Isaiah 17:1
New International Version
A prophecy against Damascus: “See, Damascus will no longer be a city but will become a heap of ruins.

New Living Translation
This message came to me concerning Damascus: “Look, the city of Damascus will disappear! It will become a heap of ruins.

English Standard Version
An oracle concerning Damascus. Behold, Damascus will cease to be a city and will become a heap of ruins.

Berean Standard Bible
This is the burden against Damascus: “Behold, Damascus is no longer a city; it has become a heap of ruins.

King James Bible
The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.

New King James Version
The burden against Damascus. “Behold, Damascus will cease from being a city, And it will be a ruinous heap.

New American Standard Bible
The pronouncement concerning Damascus: “Behold, Damascus is about to be removed from being a city And will become a fallen ruin.

NASB 1995
The oracle concerning Damascus. “Behold, Damascus is about to be removed from being a city And will become a fallen ruin.

NASB 1977
The oracle concerning Damascus. “Behold, Damascus is about to be removed from being a city, And it will become a fallen ruin.

Legacy Standard Bible
The oracle concerning Damascus. “Behold, Damascus is about to be removed from being a city And will become a fallen ruin.

Amplified Bible
The [mournful, inspired] oracle (a burden to be carried) concerning Damascus [capital of Aram (Syria), and Israel’s defense against Assyria]. “Listen carefully, Damascus will cease to be a city And will become a fallen ruin.

Christian Standard Bible
A pronouncement concerning Damascus: Look, Damascus is no longer a city. It has become a ruined heap.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
An oracle against Damascus: Look, Damascus is no longer a city. It has become a ruined heap.

American Standard Version
The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.

Contemporary English Version
This is a message about Damascus: Damascus is doomed! It will end up in ruins.

English Revised Version
The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
This is the divine revelation about Damascus. "Damascus will no longer be a city. It will become a pile of rubble.

Good News Translation
The LORD said, "Damascus will not be a city any longer; it will be only a pile of ruins.

International Standard Version
A message about Damascus: "Look! Damascus will cease to be a city. Instead, it will become a pile of ruins.

Majority Standard Bible
This is the burden against Damascus: “Behold, Damascus is no longer a city; it has become a heap of ruins.

NET Bible
Here is a message about Damascus: "Look, Damascus is no longer a city, it is a heap of ruins!

New Heart English Bible
The burden of Damascus: "Look, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it will be a ruinous heap.

Webster's Bible Translation
The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.

World English Bible
The burden of Damascus. “Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it will be a ruinous heap.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from [being] a city, "" And it has been a heap—a ruin.

Young's Literal Translation
The burden of Damascus. Lo, Damascus is taken away from being a city, And it hath been a heap -- a ruin.

Smith's Literal Translation
The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus being taken away from a city, and it was a falling heap of rubbish.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
THE burden of Damascus. Behold Damascus shall cease to be a city, and shall be as a ruinous heap of stones.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus will cease to be a city, and it will be like a heap of stones in ruin.

New American Bible
Oracle on Damascus: See, Damascus shall cease to be a city and become a pile of ruins;

New Revised Standard Version
An oracle concerning Damascus. See, Damascus will cease to be a city, and will become a heap of ruins.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
THE prophecy concerning the fall of Damascus. Behold, Damascus shall cease to be a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The burden of Darmsuq: “Behold, Darmsuq passes away from the city, and it shall be for a wilderness and for a ruin
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, And it shall be a ruinous heap.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
THE WORD AGAINST DAMASCUS. Behold, Damascus shall be taken away from among cities, and shall become a ruin;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
An Oracle Concerning Damascus
1This is the burden against Damascus: “Behold, Damascus is no longer a city; it has become a heap of ruins. 2The cities of Aroer are forsaken; they will be left to the flocks, which will lie down with no one to fear.…

Cross References
Jeremiah 49:23-27
Concerning Damascus: “Hamath and Arpad are put to shame, for they have heard a bad report; they are agitated like the sea; their anxiety cannot be calmed. / Damascus has become feeble; she has turned to flee. Panic has gripped her; anguish and pain have seized her like a woman in labor. / How is the city of praise not forsaken, the town that brings Me joy? ...

Amos 1:3-5
This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Damascus, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they threshed Gilead with sledges of iron. / So I will send fire upon the house of Hazael to consume the citadels of Ben-hadad. / I will break down the gates of Damascus; I will cut off the ruler from the Valley of Aven and the one who wields the scepter in Beth-eden. The people of Aram will be exiled to Kir,” says the LORD.

Zechariah 9:1
This is the burden of the word of the LORD against the land of Hadrach and Damascus its resting place—for the eyes of men and of all the tribes of Israel are upon the LORD—

2 Kings 16:9
So the king of Assyria responded to him, marched up to Damascus, and captured it. He took its people to Kir as captives and put Rezin to death.

