Isaiah 17:12 - Printer Friendly

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!

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.

Isaiah 17:1–14 begins as a prophecy of the destruction of Damascus, the capital of Syria. Israel will nearly be wiped out along with it. Survivors of both nations will exist on scraps. The remnant of Israel will finally look to their Maker for help instead of praying to false idols. This remnant will experience grief and pain because they have forgotten the God of their salvation. Still, the Lord God has the power to drive away enemies like dust against a strong wind.

What begins as an oracle against Damascus becomes a description of the consequences of Israel's faithlessness As well as the Lord's ability to save them. Damascus will become a heap of ruins. Ephraim will be nearly wiped out along with it. The glory of both will be wasted away like a once healthy man starving and living on scraps. Finally, Israel will look to their Maker instead of to idols they have made with their hands. They forgot the God of their salvation, the One who can chase away the storms of the enemy nations.

Prior chapters included prophecies against various nations, such as Assyria, Babylon, and Moab (Isaiah 13—16). Chapter begins as another oracle against one of Israel's hostile neighbors. However, this one is set much earlier in time. Damascus will become ruins and Israel will be nearly wiped out along with it. Survivors will gather scraps just to survive. The remnant in Israel will finally look to their Maker for help, instead of to idols. Still, the Lord can drive away the roaring nations who have come against Israel. Further oracles follow, beginning with a prophecy about Cush (Isaiah 18).

Isaiah is among the most important prophetic books in the entire Bible. The first segment details God's impending judgment against ancient peoples for sin and idolatry (Isaiah 1—35). The second part of Isaiah briefly explains a failed assault on Jerusalem during the rule of Hezekiah (Isaiah 36—39). The final chapters predict Israel's rescue from Babylonian captivity (Isaiah 40—48), the promised Messiah (Isaiah 49—57), and the final glory of Jerusalem and God's people (Isaiah 58—66).