Isaiah Chapter 17 · Verse 3
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.
Original Language Analysis
וְנִשְׁבַּ֤ת
also shall cease
H7673
וְנִשְׁבַּ֤ת
also shall cease
Strong's:
H7673
Word #:
1 of 14
to repose, i.e., desist from exertion; used in many implied relations (causative, figurative or specific)
מִבְצָר֙
The fortress
H4013
מִבְצָר֙
The fortress
Strong's:
H4013
Word #:
2 of 14
a fortification, castle, or fortified city; figuratively, a defender
מֵֽאֶפְרַ֔יִם
from Ephraim
H669
מֵֽאֶפְרַ֔יִם
from Ephraim
Strong's:
H669
Word #:
3 of 14
ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
וּמַמְלָכָ֥ה
and the kingdom
H4467
וּמַמְלָכָ֥ה
and the kingdom
Strong's:
H4467
Word #:
4 of 14
dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)
אֲרָ֑ם
of Syria
H758
אֲרָ֑ם
of Syria
Strong's:
H758
Word #:
7 of 14
aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite
כִּכְב֤וֹד
they shall be as the glory
H3519
כִּכְב֤וֹד
they shall be as the glory
Strong's:
H3519
Word #:
8 of 14
properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness
בְּנֵֽי
of the children
H1121
בְּנֵֽי
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
9 of 14
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
10 of 14
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
יִֽהְי֔וּ
H1961
יִֽהְי֔וּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
11 of 14
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
Cross References
Isaiah 7:16For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.Isaiah 8:4For before the child shall have knowledge to cry, My father, and my mother, the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria shall be taken away before the king of Assyria.Hosea 9:11As for Ephraim, their glory shall fly away like a bird, from the birth, and from the womb, and from the conception.Isaiah 7:8For the head of Syria is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin; and within threescore and five years shall Ephraim be broken, that it be not a people.
Historical Context
The Syro-Ephraimite War (735-732 BCE) saw Damascus and Israel's northern kingdom alliance against Judah, attempting to force King Ahaz to join their rebellion against Assyria. Isaiah warned against this coalition (Isaiah 7). Both nations fell to Assyria: Damascus in 732 BCE, Samaria (Israel's capital) in 722 BCE. Their 'glory' (military power, territorial control, independence) was equally destroyed. Archaeological and Assyrian records document these conquests, validating the prophecy's precise fulfillment within Isaiah's lifetime.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the failure of the Syria-Israel alliance teach about human plans opposing God's purposes?
- How does joint judgment on allies demonstrate that partnership in sin doesn't provide safety?
- Why does God specifically mention both allies will face equal diminishment?
Analysis & Commentary
The fortress ceases from Ephraim (northern Israel), and the kingdom from Damascus—both lose sovereignty. The remnant of Syria shall be 'as the glory of the children of Israel'—meaning as diminished as Israel will become. This reveals the futility of their alliance; instead of strengthening each other against Assyria, both face divine judgment. The phrase 'saith the LORD of hosts' emphasizes divine authority and irrevocable decree. Their military alliance cannot prevent God's ordained judgment. This demonstrates Reformed theology's emphasis on God's sovereignty over nations and history—political calculations mean nothing when they oppose divine purposes.