2 Kings 17:5-6
Then the king of Assyria invaded the whole land, marched up to Samaria, and besieged it for three years. / In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and carried away the Israelites to Assyria, where he settled them in Halah, in Gozan by the Habor River, and in the cities of the Medes.

Isaiah 7:8
For the head of Aram is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin. Within sixty-five years Ephraim will be shattered as a people.

Isaiah 8:4
For before the boy knows how to cry ‘Father’ or ‘Mother,’ the wealth of Damascus and the plunder of Samaria will be carried off by the king of Assyria.”

Isaiah 10:9
“Is not Calno like Carchemish? Is not Hamath like Arpad? Is not Samaria like Damascus?

Isaiah 13:1
This is the burden against Babylon that Isaiah son of Amoz received:

Isaiah 14:24-27
The LORD of Hosts has sworn: “Surely, as I have planned, so will it be; as I have purposed, so will it stand. / I will break Assyria in My land; I will trample him on My mountain. His yoke will be taken off My people, and his burden removed from their shoulders.” / This is the plan devised for the whole earth, and this is the hand stretched out over all the nations. ...

Isaiah 25:2
Indeed, You have made the city a heap of rubble, the fortified town a ruin. The fortress of strangers is a city no more; it will never be rebuilt.

Isaiah 37:12-13
Did the gods of the nations destroyed by my fathers rescue those nations—the gods of Gozan, Haran, and Rezeph, and of the people of Eden in Telassar? / Where are the kings of Hamath, Arpad, Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivvah?’”

Ezekiel 25:15-17
This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Because the Philistines acted in vengeance, taking vengeance with malice of soul to destroy Judah with ancient hostility, / therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, I will stretch out My hand against the Philistines, and I will cut off the Cherethites and destroy the remnant along the coast. / I will execute great vengeance against them with furious reproof. Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I lay My vengeance upon them.’”

Ezekiel 30:18
The day will be darkened in Tahpanhes when I break the yoke of Egypt and her proud strength comes to an end. A cloud will cover her, and her daughters will go into captivity.

Hosea 5:8-9
Blow the ram’s horn in Gibeah, the trumpet in Ramah; raise the battle cry in Beth-aven: Lead on, O Benjamin! / Ephraim will be laid waste on the day of rebuke. Among the tribes of Israel I proclaim what is certain.


Treasury of Scripture

The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.

A.

Isaiah 15:1
The burden of Moab. Because in the night Ar of Moab is laid waste, and brought to silence; because in the night Kir of Moab is laid waste, and brought to silence;

Isaiah 19:1
The burden of Egypt. Behold, the LORD rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it.

Damascus

Isaiah 7:8
For the head of Syria is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin; and within threescore and five years shall Ephraim be broken, that it be not a people.

Genesis 14:15
And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.

Genesis 15:2
And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?

Damascus is

Isaiah 8:4
For before the child shall have knowledge to cry, My father, and my mother, the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria shall be taken away before the king of Assyria.

Isaiah 10:9
Is not Calno as Carchemish? is not Hamath as Arpad? is not Samaria as Damascus?

2 Kings 16:9
And the king of Assyria hearkened unto him: for the king of Assyria went up against Damascus, and took it, and carried the people of it captive to Kir, and slew Rezin.

ruinous

Isaiah 25:2
For thou hast made of a city an heap; of a defenced city a ruin: a palace of strangers to be no city; it shall never be built.

Isaiah 37:26
Hast thou not heard long ago, how I have done it; and of ancient times, that I have formed it? now have I brought it to pass, that thou shouldest be to lay waste defenced cities into ruinous heaps.

Jeremiah 49:2
Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will cause an alarm of war to be heard in Rabbah of the Ammonites; and it shall be a desolate heap, and her daughters shall be burned with fire: then shall Israel be heir unto them that were his heirs, saith the LORD.

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Isaiah 17
1. Syria and Israel are threatened
6. A remnant shall forsake idolatry
9. The rest shall be plagued for their impiety
12. The woe of Israel's enemies














This is an oracle
The term "oracle" in Hebrew is "מַשָּׂא" (massa), which can also be translated as "burden." This indicates a message of weighty significance, often involving judgment or prophecy. In the context of Isaiah, oracles are divine pronouncements that carry the authority and power of God. They are not mere predictions but declarations of God's sovereign will. The use of "oracle" here sets the tone for a serious and solemn message from God, emphasizing the gravity of the forthcoming judgment.

concerning Damascus
Damascus is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with a rich history that dates back to ancient times. It was a significant city in the Aramean kingdom and later became a major center in the Roman Empire. In the biblical context, Damascus often represents the broader region of Aram (modern-day Syria). The mention of Damascus here highlights its importance and the impact of the prophecy. Historically, Damascus was a formidable city, and its mention signifies a significant event in the biblical narrative.

