Isaiah 44:27
New International Version
who says to the watery deep, ‘Be dry, and I will dry up your streams,’

New Living Translation
When I speak to the rivers and say, ‘Dry up!’ they will be dry.

English Standard Version
who says to the deep, ‘Be dry; I will dry up your rivers’;

Berean Standard Bible
who says to the depths of the sea, ‘Be dry, and I will dry up your currents,’

King James Bible
That saith to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up thy rivers:

New King James Version
Who says to the deep, ‘Be dry! And I will dry up your rivers’;

New American Standard Bible
I am the One who says to the depth of the sea, ‘Dry up!’ And I will make your rivers dry up.

NASB 1995
“It is I who says to the depth of the sea, ‘Be dried up!’ And I will make your rivers dry.

NASB 1977
It is I who says to the depth of the sea, ‘Be dried up!’ And I will make your rivers dry.

Legacy Standard Bible
It is I who says to the depth of the sea, ‘Be dried up!’ And I will make your rivers dry.

Amplified Bible
It is I who says to the deep, ‘Be dried up!’ And I will make your rivers dry.

Christian Standard Bible
who says to the depths of the sea, “Be dry,” and I will dry up your rivers;

Holman Christian Standard Bible
who says to the depths of the sea, “Be dry,” and I will dry up your rivers;

American Standard Version
that saith to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up thy rivers;

Contemporary English Version
I am the one who commands the sea and its streams to run dry.

English Revised Version
that saith to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up thy rivers:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He says to the deep water, "Dry up." So I will dry up your rivers.

Good News Translation
With a word of command I dry up the ocean.

International Standard Version
who says to the watery deep, "Be dry— I will dry up your rivers;"

NET Bible
who says to the deep sea, 'Be dry! I will dry up your sea currents,'

New Heart English Bible
who says to the deep, 'Be dry,' and 'I will dry up your rivers;'

Webster's Bible Translation
That saith to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up thy rivers:
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
who says to the depths of the sea, ‘Be dry, and I will dry up your currents,’

World English Bible
who says to the deep, ‘Be dry,’ and ‘I will dry up your rivers,’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Who is saying to the deep, "" Be dry, and your rivers I cause to dry up,

Young's Literal Translation
Who is saying to the deep, Be dry, and thy rivers I cause to dry up,

Smith's Literal Translation
Saying to the depth, Be thou dry, and I will dry up thy rivers.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Who say to the deep: Be thou desolate, and I will dry up thy rivers.

Catholic Public Domain Version
I say to the depths, “Be desolate,” and, “I will dry up your rivers.”

New American Bible
I say to the deep, Be dry! I will dry up your rivers.

New Revised Standard Version
who says to the deep, “Be dry— I will dry up your rivers”;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Who said to the deep, Be dry, and who dried up the rivers;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Who said to the deep: “Be empty”, and your rivers, “Dry up"
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
That saith to the deep: 'Be dry, and I will dry up thy rivers';

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Who says to the deep, Thou shalt be dried up, and I will dry up the rivers.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jerusalem to Be Restored
26who confirms the message of His servant and fulfills the counsel of His messengers, who says of Jerusalem, ‘She will be inhabited,’ and of the cities of Judah, ‘They will be rebuilt, and I will restore their ruins,’ 27who says to the depths of the sea, ‘Be dry, and I will dry up your currents,’ 28who says of Cyrus, ‘My shepherd will fulfill all that I desire,’ who says of Jerusalem, ‘She will be rebuilt,’ and of the temple, ‘Let its foundation be laid.’ ”…

Cross References
Exodus 14:21-22
Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove back the sea with a strong east wind that turned it into dry land. So the waters were divided, / and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left.

Joshua 3:13-17
When the feet of the priests who carry the ark of the LORD—the Lord of all the earth—touch down in the waters of the Jordan, its flowing waters will be cut off and will stand up in a heap.” / So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carried the ark of the covenant ahead of them. / Now the Jordan overflows its banks throughout the harvest season. But as soon as the priests carrying the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, ...

Psalm 106:9
He rebuked the Red Sea, and it dried up; He led them through the depths as through a desert.

Psalm 114:3-5
The sea observed and fled; the Jordan turned back; / the mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs. / Why was it, O sea, that you fled, O Jordan, that you turned back,

Jeremiah 50:38
A drought is upon her waters, and they will be dried up. For it is a land of graven images, and the people go mad over idols.

Jeremiah 51:36
Therefore this is what the LORD says: “Behold, I will plead your case and take vengeance on your behalf; I will dry up her sea and make her springs run dry.

Jeremiah 51:42
The sea has come up over Babylon; she is covered in turbulent waves.

Nahum 1:4
He rebukes the sea and dries it up; He makes all the rivers run dry. Bashan and Carmel wither, and the flower of Lebanon wilts.

Zechariah 10:11
They will pass through the sea of distress and strike the waves of the sea; all the depths of the Nile will dry up. The pride of Assyria will be brought down, and the scepter of Egypt will depart.

Revelation 16:12
And the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings of the East.

Matthew 8:26-27
“You of little faith,” Jesus replied, “why are you so afraid?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it was perfectly calm. / The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the sea obey Him!”

Mark 4:39-41
Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the sea. “Silence!” He commanded. “Be still!” And the wind died down, and it was perfectly calm. / “Why are you so afraid?” He asked. “Do you still have no faith?” / Overwhelmed with fear, they asked one another, “Who is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”

Luke 8:24-25
The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters, and they subsided, and all was calm. / “Where is your faith?” He asked. Frightened and amazed, they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him!”

John 2:7-9
Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the brim. / “Now draw some out,” He said, “and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, / and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not know where it was from, but the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside

John 6:19-21
When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the sea—and they were terrified. / But Jesus spoke up: “It is I; do not be afraid.” / Then they were willing to take Him into the boat, and at once the boat reached the shore where they were heading.


Treasury of Scripture

That said to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up your rivers:

be dry

Isaiah 11:15,16
And the LORD shall utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with his mighty wind shall he shake his hand over the river, and shall smite it in the seven streams, and make men go over dryshod…

Isaiah 42:15
I will make waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools.

Isaiah 43:16
Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters;

Jump to Previous
Cause Deep Depth Dried Dry Rivers Sea Streams
Jump to Next
Cause Deep Depth Dried Dry Rivers Sea Streams
Isaiah 44
1. God comforts the church with his promises
7. The vanity of idols
9. And folly of idol makers
21. He exhorts to praise God for his redemption and omnipotence














who says to the depths of the sea
This phrase highlights God's sovereign power over creation, reminiscent of His command over the waters during the Exodus (Exodus 14:21). The "depths of the sea" symbolize chaos and obstacles, which God can control and subdue. This imagery is also seen in Genesis 1:2, where the Spirit of God hovers over the waters, bringing order from chaos. The sea often represents nations or peoples in turmoil (Isaiah 17:12-13), and God's authority over it signifies His control over all nations and their destinies.

‘Be dry,
This command echoes the miraculous parting of the Red Sea, where God made a path through the waters for the Israelites (Exodus 14:21-22). It signifies deliverance and the removal of barriers, illustrating God's ability to make a way where there seems to be none. In a broader sense, it can also symbolize spiritual renewal and the removal of sin's barriers, as seen in the New Testament with Jesus calming the storm (Mark 4:39), demonstrating His divine authority.

and I will dry up your currents,’
This promise of drying up currents can be seen as a prophecy of God's intervention in history, particularly in the context of the Babylonian exile. It foreshadows the fall of Babylon, which was situated by the Euphrates River. Historically, Cyrus the Great diverted the river to conquer Babylon, fulfilling this prophecy (Isaiah 45:1-2). The drying up of currents also symbolizes the cessation of opposition and the establishment of God's purposes. In a typological sense, it points to Christ's ultimate victory over sin and death, removing the barriers between God and humanity.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Isaiah
A major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah is the author of the book that bears his name. He prophesied during the reigns of several kings of Judah and is known for his messages of both judgment and hope.

2. The Sea and Rivers
In this verse, the sea and rivers symbolize obstacles or barriers that God has the power to remove. The imagery of drying up waters is often used in the Bible to demonstrate God's sovereignty over creation.

3. Cyrus the Great
Although not mentioned directly in this verse, the context of Isaiah 44 and 45 includes prophecies about Cyrus, the Persian king who would conquer Babylon and allow the Israelites to return to Jerusalem. The drying up of rivers can be seen as a metaphor for the ease with which God would enable Cyrus to achieve his purposes.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty Over Creation
God has absolute control over the natural world. Just as He can dry up seas and rivers, He can remove any obstacle in our lives according to His will.

Divine Intervention in Human Affairs
The imagery of drying up waters symbolizes God's intervention in history. Believers can trust that God is actively involved in the world and in their personal lives.

Fulfillment of God's Promises
The context of this verse points to the fulfillment of God's promises to His people. We can have confidence that God will fulfill His promises to us, even when circumstances seem insurmountable.

Preparation for Deliverance
Just as God prepared the way for the Israelites' return from exile, He prepares the way for our deliverance from spiritual and physical challenges.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Isaiah 44:27?

