Isaiah 5:17
Isaiah 5:17 in Multiple Translations
Lambs will graze as in their own pastures, and strangers will feed in the ruins of the wealthy.
Then shall the lambs feed after their manner, and the waste places of the fat ones shall strangers eat.
Then shall the lambs feed as in their pasture, and the waste places of the fat ones shall wanderers eat.
Then the lambs will get food as in their grass-lands, and the fat cattle will be feasting in the waste places.
Lambs will graze as in their own pasture; fattened livestock and goats will feed among the ruins of the rich.
Then shall the lambes feede after their maner, and the strangers shall eate the desolate places of the fat.
And fed have lambs according to their leading, And waste places of the fat ones Do sojourners consume.
Then the lambs will graze as in their pasture, and strangers will eat the ruins of the rich.
Then shall the lambs feed after their manner, and the waste places of the fat ones shall strangers eat.
And the lambs shall feed according to their order, and strangers shall eat the deserts turned into fruitfulness.
Then lambs and fat sheep will be able to find good grass to eat, even among the ruins of the houses of rich people.
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 5:17
BAB
Word Study
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Isaiah 5:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/רָע֥וּ
כְבָשִׂ֖ים
כְּ/דָבְרָ֑/ם
וְ/חָרְב֥וֹת
מֵחִ֖ים
גָּרִ֥ים
יֹאכֵֽלוּ
וְ/רָע֥וּ
râʻâh
H7462
House of Shepherds
Conj | V-Qal-3cp
כְבָשִׂ֖ים
kebes
H3532
lamb
N-mp
כְּ/דָבְרָ֑/ם
dôber
H1699
pasture
Prep | N-ms | Suff
וְ/חָרְב֥וֹת
chorbâh
H2723
desolation
Conj | N-fp
מֵחִ֖ים
mêach
H4220
fatling
N-mp
גָּרִ֥ים
gûwr
H1481
to sojourn
V-Qal
יֹאכֵֽלוּ
ʼâkal
H398
to eat
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 5:17
וְ/רָע֥וּ
râʻâh
H7462
"House of Shepherds"
Conj | V-Qal-3cp
This verb means to care for or tend to someone or something, like a shepherd with his flock. It can also mean to rule over or associate with someone as a friend, and is sometimes used to describe a close relationship.
Definition: Ra'ah = "pasturing" perh. "binding-house of the shepherds"
Usage: Occurs in 139 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] break, companion, keep company with, devour, eat up, evil entreat, feed, use as a friend, make friendship with, herdman, keep (sheep) (-er), pastor, [phrase] shearing house, shepherd, wander, waste. See also: Genesis 4:2; Isaiah 40:11; Psalms 23:1.
כְבָשִׂ֖ים
kebes
H3532
"lamb"
N-mp
This word refers to a young ram or lamb, old enough to butt or fight. In the Bible, it is used to describe the animals used for sacrifice or as a symbol of innocence.
Definition: lamb, sheep, young ram
Usage: Occurs in 100 OT verses. KJV: lamb, sheep. See also: Exodus 12:5; Numbers 28:7; Proverbs 27:26.
כְּ/דָבְרָ֑/ם
dôber
H1699
"pasture"
Prep | N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, this word means a statement or a way of speaking, like a shepherd arranging his flock in a pasture. It appears in various forms, including 'fold' and 'manner'.
Definition: pasture
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: fold, manner. See also: Isaiah 5:17; Jeremiah 5:13; Micah 2:12.
וְ/חָרְב֥וֹת
chorbâh
H2723
"desolation"
Conj | N-fp
This word refers to a place that has been laid waste or destroyed, often due to war or disaster. In the Bible, it is used to describe the consequences of sin and disobedience. The prophet Ezekiel used this word to describe a desolate city.
Definition: a place laid waste, ruin, waste, desolation
Usage: Occurs in 42 OT verses. KJV: decayed place, desolate (place, -tion), destruction, (laid) waste (place). See also: Leviticus 26:31; Jeremiah 27:17; Psalms 9:7.
מֵחִ֖ים
mêach
H4220
"fatling"
N-mp
A fatling is a young animal that is well-fed and healthy, often used for sacrifices or special occasions. This word can also mean something rich or abundant. The KJV translates it as 'fatling'.
Definition: fatling, fat one
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: fatling (one). See also: Psalms 66:15; Isaiah 5:17.
גָּרִ֥ים
gûwr
H1481
"to sojourn"
V-Qal
This word means to fear or dread something, like the fear of God. It implies a sense of awe or reverence, like the fear that the disciples felt during the storm on the lake in Matthew 8:24. It can also mean to be a stranger or sojourner in a place.
Definition: 1) to sojourn, abide, dwell in, dwell with, remain, inhabit, be a stranger, be continuing, surely 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sojourn, dwell for a time 1a2) to abide, stay, temporarily dwell 1b) (Hithpolel) 1b1) to seek hospitality with 1b2) to assemble oneself
Usage: Occurs in 94 OT verses. KJV: abide, assemble, be afraid, dwell, fear, gather (together), inhabitant, remain, sojourn, stand in awe, (be) stranger, [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 12:10; 1 Kings 17:20; Psalms 5:5.
יֹאכֵֽלוּ
ʼâkal
H398
"to eat"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
This word means to eat or devour, and it's used in many stories, including when Jesus fed the 5000 with fish and bread in the book of Matthew. It's about taking in nourishment and being satisfied.
Definition: 1) to eat, devour, burn up, feed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to eat (human subject) 1a2) to eat, devour (of beasts and birds) 1a3) to devour, consume (of fire) 1a4) to devour, slay (of sword) 1a5) to devour, consume, destroy (inanimate subjects - ie, pestilence, drought) 1a6) to devour (of oppression) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be eaten (by men) 1b2) to be devoured, consumed (of fire) 1b3) to be wasted, destroyed (of flesh) 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to cause to eat, feed with 1c2) to cause to devour 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to feed 1d2) to cause to eat 1e) (Piel) 1e1) consume Aramaic equivalent: a.khal (אֲכַל "to devour" H0399)
Usage: Occurs in 703 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. See also: Genesis 2:16; Leviticus 6:9; Numbers 24:8.
Study Notes — Isaiah 5:17
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 5:17 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 5:17
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 5:17
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 5:17
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 5:17
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 5:17
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 5:17
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 5:17
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 5:17
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 5:17
- Sermons on Isaiah 5:17
Context — Woes to the Wicked
15So mankind will be brought low, and each man humbled; the arrogant will lower their eyes.
16But the LORD of Hosts will be exalted by His justice, and the holy God will show Himself holy in righteousness.
17Lambs will graze as in their own pastures, and strangers will feed in the ruins of the wealthy.
18Woe to those who draw iniquity with cords of deceit and pull sin along with cart ropes, 19to those who say, “Let Him hurry and hasten His work so that we may see it! Let the plan of the Holy One of Israel come so that we may know it!”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zephaniah 2:6 | So the seacoast will become a land of pastures, with wells for shepherds and folds for sheep. |
| 2 | Zephaniah 2:14 | Herds will lie down in her midst, creatures of every kind. Both the desert owl and screech owl will roost atop her pillars. Their calls will sound from the window, but desolation will lie on the threshold, for He will expose the beams of cedar. |
| 3 | Isaiah 7:25 | For fear of the briers and thorns, you will no longer traverse the hills once tilled by the hoe; they will become places for oxen to graze and sheep to trample. |
| 4 | Hosea 8:7 | For they sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind. There is no standing grain; what sprouts fails to yield flour. Even if it should produce, the foreigners would swallow it up. |
| 5 | Nehemiah 9:37 | Its abundant harvest goes to the kings You have set over us because of our sins. And they rule over our bodies and our livestock as they please. We are in great distress. |
| 6 | Isaiah 65:10 | Sharon will become a pasture for flocks, and the Valley of Achor a resting place for herds, for My people who seek Me. |
| 7 | Luke 21:24 | They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive into all the nations. And Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. |
| 8 | Psalms 17:14 | from such men, O LORD, by Your hand— from men of the world whose portion is in this life. May You fill the bellies of Your treasured ones and satisfy their sons, so they leave their abundance to their children. |
| 9 | Deuteronomy 28:33 | A people you do not know will eat the produce of your land and of all your toil. All your days you will be oppressed and crushed. |
| 10 | Deuteronomy 32:15 | But Jeshurun grew fat and kicked— becoming fat, bloated, and gorged. He abandoned the God who made him and scorned the Rock of his salvation. |
Isaiah 5:17 Summary
[Isaiah 5:17 is a picture of a future time when God's people will be able to live in peace and prosperity, without fear of harm or lack. This is a promise of God's care and provision for His people, as seen in Psalm 23:1-4, where the shepherd guides and protects His flock. In this verse, the lambs grazing in their own pastures represent a time of freedom and joy, while the strangers feeding in the ruins of the wealthy represent a reversal of fortunes, where the proud are brought low and the humble are exalted, as seen in Luke 1:52-53.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for lambs to graze as in their own pastures in Isaiah 5:17?
This phrase suggests a time of peace and prosperity, where God's people are able to live and thrive without fear, much like the promise in Micah 4:4 where every man will sit under his own vine and fig tree.
Who are the strangers mentioned in Isaiah 5:17, and what does it mean for them to feed in the ruins of the wealthy?
The strangers likely refer to foreigners or those who were not originally part of God's people, and their feeding in the ruins of the wealthy indicates a reversal of fortunes, where the proud and arrogant are brought low, as seen in Isaiah 5:15.
Is Isaiah 5:17 a promise of judgment or restoration?
This verse appears to be a promise of judgment on the wealthy and arrogant, but also hints at a future time of restoration and peace, where God's people will be able to live in prosperity, as seen in the contrast with Isaiah 5:15-16, which describes the humbling of mankind and the exaltation of God.
How does Isaiah 5:17 relate to the broader theme of God's justice in the Bible?
This verse is part of a larger theme of God's justice and righteousness, where He brings low the proud and exalts the humble, as seen in James 4:10 and 1 Peter 5:6, and ultimately brings about a time of peace and prosperity for His people, as promised in Revelation 21:4.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I am trusting in my own wealth or prosperity, rather than in God's provision and care?
- How can I, like the strangers in Isaiah 5:17, be a blessing to others and share in the riches of God's kingdom?
- In what ways am I called to humble myself and trust in God's justice and righteousness, rather than my own strength and abilities?
- What does it mean for me to 'graze in my own pastures', and how can I cultivate a sense of peace and contentment in my daily life, like the lambs in Isaiah 5:17?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 5:17
Then shall the lambs feed after their manner,.... That is, the people of God, the disciples of Christ, either apostles and ministers of the Gospel, whom he sent forth as lambs among wolves, Lu 10:3
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 5:17
Then shall the lambs feed after their manner, and the waste places of the fat ones shall strangers eat. Then shall the lambs feed after their manner - kªdaabªraam (H1699); literally, according to their own word, i:e., at will.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 5:17
Then; when God shall have finished that work of judgment upon the ungodly, he will extend mercy to a remainder. This is very usual in this prophet, in the midst of his threatenings, to insert something for the support of believers. The lambs; the poor and harmless people, who shall be left in the land when the rich are carried into captivity, as it fell out, . Feed after their manner; or, by their fold, as this word is manifestly used, , the only place of Scripture, except this, in which this word is found. The waste places; the lands left by their owners, who were either slain or carried into captivity. Of the fat ones; of the rich and great men, so called 78:31 . Strangers; the poor Israelites, who were left to be vine-dressers and husbandmen, , who are called strangers, because they were so in reference to that land, not being the proper owners of it, nor related to them; as the Israelites of other tribes are called strangers, in opposition to the Levites, as , and elsewhere; yea, and the Levites are so called, in opposition to the seed of Aaron, .
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 5:17
Isaiah 5:17 Then shall the lambs feed after their manner, and the waste places of the fat ones shall strangers eat.Ver. 17. Then shall the lambs feed after their manner,] i.e., Freely and quietly. By lambs here understand the godly poor - those lambs with golden fleeces - who shall be graciously provided for. And the waste places of the fat ones.] Medullatorum, of those fat bulls of Bashan, who had oppressed the poor, and laid waste their dwellings, but are now served in like sort by the enemy. Shall the strangers eat.] Such as had been strangers at home, because held captive in a far country, but are now returned, and repossessed of all.
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 5:17
(17) Then shall the lambs feed after their manner.—Better, feed even as on their pasture. The meaning is clear enough. The lands that have been gained by oppression shall, in the day of retribution, become common pasture ground instead of being reserved for the parks and gardens of the rich; and strangers—i.e., invaders, Philistines, Assyrians, or nomadic tribes—shall devour the produce (Isaiah 1:7). Possibly, however, the “lambs” may stand for the poor and meek, as in contrast with the “fat ones” of the earth. The LXX. version follows a different reading in the second clause, and gives “kids” instead of “strangers.”
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 5:17
Verse 17. The lambs - "And the kids"] גרים gerim, "strangers." The Septuagint read, more agreeably to the design of the prophet, כרים carim, αρνες, "the lambs." גדים gedayim, "the kids," Dr. Durell; nearer to the present reading: and so Archbishop Secker. The meaning is, their luxurious habitations shall be so entirely destroyed as to become a pasture for flocks. After their manner - "Without restraint"] כדברם kedobram, secundum duetum eorum; i.e. suo ipsorum ductu; as their own will shall lead them.
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 5:17
17. The obverse of the picture in Isaiah 5:14. The city, with all its tumult and gaiety, has vanished into the underworld, and now flocks are seen grazing amidst the ruins,—an image of awful desolation rather than of “idyllic peace.” Then shall the lambs … manner] And lambs shall grate as in their pasture (R.V.). strangers] sojourners—perhaps “nomadic shepherds.” But the reading of the LXX. (ἄ ?ñíåò = lambs) can be explained by a slight change in the text and is on some grounds to be preferred.
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 5:17
Then shall the lambs feed - This verse is very variously interpreted.
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 5:17
17. Then — In the day when Jehovah is “sanctified” by Israel.
Sermons on Isaiah 5:17
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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A Message for America and Its Cultural Religion by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the importance of understanding the times we live in and the need for spiritual discernment. He mentions a gathering of churches in New York |
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Sowing the Wind by Chuck Smith | This sermon emphasizes the principle of sowing and reaping, highlighting the consequences of our actions and the importance of sowing seeds of righteousness and value. It warns aga |
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Reaping the Whirlwind by D.L. Moody | D.L. Moody shares a poignant story about a young boy from Newcastle-on-Tyne who, despite his parents' love and care, fell into a life of crime and ultimately faced dire consequence |
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Worthy - or Unworthy? by A.W. Tozer | Greek Word Studies delves into the concept of sowing, emphasizing the significance of scattering the seed of the Word of God, the Gospel, into people's hearts. Through various Bibl |
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Hosea 8:7 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith discusses the dire consequences of Israel's disobedience to God, emphasizing that they have 'sown the wind' through their transgressions and idolatry, leading to their |
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Ai - Spiritual Warfare by Stephen Kaung | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Joshua and the battle of A.I. after the victory at Jericho. Joshua sends spies to scout out A.I., a smaller city, and they repor |
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Spiritual Rest and Fullness by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson emphasizes the importance of seeking God wholeheartedly to experience spiritual rest and fullness. He contrasts the abundance found in God's presence with the empti |