Isaiah 17:2
Isaiah 17:2 in Multiple Translations
The cities of Aroer are forsaken; they will be left to the flocks, which will lie down with no one to fear.
The cities of Aroer are forsaken: they shall be for flocks, which shall lie down, and none shall make them afraid.
The cities of Aroer are forsaken; they shall be for flocks, which shall lie down, and none shall make them afraid.
Her towns are unpeopled for ever; there the flocks take their rest in peace, without fear.
The towns of Aroer will be abandoned. Flocks will live in the streets and rest there, because there won't be anyone to chase them away.
The cities of Aroer shall be forsaken: they shall be for the flockes: for they shall lye there, and none shall make them afraide.
Forsaken are the cities of Aroer, For droves they are, and they have lain down, And there is none troubling.
The cities of Aroer are forsaken. They will be for flocks, which shall lie down, and no one shall make them afraid.
The cities of Aroer are forsaken: they shall be for flocks, which shall lie down, and none shall make them afraid.
The cities of Aroer shall be left for flocks, and they shall rest there, and there shall be none to make them afraid.
The towns near Aroer city will be abandoned. Flocks of sheep will eat grass in the streets and lie down there, and there will be no one to chase them away.
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 17:2
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Isaiah 17:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
עֲזֻב֖וֹת
עָרֵ֣י
עֲרֹעֵ֑ר
לַ/עֲדָרִ֣ים
תִּֽהְיֶ֔ינָה
וְ/רָבְצ֖וּ
וְ/אֵ֥ין
מַחֲרִֽיד
עֲזֻב֖וֹת
ʻâzab
H5800
Forsaken
V-Qal-Inf-c
עָרֵ֣י
ʻîyr
H5892
excitement
N-fp
עֲרֹעֵ֑ר
ʻĂrôwʻêr
H6177
Aroer
N-proper
לַ/עֲדָרִ֣ים
ʻêder
H5739
flock
Prep | N-mp
תִּֽהְיֶ֔ינָה
hâyâh
H1961
to be
V-Qal-Imperf-3fp
וְ/רָבְצ֖וּ
râbats
H7257
to stretch
Conj | V-Qal-3cp
וְ/אֵ֥ין
ʼayin
H369
nothing
Conj | Part
מַחֲרִֽיד
chârad
H2729
to tremble
V-Hiphil
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 17:2
עֲזֻב֖וֹת
ʻâzab
H5800
"Forsaken"
V-Qal-Inf-c
Forsaken means to loosen or relinquish something, often implying abandonment. In the Bible, the word appears in Psalm 22:1, where David cries out to God, saying my God, why have you forsaken me. The term signifies a sense of desperation and isolation.
Definition: This name means to restore, repair Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 206 OT verses. KJV: commit self, fail, forsake, fortify, help, leave (destitute, off), refuse, [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 2:24; Nehemiah 5:10; Psalms 9:11.
עָרֵ֣י
ʻîyr
H5892
"excitement"
N-fp
In the Bible, this word refers to a city or town, often a place with a wall or a watchman. It is used to describe a settlement or encampment, like the city of Ai, which is mentioned in the book of Joshua. The word is used to identify specific locations in the Bible.
Definition: 1) excitement, anguish 1a) of terror
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. See also: Genesis 4:17; Deuteronomy 3:6; Joshua 14:12.
עֲרֹעֵ֑ר
ʻĂrôwʻêr
H6177
"Aroer"
N-proper
Aroer is a place name in the Bible, referring to three different locations in or near Palestine. The name means ruins, and it is mentioned in the book of Joshua. This place was significant in biblical times.
Definition: § Aroer = "ruins" a town in southern Judah
Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: Aroer. See also: Numbers 32:34; Judges 11:26; Isaiah 17:2.
לַ/עֲדָרִ֣ים
ʻêder
H5739
"flock"
Prep | N-mp
A flock refers to a group of animals, like sheep or cattle, that are herded together. In the Bible, it can also mean a herd or a drove of animals. This term is used to describe various scenes in the Bible.
Definition: 1) flock, herd 1a) flock 1b) herds, flocks and herds
Usage: Occurs in 34 OT verses. KJV: drove, flock, herd. See also: Genesis 29:2; Isaiah 17:2; Psalms 78:52.
תִּֽהְיֶ֔ינָה
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
V-Qal-Imperf-3fp
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
וְ/רָבְצ֖וּ
râbats
H7257
"to stretch"
Conj | V-Qal-3cp
To stretch or lie down, like an animal, and can imply resting or lurking, as in Exodus 23:5.
Definition: 1) to stretch oneself out, lie down, lie stretched out 1a) (Qal) to lie down, lie 1b)(Hiphil) to cause to lie down 1b1) laying (stones)
Usage: Occurs in 30 OT verses. KJV: crouch (down), fall down, make a fold, lay, (cause to, make to) lie (down), make to rest, sit. See also: Genesis 4:7; Isaiah 11:7; Psalms 23:2.
וְ/אֵ֥ין
ʼayin
H369
"nothing"
Conj | Part
This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.
Definition: 1) nothing, not, nought n 1a) nothing, nought neg 1b) not 1c) to have not (of possession) adv 1d) without w/prep 1e) for lack of
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: else, except, fail, (father-) less, be gone, in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any, thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable), well-nigh, without. Compare H370 (אַיִן). See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 14:27; 1 Kings 15:22.
מַחֲרִֽיד
chârad
H2729
"to tremble"
V-Hiphil
This Hebrew word means to tremble with fear or anxiety, like when the Israelites trembled at Mount Sinai. It can also mean to hasten or be careful. In the Bible, it appears in Exodus and other books.
Definition: 1) to tremble, quake, move about, be afraid, be startled, be terrified 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to tremble, quake (of a mountain) 1a2) to tremble (of people) 1a3) to be anxiously careful 1a4) to go or come trembling (with prep) 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to tremble 1b2) to drive in terror, rout (an army)
Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: be (make) afraid, be careful, discomfit, fray (away), quake, tremble. See also: Genesis 27:33; Isaiah 17:2; Isaiah 10:29.
Study Notes — Isaiah 17:2
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 17:2 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 17:2
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 17:2
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 17:2
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 17:2
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 17:2
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 17:2
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 17:2
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 17:2
- Sermons on Isaiah 17:2
Context — The Burden against Damascus
1This is the burden against Damascus: “Behold, Damascus is no longer a city; it has become a heap of ruins.
2The cities of Aroer are forsaken; they will be left to the flocks, which will lie down with no one to fear.
3The 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. 4“In that day the splendor of Jacob will fade, and the fat of his body will waste away,Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezekiel 25:5 | I will make Rabbah a pasture for camels, and Ammon a resting place for sheep. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’ |
| 2 | Jeremiah 7:33 | The corpses of this people will become food for the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and there will be no one to scare them away. |
| 3 | Numbers 32:34 | And the Gadites built up Dibon, Ataroth, Aroer, |
| 4 | Micah 4:4 | And each man will sit under his own vine and under his own fig tree, with no one to frighten him. For the mouth of the LORD of Hosts has spoken. |
| 5 | Deuteronomy 2:36 | From Aroer on the rim of the Arnon Valley, along with the city in the valley, even as far as Gilead, not one city had walls too high for us. The LORD our God gave us all of them. |
| 6 | Zephaniah 2:6 | So the seacoast will become a land of pastures, with wells for shepherds and folds for sheep. |
| 7 | Jeremiah 48:19 | Stand by the road and watch, O dweller of Aroer! Ask the man fleeing or the woman escaping, ‘What has happened?’ |
| 8 | Deuteronomy 3:12 | So at that time we took possession of this land. To the Reubenites and Gadites I gave the land beyond Aroer along the Arnon Valley, and half the hill country of Gilead, along with its cities. |
| 9 | Isaiah 7:21 | On that day a man will raise a young cow and two sheep, |
| 10 | Isaiah 5:17 | Lambs will graze as in their own pastures, and strangers will feed in the ruins of the wealthy. |
Isaiah 17:2 Summary
Isaiah 17:2 describes a scene of desolation and emptiness, where cities are abandoned and only animals remain. This picture of desolation is a reminder of the consequences of sin and rebellion against God, as seen in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19:1-29. However, even in the midst of judgment, God offers hope and restoration, as promised in Isaiah 61:1-4, where God will bring beauty from ashes. As we reflect on this verse, we can remember that God is our refuge and strength, as stated in Psalm 46:1-3, and that He will bring light into the darkness, as seen in Isaiah 9:2.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the cities of Aroer being forsaken in Isaiah 17:2?
The cities of Aroer being forsaken signifies the judgment of God upon the nations that have opposed Him, as seen in Isaiah 17:1, where Damascus is no longer a city but a heap of ruins, similar to the judgment prophesied in Ezekiel 26:3-5 against Tyre.
What does it mean for the flocks to lie down with no one to fear in Isaiah 17:2?
The image of flocks lying down with no one to fear suggests a state of peace and security, but in this context, it implies desolation and the absence of human presence, similar to the desolation described in Jeremiah 9:11, where the land is left to the wild beasts.
How does Isaiah 17:2 relate to the rest of the chapter?
Isaiah 17:2 is part of a larger prophecy against Damascus and the surrounding regions, including Ephraim, as seen in Isaiah 17:3, where the fortress will disappear from Ephraim, and the sovereignty from Damascus, highlighting God's judgment on the nations for their rebellion against Him, as stated in Isaiah 13:6-13.
What can we learn from the desolation of the cities of Aroer in Isaiah 17:2?
The desolation of the cities of Aroer teaches us about the consequences of sin and rebellion against God, as seen in Romans 6:23, where the wages of sin is death, and the importance of seeking refuge in God, as stated in Psalm 46:1-3, where God is our refuge and strength.
Reflection Questions
- What does the image of flocks lying down with no one to fear evoke in my heart, and how can I apply this to my own life, trusting in God's sovereignty as seen in Psalm 23:4?
- How can I balance the reality of God's judgment with the truth of His mercy and love, as seen in Isaiah 30:18, where God waits to be gracious to us?
- In what ways can I be a light in the darkness, bringing hope to those around me, as Jesus taught in Matthew 5:14-16, where we are the light of the world?
- What are some areas in my life where I am experiencing desolation or emptiness, and how can I seek God's presence and restoration, as promised in Isaiah 61:1-4?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 17:2
The cities of Aroer are forsaken,.... The inhabitants of them being slain, or carried captive, or obliged to flee.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 17:2
The cities of Aroer are forsaken: they shall be for flocks, which shall lie down, and none shall make them afraid. The cities of Aroer - i:e., the cities round about Aroer, and under its jurisdiction (Gesenius).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 17:2
The cities of Aroer; of that part of Syria called Aroer, from a great city of that name; of which see 3:12. These cities were possessed by the Reubenites and Gadites, whom Tiglath-pileser carried into captivity, . These he mentions here, as he doth Ephraim in the next verse, because they were confederate with Syria against Judah. None shall make them afraid, because the land shall be desolate, and destitute of men who might disturb them.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 17:2
Isaiah 17:2 The cities of Aroer [are] forsaken: they shall be for flocks, which shall lie down, and none shall make [them] afraid.Ver. 2. The cities of Aroer are forsaken,] i.e., The country beyond Jordan is desolated and depopulated - the Gadites and the Reubenites being also, together with the Syrians, carried captive by Tiglathpileser.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 17:2
Verse 2. The cities of Aroer are forsaken - "The cities are deserted for ever"] What has Aroer on the river Arnon to do with Damascus? and if there be another Aroer on the northern border of the tribe of Gad, as Reland seems to think there might be, this is not much more to the purpose. Besides, the cities of Aroer, if Aroer itself is a city, makes no good sense. The Septuagint, for ערער aroer, read עדי עד adey ad, ειςτοναιωνα, for ever, or for a long duration. The Chaldee takes the word for a verb from ערה arah, translating it חרבו cherebu, devastabuntur, "they shall be wasted." The Syriac read עדועיר adoeir. So that the reading is very doubtful. I follow the Septuagint as making the plainest sense.
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 17:2
2. The cities of Aroer] Hardly, “the (two) cities Aroer” (gen. of appos.), as a name for the trans-Jordanic territory. If Aroer be really a proper name, the phrase must be explained by the analogy of Jos 13:17 “the daughter cities of A.” But where was Aroer? The best-known town of the name, that on the Arnon (Numbers 32:34; Deuteronomy 2:36, &c.), is much too far south and belonged to Moab. There seems to have been another in Ammon (Joshua 13:25), but it too is outside the territory of Damascus and can scarcely have been important enough to give its name to a district. We must either assume an unknown Aroer in Syria, or take the word in an appellative sense (“the ruined cities are forsaken”) or else adopt the text of the LXX., which reads “(Damascus shall be) deserted for ever” (omitting “cities”). shall be for flocks … afraid] cf. Isaiah 5:17, Isaiah 32:14, and Zephaniah 3:13; Job 11:19.
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 17:2
The cities of Aroer - By “Aroer” here seems to be meant a tract or region of country pertaining to Damascus, in which were situated several cities.
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 17:2
2. Cities of Aroer — Cities round about “Aroer,” and under its jurisdiction. (Gesenius.) Aroer was a small territory not far south from Damascus.
Sermons on Isaiah 17:2
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Genesis) Genesis 48:4-6 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the promises made by God to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God promised to make them fruitful and multiply them, and to give them the land as an |
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Epistle 111 by George Fox | George Fox warns believers to speak plainly and truthfully, allowing their words to reflect the light of Christ within them. He emphasizes that words should be life-giving and root |
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Epistle 222 by George Fox | George Fox preaches about the importance of dwelling in Christ, the top-stone over all, to experience eternal life and bear fruit to God. He emphasizes the significance of walking |
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The Eschatological End of Consumerism by Bryan Anthony | Bryan Anthony preaches on the eschatological vision of a world set aright by God's judgments and mercies, where righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit prevail. He highlig |