Isaiah 44:27

27 1who says to the deep, 'Be dry; I will dry up your rivers';

Isaiah 44:27 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 44:27

That saith to the deep, be dry
The Targum is,

``that saith to Babylon, be desolate;''
and most interpreters, Jewish and Christian, understand it of Babylon, which was situated in a watery place, by rivers of water, particularly the river Euphrates, and in a low valley: and I will dry up thy rivers;
some think the allusion is to the stratagem of Cyrus, made use of, under a divine direction, to drain the river Euphrates, and make it passable for his army; by which means he surprised the city of Babylon, and took it: though others think it refers to the drying up of the Red sea and the river Jordan, which are proofs of what God can do, and a periphrasis of his power.

Isaiah 44:27 In-Context

25 who frustrates the signs of liars and makes fools of diviners, who turns wise men back and makes their knowledge foolish,
26 who confirms the word of his servant and fulfills the counsel of his messengers, who says of Jerusalem, 'She shall be inhabited,' and of the cities of Judah, 'They shall be built, and I will raise up their ruins';
27 who says to the deep, 'Be dry; I will dry up your rivers';
28 who says of Cyrus, 'He is my shepherd, and he shall fulfill all my purpose'; saying of Jerusalem, 'She shall be built,' and of the temple, 'Your foundation shall be laid.'"

Cross References 1

  • 1. Isaiah 11:15; [Isaiah 51:10]
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.