TG
Everything TrueGospel offers, in one place.

Study

Bible Reader Scripture Search Word Study & Lexicon Bible Study Builder Reading Plans Verse Chains

Reference

The Reference Library Topical Index

Learn

True Gospel Institute

Grow & Share

Blog Q&A Sermon Notes Bible Studies Podcast

Community

Community Student Dashboard

About

About Us Support Us Contact Log In Create Free Account
BSB
← Prev Next →

Isaiah 17

BSB·14 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1This is the burden against Damascusדַּמָּ֑שֶׂקdam·mā·śeq — Capital of SyriaH1834 — Full Word Study →: “Beholdהִנֵּ֤הhin·nêh — Look! Behold! Pay attention!H2009 — Full Word Study →, Damascusדַמֶּ֙שֶׂק֙ḏam·me·śeq — Capital of SyriaH1834 — Full Word Study → is no longerמוּסָ֣רmū·sār — to turn aside, depart, removeH5493 — Full Word Study → a cityמֵעִ֔ירmê·‘îr — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study →; it has becomeוְהָיְתָ֖הwə·hā·yə·ṯāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → a heapמְעִ֥יmə·‘î — a heap or pile of stones or rubbleH4596 — Full Word Study → of ruinsמַפָּלָֽה׃map·pā·lāh — Ruin, collapse, or fallen structureH4654 — Full Word Study →. 2The citiesעָרֵ֣י‘ā·rê — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → of Aroerעֲרֹעֵ֑ר‘ă·rō·‘êr — A city in ancient IsraelH6177 — Full Word Study → are forsakenעֲזֻב֖וֹת‘ă·zu·ḇō·wṯ — to abandon, forsake, or leave behindH5800 — Full Word Study →; they will be leftתִּֽהְיֶ֔ינָהtih·ye·nāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → to the flocksלַעֲדָרִ֣יםla·‘ă·ḏā·rîm — A flock or herd of animals, especially sheep or goatsH5739 — Full Word Study →, which will lie downוְרָבְצ֖וּwə·rā·ḇə·ṣū — to lie down, crouch, reclineH7257 — Full Word Study → with no oneוְאֵ֥יןwə·’ên — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → to fearמַחֲרִֽיד׃ma·ḥă·rîḏ — to tremble, quake, or shudder with fearH2729 — Full Word Study →. 3The fortressמִבְצָר֙miḇ·ṣār — fortress, fortified city, strongholdH4013 — Full Word Study → will disappearוְנִשְׁבַּ֤תwə·niš·baṯ — to cease, rest, or desist from laborH7673 — Full Word Study → from Ephraimמֵֽאֶפְרַ֔יִםmê·’ep̄·ra·yim — Double fruitfulnessH669 — Full Word Study →, and the sovereigntyוּמַמְלָכָ֥הū·mam·lā·ḵāh — Kingdom; sovereign rule or realmH4467 — Full Word Study → from Damascusמִדַּמֶּ֖שֶׂקmid·dam·me·śeq — Capital of SyriaH1834 — Full Word Study →. The remnantוּשְׁאָ֣רū·šə·’ār — Remnant, remainder, what is leftH7605 — Full Word Study → of Aramאֲרָ֑ם’ă·rām — Ancient Mesopotamian regionH758 — Full Word Study → will beיִֽהְי֔וּyih·yū — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → like the splendorכִּכְב֤וֹדkiḵ·ḇō·wḏ — weightiness, honor, splendor, gloryH3519 — Full Word Study → of the Israelitesיִשְׂרָאֵל֙yiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study →,” declaresנְאֻ֖םnə·’um — A solemn declaration; utterance of GodH5002 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֥הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → of Hostsצְבָאֽוֹת׃סṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ — army, host, or organized military forceH6635 — Full Word Study →. 4Inוְהָיָה֙wə·hā·yāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → thatהַה֔וּאha·hū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → dayבַּיּ֣וֹםbay·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → the splendorכְּב֣וֹדkə·ḇō·wḏ — weightiness, honor, splendor, gloryH3519 — Full Word Study → of Jacobיַעֲקֹ֑בya·‘ă·qōḇ — He grasps the heelH3290 — Full Word Study → will fadeיִדַּ֖לyid·dal — To hang down, languish, become weak or impoverishedH1809 — Full Word Study →, and the fatוּמִשְׁמַ֥ןū·miš·man — Fat; richness; fertility; abundanceH4924 — Full Word Study → of his bodyבְּשָׂר֖וֹbə·śā·rōw — Flesh; body; meat; human natureH1320 — Full Word Study → will waste awayיֵרָזֶֽה׃yê·rā·zeh — to become lean; to starve or waste awayH7329 — Full Word Study →, 5asוְהָיָ֗הwə·hā·yāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → the reaperקָצִ֣ירqā·ṣîr — Harvest; the reaping of crops or figuratively, a limb or branchH7105 — Full Word Study → gathersכֶּֽאֱסֹף֙ke·’ĕ·sōp̄ — to gather, assemble, collectH622 — Full Word Study → the standing grainקָמָ֔הqā·māh — standing grain, growing cropH7054 — Full Word Study → and harvestsיִקְצ֑וֹרyiq·ṣō·wr — to cut short, harvest, or reapH7114 — Full Word Study → the earsשִׁבֳּלִ֣יםšib·bo·lîm — flowing stream; ear of grain; branchH7641 — Full Word Study → with his armוּזְרֹע֖וֹū·zə·rō·‘ōw — arm; power, strength, mightH2220 — Full Word Study →, as one gleansכִּמְלַקֵּ֥טkim·laq·qêṭ — to gather, collect, or gleanH3950 — Full Word Study → heads of grainשִׁבֳּלִ֖יםšib·bo·lîm — flowing stream; ear of grain; branchH7641 — Full Word Study → in the Valleyבְּעֵ֥מֶקbə·‘ê·meq — ValleyH6010 — Full Word Study → of Rephaimרְפָאִֽים׃rə·p̄ā·’îm — Giant; member of the Rephaim raceH7497 — Full Word Study →. 6Yet gleaningsעֽוֹלֵלֹת֙‘ō·w·lê·lōṯ — Grapes left behind after harvest; gleaningH5955 — Full Word Study → will remainוְנִשְׁאַר־wə·niš·’ar- — To remain, be left over, surviveH7604 — Full Word Study →, like an olive treeזַ֔יִתza·yiṯ — olive tree; Mount of OlivesH2132 — Full Word Study → that has been beatenכְּנֹ֣קֶףkə·nō·qep̄ — A striking blow; shaking or jolting impactH5363 — Full Word Study →twoשְׁנַ֧יִםšə·na·yim — The number two; a pair or coupleH8147 — Full Word Study → or threeשְׁלֹשָׁ֛הšə·lō·šāh — The number three; a group of three thingsH7969 — Full Word Study → berriesגַּרְגְּרִ֖יםgar·gə·rîm — berry or grain clusterH1620 — Full Word Study → atop the treeבְּרֹ֣אשׁbə·rōš — Head; chief; beginning; topH7218 — Full Word Study →, fourאַרְבָּעָ֣ה’ar·bā·‘āh — The number four; a group of fourH702 — Full Word Study → or fiveחֲמִשָּׁ֗הḥă·miš·šāh — The number five; a set of five unitsH2568 — Full Word Study → on its fruitfulפֹּֽרִיָּ֔הpō·rî·yāh — To be fruitful, increase, multiplyH6509 — Full Word Study → branchesבִּסְעִפֶ֙יהָ֙bis·‘i·p̄e·hā — Branch, cleft, or outcroppingH5585 — Full Word Study →,” declaresנְאֻם־nə·’um- — A solemn declaration; utterance of GodH5002 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֖הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, the Godאֱלֹהֵ֥י’ĕ·lō·hê — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃סyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study →. 7In thatהַה֔וּאha·hū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → dayבַּיּ֣וֹםbay·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → menהָאָדָ֖םhā·’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study → will lookיִשְׁעֶ֥הyiš·‘eh — to gaze, look, regard with attentionH8159 — Full Word Study → toעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → their Makerעֹשֵׂ֑הוּ‘ō·śê·hū — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → and turn their eyesוְעֵינָ֕יוwə·‘ê·nāw — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the Holyקְד֥וֹשׁqə·ḏō·wōš — Set apart, consecrated, sacredH6918 — Full Word Study → One of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֖לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study →. 8They will notוְלֹ֣אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → lookיִשְׁעֶ֔הyiš·‘eh — to gaze, look, regard with attentionH8159 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the altarsהַֽמִּזְבְּח֖וֹתham·miz·bə·ḥō·wṯ — altar; place of sacrifice and worshipH4196 — Full Word Study → they have fashionedמַעֲשֵׂ֣הma·‘ă·śêh — Work, deed, or actionH4639 — Full Word Study → with their handsיָדָ֑יוyā·ḏāw — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → or to the Asherahsוְהָאֲשֵׁרִ֖יםwə·hā·’ă·šê·rîm — Canaanite fertility goddessH842 — Full Word Study → and incense altarsוְהָחַמָּנִֽים׃wə·hā·ḥam·mā·nîm — Pillar or standing stone, often idolatrousH2553 — Full Word Study → they have madeעָשׂ֤וּ‘ā·śū — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → with their fingersאֶצְבְּעֹתָיו֙’eṣ·bə·‘ō·ṯāw — Finger or toeH676 — Full Word Study →. 9In thatהַה֜וּאha·hū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → dayבַּיּ֨וֹםbay·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → their strongמָעֻזּ֗וֹmā·‘uz·zōw — Refuge, stronghold, fortress; place of security and strengthH4581 — Full Word Study → citiesעָרֵ֣י‘ā·rê — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → will be likeיִהְי֣וּ׀yih·yū — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → forsakenכַּעֲזוּבַ֤תka·‘ă·zū·ḇaṯ — to abandon, forsake, or leave behindH5800 — Full Word Study → thicketsהַחֹ֙רֶשׁ֙ha·ḥō·reš — A forest or wooded areaH2793 — Full Word Study → and summitsוְהָ֣אָמִ֔ירwə·hā·’ā·mîr — Top branch; uppermost part of a treeH534 — Full Word Study →, abandonedעָזְב֔וּ‘ā·zə·ḇū — to abandon, forsake, or leave behindH5800 — Full Word Study → to the Israelitesבְּנֵ֣יbə·nê — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → and to utterוְהָיְתָ֖הwə·hā·yə·ṯāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → desolationשְׁמָמָֽה׃šə·mā·māh — desolation, devastation, ruin, astonishmentH8077 — Full Word Study →. 10Forכִּ֤יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → you have forgottenשָׁכַ֙חַתְּ֙šā·ḵa·ḥat — to forget, neglect, lose memory ofH7911 — Full Word Study → the Godאֱלֹהֵ֣י’ĕ·lō·hê — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → of your salvationיִשְׁעֵ֔ךְyiš·‘êḵ — Salvation, deliverance, safetyH3468 — Full Word Study → and failedלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → to rememberזָכָ֑רְתְּzā·ḵā·rət — to remember, recall, or mentionH2142 — Full Word Study → the Rockוְצ֥וּרwə·ṣūr — Rock; stone; strength; fortressH6697 — Full Word Study → of your refugeמָעֻזֵּ֖ךְmā·‘uz·zêḵ — Refuge, stronghold, fortress; place of security and strengthH4581 — Full Word Study →. Thereforeעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →, though you cultivateתִּטְּעִי֙tiṭ·ṭə·‘î — to plant, establish, or fix firmlyH5193 — Full Word Study → delightfulנַעֲמָנִ֔יםna·‘ă·mā·nîm — Pleasant, delightful, agreeableH5282 — Full Word Study → plotsנִטְעֵ֣יniṭ·‘ê — plantation, planted thing, seedlingH5194 — Full Word Study → and set out cuttingsתִּזְרָעֶֽנּוּ׃tiz·rā·‘en·nū — to sow seed; to plantH2232 — Full Word Study → from exoticזָ֖רzār — to turn aside, be strange or foreignH2114 — Full Word Study → vinesוּזְמֹ֥רַתū·zə·mō·raṯ — A branch or shoot of a vineH2156 — Full Word Study → 11though on the dayבְּי֤וֹםbə·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → you plantנִטְעֵךְ֙niṭ·‘êḵ — plantation, planted thing, seedlingH5194 — Full Word Study → you make them growתְּשַׂגְשֵׂ֔גִיtə·śaḡ·śê·ḡî — to cause to grow or increaseH7735 — Full Word Study →, and on that morningוּבַבֹּ֖קֶרū·ḇab·bō·qer — Morning; daybreak; the early part of the dayH1242 — Full Word Study → you help your seedזַרְעֵ֣ךְzar·‘êḵ — Seed; offspring; descendant; progenyH2233 — Full Word Study → sproutתַּפְרִ֑יחִיtap̄·rî·ḥî — to bloom, flourish, or spread forthH6524 — Full Word Study →yet the harvestקָצִ֛ירqā·ṣîr — Harvest; the reaping of crops or figuratively, a limb or branchH7105 — Full Word Study → will vanishנֵ֥דnêḏ — a heap or pile, especially of stones or grainH5067 — Full Word Study → on the dayבְּי֥וֹםbə·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → of diseaseנַחֲלָ֖הna·ḥă·lāh — to be sick, weak, or afflicted; to entreat or beseechH2470 — Full Word Study → and incurableאָנֽוּשׁ׃ס’ā·nūš — to be incurable; desperately wickedH605 — Full Word Study → painוּכְאֵ֥בū·ḵə·’êḇ — Physical or emotional pain, grief, sorrowH3511 — Full Word Study →. 