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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Isaiah 17:2 The cities of Aroer are forsaken; they will be left to the flocks, which will lie down with no one to fear.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/isaiah/17-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/23_Isa_17_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Isaiah 17:2 - An Oracle Concerning Damascus" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The cities of Aroer are forsaken; they will be left to the flocks, which will lie down with no one to fear." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/isaiah/17-2.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/isaiah/17-2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/isaiah/">Isaiah</a> > <a href="/isaiah/17.htm">Chapter 17</a> > Verse 2</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad2.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/isaiah/17-1.htm" title="Isaiah 17:1">◄</a> Isaiah 17:2 <a href="/isaiah/17-3.htm" title="Isaiah 17:3">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/isaiah/17.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/isaiah/17.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />The cities of Aroer will be deserted and left to flocks, which will lie down, with no one to make them afraid.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/isaiah/17.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The towns of Aroer will be deserted. Flocks will graze in the streets and lie down undisturbed, with no one to chase them away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/isaiah/17.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The cities of Aroer are deserted; they will be for flocks, which will lie down, and none will make them afraid.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/17.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The cities of Aroer are forsaken; they will be left to the flocks, which will lie down with no one to fear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/isaiah/17.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The cities of Aroer <i>are</i> forsaken: they shall be for flocks, which shall lie down, and none shall make <i>them</i> afraid.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/isaiah/17.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The cities of Aroer <i>are</i> forsaken; They will be for flocks Which lie down, and no one will make <i>them</i> afraid.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/isaiah/17.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“The cities of Aroer are abandoned; They will be for herds to lie down in, And there will be no one to frighten <i>them.</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/isaiah/17.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220The cities of Aroer are forsaken; They will be for flocks to lie down in, And there will be no one to frighten them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/isaiah/17.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“The cities of Aroer are forsaken; They will be for flocks to lie down in, And there will be no one to frighten <i>them.</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/isaiah/17.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />The cities of Aroer are forsaken; They will be for flocks, and they will lie down in <i>them</i>; And there will be no one to cause <i>them</i> to tremble.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/isaiah/17.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“The cities of Aroer [east of the Jordan] are deserted; They will be [only a refuge] for flocks to lie down in, And there will be no one to make them afraid.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/isaiah/17.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The cities of Aroer are abandoned; they will be places for flocks. They will lie down without fear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/isaiah/17.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The cities of Aroer are forsaken; they will be places for flocks. They will lie down without fear. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/isaiah/17.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The cities of Aroer are forsaken; they shall be for flocks, which shall lie down, and none shall make them afraid.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/isaiah/17.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The villages around Aroer will be deserted, with only sheep living there and no one to bother them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/isaiah/17.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The cities of Aroer are forsaken: they shall be for flocks, which shall lie down, and none shall make them afraid.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/isaiah/17.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The cities of Aroer will be deserted. These cities will be used for sheep, which will lie down in them. There will be no one to disturb those sheep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/isaiah/17.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The cities of Syria will be deserted forever. They will be a pasture for sheep and cattle, and no one will drive them away. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/isaiah/17.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The cities of Oraru will be deserted— they will be devoted to herds that will lay at rest, and terrorism will be no more. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/isaiah/17.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The cities of Aroer are forsaken; they will be left to the flocks, which will lie down with no one to fear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/isaiah/17.