Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 17:6
Yet gleaning grapes shall be left in it, as the shaking of an olive tree, two [or] three berries in the top of the uppermost bough, four [or] five in the outermost fruitful branches thereof, saith the LORD God of Israel.
6. Yet gleaning grapes olive tree ] Render (cf. R.V.) And gleanings shall be left in it as at the beating of an olive tree. The olives were struck down from the higher branches with a stick (ch. Isa 24:13; Deu 24:20); the few that were overlooked were left for the poor.
the uppermost bough ] The Hebr. word does not occur again except in Isa 17:9, where (if correct) it must bear a different sense.
the outmost fruitful branches ] Render, the branches of the fruitful tree, the last word containing perhaps a play on the name Ephraim.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Yet gleaning-grapes … – They shall not all be removed, or destroyed. A few shall be left, as a man who is gathering grapes or olives will leave a few that are inaccessible on the topmost boughs, or the furthest branches. Those would be usually the poorest, and so it may be implied that those left in Israel would be among the poorer inhabitants of the land.
Two or three – A very few – such as would be left in gathering grapes, or in endeavoring to shake olives from a tree.
Four or five – A very few that would remain on the furthest branches, and that could not be shaken off or reached.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Isa 17:6
Yet gleaning grapes shall be left in it
Autumn: the diminutions of life
The prophet is here predicting a season of national calamity.
He represents the condition of the people under the figure of an autumnal scene. Armed hosts from the north have invaded the country like a sharp wind. The substance of its inhabitants has been carried away before their rapacity, as when the harvest man gathereth the corn, and reapeth the ears with his arm. With this difference, however, that it has been destroyed by the violence of strangers, instead of being garnered for the use of those who had tilled the soil; and the sickle is the sword. The population is thinned, like the trees in the waning part of the year. Only that the wrath of man, unlike the severity of nature, has no benevolent purpose in it. The comforts and blessings of life are shaken down as faded leaves. Only it is without any sign from experience, that they shall be replaced by a new spring. A desolated prospect rises before his sight. Two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough; four or five in the outmost fruitful branches thereof. The Word of the Lord was a burden in those days, and he felt its weight upon his own heart as he held it over the heads of his people. He comforted himself at least with the thought that the visitation itself, if not his warning, would bring them to a more faithful mind (Isa 17:7-8). There lies in the text, apart from its historical reference, this general truth,–that circumstances of decline and destitution are suited to wean the heart from its vanities. In the day of adversity men consider. And when time and fortune have made the enjoyments of the world fewer, and thrown a longer shadow and a paler tint upon those that remain, the soul naturally remembers its truer and more enduring portions.
1. With some the change relates to their worldly goods and the general prosperity of their affairs.
2. A second class of diminutions concerns the bodily ease and health.
3. The third instance of diminutions to which our attention is called, is found in the encroachments of age.
4. One more instance of destitution is when companions and friends drop off like the foliage of summer, and we are more and more frequently bereft. (N. L.Frothingham.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Some few Israelites were left after their captivity, who joined themselves to the kingdom of Judah, and were carried captive to Babylon with them, from whence also they returned with them, as we find in the history of their return in Ezra and Nehemiah.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
6. in itthat is, in the landof Israel.
two or three . . . in thetopA few poor inhabitants shall be left in Israel, like thetwo or three olive berries left on the topmost boughs, which it isnot worth while taking the trouble to try to reach.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Yet gleaning grapes shall be left in it,…. In Ephraim or Jacob; that is, in the ten tribes, a few of them should escape, a remnant should be saved; comparable, for the smallness of their number, to grapes that are gleaned after the vintage is got in: though Kimchi interprets it of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, who were but few, in comparison of the ten tribes, who were many; and Jarchi explains it of Hezekiah and his company, in the midst of Jerusalem, who were but few; and observes, that some of their Rabbins understood it of the few men that were left of the multitude of Sennacherib’s army, when it was destroyed; but the first sense is best: and the same thing is signified by another simile,
as the shaking of an olive tree; with the hand, when the fruit is ripe; or, “as the striking” q of it with a staff; to beat off the berries, when there are left
two [or] three berries at the top of the uppermost bough: the word “amir” is only used here, and in Isa 17:9 and signifies, as Kimchi says, the upper bough or branch; and so Aben Ezra interprets it, the highest part of the olive; and observes, that it so signifies in the language of Kedar, or the Arabic language; in which it is used for a king, a prince, an emperor, one that has the command and government of others r; and hence the word “amiral” or “admiral” comes: now two or three olive berries, being in the uppermost bough, are left, because they cannot be reached by the hand of the gatherer, nor by the staff of the striker. Kimchi applies this to Jerusalem, which was the highest part of the land of Israel; and what was in it the hand of the king of Assyria could not reach:
four [or] five in the outmost fruitful branches thereof; which escape the gatherer, shaker, or striker, for the same reason. These similes are very aptly made use of, since the people of Israel are frequently compared to grapes, and vines, and olives, Isa 5:1
Jer 11:16:
saith the Lord God of Israel; this is added to confirm what is said, and to express the certainty of it; and shows that the Israelites are meant, to whom the Lord was a covenant God. The Targum applies the metaphors thus,
“so shall the righteous be left alone in the world among the kingdoms, saith the Lord God of Israel.”
q “ut strictura oleae”, Cocceius. r “imperator; princeps, dux qui allis quomodo cumque praest imperatque”, Golius, col. 158. Castel. col. 150. though the verb in the Hebrew language is used in the sense of elevation or lifting up, and seems to be derived from hence. So Schindler, col. 96. “ramus, summitas rami—-inde verbum”, “eminere aut prominere fecit, rami aut frondis instar exaltavit, extulit, evexit”, Deut. xxvi. 17, 18. Psal. xciv. 4.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
| The Doom of Syria and Israel. | B. C. 712. |
6 Yet gleaning grapes shall be left in it, as the shaking of an olive tree, two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough, four or five in the outmost fruitful branches thereof, saith the LORD God of Israel. 7 At that day shall a man look to his Maker, and his eyes shall have respect to the Holy One of Israel. 8 And he shall not look to the altars, the work of his hands, neither shall respect that which his fingers have made, either the groves, or the images.
Mercy is here reserved, in a parenthesis, in the midst of judgment, for a remnant that should escape the common ruin of the kingdom of the ten tribes. Though the Assyrians took all the care they could that none should slip out of their net, yet the meek of the earth were hidden in the day of the Lord’s anger, and had their lives given them for a prey and made comfortable to them by their retirement to the land of Judah, where they had the liberty of God’s courts. 1. They shall be but a small remnant, a very few, who shall be marked for preservation (v. 6): Gleaning grapes shall be left in it. The body of the people were carried into captivity, but here and there one was left behind, perhaps one of two in a bed when the other was taken, Luke xvii. 34. The most desolating judgments in this world are short of the last judgment, which shall be universal and which none shall escape. In times of the greatest calamity some are kept safe, as in times of the greatest degeneracy some are kept pure. But the fewness of those that escape supposes the captivity of the far greatest part; those that are left are but like the poor remains of an olive tree when it has been carefully shaken by the owner; if there be two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough (out of the reach of those that shook it), that is all. Such is the remnant according to the election of grace, very few in comparison with the multitudes that walk on in the broad way. 2. They shall be a sanctified remnant, Isa 17:7; Isa 17:8. These few that are preserved are such as, in the prospect of the judgment approaching, had repented of their sins and reformed their lives, and therefore were snatched thus as brands out of the burning, or such as having escaped, and becoming refugees in strange countries, were awakened, partly by a sense of the distinguishing mercy of their deliverance, and partly by the distresses they were still in, to return to God. (1.) They shall look up to their Creator, shall enquire, Where is God my Maker, who giveth songs in the night, in such a night of affliction as this? Job 35:10; Job 35:11. They shall acknowledge his hand in all the events concerning them, merciful and afflictive, and shall submit to his hand. They shall give him the glory due to his name, and be suitably affected with his providences. They shall expect relief and succour from him and depend upon him to help them. Their eyes shall have respect to him, as the eyes of a servant to the hand of his master, Ps. cxxiii. 2. Observe, It is our duty at all times to have respect to God, to have our eyes ever towards him, both as our Maker (the author of our being and the God of nature) and as the Holy One of Israel, a God in covenant with us and the God of grace; particularly, when we are in affliction, our eyes must be towards the Lord, to pluck our feet out of the net (Ps. xxv. 15); to bring us to this is the design of his providence as he is our Maker and the work of his grace as he is the Holy One of Israel. (2.) They shall look off from their idols, the creatures of their own fancy, shall no longer worship them, and seek to them, and expect relief from them. For God will be alone regarded, or he does not look upon himself as at all regarded. He that looks to his Maker must not look to the altars, the work of his hands, but disown them and cast them off, must not retain the least respect for that which his fingers have made, but break it to pieces, though it be his own workmanship–the groves and the images; the word signifies images made in honour of the sun and by which he was worshipped, the most ancient and most plausible idolatry, Deu 4:19; Job 31:26. We have reason to account those happy afflictions which part between us and our sins, and by sensible convictions of the vanity of the world, that great idol, cool our affections to it and lower our expectations from it.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
6. Yet gleaning grapes shall be left in it. This metaphor has a different meaning from the former; for as if the name of the nation were to be entirely blotted out, he had expressly foretold that nothing would be left after the slaughter. He now adds a consolation, and thus abates the severity of the destruction; for he declares that, although the enemies had resolved to consume and destroy everything, still some remnant would be left. In like manner the gleaning of grapes is never made so completely as not to allow some grapes or even clusters to remain, which were concealed under the leaves, and the olive tree is never so thoroughly shaken as not to leave at least some olives on the tops of the trees. Consequently, to whatever extent the enemies may rage, and even the vengeance of God may be kindled, still he foretells that the Judge, notwithstanding his severity, will reserve for himself a small number, and will not allow the attacks of enemies to fall upon his own elect.
