Isaiah 17 KJV: The Ruinous Heap and the Forgotten God
Isaiah 17 documents the shared judgment of Syria and Northern Israel for their localized alliance against the purposes of God. This chapter articulates the 'gleaning' of a nation—where only a few 'olives' remain—to illustrate the scarcity that follows spiritual apostasy.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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 heap in the day of grief and of desperate sorrow.
Woe to the multitude of many people, which make a noise like the noise of the seas; and to the rushing of nations, that make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters!
The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but God shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind.
And behold at eveningtide trouble; and before the morning he is not. This is the portion of them that spoil us, and the lot of them that rob us.
Analyze the decay of a culture that prioritizes political alliances over the remembrance of its Creator. Begin your study with isaiah 17 summary.
The 'strange slips' or foreign plants mentioned represent the syncretism of importing pagan ideas into the covenant life, which ultimately yields only a 'harvest of grief.' The 'Word Secret' is Hammanim, translated as 'sun-images,' signifying the man-made idols that provide no warmth or light when the storm of judgment arrives. Discover the riches with isaiah 17 commentary, containing expert led word study (original greek/hebrew) and passage level analysis.
Unlock the hidden isaiah 17 1 meaning and summary by exploring context, analyzing original greek and hebrew words, and studying cross references of each verse.
Have a question about this chapter or a revelation to share? Connect with the Body of Christ to express your heart and find biblical answers within the Isaiah 17 fellowship.