Behold
The word "behold" is used to draw attention and emphasize the importance of what follows. In Hebrew, it is "הִנֵּה" (hinneh), which serves as a call to the audience to pay close attention. It is a divine alert, indicating that something significant and noteworthy is about to be revealed. This word often precedes a revelation or a divine action, underscoring the immediacy and certainty of God's message.

Damascus will no longer be a city
This phrase indicates a complete transformation of Damascus from a thriving city to a state of desolation. The prophecy foretells the end of Damascus as a city, which is a dramatic statement given its historical prominence. The Hebrew word for "city" is "עִיר" (ir), which implies a place of habitation, commerce, and governance. The prophecy suggests a reversal of its status, pointing to divine judgment and the cessation of its role as a center of power and influence.

but will become a heap of ruins
The imagery of a "heap of ruins" conveys total destruction and desolation. The Hebrew word for "heap" is "מְעִי" (me'i), which implies a pile or mound, often used to describe the aftermath of destruction. This phrase paints a vivid picture of the consequences of divine judgment, where what once was a bustling city is reduced to rubble. It serves as a stark reminder of the impermanence of human achievements in the face of God's sovereign will. The transformation from a city to ruins underscores the theme of divine retribution and the fulfillment of prophecy.

XVII.

(1) The burden of Damascus.--Syria, it will be remembered, had been "confederate with Ephraim," i.e., with the kingdom of Israel, against Judah in the reign of Ahaz, and the prophet had then foretold its overthrow by Assyria (Isaiah 7:1-16). In 2Kings 16:9, 2 Chron. 28:29, we have a partial fulfilment of that prediction. Writing probably early in the reign of Hezekiah, Isaiah now looks forward to a further fulfilment in the future.

Damascus is taken away from being a city . . .--The words emphasise the result of the Assyrian invasion. The city of ancient days (Genesis 15:2) should lose glory and be no more worthy of the name; struck out, as it were, from the list of the great cities of the world.

The cities of Aroer are forsaken.--The LXX. and other versions seem to have followed a different text, and give, "The cities are forsaken for ever." Taking Aroer as the right reading, we note that there were two cities of the name, one in the tribe of Reuben (Deuteronomy 2:36; Deuteronomy 3:12), afterwards in the possession of Moab (Jeremiah 48:19), and the other in that of Gad, near Rabbah of Ammon (Numbers 32:34; Joshua 13:25; 2Samuel 24:5). The present passage seems to imply a closer connection with Damascus. and therefore a more northern position than that of either of these cities. The latter of the two Just named may, however, have been in alliance with Damascus, and so have shared its fate during the Assyrian invasion. Possibly it may have been chosen for special mention on account of the significance of its name ("laid bare") as ominous of utter ruin. The picture of the "flocks" wandering through the streets of the city reminds us of that of Babylon in Isaiah 13:21. . . .

Verses 1-3. - THE BURDEN OF DAMASCUS. The eye of the prophet travels northwards from Moab, and, passing over Ammon as an enemy of small account, rests once more upon Damascus, already threatened in Isaiah 7:1 - 9, and probably already partially punished. Damascus is seen once more in alliance with Ephraim (ver. 3), and the two are joined with a new power, Aroer (ver. 2), which possesses several "cities." Woe is denounced on all the three powers: desolation on Damascus and Aroer; on Damascus and Ephraim, the complete loss of the last shadow of independence. The Assyrian inscriptions point out, as the probable date of the prophecy, the commencement of Sargun's reign - about B.C. 722 or 721. Verse 1. - Damascus is taken away from being a city. According to Vitringa, Damascus has been destroyed oftener than any other town; but it has a wonderful power of rising again from its ashes. Probably a destruction by Sargon is here intended ('Records of the Past,' vol. 9. p. 6).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
[This is] an oracle
מַשָּׂ֖א (maś·śā)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4853: A burden, tribute, porterage, an utterance, chiefly a, doom, singing, mental, desire

concerning Damascus:
דַּמָּ֑שֶׂק (dam·mā·śeq)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1834: Damascus -- a city in Aram (Syria)

“Behold,
הִנֵּ֤ה (hin·nêh)
Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

Damascus
דַמֶּ֙שֶׂק֙ (ḏam·me·śeq)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1834: Damascus -- a city in Aram (Syria)

is no longer
מוּסָ֣ר (mū·sār)
Verb - Hofal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5493: To turn aside

a city;
מֵעִ֔יר (mê·‘îr)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

it has become
וְהָיְתָ֖ה (wə·hā·yə·ṯāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

a heap
מְעִ֥י (mə·‘î)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4596: A pile of rubbish, a ruin

of ruins.
מַפָּלָֽה׃ (map·pā·lāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4654: Something fallen, a ruin


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 17:1 The burden of Damascus: Behold Damascus (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 16:14
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