12Alasה֗וֹיhō·w — Woe, alas, or lamentH1945 — Full Word Study →, the tumultהֲמוֹן֙hă·mō·wn — Crowd, tumult, noise, abundanceH1995 — Full Word Study → of manyרַבִּ֔יםrab·bîm — great, many, abundant, mightyH7227 — Full Word Study → peoplesעַמִּ֣ים‘am·mîm — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study →; they rageכַּהֲמ֥וֹתka·hă·mō·wṯ — to roar, murmur, or sound with tumultH1993 — Full Word Study → like the roaringיֶהֱמָי֑וּןye·hĕ·mā·yūn — to roar, murmur, or sound with tumultH1993 — Full Word Study → seasיַמִּ֖יםyam·mîm — Sea, body of water; also directional (west, south)H3220 — Full Word Study → and clamoringוּשְׁא֣וֹןū·šə·’ō·wn — roar, tumult, noise, uproarH7588 — Full Word Study → nationsלְאֻמִּ֔יםlə·’um·mîm — A people or nation; ethnic or political communityH3816 — Full Word Study →; they rumbleכִּשְׁא֛וֹןkiš·’ō·wn — roar, tumult, noise, uproarH7588 — Full Word Study → like the crashingיִשָּׁאֽוּן׃yiš·šā·’ūn — to rush; to make desolate; to crash downH7582 — Full Word Study → of mightyכַּבִּירִ֖יםkab·bî·rîm — mighty, strong, powerfulH3524 — Full Word Study → watersמַ֥יִםma·yim — Water; liquid; fluidsH4325 — Full Word Study →. 13The nationsלְאֻמִּ֗יםlə·’um·mîm — A people or nation; ethnic or political communityH3816 — Full Word Study → rageיִשָּׁא֔וּןyiš·šā·’ūn — to rush; to make desolate; to crash downH7582 — Full Word Study → like the rushכִּשְׁא֞וֹןkiš·’ō·wn — roar, tumult, noise, uproarH7588 — Full Word Study → of manyרַבִּים֙rab·bîm — great, many, abundant, mightyH7227 — Full Word Study → watersמַ֤יִםma·yim — Water; liquid; fluidsH4325 — Full Word Study →. He rebukesוְגָ֥עַרwə·ḡā·‘ar — To rebuke, reprove, or speak against sternlyH1605 — Full Word Study → them, and they fleeוְנָ֣סwə·nās — to flee, escape, or run awayH5127 — Full Word Study → far awayמִמֶּרְחָ֑קmim·mer·ḥāq — Distance, remoteness, far placeH4801 — Full Word Study →, drivenוְרֻדַּ֗ףwə·rud·dap̄ — to pursue, chase, or persecuteH7291 — Full Word Study → beforeלִפְנֵי־lip̄·nê- — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → the windר֔וּחַrū·aḥ — Spirit, breath, wind, or inner dispositionH7307 — Full Word Study → like chaffכְּמֹ֤ץkə·mōṣ — Chaff, worthless husks of grainH4671 — Full Word Study → on the hillsהָרִים֙hā·rîm — Mountain, hill, or elevated land massH2022 — Full Word Study →, like tumbleweedsוּכְגַלְגַּ֖לū·ḵə·ḡal·gal — wheel; circular object or cycleH1534 — Full Word Study → beforeלִפְנֵ֥יlip̄·nê — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → a galeסוּפָֽה׃sū·p̄āh — storm, whirlwind, tempest, or hurricaneH5492 — Full Word Study →. 14In the eveningעֶ֙רֶב֙‘e·reḇ — Evening, the time of day when sun setsH6153 — Full Word Study →, there isוְהִנֵּ֣הwə·hin·nêh — Look! Behold! Pay attention!H2009 — Full Word Study → sudden terrorבַלָּהָ֔הḇal·lā·hāh — Terror, dread, sudden frightH1091 — Full Word Study →! Beforeבְּטֶ֥רֶםbə·ṭe·rem — before, ere, prior to, not yetH2962 — Full Word Study → morningבֹּ֖קֶרbō·qer — Morning; daybreak; the early part of the dayH1242 — Full Word Study →, they are no moreאֵינֶ֑נּוּ’ê·nen·nū — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study →! Thisזֶ֚הzeh — this, that; the one, the otherH2088 — Full Word Study → is the portion of those who loot usשׁוֹסֵ֔ינוּšō·w·sê·nū — to plunder, rob, or spoilH8154 — Full Word Study → and the lotוְגוֹרָ֖לwə·ḡō·w·rāl — lot, portion, inheritance, destinyH1486 — Full Word Study → of those who plunder usלְבֹזְזֵֽינוּ׃סlə·ḇō·zə·zê·nū — to plunder, spoil, or seize as preyH962 — Full Word Study →.
Scripture Explorer
Original Language
Notes & Doctrine
Chapter Commentary
Cross-Refs
Highlight
My Note
Original Hebrew / Greek
Loading…
Translation Notes & Doctrine — This Verse
Loading…
Chapter Commentary — Isaiah 17
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Isaiah 17 contains a divine judgment oracle against Damascus (the capital of Syria) and the northern kingdom of Israel, often called Ephraim. The prophecy announces severe destruction and exile for both nations due to their idolatry and rebellion against God. Yet woven through this judgment is a thread of grace: a remnant will survive, and ultimately God's people will turn their eyes back to their Maker. This chapter illustrates a repeated biblical pattern—God disciplines His people through hardship, but never abandons them entirely.

