Isaiah 37:27
Therefore their inhabitants were of small power, they were dismayed and confounded: they were as the grass of the field, and as the green herb, as the grass on the housetops, and as corn blasted before it be grown up.
Original Language Analysis
וְיֹֽשְׁבֵיהֶן֙
Therefore their inhabitants
H3427
וְיֹֽשְׁבֵיהֶן֙
Therefore their inhabitants
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
1 of 15
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
קִצְרֵי
were of small
H7116
קִצְרֵי
were of small
Strong's:
H7116
Word #:
2 of 15
short (whether in size, number, life, strength or temper)
יָ֔ד
power
H3027
יָ֔ד
power
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
3 of 15
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
חַ֖תּוּ
they were dismayed
H2865
חַ֖תּוּ
they were dismayed
Strong's:
H2865
Word #:
4 of 15
properly, to prostrate; hence, to break down, either (literally) by violence, or (figuratively) by confusion and fear
וָבֹ֑שׁוּ
and confounded
H954
וָבֹ֑שׁוּ
and confounded
Strong's:
H954
Word #:
5 of 15
properly, to pale, i.e., by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be disappointed or delayed
הָי֞וּ
H1961
הָי֞וּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
6 of 15
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
Historical Context
Nations Assyria conquered often suffered internal strife or divine judgment, making them vulnerable. Israel's northern kingdom fell due to covenant unfaithfulness, not merely Assyrian might.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God control outcomes by sovereignly distributing strength and weakness?
- What does it mean that apparent military superiority is actually divinely granted?
- How should this affect our view of "successful" wicked people and nations?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God explains the reality behind Assyria's victories: "their inhabitants were of small power" describes those conquered as deliberately weakened by God. "Dismayed and confounded" shows God caused their psychological defeat. The agricultural metaphors "as the grass of the field...as the green herb...as corn blasted before it be grown up" depict divinely-ordained weakness. This reveals that Assyria conquered weak opponents by God's permission, not through inherent superiority. Beating weakened opponents proves nothing about being able to defeat God's protected people.