Isaiah 17:5

KJV

And it shall be as when the harvestman gathereth the corn, and reapeth the ears with his arm; and it shall be as he that gathereth ears in the valley of Rephaim.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it shall be as when the harvestman {H7105} gathereth {H622} the corn {H7054}, and reapeth {H7114} the ears {H7641} with his arm {H2220}; and it shall be as he that gathereth {H3950} ears {H7641} in the valley {H6010} of Rephaim {H7497}.

Complete Jewish Bible

as when the harvester collects the standing grain, reaping the ears of grain with his arm; yes, as when they glean the grain in the Refa'im Valley.

Berean Standard Bible

as the reaper gathers the standing grain and harvests the ears with his arm, as one gleans heads of grain in the Valley of Rephaim.

American Standard Version

And it shall be as when the harvestman gathereth the standing grain, and his arm reapeth the ears; yea, it shall be as when one gleaneth ears in the valley of Rephaim.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 17:5 employs a vivid agricultural simile to depict the comprehensive and severe nature of God's impending judgment, primarily directed against Damascus (Syria) and Ephraim (the northern kingdom of Israel). The verse portrays this judgment as a meticulous and exhaustive harvest, where every last stalk and ear of grain is gathered, even from the most fertile and abundant regions like the Valley of Rephaim. This imagery underscores the thoroughness of the divine reckoning, leaving little to nothing behind, signifying a complete desolation as a consequence of their apostasy and reliance on human strength rather than God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 17:5 is situated within a prophetic oracle (Isaiah 17:1-14) primarily concerning the downfall of Damascus, the capital of Aram (Syria), and its ally, Ephraim, the northern kingdom of Israel. The preceding verses (Isaiah 17:1-3) declare the utter destruction of Damascus and the diminishing of Ephraim's strength, likening it to the glory of Jacob fading. Verse 4 further emphasizes this reduction, comparing Ephraim's glory to a wasting body. Verse 5 then deepens this imagery of thorough depletion by introducing the harvest metaphor, illustrating the extent of the judgment. The subsequent verses (Isaiah 17:6-8) offer a glimmer of hope for a remnant and explain the reason for judgment: their failure to remember God. The chapter concludes with a depiction of the futility of their trust in human alliances and their ultimate desolation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This prophecy likely dates to the Syro-Ephraimite War (c. 734-732 BC), when King Rezin of Aram and King Pekah of Israel formed an alliance against Judah, attempting to force King Ahaz of Judah to join their anti-Assyrian coalition (cf. [Isaiah 7:1-9](/isaiah/7-1 "Isaiah 7:1-9 - The Syro-Ephraimite War")). Instead of trusting God, Ahaz appealed to Assyria for help, leading to the Assyrian conquest of Damascus (732 BC) and the subsequent weakening and eventual fall of Israel (722 BC). The agricultural imagery of harvesting was deeply resonant in ancient Israel, an agrarian society where the annual harvest was critical for survival. The "valley of Rephaim" (Hebrew: *Emek Rephaim*) was a well-known, highly fertile plain southwest of Jerusalem, famous for its abundant grain yields. Its mention here signifies that even the most prosperous and productive areas, representing the height of Israel's strength and abundance, would not escape the comprehensive judgment.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme in Isaiah 17:5, and indeed throughout the chapter, is **Divine Judgment and Desolation**. The harvest metaphor powerfully conveys the thoroughness of God's judgment, which will sweep through the land, leaving little behind, much like a meticulous reaper. This judgment is a direct consequence of the nations' **Idolatry and Apostasy**, as highlighted later in the chapter (e.g., [Isaiah 17:10](/isaiah/17-10 "Isaiah 17:10 - Israel Forgets God")). They had forgotten "the God of their salvation" and relied on human alliances and military might rather than the Lord. The passage also subtly touches on the theme of **Sovereignty of God**, demonstrating that no human power or perceived prosperity can withstand His decree. The imagery of the harvest, while often associated with blessing, is here transformed into a symbol of divine wrath, a common prophetic motif (cf. [Joel 3:13](/joel/3-13 "Joel 3:13 - The Harvest of Judgment")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Harvestman (Hebrew, _qâtsîyr'_):** (H7105) This term refers to the one who cuts or gathers the harvest. In this context, it personifies the agent of God's judgment, emphasizing the deliberate and systematic nature of the impending desolation. The harvestman's work is thorough, leaving nothing of value behind.
* **Arm (Hebrew, _zᵉrôwaʻ'_):** (H2220) The arm, as stretched out, symbolizes strength, power, and the instrument of action. When the harvestman reaps "with his arm," it conveys a laborious, personal, and exhaustive effort. Figuratively, it points to the mighty power of God executing His judgment, leaving no part of the land untouched.
* **Gathereth (Hebrew, _lâqaṭ'_):** (H3950) This verb means to pick up or glean, often referring to the final, meticulous collection of what remains after the main harvest. Its use in the second part of the verse, "he that gathereth ears in the valley of Rephaim," suggests an extreme thoroughness, like gleaning every last ear, implying that the judgment will be so complete that even the smallest remnants of prosperity or population will be swept away.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it shall be as when the harvestman gathereth the corn,"**: This opening clause establishes the primary simile, comparing the coming judgment to the familiar and comprehensive process of harvesting. The "harvestman" represents the agent of divine judgment (either God Himself or His instruments, like the Assyrians), and "gathering the corn" signifies the systematic removal or destruction of the people and their resources.
* **"and reapeth the ears with his arm;"**: This phrase elaborates on the thoroughness of the harvest. "Reaping the ears with his arm" emphasizes the physical, laborious, and complete nature of the work. It implies that the harvest is not partial or haphazard but a deliberate and exhaustive collection, leaving nothing of value behind. This highlights the severity and totality of the impending desolation.
* **"and it shall be as he that gathereth ears in the valley of Rephaim."**: This final clause intensifies the imagery of thoroughness by specifying the location. The Valley of Rephaim was renowned for its fertility and abundant harvests. The act of "gathering ears" (gleaning) in such a productive valley signifies that even in the most prosperous and seemingly secure places, the judgment will be so complete that every last remnant, every "ear," will be meticulously collected, leaving the land utterly desolate.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 17:5 is rich in literary devices that amplify its message of comprehensive judgment. The primary device is **Simile**, explicitly stated by "it shall be as when..." and "it shall be as he that...". This comparison establishes a vivid mental image for the audience, drawing on a common agricultural practice. The entire harvest scenario functions as a powerful **Metaphor** for divine judgment, where the act of collecting grain symbolizes the sweeping away of a people and their prosperity. The thoroughness implied by "reapeth the ears with his arm" and "gathereth ears" even in the fertile Valley of Rephaim suggests **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the extreme and near-total devastation that will occur. The "Valley of Rephaim" itself serves as an **Allusion** or **Symbolism**, representing a place of abundance and strength. By stating that even this fertile valley will be thoroughly gleaned, the prophet underscores that no place, however prosperous or secure, will escape God's comprehensive judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 17:5 powerfully articulates the theological truth of God's sovereign justice and the inevitable consequences of national apostasy. It reveals that when God's judgment falls, it is not superficial but comprehensive, reaching into every corner of a nation's life, even its most abundant and seemingly secure areas. The harvest imagery, typically associated with blessing and provision, is here inverted to signify a thorough reaping of judgment, a consequence of their idolatry and reliance on human alliances rather than the Lord. This passage serves as a stark reminder that God is not to be trifled with, and His decrees of judgment are executed with meticulous precision, leaving no stone unturned.

