Isaiah 14:27

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 14:27 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For Jehovah of hosts hath purposed, and who shall annul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For Jehovah of hosts hath purposed, and who shall annul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?
Isaiah 14:27 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 14

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
27For Jehovah of hosts hath purposed, and who shall annul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For the Lord of hosts hath purposed, &c.] What is before declared, the fall of Babylon, and the destruction of the Assyrian, and everything else that comes to pass in this world; there is nothing comes to pass but he has purposed, and everything he has purposed does come to pass: and who shall disannul [it]? not the most powerful monarch, or most powerful armies, or the most refined councils of men, or the greatest politicians on earth: and his hand [is] stretched out, and who shall turn it back? or aside, from giving the blow it is designed to give; no power on earth is equal to it.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“(Dan 4:35). To comfort the Jews, lest they should fear that people; not in order to call the Philistines to repentance, since the prophecy was probably never circulated among them. They had been subdued by Uzziah or Azariah (Ch2 26:6); but in the reign of Ahaz (Ch2 28:18), they took several towns in south Judea. Now Isaiah denounces their final subjugation by Hezekiah.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For the Lord of hosts - (see the note at Isaiah 1:9). Who shall disannul it? - Who has power to defeat his purposes? Difficult as they may be in appearance, and incredible as their fulfillment may seem, yet his purposes are formed in full view of all the circumstances; and there is no power to resist his arm, or to turn him aside from the execution of his designs. By this assurance God designed to comfort his people when they should be in Babylon in a long and dreary captivity (compare Psalms 137:1-9.) And by the same consideration his people may be comforted at all times. His plans shall stand. None can disannul them. No arm has power to resist him. None of the schemes formed against him…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the Lord: Isa 23:9, Isa 43:13, Isa 46:11; Job 40:8; Jer 4:28, Jer 51:59; Rom 8:28, Rom 8:31 his: Isa 9:12; Ch2 20:6; Job 9:12, Job 23:13; Psa 33:11; Pro 19:21, Pro 21:30; Dan 4:31-35 Isaiah 14:28”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification