Isaiah 17:5

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

Translations

Modern
…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.
Traditional
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.
Literal
…and it will be as the gathering of the harvester of the standing grain, when his arm harvests the ears; and it will be as the gathering of the ears in the Valley of Rephaim;
Latin
Et erit sicut congregans in messe quod restiterit, et brachium ejus spicas leget; et erit sicut quærens spicas in valle Raphaim.

Original

Hebrew
English
…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.

Notes

The Valley of Rephaim was a fertile area in Judah. However, it appeared barren after each harvest.

The vision shifts from Damascus (Isaiah 17:1–3) to Israel's northern kingdom. Damascus and Israel were allies against Judah, but Assyria later destroyed both.

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

Places

Valley of Rephaim: Valley near Jerusalem, site of battles

Glossary

Book of Jeremiah Isaiah, Book of Remnant Valley of Rephaim

Topics

Agriculture or Farming: Operations in Reaping Giants, Rephaim: The: The Valley of Was Exceedingly Fruitful Prophecies Concerning Israel: Prophecies Concerning of Captivity, Famine, and Judgments Reaping: Mode of Gathering the Corn For, Alluded To The Harvest: Persons Engaged in Called Harvest-Men Valleys: Rephaim or Giants