Isaiah 27:5

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 27:5 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Or else let him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me; [yea], let him make peace with me.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Or else let him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me; [yea], let him make peace with me.
Isaiah 27:5 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 27

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
5Or else let him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me; [yea], let him make peace with me.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Or let him take hold of my strength, &c.] Not on the law, as the Targum and Kimchi; but on Christ, as Jerom rightly interprets it; who is the strength and power of God, the man of his right hand he has made strong for himself; a strong tower, as the word signifies, a rock of defence, to whom saints may betake themselves, and be safe; in him they have righteousness and strength; in him is everlasting strength. The sense is, let the people of God, any and everyone of them, when afflicted and chastised by him particularly, and are ready to conclude that he is wroth with them, and is dealing with them in hot displeasure; let such look to Christ, and lay hold, and a strong hold, on him by faith,…”
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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
“Or--Else; the only alternative, if Israel's enemies wish to escape being "burnt together." strength--rather, "the refuge which I afford" [MAURER]. "Take hold," refers to the horns of the altar which fugitives often laid hold of as an asylum (Kg1 1:50; Kg1 2:28). Jesus is God's "strength," or "refuge" which sinners must repair to and take hold of, if they are to have "peace" with God (Isa 45:24; Rom 5:1; Eph 2:14; compare Job 22:21).”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Or - Or if at any time fury seem to be in me against my people. Let him - My people. Take hold - Which he may by humble prayer not only restrain from doing him hurt, but engage to do him good. Isaiah 27:6”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“27:5 God expects all his people to turn to him and to trust him for help. • Let them make peace with me is God’s offer of reconciliation for his people.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“let him: Isa 25:4, Isa 26:3, Isa 26:4, Isa 45:24, Isa 56:2, Isa 64:7; Jos 9:24, Jos 9:25, Jos 10:6; Job 22:21; Luk 13:34, Luk 14:32, Luk 19:42; Heb 6:18 and he: Isa 57:19; Eze 34:25, Eze 34:26; Hos 2:18-20; Rom 5:1-10; Co2 5:19-21; Eph 2:16, Eph 2:17; Col 1:20, Col 1:21 Isaiah 27:6”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification