Isaiah 17:4 kjv
And in that day it shall come to pass, that the glory of Jacob shall be made thin, and the fatness of his flesh shall wax lean.
Isaiah 17:4 nkjv
"In that day it shall come to pass That the glory of Jacob will wane, And the fatness of his flesh grow lean.
Isaiah 17:4 niv
"In that day the glory of Jacob will fade; the fat of his body will waste away.
Isaiah 17:4 esv
And in that day the glory of Jacob will be brought low, and the fat of his flesh will grow lean.
Isaiah 17:4 nlt
"In that day Israel's glory will grow dim;
its robust body will waste away.
Isaiah 17 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 17:3 | "The stronghold also will be cut off from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus..." | Contextual Lead-in |
| Jeremiah 49:23-27 | Judgment on Damascus and Hamath | Parallel Prophecy |
| Ezekiel 32:11-15 | Lamentation over Egypt's downfall | Imagery of destruction |
| Amos 1:3-5 | Judgment on Damascus | Direct fulfillment |
| Obadiah 1:15-18 | Judgment on Edom | Principle of retribution |
| Zechariah 11:1-3 | Lamentation over Lebanon's destruction | Imagery of desolation |
| Psalm 75:4-5 | The proud are brought low | Theological principle |
| Proverbs 16:18 | Pride goes before destruction | Moral principle |
| Daniel 4:37 | Nebuchadnezzar's pride and humbling | Example of pride's downfall |
| Matthew 23:12 | Humbling of the proud | Jesus' teaching |
| Luke 1:52 | God brings down the mighty | Mary's Magnificat |
| Romans 12:3 | Not to think of oneself more highly than one ought | Exhortation against pride |
| 1 Peter 5:5-6 | God opposes the proud, humbles the humble | Further teaching on pride |
| Revelation 18:1-24 | Fall of Babylon | Prophetic imagery of judgment |
| Isaiah 24:1-3 | General devastation of the earth | Similar theme of desolation |
| Isaiah 28:1-4 | Judgment on Ephraim's pride | Specific reference to Ephraim |
| Isaiah 30:30-33 | Judgment of the Assyrian | Divine power in judgment |
| Jeremiah 15:2-4 | Judgment upon Judah and Jerusalem | National consequence of sin |
| Hosea 10:1-2 | Ephraim's fruitless fertility | Agricultural imagery |
| Zephaniah 2:4-5 | Judgment on Philistines (Gaza) | Judgment on coastal cities |
Isaiah 17 verses
Isaiah 17 4 Meaning
This verse signifies a reduction or diminishing, a process of desolation and ruin affecting a specific nation or entity. It speaks of the removal of pride, a decrease in population, and the inevitable end of powerful self-assurance.
Isaiah 17 4 Context
This verse is part of Isaiah's prophetic oracle against Damascus and the surrounding region of Syria (Ephraim represents the northern kingdom of Israel, often allied with Syria against Judah). The historical backdrop is a time of political tension and conflict, particularly concerning the Syro-Ephraimitic war against Judah in the 8th century BCE. Isaiah is not only delivering a judgment upon these nations but also a warning to Judah against forming alliances with them and relying on their own strength rather than on God. The immediate preceding verses detail the destruction that will come upon Damascus.
Isaiah 17 4 Word Analysis
וְהָיָה (vəhāyâ): "And it shall be." This common conjunction introduces a future consequence or state.
מִשְׁמָנָה (mishmahnâ): "Fatness" or "richness." In a positive sense, it can refer to fertility or abundance. Here, it is used metaphorically, indicating the richness of pride and self-sufficiency, which will be removed.
כִּמְשֻׁמָּן (kimshummân): "As fatness," or "like fatness." This simile highlights the diminishing or reduction of that former fullness.
הִשְׁמִין (hishmîn): "He made fat" or "He enriched." Here it functions as a causative verb related to the idea of "fatness" or "richness," but in the context of reduction, it means the "making lean" or diminishing.
חֹזֶק (chōzeq): "Strength," "fortress," or "might." It refers to power, security, and bulwark.
עֹז (ʿōz): "Might," "strength," or "power." This synonym for strength emphasizes inherent force and resilience.
וְהָיָה (vəhāyâ): "And it shall be." Again, introducing a future state.
כִּנְשִׁים (kineeshîm): "Like a shorn thing," "like a shorn fleece," or "like one shorn." This is a powerful simile depicting utter depletion and loss of adornment or strength. The Hebrew root relates to shearing.
מִן (min): "From." Indicates the source or starting point of the reduction.
יְהוָה (YHWH): The personal covenantal name of God, emphasizing His direct action and sovereign authority in this judgment.
Word Group Analysis:
- מִשְׁמָנָה כִּמְשֻׁמָּן: The repetition and variation of the root "sh-m-n" (fatness/richness) emphasizes a removal from a state of abundance or full self-reliance. It's a reversal of a desirable quality.
- חֹזֶק כְּעֹז: The pairing of synonyms for strength signifies a complete loss of both fortified power and inherent might, indicating total vulnerability.
- כִּנְשִׁים: The simile of being shorn illustrates a loss of vital essence or protection, leaving one bare and depleted.
Isaiah 17 4 Bonus Section
The concept of "fatness" being removed connects to prophetic warnings against enjoying God's blessings without acknowledging the Source or becoming complacent and proud. This can be seen as a spiritual diminishing. The "shorn" imagery can also relate to ritualistic or priestly garments being stripped, signifying a loss of sacred status or connection. The comprehensive loss described anticipates broader themes of divine judgment on nations that exalt themselves against God and His people.
Isaiah 17 4 Commentary
The verse depicts a devastating reduction, the stripping away of strength and former prosperity. This isn't merely a loss of physical assets but a stripping of identity and power rooted in self-reliance. God, identified as YHWH, is the active agent of this reduction, implying divine judgment for pride and apostasy. The imagery is one of complete desolation, leaving the entity bare and powerless, much like a fleece that has been shorn. This emphasizes that true security and strength come not from worldly fortifications or natural richness, but from faithfulness to God.