Isaiah 49:17

KJV

Thy children shall make haste; thy destroyers and they that made thee waste shall go forth of thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thy children {H1121} shall make haste {H4116}; thy destroyers {H2040} and they that made thee waste {H2717} shall go forth {H3318} of thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

Your children are coming quickly, your destroyers and plunderers are leaving and going.

Berean Standard Bible

Your builders hasten back; your destroyers and wreckers depart from you.

American Standard Version

Thy children make haste; thy destroyers and they that made thee waste shall go forth from thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 49:17 serves as a powerful prophetic declaration of God's unwavering commitment to restore His people, Zion, from their desolate state. It promises the swift return of her scattered "children" (exiles) and the decisive expulsion of her "destroyers" and those who "made thee waste," signifying a dramatic reversal of fortune orchestrated by divine intervention, assuring that the era of oppression is definitively over and a new era of flourishing is at hand.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 49 is a pivotal chapter within the "Servant Songs" of Isaiah (chapters 40-55), which primarily focus on the Servant of the Lord and His mission. While the earlier verses of chapter 49 introduce the Servant, the focus shifts from verse 14 onward to the restoration of Zion (Israel). God addresses Zion's lament that she has been forgotten and forsaken, responding with a tender and emphatic affirmation of His perpetual remembrance and commitment, declaring that her walls are "continually before me" and "engraved on the palms of my hands" ([Isaiah 49:16](/isaiah/49-16 "Isaiah 49:16 - Zion Engraved on God's Palms")). Verse 17 directly follows this assurance, presenting the tangible outcome of God's remembrance: the swift gathering of her children and the expulsion of her adversaries, thus moving from divine promise to concrete fulfillment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This prophecy is deeply rooted in the historical reality of the Babylonian exile. Following the destruction of Jerusalem and its temple in 586 BC, the people of Judah were carried away into captivity, and their land lay desolate. The "destroyers" and those who "made thee waste" refer primarily to the Babylonian empire and other nations that contributed to Judah's ruin and continued to oppress her. Culturally, the desolation of a city and the scattering of its inhabitants represented profound shame and the apparent abandonment by its deity. The promise of children making haste to return and oppressors departing would have resonated powerfully with a people longing for national restoration, safety, and the re-establishment of their identity and worship in their homeland.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully articulates several key themes pervasive in Isaiah and the broader prophetic literature. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Restoration and Rebuilding**, where God actively intervenes to reverse the devastation inflicted upon His people and their land, transforming desolation into flourishing. This aligns with promises of return from exile found in passages like [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Promise of Return from Exile"). Another crucial theme is **God's Unwavering Faithfulness to His Covenant**, demonstrating that despite Israel's failures and the severity of their punishment, God's covenant promises endure. Furthermore, the verse underscores **God's Sovereignty Over Nations**, as He is depicted as the one who commands the departure of the oppressors, asserting His ultimate control over human empires and their destinies. The **Swiftness of Divine Deliverance** is also highlighted, emphasizing that God's restorative work will not be delayed but will manifest with urgency and decisiveness.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **children (Hebrew, _bên'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to build," this word for "son" or "child" (H1121) carries a broader sense of those who build or constitute a family, tribe, or nation. In this context, "thy children" refers not merely to offspring but to the scattered populace of Zion, the exiled Israelites, who are the very fabric and future of the nation. Their return signifies the rebuilding and re-establishment of the community and its identity.
* **make haste (Hebrew, _mâhar'_):** This verb (H4116) means "to hurry," "to be prompt," or "to be swift." It implies an urgent and decisive movement. In Isaiah 49:17, it emphasizes the divine impetus behind the return of the exiles, indicating that their gathering will not be a slow, gradual process but a rapid and divinely accelerated event, underscoring the certainty and immediacy of God's restorative action.
* **destroyers (Hebrew, _hâraç'_):** This term (H2040) comes from a primitive root meaning "to pull down or in pieces," "break," or "destroy." It vividly describes the violent and ruinous actions of those who devastated Jerusalem and Judah. The parallel phrase, "they that made thee waste" (from H2717, _chârab_, meaning "to desolate" or "to lay waste"), reinforces the profound ruin and desolation inflicted upon Zion. The use of these strong verbs paints a clear picture of the enemies' destructive intent and impact.
* **go forth (Hebrew, _yâtsâʼ'_):** This versatile verb (H3318) means "to go out," "come forth," or "depart." Here, it signifies the expulsion or removal of the oppressors from Zion. Their departure is as certain and divinely ordained as the return of Zion's children, marking the end of their dominion and the beginning of the land's liberation and restoration.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thy children shall make haste":** This clause declares the swift and eager return of Zion's scattered populace, the exiles. It speaks to a divinely orchestrated gathering, implying that God Himself will hasten their journey back to their homeland, reversing the long period of dispersion and captivity. The emphasis is on the speed and certainty of this reunion.
* **"thy destroyers and they that made thee waste":** This identifies the agents of Zion's suffering and desolation – the foreign powers and adversaries who had brought ruin upon Jerusalem and its people. This dual phrasing powerfully emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the destruction inflicted upon Zion, encompassing both violent demolition and prolonged desolation.
* **"shall go forth of thee":** This final clause pronounces the definitive expulsion or removal of these oppressors from Zion. It signifies the end of their dominion, their forced departure, and the liberation of the land and its people from their destructive presence. This is a declaration of divine justice and the restoration of sovereignty to Zion.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 49:17 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of hope and restoration. **Personification** is evident in the portrayal of Zion as a mother whose "children" return and from whom "destroyers" depart, giving the abstract concept of a city or nation a relatable, living quality. This enhances the emotional impact of the prophecy. There is a strong **Contrast** between the "children" who "make haste" to return and the "destroyers" who "shall go forth," highlighting the dramatic reversal of fortune. This juxtaposition emphasizes the completeness of God's restorative work—the good returns swiftly, and the evil is swiftly removed. The verse also functions as a **Prophetic Declaration**, using declarative language ("shall make haste," "shall go forth") to convey the absolute certainty and divine authority behind the promised events. This rhetorical certainty instills confidence in the fulfillment of God's word.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 49:17 is a profound testament to God's enduring covenant faithfulness and His redemptive power. It underscores the theological truth that God does not abandon His people, even in their deepest despair and desolation. The restoration of Zion's "children" and the expulsion of her "destroyers" prefigure the broader biblical narrative of God's ultimate victory over all forces of evil and His establishment of a new creation where righteousness dwells. This prophetic vision extends beyond the historical return from Babylonian exile, pointing to a grander eschatological hope for the Church—the spiritual Zion—where all tears will be wiped away, and the presence of evil will be definitively removed, culminating in a state of perfect peace and flourishing under God's righteous reign.

