Isaiah 29:17

¶ [Is] it not yet a very little while, and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest?

Is it not yet a very {H4213} little while {H4592}, and Lebanon {H3844} shall be turned {H7725} into a fruitful field {H3759}, and the fruitful field {H3759} shall be esteemed {H2803} as a forest {H3293}?

In but a little while the L'vanon will be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field regarded as a forest.

In a very short time, will not Lebanon become an orchard, and the orchard seem like a forest?

Is it not yet a very little while, and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest?

Isaiah 29:17 presents a powerful prophetic vision of profound transformation, illustrating God's ability to reverse fortunes and bring forth unexpected abundance.

Context

This verse is part of a larger prophecy in Isaiah 29, which begins with a stern warning and judgment against Jerusalem (Ariel) for its spiritual blindness, hypocrisy, and reliance on human wisdom rather than God (Isaiah 29:13). However, amidst these pronouncements of judgment, God also promises a future restoration and a spiritual awakening for His people. Verse 17 marks a shift from judgment to a glorious future, where the natural order is dramatically altered to reflect a new spiritual reality.

Key Themes

  • Radical Transformation: The prophecy speaks of a dramatic change, where the desolate or proud "Lebanon" will become a "fruitful field." This signifies a shift from barrenness or spiritual emptiness to productivity and life.
  • Divine Reversal: God's power is highlighted in His ability to turn the seemingly impossible into reality. What was once ordinary ("fruitful field") will become extraordinary ("esteemed as a forest"), implying an increase in glory and abundance.
  • Spiritual Awakening: This physical transformation mirrors a spiritual one. Just as the land changes, so too will the hearts and understanding of God's people, leading to true discernment and worship (as implied in Isaiah 29:18).
  • Hope and Restoration: For a people facing judgment, this verse offers immense hope, pointing to a future era of God's blessing and the fulfillment of His covenant promises.

Imagery and Symbolism

The imagery of "Lebanon" becoming a "fruitful field" and the "fruitful field" becoming a "forest" is rich with meaning. Historically, Lebanon was known for its majestic cedars, symbolizing strength and often pride (e.g., Isaiah 10:34). Its transformation into a "fruitful field" (karmel in Hebrew, often referring to a fertile garden or vineyard) suggests a shift from barrenness or unholy pride to spiritual fertility and productivity. The subsequent elevation of the "fruitful field" to be "esteemed as a forest" (ya'ar), implies an even greater, perhaps overwhelming, abundance and density of growth, signifying an unprecedented level of blessing and spiritual maturity.

Practical Application

This verse offers powerful encouragement for believers today. It reminds us that:

  • God is a God of Transformation: Even in seemingly barren or difficult situations, God can bring forth life, fruitfulness, and glory. This applies to personal lives, communities, and even the spiritual state of nations.
  • Hope in Reversal: When circumstances seem bleak or spiritual dryness prevails, we can trust in God's promise to bring about radical, positive change. He can turn our deserts into gardens (Isaiah 35:1).
  • Spiritual Growth is Possible: Just as the fruitful field becomes a forest, God desires for His people to grow from simple fruitfulness to abundant spiritual maturity and impact, reflecting the glory of His kingdom on earth.

Isaiah 29:17 ultimately points to God's sovereign power to bring about a glorious future, where His people are restored, spiritually awakened, and live in unprecedented abundance and blessing.

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.

  • Isaiah 32:15

    Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest.

  • Matthew 19:30

    But many [that are] first shall be last; and the last [shall be] first.

  • Psalms 107:33

    ¶ He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground;

  • Isaiah 49:5

    And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb [to be] his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength.

  • Isaiah 49:6

    And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.

  • Micah 3:12

    Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed [as] a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest.

  • Romans 11:19

    Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.

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