Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 17:5
And it shall be as when the harvest man gathereth the corn, and reapeth the ears with his arm; and it shall be as he that gathereth ears in the valley of Rephaim.
5. The succeeding pictures are exceedingly graphic, an evidence of Isaiah’s intense interest in rural life. The reaper gathers the stalks of wheat with one hand and with the other cuts off the ears close to the head.
and it shall be Rephaim ] Render as R.V. and it shall be as when one gleaneth ears, &c. See Rth 2:2; Rth 2:7; Rth 2:15 ff. The clause might perhaps be read as the beginning of Isa 17:6; one simile passing insensibly into another. The “valley of Rephaim,” (=“valley of the giants,”) Jos 15:8; Jos 18:16 (cf. 2Sa 5:18; 2Sa 5:22; 2Sa 23:13), a fertile plain to the south of Jerusalem where Isaiah had watched the reapers and gleaners at work.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And it shall be … – This is the other figure by which the prophet sets forth the calamities that were coming upon Ephraim – an image designed to denote the fact that the inhabitants and wealth of the land would be collected and removed, as the farmer gathers his harvest, and leaves only that which is inaccessible in the upper boughs of the tree, or the gleanings in the field.
As when the harvest-man gathereth the corn – The wheat, the barley, etc.; for so the word corn – now applied by us almost exclusively to maizes means in the Scriptures. The sense in this passage is plain. As the farmer cuts down and collects his grain and removes it from the harvest field, so the enemies of Ephraim would come and remove the people and their wealth to a distant land. This received a complete fulfillment when the ten tribes were removed by the Assyrians to a distant land. This was done by Tiglath-pileser 2Ki 15:29, and by Shalmaneser 2Ki 17:6.
And reapeth the ears with his arm – As he collects the standing grain with one arm so that he can cut it with the sickle in the other hand. The word rendered reapeth ( qatsar) means here to collect together as a reaper does the standing grain in his arm. The word rendered ears ( shbalym) means here rather the spires or stalks of standing grain.
In the valley of Rephaim – The valley of Rephaim is mentioned in 2Sa 5:18, 2Sa 5:22; 2Sa 23:13; 1Ch 11:15; 1Ch 14:9. The name means the Giants; but why it was given to it is now unknown. In passing from Bethlehem to Jerusalem, it lies on the left, and descends gradually to the southwest, until it contracts in that direction into a deeper and narrower valley, called wady el-Werd, which unites further on with wady Ahmed, and finds its way to the Mediterranean. The plain extends nearly to Jerusalem, and is terminated by a slight rocky ridge forming the brow of the valley of Hinnom (see Josephus, Ant. vii. 4. 1; viii. 12. 4; also Robinsons Bib. Researches, vol. i. pp. 323, 324). It seem to have been distinguished for its fertility, and is used here to denote a fertile region in general.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 5. As when the harvestman gathereth – “As when one gathereth”] That is, the king of Assyria shall sweep away the whole body of the people, as the reaper strippeth off the whole crop of corn; and the remnant shall be no more in proportion than the scattered ears left to the gleaner. The valley of Rephaim near Jerusalem was celebrated for its plentiful harvest; it is here used poetically for any fruitful country. One MS., and one ancient edition, has beesoph, “IN gathering,” instead of keesoph, “AS the gathering.”
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Reapeth the ears with his arm; taking care, as far as may be, that all may be gathered in, and nothing left. So shall the whole body of the ten tribes be carried away captive, some few gleanings only being left of them, as it is in the harvest.
The valley of Rephaim; a very fruitful place near Jerusalem, Jos 15:8; 18:16.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
5. harvestman, &c.Theinhabitants and wealth of Israel shall be swept away, and but fewleft behind just as the husbandman gathers the corn and the fruit,and leaves only a few gleaning ears and grapes (2Ki18:9-11).
with his armHecollects the standing grain with one arm, so that he can cut it withthe sickle in the other hand.
Rephaima fertile plainat the southwest of Jerusalem toward Beth-lehem and the country ofthe Philistines (2Sa5:18-22).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And it shall be as when the harvestman gathereth the corn,…. The “standing” corn, as in the Hebrew text: “and reapeth the ears with his arm”; or “his arm reaps the ears” o; that is, with one hand he gathers the standing corn into his fist, and then reaps it with his other arm; and just so it should be with the people of Israel: they were like a field of standing corn, for number, beauty, and glory; the Assyrian was like a harvestman, who laid hold upon them, and cut them down, as thick and as numerous as they were, just as a harvestman cuts down the corn, and with as much ease and quick dispatch; they being no more able to stand before him than a field of corn before the reaper! this was done both by Tilgathpilneser, 2Ki 15:29 and by Shalmaneser, 2Ki 17:6 kings of Assyria:
and it shall be as he that gathereth ears in the valley of Rephaim; the Targum renders it,
“the valley of giants.”
