Isaiah 44:27

27 who say to the ocean depths, "Dry up; I will dry your streams";

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 omens of diviners and makes a mockery of magicians, who turns back the wise and turns their knowledge into folly.

26 But who confirms the word of my servant, and fulfills the predictions of my messengers who say about Jerusalem, "It will be resettled"; and who say about the cities of Judah, "They will be rebuilt, and I will restore their ruins";

27 who say to the ocean depths, "Dry up; I will dry your streams";

28 who say about Cyrus, "My shepherd— he will do all that I want"; who say about Jerusalem, "She will be rebuilt"; and who say about the temple, "You will be founded once again."