Hence it follows, that amidst the heaviest vengeance there will still be room for mercy. The present discourse relates to the posterity of Abraham; and though they had revolted from God so as to deserve to be cast off, yet the goodness of God rose above their wickedness. They had indeed rendered themselves unworthy of such goodness, but the covenant of God must remain firm and impregnable, and a proof of that firmness must be given by him in some remnant, though the nation entirely set it aside as far as lay in their power. This ought to be carefully observed, so that when we perceive no traces of the Church, and when the godly appear to be destroyed, still we may not think that the Church has perished; for the promise of the Lord stands, that it will continue for ever (Gen 17:7). Some remnant, therefore, will always remain, though frequently it is not visible to our eyes.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(6) Yet gleaning grapes shall be left in it.The idea of the remnant is still in the prophets thoughts, even in the case of the northern kingdom. First the vineyard, then the olive-yard, supplies a similitude. The shaking followed on the beating of Deu. 24:20 (comp. Isa. 24:13), but even after that a few berries might be seen on the topmost bough.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
6. Gleaning grapes shall be left Similar to what remains of lingering olives two or three in the top and four or five in the lateral branches, after the hard beating with sticks in the late harvest of the olive trees. The deportation of people will be so thorough that only here and there will an occasional poor family be left. See THOMSON’S The Land and the Book, (vol. i, page 74,) where present practices in that land exhibit the aptness and beauty of the figure in the text.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
I follow the same order as our Bibles, in including these verses, as they are there done, in parentheses; for it seems to me to be so designed, as if to call upon the Reader to observe how the Lord, in the midst of Israel’s judgment, remembers mercy; and in times of desolation, so remote from the coming of Christ, still throws in this sweet scripture, to remind the Church of the gospel days yet to come. Reader! determine for yourself (for I will not determine for you) and may God the Holy Ghost guide and instruct you in the determination; but is it not with reference to Jesus, that the Prophet was here commissioned to tell the Church, that at that day a man should look to his Maker, and his eyes have respect to the Holy One of Israel? What day could the Prophet mean, but the gospel day? And what direction should the eye of faith have, but to the Lord Jesus Christ? Isa 45:22Isa 45:22 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Isa 17:6 Yet gleaning grapes shall be left in it, as the shaking of an olive tree, two [or] three berries in the top of the uppermost bough, four [or] five in the outmost fruitful branches thereof, saith the LORD God of Israel.
Ver. 6. Yet gleaning grapes, &c. ] See on Isa 17:5 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
the LORD God of Israel. Reference to Pentateuch (Exo 32:27. Compare Jos 9:18, Jos 9:19; Jos 10:40, Jos 10:42, &c). See note on Isa 29:23.
God of Israel. Reference to Pentateuch (Exo 24:10. Num 16:9). Occurs in latter part of Isaiah (Isa 41:17; Isa 45:3; Isa 48:2).
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Isa 1:9, Isa 10:22, Isa 24:13, Deu 4:27, Jdg 8:2, 1Ki 19:18, Eze 36:8-15, Eze 37:19-25, Eze 39:29, Oba 1:5, Mic 7:1, Rom 9:27, Rom 11:4-6, Rom 11:26
Reciprocal: Lev 19:10 – glean Job 24:24 – cut off Jer 3:14 – one of a city Jer 49:9 – grapegatherers
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
17:6 Yet gleaning grapes shall {i} be left in it, as the shaking of an olive tree, two [or] three berries in the top of the uppermost bough, four [or] five in the outmost fruitful branches of it, saith the LORD God of Israel.
(i) Because God would have his covenant stable, he promises to reserve some of this people, and to bring them to repentance.