Fury is not in me: who would set the briers and thorns against me in battle? I would go through them, I would burn them together.

ISAIAH 27:4KJV
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Isaiah 27:4 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 27:4 mean?

Isaiah 27:4 describes God declaring that He is not angry, and challenges anyone to oppose Him with "briers and thorns" in battle, saying He would easily go through and burn them up. The verse uses the image of useless, prickly plants to represent those who might oppose God, showing their inability to stand against Him.

In this part of Isaiah, God is speaking about His relationship with His people, using vineyard imagery. The verse comes in a section where God promises to care for and protect Israel, unlike earlier times of judgment. Here, God emphasizes that He is not acting out of fury, and any opposition—pictured as briers and thorns—would be powerless before Him.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 27:4

  • "Fury" (חֵמָה, ḥēmāh): This word means intense anger or wrath. Here, God specifically says this is not in Him, stressing a change from previous judgment.
  • "Briers" (שַׁיִת, shayit) and "thorns" (שָׁמִיר, shamir): These words refer to wild, worthless plants. In the context, they symbolize enemies or obstacles that are no real threat to God.
  • "Burn" (שָׂרַף, saraf): This verb means to burn up or consume with fire. The image is of God quickly and completely destroying anything set against Him.

Why Isaiah 27:4 matters

  • Isaiah 27:4 clarifies that God’s current attitude toward His people is not one of anger, which contrasts with earlier passages of judgment and punishment.
  • The verse highlights the futility of resisting God, using the vivid picture of briers and thorns that cannot withstand fire, reinforcing God’s power and authority.
  • This verse connects to the larger theme in Isaiah 27 of God’s care and restoration for Israel, showing a shift from punishment to protection and nurture.

Where else these words appear

“thorns” Hebrew H7898 · used in 7 verses

  • Isaiah 5:6 And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.
  • Isaiah 7:24 With arrows and with bows shall men come thither; because all the land shall become briers and thorns.
  • Isaiah 9:18 For wickedness burneth as the fire: it shall devour the briers and thorns, and shall kindle in the thickets of the forest, and they shall mount up like the lifting up of smoke.

“briers” Hebrew H8068 · used in 11 verses

  • Isaiah 5:6 And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.
  • Isaiah 7:25 And on all hills that shall be digged with the mattock, there shall not come thither the fear of briers and thorns: but it shall be for the sending forth of oxen, and for the treading of lesser cattle.
  • Isaiah 32:13 Upon the land of my people shall come up thorns and briers; yea, upon all the houses of joy in the joyous city:

“Fury” Hebrew H2534 · used in 117 verses

  • Genesis 27:44 And tarry with him a few days, until thy brother's fury turn away;
  • Psalms 106:23 Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.
  • Lamentations 4:11 The LORD hath accomplished his fury; he hath poured out his fierce anger, and hath kindled a fire in Zion, and it hath devoured the foundations thereof.

“together” Hebrew H3162 · used in 139 verses

  • Genesis 13:6 And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together.
  • Job 24:4 They turn the needy out of the way: the poor of the earth hide themselves together.
  • Isaiah 41:1 Keep silence before me, O islands; and let the people renew their strength: let them come near; then let them speak: let us come near together to judgment.