Isaiah 17 10

Isaiah 17:10 kjv

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:

Isaiah 17:10 nkjv

Because you have forgotten the God of your salvation, And have not been mindful of the Rock of your stronghold, Therefore you will plant pleasant plants And set out foreign seedlings;

Isaiah 17:10 niv

You have forgotten God your Savior; you have not remembered the Rock, your fortress. Therefore, though you set out the finest plants and plant imported vines,

Isaiah 17:10 esv

For you have forgotten the God of your salvation and have not remembered the Rock of your refuge; therefore, though you plant pleasant plants and sow the vine-branch of a stranger,

Isaiah 17:10 nlt

Why? Because you have turned from the God who can save you.
You have forgotten the Rock who can hide you.
So you may plant the finest grapevines
and import the most expensive seedlings.

Isaiah 17 verses

Isaiah 17 10 meaning

Isaiah 17:10 explains the divine judgment coming upon Damascus and Ephraim as a direct consequence of their spiritual failure. The verse states that the people have willfully neglected Yahweh, their covenant God, who has always been the source of their rescue and security. They have turned away from God, who is metaphorically described as an unshakeable Rock, representing His unwavering protection and strength. This abandonment of God's redemptive power and steadfast refuge is presented as the foundational reason for their impending desolation.

Isaiah 17 10 Context

Isaiah chapter 17 is primarily an oracle concerning Damascus and the northern kingdom of Israel (Ephraim). The prophecy declares their impending destruction and desolation. Earlier verses (17:1-9) describe the severe judgment that will fall upon them, reducing their once mighty cities and lands to ruins. This calamity is portrayed as a result of God's direct action, specifically intended to humble them. Verse 10, then, provides the profound theological reason for this judgment. It explicitly states that Israel's failure to recognize and rely upon God as their sole source of salvation and security is the root cause. Historically, both Damascus and Ephraim often pursued political alliances with surrounding nations or engaged in idolatry, forsaking their covenant with Yahweh. This verse directly confronts that pattern of seeking refuge and strength elsewhere rather than in the one true God, setting the stage for the desolation detailed in the surrounding prophecy.

Isaiah 17 10 Word analysis

• For (כִּי ki): This causal conjunction introduces the foundational reason for the preceding judgments. It signifies that the impending desolation is not arbitrary but a consequence rooted in Israel's actions.
• you have forgotten (שָׁכַחַתְּ shakachth): From the Hebrew root shakach, meaning "to forget," but with deeper theological implications. It denotes more than mere oversight; it signifies a deliberate spiritual neglect, a turning away, or a rejection of one's covenantal obligations and the God who established them. The feminine singular suffix (-t) addresses the collective entity of the people or nation.
• the God (אֱלֹהֵי Elohei): The construct form of Elohim, designating God as the possessor or source. This emphasizes God's direct relationship to Israel as "God of their salvation." It refers specifically to Yahweh, Israel's covenant Lord.
• of your salvation (יִשְׁעֵךְ yish'ech): From the Hebrew yeshua, meaning salvation, deliverance, or help. This term encapsulates God's historical acts of rescuing Israel from bondage and enemies (e.g., Egypt, other nations). God is the active and consistent agent of their preservation and well-being.
• and have not remembered (לֹא זָכָרְתְּ lo zakart): From the Hebrew zakhar, meaning "to remember" or "to call to mind." This is a parallel construction to "you have forgotten," intensifying the accusation. "Remembering" in biblical context is not just mental recall, but actively living in light of what is remembered, obeying God's covenant, and relying on Him. Its negation signifies a profound act of unfaithfulness.
• the Rock (צוּר tzur): A powerful and ancient metaphor for God in the Old Testament, denoting absolute steadfastness, permanence, protection, and unshakeable strength. It contrasts sharply with the instability of human alliances and idol worship.
• of your stronghold (מָעוּזֵּךְ ma'uzzech): From the Hebrew ma'oz, meaning a refuge, fortress, or place of safety and protection. This parallels "salvation," reiterating God's role as the secure defense and impenetrable shelter for His people against all threats.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "For you have forgotten... and have not remembered": This emphatic parallelism underscores the depth of Israel's spiritual disloyalty. The pairing of "forgotten" and "not remembered" highlights a pervasive, intentional disregard for God, making their unfaithfulness undeniable.
• "the God of your salvation" and "the Rock of your stronghold": These two divine titles, presented in parallel, meticulously define God's role for Israel. "God of your salvation" points to His active deliverance and rescue. "Rock of your stronghold" speaks of His immutable, dependable, and protective nature. Together, they articulate God as Israel's complete and ultimate source of rescue, security, and stability, rendering their turning away a grave act of rebellion against their fundamental helper and protector. The polemic is evident: while nations relied on their false gods or military might for salvation and stronghold, Israel abandoned the true, living God who truly fulfilled these roles.

Isaiah 17 10 Bonus section

The strong imagery of "Rock" (צוּר tzur) for God is significant. In the ancient Near East, mountains and rocks were symbols of permanence and power, often associated with deities. By calling Yahweh "the Rock," the biblical text asserts His absolute stability, unchanging nature, and supreme might, differentiating Him from the transient, often defeated, gods of other nations. This also echoes the very foundation of Israel's national identity and security; He literally carved a nation out of nothing, delivering them from Egypt and sustaining them in the wilderness. The repetition of the second person feminine singular suffix (for "your") in "your salvation" and "your stronghold" emphasizes a direct, personal, and covenantal relationship that was specifically disregarded, highlighting the gravity of their spiritual treachery against a God who was inherently theirs. This isn't just a universal theological truth; it's a specific charge against a people who knew Him personally as their deliverer and refuge.

Isaiah 17 10 Commentary

Isaiah 17:10 is a pivotal verse in the oracle against Damascus and Ephraim, as it articulates the theological basis for their impending judgment. The divine indictment is severe: Israel has consciously and actively forsaken the very God who delivered them and provided unwavering protection. The metaphors "God of your salvation" and "Rock of your stronghold" are deeply rooted in Israel's history and confessions, reminding them of Yahweh's unique and indispensable role. "Salvation" recalls God's mighty acts of redemption (like the Exodus), while "Rock" emphasizes His eternal faithfulness and invulnerable nature. Their forgetting and failing to remember implies not just an absence of thought, but a rejection of their covenant relationship, an act of unfaithfulness where they placed their trust in ephemeral human powers or lifeless idols instead of the living God. This spiritual apostasy justifies the desolation that is prophesied to befall them, as God withdraws the protection that was His to give. Practically, this verse warns that turning from God, our true source of safety and redemption, inevitably leads to vulnerability and destruction.