2. How does Isaiah 44:27 demonstrate God's sovereignty over nature and creation?

3. What does "dry up your rivers" signify about God's power in Isaiah 44:27?

4. How can Isaiah 44:27 inspire trust in God's control over life's challenges?

5. Connect Isaiah 44:27 with other scriptures showing God's authority over natural elements.

6. How can believers apply the message of Isaiah 44:27 in daily life?

7. How does Isaiah 44:27 demonstrate God's control over nature and history?

8. What historical events might Isaiah 44:27 be referencing?

9. How does Isaiah 44:27 relate to the theme of God's sovereignty?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 44?

11. How can Isaiah 27:1 be reconciled with scientific knowledge in describing Leviathan as a literal sea monster?

12. How does the portrayal of Leviathan in Job 41 align or conflict with other biblical references to large sea creatures (e.g., Psalm 104:26 or Isaiah 27:1)?

13. If Jesus is God, why did He say 'My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?' on the cross (Matthew 27:46)?

14. What defines a spiritual body?
What Does Isaiah 44:27 Mean
Who says

Isaiah pictures “the One who says,” underscoring that the Lord Himself is speaking. Everything that follows rests on His sovereign voice.

Genesis 1:3 shows the creative power of “God said.”

Isaiah 40:26 reminds us He “calls them all by name.”

Hebrews 1:3 adds that He “upholds all things by His powerful word.”

Because the Speaker is the Creator who never lies (Numbers 23:19), the promise is rock-solid.


To the depths of the sea

The Lord addresses the very “depths,” the places untouchable by human effort.

Exodus 14:21–22 records how He split the Red Sea so Israel crossed “on dry ground.”

Joshua 3:13 repeats the miracle at the Jordan.

Psalm 77:19 says, “Your path led through the sea, Your way through the mighty waters.”

These historic acts prove that real, physical waters obey their Maker; He is not using empty imagery.


Be dry

With two short words the Lord issues a command that changes geography.

Exodus 15:8 celebrates, “At the blast of Your nostrils the waters piled up.”

Isaiah 42:15 echoes, “I will lay waste the mountains and hills and dry up all their vegetation.”

Revelation 16:12 foresees the literal Euphrates drying for the kings of the east.

God never worries about available means; His word alone suffices to drain oceans or rivers.


And I will dry up your currents

Currents are the lifeblood of a sea or river; drying them ends the flow at its source.

Jeremiah 51:36 promises, “I will dry up her sea and make her fountain run dry,” foreshadowing Babylon’s fall.

Isaiah 44:28 immediately links the prophecy to Cyrus, whose engineers diverted the Euphrates so his armies could march into the city unopposed.

Isaiah 45:2–3 shows God flattening obstacles so His people can return home.

The verse therefore assures Israel that the Lord will literally manipulate nature and nations to fulfill His covenant—just as He once parted waters for the Exodus, He will now drain rivers to end their exile.


summary

Isaiah 44:27 highlights the unmatched authority of God’s voice, the reach of His command to the deepest waters, the instant effectiveness of His directive to “Be dry,” and His promise to dry up every opposing current. Historically He did exactly that through Cyrus; prophetically He guarantees He can still remove any barrier to His redemptive plan.

(27) That saith to the deep--i.e., to the Euphrates. The words find a literal fulfilment in the strategical operation by which Cyrus turned the river from its usual bed into the Sepharvaim channel, and thus enabled his soldiers to cross on foot (Herod. i. 191). Symbolically the words may mean simply the destruction of the power of Babylon, of which its river was the emblem. (Comp. Revelation 16:12.)

Verse 27. - That saith to the deep, Be dry (comp. Isaiah 42:15). "The flood" here is probably the main stream of the Euphrates, while "the rivers" are the various side streams which branched off from it and again united themselves with it. Some commentators regard the drying of Euphrates as a mere metaphor for the exhaustion and ruin of Babylon (Kay); but (with Delitzsch) I should be inclined to understand a reference to the action of Cyrus in drawing off the water of the river (see the comment on Isaiah 42:15).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
who says
הָאֹמֵ֥ר (hā·’ō·mêr)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to the depths of the sea,
לַצּוּלָ֖ה (laṣ·ṣū·lāh)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6683: (ocean) deep

‘Be dry,
חֳרָ֑בִי (ḥo·rā·ḇî)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine singular
Strong's 2717: To parch, to desolate, destroy, kill

and I will dry up
אוֹבִֽישׁ׃ (’ō·w·ḇîš)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3001: To be ashamed, confused, disappointed, to dry up, wither

your currents,’
וְנַהֲרֹתַ֖יִךְ (wə·na·hă·rō·ṯa·yiḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 5104: A stream, prosperity


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 44:27 Who says to the deep 'Be dry' (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 44:26
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