
Text -- Isaiah 17:12-14 (NET)




Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics



collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)
This is a new prophecy, added for the comfort of God's people.

Wesley: Isa 17:12 - -- Who invade my land and people with great force, as the sea does when it enters into the land by a breach.
Who invade my land and people with great force, as the sea does when it enters into the land by a breach.

Wesley: Isa 17:14 - -- At even there is great terror among God's people, for fear of their enemies; and before the morning comes, their enemies are cut off.
At even there is great terror among God's people, for fear of their enemies; and before the morning comes, their enemies are cut off.
JFB: Isa 17:12 - -- SUDDEN DESTRUCTION OF A GREAT ARMY IN JUDEA (namely that of the Assyrian Sennacherib), AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE EVENT TO THE ETHIOPIAN AMBASSADORS. (Is...
SUDDEN DESTRUCTION OF A GREAT ARMY IN JUDEA (namely that of the Assyrian Sennacherib), AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE EVENT TO THE ETHIOPIAN AMBASSADORS. (Isa. 17:12-18:7)

JFB: Isa 17:12 - -- Rather, "Ho (Hark)! a noise of," &c. The prophet in vision perceives the vast and mixed Assyrian hosts (Hebrew, "many peoples," see on Isa 5:26): on t...


JFB: Isa 17:13 - -- Rather, "God rebuketh (Psa 9:5) them, and they flee--are chased"; the event is set before the eyes as actually present, not future.
Rather, "God rebuketh (Psa 9:5) them, and they flee--are chased"; the event is set before the eyes as actually present, not future.

JFB: Isa 17:13 - -- Threshing floors in the East are in the open air on elevated places, so as to catch the wind which separates the chaff from the wheat (Psa 88:13; Hos ...

JFB: Isa 17:14 - -- Fulfilled to the letter in the destruction "before morning" of the vast host that "at eveningtide" was such a terror ("trouble") to Judah; on the phra...

JFB: Isa 17:14 - -- The Jews. A general declaration of the doom that awaits the foes of God's people (Isa 54:17).
Isaiah announces the overthrow of Sennacherib's hosts a...
The Jews. A general declaration of the doom that awaits the foes of God's people (Isa 54:17).
Isaiah announces the overthrow of Sennacherib's hosts and desires the Ethiopian ambassadors, now in Jerusalem, to bring word of it to their own nation; and he calls on the whole world to witness the event (Isa 18:3). As Isa 17:12-14 announced the presence of the foe, so Isa 18:1-7 foretells his overthrow.
Clarke: Isa 17:12 - -- Wo to the multitude - The three last verses of this chapter seem to have no relation to the foregoing prophecy, to which they are joined. It is a be...
Wo to the multitude - The three last verses of this chapter seem to have no relation to the foregoing prophecy, to which they are joined. It is a beautiful piece, standing singly and by itself; for neither has it any connection with what follows: whether it stands in its right place, or not, I cannot say. It is a noble description of the formidable invasion and the sudden overthrow of Sennacherib; which is intimated in the strongest terms and the most expressive images, exactly suitable to the event

Clarke: Isa 17:12 - -- Like the rushing of mighty waters! - Five words, three at the end of the twelfth verse, and two at the beginning of the thirteenth, are omitted in e...
Like the rushing of mighty waters! - Five words, three at the end of the twelfth verse, and two at the beginning of the thirteenth, are omitted in eight MSS., with the Syriac; that is, in effect, the repetition contained in the first line of Isa 17:13 in this translation, is not made. After having observed that it is equally easy to account for the omission of these words by a transcriber if they are genuine, or their insertion if they are not genuine, occasioned by his carrying his eye backwards to the word