* [Joel 3:13](/joel/3-13 "Joel 3:13 - The Harvest of Judgment")
* [Matthew 13:30](/matthew/13-30 "Matthew 13:30 - Parable of the Weeds and the Wheat")
* [Revelation 14:15](/revelation/14-15 "Revelation 14:15 - The Harvest of the Earth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 17:5, with its stark imagery of a comprehensive harvest of judgment, offers profound lessons for believers today. It reminds us that God's justice is not a theoretical concept but a reality that manifests in history, often through the consequences of human choices and the rise and fall of nations. While we live in an era of grace, the principle remains: persistent rebellion against God and reliance on worldly security over divine trust will ultimately lead to desolation, whether personal or societal. This passage calls us to examine our own lives and priorities, urging us to place our faith and security solely in God, not in material wealth, human power, or fleeting alliances. It challenges us to live in alignment with His will, understanding that true prosperity and lasting peace are found only in Him, and that every action, like a seed, will eventually yield a harvest.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be relying on "human alliances" or perceived "abundance" instead of fully trusting God?**
* **How does the thoroughness of God's judgment in this verse inform my understanding of His holiness and justice?**
* **What "ears" or remnants of sin might I need to allow God to "glean" from my life for a more complete spiritual harvest?**

### FAQ
**Why is the "valley of Rephaim" specifically mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: The mention of the "valley of Rephaim" (Hebrew: *Emek Rephaim*) is highly significant because it was a famously fertile and productive agricultural plain located southwest of Jerusalem. It was known for yielding abundant grain harvests. By specifically stating that the "harvestman" would gather ears even from this valley, Isaiah emphasizes the absolute and comprehensive nature of the impending judgment. It means that no place, however prosperous, abundant, or seemingly secure, would escape the thorough desolation. It underscores that the judgment would not be partial but would sweep through every part of the land, leaving nothing of value behind, even from the most fruitful regions. This detail heightens the sense of utter devastation and the completeness of God's righteous judgment against nations that had turned from Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Isaiah 17:5 speaks of a devastating harvest of judgment upon rebellious nations, its imagery finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment and transformation in the New Testament. Jesus Himself frequently employed harvest metaphors, but with a dual significance: both for the ingathering of souls into His kingdom and for the final separation and judgment. He speaks of the "harvest" as ripe for the gospel (e.g., [John 4:35](/john/4-35 "John 4:35 - The Fields Are White for Harvest")), inviting His disciples to be "fishers of men" (e.g., [Matthew 4:19](/matthew/4-19 "Matthew 4:19 - Jesus Calls His First Disciples")), indicating a gathering for salvation. However, Christ also embodies the ultimate "harvestman" of judgment. John the Baptist prophesied that Jesus would come with His "fan in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire" ([Matthew 3:12](/matthew/3-12 "Matthew 3:12 - John the Baptist's Prophecy of Jesus")). This echoes the thoroughness of the harvest in Isaiah 17:5, but now the judgment is definitively placed in the hands of the Son, to whom the Father has committed all judgment ([John 5:22](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - The Father Has Committed All Judgment to the Son")). Ultimately, the harvest of judgment culminates in Christ's return, where He, as the one "like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle," reaps the harvest of the earth, both the righteous and the wicked ([Revelation 14:14-20](/revelation/14-14 "Revelation 14:14-20 - The Harvest of the Earth and the Winepress of God's Wrath")). Thus, the ancient prophecy of a thorough divine reckoning finds its ultimate and personal fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is both the gracious gatherer of His people and the righteous judge of all the earth.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 13:30

Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

Joel 3:13

Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness [is] great.

Jeremiah 51:33

For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; The daughter of Babylon [is] like a threshingfloor, [it is] time to thresh her: yet a little while, and the time of her harvest shall come.

Revelation 14:15

And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.

Revelation 14:20

And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand [and] six hundred furlongs.

2 Samuel 5:18

The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

Matthew 13:39

The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.