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The cities of Aroer are abandoned. They will be used for herds, which will lie down there in peace. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/isaiah/17.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Her cities will be abandoned forever. They will be for flocks, which shall lie down, and none shall make them afraid.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/isaiah/17.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The cities of Aroer are forsaken: they shall be for flocks, which shall lie down, and none shall make them afraid.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/isaiah/17.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The cities of Aroer are forsaken. They will be for flocks, which shall lie down, and no one shall make them afraid. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/isaiah/17.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />The cities of Aroer are forsaken, "" They are for droves, and they have lain down, "" And there is none troubling.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/isaiah/17.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Forsaken are the cities of Aroer, For droves they are, and they have lain down, And there is none troubling.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/isaiah/17.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The cities of Aroer were forsaken: they shall be for flocks, and they lay down, and none terrifying.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/isaiah/17.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The cities of Aroer shall be left for flocks, and they shall rest there, and there shall be none to make them afraid. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/isaiah/17.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />The cities in ruin will be left for the flocks, and they will take rest there, and there will be no one who may terrify them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/isaiah/17.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Her cities shall be forever abandoned, for flocks to lie in undisturbed. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/17.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Her towns will be deserted forever; they will be places for flocks, which will lie down, and no one will make them afraid.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/17.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The cities of Adoer shall be forsaken; they shall be for flocks which shall lie down in them, and none shall harm them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/isaiah/17.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the cities of Aduir shall be forsaken, and they shall be for flocks that they will lie down in them, and it shall not be harmful for them<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/isaiah/17.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />The cities of Aroer are forsaken; They shall be for flocks, Which shall lie down, and none shall make them afraid.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/isaiah/17.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />abandoned for ever, to <i>be</i> a fold and resting-place for flocks, and there shall be none to go after them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/isaiah/17-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xv9bHT-nr9s?start=3568" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/17.htm">An Oracle Concerning Damascus</a></span><br><span class="reftext">1</span>This is the burden against Damascus: “Behold, Damascus is no longer a city; it has become a heap of ruins. <span class="reftext">2</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: ‘ā·rê (N-fpc) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense.">The cities</a> <a href="/hebrew/6177.htm" title="6177: ‘ă·rō·‘êr (N-proper-fs) -- Or 'Aro'er; or 'Ar'owr; the same as arow'er; nudity of situation; Aroer, the name of three places in or near Palestine.">of Aroer</a> <a href="/hebrew/5800.htm" title="5800: ‘ă·zu·ḇō·wṯ (V-Qal-QalPassPrtcpl-fp) -- To loosen, relinquish, permit. A primitive root; to loosen, i.e. Relinquish, permit, etc.">are forsaken;</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: tih·ye·nāh (V-Qal-Imperf-3fp) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">they will be left</a> <a href="/hebrew/5739.htm" title="5739: la·‘ă·ḏā·rîm (Prep-l:: N-mp) -- A flock, herd. From adar; an arrangement, i.e. Muster.">to the flocks,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7257.htm" title="7257: wə·rā·ḇə·ṣū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3cp) -- A primitive root; to crouch; be implication, to recline, repose, brood, lurk, imbed.">which will lie down</a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: wə·’ên (Conj-w:: Adv) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">with no one</a> <a href="/hebrew/2729.htm" title="2729: ma·ḥă·rîḏ (V-Hifil-Prtcpl-ms) -- To tremble, be terrified. A primitive root; to shudder with terror; hence, to fear; also to hasten.">to fear.</a> </span><span class="reftext">3</span>The fortress will disappear from Ephraim, and the sovereignty from Damascus. The remnant of Aram will be like the splendor of the Israelites,” declares the LORD of Hosts.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/49-23.htm">Jeremiah 49:23-27</a></span><br />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? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/1-3.htm">Amos 1:3-5</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/9-1.htm">Zechariah 9:1-2</a></span><br />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— / and also against Hamath, which borders it, as well as Tyre and Sidon, though they are very shrewd.