Bible Commentaries
Isaiah 17

Verse 1

burden. The second of the seventh burdens.

Damascus. The capital of Syria.

is taken away = is swept away. This was by Tiglath-pileser, king of Assyria, and the slaughter of Rezin (632. B.C.) See 2 Kings 16:9 , and 2 Kings 7:9 , 2 Kings 7:16 , above.

city. heap. Note the Figure of speech Paronomasia ( App-6 ) Hebrew. me'ir. mei .

Verse 2

cities of Aroer. Note the Figure of speech Paronomasia . Hebrew. arey aro'er .

Aroer. There were three other cities of that name, and this one which is not identified.

Verse 3

children = sons.

Verse 4

be = become.

Verse 5

it: i.e. Jacob's glory (Isaiah 17:4 ).

it: i.e. Jacob's fatness (Isaiah 17:4 ).

Rephaim. South-west of Jerusalem. So called after one "Kapha", a mighty one among the descendants of the Nephilim, as Anak was, who gave his name to another branch. See App-23 and App-25 .

Verse 6

the LORD God of Israel. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 32:27 . Compare Joshua 9:18 , Joshua 9:19 ; Joshua 10:40 , Joshua 10:42 , &c). See note on Isaiah 29:23 .

God of Israel. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 24:10 . Numbers 16:9 ). Occurs in latter part of Isaiah (Isaiah 41:17 ; Isaiah 45:3 ; Isaiah 48:2 ).

Verse 7

a man = Literally the man. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 . I

look = have an eye unto.

have respect = have regard. Note the Alternation in verses: Isaiah 17:7 , Isaiah 17:8 , "look" and "have respect".

the Holy One of Israel. See note on Isaiah 1:4 .

Verse 8

the groves = the Asherahs. See App-42 . Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 34:13 .Deuteronomy 7:5 ; Deuteronomy 12:3 ; Deuteronomy 16:21 ). App-79 .

images = sun images. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 26:30 ); both mentioned again (Isaiah 27:9 ).

Verse 9

desolation. See note on Isaiah 1:7 .

Verse 10

Rock. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 32:13 ). App-92 .

pleasant plants. Probably = plantings of Adonis.

strange slips: or slips of a strange [God],

Verse 11

In the day = By day.

Verse 12

people = peoples.

noise = booming, or roaring.

rushing. Note the Figure of speech Repetitio ( App-6 ), for emphasis.

Verse 13

God = One.

chaff = dried grass.

a rolling thing = a galgal. See note on Psalms 83:13 .

Verse 14

trouble = consternation.

he is not: or, he is no more. Some codices, with two early printed editions, Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "and he is no more".