Isaiah 17:7 kjv
At that day shall a man look to his Maker, and his eyes shall have respect to the Holy One of Israel.
Isaiah 17:7 nkjv
In that day a man will look to his Maker, And his eyes will have respect for the Holy One of Israel.
Isaiah 17:7 niv
In that day people will look to their Maker and turn their eyes to the Holy One of Israel.
Isaiah 17:7 esv
In that day man will look to his Maker, and his eyes will look on the Holy One of Israel.
Isaiah 17:7 nlt
Then at last the people will look to their Creator
and turn their eyes to the Holy One of Israel.
Isaiah 17 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 17:7 | "When they turn to the Lord, the surviving remnant of Judah will remember the ways of the Lord; they will no longer look to the idols of Baal, or give offerings to them." | Direct statement of turning to the Lord |
| Isaiah 10:20 | "The remnant of Israel, and those of the house of Jacob who have escaped, will never again rely on him who struck them, but will rely in truth on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel." | Prophecy of a remnant returning to God |
| Jeremiah 3:12-14 | "Go and proclaim this message toward the north... Return, O faithless Israel,' declares the Lord, 'I will not look on you with anger, for I am merciful... Only acknowledge your guilt—you have rebelled against the Lord your God... Return, O faithless children,' declares the Lord, 'for I am your master.'" | God's call for Israel to return to Him |
| Hosea 14:1-2 | "Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity. Take words with you and return to the Lord; say to him, 'Take away all iniquity; accept that which is good...'" | Emphasizes repentance and seeking God's favor |
| Luke 15:18-19 | "...I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’" | Parable of the Prodigal Son illustrating return |
| Acts 17:30 | "The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent," | Paul's preaching about repentance to the Athenians |
| John 14:6 | Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." | Jesus as the sole path to the Father |
| Psalm 18:2 | "The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." | God as the ultimate refuge and salvation |
| Psalm 118:8-9 | "It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes." | Contrasting refuge in God versus in others |
| Jeremiah 2:13 | "For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, which are broken cisterns that can hold no water." | Depicts the spiritual emptiness of turning away |
| Romans 11:22 | "...Behold then the kindness and the severity of God; on those who fell, severity, but on God's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off." | The consequence of disobedience and God's kindness |
| Matthew 6:24 | "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." | Inability to serve both God and idols |
| 1 Corinthians 10:21 | "You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons." | Similar theme of dual allegiance and its danger |
| 1 Kings 18:21 | Elijah stood before all the people and said, "How long will you go limping between two different ideas? If the Lord is God, follow him, but if Baal, then follow him." | Prophet confronting people's divided loyalty |
| Hosea 2:8 | "But she did not know that it was I who gave her grain and wine and oil, and who lavished upon her silver and gold that they used for Baal." | Idolatry based on God's provision |
| Zephaniah 1:4-6 | "I will stretch out my hand against Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off from this place the remnant of Baal and the name of the idolatrous priests, along with the priests..." | Divine judgment on idolatry |
| 1 Peter 2:9 | "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." | The identity of believers as belonging to God |
| Ephesians 4:22-24 | "...to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness." | Transformation that comes with following God |
Isaiah 17 verses
Isaiah 17 7 Meaning
This verse signifies the consequence of turning away from God. It highlights that when people reject their Creator and honor idols, they will not find security or sustenance. Instead, the very things they relied upon will become a source of desolation and ruin. It's a profound statement about the futility of seeking refuge in anything other than the true God.
Isaiah 17 7 Context
Isaiah 17 focuses on the judgment against Damascus and its alliance with Ephraim (the Northern Kingdom of Israel). The chapter describes the impending destruction of these nations, a consequence of their idolatry and rebellion against God. Verse 7 specifically speaks of the spiritual turning point for the remnant of Judah. Following the pronouncements of judgment against their enemies, the people of Judah will turn their hearts back to the Lord. This act of repentance signifies a rejection of the pagan deities and practices that had ensnared their neighbors and, at times, themselves. Historically, this likely refers to the period leading up to or following the Assyrian conquests, where divine judgment was actively displayed in the ancient Near East, prompting some to remember their covenant faithfulness.