* [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Promise of Return from Exile")
* [Isaiah 60:4](/isaiah/60-4 "Isaiah 60:4 - Your Sons Shall Come from Afar")
* [Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears or Pain")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 49:17 offers profound encouragement for believers facing personal or communal desolation. Just as God promised to restore a seemingly "wasted" Zion, He assures us of His active intervention in our lives, communities, and circumstances that feel broken or beyond repair. This verse reminds us that God's power is not limited by the extent of the damage or the strength of our adversaries. It invites us to trust in His sovereignty, knowing that He can and will remove obstacles, heal wounds, and bring about swift and decisive restoration. When we feel overwhelmed by "destroyers" in our spiritual lives, relationships, or the world, this prophecy calls us to anticipate God's timely and powerful action, fostering a posture of hopeful expectation rather than despair. Our God is a God who rebuilds, gathers, and expels, ensuring His purposes prevail.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life or community do you currently experience a sense of "waste" or desolation, and how does the promise of God's swift restoration in Isaiah 49:17 speak to those areas?**
* **How does the assurance that God will cause "destroyers" to "go forth" strengthen your faith in His sovereignty over the challenges and adversaries you face, whether spiritual or worldly?**
* **The verse emphasizes "making haste." What does this imply about our posture of faith and readiness to receive and participate in God's timely and decisive actions in our lives?**

### FAQ
**Who are "thy children" in this verse?**

Answer: In the immediate historical context, "thy children" refers primarily to the exiled people of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem and the surrounding land who were scattered during the Babylonian captivity. God promises their swift return to their homeland, signifying the restoration and rebuilding of the nation. However, in a broader theological sense, "children" can also represent all those whom God gathers into His covenant family, including the spiritual descendants of Abraham and ultimately, the Church.

**Who are "thy destroyers and they that made thee waste"?**

Answer: These terms refer to the foreign nations and empires, most notably Babylon, who were instrumental in the destruction of Jerusalem and the desolation of Judah. They represent the oppressive forces that brought ruin and suffering upon God's people. The prophecy declares that these adversaries will be removed, signifying the end of their dominion and the liberation of Zion.

**Does this verse have a future fulfillment beyond the return from exile?**

Answer: Yes, while it had a literal fulfillment in the return from Babylonian exile, prophetic passages often have multiple layers of fulfillment. This verse speaks to a broader principle of God's ongoing restorative work throughout history and points to an ultimate eschatological fulfillment. It anticipates the final gathering of God's people and the complete removal of all evil and suffering in the new heavens and new earth, as described in [Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1 "Revelation 21:1-4 - New Heaven and New Earth"). It assures believers that God will ultimately triumph over all "destroyers" of peace and joy.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 49:17 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the true gatherer of God's "children," not merely from physical exile but from the spiritual bondage of sin and death. Through His atoning work, Christ brings forth those who were scattered by the "destroyers" of sin, Satan, and death, gathering them into His eternal kingdom. The "haste" of the children's return is mirrored in the urgency and decisiveness of Christ's redemptive mission, culminating in His swift victory over the powers of darkness on the cross. He disarmed the principalities and powers, triumphing over them in it ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities")), thereby expelling the ultimate "destroyer" who held the power of death ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Jesus Destroys the Power of Death")). Those who believe in Him are given the right to become "children of God" ([John 1:12](/john/1-12 "John 1:12 - Children of God")), establishing a new, spiritual Zion that will never again be laid waste. Ultimately, Christ's return will usher in the new heavens and new earth, where all former things have passed away, and there will be no more destroyers, sorrow, or pain ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears or Pain")), perfectly fulfilling the promise of a restored people and a liberated dwelling place.

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

Isaiah 62:5

For [as] a young man marrieth a virgin, [so] shall thy sons marry thee: and [as] the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, [so] shall thy God rejoice over thee.

Isaiah 51:13

And forgettest the LORD thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where [is] the fury of the oppressor?

Ezekiel 28:24

And there shall be no more a pricking brier unto the house of Israel, nor [any] grieving thorn of all [that are] round about them, that despised them; and they shall know that I [am] the Lord GOD.

Isaiah 51:22

Thus saith thy Lord the LORD, and thy God [that] pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, [even] the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again:

Isaiah 51:23

But I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee; which have said to thy soul, Bow down, that we may go over: and thou hast laid thy body as the ground, and as the street, to them that went over.

Ezra 1:5

¶ Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all [them] whose spirit God had raised, to go up to build the house of the LORD which [is] in Jerusalem.

Isaiah 49:19

For thy waste and thy desolate places, and the land of thy destruction, shall even now be too narrow by reason of the inhabitants, and they that swallowed thee up shall be far away.