Isaiah 17:11

In the day shalt thou make thy plant to grow, and in the morning shalt thou make thy seed to flourish: [but] the harvest [shall be] a heap in the day of grief and of desperate sorrow.

In the day {H3117} shalt thou make thy plant {H5194} to grow {H7735}, and in the morning {H1242} shalt thou make thy seed {H2233} to flourish {H6524}: but the harvest {H7105} shall be a heap {H5067} in the day {H3117} of grief {H2470} and of desperate {H605} sorrow {H3511}.

Though you make them grow on the day you plant them, and in the morning your seedlings flower; the crop will vanish the day disease comes, a day of incurable pain.

though on the day you plant you make them grow, and on that morning you help your seed sprout— yet the harvest will vanish on the day of disease and incurable pain.

In the day of thy planting thou hedgest it in, and in the morning thou makest thy seed to blossom; but the harvest fleeth away in the day of grief and of desperate sorrow.

Isaiah 17:11 in the King James Version presents a stark contrast between diligent human effort and a devastating divine judgment. This verse is part of a larger prophecy primarily concerning the judgment of Damascus (Syria) and Ephraim (the northern kingdom of Israel).

Context

Chapter 17 of Isaiah foretells the desolation of Damascus and the humbling of Ephraim due to their idolatry and their reliance on foreign alliances rather than on the Lord. The prophet warns against trusting in human strength and alliances. Verse 10, immediately preceding this one, states, "Because thou hast forgotten the God of thy salvation, and hast not been mindful of the rock of thy strength." Verse 11 illustrates the futile outcome of such spiritual amnesia.

Key Themes

  • Futility of Self-Reliance: The verse vividly portrays intense human effort: "In the day shalt thou make thy plant to grow, and in the morning shalt thou make thy seed to flourish." This imagery speaks of meticulous cultivation, implying a great investment of time and energy to secure prosperity or stability through human means, apart from God.
  • Divine Judgment: Despite the zealous effort, the outcome is catastrophic: "but the harvest shall be a heap in the day of grief and of desperate sorrow." This "heap" signifies ruin, desolation, and utter worthlessness. It underscores that without God's blessing and guidance, even the most diligent human endeavors can lead to bitter disappointment and destruction. This echoes the principle found in Psalm 127:1, "Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it."
  • Consequences of Forgetting God: The sorrowful harvest is a direct consequence of turning away from God, as highlighted in the preceding verse. It serves as a powerful warning against idolatry and misplaced trust, illustrating the principle of sowing the wind and reaping the whirlwind (Hosea 8:7).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "heap" is ned (נֵד), which can refer to a pile or mound, often indicating a desolate ruin or a worthless accumulation. In this context, it emphasizes the utter destruction and lack of value in what was painstakingly cultivated. The phrases "plant to grow" and "seed to flourish" use agricultural terms to symbolize human plans and efforts, making the contrast with the final "heap" even more poignant.

Practical Application

Isaiah 17:11 serves as a timeless warning for individuals and nations. It challenges us to examine where we place our ultimate trust and security. Are we diligently cultivating our lives and plans based on our own strength, wisdom, and resources, while neglecting or forgetting God? Or are we building on the solid foundation of God's Word and His provision? The verse reminds us that true and lasting prosperity, peace, and security come only from a right relationship with God, not from self-reliant efforts that ignore His sovereignty. Our "harvest" will ultimately reflect the source of our reliance.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Job 4:8

    Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.

  • Hosea 8:7

    For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up.

  • Isaiah 65:13

    Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty: behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed:

  • Isaiah 65:14

    Behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit.

  • Matthew 8:11

    And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.

  • Matthew 8:12

    But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

  • Hosea 10:12

    Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for [it is] time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back