Isaiah 17:1 kjv
The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.
Isaiah 17:1 nkjv
The burden against Damascus. "Behold, Damascus will cease from being a city, And it will be a ruinous heap.
Isaiah 17:1 niv
A prophecy against Damascus: "See, Damascus will no longer be a city but will become a heap of ruins.
Isaiah 17:1 esv
An oracle concerning Damascus. Behold, Damascus will cease to be a city and will become a heap of ruins.
Isaiah 17:1 nlt
This message came to me concerning Damascus: "Look, the city of Damascus will disappear!
It will become a heap of ruins.
Isaiah 17 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 17:1 | "The oracle concerning Damascus." | Isa 17:1 (prophetic burden) |
| Jer 49:23-27 | "Damascus is confounded; she is turned unto flight. Dismay hath seized her... Hazael also shall prevail against them." | Jer 49:23-27 (judgment on Damascus) |
| Amos 1:3-5 | "For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have threshed Gilead with threshing instruments of iron... So will I send a fire into the house of Hazael..." | Amos 1:3-5 (judgment on Damascus) |
| 2 Kin 16:9 | "And the king of Assyria hearkened unto him: for the king of Assyria went up against Damascus, and took it, and carried the people of it captive to Kir, and slew Rezin." | 2 Kin 16:9 (historical fulfillment) |
| Luke 21:20 | "And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh." | Luke 21:20 (parallels to destruction) |
| Isa 24:1 | "Behold, the LORD maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof." | Isa 24:1 (earth-wide judgment) |
| Jer 51:25 | "Behold, I am against thee, O destroying mountain, saith the LORD, which destroyest all the earth: and I will stretch out mine hand upon thee, and roll thee down from the rocks, and will make thee a burnt mountain." | Jer 51:25 (destruction of nations) |
| Isa 10:5-6 | "O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation." | Isa 10:5-6 (divine instrument) |
| Ps 46:6 | "The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted." | Ps 46:6 (kingdoms shaken) |
| Rev 18:2 | "And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit..." | Rev 18:2 (judgment on great cities) |
| Jer 25:20-26 | "And all the kings of Arabia, and all the kings of the mingled people that dwell in the desert... And all the kings of Zimri, and all the kings of Elam, and all the kings of the Medes..." | Jer 25:20-26 (judgment on nations) |
| Isa 7:18-19 | "And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall hiss for the fly that is in the midst of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria." | Isa 7:18-19 (Assyria as agent) |
| Hos 1:5 | "And I will break the bow of Israel in the valley of Jezreel." | Hos 1:5 (judgment on Israel) |
| Isa 28:2-3 | "The crown of pride, to wit, the drunkards of Ephraim, and the fading flower of his glorious beauty, which is on the head of the valley of fatness, shall be trodden with the feet..." | Isa 28:2-3 (judgment on Samaria) |
| Eze 26:1-14 | Prophecy against Tyre, a significant city facing destruction. | Eze 26:1-14 (judgment on cities) |
| Zec 11:1-3 | Judgment on Damascus is implied through regional desolation. | Zec 11:1-3 (regional judgment) |
| Isa 23:1 | Prophecy against Tyre, highlighting the impact of fallen cities. | Isa 23:1 (impact of fallen cities) |
| Nah 3:1-4 | Denunciation against Nineveh for its wickedness and impending doom. | Nah 3:1-4 (judgment on enemy cities) |
| Isa 36:1 | Sennacherib's invasion of Judah. | Isa 36:1 (historical context) |
| Eze 35:1-15 | Prophecy against Mount Seir (Edom) for its hatred towards Israel. | Eze 35:1-15 (judgment on enemies) |
Isaiah 17 verses
Isaiah 17 1 Meaning
The oracle concerning Damascus, signaling divine judgment and destruction upon this major city and a significant stronghold of Syria. This pronouncement signifies the loss of its political importance and agricultural richness, leading to its desolation and the weakening of the entire nation of Israel by their enemies.
Isaiah 17 1 Context
This chapter initiates a series of oracles of judgment against surrounding nations. Isaiah 17 specifically targets Damascus, the capital of Syria, and by extension, points to a broader desolation that will affect the land of Israel, particularly the northern kingdom (often referred to as Ephraim in prophetic language). Historically, Syria, under King Rezin, had allied with Israel against Assyria. This prophecy is delivered during a time of significant political tension, where the superpowers of Assyria and Babylon vied for regional dominance, and the smaller kingdoms of Israel and Judah were caught in the middle. The oracle likely anticipates Assyria's or Babylon's destruction of Damascus. The prophecy also foreshadows a future impact on Jacob (Israel), suggesting that the judgment on Damascus is linked to or has consequences for Israel's own spiritual state and security. The chapter culminates with a promise of deliverance for the remnant of Israel.