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/16-9.htm">2 Kings 16:9</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/7-8.htm">Isaiah 7:8</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/8-4.htm">Isaiah 8:4</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/10-9.htm">Isaiah 10:9</a></span><br />“Is not Calno like Carchemish? Is not Hamath like Arpad? Is not Samaria like Damascus?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/14-28.htm">Isaiah 14:28-32</a></span><br />In the year that King Ahaz died, this burden was received: / Do not rejoice, all you Philistines, that the rod that struck you is broken. For a viper will spring from the root of the snake, and a flying serpent from its egg. / Then the firstborn of the poor will find pasture, and the needy will lie down in safety, but I will kill your root by famine, and your remnant will be slain. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/27-18.htm">Ezekiel 27:18</a></span><br />Because of your many products and your great wealth of goods, Damascus traded with you wine from Helbon, wool from Zahar,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/12-11.htm">Hosea 12:11</a></span><br />Is there iniquity in Gilead? They will surely come to nothing. Do they sacrifice bulls in Gilgal? Indeed, their altars will be heaps of stones in the furrows of the field.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/11-21.htm">Matthew 11:21-22</a></span><br />“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. / But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/10-13.htm">Luke 10:13-14</a></span><br />Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. / But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/9-2.htm">Acts 9:2-3</a></span><br />and requested letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women belonging to the Way, he could bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem. / As Saul drew near to Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/15-41.htm">Acts 15:41</a></span><br />And he traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/11-32.htm">2 Corinthians 11:32</a></span><br />In Damascus, the governor under King Aretas secured the city of the Damascenes in order to arrest me.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The cities of Aroer are forsaken: they shall be for flocks, which shall lie down, and none shall make them afraid.</p><p class="hdg">Aroer</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/32-34.htm">Numbers 32:34</a></b></br> And the children of Gad built Dibon, and Ataroth, and Aroer,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/2-36.htm">Deuteronomy 2:36</a></b></br> From Aroer, which <i>is</i> by the brink of the river of Arnon, and <i>from</i> the city that <i>is</i> by the river, even unto Gilead, there was not one city too strong for us: the LORD our God delivered all unto us:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/3-12.htm">Deuteronomy 3:12</a></b></br> And this land, <i>which</i> we possessed at that time, from Aroer, which <i>is</i> by the river Arnon, and half mount Gilead, and the cities thereof, gave I unto the Reubenites and to the Gadites.</p><p class="hdg">they shall</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/5-17.htm">Isaiah 5:17</a></b></br> Then shall the lambs feed after their manner, and the waste places of the fat ones shall strangers eat.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/7-23.htm">Isaiah 7:23-25</a></b></br> And it shall come to pass in that day, <i>that</i> every place shall be, where there were a thousand vines at a thousand silverlings, it shall <i>even</i> be for briers and thorns… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/25-5.htm">Ezekiel 25:5</a></b></br> And I will make Rabbah a stable for camels, and the Ammonites a couchingplace for flocks: and ye shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD.</p><p class="hdg">none</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/7-33.htm">Jeremiah 7:33</a></b></br> And the carcases of this people shall be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth; and none shall fray <i>them</i> away.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/13-8.htm">Afraid</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/5-8.htm">Aroer</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-21.htm">Cities</a> <a href="/isaiah/7-16.htm">Deserted</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-23.htm">Droves</a> <a href="/isaiah/15-4.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/isaiah/13-20.htm">Flocks</a> <a href="/isaiah/13-22.htm">Forsaken</a> <a href="/job/33-7.htm">Frighten</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-30.htm">Lie</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-7.htm">Peace</a> <a href="/isaiah/15-9.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-17.htm">Towns</a> <a href="/isaiah/7-6.htm">Troubling</a> <a href="/isaiah/6-11.htm">Unpeopled</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/19-16.htm">Afraid</a> <a href="/jeremiah/48-6.htm">Aroer</a> <a href="/isaiah/17-9.htm">Cities</a> <a href="/isaiah/17-9.htm">Deserted</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-3.htm">Droves</a> <a href="/isaiah/17-14.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/isaiah/32-14.htm">Flocks</a> <a href="/isaiah/17-9.htm">Forsaken</a> <a href="/jeremiah/7-33.htm">Frighten</a> <a href="/isaiah/21-9.htm">Lie</a> <a href="/isaiah/26-3.htm">Peace</a> <a href="/isaiah/17-3.