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Isaiah 17:12
ESV Ah, the thunder of many peoples; they thunder like the thundering of the sea! Ah, the roar of nations; they roar like the roaring of mighty waters!
NIV Woe to the many nations that rage— they rage like the raging sea! Woe to the peoples who roar— they roar like the roaring of great waters!
NASB Oh, the uproar of many peoples Who roar like the roaring of the seas, And the rumbling of nations Who rush on like the rumbling of mighty waters!
CSB Ah! The roar of many peoples— they roar like the roaring of the seas. The raging of the nations— they rage like the rumble of rushing water.
NLT Listen! The armies of many nations roar like the roaring of the sea. Hear the thunder of the mighty forces as they rush forward like thundering waves.
KJV Woe to the multitude of many people, which make a noise like the noise of the seas; and to the rushing of nations, that make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters!
NKJV Woe to the multitude of many people Who make a noise like the roar of the seas, And to the rushing of nations That make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters!

What does Isaiah 17:12 mean?

This verse brings with it a sudden change of tone and subject matter. Some commentators think that it fits better with the following chapter (Isaiah 18) than with the verses that come before it. It's also possible the Lord means for His people Israel to understand two main things while they read these oracles from Isaiah.

First, the Lord wants them to know that they must trust in Him alone as their provider. He is the One who has saved them repeatedly (Exodus 15:1; Judges 2:16–19). The Lord is the One they should trust to save them again instead of looking to alliances or the worship of false gods. He will bring His judgment against them to continue to make the point that they must rely on Him (Isaiah 17:10–11). This was the focus on previous verses in this chapter. Now that emphasis changes from the Lord's provision for Israel to His ability to protect them. He wants Israel to see and believe that He is the God over all peoples; He is stronger than any nation that could threaten them.

Isaiah begins to describe how terrifying that threat from other nations can feel. The approach of the enemies of Israel— especially Assyria later Babylon—sound like the roar of a storm at sea. This sound would sink into their very core and fill their ears. With it would bring dread knowing what that crushing noise means.

Those in the path of such storms must find shelter. The Lord wants His people to trust Him to protect them.
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