TRV
See on the biblical-era map
Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Isaiah 17:9–11.
Here the prophet returns to foretel the woeful desolations that should be made in the land of Israel by the army of the Assyrians. 1. That the cities should be deserted. Even the strong cities, which should have protected the country, shall not be able to protect themselves: They shall be as a forsaken bough and an uppermost branch of an old tree, which has gone to decay, is forsaken of its leaves, and appears on the top of the tree, bare, and dry, and dead; so shall their strong cities look when the inhabitants have deserted them and the victorious army of the enemy pillaged and defaced them, Isa 17:9. They shall be as the cities (so it may be supplied) which the Canaanites left, the old inhabitants of the land, because of the children of Israel, when God brought them in with a high hand, to take possession of that good land, cities which they built not. As the Canaanites then fled before Israel, so Israel should now flee before the Assyrians. And herein the word of God was fulfilled, that, if they committed the same abominations, the land should spue them out, as it spued out the nations that were before them (Lev 18:28), and that as, while they had God on their side, one of them chased a thousand, so, when they had made him their enemy, a thousand of them should flee at the rebuke of one; so that in the cities should be desolation, according to the threatenings in the law, Lev 26:31; Deu 28:51. 2. That the country should be laid waste, Isa 17:10, Isa 17:11. Observe here, (1.) The sin that had provoked God to bring so great a destruction upon that pleasant land. It was for the iniquity of those that dwelt therein. "It is because thou hast forgotten the God of thy salvation and all the great salvations he has wrought for thee, hast forgotten thy dependence upon him and obligations to him, and hast not been mindful of the rock of thy strength, not only who is himself a strong rock, but who has been thy strength many a time, or thou wouldst have been sunk and broken long since." Note, The God of our salvation is the rock of our strength; and our forgetfulness and unmindfulness of him are at the bottom of all sin. Therefore have we perverted our way, because we have forgotten the Lord our God, and so we undo ourselves. (2.) The destruction itself, aggravated by the great care they took to improve their land and to make it yet more pleasant. [1.] Look upon it at the time of the seedness, and it was all like a garden and a vineyard; that pleasant land was replenished with pleasant plants, the choicest of its own growth; nay, so nice and curious were the inhabitants that, not content with them, they sent to all the neighbouring countries for strange slips, the more valuable for being strange, uncommon, far-fetched, and dear-bought, though perhaps they had of their own not inferior to them. This was an instance of their pride and vanity, and (that ruining error) their affection to be like the nations. Wheat, and honey, and oil were their staple commodities (Eze 27:17); but, not content with these, they must have flowers and greens with strange names imported from other nations, and a great deal of care and pains must be taken by hot-beds to make these plants to grow; the soil must be forced, and they must be covered with glasses to shelter them, and early in the morning the gardeners must be up to make the seed to flourish, that it may excel those of their neighbours. The ornaments of nature are not to be altogether slighted, but it is a folly to be over-fond of them, and to bestow more time, and cost, and pains about them than they deserve, as many do. But here this instance seems to be put in general for their great industry in cultivating their ground, and their expectations from it accordingly; they doubt not but their plants will grow and flourish. But, [2.] Look upon the same ground at the time of harvest, and it is all like a wilderness, a dismal melancholy place, even to the spectators, much more to the owners; for the harvest shall be a heap, all in confusion, in the day of grief and of desperate sorrow. The harvest used to be a time of joy, of singing and shouting (Isa 16:10); but this harvest the hungry eat up (Job 5:5), which makes it a day of grief, and the more because the plants were pleasant and costly (Isa 17:10) and their expectations proportionably raised. The harvest had sometimes been a day of grief, if the crop was thin and the weather unseasonable; and yet in that case there was hope that the next would be better. But this shall be desperate sorrow, for they shall see not only this year's products carried off, but the property of the ground altered and their conquerors lords of it. The margin reads it, The harvest shall be removed (into the enemy's country or camp, Deu 28:33) in the day of inheritance (when thou thoughtest to inherit it), and there shall be deadly sorrow. This is a good reason why we should not lay up our treasure in those things which we may so quickly be despoiled of, but in that good part which shall never be taken away from us.
