Isaiah 28:21
For the LORD shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 16
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
כְהַר
as in mount
H2022
כְהַר
as in mount
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
2 of 16
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
יָק֣וּם
shall rise up
H6965
יָק֣וּם
shall rise up
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
4 of 16
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
יְהוָ֔ה
For the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
For the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
5 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
יִרְגָּ֑ז
he shall be wroth
H7264
יִרְגָּ֑ז
he shall be wroth
Strong's:
H7264
Word #:
8 of 16
to quiver (with any violent emotion, especially anger or fear)
לַעֲשׂ֤וֹת
that he may do
H6213
לַעֲשׂ֤וֹת
that he may do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
9 of 16
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
מַעֲשֵׂ֔הוּ
his work
H4639
מַעֲשֵׂ֔הוּ
his work
Strong's:
H4639
Word #:
10 of 16
an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
זָ֣ר
his strange
H2114
זָ֣ר
his strange
Strong's:
H2114
Word #:
11 of 16
to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be a foreigner, strange, profane; specifically (active participle) to commit adultery
מַעֲשֵׂ֔הוּ
his work
H4639
מַעֲשֵׂ֔הוּ
his work
Strong's:
H4639
Word #:
12 of 16
an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
וְלַֽעֲבֹד֙
and bring to pass
H5647
וְלַֽעֲבֹד֙
and bring to pass
Strong's:
H5647
Word #:
13 of 16
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
Cross References
1 Chronicles 14:11So they came up to Baal-perazim; and David smote them there. Then David said, God hath broken in upon mine enemies by mine hand like the breaking forth of waters: therefore they called the name of that place Baal-perazim.Joshua 10:12Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.2 Samuel 5:20And David came to Baal-perazim, and David smote them there, and said, The LORD hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baal-perazim.Joshua 10:10And the LORD discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to Beth-horon, and smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah.1 Chronicles 14:16David therefore did as God commanded him: and they smote the host of the Philistines from Gibeon even to Gazer.2 Samuel 5:25And David did so, as the LORD had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer.Isaiah 28:19From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only to understand the report.Isaiah 29:14Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.Lamentations 2:15All that pass by clap their hands at thee; they hiss and wag their head at the daughter of Jerusalem, saying, Is this the city that men call The perfection of beauty, The joy of the whole earth?
Historical Context
In 701 BC, God defended Jerusalem from Assyria (2 Kings 19:35)—His normal work protecting His people. But in 586 BC, He fought AGAINST Jerusalem through Babylon—His "strange work" judging His people. Jesus wept over Jerusalem's coming destruction (Luke 19:41-44)—grieving over necessary judgment. At the cross, God's "strange act" was making His Son sin (2 Corinthians 5:21) and crushing Him (Isaiah 53:10). Judgment, even righteous judgment, grieves God's heart while satisfying His justice. This paradox shows divine complexity: justice and mercy, holiness and love, wrath and compassion coexisting.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean that judging His people is God's 'strange work'—against His natural inclination?
- How does understanding that judgment grieves God affect your view of His discipline in your life?
- In what ways was the cross God's ultimate 'strange act'—necessary but grievous?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
For the LORD shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act. God's judgment will be as decisive as past victories, but directed differently. Mount Perazim (har Peratsim, הַר פְּרָצִים) refers to David's victory over Philistines (2 Samuel 5:20, 1 Chronicles 14:11) where God "broke through" enemies like waters breaking through. Valley of Gibeon (emeq Givon, עֵמֶק גִּבְעוֹן) recalls Joshua's victory where God fought for Israel (Joshua 10:10-14), making the sun stand still. These were triumphs FOR Israel against enemies.
Now comes the reversal: his strange work...his strange act (ma'asehu zar...avodato nokhriyyah, מַעֲשֵׂהוּ זָר...עֲבֹדָתוֹ נָכְרִיָּה, His work is strange/alien...His deed is foreign). Zar (זָר, strange, alien) and nokhriyyah (נָכְרִיָּה, foreign, unusual) emphasize this is against God's nature and normal pattern. His delight is mercy, not judgment (Micah 7:18); His goodness is severe toward unbelief (Romans 11:22). Judging His own people is "strange"—necessary but grievous. Lamentations 3:33 says He doesn't "willingly afflict nor grieve the children of men."