Verse 1

burden. The second of the seventh burdens.

Damascus. The capital of Syria.

is taken away = is swept away. This was by Tiglath-pileser, king of Assyria, and the slaughter of Rezin (632. B.C.) See 2 Kings 16:9, and 2 Kings 7:9, 2 Kings 7:16, above.

city. heap. Note the Figure of speech Paronomasia (App-6) Hebrew. me"ir. mei.

Verse 2

cities of Aroer. Note the Figure of speech Paronomasia. Hebrew. arey aro"er.

Aroer. There were three other cities of that name, and this one which is not identified.

Verse 3

children = sons.

Verse 4

be = become.

Verse 5

it: i.e. Jacob"s glory (Isaiah 17:4).

it: i.e. Jacob"s fatness (Isaiah 17:4).

Rephaim. South-west of Jerusalem. So called after one "Kapha", a mighty one among the descendants of the Nephilim, as Anak was, who gave his name to another branch. See App-23and App-25.

Verse 6

the LORD God of Israel. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 32:27. Compare Joshua 9:18, Joshua 9:19; Joshua 10:40, Joshua 10:42, &c). See note on Isaiah 29:23.

God of Israel. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 24:10. Numbers 16:9). Occurs in latter part of Isaiah (Isaiah 41:17; Isaiah 45:3; Isaiah 48:2).

Verse 7

a man = Literally the man. Hebrew. "adam. App-14. I

look = have an eye unto.

have respect = have regard. Note the Alternation in verses: Isaiah 17:7, Isaiah 17:8, "look" and "have respect".

the Holy One of Israel. See note on Isaiah 1:4.

Verse 8

the groves = the Asherahs. See App-42. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 34:13. Deuteronomy 7:5; Deuteronomy 12:3; Deuteronomy 16:21). App-79.

images = sun images. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 26:30); both mentioned again (Isaiah 27:9).

Verse 9

desolation. See note on Isaiah 1:7.

Verse 10

Rock. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 32:13). App-92.

pleasant plants. Probably = plantings of Adonis.

strange slips: or slips of a strange [God],

Verse 11

In the day = By day.

Verse 12

people = peoples.

noise = booming, or roaring.

rushing. Note the Figure of speech Repetitio (App-6), for emphasis.

Verse 13

God = One.

chaff = dried grass.

a rolling thing = a galgal. See note on Psalms 83:13.

Verse 14

trouble = consternation.

he is not: or, he is no more. Some codices, with two early printed editions, Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "and he is no more".