Isaiah Chapter 17 · Verse 5

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

וְהָיָ֗ה H1961
וְהָיָ֗ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 1 of 12
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כֶּֽאֱסֹף֙ gathereth H622
כֶּֽאֱסֹף֙ gathereth
Strong's: H622
Word #: 2 of 12
to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)
קָצִ֣יר And it shall be as when the harvestman H7105
קָצִ֣יר And it shall be as when the harvestman
Strong's: H7105
Word #: 3 of 12
severed, a limb (of a tree, or simply foliage)
קָמָ֔ה the corn H7054
קָמָ֔ה the corn
Strong's: H7054
Word #: 4 of 12
something that rises, i.e., a stalk of grain
וּזְרֹע֖וֹ with his arm H2220
וּזְרֹע֖וֹ with his arm
Strong's: H2220
Word #: 5 of 12
the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force
שִׁבֳּלִ֖ים ears H7641
שִׁבֳּלִ֖ים ears
Strong's: H7641
Word #: 6 of 12
a stream (as flowing); also an ear of grain (as growing out); by analogy, a branch
יִקְצ֑וֹר and reapeth H7114
יִקְצ֑וֹר and reapeth
Strong's: H7114
Word #: 7 of 12
to dock off, i.e., curtail (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative); especially to harvest (grass or grain)
וְהָיָ֛ה H1961
וְהָיָ֛ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 8 of 12
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כִּמְלַקֵּ֥ט and it shall be as he that gathereth H3950
כִּמְלַקֵּ֥ט and it shall be as he that gathereth
Strong's: H3950
Word #: 9 of 12
properly, to pick up, i.e., (generally) to gather; specifically, to glean
שִׁבֳּלִ֖ים ears H7641
שִׁבֳּלִ֖ים ears
Strong's: H7641
Word #: 10 of 12
a stream (as flowing); also an ear of grain (as growing out); by analogy, a branch
בְּעֵ֥מֶק in the valley H6010
בְּעֵ֥מֶק in the valley
Strong's: H6010
Word #: 11 of 12
a vale (i.e., broad depression)
רְפָאִֽים׃ of Rephaim H7497
רְפָאִֽים׃ of Rephaim
Strong's: H7497
Word #: 12 of 12
a giant

Analysis & Commentary

The imagery shifts to harvest: 'as when the harvestman gathereth the corn, and reapeth the ears with his arm.' This depicts thorough gleaning—the harvester's arm gathering grain completely. Then: 'as he that gathereth ears in the valley of Rephaim.' The Valley of Rephaim, near Jerusalem, was known for bountiful harvests. The metaphor indicates Assyria will thoroughly harvest (conquer and deport) Israel as completely as a skilled harvester gathers grain. Nothing will be left standing. This agricultural metaphor would powerfully communicate to an agrarian society—they understood complete harvest meant storage or removal of everything valuable.

Historical Context

The Valley of Rephaim (southwest of Jerusalem) was a fertile area mentioned in David's battles against Philistines (2 Samuel 5:17-25). Its reputation for abundant harvests made it an apt metaphor for thorough conquest. Assyrian deportation policies resembled complete harvesting—systematically removing population to prevent rebellion and repopulate with foreigners. Sargon II's annals boast of thorough conquests: '27,290 people...I carried away.' The harvest metaphor precisely described Assyrian methodology—systematic, thorough, leaving little behind.

Questions for Reflection