Isaiah 28:21 Meaning and Explanation
“For the LORD shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God will act with the same power he showed in ancient victories, though now in judgment rather than deliverance.
The Context of Isaiah 28:21
Isaiah invokes past divine victories to illustrate that God's power in judgment operates with the same force he once used to save his people.
What Does Isaiah 28:21 Mean?
Mount Perazim and the valley of Gibeon were sites of Israel's great victories under David. God rose up and defeated Israel's enemies with overwhelming power. Now Isaiah says God will rise up the same way, but the work is 'strange'—instead of defeating foreign enemies, he acts against his own people.
The repetition of 'strange work' and 'strange act' emphasizes how unusual and contrary to expectation this is. God's normal work is protecting his people. Here, in what seems contradictory, God's power that once defeated enemies now comes against his own unfaithful people. Yet it remains God's work—purposeful and designed to accomplish his will.
Isaiah 28:21 in the Original Language
Perazim (פְרָצִים) — a name meaning 'breakings,' from David's victory; Gibeon (גִּבְעוֹן) — another site of divine intervention. Both represent God's power in action.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 28:21
What does Isaiah 28:21 mean?
God will act with the same power he showed in ancient victories, though now in judgment rather than deliverance.
What is the context of Isaiah 28:21?
Isaiah invokes past divine victories to illustrate that God's power in judgment operates with the same force he once used to save his people.