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".