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/isaiah/17-9.htm">Towns</a> <a href="/jeremiah/7-33.htm">Troubling</a> <a href="/isaiah/24-1.htm">Unpeopled</a><div class="vheading2">Isaiah 17</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/17-1.htm">Syria and Israel are threatened</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/17-6.htm">A remnant shall forsake idolatry</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/17-9.htm">The rest shall be plagued for their impiety</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/17-12.htm">The woe of Israel's enemies</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/17.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/isaiah/17.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>The cities of Aroer are forsaken;</b><br>Aroer was a city located on the northern bank of the Arnon River, marking the southern boundary of the territory of Reuben. It was a significant city in the region of Moab and is mentioned in several Old Testament passages (e.g., <a href="/deuteronomy/2-36.htm">Deuteronomy 2:36</a>, <a href="/joshua/13-9.htm">Joshua 13:9</a>). The forsaking of Aroer signifies a desolation that has come upon the land, likely due to divine judgment. This reflects the broader theme of judgment against nations that oppose God's people, as seen throughout the prophetic books. The abandonment of cities is a common motif in prophetic literature, symbolizing the removal of human presence and the cessation of normal life.<p><b>they will be left to the flocks,</b><br>The imagery of cities being left to flocks suggests a complete reversal of their intended purpose. Cities, once bustling with human activity, are now so desolate that they become pastures for animals. This reflects the totality of the judgment and the extent of the desolation. In the ancient Near East, the presence of flocks in a city would indicate that the area is no longer inhabited by people, as animals typically graze in rural areas. This also underscores the idea of divine retribution, where the land is returned to a state of nature due to the people's disobedience.<p><b>which will lie down with no one to fear.</b><br>The absence of fear for the flocks indicates a complete lack of human presence and threat. In a world where predators and human activity often posed dangers to livestock, the ability for flocks to lie down without fear suggests a profound peace, albeit one that comes from desolation. This can be seen as a fulfillment of prophetic warnings where God promises to remove the inhabitants due to their sins, leaving the land to revert to a natural state. The peaceful lying down of the flocks can also be seen as a type of the peace that comes from God's ultimate restoration, pointing forward to the eschatological hope found in passages like <a href="/isaiah/11-6.htm">Isaiah 11:6-9</a>, where harmony is restored in creation.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/a/aroer.htm">Aroer</a></b><br>Aroer was a city located on the northern bank of the Arnon River, which marked the boundary between Moab and the Amorites. It was later part of the territory given to the tribe of Reuben. In this context, Aroer symbolizes desolation and abandonment.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/f/flocks.htm">Flocks</a></b><br>The mention of flocks lying down without fear indicates a transformation from a populated area to a deserted one, where only animals remain. This imagery suggests peace but also desolation due to the absence of human inhabitants.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/isaiah.htm">Isaiah</a></b><br>The prophet Isaiah is the author of this book. He was a major prophet in the 8th century BC, whose ministry was primarily to the Kingdom of Judah. His prophecies often included messages of judgment and hope.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/judgment.htm">Judgment</a></b><br>The context of this verse is a prophecy of judgment against Damascus and Israel. It reflects the consequences of turning away from God and the resulting desolation.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/p/prophecy.htm">Prophecy</a></b><br>This verse is part of a larger prophetic message concerning the fate of nations that have opposed God’s will. It serves as a warning and a call to repentance.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_abandoning_god.htm">The Consequences of Abandoning God</a></b><br><a href="/isaiah/17-2.htm">Isaiah 17:2</a> serves as a stark reminder of the consequences that come from turning away from God. Just as Aroer is left desolate, so too can our lives become spiritually barren without God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_judgment.htm">God’s Sovereignty in Judgment</a></b><br>This verse underscores the sovereignty of God in executing judgment. It is a call to recognize His authority and align our lives with His will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_peace_of_god's_presence.htm">The Peace of God’s Presence</a></b><br>While the verse describes desolation, it also hints at peace for the flocks. In our lives, true peace comes from God’s presence, not from the absence of challenges.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_restoration.htm">Repentance and Restoration</a></b><br>The desolation of Aroer serves as a call to repentance. God’s desire is for restoration, and turning back to Him can lead to spiritual renewal.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_temporary_nature_of_earthly_security.htm">The Temporary Nature of Earthly Security</a></b><br>The abandonment of cities like Aroer reminds us that earthly security is temporary. Our ultimate security should be found in God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_isaiah_17.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 17</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/ezekiel_34__judgment_inconsistencies.htm">Ezekiel 34 - Are there any inconsistencies with other prophetic books about how judgment is executed and who is held accountable?