Isaiah 17

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 17:12-14

The overthrow of the enemies of God. I. THAT THE ENEMIES OF GOD 'S PEOPLE ARE THE ENEMIES OF GOD HIMSELF . "God will rebuke" those who come up against his people to spoil and to rob them. Those who assail Israel come beneath his ban, and are subject to his "woe." Jesus Christ taught nothing more plainly or emphatically than that they who befriended his disciples were, in his estimation, befriending him ( Matthew 10:40-42 ; Matthew 25:40 ). It is equally true... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 17:13

God shall rebuke them ; literally, he shall rebuke them—he who alone can do so. There is no need to mention his name. They shall flee far off . The destruction of the great bulk of Sennacherib's army in the night was followed, as soon as morning came, by the hasty flight of the survivors ( 2 Kings 19:36 ; Isaiah 37:37 ). And shall be chased. Herodotus says that the Egyptians pursued the army of Sennacherib and slew vast numbers (2:141). As the chaff of the mountains (comp. Hosea... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 17:14

Behold at evening-tide trouble ; rather, terror , as the word is elsewhere always translated. He is not. That spoil us … that rob us (see 2 Kings 18:13-16 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 17:14

The gloomy evening. "Behold at evening-tide trouble." We all love beautiful evenings, whether on land or sea. Then, when the clouds of purple and amber across the horizon constitute a royal chariot for the setting sun, we gaze with admiration and delight on the glorious close of day. I. TROUBLE IS NEVER SO SAD AS IN THE EVENING . At morning or midday we have more of strength to bear it; we can brace our energies to fight the battle or to endure the burden. But in the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 17

The prophecy which comprises Isaiah 17:1-11, professes, by its title, to be against Damascus only. But it relates to the kingdom of Samaria no less than to Damascus. The reason is, that the kingdoms of Israel and Damascus were confederated against the kingdom of Judah. The design of the prophecy may have been to warn the kingdom of Israel of the approaching destruction of the city of Damascus, and, by this means, to keep them from forming an alliance with them against Judah. When it was... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 17:1

The burden of Damascus - The oracle indicating calamity or destruction to Damascus (see the note at Isaiah 13:1). “Damascus is taken away.” That is, it shall be destroyed. It was represented to the prophet in vision as destroyed (see the note at Isaiah 1:1).And it shall be a ruinous heap - See Isaiah 35:2. This took place under the kings of Assyria, and particularly under Tiglath-pileser. This was in the fourth year of Ahaz 2 Kings 16:9. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 17:2

The cities of Aroer - By “Aroer” here seems to be meant a tract or region of country pertaining to Damascus, in which were situated several cities. Grotius supposes that it was a tract of country in Syria which is called by Ptolemy “Aueira” - Αὔειρα Aueira. Vitringa supposes that one part of Damascus is meant by this, as Damascus was divided by the river in the same manner that Babylon was. There were several cities of the name of “Aroer.” One was on the river Arnon in the land of Moab... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 17:3

The fortress - The strong place of defense; the fortified place.Shall cease - Shall come to an end; shall cease to be, for so the word שׁבת shâbath is often used, Genesis 8:22; Isaiah 24:8; Lamentations 5:15.From Ephraim - The name given to the kingdom of Israel, or to the ten tribes, because Ephraim was the largest of the ten, and was a leading tribe in their councils (see the note at Isaiah 7:2). Ephraim, or the kingdom of Samaria, is mentioned here in connection with Damascus or Syria,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 17:4

The glory of Jacob - “Jacob” is used here to denote the kingdom of Israel, or Samaria. The word ‘glory’ here denotes dignity, power; that on which they relied, and of which they boasted.Shall be made thin - Shall be diminished, as a body wastes away by disease, and becomes feeble. The prophet sets forth the calamities of Ephraim by two figures; the first is that of a “body” that becomes emaciated by sickness, the other that of the harvest when all the fruits are gathered except a few in the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 17:5

And it shall be ... - This is the other figure by which the prophet sets forth the calamities that were coming upon Ephraim - an image designed to denote the fact that the inhabitants and wealth of the land would be collected and removed, as the farmer gathers his harvest, and leaves only that which is inaccessible in the upper boughs of the tree, or the gleanings in the field.As when the harvest-man gathereth the corn - The wheat, the barley, etc.; for so the word “corn” - now applied by us... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 17:12-14

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 17:13

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 17:14

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 17:14

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 17

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 17:1

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 17:2

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 17:3

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 17:4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 17:5

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