King James Version

What Does Isaiah 37:27 Mean?

Isaiah 37:27 in the King James Version says “Therefore their inhabitants were of small power, they were dismayed and confounded: they were as the grass of the field,... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 37 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Therefore their inhabitants were of small power, they were dismayed and confounded: they were as the grass of the field, and as the green herb, as the grass on the housetops, and as corn blasted before it be grown up. of small: Heb. short of hand

Isaiah 37:27 · KJV


Context

25

I have digged, and drunk water; and with the sole of my feet have I dried up all the rivers of the besieged places. besieged: or, fenced and closed

26

Hast thou not heard long ago, how I have done it; and of ancient times, that I have formed it? now have I brought it to pass, that thou shouldest be to lay waste defenced cities into ruinous heaps. Hast: or, Hast thou not heard how I have made it long ago, and formed it of ancient times? should I now bring it to be laid waste, and defenced cities to be ruinous heaps?

27

Therefore their inhabitants were of small power, they were dismayed and confounded: they were as the grass of the field, and as the green herb, as the grass on the housetops, and as corn blasted before it be grown up. of small: Heb. short of hand

28

But I know thy abode, and thy going out, and thy coming in, and thy rage against me. abode: or, sitting

29

Because thy rage against me, and thy tumult, is come up into mine ears, therefore will I put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God explains the reality behind Assyria's victories: "their inhabitants were of small power" describes those conquered as deliberately weakened by God. "Dismayed and confounded" shows God caused their psychological defeat. The agricultural metaphors "as the grass of the field...as the green herb...as corn blasted before it be grown up" depict divinely-ordained weakness. This reveals that Assyria conquered weak opponents by God's permission, not through inherent superiority. Beating weakened opponents proves nothing about being able to defeat God's protected people.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Nations Assyria conquered often suffered internal strife or divine judgment, making them vulnerable. Israel's northern kingdom fell due to covenant unfaithfulness, not merely Assyrian might.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God control outcomes by sovereignly distributing strength and weakness?
  2. What does it mean that apparent military superiority is actually divinely granted?
  3. How should this affect our view of "successful" wicked people and nations?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וְיֹֽשְׁבֵיהֶן֙1 of 15

Therefore their inhabitants

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

קִצְרֵי2 of 15

were of small

H7116

short (whether in size, number, life, strength or temper)

יָ֔ד3 of 15

power

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

חַ֖תּוּ4 of 15

they were dismayed

H2865

properly, to prostrate; hence, to break down, either (literally) by violence, or (figuratively) by confusion and fear

וָבֹ֑שׁוּ5 of 15

and confounded

H954

properly, to pale, i.e., by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be disappointed or delayed

הָי֞וּ6 of 15
H1961

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

עֵ֤שֶׂב7 of 15

they were as the grass

H6212

grass (or any tender shoot)

שָׂדֶה֙8 of 15

of the field

H7704

a field (as flat)

וִ֣ירַק9 of 15

and as the green

H3419

properly, green; concretely, a vegetable

דֶּ֔שֶׁא10 of 15

herb

H1877

a sprout; by analogy, grass

חֲצִ֣יר11 of 15

as the grass

H2682

grass; also a leek (collectively)

גַּגּ֔וֹת12 of 15

on the housetops

H1406

a roof; by analogy, the top of an altar

וּשְׁדֵמָ֖ה13 of 15

and as corn blasted

H7709

a cultivated field

לִפְנֵ֥י14 of 15

before

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

קָמָֽה׃15 of 15

it be grown up

H7054

something that rises, i.e., a stalk of grain


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 37:27 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 37:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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