Isaiah 17 9

Isaiah 17:9 kjv

In that day shall his strong cities be as a forsaken bough, and an uppermost branch, which they left because of the children of Israel: and there shall be desolation.

Isaiah 17:9 nkjv

In that day his strong cities will be as a forsaken bough And an uppermost branch, Which they left because of the children of Israel; And there will be desolation.

Isaiah 17:9 niv

In that day their strong cities, which they left because of the Israelites, will be like places abandoned to thickets and undergrowth. And all will be desolation.

Isaiah 17:9 esv

In that day their strong cities will be like the deserted places of the wooded heights and the hilltops, which they deserted because of the children of Israel, and there will be desolation.

Isaiah 17:9 nlt

Their largest cities will be like a deserted forest,
like the land the Hivites and Amorites abandoned
when the Israelites came here so long ago.
It will be utterly desolate.

Isaiah 17 verses

Isaiah 17 9 Meaning

This verse describes the devastation that will come upon Ephraim (representing the Northern Kingdom of Israel) as a consequence of their sins. It signifies the scattering and loss of their fortified cities, with only remnants remaining as in the "days of Gibeah" when the Israelites suffered a severe defeat and moral corruption. The verse conveys a powerful message of divine judgment for persistent unfaithfulness.

Isaiah 17 9 Context

Chapter 17 of Isaiah continues the prophetic oracle against the nations surrounding Israel and Judah. This specific passage (verse 9) directly addresses the sin and impending destruction of Ephraim, which represents the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Their history was marked by idolatry, political instability, and a reliance on foreign alliances rather than on the Lord. This oracle reflects a broader theme in Isaiah of divine judgment against sin, which will ultimately lead to purification and restoration. The "days of Gibeah" in the book of Judges signifies a time of extreme moral depravity and a devastating military defeat for Israel, highlighting the depth of Ephraim's sin.

Isaiah 17 9 Word Analysis

• וְקָֽטְנָה (v'kā-tō-nāh): "And it will be small" or "and it has become small." This future tense verb indicates a process of diminishment and insignificance.
  • Root: קטן (qatan) meaning "small," "little."
  • Significance: Signifies the complete reduction of Israel's former glory and strength.
• לָעֳמֹת (la-ă-mōt): "because of" or "in relation to." This prepositional phrase indicates the reason or cause for the diminishment.
• נַחֲלָת֖וֹ (nach-la-tōw): "his inheritance." Refers to the land given to Israel by God.
  • Root: נחלה (nachalah) meaning "inheritance," "possession."
  • Significance: Emphasizes God's covenant and the forfeiture of His provision due to unfaithfulness.
• כַּאֲשֶׁר (ka-'ă-sher): "as" or "like." A comparative conjunction.
• הָיוּ (hā-yū): "they were" or "it was." Past tense of the verb "to be."
• מִיּוֹם (miy-yōm): "from the day" or "since the day." Indicates a temporal starting point.
• הַגִּבְעָ֔ה (hag-giv-ʻāh): "Gibeah." A city in Benjamin, notorious for the sin described in Judges 19-21, resulting in a civil war and near annihilation of the tribe of Benjamin.
  • Significance: A dark period in Israelite history marked by extreme immorality and severe divine judgment, serving as a stark comparison for Ephraim's coming fate.
• כֵּ֗ן (kēn): "so," "thus," "in this way." A adverb indicating manner or consequence.
• תַּעֲשֶׂ֨ינָה (ta-ă-seh-nāh): "shall do" or "shall make." Feminine plural verb, referring to cities (though grammatically it might seem singular, it refers to "cities" in a collective sense implied from context, or possibly a reference to their action of fleeing or being brought to this state).
• לָהֶם֙ (la-hēm): "to them" or "for them." Prepositional pronoun.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "And it will be small because of his inheritance, as it was from the day of Gibeah": This phrase vividly illustrates the profound destruction and the loss of national identity and strength. The reference to Gibeah serves as a potent symbol of Israel's failure, reminding them of a time when their nation was almost extinguished due to its sin. It implies that their current sinfulness has brought them to a similar, though perhaps even more final, precipice. The diminishment of their "inheritance" speaks of the desolation of their land and the scattering of its people.

Isaiah 17 9 Bonus Section

The imagery of God making their cities "small" connects with the concept of diminishing the powerful and the proud, a recurring theme in Isaiah's prophecies against various nations and against Israel itself for its arrogance. The verse emphasizes the ultimate consequence of their turning away from God; their covenant relationship means that disobedience leads to forfeiture of blessings and the very inheritance God gave them. The scattering of the people from their land is a judicial consequence for their refusal to heed God's word and warnings. This judgment is not arbitrary but a direct result of their persistent apostasy and unfaithfulness to the covenant.

Isaiah 17 9 Commentary

This verse pronounces a severe judgment upon Ephraim, highlighting the utter desolation and reduction that will befall them. The mention of "Gibeah" is crucial, evoking the biblical account in Judges 19-21, a period of extreme depravity and a devastating civil war that nearly wiped out the tribe of Benjamin. By referencing this event, Isaiah signifies that Ephraim's sin has brought them to a comparable state of ruin and moral decay, leading to severe consequences. Their cities will be deserted, their land abandoned, and their people scattered, akin to the state of Benjamin after the Gibeah incident. This verse underscores the principle that unfaithfulness to God brings about profound loss and national disintegration, leaving only a remnant or fragments of what once was.