Damascus is taken away from being a city . According to Vitringa, Damascus has been destroyed oftener than any other town; but it has a wonderful power of rising again from its ashes. Probably a destruction by Sargon is here intended. read more
The mission of Syria. Discernment of this mission, so far as it bears upon Israel, and carries religious lessons for all the generations, depends on our understanding the history of the times. Two nations, distant from each other, contended for the country which lay between them. Egypt and Assyria both wanted to be universal world-powers. Had the kingdom of David been kept together, it might have effectively resisted both; but when separated under Jeroboam, and encouraged to cherish rival... read more
THE BURDEN OF DAMASCUS . The eye of the prophet travels northwards from Moab, and, passing over Ammon as an enemy of small account, rests once more upon Damascus, already threatened in Isaiah 7:1-9 , and probably already partially punished. Damascus is seen once more in alliance with Ephraim ( Isaiah 7:3 ), and the two are joined with a new power, Aroer ( Isaiah 7:2 ), which possesses several "cities." Woe is denounced on all the three powers: desolation on Damascus and... read more
Reduction. In the spoliation and consequent decrepitude of Damascus and Samaria we have a picture of— I. A NATION DENUDED OF ITS POWER . Under the judgments of Jehovah the proud city of Damascus becomes a "ruinous heap" ( Isaiah 17:1 ), the populous towns are pasturage of herds and flocks ( Isaiah 17:2 ), the strong places are reduced to utter weakness like the departed glory of Israel ( Isaiah 17:3 ); under his judgment Ephraim also shall waste away, shall be as barren... read more
Damascus and Israel. The present oracle bids us turn to a different scene—to the famed city and territory of Damascus. It lies in the vast rich plain east of Mount Antilibanus, on the border of the desert. Through the plain flows the river Barada, probably the Abaca in which Naaman delighted. "In the midst of the plain lies at your feet the vast lake or island of deep verdure—walnuts and apricots waving above, corn and grass below; and in the midst of the mass of foliage rises, striking... read more
The cities of Aroer are forsaken . That the Aroer of this passage cannot be either that on the Arnon, or that facing Rabbath-Ammon ( Joshua 13:25 ), has long been perceived and recognized. It is evidently a city of the same name lying much further towards the north. Arid it is a city of far greater importance, having "cities" dependent on it. Now, Sargon's annals tell us of a "Gal'gar," a name well expressing the Hebrew ערער , which was united in a league with Damascus, Samaria, Arpad,... read more
The fortress also shall cease from Ephraim . Sargon did not destroy Samaria on the occasion of his first capture. But he says that he "reduced it to a heap of ruins" on the occasion of its second capture ('Records of the Past,' l.s . c .). And the kingdom from Damascus . We do not hear of any King of Damascus after Rezin, who was slain by Tiglath-Pileser about B.C. 732. Damascus, however, reasserted her independence in B.C. 721, and probably set up a king at the same time. In B.C.... read more
The glory of Jacob shall be made thin . There is reason to believe that the deportation of the Israelites was gradual. Sargon, on taking Samaria for the first time, in B.C. 722, carried off no more than 27, 290 of the inhabitants. Over the remainder he appointed governors, and required them to pay the same taxation as before. About B.C. 715 he placed a number of Arabs in Samaria, probably deporting natives to make room for them. The continuant of a remnant of Israelites in the land down to... read more
A DENUNCIATION OF WOE ON ISRAEL , COMBINED WITH THE PROMISE OF A REMNANT . Israel, having united herself with Syria to resist the Assyrians, will incur a similar fate. Her glory will decay, her population dwindle and almost disappear. Still there will be a few left, who, under the circumstances, will turn to God ( Isaiah 17:7 ). But it will be too late for anything like a national recovery; the laud will remain "a desolation" on account of the past sins of its... read more
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Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 17:5
As when the harvestman gathereth "As when one gathereth" - That is, the king of Assyria shall sweep away the whole body of the people, as the reaper strippeth off the whole crop of corn; and the remnant shall be no more in proportion than the scattered ears left to the gleaner. The valley of Rephaim near Jerusalem was celebrated for its plentiful harvest; it is here used poetically for any fruitful country. One MS., and one ancient edition, has באסף beesoph , "In gathering," instead of ... read more