Isaiah 29:17
Is it not yet a very little while, and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest?
Original Language Analysis
הֲלוֹא
H3808
הֲלוֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 10
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
עוֹד֙
H5750
עוֹד֙
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
2 of 10
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
מְעַ֣ט
little while
H4592
מְעַ֣ט
little while
Strong's:
H4592
Word #:
3 of 10
a little or few (often adverbial or comparative)
מִזְעָ֔ר
Is it not yet a very
H4213
מִזְעָ֔ר
Is it not yet a very
Strong's:
H4213
Word #:
4 of 10
fewness; by implication, as superlative diminutiveness
וְשָׁ֥ב
shall be turned
H7725
וְשָׁ֥ב
shall be turned
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
5 of 10
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
וְהַכַּרְמֶ֖ל
and the fruitful field
H3759
וְהַכַּרְמֶ֖ל
and the fruitful field
Strong's:
H3759
Word #:
7 of 10
a planted field (garden, orchard, vineyard or park); by implication, garden produce
וְהַכַּרְמֶ֖ל
and the fruitful field
H3759
וְהַכַּרְמֶ֖ל
and the fruitful field
Strong's:
H3759
Word #:
8 of 10
a planted field (garden, orchard, vineyard or park); by implication, garden produce
Historical Context
Lebanon represented majesty and inaccessibility—cedar-covered mountains, source of timber for Solomon's Temple. Carmel ('orchard/garden') represented fertility. Isaiah's reversal imagery anticipates the new creation (Isaiah 65:17-25, Revelation 21:5). Fulfillment began at Christ's first coming, continues through church age, will consummate at His return.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'barren' areas of your life or church need God's transforming work to make fruitful?
- How does God's promise of coming reversal sustain faith during present difficulty?
- What 'Lebanons' (proud strongholds) might need to become fruitful fields of humility and service?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Is it not yet a very little while, and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field (הֲלוֹא־עוֹד מְעַט מִזְעָר וְשָׁב לְבָנוֹן לַכַּרְמֶל, halo-od me'at miz'ar veshav Levanon lakkarmel)—in a מְעַט מִזְעָר (me'at miz'ar, very little while) לְבָנוֹן (Levanon, Lebanon, representing barrenness or cedar-covered mountains) becomes כַּרְמֶל (karmel, fruitful field/garden). And the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest? (וְהַכַּרְמֶל לַיַּעַר יֵחָשֵׁב, vehakarmel laya'ar yechasev)—the productive field becomes יַעַר (ya'ar, forest/wilderness).
After six woes, Isaiah pivots to eschatological reversal. God specializes in inversions: barren becomes fruitful (Sarah, Hannah, Elizabeth); last becomes first; death yields life. The timeframe—'a very little while'—is prophetic perspective: soon from God's timeless vantage, even if centuries pass for humans. This announces the Messianic age when blind see, deaf hear (v. 18), poor rejoice (v. 19)—comprehensive transformation. Lebanon's cedars, symbols of pride, become farmland; farmland becomes wilderness. God reshapes reality itself.