Isaiah 27:4

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 27:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Wrath is not in me: would that the briers and thorns were against me in battle! I would march upon them, I would burn them together.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Wrath is not in me: would that the briers and thorns were against me in battle! I would march upon them, I would burn them together.
Isaiah 27:4 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 27

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
4Wrath is not in me: would that the briers and thorns were against me in battle! I would march upon them, I would burn them together.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Fury [is] not in me, &c.] Against his vineyard he takes so much care of, his church and people, whom he has loved with an everlasting love; they are indeed deserving of his wrath, but he has not appointed them to it, but has appointed his Son to bear it for them, who has delivered them from wrath to come, and they being justified by his blood and righteousness, are saved from it; and though the Lord chastises them for their sins, yet not in wrath and sore displeasure; there is no wrath or fury in his heart towards them, nor any expressed in the dispensations of his providence: who would set the briers [and] thorns against me in battle? either suggesting the weakness of his people, who, was…”
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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
“Fury is not in me--that is, I entertain no longer anger towards my vine. who would set . . . in battle--that is, would that I had the briers, &c. (the wicked foe; Isa 9:18; Isa 10:17; Sa2 23:6), before me! "I would go through," or rather, "against them."”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Fury: Isa 12:1, Isa 26:20, Isa 26:21, Isa 54:6-10; Psa 85:3, Psa 103:9; Eze 16:63; Nah 1:3-7; Pe2 2:9 who would: Isa 9:18, Isa 10:17; Sa2 23:6; Mal 4:3; Mat 3:12; Heb 6:8 go through: or, march against Isaiah 27:5”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification