Isaiah 17
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Commentaries
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This chapter begins with setting forth the very strong bias which the people of Judah had to idolatry, with the fatal consequences, Jer 17:1-4. The happiness of the man that trusted in Jehovah is then beautifully contrasted with the opposite character, Jer 17:5-8. God alone knows the deceitfulness and wretchedness of the heart of man, Jer 17:9, Jer 17:10. The comparison of a bird's hatching the eggs of another of a different species, which will soon forsake her, is highly expressive of the vanity of ill-acquired riches, which often disappoint the owner, Jer 17:11. The prophet continues the same subject in his own person, appeals to God for his sincerity, and prays that the evil intended him by his enemies may revert on their own heads, Jer 17:12-18. The remaining part of the chapter is a distinct prophecy relating to the due observance of the Sabbath, enforced both by promises and threatenings, Jer 17:19-27.
Open source ↗PROPHECY CONCERNING DAMASCUS AND ITS ALLY SAMARIA, that is, Syria and Israel, which had leagued together (seventh and eighth chapters). (Isa 17:1-11) Damascus--put before Israel (Ephraim, Isa 17:3), which is chiefly referred to in what follows, because it was the prevailing power in the league; with it Ephraim either stood or fell (Isa. 7:1-25).
Open source ↗The burden of Damascus,.... A heavy and grievous prophecy, concerning the destruction of it; the Arabic version is, "the prophecy of Isaiah concerning Damascus;'' and the Targum is, "the burden of the cup of cursing to give Damascus to drink.'' Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city; a kingdom, as the Targum; it was the head of one, but now its walls were demolished, its houses pulled down, and its inhabitants carried captive; this was done by Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria, Kg2 16:9 it had been a very ancient city, see Gen 15:2 and the head of the kingdom of Syria, Isa 7:8, and though it underwent this calamity, it was rebuilt again, and was a city of great fame, when destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, Jer 49:24 after which it was raised up again, and was in being in the apostle's time, and still is, Act 9:22, Co2 11:32. and it shall be a ruinous heap; or a heap of stones, as the Targum and Kimchi interpret it. A "behold" is prefixed to the whole, as being very wonderful and remarkable, unthought of, and unexpected.
Open source ↗The first turn: "Behold, Damascus must (be taken) away out of the number of the cities, and will be a heap of fallen ruins. The cities of Aroer are forsaken, they are given up to flocks, they lie there without any one scaring them away. And the fortress of Ephraim is abolished, and the kingdom of Damascus; and it happens to those that are left of Aram as to the glory of the sons of Israel, saith Jehovah of hosts." "Behold," etc.: hinnēh followed by a participle indicates here, as it does everywhere else, something very near at hand. Damascus is removed מעיר (= עיר מהיות, cf., Kg1 15:13), i.e., out of the sphere of existence as a city. It becomes מעי, a heap of ruins. The word is used intentionally instead of עי, to sound as much as possible like מעיר: a mutilated city, so to speak. It is just the same with Israel, which has made itself an appendage of Damascus. The "cities of Aroer" (gen. appos. Ges. 114, 3) represent the land to the east of the Jordan: there the judgment upon Israel (executed by Tiglath-pileser) first began. There were two Aroers: an old Amoritish city allotted to the tribe of Reuben, viz., "Aroer on the Arnon" (Deu 2:36; Deu 3:12, etc.); and an old Ammonitish one, allotted to the tribe of Gad, viz., "Aroer before Rabbah" (Rabbath, Ammon, Jos 13:25). The ruins of the former are Arair, on the lofty northern bank of the Mugib; but the situation of the latter has not yet been determined with certainty (see Comm. on Jos 13:25). The "cities of Aroer" are these two Aroers, and the rest of the cities similar to it on the east of the Jordan; just as "the Orions" in Isa 13:10 are Orion and other similar stars. We meet here again with a significant play upon the sound in the expression ‛ârē ‛Aro‛ēr (cities of Aroer): the name of Aroer was ominous, and what i…
Open source ↗We have here the burden of Damascus; the Chaldee paraphrase reads it, The burden of the cup of the curse to drink to Damascus in; and, the ten tribes being in alliance, they must expect to pledge Damascus in this cup of trembling that is to go round. 1. Damascus itself, the head city of Syria, must be destroyed; the houses, it is likely, will be burnt, as least the walls, and gates, and fortifications demolished, and the inhabitants carried away captive, so that for the present it is taken away from being a city, and is reduced not only to a village, but to a ruinous heap, Isa 17:1. Such desolating work as this does sin make with cities. 2. The country towns are abandoned by their inhabitants, frightened or forced away by the invaders: The cities of Aroer (a province of Syria so called) are forsaken (Isa 17:2); the conquered dare not dwell in them, and the conquerors have no occasion for them, nor did they seize them for want, but wantonness; so that the places which should be for men to live in are for flocks to lie down in, which they may do, and none will disturb nor dislodge them. Stately houses are converted into sheep-cotes. It is strange that great conquerors should pride themselves in being common enemies to mankind. But, how unrighteous soever they are, God is righteous in causing those cities to spue out their inhabitants, who by their wickedness had made themselves vile; it is better that flocks should lie down there than that they should harbour such as are in open rebellion against God and virtue. 3. The strongholds of Israel, the kingdom of the ten tribes, will be brought to ruin: The fortress shall cease from Ephraim (Isa 17:3), that in Samaria, and all the rest. They had joined with Syria in invading Judah very unnaturally; and now those that had been pa…
Open source ↗17:1–20:6 This section contains prophecies of judgment against Damascus, Israel, Ethiopia, and Egypt. The scene moves from the crisis of 734 BC (the alliance of Syria and Israel—see study note on 7:1-25) to the Assyrian crisis in 701 BC (see chs 36–37). 17:1 Damascus, the ringleader in the alliance of Syria and Israel against Judah, fell when the Assyrian king Tiglath-pileser III invaded in 732 BC.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
מַשָּׂא (massâʼ, H4853) — a burden; specifically, tribute, or (abstractly) porterage; figuratively, an utterance,… דַּמֶּשֶׂק (Dammeseq, H1834) — Damascus, a city of Syria סוּר (çûwr, H5493) — to turn off (literal or figurative) עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… מַפָּלָה (mappâlâh, H4654) — something fallen, i.e. a ruin מְעִי (mᵉʻîy, H4596) — a pile of rubbish (as contorted), i.e. a ruin
Open source ↗עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… עֲרוֹעֵר (ʻĂrôwʻêr, H6177) — Aroer, the name of three places in or near Palestine עָזַב (ʻâzab, H5800) — to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etc. עֵדֶר (ʻêder, H5739) — an arrangement, i.e. muster (of animals) רָבַץ (râbats, H7257) — to crouch (on all four legs folded, like a recumbent animal); be implication, to recline,… חָרַד (chârad, H2729) — to shudder with terror; hence, to fear; also to hasten (with anxiety)
Open source ↗מִבְצָר (mibtsâr, H4013) — a fortification, castle, or fortified city; figuratively, a defender שָׁבַת (shâbath, H7673) — to repose, i.e. desist from exertion; used in many implied relations (causative,… אֶפְרַיִם (ʼEphrayim, H669) — Ephrajim, a son of Joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory מַמְלָכָה (mamlâkâh, H4467) — dominion, i.e. (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm) דַּמֶּשֶׂק (Dammeseq, H1834) — Damascus, a city of Syria שְׁאָר (shᵉʼâr, H7605) — a remainder אֲרָם (ʼĂrâm, H758) — Aram or Syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of Shem, a grandson of… כָּבוֹד (kâbôwd, H3519) — properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity נְאֻם (nᵉʼum, H5002) — an oracle יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6635) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army);…