Isaiah 17 1 Word analysis
- Mas'eth (מַשָּׂא): Translated as "oracle" or "burden." This Hebrew word signifies a weighty message, a pronouncement delivered by God, often one of judgment or prophetic warning. It implies the message is heavy and significant.
- Dammesek (דַּמֶּשֶׂק): The Hebrew name for Damascus, a prominent and ancient city in Syria, situated in a fertile plain. Its inclusion as the subject of prophecy highlights its geopolitical and symbolic importance as a leading city of a rival nation.
- Vəhinnēh (וְהִנֵּה): Means "and behold" or "and indeed." This interjection serves to draw the reader's attention, emphasizing the certainty and imminent nature of the pronouncement.
- Miqqōd (מִקֹּד): Rendered as "among cities." This prepositional phrase indicates that Damascus is being singled out from a multitude of urban centers, emphasizing its particular status as a target of divine action.
- Mamlachah (מַמְלָכָה): Translates to "kingdom" or "dominion." This word underscores Damascus's role not just as a city, but as the seat of a powerful political entity, a kingdom.
- Mə`alef (מַעֲלֹוף): Meaning "a strong city" or "a fortified city." This adjective describes Damascus as a formidable stronghold, making its future desolation even more striking.
- Təhârus (תְּהָרֹס): The verb "to destroy" or "to lay waste." This is the core action prophesied against Damascus, indicating total ruin and obliteration.
- Ləʿîr (לְעִיר): Means "a city." This reiterates the subject of the oracle as an urban entity.
- Bəşemîm (בְּשֵׁמִים): Interpreted as "a ruinous heap" or "a ruinous mound." This vividly describes the ultimate state of Damascus after its destruction, a pile of rubble.
- Lə-yəḇaddāh (לְיַבָּדָה): Meaning "to be desolate." This emphasizes the ongoing state of emptiness and abandonment following the initial destruction.
- Dūmim (דוּמִים): Translates to "silent," "quiet," or "desolate." This word conveys the absence of life, activity, and noise that will characterize the ruined city.
- Dǝmām (דְּמָם): Meaning "silence" or "cessation." It further reinforces the utter quiet and lack of any inhabitants or sounds.
- Nez-ḵāh (נִזְכָּר): "Remembered." This can imply the city will be removed from memory, or that its past glory will be a forgotten memory in its ruin.
- Ēšey Yisrā'ēl (עֹשֶׂה יִשְׂרָאֵל): "Made of Israel." This is a crucial phrase, linking the destruction of Damascus to Israel. It can be interpreted as the tool God uses to punish Israel, or the consequence of Israel's actions, or that Israel will be instrumental in its eventual overthrow.
- Zērim (זָרִים): "Foreigners." This refers to the enemy nation or forces that will bring about the destruction.
Isaiah 17 1 Bonus section
The prophecy against Damascus in Isaiah 17 is a recurring theme in the Old Testament prophets. Similar pronouncements are found in Amos and Jeremiah, indicating Damascus's historical role as an oppressor of God's people. The reference to Damascus as "among cities" can be interpreted to mean it was preeminent, or that it would be a focal point in God's judgment on the nations surrounding Israel. The destruction of Damascus, as an influential enemy city, serves a dual purpose in the prophetic narrative: it illustrates God's power over all nations and potentially serves as a chastisement or lesson for Israel, perhaps even a precursor to their own cleansing. The desolation foretold here speaks to God's ultimate intention for justice and peace, even through the difficult process of judgment.
Isaiah 17 1 Commentary
Isaiah 17:1 announces God's pronouncement against Damascus, foretelling its complete destruction. The term "oracle" signifies the divine origin and gravity of this message. Damascus, a significant and fortified Syrian city, is singled out for ruin, destined to become a desolate heap. This prophecy is deeply embedded within the political landscape of the ancient Near East, where such pronouncements often signaled the military actions of empires like Assyria. The judgment on Damascus implies a devastating impact, not just on the city itself but potentially on the broader region, including the kingdom of Israel. The verse emphasizes the completeness of the destruction, rendering the once-powerful city silent and forgotten. This oracle serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty over nations and His ability to bring judgment upon human pride and aggression. The specific wording suggests a powerful enemy, described as "foreigners," will be the instrument of this devastation.