Bible Strands
Isaiah 14:27
The LORD of Hosts has purposed, and who can thwart Him? His hand is outstretched, so who can turn it back?
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Isaiah closes the oracle against Babylon (14:4–23) with this declaration, addressing the remnant of Judah. The verse functions as the theological summary of the whole pronouncement: what has just been described as judgment on Babylon is God's sovereign plan.
The words — יָעָץ (ya'atz, "he has planned") states the act as already accomplished; יָפֵר (yāfer, "will he frustrate") is the root for breaking or nullifying a purpose, making the rhetorical question a claim that no one holds the power to do so.
The thread — The same structure—divine decree plus the impossibility of reversal—appears in Isaiah 43:13 and Job 23:13.
Why it lands — It asks the reader to stop treating any human empire as the final word and to reckon with the fact that the one who plans cannot be undone.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
For the Lord of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?
Cross-references
- Isaiah 43:13 Even from eternity I am He, and none can deliver out of My hand. When I act, who can reverse it?”
- Job 23:13 But He is unchangeable, and who can oppose Him? He does what He desires.
- 2 Chronicles 20:6 and said, “O LORD, God of our fathers, are You not the God who is in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand, and no one can stand against You.
- Proverbs 21:30 There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.
- Job 9:12 If He takes away, who can stop Him? Who dares to ask Him, ‘What are You doing?’
- Proverbs 19:21 Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.
- Romans 8:28 And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.
- Psalms 33:11 The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the purposes of His heart to all generations.
- Romans 8:31 What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
- Isaiah 46:11 I summon a bird of prey from the east, a man for My purpose from a far-off land. Truly I have spoken, and truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, and I will surely do it.