Bible Commentaries
Isaiah 17

Bullinger's Companion Bible NotesBullinger's Companion Notes

Verse 1

burden. The second of the seventh burdens.

Damascus. The capital of Syria.

is taken away = is swept away. This was by Tiglath-pileser, king of Assyria, and the slaughter of Rezin (632. B.C.) See 2 Kings 16:9 , and 2 Kings 7:9 , 2 Kings 7:16 , above.

city. heap. Note the Figure of speech Paronomasia ( App-6 ) Hebrew. me'ir. mei .

Verse 2

cities of Aroer. Note the Figure of speech Paronomasia . Hebrew. arey aro'er .

Aroer. There were three other cities of that name, and this one which is not identified.

Verse 3

children = sons.

Verse 4

be = become.

Verse 5

it: i.e. Jacob's glory (Isaiah 17:4 ).

it: i.e. Jacob's fatness (Isaiah 17:4 ).

Rephaim. South-west of Jerusalem. So called after one "Kapha", a mighty one among the descendants of the Nephilim, as Anak was, who gave his name to another branch. See App-23 and App-25 .

Verse 6

the LORD God of Israel. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 32:27 . Compare Joshua 9:18 , Joshua 9:19 ; Joshua 10:40 , Joshua 10:42 , &c). See note on Isaiah 29:23 .

God of Israel. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 24:10 . Numbers 16:9 ). Occurs in latter part of Isaiah (Isaiah 41:17 ; Isaiah 45:3 ; Isaiah 48:2 ).

Verse 7

a man = Literally the man. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 . I

look = have an eye unto.

have respect = have regard. Note the Alternation in verses: Isaiah 17:7 , Isaiah 17:8 , "look" and "have respect".

the Holy One of Israel. See note on Isaiah 1:4 .

Verse 8

the groves = the Asherahs. See App-42 . Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 34:13 .Deuteronomy 7:5 ; Deuteronomy 12:3 ; Deuteronomy 16:21 ). App-79 .

images = sun images. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 26:30 ); both mentioned again (Isaiah 27:9 ).

Verse 9

desolation. See note on Isaiah 1:7 .

Verse 10

Rock. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 32:13 ). App-92 .

pleasant plants. Probably = plantings of Adonis.

strange slips: or slips of a strange [God],

Verse 11

In the day = By day.

Verse 12

people = peoples.

noise = booming, or roaring.

rushing. Note the Figure of speech Repetitio ( App-6 ), for emphasis.

Verse 13

God = One.

chaff = dried grass.

a rolling thing = a galgal. See note on Psalms 83:13 .

Verse 14

trouble = consternation.

he is not: or, he is no more. Some codices, with two early printed editions, Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "and he is no more".

Bibliographical Information
Bullinger, Ethelbert William. "Commentary on Isaiah 17". "Bullinger's Companion bible Notes". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bul/isaiah-17.html. 1909-1922.