King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
The cities of Aroer [are] forsaken: they shall be for flocks, which shall lie down, and none shall make [them] afraid.
Complete Jewish Bible:
The cities of 'Aro'er will be abandoned, given over to flocks lying down undisturbed.
Berean Standard Bible:
The cities of Aroer are forsaken; they will be left to the flocks, which will lie down with no one to fear.
American Standard Version:
The cities of Aroer are forsaken; they shall be for flocks, which shall lie down, and none shall make them afraid.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
The cities{H5892} of Aroer{H6177} are forsaken{H5800}: they shall be for flocks{H5739}, which shall lie down{H7257}, and none shall make them afraid{H2729}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Jeremiah 7:33
- And the carcases of this people shall be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth; and none shall fray [them] away.
Ezekiel 25:5
- And I will make Rabbah a stable for camels, and the Ammonites a couchingplace for flocks: and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD.
Deuteronomy 2:36
- From Aroer, which [is] by the brink of the river of Arnon, and [from] the city that [is] by the river, even unto Gilead, there was not one city too strong for us: the LORD our God delivered all unto us:
Zephaniah 2:6
- And the sea coast shall be dwellings [and] cottages for shepherds, and folds for flocks.
Micah 4:4
- But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make [them] afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken [it].
Numbers 32:34
- And the children of Gad built Dibon, and Ataroth, and Aroer,
Jeremiah 48:19
- O inhabitant of Aroer, stand by the way, and espy; ask him that fleeth, and her that escapeth, [and] say, What is done?
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Commentary for Isaiah 17:2
Isaiah 17:2 is part of a prophecy concerning the fate of Damascus and the northern kingdom of Israel, which were enemies of Judah at the time. The verse specifically mentions "The cities of Aroer," which were located east of the Jordan River and were part of the territories contested by these rival kingdoms. Historically, Aroer was a region that had seen many battles and changes of control between the Moabites, Amorites, and Israelites.
In this verse, the prophet Isaiah declares that these cities, once bustling with life and military activity, will become desolate and abandoned. The imagery of flocks lying down without fear suggests a stark contrast to the cities' previous state—instead of being centers of conflict and human habitation, they will become tranquil pasturelands where domesticated animals graze safely. This transformation from fortified urban areas to peaceful grazing lands symbolizes the end of warfare and human strife, indicating a divine judgment that brings both destruction and peace in its wake.
The broader theme of Isaiah 17 involves God's sovereignty over nations and His use of other nations as instruments of judgment against His people when they stray from His laws and covenant. The chapter as a whole speaks to the impermanence of human power structures and the ultimate futility of military might in the face of God's purposes. Isaiah's message is one of warning to the people of his time, but it also carries a promise of eventual restoration and peace under God's rule.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H5892
There are 937 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עִיר
Transliteration: ʻîyr
Pronunciation: eer
Description: or (in the plural) עָר; or עָיַר; (Judges 10:4), from עוּר; a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post); Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. - Strong's Number: H6177
There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֲרוֹעֵר
Transliteration: ʻĂrôwʻêr
Pronunciation: ar-o-ayr'
Description: or עֲרֹעֵר; or עַרְעוֹר; the same as עֲרוֹעֵר; nudity of situation; Aroer, the name of three places in or near Palestine; Aroer. - Strong's Number: H5800
There are 206 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָזַב
Transliteration: ʻâzab
Pronunciation: aw-zab'
Description: a primitive root; to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etc.; commit self, fail, forsake, fortify, help, leave (destitute, off), refuse, [idiom] surely. - Strong's Number: H5739
There are 34 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֵדֶר
Transliteration: ʻêder
Pronunciation: ay'-der
Description: from עֲדַר; an arrangement, i.e. muster (of animals); drove, flock, herd. - Strong's Number: H7257
There are 30 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָבַץ
Transliteration: râbats
Pronunciation: raw-bats'
Description: a primitive root; to crouch (on all four legs folded, like a recumbent animal); be implication, to recline, repose, brood, lurk, imbed; crouch (down), fall down, make a fold, lay, (cause to, make to) lie (down), make to rest, sit. - Strong's Number: H2729
There are 39 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָרַד
Transliteration: chârad
Pronunciation: khaw-rad'
Description: a primitive root; to shudder with terror; hence, to fear; also to hasten (with anxiety); be (make) afraid, be careful, discomfit, fray (away), quake, tremble.