to root, i.e., strike into the soil, or (by implication) to pluck from it

יַֽעֲקֹ֔ב3 of 10

“of Jacob”

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

יָצִ֥יץ4 of 10

“shall blossom”

H6692

to twinkle, i.e., glance

וּפָרַ֖ח5 of 10

“and bud”

H6524

to break forth as a bud, i.e., bloom; generally, to spread; specifically, to fly (as extending the wings); figuratively, to flourish

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל6 of 10

“Israel”

H3478

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

וּמָלְא֥וּ7 of 10

“and fill”

H4390

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

פְנֵי8 of 10

“the face”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

תֵבֵ֖ל9 of 10

“of the world”

H8398

the earth (as moist and therefore inhabited); by extension, the globe; by implication, its inhabitants; specifically, a particular land, as babylonia,

תְּנוּבָֽה׃10 of 10

“with fruit”

H8570

produce

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 27:6 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 27:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 37:31Hosea 14:5-6Romans 11:16-26Isaiah 54:1-3Zechariah 2:11Hosea 2:23

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