Isaiah Chapter 27 · Verse 10

Authorized King James Version

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Yet the defenced city shall be desolate, and the habitation forsaken, and left like a wilderness: there shall the calf feed, and there shall he lie down, and consume the branches thereof.

Original Language Analysis

כִּ֣י H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 1 of 15
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
עִ֤יר city H5892
עִ֤יר city
Strong's: H5892
Word #: 2 of 15
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
בְּצוּרָה֙ Yet the defenced H1219
בְּצוּרָה֙ Yet the defenced
Strong's: H1219
Word #: 3 of 15
to gather grapes; also to be isolated (i.e., inaccessible by height or fortification)
בָּדָ֔ד shall be desolate H910
בָּדָ֔ד shall be desolate
Strong's: H910
Word #: 4 of 15
separate; adverb, separately
נָוֶ֕ה and the habitation H5116
נָוֶ֕ה and the habitation
Strong's: H5116
Word #: 5 of 15
(adjectively) at home; hence (by implication of satisfaction) lovely; also (noun) a home, of god (temple), men (residence), flocks (pasture), or wild
מְשֻׁלָּ֥ח forsaken H7971
מְשֻׁלָּ֥ח forsaken
Strong's: H7971
Word #: 6 of 15
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
וְנֶעֱזָ֖ב and left H5800
וְנֶעֱזָ֖ב and left
Strong's: H5800
Word #: 7 of 15
to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc
כַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר like a wilderness H4057
כַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר like a wilderness
Strong's: H4057
Word #: 8 of 15
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
שָׁ֣ם H8033
שָׁ֣ם
Strong's: H8033
Word #: 9 of 15
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
יִרְעֶ֥ה feed H7462
יִרְעֶ֥ה feed
Strong's: H7462
Word #: 10 of 15
to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie
עֵ֛גֶל there shall the calf H5695
עֵ֛גֶל there shall the calf
Strong's: H5695
Word #: 11 of 15
a (male) calf (as frisking round), especially one nearly grown (i.e., a steer)
וְשָׁ֥ם H8033
וְשָׁ֥ם
Strong's: H8033
Word #: 12 of 15
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
יִרְבָּ֖ץ and there shall he lie down H7257
יִרְבָּ֖ץ and there shall he lie down
Strong's: H7257
Word #: 13 of 15
to crouch (on all four legs folded, like a recumbent animal); by implication, to recline, repose, brood, lurk, imbed
וְכִלָּ֥ה and consume H3615
וְכִלָּ֥ה and consume
Strong's: H3615
Word #: 14 of 15
to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)
סְעִפֶֽיהָ׃ the branches H5585
סְעִפֶֽיהָ׃ the branches
Strong's: H5585
Word #: 15 of 15
a fissure (of rocks); also a bough (as subdivided)

Analysis & Commentary

Yet the defenced city shall be desolate, and the habitation forsaken, and left like a wilderness: there shall the calf feed, and there shall he lie down, and consume the branches thereof. After promises of restoration (vv.2-9), this verse describes ongoing desolation of enemy cities. The defenced city (ir betsura, עִיר בְּצוּרָה, fortified city) likely refers to hostile capitals like Samaria, Damascus, or symbolically to all God-opposing powers. Desolate...forsaken...like a wilderness (badad...ne'ezav...kamidbar, בָּדָד...נֶעֱזָב...כַּמִּדְבָּר) emphasizes complete abandonment.

The image of domestic animals grazing in ruins—there shall the calf feed...lie down...consume the branches—depicts pastoral peace replacing urban power. Ruins return to nature, cattle graze where armies once drilled. This judgment is permanent, contrasting with Israel's temporary exile. Isaiah 5:17 similarly pictures lambs grazing in ruins of the wealthy's estates. Babylon's prophesied desolation (Isaiah 13:19-22) where wild animals dwell rather than humans exemplifies this. Revelation 18 applies similar imagery to spiritual Babylon's fall.

Historical Context

Ancient fortified cities seemed invincible—massive walls, strategic locations, military might. Yet history proved Isaiah right: Samaria fell (722 BC), Damascus conquered, Babylon destroyed (539 BC then gradually abandoned), Nineveh obliterated (612 BC). Archaeological tells (ruin mounds) throughout the Middle East testify to once-great cities now desolate. Rome fell, Constantinople fell, all earthly powers eventually crumble. Only God's kingdom remains forever (Daniel 2:44).

Questions for Reflection