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
2 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
(Verses 9, 10.) On that day your fortified cities will be deserted like plowed fields and cornfields that have been deserted by the children of Israel. And it will be desolate, because you have forgotten your God, your Savior, and have not remembered your strong helper. LXX: On that day your cities will be deserted like the cities abandoned by the Amorites and the Hivites before the children of Israel. And they will be deserted because you have abandoned your God, your Savior, and have not remembered the Lord, your helper. Just as under Moses and Joshua the son of Nun, the Amorites and the Eves and the other nations dwelling in the promised land abandoned their plows and crops and heaps in the fields and fled, lest they be seized by enemies, so too the land of Judea and all its mighty cities, with the Romans ravaging Judea and besieging Jerusalem, were deserted by their inhabitants. And there is an apostrophe to the very land of Judea, that is, to those who dwelt in it. But all these things you have suffered, because you have forgotten your God and Savior, who is called Jesus, whom the Law and the Prophets constantly proclaimed would come to you; and you have not remembered your strong helper, who has always come to your aid. Therefore, the reason for the desolation of the cities of Judea is the forgetfulness of the Savior, who, at the beginning of this prophecy, said: Israel did not know me, and my people did not understand me.
(Verse 9) On that day, her fortified cities will be abandoned like plowed fields and empty after the harvest. They will become a wasteland, just like the cities of the Israelites that were abandoned before them. This prophecy is not against Damascus, but against the ten tribes known as Israel. Just as when the people of God arrived from Egypt, all the nations living in the promised land were suddenly filled with fear and dropped their plows and left their crops and unfinished tasks, fleeing for safety on foot, so too shall the land of Israel remain deserted for a long time. I am amazed that Aquila interpreted 'pro aratris et acervis frugum' as 'testam et Emir'; Symmachus, 'silvam et Amir'; LXX, 'Amorrhaeos et Evaeos'. Only Theodotio put the Hebrew word, 'Ars Et Emir', which is more correctly read as 'Hores () Et Amir ()', that is, plows and heaps of grain.
Continue studying Isaiah 17:9 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
Summary
Isaiah 17:9 delivers a profound prophetic declaration concerning the impending judgment upon the formidable cities of Damascus (Syria) and the northern kingdom of Israel (Ephraim). It vividly portrays their once-impregnable strongholds as utterly abandoned and desolate, likened to a forgotten bough and an uppermost branch left behind after a thorough harvest. This striking imagery underscores the completeness and irreversible nature of their ruin, a direct and severe consequence of their unfaithfulness, idolatry, and rebellion against God, ultimately leading to a state of profound desolation.
Context
Literary Context
Isaiah 17 is an oracle primarily directed against Damascus (Aram/Syria) and Ephraim (the northern kingdom of Israel), forming part of a larger collection of "burdens" or prophecies against various nations found in Isaiah 13-23. This specific chapter immediately follows pronouncements against Babylon and Philistia, situating it within Isaiah's broader theological framework concerning God's universal sovereignty and His administration of justice over all peoples. The immediate narrative flow within chapter 17 details the diminishing glory of Damascus (verses 1-3) and the weakening of Israel (verses 4-8), setting the stage for the utter desolation described in verse 9. The prophecy serves as a divine commentary on the futility of human alliances and a call for Judah to trust solely in the Lord, rather than in the temporary strength of nations like Aram and Israel, who were then allied against Judah during the Syro-Ephraimite War.
Historical & Cultural Context
The historical backdrop for Isaiah 17 is the tumultuous mid-8th century BC, a period marked by the relentless expansion of the Neo-Assyrian Empire under Tiglath-Pileser III. Damascus and Israel, seeking to resist Assyrian dominance, formed a coalition and attempted to coerce King Ahaz of Judah into joining their anti-Assyrian alliance (c. 735-732 BC). Isaiah vehemently opposed this alliance, urging Ahaz to trust in Yahweh alone. Ahaz, however, chose to appeal to Assyria for help, a decision that ultimately led to the downfall of both Damascus (conquered by Tiglath-Pileser III in 732 BC) and Samaria, the capital of Israel (conquered by Sargon II in 722 BC, leading to the deportation of the northern tribes). The "day" mentioned in the verse refers to this historical period of Assyrian judgment. The agricultural imagery of a "forsaken bough" and "uppermost branch" would have been profoundly resonant in an agrarian society, depicting a field or forest so thoroughly harvested or cleared that only valueless, unusable remnants remained, powerfully signifying complete abandonment, economic ruin, and the loss of all vitality.