Clarke: Isa 17:14 - -- He is not "He is no more"- For איננו einennu ten MSS. of Dr. Kennicott’ s, (three ancient), ten of De Rossi’ s, and two editions, ...
He is not "He is no more"- For
"At the season of evening, behold terror
Before the morning, and [behold] he is no more!
That spoil us - For
Calvin: Isa 17:12 - -- 12.Alas 8 for the multitude! Some render Woe, making it to denote execration. Sometimes, as we have seen elsewhere, it is employed in calling to a ...
12.Alas 8 for the multitude! Some render Woe, making it to denote execration. Sometimes, as we have seen elsewhere, it is employed in calling to a person; but on the present occasion I rather think that it betokens sorrow, 9 for he groans on account of the calamity which he foresees will befall Israel, and he does so either out of brotherly affection, or in order that the prophecy may make a more powerful impression on the minds of a sluggish and indolent people. It is certain, that the prophets regarded with greater horror than other men the vengeance of God, of which they were the heralds; and although, in sustaining the character assigned to them, they threatened severely, still they never laid aside human feelings, so as not to have compassion on those who perished. But the chief reason was a consideration of the covenant which God had made with the seed of Abraham; and we see that Paul also had this feeling to such an extent, that he “wished to be accursed for his brethren.” (Rom 9:3). When therefore Isaiah brings the fact before his mind, he cannot but be deeply affected with grief; and yet, as I have hinted, it tends to make the fact more certain, when he places it before his eyes as if he actually saw it.
The word multitude is here employed, because the army had been collected out of many and various nations, of which the Assyrian monarchy was composed. The metaphors which he adds are intended for no other purpose than to exhibit more forcibly what has been already stated; for he compares them to a sea or a deluge, which overflows a whole country.

Calvin: Isa 17:13 - -- 13.The nations shall rush Although he appears to follow out that threatening, which he formerly uttered, yet he begins to comfort believers by repeat...
13.The nations shall rush Although he appears to follow out that threatening, which he formerly uttered, yet he begins to comfort believers by repeating the same statement, as if we should say, “They who were unmindful of God must be punished for their wicked revolt, and must be, as it were, overwhelmed by a deluge; but the Lord will restrain this savage disposition of the enemies, for, when they have exercised their cruelty, he shall find a method of casting them out and driving them away.” This is a remarkable consolation, by which he intended to support the remnant of the godly. Nor does he speak of the Jews only, as is commonly supposed, for hitherto he has addressed his discourse to the ten tribes, and it is certain that there were still left in Israel some who actually feared God, and who would have despaired if they had not been upheld by some promise.
By these metaphors he describes dreadful storms and tempests. When the Holy Spirit intends to bring comfort to the godly, he holds out those objects which are wont to terrify and discourage the minds of men, that we may learn that God will easily allay all tempests, however violent and dreadful. As the winds and seas and storms are at his command, so it is easy for him to restrain enemies and their violence; and therefore immediately afterwards he compares the Assyrians to chaff.
As the chaff of the mountains before the wind Although with regard to the Israelites their attack was terrible, yet he shews that before God they will be like chaff, for without any effort he will scatter all their forces. Hence it follows that we ought not to judge of their resources and strength by our senses. Whenever therefore we see the restraints laid on the wicked withdrawn, 10 that they may rush forward for our destruction, let us indeed consider that, so far as lies in ourselves, we are ruined, but that God can easily frustrate their attacks.

Calvin: Isa 17:14 - -- 14.And, behold, at evening tide trouble The meaning is, “As when a storm has been raised in the evening, and soon afterwards allayed, no trace of...
14.And, behold, at evening tide trouble The meaning is, “As when a storm has been raised in the evening, and soon afterwards allayed, no trace of it is found in the morning, so will cheerful prosperity suddenly arise, contrary to expectation.” The Prophet intended to state two things — first, that the attack of the enemy will be sudden; and secondly, that the ravages which they shall commit will not be of long duration. As the Assyrians rose suddenly against the Israelites, so their fall was sudden.
From this passage all the godly ought to draw wonderful consolation, whenever they see that everything is in disorder, and when dreadful changes are at hand; for what is it but a sudden storm which the Lord will allay? Tyrants rush upon us like storms and whirlwinds, but the Lord will easily dispel their rage. Let us therefore patiently wait for his assistance; for though he permit us to be tossed about, yet through the midst of the tempests he will at length conduct us “to the haven.” (Psa 107:30.) And if the Prophet comforted a small remnant, who appeared to be almost none at all, this promise undoubtedly belongs to us also. True, we are almost none, and a wretched church is concealed in a few corners; but if we look at the condition of the kingdom of Israel, how few were the servants of God in it! And these hardly ventured to mutter, such was the universal hatred of religion and godliness. Although therefore the Lord destroy the multitude of the wicked, yet to the small number of the godly, who may be said to be tossed about in the same ship with them, he will hold out a plank to rescue them from shipwreck, and will guide them safely and comfortably into the harbour.
This is the portion He addresses the believers who were concealed in the kingdom of Israel, and joins them with the Church, although, as is frequently the case with the children of God, the members were scattered in every direction. We see here what will be the end of the wicked who have persecuted us. Though we are exposed to their rage, so that they tear and plunder and trample upon us, and inflict on us every kind of insult, yet they will be like storms which are subdued by their own violence and quickly disappear. We ought to expect that this will be the lot of all the tyrants who at the present day wretchedly harass the Church, and treat cruelly the children of God. Let this consolation be engraved on our minds, that we may know that the same thing will happen to them.
TSK: Isa 17:12 - -- multitude : or, noise, Isa 9:5
make a noise : Isa 5:26-30, Isa 8:7, Isa 8:8, Isa 28:17; Psa 18:4, Psa 46:1-3, Psa 65:6, Psa 65:7, Psa 93:3, Psa 93:4; ...

TSK: Isa 17:13 - -- but : Isa 10:15, Isa 10:16, Isa 10:33, Isa 10:34, Isa 14:25, Isa 25:4, Isa 25:5, Isa 27:1, Isa 30:30-33, Isa 31:8, Isa 31:9, Isa 33:1-3, Isa 33:9-12; ...
but : Isa 10:15, Isa 10:16, Isa 10:33, Isa 10:34, Isa 14:25, Isa 25:4, Isa 25:5, Isa 27:1, Isa 30:30-33, Isa 31:8, Isa 31:9, Isa 33:1-3, Isa 33:9-12; Isa 37:29-38; Psa 9:5, Psa 46:5-11
rebuke : Job 38:11; Mar 4:39-41
shall be : Isa 29:5, Isa 41:15, Isa 41:16; Job 21:18; Psa 1:4, Psa 35:5, Psa 83:13-15; Dan 2:35; Hos 13:3
a rolling thing : or, thistle-down

TSK: Isa 17:14 - -- at eveningtide : Isa 10:28-32; 2Ki 19:3, 2Ki 19:35; Psa 37:36
the portion : Isa 33:1; Jdg 5:31; Job 20:29; Pro 22:23; Jer 2:3, Jer 13:25; Eze 39:10; H...

collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)
Barnes: Isa 17:12 - -- Wo to the multitude ... - The word ‘ woe’ ( הוי hôy ) may be either an interjection simply directing the attention to them...
Wo to the multitude ... - The word ‘ woe’ (
The multitude of many people - Or, the tumult of many nations - a description of the noise attending an invading army made up of many nations mingled together, such as was that of Sennacherib.
Which make a noise ... - This is a beautiful description of a vast army, and of the shouting, the tumult, the din, which attends its march. The same comparison occurs in Jer 6:23; Psa 65:7 (see Eze 43:2; Rev 1:15; Rev 14:2; Rev 19:6).
And to the rushing of nations - The rushing of mighty armies to conquest.

Barnes: Isa 17:13 - -- God shall rebuke them - The word ‘ God’ is not here in the original, but is evidently to be supplied. The word ‘ rebuke’ ...
God shall rebuke them - The word ‘ God’ is not here in the original, but is evidently to be supplied. The word ‘ rebuke’ means that he would disarrange their plans, prevent their success, and defeat their purposes. It shows the great power of God, that he can thus by a "rebuke"- a word - arrest mighty nations, and discomfit thom when they are tumultuously hastening onward in the confidence of victory. This discomfiture refers, doubtless, to the overthrow of Sennacherib and his army by the pestilence (2Ki 19:35; see the notes at Isa 37:36).
And they shall flee far off - The whole army of Sennacherib was not destroyed, but a part with himself returned to Assyria 2Ki 19:36.
And shall be chased as the chaff ... - Denoting the case with which God would do it, and the certain and entire discomfiture of the army. The figure is one that is very striking in describing an army that is routed, and that flees in disorder (compare Job 21:18; Psa 1:4; Psa 35:5; Isa 29:5; Hos 13:3).
And like a rolling thing - Margin, ‘ Thistle-down.’ It means, literally, anything that "rolls"(

Barnes: Isa 17:14 - -- At evening-tide trouble - In the time of evening - that is, in the night. Before the morning he is not - That is, he is destroyed. This i...
At evening-tide trouble - In the time of evening - that is, in the night.
Before the morning he is not - That is, he is destroyed. This is strikingly descriptive of the destruction of the army of Sennacherib on that fatal night when the angel of the Lord killed 185,000 men (see the note at Isa 37:36).
This is the portion of them that spoil us - Of those who would plunder us. This is a "general"declaration in regard to the enemies of the Jewish people. This is the lot, the end, the destiny of all who attempt to destroy them. That is, the people of God shall be safe whoever rises up against them; and whatever may be the number, or the power of their foes, they shall be overthrown.
Poole: Isa 17:12 - -- This is a new prophecy, added for the present support and comfort of God’ s people.
The multitude of many people combined together against Ju...
This is a new prophecy, added for the present support and comfort of God’ s people.
The multitude of many people combined together against Judah. It matters not whether you understand this of the Syrians and Israelites who were united against Judah, or of the Assyrians, whose army consisted of vast numbers, and of men of several nations. The following words agree to either of them.
Which make a noise like the noise of the seas which invade my land and people with great force and fury, as the sea doth, either in its own channel, or when it enters into the land by a breach.

Poole: Isa 17:13 - -- Shall rebuke them not in words, but deeds; shall discomfit and overthrow them.
Like a rolling thing which is easily moved by every slight touch, an...
Shall rebuke them not in words, but deeds; shall discomfit and overthrow them.
Like a rolling thing which is easily moved by every slight touch, and much more by a violent wind. Or, like a wisp , to wit, of straw, which is sometimes rolled together.

Poole: Isa 17:14 - -- Behold at evening-tide trouble; and before the morning he is not: at even there is a great terror and consternation among God’ s people, for fea...
Behold at evening-tide trouble; and before the morning he is not: at even there is a great terror and consternation among God’ s people, for fear of their enemies; and ere the morning cometh, their enemies are cut off by the hand of God. This was literally and eminently fulfilled in the destruction of Sennacherib’ s army before Jerusalem. Although the words may be more generally understood of any great and sudden change, and unexpected deliverance, granted to God’ s people, when their enemies were ready to devour them. And this place may be compared with that in Psa 30:5 , Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. This is the portion of them that spoil us, and the lot of them that rob us : this is a triumphant conclusion, uttered by the prophet in the name of God’ s people.
Haydock -> Isa 17:12
Haydock: Isa 17:12 - -- Multitude, &c. This and all that follows to the end of the chapter, relates to the Assyrian army under Sennacherib, (Challoner) or rather to that of...
Multitude, &c. This and all that follows to the end of the chapter, relates to the Assyrian army under Sennacherib, (Challoner) or rather to that of Israel and its allies. (Calmet) ---
After the Assyrians had afflicted Israel, they were also punished. (Worthington)
Gill: Isa 17:12 - -- Woe to the multitude of many people,..... Not as lamenting the people of the Jews with Hezekiah, as if they were the words of the prophet bemoaning th...
Woe to the multitude of many people,..... Not as lamenting the people of the Jews with Hezekiah, as if they were the words of the prophet bemoaning their condition, saying, "O the multitude", &c. nor intending the Syrians and Israelites joined together against Judah; but the Assyrian army under Sennacherib, which consisted of people of many nations, and was very numerous, who are either threatened or called unto. A new subject is here begun, though a short one.
which make a noise like the noise of the seas; in a storm, when they foam and rage, and overflow the banks; this may refer both to the noise made by the march of such a vast army, the rattling of their armour and chariot wheels, and prancing of their horses; and to the hectoring, blustering, and blasphemous speeches of Sennacherib and Rabshakeh:
and to the rushing of nations, or "rushing nations",
that make a rushing like the rushing of mighty, waters; which denotes the fury and force with which they come, threatening to bear down all before them, as an inundation of water does.

Gill: Isa 17:13 - -- The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters,.... With great force and noise, and run over the whole land, as the Assyrian army did, until i...
The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters,.... With great force and noise, and run over the whole land, as the Assyrian army did, until it came to Jerusalem, and there it stopped; see Isa 8:7,
but God shall rebuke them; as he did the waters of the Red Sea, Psa 106:9 and as Christ rebuked the winds and sea, and made a calm, Mat 8:26. The word "God" is not in the text, but rightly supplied; for as none but he can rebuke the mighty waters of the sea, so none but he could have destroyed such an army in the manner it was, and wrought such a salvation for his people. The phrase, is expressive both of his wrath and power.
And they shall flee afar off; from Jerusalem to Nineveh, reckoned to be six hundred and eighty four miles from thence: or, "he shall flee afar off" x; that is, Sennacherib, and the few that escaped with him, for, his army was destroyed; see 2Ki 19:36,
and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind; chaff upon the floor is easily chased away with the fan, and much more easily chaff upon the mountains with the wind; it was usual with the Jews to thresh their corn, and winnow it on hills and mountains, to which the allusion is; see 2Ch 3:1 or "the dust of the mountains", as some y render it, which is more exposed to the wind than that in the valleys. Kings and great men of the earth are but as dust with God; and the higher they are, or they exalt themselves, the more they are exposed to the power of his wrath, and as easily cast down as the dust is scattered by the wind:
and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind; or "like a wheel" z, as the word is sometimes rendered; or any round thing, as a round wisp of straw or stubble, which is easily and swiftly moved and rolled along, especially by a strong wind. Jarchi interprets it of the flower of thorns; that is, the down of the thistle, which, when blown off, rolls up, and, being exceeding light, is carried away at once; see Psa 83:13 all which shows what poor light things the greatest of men are in the hands of God, and with what ease he can chase them from place to place, and out of the world, when it is his pleasure.

