Isaiah 17:14

And behold at eveningtide trouble; [and] before the morning he [is] not. This [is] the portion of them that spoil us, and the lot of them that rob us.

And behold at eveningtide {H6256}{H6153} trouble {H1091}; and before the morning {H1242} he is not. This is the portion {H2506} of them that spoil {H8154} us, and the lot {H1486} of them that rob {H962} us.

As evening falls, you can see terror; before sunrise, they have ceased to be. This is the lot of those who plunder us, the fate of those who prey on us.

In the evening, there is sudden terror! Before morning, they are no more! This is the portion of those who loot us and the lot of those who plunder us.

At eventide, behold, terror; and before the morning they are not. This is the portion of them that despoil us, and the lot of them that rob us.

Commentary

Isaiah 17:14 (KJV) delivers a powerful declaration of Godโ€™s swift and decisive judgment against those who oppress His people. It paints a vivid picture of sudden reversal for the enemies of Godโ€™s chosen.

Context

This verse concludes a section within Isaiah Chapter 17, which primarily contains a prophecy against Damascus (Syria) and Ephraim (the northern kingdom of Israel). The preceding verses (Isaiah 17:12-13) describe the tumultuous roar of many nations, likened to the surging of mighty waters, coming against Judah. However, God rebukes them, and they flee like chaff before the wind or a rolling thing before the whirlwind. Verse 14 serves as the concluding punchline, emphasizing the immediate and complete disappearance of these threatening forces. This prophecy underscores God's sovereignty over nations and His commitment to defending His covenant people, even when they are facing severe threats from powerful adversaries like the Assyrians, who were a dominant force in the region during Isaiah's time.

Key Themes

  • Swift Divine Judgment: The central theme is the sudden and complete destruction of oppressors. The phrase "at eveningtide trouble; and before the morning he is not" highlights the rapidity with which God can dismantle hostile forces, often overnight.
  • God's Protection of His People: Implicit in the judgment of the enemy is God's unwavering defense of those who belong to Him. Though His people may face terrifying threats, their ultimate security rests in God's intervention. This resonates with the idea of God being a refuge and strength in times of trouble.
  • Vindication and Justice: The verse explicitly states, "This is the portion of them that spoil us, and the lot of them that rob us." It declares that divine justice will prevail, and those who unjustly plunder and oppress will ultimately face their deserved fate.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew terms used in this verse amplify its dramatic impact:

  • The word for "trouble" (b'halah - ื‘ึผึถื”ึธืœึธื”) conveys a sense of sudden alarm, terror, or dismay, indicating the chaotic and fearful state of the aggressors.
  • The phrase "he is not" (einennu - ืึตื™ื ึถื ึผื•ึผ) powerfully signifies complete non-existence or utter disappearance, emphasizing that by morning, the threatening presence is entirely gone.
  • "Portion" (cheleq - ื—ึตืœึถืง) and "lot" (goral - ื’ึผื•ึนืจึธืœ) are terms often associated with inheritance or destiny, here used to denote the divinely appointed outcome for the oppressors.

Practical Application

Isaiah 17:14 offers profound reassurance and a warning. For believers, it serves as a powerful reminder that even in the face of overwhelming opposition or seemingly insurmountable challenges, God is able to deliver swift and decisive justice. It encourages trust in God's timing and His ultimate control over all circumstances. Just as the Assyrian threat was neutralized, so too can God bring an end to personal or societal oppression. This verse also serves as a solemn warning to those who would oppress or exploit others, reminding them that their actions have consequences and that God will ultimately hold them accountable. It encourages us to live righteously, knowing that the path of the upright leads to life, while the way of the wicked perishes.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 19:35

    ยถ And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they [were] all dead corpses.

  • Proverbs 22:23

    For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.

  • Zephaniah 2:9

    Therefore [as] I live, saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, [even] the breeding of nettles, and saltpits, and a perpetual desolation: the residue of my people shall spoil them, and the remnant of my people shall possess them.

  • Zephaniah 2:10

    This shall they have for their pride, because they have reproached and magnified [themselves] against the people of the LORD of hosts.

  • Judges 5:31

    So let all thine enemies perish, O LORD: but [let] them that love him [be] as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. And the land had rest forty years.

  • Jeremiah 13:25

    This [is] thy lot, the portion of thy measures from me, saith the LORD; because thou hast forgotten me, and trusted in falsehood.

  • Isaiah 10:28

    He is come to Aiath, he is passed to Migron; at Michmash he hath laid up his carriages:
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