Isaiah 27:11

Authorized King James Version

PDF

When the boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off: the women come, and set them on fire: for it is a people of no understanding: therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them will shew them no favour.

Original Language Analysis

בִּיבֹ֤שׁ thereof are withered H3001
בִּיבֹ֤שׁ thereof are withered
Strong's: H3001
Word #: 1 of 20
to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither (as herbage)
קְצִירָהּ֙ When the boughs H7105
קְצִירָהּ֙ When the boughs
Strong's: H7105
Word #: 2 of 20
severed, a limb (of a tree, or simply foliage)
תִּשָּׁבַ֔רְנָה they shall be broken off H7665
תִּשָּׁבַ֔רְנָה they shall be broken off
Strong's: H7665
Word #: 3 of 20
to burst (literally or figuratively)
נָשִׁ֕ים the women H802
נָשִׁ֕ים the women
Strong's: H802
Word #: 4 of 20
a woman
בָּא֖וֹת come H935
בָּא֖וֹת come
Strong's: H935
Word #: 5 of 20
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
מְאִיר֣וֹת and set them on fire H215
מְאִיר֣וֹת and set them on fire
Strong's: H215
Word #: 6 of 20
to be (causative, make) luminous (literally and metaphorically)
אוֹתָ֑הּ H853
אוֹתָ֑הּ
Strong's: H853
Word #: 7 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כִּ֣י H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 8 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹ֤א H3808
לֹ֤א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 9 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
עַם for it is a people H5971
עַם for it is a people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 10 of 20
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
בִּינוֹת֙ of no understanding H998
בִּינוֹת֙ of no understanding
Strong's: H998
Word #: 11 of 20
understanding
ה֔וּא H1931
ה֔וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 12 of 20
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 13 of 20
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כֵּן֙ H3651
כֵּן֙
Strong's: H3651
Word #: 14 of 20
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
לֹֽא H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 15 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יְרַחֲמֶ֣נּוּ them will not have mercy H7355
יְרַחֲמֶ֣נּוּ them will not have mercy
Strong's: H7355
Word #: 16 of 20
to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate
עֹשֵׂ֔הוּ therefore he that made H6213
עֹשֵׂ֔הוּ therefore he that made
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 17 of 20
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
וְיֹצְר֖וֹ on them and he that formed H3335
וְיֹצְר֖וֹ on them and he that formed
Strong's: H3335
Word #: 18 of 20
to mould into a form; especially as a potter; figuratively, to determine (i.e., form a resolution)
לֹ֥א H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 19 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יְחֻנֶּֽנּוּ׃ them will shew them no favour H2603
יְחֻנֶּֽנּוּ׃ them will shew them no favour
Strong's: H2603
Word #: 20 of 20
properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (i.e., move to favor by petition)

Analysis & Commentary

When the boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off: the women come, and set them on fire: for it is a people of no understanding: therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them will shew them no favour. This verse continues describing the desolate city, now using agricultural imagery. When the boughs thereof are withered (beyavesh qetsireyha, בִּיבֹשׁ קְצִירֶיהָ, literally "when its harvest/branches dry up") pictures dead, brittle branches. They shall be broken off (tishavarna, תִּשָּׁבַרְנָה) suggests easy snapping of lifeless wood.

The women come, and set them on fire (nashim ba'ot me'irot otah, נָשִׁים בָּאוֹת מְאִירוֹת אֹתָהּ)—women gathering dead branches for fuel, the most mundane domestic task, occurs in ruins of once-great powers. The reason for this irreversible judgment: for it is a people of no understanding (ki lo am-binot hu, כִּי לֹא עַם־בִּינוֹת הוּא). Binah (בִּינָה) means discernment, insight, wisdom—specifically spiritual understanding. Romans 1:21-22 describes Gentiles who "became vain in their imaginations...professing themselves to be wise, they became fools." Rejecting knowledge of God leads to judicial abandonment.

Therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them will shew them no favour reverses covenant language. God as Creator (osehu, עֹשֵׂהוּ, maker) and Former (yotsero, יֹצְרוֹ, potter/shaper) normally implies care, but willful rejection of understanding results in forfeited mercy (lo yerachamenu, לֹא יְרַחֲמֶנּוּ) and favour (lo yechannenu, לֹא יְחֻנֶּנּוּ). This is Hosea's "Lo-ruhamah" ("no mercy," Hosea 1:6) and "Lo-ammi" ("not my people," Hosea 1:9) made permanent for those who finally reject God.

Historical Context

Nations surrounding Israel had access to knowledge of the true God through Israel's presence, Scripture, and prophets, yet persistently chose idolatry and opposed God's people. Their lack of understanding was willful, not innocent ignorance. Romans 1:18-32 explains how suppressing truth leads to darkened understanding and judicial hardening. For the church, this warning applies to apostates who had knowledge but rejected it (Hebrews 6:4-6, 10:26-27). Persisting in unbelief despite clear revelation results in irreversible judgment.

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

People