Isaiah 17

17:1–20:6 This section contains prophecies of judgment against Damascus, Israel, Ethiopia, and Egypt. The scene moves from the crisis of 734 BC (the alliance of Syria and Israel—see study note on 7:1-25) to the Assyrian crisis in 701 BC (see chs 36–37).17:1 Damascus, the ringleader in the alliance of Syria and Israel against Judah, fell when the Assyrian king Tiglath-pileser III invaded in 732 BC.

17:2 The towns of Aroer were east of the Dead Sea (see 2 Kgs 10:32-33). • Flocks will graze in the streets: The city would be useless for any other purpose.

17:3 The strategic fortified towns of Israel were the pride of Israel, but they could not resist God’s purposes.

17:4-11 The vision shifts from Damascus (17:1-3) to the northern kingdom of Israel; Damascus and Israel were allies in the war against Judah, and both were later destroyed by Assyria.17:4 Israel’s glory will grow dim: God will judge all human pride. • Israel’s robust body will waste away like a person who is ill.

17:5 The valley of Rephaim was a fertile valley in Judah; however, it looked bare after each harvest.

17:6 Although the God of Israel judged the wickedness of Israel, he was still its God.

17:7 The people referred to here are either Israelites or humanity at large. • look . . . turn their eyes: They will again put their trust in the Lord.

17:8 Canaanites and then Israelites worshiped the fertility goddess Asherah in wooded areas or, in the absence of wooded areas, using Asherah poles (see 27:9; 65:3; Mic 5:14).

17:9 The Hivites and Amorites were members of the original population of Canaan; they were to be destroyed when the Israelites conquered the land (see Deut 20:17).

17:10 The Israelites had mixed faith in the Lord with elements of Baal worship. They turned from the Lord, who alone is God and will not be held alongside an idol in people’s hearts. • The term Rock refers to the Lord’s ability to provide refuge (see 26:4; 30:29; Ps 18:2, 46).

17:12-14 God was present with Judah during the crisis.17:12 At times, the sea represents opposition to God (see Job 7:12; 26:12; Pss 46:3; 93:3).

17:13 God will silence them: The Lord is sovereign over the nations, as he is over the sea (Ps 65:7).

17:14 In the evening . . . by dawn: Despite frightening circumstances, Israel can have confidence in the Lord’s ability to save quickly (see 37:36-38).