Isaiah 27:7
Hath he smitten him, as he smote those that smote him? or is he slain according to the slaughter of them that are slain by him?
Original Language Analysis
הַכְּמַכַּ֥ת
him as he smote
H4347
הַכְּמַכַּ֥ת
him as he smote
Strong's:
H4347
Word #:
1 of 7
a blow (in 2 chronicles 2:10, of the flail); by implication, a wound; figuratively, carnage, also pestilence
הִכָּ֑הוּ
Hath he smitten
H5221
הִכָּ֑הוּ
Hath he smitten
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
2 of 7
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
הִכָּ֑הוּ
Hath he smitten
H5221
הִכָּ֑הוּ
Hath he smitten
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
3 of 7
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
4 of 7
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
Historical Context
Israel experienced devastating judgments—Assyrian conquest of Northern Kingdom (722 BC), Babylonian exile (586 BC)—yet survived when mighty empires (Assyria, Babylon) eventually fell forever. This historical reality proved God treated His people differently than their enemies. Jewish survival through centuries of persecution, when nations oppressing them vanished, testifies to this principle. For the church, this assures that God's discipline is corrective, not condemnatory (1 Corinthians 11:32).
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding the difference between God's discipline (for believers) and judgment (for His enemies) affect your view of suffering?
- What does this verse teach about God's covenant faithfulness even when He chastens His people?
- How should believers respond to God's fatherly discipline differently than fearing His wrath?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Hath he smitten him, as he smote those that smote him? or is he slain according to the slaughter of them that are slain by him? This rhetorical double-question contrasts God's discipline of Israel with His judgment of Israel's enemies. The Hebrew uses wordplay with nakah (נָכָה, smite/strike): has He smitten him [Israel] as He smote those that smote him [Israel's enemies]? The implied answer is "No!" God's chastening of His people differs from His destroying of their oppressors.
The parallel second question reinforces this: is he slain according to the slaughter of them that are slain by him? Again, "No!" The nations that slaughtered Israel face total destruction; Israel faces measured correction. This reflects Jeremiah 10:24: "O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing." And Jeremiah 30:11: "I will correct thee in measure, and will not leave thee altogether unpunished." God's covenant faithfulness means His people receive discipline for restoration, not wrath for destruction. Hebrews 12:5-11 explains this fatherly discipline as proof of sonship—God chastens those He loves.