and so it is translated, Jos 15:8 mention is made of it in 2Sa 5:18 it was a valley not far from Jerusalem, as Josephus p says; who also calls it the valley of the giants: it is thought to have been a very fruitful place, where the ears of corn were very large and heavy, and so great care was taken in gathering and gleaning that none be lost: wherefore, as the former simile signifies the carrying off the people of Israel in great numbers by the above kings, this may signify, as some have thought, either the picking up of those that fled without, or the gleaning of them in after times by Esarhaddon, Ezr 4:2.
o “et brachium ejus spicas demeteret”, Junius Tremellius “demetit”, Piscator, &c. p Antiqu. l. 7. c. 4. sect. 1.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
5. And it shall be as when the harvest-man gathereth the corn. He shews by a comparison how great will be the desolation. “As the reapers,” he says, “gather the corn in armfuls, so this multitude, though large and extended, will be mowed down by the enemies.” Now that he may not leave a remainder, he adds that at the conclusion of the harvest the ears will be gleaned, as if he had said, that when the multitude shall have been destroyed and the country laid bare like a field which has been reaped, even the shaken and scattered ears will not be left. Besides, he employs the metaphor of a harvest because the people, trusting to their great number, dreaded nothing; but as the reapers are not terrified by the large quantity of the corn, so he declares that their vast number will not prevent God from utterly destroying them. This may also refer to the Assyrians, but the meaning will be the same, for they were God’s servants in executing this vengeance.
We need not spend much time in explaining the word gather, for it means nothing else than that the slaughter will resemble a harvest, the conclusion of which has been followed by the gleaning of the ears. When the ten tribes had been carried away, the Assyrians, having learned that they were meditating a revolution, destroyed them also (2Kg 17:4). He especially mentions the valley of Rephaim, because its fertility was well known to the Israelites.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
DIMINUTIONS AND CHANGES OF LIFE
Isa. 17:5-7. And it shall be as when the harvestman, &c.
Gods visitations of judgment are the subject of the prophets burdens (Isa. 17:1). So the text. Adversities and sorrows set in. Blessings gone, except a few. Two or three berries, &c.
I. The various illustrations of the text.
1. In the adverse changes of life. Many who were rich and prosperous are now poor. All gone, except two or three berries. Some so through their own folly, &c.; others by the allotment of Providence, sickness, &c. (H. E. I., 44034406, 49754986).
2. In the failure of bodily health and vigour. Once strong and robust, &c.; now left but a few berries, &c.
3. In the bereavements of kindred and friends. Once a crowd of themparents, brothers, sisters, childrenbut they have gone, one after another.
4. In the powers and capacities for useful activity. Once active, useful, but now frailty and weakness have superseded. This is distressing to the sensitive, &c. Pushed aside by another generation.
5. It will apply to times and seasons of probation. How wise was old Barzillai! (2Sa. 19:31). The indications of age, &c. (Ecc. 12:1). Few years left, &c., or even days.
II. The uses we should make of the subject.
1. It should impress us with the vanity of earthly things. All fleeting, all retiring; like the seasons, like streams.
2. The folly of earthly-mindedness. How extreme! Grasping shadows, resting on the moving wave, building castles in the air, &c.
3. The necessity of wisely using our opportunities. For the best ends. Working while it is daynow, while we have light and life.
4. Seeking a fitness for the world of the future (Heb. 10:34; Heb. 11:3-16).
5. Believing and devotional confidence in God.
Application:Christ is ever the same. In all His offices, work, and graciousness, He is without a shadow of turning.Jabez Burns, D.D.: 150 Sketches of Sermons, pp. 296, 297.
This striking passage depicts the process of Gods judgments upon Israel. We may take it as suggestive
I. Of the sweeping destructiveness of calamities in human life (Isa. 17:5). How often has the picture been realised!
1. In the history of nations. The process of the depopulation and misery with which Israel was threatened, may be imagined from the view given in chap. Isa. 3:1-8. Modern parallels may easily be found, the wars of the Roses, the plague of London, &c.
2. In the social calamities of families. One after another is broken up, one relationship after another is severed, until only an outmost branch is left as a remnant. Widow, orphans, friendless. Such are those who remain to tell the tale.
3. In the physical calamities of individuals.
4. In the degradation of the soul through the deceitfulness of sin. In some extreme cases, what a sad undermining of character and destruction of capacity do we behold.
II. Of the hopefulness of human life even when it is at its worst (Isa. 17:6). Though the reaper has made sure work, yet enough remains to give hope. There is here true gospel, suggesting such thoughts as these:
1. Begin at the point of your ability, however low it may be. Every man is rightly expected to make use of whatever power he has. If it is only sight, or only hearing, or only one hand, one talent out of ten, he must use it. The loss of the other nine will not excuse his neglect of the one he has.