Open source ↗יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… כָּבוֹד (kâbôwd, H3519) — properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness יַעֲקֹב (Yaʻăqôb, H3290) — Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch דָּלַל (dâlal, H1809) — to slacken or be feeble; figuratively, to be oppressed מַשְׁמָן (mashmân, H4924) — fat, i.e. (literally and abstractly) fatness; but usually (figuratively and concretely) a… בָּשָׂר (bâsâr, H1320) — flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the… רָזָה (râzâh, H7329) — to emaciate, i.e. make (become) thin (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗קָצִיר (qâtsîyr, H7105) — severed, i.e. harvest (as reaped), the crop, the time, the reaper, or figuratively; also… אָסַף (ʼâçaph, H622) — to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. remove (destroy, leave… קָמָה (qâmâh, H7054) — something that rises, i.e. a stalk of grain קָצַר (qâtsar, H7114) — to dock off, i.e. curtail (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative); especially… שִׁבֹּל (shibbôl, H7641) — a stream (as flowing); also an ear of grain (as growing out); by analogy, a branch זְרוֹעַ (zᵉrôwaʻ, H2220) — the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force לָקַט (lâqaṭ, H3950) — properly, to pick up, i.e. (generally) to gather; specifically, to glean עֵמֶק (ʻêmeq, H6010) — a vale (i.e. broad depression) רָפָא (râphâʼ, H7497) — a giant
Open source ↗עֹלֵלָה (ʻôlêlâh, H5955) — only in plural gleanings; by extension gleaning-time שָׁאַר (shâʼar, H7604) — properly, to swell up, i.e. be (causatively, make) redundant נֹקֶף (nôqeph, H5363) — a threshing (of olives) זַיִת (zayith, H2132) — an olive (as yielding illuminating oil), the tree, the branch or the berry שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold שָׁלוֹשׁ (shâlôwsh, H7969) — three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice גַּרְגַּר (gargar, H1620) — a berry (as if a pellet of rumination) רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… אָמִיר (ʼâmîyr, H534) — a summit (of a tree or mountain אַרְבַּע (ʼarbaʻ, H702) — four חָמֵשׁ (châmêsh, H2568) — five פָּרָה (pârâh, H6509) — to bear fruit (literally or figuratively) סָעִיף (çâʻîyph, H5585) — a fissure (of rocks); also a bough (as subdivided) נְאֻם (nᵉʼum, H5002) — an oracle
Open source ↗יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) שָׁעָה (shâʻâh, H8159) — to gaze at or about (properly, for help); by implication, to inspect, consider,… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… קָדוֹשׁ (qâdôwsh, H6918) — sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) God (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Open source ↗שָׁעָה (shâʻâh, H8159) — to gaze at or about (properly, for help); by implication, to inspect, consider,… מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar מַעֲשֶׂה (maʻăseh, H4639) — an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication,… יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… אֶצְבַּע (ʼetsbaʻ, H676) — something to sieze with, i.e. a finger; by analogy, a toe עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application אֲשֵׁרָה (ʼăshêrâh, H842) — Asherah (or Astarte) a Phoenician goddess; also an image of the same חַמָּן (chammân, H2553) — a sun-pillar
Open source ↗שָׁכַח (shâkach, H7911) — to mislay, i.e. to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יֶשַׁע (yeshaʻ, H3468) — liberty, deliverance, prosperity זָכַר (zâkar, H2142) — properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to remember; by implication, to mention;… צוּר (tsûwr, H6697) — properly, a cliff (or sharp rock, as compressed); generally, a rock or boulder;… מָעוֹז (mâʻôwz, H4581) — a fortified place; figuratively, a defence נָטַע (nâṭaʻ, H5193) — properly, to strike in, i.e. fix; specifically, to plant (literally or figuratively) נַעֲמָן (naʻămân, H5282) — pleasantness (plural as concrete) נֶטַע (neṭaʻ, H5194) — a plant; collectively, a plantation; abstractly, a planting זָרַע (zâraʻ, H2232) — to sow; figuratively, to disseminate, plant, fructify זוּר (zûwr, H2114) — to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be aforeigner, strange, profane;… זְמוֹרָה (zᵉmôwrâh, H2156) — a twig (as pruned)
Open source ↗יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… נֶטַע (neṭaʻ, H5194) — a plant; collectively, a plantation; abstractly, a planting שׂוּג (sûwg, H7735) — to hedge in בֹּקֶר (bôqer, H1242) — properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning זֶרַע (zeraʻ, H2233) — seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity פָּרַח (pârach, H6524) — to break forth as a bud, i.e. bloom; generally, to spread; specifically, to fly (as… קָצִיר (qâtsîyr, H7105) — severed, i.e. harvest (as reaped), the crop, the time, the reaper, or figuratively; also… נֵד (nêd, H5067) — a mound, i.e. wave חָלָה (châlâh, H2470) — properly, to be rubbed or worn; hence (figuratively) to be weak, sick, afflicted; or… אָנַשׁ (ʼânash, H605) — to be frail, feeble, or (figuratively) melancholy כְּאֵב (kᵉʼêb, H3511) — suffering (physical or mental), adversity
Open source ↗הוֹי (hôwy, H1945) — oh! הָמוֹן (hâmôwn, H1995) — a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… הָמָה (hâmâh, H1993) — to make a loud sound (like English 'hum'); by implication, to be in great commotion or… יָם (yâm, H3220) — a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the… שָׁאוֹן (shâʼôwn, H7588) — uproar (as of rushing); by implication, destruction לְאֹם (lᵉʼôm, H3816) — a community שָׁאָה (shâʼâh, H7582) — to rush; by implication, to desolate כַּבִּיר (kabbîyr, H3524) — vast, whether in extent (figuratively, of power, mighty; of time, aged), or in number,… מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
Open source ↗לְאֹם (lᵉʼôm, H3816) — a community שָׁאָה (shâʼâh, H7582) — to rush; by implication, to desolate שָׁאוֹן (shâʼôwn, H7588) — uproar (as of rushing); by implication, destruction רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen גָּעַר (gâʻar, H1605) — to chide נוּס (nûwç, H5127) — to flit, i.e. vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver) מֶרְחָק (merchâq, H4801) — remoteness, i.e. (concretely) a distant place; often (adverbially) from afar רָדַף (râdaph, H7291) — to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively (of time) gone by) מֹץ (môts, H4671) — chaff (as pressed out, i.e. winnowed or (rather) threshed loose) הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,… גַּלְגַּל (galgal, H1534) — a wheel; by analogy, a whirlwind; also dust (as whirled)
Open source ↗עֵת (ʻêth, H6256) — time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc. עֶרֶב (ʻereb, H6153) — dusk בַּלָּהָה (ballâhâh, H1091) — alarm; hence, destruction בֹּקֶר (bôqer, H1242) — properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning חֵלֶק (chêleq, H2506) — properly, smoothness (of the tongue); also an allotment שָׁסָה (shâçâh, H8154) — to plunder גּוֹרָל (gôwrâl, H1486) — properly, a pebble, i.e. a lot (small stones being used for that purpose); figuratively,… בָּזַז (bâzaz, H962) — to plunder
Open source ↗Cross-references
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This is the burden of the word of the LORDagainst the land of Hadrachand Damascus its resting place—for the eyes of menand of all the tribes of Israelare upon the LORD—
Indeed, You have made the city a heap of rubble, the fortified town a ruin. The fortress of strangers is a city no more; it will never be rebuilt.
Therefore I will make Samaria a heap of rubble in the open field, a planting area for a vineyard. I will pour her stones into the valley and expose her foundations.
During the night, Abram divided his forces and routed Chedorlaomer’s army, pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus.
and requested letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women belonging to the Way, he could bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem.
For the head of Aram is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin. Within sixty-five years Ephraim will be shattered as a people.
Therefore, behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will sound the battle cry against Rabbah of the Ammonites. It will become a heap of ruins, and its villages will be burned. Then Israel will drive out their dispossessors, says the LORD.
Have you not heard? Long ago I ordained it; in days of old I planned it. Now I have brought it to pass, that you should crush fortified cities into piles of rubble.
For before the boy knows how to cry ‘Father’ or ‘Mother,’ the wealth of Damascus and the plunder of Samaria will be carried off by the king of Assyria.”
This is the burden against Egypt: Behold, the LORD rides on a swift cloud; He is coming to Egypt. The idols of Egypt will tremble before Him, and the hearts of the Egyptians will melt within them.