Isaiah 17:3

The Burden against Damascus · Isaiah 17:1–14
Read Isaiah 17

Translations

Modern
The fortress will disappear from Ephraim, and the sovereignty from Damascus. The remnant of Aram will be like the splendor of the Israelites,” declares the LORD of Hosts.
Traditional
The fortress also shall cease from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus, and the remnant of Syria: they shall be as the glory of the children of Israel, saith the Lord of hosts.
Literal
The fortress will cease from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus; and the remnant of Aram will become like the glory of the sons of Israel,” a declaration of YHWH of hosts.
Latin
Et cessabit adjutorium ab Ephraim, et regnum a Damasco; et reliquiæ Syriæ sicut gloria filiorum Israël erunt, dicit Dominus exercituum.

Original

Hebrew
English
The fortress will disappear from Ephraim, and the sovereignty from Damascus. The remnant of Aram will be like the splendor of the Israelites,” declares the LORD of Hosts.

Notes

The strategic fortified towns of Israel were the pride of Israel, but they could not resist God’s purposes.

This section includes predictions of judgment against Damascus, Israel, Ethiopia, and Egypt. The scene shifts from the crisis in 734 BC (the alliance of Syria and Israel; see study note on Isaiah 7:1–25) to the Assyrian crisis in 701 BC (see Isaiah 36–37).

Events

Parallels

Jeremiah 49:23–27

People

Ephraim: Second son of Joseph, and a tribe of Israel Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes LORD: Names or title used to refer to God

Places

Damascus: Ancient city, capital of Syria, important in biblical history Syria: Ancient region north of Israel, often in conflict

Glossary

Book of Jeremiah Isaiah, Book of

Topics

Ephraim: A Tribe of Israel: Applied to the Ten Tribes Fortresses: Often: Destruction of, Threatened Prophecies Concerning Israel: Prophecies Concerning of Captivity, Famine, and Judgments Syria: Prophecies Concerning Syria: Prophecies Respecting: Ceasing to be a Kingdom