God’s justice is certain, and He always upholds those who trust in Him.
In “At evening time, behold, there is terror! Before morning they are no more. This will be the portion of those who plunder us And the lot of those who pillage us” (v.14), Isaiah depicts the immediate and startling nature of judgment upon those who wage war against God’s people. The prophet Isaiah ministered between approximately 740 and 681 BC, primarily addressing the kingdom of Judah during a time of political turmoil and looming foreign aggression. This verse concludes the Oracle concerning Damascus (in modern-day Syria), emphasizing that what appears formidable at night will vanish by dawn under the LORD’s swift retribution.
In the broader context of Isaiah 17, Damascus symbolizes any nation or force that lifts itself against God’s purposes. The city of Damascus—one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, located roughly 135 miles northeast of Jerusalem—faced destruction due to its persistent attacks and alliances that threatened God’s people. The phrase “At evening time, behold, there is terror!” (v.14) reveals the dread that envelops aggressors who erroneously trust their own power. Yet by the next morning, “they are no more.” (v.14) This swift outcome underscores that God’s justice often arrives more rapidly than the worldly powers expect.
Isaiah’s statement also reminds believers that, just as the LORD defends ancient Israel from hostile forces, He ultimately rescues all who belong to Him. Although the prophet speaks about Damascus’s immediate downfall, the principle continues throughout Scripture: The LORD has the final say in the affairs of nations and individuals. In the New Testament, Jesus reaffirms that God triumphs over every threat, including sin and death (John 16:33). The abruptness of the night-to-day defeat in “Before morning they are no more.” (v.14) ultimately encourages trust in God’s overarching sovereignty.
Set to dark mode
Isaiah 17:14 meaning
In “At evening time, behold, there is terror! Before morning they are no more. This will be the portion of those who plunder us And the lot of those who pillage us” (v.14), Isaiah depicts the immediate and startling nature of judgment upon those who wage war against God’s people. The prophet Isaiah ministered between approximately 740 and 681 BC, primarily addressing the kingdom of Judah during a time of political turmoil and looming foreign aggression. This verse concludes the Oracle concerning Damascus (in modern-day Syria), emphasizing that what appears formidable at night will vanish by dawn under the LORD’s swift retribution.
In the broader context of Isaiah 17, Damascus symbolizes any nation or force that lifts itself against God’s purposes. The city of Damascus—one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, located roughly 135 miles northeast of Jerusalem—faced destruction due to its persistent attacks and alliances that threatened God’s people. The phrase “At evening time, behold, there is terror!” (v.14) reveals the dread that envelops aggressors who erroneously trust their own power. Yet by the next morning, “they are no more.” (v.14) This swift outcome underscores that God’s justice often arrives more rapidly than the worldly powers expect.
Isaiah’s statement also reminds believers that, just as the LORD defends ancient Israel from hostile forces, He ultimately rescues all who belong to Him. Although the prophet speaks about Damascus’s immediate downfall, the principle continues throughout Scripture: The LORD has the final say in the affairs of nations and individuals. In the New Testament, Jesus reaffirms that God triumphs over every threat, including sin and death (John 16:33). The abruptness of the night-to-day defeat in “Before morning they are no more.” (v.14) ultimately encourages trust in God’s overarching sovereignty.