Verses 1–3: The Judgment Against Damascus and Ephraim

Isaiah opens with a sobering declaration: Damascus will become a ruinous heap (verse 1), and the cities of Aroer will lie abandoned, used only as pasture for flocks (verse 2). The fortress protecting Ephraim (Israel's northern kingdom) will fall, and Damascus's kingdom will cease to exist. This prophecy was fulfilled historically when the Assyrian Empire conquered both Syria and the northern tribes of Israel in the 8th century BC. The point is unmistakable: political power and military strength cannot stand against God's judgment. These verses remind us that earthly kingdoms, however impressive, are fragile when they reject the Lord.

Verses 4–6: The Remnant Preserved

While destruction comes, it is not total annihilation. Israel's glory shall be made thin (verse 4)—their strength diminished like a body grown lean. Isaiah uses vivid harvest imagery: like a harvester who gathers grain and leaves only scattered ears in the field, so God will reduce Israel to a small remnant (verses 5–6). Yet crucially, gleaning grapes shall be left—a few berries remain on the olive tree. This is mercy within judgment. God preserves a faithful few who will become the foundation for future restoration. For believers today, this teaches that God's discipline, however severe, is never beyond redemption for those who repent and trust Him.

Verses 7–11: The Call to Return and Warning Against Idolatry

In verse 7, the surviving remnant finally look to their Maker and have respect to the Holy One of Israel. Hardship brings them back to God—a common biblical theme. Verses 8–9 show the flip side: they will abandon the altars and idols their hands have made, whether carved groves or cast images. Yet verses 10–11 contain a bitter warning for those who forget God entirely. They may plant pleasant gardens and cultivate their crops, but without God's blessing, their harvest becomes a heap in the day of grief. The lesson is clear: fruitfulness in life comes only through remembering God and turning from idolatry, whether ancient carved images or modern substitutes for God's lordship.

Verses 12–14: God's Final Word Against the Nations

Isaiah widens the lens. While Assyria and other nations rush like mighty waters (verses 12–13), making great noise and threatening conquest, God will rebuke them. They will flee and scatter like chaff before the wind. The prophecy closes with striking confidence: at eveningtide trouble; and before the morning he is not (verse 14). What seems overwhelming in the darkness of evening vanishes by morning. This is the destiny of all who oppose God and spoil His people. God's ultimate victory is assured.

Application for Today

Isaiah 17 calls us to remember that God disciplines those He loves, yet never abandons His own. When hardship comes, it may be God's call to turn from idolatry—whether of money, status, or self-reliance—back to genuine trust in Him. And when we see hostile forces or dark circumstances, we can rest assured that God's rebuke brings deliverance. Our confidence rests not in earthly power but in the unchanging character of our Maker.

Cross References
Loading…
Highlight This Verse
My Note