Key Themes
This verse powerfully contributes to several foundational themes prevalent throughout the book of Isaiah and the broader prophetic corpus. Firstly, it underscores Divine Sovereignty and Judgment, demonstrating God's absolute control over the rise and fall of nations and His righteous administration of justice against those who defy His covenant and purposes. The "strong cities" of Damascus and Israel, perceived symbols of human might and security, are revealed as utterly vulnerable before the irresistible power of God's wrath, a theme consistently echoed in Isaiah's pronouncements against other nations. Secondly, the vivid imagery emphasizes Utter Desolation and Ruin. The picture of a "forsaken bough" and "uppermost branch" conveys a sense of complete abandonment, worthlessness, and irreversible destruction, signifying a thorough and lasting obliteration of what was once vibrant and populated. This concept of desolation as a direct consequence of sin and rebellion is a recurring motif, as seen in the prophecy concerning Judah's seventy years of desolation. Lastly, the verse implicitly addresses the theme of False Security. The reliance on fortified cities, military strength, and human alliances, rather than on the Lord, proved to be a futile and ultimately destructive endeavor, underscoring the biblical principle that true and lasting security is found only in humble faithfulness and unwavering obedience to God, a message consistently proclaimed throughout the book of Isaiah.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This noun denotes "a fortified place; figuratively, a defence; force, fort(-ress), rock, strength(-en), ([idiom] most) strong (hold)." In Isaiah 17:9, it highlights the perceived impregnability and human confidence placed in the physical defenses of the cities of Damascus and Israel. The prophecy starkly contrasts this human perception of strength with God's power, declaring that these supposedly "strong" places will be rendered utterly weak and indefensible.
A primitive root meaning "to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etc.; commit self, fail, forsake, fortify, help, leave (destitute, off), refuse, [idiom] surely." This verb is pivotal as it conveys the active and deliberate abandonment and desolation. It implies not merely that the cities will be empty, but that they will be left empty, signifying a purposeful act of divine judgment or the complete removal of their population, leaving them utterly destitute.
This feminine noun signifies "devastation; figuratively, astonishment; (laid, [idiom] most) desolate(-ion), waste." It encapsulates the ultimate and comprehensive outcome of the divine judgment. It describes a state of utter ruin, emptiness, and waste, often evoking a sense of shock and awe at the overwhelming extent of the destruction. It paints a picture of the cities' final and complete fate.
Verse Breakdown
"In that day shall his strong cities be as a forsaken bough, and an uppermost branch,"
This opening clause establishes the prophetic timeframe ("in that day," referring to a specific period of divine judgment, historically the Assyrian invasions) and introduces the central simile. The "strong cities" of Damascus and Ephraim, once symbols of human power, security, and pride, are compared to a "forsaken bough" (Hebrew: chôresh, referring to a thicket or forest that has been cleared and abandoned) and an "uppermost branch" (Hebrew: ʼâmîyr, a high branch left behind during harvesting because it is too difficult, unproductive, or worthless to gather). This imagery powerfully conveys a state of utter abandonment, worthlessness, and the complete removal of inhabitants and value, leaving behind only useless remnants.
"which they left because of the children of Israel:"
This crucial phrase clarifies the underlying reason for the abandonment and desolation. The cities are left desolate "because of the children of Israel," indicating that Israel's own actions—specifically their idolatry, unfaithfulness to the covenant, and reliance on foreign alliances instead of God—are the ultimate theological cause of their downfall. While the immediate historical context involves the Syro-Ephraimite alliance, the deeper biblical reason for the judgment on Israel is their persistent covenant disobedience and spiritual apostasy.
"and there shall be desolation."
This concluding phrase serves as a definitive and emphatic statement, reiterating and confirming the inevitable and complete outcome. It underscores the certainty, permanence, and comprehensiveness of the ruin. The state of "desolation" (Hebrew: shᵉmâmâh) is not merely a temporary setback but a profound and lasting emptiness, a stark and undeniable testament to the severity and finality of divine judgment.
