Isaiah 17:1-11 - Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

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Bible Comments

Judgment on Syeia and Israel

This section is headed,' oracle concerning Damascus,' but its subject is in fact wider; it treats of the impending ruin not only of Syria, but also of Ephraim, i.e. the kingdom of Israel (Isaiah 17:3). This connexion of Ephraim with Syria is best explained by the alliance of the two kingdoms against Judah (Isaiah 7:1-2). Isaiah here teaches (as in Isaiah 7:16; Isaiah 8:4) that they will both be completely overthrown, an anticipation which was literally fulfilled (Isaiah 10:9; 2 Kings 15:29; 2 Kings 16:9). The date of this prophecy would thus be subsequent to the formation of the Syro-Ephraimite alliance (i.e. the reign of Jotham in Judah, 2 Kings 15:37), and some time before the capture of Damascus by the Assyrians (732 b.c.).

1-3. The imminent ruin of Damascus, in which Israel also will be involved.

4-6. The state to which Israel will be reduced figuratively set forth.

7, 8. The spiritual effect of the chastisement.

9-11. The cause of it—desertion of Jehovah for foreign deities, who cannot help in the day of calamity.

Related Commentaries of Isaiah 17:1

Isaiah 17:1-11

1 The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.

2 The cities of Aroer are forsaken: they shall be for flocks, which shall lie down, and none shall make them afraid.

3 The fortress also shall cease from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus, and the remnant of Syria: they shall be as the glory of the children of Israel, saith the LORD of hosts.

4 And in that day it shall come to pass, that the glory of Jacob shall be made thin, and the fatness of his flesh shall wax lean.

5 And it shall be as when the harvestman gathereth the corn, and reapeth the ears with his arm; and it shall be as he that gathereth ears in the valley of Rephaim.

6 Yet gleaning grapes shall be left in it, as the shaking of an olive tree, two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough, four or five in the outmost fruitful branches thereof, saith the LORD God of Israel.

7 At that day shall a man look to his Maker, and his eyes shall have respect to the Holy One of Israel.

8 And he shall not look to the altars, the work of his hands, neither shall respect that which his fingers have made, either the groves, or the images.a

9 In that day shall his strong cities be as a forsaken bough, and an uppermost branch, which they left because of the children of Israel: and there shall be desolation.

10 Because thou hast forgotten the God of thy salvation, and hast not been mindful of the rock of thy strength, therefore shalt thou plant pleasant plants, and shalt set it with strange slips:

11 In the day shalt thou make thy plant to grow, and in the morning shalt thou make thy seed to flourish: but the harvest shall be a heapb in the day of grief and of desperate sorrow.