2. Beginning thus low down, yet in earnest, we have the assurance of improvement and progress. We have abundant illustration of this in the history of the remnant that was left in Israel (2Ch. 30:11; 2Ch. 34:6; 2Ch. 34:9, &c.). We see here an encouragement for every sinner who will awake, though late, to the true purposes of life. Redemption is the favourite work of God. He is on the side of feeble, struggling men, and delights to encourage and help the remnant which is spared (H. E. I., 934941, 956, 958, 2368, 47904792; P. D., 474). The very purpose for which Christ came into the world was to help the struggling, to save the lost. Those who have been brought down to the extremity of need and the verge of despair may find friendship and help in Him (H. E. I., 928, 929).William Manning.
Fuente: The Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary Edited by Joseph S. Exell
(5) And it shall be as when the harvestman gathereth the corn.The work of devastation is described under another image. The conqueror shall plunder the cities of Israel as the reaper cuts off the ears of corn. With his usual Dantesque vividness the prophet localises the imagery. The valley of Rephaim, or, as in Jos. 15:8; Jos. 18:16, of the giants, lay to the south-west of Jerusalem in the direction of Bethlehem. It was famous for its fertility, and was often on that account attacked by the Philistines, who came to carry off its crops (2Sa. 23:13). The prophet had looked on the reapers work and had seen in it a parable of that of the Assyrian invader.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
5. Harvestman gathereth the corn The figure used here denotes that the people and wealth of Israel are collected and removed by the Assyrian, just as the husbandman gathers the wheat or barley in his arm to reap down with his sickle; a common fact observable every season in the Valley of Rephaim, near Jerusalem, just south of the city, veering westward of Bethlehem: the largest area of harvest land in the vicinity.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
“Handfuls of Purpose”
For All Gleaners
“And it shall be as when the harvestman gathereth the corn, and reapeth the ears with his arm; and it shall be as he that gathereth ears in the valley of Rephaim.” Isa 17:5
How beautiful is this picture! How suggestive of fertility, of abundance upon abundance, of harvest music and harvest joy! Yet in this text there is no sound of music. The harvest is represented as a harvest of devastation. This is the burden of Damascus. Damascus is disfranchised; the cities of Aroer are forsaken; the fortress has ceased from Ephraim; the glory of Jacob has been made faint; and now it is as if ravening beasts had rushed through fields white unto the harvest, and trodden them underfoot, and rendered them worthless. The valley of Rephaim is the valley of giants (Jos 15:8 , Jos 18:16 ). The valley was famous for its fruitfulness, and was a favourite field for the Philistines to plunder. Constantly they carried off its abundant crops ( 2Sa 23:13 ). For whom are we growing our harvests? We may have an abundant harvest, and yet never reap it. We may lay up much goods for many years, and yet have no pleasure in them. Do not suppose that we are rich because the harvest is plentiful. Whilst we are on the way, scythe in hand, to cut down the field, wild beasts may devastate it, or a blight from heaven may destroy its value. “Call no man happy until he is dead” is the wisdom of the old proverb. Call no harvest precious until it has been garnered. All life is exposed to peril. This exposure is part of our discipline, is indeed a necessary element in our training. The whole earth is the land of the enemy. “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal.” Let your harvest be internal, spiritual, divine; let it be a harvest of noble purposes, thorough convictions, spiritual comforts. Bank your money with the deserving poor. Feed the hungry and clothe the naked. These are the harvests that no Philistine can devastate.
Fuente: The People’s Bible by Joseph Parker
Isa 17:5 And it shall be as when the harvestman gathereth the corn, and reapeth the ears with his arm; and it shall be as he that gathereth ears in the valley of Rephaim.
Ver. 5. And it shall be as when the harvest man. ] Their utter captivity is set forth by three lively similitudes, for better assurance, a very small remnant only left in the land. This by some ancients is alleged to show how few shall be saved – surely not one of ten thousand, said Simeon. And before him Chrysostom, a How many, think you, shall be saved in this city of Antioch? Though there be so many thousands of you, yet there cannot be found a hundred that shall enter into God’s kingdom, and I doubt much of those too, &c.
In the valley of Rephaim.
a Hom. iv. Ad Pop. Antioch.
b Jun.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
it: i.e. Jacob’s glory (Isa 17:4).
it: i.e. Jacob’s fatness (Isa 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.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
as when: Jer 9:22, Jer 51:33, Hos 6:11, Joe 3:13, Mat 13:30, Mat 13:39-42, Rev 14:15-20
the valley: Jos 15:8, Jos 18:16, the valley of the giants, 2Sa 5:18, 2Sa 5:22
Reciprocal: Gen 14:5 – Rephaims Gen 15:20 – Rephaims 2Sa 23:13 – the valley 1Ch 11:15 – in the 1Ch 14:9 – the valley Job 24:24 – cut off Isa 17:9 – General Isa 21:17 – the mighty Isa 24:13 – there
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
17:5 And it shall be as when the reaper gathereth {g} the grain, and reapeth the heads with his arm; and it shall be as he that gathereth heads in the valley of {h} Rephaim.
(g) As the abundance of corn does not fear the harvest men that would cut it down: no more will the multitude of Israel make the enemies shrink, whom God will appoint to destroy them.
(h) A valley which was plentiful and fertile.