Literary Devices
Isaiah 17:9 masterfully employs powerful Imagery and a striking Simile to convey its message of impending judgment and ruin. The comparison of "strong cities" to a "forsaken bough, and an uppermost branch" is a vivid simile drawn from the natural world, specifically the practices of agriculture and forestry. This imagery evokes a profound sense of abandonment, uselessness, and thorough clearing. A bough left in a cleared forest or a branch too high to harvest is not merely empty; it is rendered worthless, forgotten, and beyond recovery for any practical purpose. This powerfully underscores the complete, irreversible, and ignominious nature of the impending desolation. The verse also functions as a Prophecy, foretelling a future event of divine judgment. The introductory phrase "In that day" marks it as a significant prophetic declaration, pointing to a specific historical fulfillment. The overall tone is one of solemn Warning and a poignant sense of Lament, expressing both the certainty of the coming destruction and the sorrow over the consequences of rebellion and false security.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Isaiah 17:9 stands as a profound theological statement on God's sovereign judgment over nations and the inevitable consequences of human rebellion and unfaithfulness. It underscores the timeless biblical truth that no earthly power, no matter how fortified, militarily strong, or seemingly secure, can ultimately withstand the purposes and righteous judgment of the Almighty. The desolation described is not random or arbitrary but a direct and just result of the unfaithfulness of Israel and her allies, demonstrating unequivocally that covenant disobedience and reliance on human strength inevitably lead to divine discipline. This passage serves as a stark and sobering reminder that true security, lasting prosperity, and genuine peace are found not in military might, political alliances, or material fortifications, but in humble reliance upon and unwavering obedience to the Lord, who alone is the ultimate strength, defense, and refuge for His people.
Reflection and Application
Isaiah 17:9 serves as a timeless and deeply sobering reminder that all earthly strengths, securities, and perceived invulnerabilities are ultimately transient and utterly vulnerable before the sovereign will of God. For nations and individuals alike, this verse profoundly challenges us to critically examine the foundations upon which we build our lives and place our ultimate trust. Are we, perhaps subtly, relying on our own resources, our material possessions, our social standing, our intellectual prowess, or even our political affiliations for security, identity, and significance? Or is our ultimate confidence, our deepest hope, and our unwavering reliance placed solely in the unchanging character and unfailing promises of God? The desolation of "strong cities" underscores the profound biblical truth that anything built apart from God's will and wisdom is inherently destined for ruin. This passage powerfully calls us to cultivate a posture of profound humility, radical dependence, and unwavering faithfulness to the Lord, recognizing that true and lasting peace, security, and flourishing come exclusively from Him. It compels us to re-evaluate our priorities, shifting our focus from accumulating temporal power and fleeting comforts to pursuing eternal righteousness and diligently building our lives on the solid, unshakeable rock of Christ.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the significance of the "forsaken bough, and an uppermost branch" imagery?
The imagery of a "forsaken bough" (Hebrew: chôresh, referring to a thicket or forest) and an "uppermost branch" (Hebrew: ʼâmîyr, a top branch or summit) is profoundly significant. It draws from the common agricultural and forestry practices of the ancient Near East. When a forest was cleared or a field harvested, the most valuable and accessible parts were gathered, while only the worthless, hard-to-reach, or discarded remnants were left behind. This simile powerfully conveys the completeness and finality of the desolation. It implies that the cities, once vibrant, populous, and strong, will be so thoroughly abandoned and stripped of their value and inhabitants that only forgotten, useless remnants will remain. This signifies utter ruin, a lack of any remaining worth, and the absence of any hope of recovery, painting a vivid picture of total abandonment and worthlessness, a direct consequence of divine judgment.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
While Isaiah 17:9 speaks of the historical judgment and desolation of earthly cities and kingdoms due to their sin and rebellion against God, it ultimately points forward to the greater desolation of sin itself and the establishment of God's eternal, unshakeable kingdom in Christ. The "strong cities" that fail and are abandoned represent humanity's futile attempts to build security, identity, and lasting glory apart from God. In stark contrast, Jesus Christ is the true and eternal "stronghold" (compare Psalm 18:2 and Nahum 1:7) for all who trust in Him. The judgment on Damascus and Israel foreshadows the ultimate judgment of all unrighteousness, a judgment that was fully and perfectly borne by Christ on the cross. There, He became "forsaken" by God (see Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34) so that His people might never be abandoned or experience eternal desolation. The "desolation" of the old covenant order, marked by the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, paved the way for the new covenant established in Christ's blood, where God's people are no longer defined by transient earthly cities or physical lineage but by their spiritual union with Him. They are citizens of a heavenly Jerusalem (as seen in Hebrews 12:22-24) and constitute a spiritual nation whose security is not in transient earthly fortifications but in the unshakeable, eternal kingdom of God (as described in Colossians 1:13-14). Through Christ, the true "children of Israel" are those who have faith in Him, whether Jew or Gentile, for in Him "there is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28).