Isaiah 27:5
Or let him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me; and he shall make peace with me.
Original Language Analysis
א֚וֹ
H176
א֚וֹ
Strong's:
H176
Word #:
1 of 9
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
יַחֲזֵ֣ק
Or let him take hold
H2388
יַחֲזֵ֣ק
Or let him take hold
Strong's:
H2388
Word #:
2 of 9
to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra
בְּמָעוּזִּ֔י
of my strength
H4581
בְּמָעוּזִּ֔י
of my strength
Strong's:
H4581
Word #:
3 of 9
a fortified place; figuratively, a defense
יַֽעֲשֶׂה
that he may make
H6213
יַֽעֲשֶׂה
that he may make
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
4 of 9
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
שָׁל֖וֹם
peace
H7965
שָׁל֖וֹם
peace
Strong's:
H7965
Word #:
5 of 9
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace
שָׁל֖וֹם
peace
H7965
שָׁל֖וֹם
peace
Strong's:
H7965
Word #:
7 of 9
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace
Cross References
Isaiah 25:4For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.Job 22:21Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.
Historical Context
Isaiah's original hearers would have seen this as invitation to Gentile nations to join covenant relationship with Israel's God rather than opposing Him. Historically, proselytes did exactly this—grasping Israel's God as their stronghold. The New Testament reveals fuller meaning: all humanity (Jew and Gentile) were enemies needing to make peace through Christ (Romans 5:10, 2 Corinthians 5:18-20). The early church's mission was proclaiming this peace to all nations (Acts 10:36, Ephesians 2:17).
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean practically to 'take hold of God's strength' as your refuge from His wrath?
- How does this verse illustrate that the gospel is an invitation to peace, not just a threat of judgment?
- In what ways is Christ our 'stronghold' and our 'peace' with God?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Or let him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me; and he shall make peace with me. This verse offers stunning grace: enemies (the "briers and thorns" of v.4) can avoid destruction by taking hold of God's strength (ma'uzzi, מָעוּזִּי, literally "my stronghold" or "my fortress"). Instead of fighting God and being burned, they can flee TO Him for refuge. The phrase take hold (yachazek, יַחֲזֵק) means to seize, grasp firmly, cling to—depicting urgent, desperate faith.
The repetition make peace with me...make peace with me (ya'aseh shalom li...ve'ya'aseh shalom li, יַעֲשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם לִי...וְיַעֲשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם לִי) emphasizes certainty—whoever takes hold of God's strength will definitely make peace. Shalom (שָׁלוֹם) encompasses wholeness, reconciliation, covenant relationship, not merely cease-fire. This is gospel in the Old Testament: enemies of God can become friends by fleeing to God Himself as their refuge. Paul echoes this in Romans 5:1: "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Christ is our ma'oz (stronghold) and our peace (Ephesians 2:14). We who were enemies are reconciled by grasping Christ by faith (Colossians 1:21-22).