Gill: Isa 17:14 - -- And behold at eveningtide trouble,.... Or terror a and consternation; which some understand of that which was in the Assyrian army, when the Angel of ...
And behold at eveningtide trouble,.... Or terror a and consternation; which some understand of that which was in the Assyrian army, when the Angel of the Lord destroyed it, taking "evening for night", for it was in the night that that was done; so Jarchi interprets it of Shedim, a sort of spirits or demons, that came against the enemy, and troubled and frightened them: but it is best to take it in the more common sense, of the trouble that Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem were in, on the evening or night before their deliverance; the whole land of Judea round about them being laid waste, their city besieged by a powerful army, and the enemy blaspheming, blustering, and triumphing:
and before the morning he is not; Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, he was not before Jerusalem, he was fled: or "it was not" b; the Assyrian army was not, it was destroyed by an angel in the night, and in the morning were all dead corpses, 2Ki 19:35 or trouble was not, that was all over, joy came in the morning; see Psa 30:5,
this is the portion of them that spoil us, and the lot of them that rob us; these are the words of the prophet, and of the people of God, he represents, making observation upon, and use of the above dispensation, though not confining it to that; and their meaning is, that this is not the case of these Assyrians only, but of all the enemies of God's people, who, sooner or later, come to destruction; and which is not by chance, but by the appointment and disposition of God, who allots and portions out ruin unto them, as the just reward of their works; see Job 20:29.

expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes


NET Notes: Isa 17:14 Heb “this is the portion of those who plunder us, and the lot of those who loot us.”
Geneva Bible: Isa 17:12 ( o ) Woe to the multitude of many people, [who] make a noise like the noise of the seas; and to the rushing of nations, [that] make a rushing like th...

Geneva Bible: Isa 17:13 The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but [God] shall ( p ) rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the cha...

Geneva Bible: Isa 17:14 And behold at the time of evening ( q ) trouble; [and] before the morning he [is] not. This [is] the portion of them that plunder us, and the lot of t...

expand allCommentary -- Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis -> Isa 17:1-14
TSK Synopsis: Isa 17:1-14 - --1 Syria and Israel are threatened.6 A remnant shall forsake idolatry.9 The rest shall be plagued for their impiety.12 The woe of Israel's enemies.
MHCC -> Isa 17:12-14
MHCC: Isa 17:12-14 - --The rage and force of the Assyrians resembled the mighty waters of the sea; but when the God of Israel should rebuke them, they would flee like chaff,...
Matthew Henry -> Isa 17:12-14
Matthew Henry: Isa 17:12-14 - -- These verses read the doom of those that spoil and rob the people of God. If the Assyrians and Israelites invade and plunder Judah, if the Assyrian ...
Keil-Delitzsch -> Isa 17:12-14
Keil-Delitzsch: Isa 17:12-14 - --
Fourth turn: "Woe to the raoring of many nations: like the roaring of seas they roar; and to the rumbling of nations, like the rumbling of mighty w...
Constable: Isa 7:1--39:8 - --III. Israel's crisis of faith chs. 7--39
This long section of the book deals with Israel's major decision in Isa...

Constable: Isa 13:1--35:10 - --B. God's sovereignty over the nations chs. 13-35
This major section of the book emphasizes the folly of ...

Constable: Isa 13:1--23:18 - --1. Divine judgments on the nations chs. 13-23
The recurrence of the Hebrew word massa', translat...

Constable: Isa 13:1--20:6 - --The first series of five oracles chs. 13-20
The first series shows that God has placed I...