Isaiah 17 7 Word Analysis
- כִּי (ki): "when" or "for." In this context, it introduces the conditional aspect of turning to the Lord.
- יָשׁוּב (yashuv): "he will turn," "he will return." Refers to a turning back to God in allegiance and repentance.
- שְׁאֵרִית (she'erit): "remnant," "remains." Denotes a surviving portion of people, suggesting hope amidst destruction.
- יְהוּדָה (Yehudah): "Judah." Refers to the Southern Kingdom of Israel.
- יִזְכֹּר (yizkor): "he will remember." Emphasizes the active recollection of God's ways and covenant.
- עַל (al): "upon," "concerning." Indicates the focus of remembrance – the Lord's ways.
- יהוה (YHWH): "LORD." The covenant name of God, highlighting the personal relationship.
- יָדִ (yad): "hand," "power." In this usage, it refers to God's controlling influence or directed action.
- לֹא (lo): "not." Negation.
- תִּזְכֹּר (tizkor): "you will remember." Feminine form of "remember," here referring to the remnant of Judah.
- אֶת (et): Direct object marker.
- עֲצָבִים (atzavim): "idols," "images." Specifically refers to idols, often associated with useless or vain objects.
- בַּעַל (Ba'al): "Lord," "Master." A Canaanite storm and fertility god, widely worshipped as a primary deity.
- וְאֵת (ve'et): "and" + direct object marker.
- תַּצֻּגֹתֵ (tatzugot): "images," "spectacles." Implies repulsive or offensive objects of worship.
- תַּעֲבֹר (ta'avor): "you will pass over," "you will offer." Refers to the act of making offerings.
Word Groups Analysis
- "When they turn to the LORD...": This phrase signifies a profound spiritual shift, an active turning away from sin and idolatry back to God's covenant. It mirrors the concept of teshuvah in Hebrew thought, a turning and returning to God.
- "...the surviving remnant of Judah...": This highlights God's faithfulness. Even amidst judgment, a portion is preserved, a testament to His covenant love. This "remnant theology" is a recurring theme in Isaiah.
- "...will remember the ways of the LORD...": This is more than intellectual recall; it involves understanding God's character, His commandments, and His past faithfulness. It leads to practical obedience.
- "...they will no longer look to the idols of Baal...": This clearly contrasts reliance on God with reliance on false deities. Baal worship was pervasive in the region and often associated with fertility rites and the instability that such worship promised but never truly delivered.
- "...or give offerings to them.": This refers to abandoning the religious practices that were part of idol worship, which often involved sacrifices and rituals meant to appease or gain favor from the false gods.
Isaiah 17 7 Bonus Section
The concept of "remnant" (שְׁאֵרִית - she'erit) is a crucial theme in Isaiah, pointing to God's sovereign preservation of a faithful few who will carry forward His purposes, even through times of exile and judgment. This is not merely about physical survival but about spiritual continuity. The idols mentioned, particularly "Baal" and "tazugot" (suggestive of grotesque or offensive images), represent not just pagan deities but also the broader human tendency to trust in anything—wealth, power, or human alliances—instead of the Creator. The verse underscores that true security and spiritual fulfillment are found only in a covenant relationship with Yahweh, who is the source of life and all sustenance. The historical context is vital; this prophecy would have resonated powerfully in an era when nations were frequently conquered and their gods proved powerless, thus highlighting the ultimate sovereignty of Israel's God.
Isaiah 17 7 Commentary
Isaiah 17:7 is a declaration of hope amidst judgment. While the preceding verses detail the utter destruction of Syria and the weakening of Israel, this verse pivots to the spiritual restoration of Judah. It asserts that even in dire circumstances, the true people of God will re-center their allegiance. This "turning" is an active choice, a rejection of idolatry, and a remembering of God's character and His "ways" – His covenants, commands, and historical actions. The explicit mention of "Baal" points to the deeply ingrained Canaanite syncretism that plagued Israel. The verse emphasizes that genuine worship and reliance belong solely to the LORD. This turning leads to a renewed, focused relationship with God, abandoning the false promises of idols, which are ultimately empty and lead to ruin.