Teks -- Isaiah 17:12 (NET)

17:12 The many nations massing together are as good as dead, those who make a commotion as loud as the roaring of the sea’s waves. The people making such an uproar are as good as dead, those who make an uproar as loud as the roaring of powerful waves.

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Wesley: Isa 17:12 - Woe

This is a new prophecy, added for the comfort of God's people.

Wesley: Isa 17:12 - Many

Combined together against Judah.

Wesley: Isa 17:12 - Seas

Who invade my land and people with great force, as the sea does when it enters into the land by a breach.

JFB: Isa 17:12

SUDDEN DESTRUCTION OF A GREAT ARMY IN JUDEA (namely that of the Assyrian Sennacherib), AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE EVENT TO THE ETHIOPIAN AMBASSADORS. (Isa. 17:12-18:7)

JFB: Isa 17:12 - Woe . . . multitude

Rather, "Ho (Hark)! a noise of," &c. The prophet in vision perceives the vast and mixed Assyrian hosts (Hebrew, "many peoples," see on Isa 5:26): on the hills of Judah (so "mountains," Isa 17:13): but at the "rebuke" of God, they shall "flee as chaff."

JFB: Isa 17:12 - to the rushing . . . that make

Rather, "the roaring . . . roareth" (compare Isa 8:7; Jer 6:23).

Clarke: Isa 17:12 - Wo to the multitude

Wo to the multitude - The three last verses of this chapter seem to have no relation to the foregoing prophecy, to which they are joined. It is a beautiful piece, standing singly and by itself; for neither has it any connection with what follows: whether it stands in its right place, or not, I cannot say. It is a noble description of the formidable invasion and the sudden overthrow of Sennacherib; which is intimated in the strongest terms and the most expressive images, exactly suitable to the event

Clarke: Isa 17:12 - Like the rushing of mighty waters!

Like the rushing of mighty waters! - Five words, three at the end of the twelfth verse, and two at the beginning of the thirteenth, are omitted in eight MSS., with the Syriac; that is, in effect, the repetition contained in the first line of Isa 17:13 in this translation, is not made. After having observed that it is equally easy to account for the omission of these words by a transcriber if they are genuine, or their insertion if they are not genuine, occasioned by his carrying his eye backwards to the word לאמים leammim , or forwards to ישאון yeshaon , I shall leave it to the reader’ s judgment to determine whether they are genuine or not. Instead of כהמות cahamoth , "as the roaring,"five MSS. and the Vulgate have כהמון kehamon , "as the multitude."

Calvin: Isa 17:12 - Alas

12.Alas ⁸ for the multitude! Some render Woe, making it to denote execration. Sometimes, as we have seen elsewhere, it is employed in calling to a person; but on the present occasion I rather think that it betokens sorrow, ⁹ for he groans on account of the calamity which he foresees will befall Israel, and he does so either out of brotherly affection, or in order that the prophecy may make a more powerful impression on the minds of a sluggish and indolent people. It is certain, that the prophets regarded with greater horror than other men the vengeance of God, of which they were the heralds; and although, in sustaining the character assigned to them, they threatened severely, still they never laid aside human feelings, so as not to have compassion on those who perished. But the chief reason was a consideration of the covenant which God had made with the seed of Abraham; and we see that Paul also had this feeling to such an extent, that he “wished to be accursed for his brethren.” (Rom 9:3). When therefore Isaiah brings the fact before his mind, he cannot but be deeply affected with grief; and yet, as I have hinted, it tends to make the fact more certain, when he places it before his eyes as if he actually saw it.

The word multitude is here employed, because the army had been collected out of many and various nations, of which the Assyrian monarchy was composed. The metaphors which he adds are intended for no other purpose than to exhibit more forcibly what has been already stated; for he compares them to a sea or a deluge, which overflows a whole country.

TSK: Isa 17:12 - multitude // make a noise // mighty

multitude : or, noise, Isa 9:5

make a noise : Isa 5:26-30, Isa 8:7, Isa 8:8, Isa 28:17; Psa 18:4, Psa 46:1-3, Psa 65:6, Psa 65:7, Psa 93:3, Psa 93:4; Jer 6:23; Eze 43:2; Luk 21:25

mighty : or, many, Psa 29:3; Rev 17:1, Rev 17:15

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: Isa 17:12 - The multitude of many people // Which make a noise like the noise of the seas

This is a new prophecy, added for the present support and comfort of God’ s people.

The multitude of many people combined together against Judah. It matters not whether you understand this of the Syrians and Israelites who were united against Judah, or of the Assyrians, whose army consisted of vast numbers, and of men of several nations. The following words agree to either of them.

Which make a noise like the noise of the seas which invade my land and people with great force and fury, as the sea doth, either in its own channel, or when it enters into the land by a breach.

Haydock: Isa 17:12 - