Isaiah 17:12

¶ Woe to the multitude of many people, [which] make a noise like the noise of the seas; and to the rushing of nations, [that] make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters!

Woe {H1945} to the multitude {H1995} of many {H7227} people {H5971}, which make a noise {H1993} like the noise {H1993} of the seas {H3220}; and to the rushing {H7588} of nations {H3816}, that make a rushing like the rushing {H7582} of mighty {H3524} waters {H4325}!

Oh, the terror-stricken uproar of many peoples, roaring like the roar of the seas, and the rushing about of nations, rushing and surging like wild, wild waters!

Alas, the tumult of many peoples; they rage like the roaring seas and clamoring nations; they rumble like the crashing of mighty waters.

Ah, the uproar of many peoples, that roar like the roaring of the seas; and the rushing of nations, that rush like the rushing of mighty waters!

Commentary

Context

Isaiah chapter 17 primarily focuses on a prophetic declaration of judgment against Damascus, the capital of Aram (Syria), and Ephraim, the northern kingdom of Israel, due to their idolatry and unfaithfulness. However, Isaiah 17:12 broadens the prophetic scope, shifting from a specific regional conflict to a more general depiction of a vast, tumultuous assembly of nations. This verse sets the stage for God's dramatic intervention against these overwhelming forces, described in the verses that follow.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Warning: The opening declaration, "Woe to the multitude," is a powerful prophetic pronouncement (Hebrew: Hoy) signifying impending divine judgment and sorrow, not merely an expression of grief but a solemn warning against those who oppose God's purposes.
  • Overwhelming Chaos of Nations: The vivid imagery of "noise like the noise of the seas" and "rushing like the rushing of mighty waters" powerfully conveys the immense, chaotic, and seemingly unstoppable forces of hostile nations. This represents the formidable and frightening threats faced by God's people throughout history.
  • God's Ultimate Sovereignty: Despite the terrifying description of the nations' tumult, the "woe" is pronounced by God through His prophet, indicating that even this overwhelming chaos is within His knowledge and subject to His ultimate control. This sets the stage for God's swift and decisive action against them, as elaborated in the very next verse, Isaiah 17:13.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew words translated "noise" (hamon) and "rushing" (sha'on) are often used interchangeably in biblical poetry to describe a loud, tumultuous sound, such as the roar of a crowd, the clamor of battle, or the sound of rushing water. They emphasize the overwhelming and intimidating nature of these gathering forces.
  • The simile "like the noise of the seas" is a potent and recurring biblical metaphor for uncontrollable, chaotic, and often destructive forces, frequently used to describe the tumult of the nations or the overwhelming power of evil. For instance, Psalm 65:7 speaks of God quieting "the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people."

Practical Application

Isaiah 17:12 serves as a timeless reminder that throughout history, and even in our modern world, nations often appear to be in a state of chaotic unrest, with conflicts and geopolitical tensions creating a sense of overwhelming noise and confusion. This verse speaks to the human experience of feeling threatened by forces larger than oneself.

For believers, this passage offers profound reassurance: no matter how mighty or chaotic the "rushing of nations" may seem, they are ultimately subject to God's sovereign will. He pronounces "woe" upon them, signifying their eventual accountability and defeat. It encourages us to place our trust not in human powers, alliances, or military might, but in the Almighty God who controls the tides of history and the destinies of all nations, bringing order out of chaos according to His divine plan.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 6:23

    They shall lay hold on bow and spear; they [are] cruel, and have no mercy; their voice roareth like the sea; and they ride upon horses, set in array as men for war against thee, O daughter of Zion.

  • Luke 21:25

    And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

  • Psalms 18:4

    The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.

  • Ezekiel 43:2

    And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice [was] like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory.

  • Revelation 17:1

    ¶ And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:

  • Revelation 17:15

    And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.

  • Isaiah 8:7

    Now therefore, behold, the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, [even] the king of Assyria, and all his glory: and he shall come up over all his channels, and go over all his banks:
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