Study notes

Isaiah 17

Introducing IsaiahWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

13:1–23:18 Section

Isaiah spoke many messages from God about the people and leaders of other nations. These included Babylon, Assyria, the Philistines, Moab, Syria and its capital city Damascus.

They also included the northern kingdom, Cush, Egypt, Edom, Arabia and Tyre. Cush was a nation in Africa south of Egypt. The desert area west of Babylon was called Arabia.

The messages were warnings about things that were going to happen. Most of these things were terrible and would lead to those nations being destroyed. Talking about them caused the prophet fear, pain and deep sadness. It isn’t known if the people and leaders of these nations knew about Isaiah’s prophecies. But the people of the southern kingdom were made aware of them. This was one way that God taught his people about the nations around them.

The prophecies showed that God had authority and power over those nations. The prophecies showed that God’s people shouldn’t trust any of those nations to save them. None of those nations could save them from stronger nations like Assyria and Babylon. The messages showed God’s people that God would bring judgement against all nations. He would bring judgement against their leaders for being proud and causing others to suffer.

The prophecies also showed God’s people that God wanted those other nations to know him. He wanted those nations to be humble. He wanted them to recognise that he is the Lord who rules over all. He wanted them to worship him and to become a blessing to other people groups. Isaiah’s messages invited these nations to trust the God of Jacob’s people as their own God. The messages invited them to come to God for safety and protection. This was a lesson for Jerusalem and the southern kingdom to do the same.

17:1

Damascus, the leader of the alliance between Syria and Israel against Judah, fell when the Assyrian king Tiglath-pileser III invaded in 732 BC.

17:1–20:6

This section includes predictions of judgment against Damascus, Israel, Ethiopia, and Egypt. The scene shifts from the crisis in 734 BC (the alliance of Syria and Israel; see study note on Isaiah 7:1–25) to the Assyrian crisis in 701 BC (see Isaiah 36–37).

17:2

  • The towns of Aroer were east of the Dead Sea (see 2 Kings 10:32–33).

  • they will be left to the flocks: The city would serve no 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

  • the splendor of Jacob will fade: God will judge all human pride.

  • Israel, once strong, will become weak. The nation will waste away like a sick person.

17:4–11

The vision shifts from Damascus (Isaiah 17:1–3) to Israel's northern kingdom. Damascus and Israel were allies against Judah, but Assyria later destroyed both.

17:5

The Valley of Rephaim was a fertile area in Judah. However, it appeared barren after each harvest.

17:6

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

17:7

  • The people mentioned here are either Israelites or all of humanity.

  • look … turn their eyes: They will once more 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, by using Asherah poles (see Isaiah 27:9; 65:3; Micah 5:14).

17:9

The Hivites and Amorites were part of the original people living in Canaan. The Israelites were to destroy them when they conquered the land (see Deuteronomy 20:17).

17:10

  • The Israelites combined their faith in the Lord with Baal worship. They turned away from the Lord, who is the only God and will not share devotion with idols.

  • The term Rock refers to the Lord's ability to provide refuge (see Isaiah 26:4; 30:29; Psalm 18:2, 46).

17:12–14

God was present with Judah during the crisis.

17:13

He rebukes them: The Lord rules over the nations, just as he rules over the sea (Psalm 65:7).

17:14

In the evening … Before morning: Trouble may come at night, but it will not last long.

Even in frightening situations, Israel can trust the Lord. He is able to rescue his people quickly (see Isaiah 37:36–38).

Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources