Isaiah – Chapter 17

Old Testament • 14 Verses

Chapter Summary

"The burden of Damascus. Behold Damascus shall cease to be a city, and shall be as a ruinous heap of stones." — so begins Isaiah 17. Jacob stands at the center of this chapter. Across its 14 verses, two threads run through the text: worship and praise and courage in the face of fear. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1The burden of Damascus. Behold Damascus shall cease to be a city, and shall be as a ruinous heap of stones.

2The cities of Aroer shall be left for flocks, and they shall rest there, and there shall be none to make them afraid.

3And aid shall cease from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus: and the remnant of Syria shall be as the glory of the children of Israel: saith the Lord of hosts.

4And it shall come to pass in that day, that the glory of Jacob shall be made thin, and the fatness of his flesh shall grow lean.

5And it shall be as when one gathereth in the harvest that which remaineth, and his arm shall gather the ears of corn: and it shall be as he that seeketh ears in the vale of Raphaim.

6And the fruit thereof that shall be left upon it, shall be as one cluster of grapes, and as the shaking of the olive tree, two or three berries in the top of a bough, or four or five upon the top of the tree, saith the Lord the God of Israel.

7In that day man shall bow down himself to his Maker, and his eyes shall look to the Holy One of Israel.

8And he shall not look to the altars which his hands made; and he shall not have respect to the things that his fingers wrought, such as groves and temples.

9In that day his strong cities shall be forsaken, as the ploughs, and the corn that were left before the face of the children of Israel, and thou shalt be desolate.

10Because thou hast forgotten God thy saviour, and hast not remembered thy strong helper: therefore shalt thou plant good plants, and shalt sow strange seed.

11In the day of thy planting shall be the wild grape, and in the morning thy seed shall flourish: the harvest is taken away in the day of inheritance, and shall grieve thee much.

12Woe to the multitude of many people, like the multitude of the roaring sea: and the tumult of crowds, like the noise of many waters.

13Nations shall make a noise like the noise of waters overflowing, but he shall rebuke him, and he shall flee far off: and he shall be carried away as the dust of the mountains before the wind, and as a whirlwind before a tempest.

14In the time of the evening, behold there shall be trouble: the morning shall come, and he shall not be: this is the portion of them that have wasted us, and the lot of them that spoiled us.

Important Verses in Isaiah 17

“And aid shall cease from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus: and the remnant of Syria shall be as the glory of the children of Israel: saith the Lord of hosts.”

Isaiah 17:3

“And the fruit thereof that shall be left upon it, shall be as one cluster of grapes, and as the shaking of the olive tree, two or three berries in the top of a bough, or four or five upon the top of the tree, saith the Lord the God of Israel.”

Isaiah 17:6

“Because thou hast forgotten God thy saviour, and hast not remembered thy strong helper: therefore shalt thou plant good plants, and shalt sow strange seed.”

Isaiah 17:10

“In the time of the evening, behold there shall be trouble: the morning shall come, and he shall not be: this is the portion of them that have wasted us, and the lot of them that spoiled us. ”

Isaiah 17:14

Historical Context

Isaiah addresses judah in crisis, the exiles in Babylon, and all who await the Messiah within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 17 of 66 belongs to the early movement of the book, where the narrative or argument is still unfolding. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 14 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Jacob appear at the center of the events recorded here. The passage starts with these words: "The burden of Damascus. Behold Damascus shall cease to be a city, and shall be as a ruinous heap of stones." It concludes: "In the time of the evening, behold there shall be trouble: the morning shall come, and he shall not be: this is the…" Read against its original backdrop, Isaiah prophesied in Jerusalem during the Assyrian crisis, calling kings to trust God rather than alliances. The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: Isaiah's ministry about 740-700 BC; the book's later chapters address the exile and return (6th century BC).

Who Wrote It

The prophet Isaiah of Jerusalem; chapters 40-66 continue his message through inspired disciples

When It Was Written

Isaiah's ministry about 740-700 BC; the book's later chapters address the exile and return (6th century BC)

Catholic Commentary

The literal sense of Isaiah 17 presents a concrete episode in the history of judgment, comfort, and messianic hope. A pivotal line is verse 3: "And aid shall cease from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus: and the remnant of Syria shall be as the glory of the children of Israel: saith the Lord of…" The passage repeatedly touches on worship and praise.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of judgment, comfort, and messianic hope. Isaiah's prophecies are fulfilled in Christ, especially the Suffering Servant (CIC 601). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 385).

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • ✓Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.
  • ✓God's presence casts out fear; His command 'Be not afraid' echoes throughout salvation history.
  • ✓God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.

People in This Chapter

Jacob1 mention

Reflection for Today

In Isaiah Chapter 17, the Church invites us to listen attentively to God's Word within the broader narrative of judgment, comfort, and messianic hope.

The Second Vatican Council reminded the faithful that Scripture should permeate Catholic spirituality (Dei Verbum, 21-26). Isaiah Chapter 17 supports that call by drawing attention to purity of heart and interior conversion within the wider message that God's salvation reaches to the ends of the earth.

If this passage raises questions, seek the Church's teaching through the Catechism, a faithful priest, or sound Catholic commentaries. Private interpretation must remain in harmony with the Magisterium (CIC 1604).

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Isaiah Chapter 17 about?

Isaiah 17 contains 14 verses. It opens with "The burden of Damascus. Behold Damascus shall cease to be a city, and shall be as a ruinous heap of stones." and closes with "In the time of the evening, behold there shall be trouble: the morning shall come, and he shall not be: this is the…". The book as a whole is prophetic oracles and poetry.

What is a key verse in Isaiah 17?

One of the most significant verses is verse 3: "And aid shall cease from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus: and the remnant of Syria shall be as the glory of the children of Israel: saith the Lord of hosts." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Isaiah Chapter 17?

This chapter mentions Jacob.

Who wrote Isaiah and when?

The prophet Isaiah of Jerusalem; chapters 40-66 continue his message through inspired disciples. Isaiah's ministry about 740-700 BC; the book's later chapters address the exile and return (6th century BC).

Related Chapters

Sirach 47Shares people and themes with this chapterHosea 10Shares people and themes with this chapterObadiah 1Shares people and themes with this chapter

Prayers Related to This Chapter

🙏Gloria in Excelsis🙏The Divine Praises🙏Prayer to St. Michael🙏Guardian Angel Prayer

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