Lexical Summary hophek: Overturning, overthrow, transformation Original Word: הֹפֶךְ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance perversity, turning of things upside down From haphak; an upset, i.e. (abstract) perversity -- turning of things upside down. see HEBREW haphak NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originthe same as hephek, q.v. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Imagery The term conveys a vigorous “turning upside down” or “overthrow,” evoking the image of something suddenly inverted or reversed. In prophetic language it pictures the shock of divine intervention that exposes human presumption and sets God’s order back in place. Context in Isaiah 29:16 “You have turned things upside down, as if the potter were regarded as clay. Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, ‘He did not make me’? Can the pot say to the potter, ‘He has no understanding’?” (Isaiah 29:16). Here the prophet confronts Judah’s leadership for perverting truth and trusting their own schemes (Isaiah 29:15). The single use of the word underscores the outrageous nature of their inversion: they have attempted to swap roles with their Maker. The image of potter and clay recalls earlier prophetic rebukes (Isaiah 45:9; Jeremiah 18:6) and anticipates Paul’s application to the Gospel era (Romans 9:20–21). Historical Background Isaiah ministered during political turbulence (eighth century B.C.). Judah’s rulers sought security in secret alliances while ignoring covenant faithfulness. Their “turning upside down” was not merely political maneuvering but spiritual rebellion—a rejection of the Creator’s wisdom. The prophetic declaration of inversion warns that God will respond with His own decisive reversal: humbling the proud and vindicating His holiness (Isaiah 29:17–24). Theological Themes 1. Divine sovereignty over creation: God alone is the Potter; any human claim to self-determination apart from Him is absurd. Related Biblical Motifs and Scriptures • Overthrow of prideful cities: Genesis 19:25; Amos 4:11. Practical Ministry Implications • Preaching: The text calls congregations to examine any area where human philosophy or religious form has supplanted God’s Word. Christological Perspective At the cross the ultimate “overturning” occurs: human sin and satanic schemes are exposed, and the rejected Stone becomes the cornerstone (Acts 4:10–11). Jesus Christ embodies the divine reversal foretold by Isaiah, bringing the wise to foolishness and the weak to strength (1 Corinthians 1:18–25). Believers participate in this ongoing transformation, being “renewed in the spirit of your minds” (Ephesians 4:23). Eschatological Outlook Scripture culminates with the final overthrow of all rebellion (Revelation 20:11–15) and the creation of “a new heaven and a new earth” (Revelation 21:1). Every human attempt to invert God’s order will be decisively reversed, and the Potter’s design will stand forever. Summary The lone appearance of הֹפֶךְ in Isaiah 29:16 encapsulates a sweeping biblical principle: when humanity turns God’s order upside down, the sovereign Lord will Himself overturn the inversion. Recognizing this truth leads to humility, confidence in divine justice, and hope in the ultimate restoration accomplished in Christ. Forms and Transliterations הַ֨פְכְּכֶ֔ם הפככם hafkeChem hap̄·kə·ḵem hap̄kəḵemLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Isaiah 29:16 HEB: הַ֨פְכְּכֶ֔ם אִם־ כְּחֹ֥מֶר KJV: Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed INT: down lo the clay 1 Occurrence |