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_one_be_saved_without_predestination.htm">Did God separate from Israel?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_there_proof_of_isaiah_17's_fulfillment.htm">Where is the definitive historical or archaeological evidence that confirms or denies the immediate fulfillment of Isaiah 17 in ancient Syria's history?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_spiritual_dryness.htm">What defines spiritual dryness?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/17.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 2.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The cities of Aroer are forsaken</span>. That the Aroer of this passage cannot be either that on the Arnon, or that facing Rabbath-Ammon (<a href="/joshua/13-25.htm">Joshua 13:25</a>), has long been perceived and recognized (see Mr. Grove's article on "Aroer" in the 'Dict. of the Bible,' vol. 1. p. 115). It is evidently a city of the same name lying much further towards the north. Arid it is a city of far greater importance, having "cities" dependent on it. Now, Sargon's annals tell us of a "Gal'gar," a name well expressing the Hebrew <span class="hebrew">ערער</span>, which was united in a league with Damascus, Samaria, Arpad, and Simyra, in the second year of Sargon, and was the scene of a great battle and a great destruction. Sargon besieged it, took it, and reduced it to ashes ('Records of the <span class="accented">Past</span>,' 50.<span class="accented">s</span>.<span class="accented">e</span>.). There is every reason to recognize the "Aroer" of this verse in the "Gargar" of Sargon's inscriptions. <span class="cmt_word">They shall be for flocks</span> (comp. <a href="/isaiah/5-17.htm">Isaiah 5:17</a>; <a href="/isaiah/7-25.htm">Isaiah 7:25</a>). It marked the very extreme of desolation, that cattle should be pastured on the sites of cities. <span class="cmt_word">None shall make them afraid</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> "there shall be no inhabitants to make any objection." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/isaiah/17-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">The cities</span><br /><span class="heb">עָרֵ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·rê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> </span><span class="str2">Excitement</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Aroer</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲרֹעֵ֑ר</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·rō·‘êr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6177.htm">Strong's 6177: </a> </span><span class="str2">Aroer -- three cities in Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are forsaken;</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲזֻב֖וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·zu·ḇō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5800.htm">Strong's 5800: </a> </span><span class="str2">To loosen, relinquish, permit</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they will be left</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּֽהְיֶ֔ינָה</span> <span class="translit">(tih·ye·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to the flocks,</span><br /><span class="heb">לַעֲדָרִ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(la·‘ă·ḏā·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5739.htm">Strong's 5739: </a> </span><span class="str2">An arrangement, muster</span><br /><br /><span class="word">which will lie down</span><br /><span class="heb">וְרָבְצ֖וּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·rā·ḇə·ṣū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7257.htm">Strong's 7257: </a> </span><span class="str2">To crouch, be implication, to recline, repose, brood, lurk, imbed</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with no one</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאֵ֥ין</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’ên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> </span><span class="str2">A non-entity, a negative particle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to fear.</span><br /><span class="heb">מַחֲרִֽיד׃</span> <span class="translit">(ma·ḥă·rîḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2729.htm">Strong's 2729: </a> </span><span class="str2">To shudder with terror, to fear, to hasten</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/17-2.htm">Isaiah 17:2 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/isaiah/17-2.htm">Isaiah 17:2 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/isaiah/17-2.htm">Isaiah 17:2 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/isaiah/17-2.htm">Isaiah 17:2 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/isaiah/17-2.htm">Isaiah 17:2 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/17-2.htm">Isaiah 17:2 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/17-2.htm">Isaiah 17:2 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/17-2.htm">Isaiah 17:2 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/17-2.htm">Isaiah 17:2 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/isaiah/17-2.htm">Isaiah 17:2 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/isaiah/17-2.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 17:2 The cities of Aroer are forsaken (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/17-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 17:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 17:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/17-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 17:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 17:3" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>