Isaiah 17 12

Isaiah 17:12 kjv

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!

Isaiah 17:12 nkjv

Woe to the multitude of many people Who make a noise like the roar of the seas, And to the rushing of nations That make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters!

Isaiah 17:12 niv

Woe to the many nations that rage? they rage like the raging sea! Woe to the peoples who roar? they roar like the roaring of great waters!

Isaiah 17:12 esv

Ah, the thunder of many peoples; they thunder like the thundering of the sea! Ah, the roar of nations; they roar like the roaring of mighty waters!

Isaiah 17:12 nlt

Listen! The armies of many nations
roar like the roaring of the sea.
Hear the thunder of the mighty forces
as they rush forward like thundering waves.

Isaiah 17 verses

Isaiah 17 12 Meaning

This verse describes a powerful and destructive flood-like judgment from nations, like a roaring river, against a people who have placed their trust in man-made idols and gods. This overwhelming force is sent by God to chastise them.

Isaiah 17 12 Context

Chapter 17 of Isaiah foretells the destruction of Damascus (Syria) and its idol worship, a judgment that will serve as a precursor to a greater judgment and salvation for Israel. Verse 12 is part of the prophecy specifically concerning Damascus. Historically, Syria, led by Damascus, was often a rival or enemy to the Kingdom of Israel. Isaiah's prophecy here outlines God's severe response to their pride, idolatry, and military aggression. The people of Damascus, in their arrogance and reliance on their idols, will face a terrifying and overwhelming invasion. This event is framed within the larger historical context of the Assyrian empire's rise and its impact on the ancient Near East.

Isaiah 17 12 Word Analysis

• הוֹי (Hoy): An interjection of woe, lamentation, or denunciation. It signifies impending doom or great sorrow.
• לַהֲמוֹן (lahămôn): To the multitude, to the roar, to the tumult. Refers to the loud, chaotic sound of many waters or many peoples.
• הַרְבֵּ֣י (harbbē'): Of many, many. Used here to describe the overwhelming number and force of the nations.
• וּלְשַׁאֲגַת (ûlᵉsha’ăgâṯ): And to the roaring. Implies a ferocious, dangerous, and loud noise, like that of a predator or a stormy sea.
• מַיִּ֑ם (mâyîm): Waters. Symbolically represents nations, peoples, armies, or turbulent forces.
• אֻמּ֖וֹת (ummôṯ): Nations, peoples. Refers to foreign peoples or entities that act against God's people.
• שֹׁ֝אֲג֣וּ (sho’ăgū): They roar. A strong verb indicating a loud, aggressive sound, echoing the earlier word for roaring.
• כַּשַּׁ֣אֲגַת (kashsha’ăgaṯ): Like the roaring. A direct comparison to emphasize the intensity of their sound and fury.
• מַ֔יִם (mâyîm): Waters. Again, waters are used as a simile for powerful nations.
• מִשְׁפָּטֶ֥יךָ (mishpāṭeḵâ): Your judgment, Your justice. This refers to God’s divine sentence and decree against the nations.
• לְבִלְתִּ֧י (lᵉvilṯî): For lack of, that not. Indicates that the nations' roaring will be ineffectually rebuked.
• תִּרְגְּגֵם): (The verb seems to be presented with a vowel ending from the previous word). A challenging verb to precisely pinpoint. Some translations interpret it as related to "driving" or "dispersing" or even "overcoming." It implies a divine action that counters the nations' threat.
• וּבְקָרֶ֖א (ûvəqāre): And to their driving, or "at their being driven". Some scholars suggest it might be related to scattering.
• כִּ֥י (kî): For, but. Introduces the reason for the coming judgment.
• יִרְחֲצ֣וּ (yirħăṯū): They shall be washed, or they shall be driven. Connects to the water imagery, suggesting they will be swept away.
• מִפְּנֵ֣י (miffənē): From before, from the face of. Indicates their flight or retreat due to a powerful force.
• ק֑וֹל (qōl): Voice, sound. Refers to the voice of God or His agent.
• צֵ֥נָה (tsēnâ): Noise, alarm, thunder. A sound of great commotion or alarm that causes terror.
• וּמִפְּנֵ֤י (ûmiffənē): And from the face of. Emphasizing the overwhelming nature of the sound that causes their flight.
• יָסַ֥ף (yâsap): Sound of danger or tempest, perhaps like wind that scatters. Again, signifying a divine action that dispels them.
• אֵיתָן֙ (ěyṯân): Mighty, enduring, a strong flood. A powerful, unstoppable natural force.
• צַהֲלָת֖וֹ (tṣahălâṯô): Its neighing or roaring, the cry of their chariots or troops. Suggests a sound of war or frantic retreat.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "הוֹי לַהֲמוֹן הַרְבֵּ֣י אֻמּוֹת": This opening establishes the subject – a "woe" upon the multitude of many nations, characterized by a "roar." It immediately sets a tone of judgment and impending disaster.
• "שֹׁ֝אֲג֣וּ כַּשַּׁ֣אֲגַת מַ֔יִם": The nations' aggression is powerfully depicted through the simile of roaring waters. This imagery is used throughout Scripture to describe vast, unstoppable forces that often bring destruction.
• "מִשְׁפָּטֶ֥יךָ לְבִלְתִּ֧י תִּרְגְּגֵם": This phrase highlights God's sovereign control. Despite the nations' powerful "roaring," God's judgment will be the ultimate deciding factor. He will effectively deal with them.
• "וּבְקָרֶ֖א כִּ֥י יִרְחֲצ֣וּ מִפְּנֵ֣י ק֑וֹל צֵ֥נָה": This sequence describes their reaction to God's intervention. A "sound of alarm" or divine command will cause them to be driven and flee as if "washed away" or scattered by a powerful force.
• "וּמִפְּנֵ֤י קוֹל אֵיתָן֙ צַהֲלָת֖וֹ": This emphasizes the overwhelming nature of the divine "sound" – it is "mighty" and sounds like a loud, fearful cry or neighing, forcing them to retreat in panic.

Isaiah 17 12 Bonus Section

The imagery of waters and roaring is a recurring motif in the Bible, often associated with overwhelming forces and divine judgment. The "sound" that causes the nations to flee is interpreted by scholars as God's word or divine command that brings His judgment. This sound is described as a "noise of an alarm" and a "mighty noise," suggesting an overwhelming force that paralyzes and routs them. The mention of "mighty" (אֵיתָן - eithan) further underscores the immense power behind God’s intervention. Some interpretations also link the "driving" or "washing away" to the idea of them being swept up in the turmoil of divine retribution. The prophecy foreshadows that even though these nations cause chaos, their ultimate outcome is dispersion and defeat by God.

Isaiah 17 12 Commentary

The nations, represented by their loud and tumultuous gatherings like roaring waters, are judged by God. Their boastful strength and aggressive movements, likened to the thunderous sound of many waters, are ultimately ineffective against divine decree. God will rebuke them with a mighty sound – a divine alarm or command – causing them to flee in disarray. This "mighty sound" is not mere noise, but God's active intervention, His pronouncement of judgment, and the resulting fear and panic that scatters them. Their idols and reliance on human strength have left them vulnerable to God’s overriding power. This verse serves as a strong declaration of God’s sovereignty over all nations and the futility of opposing Him.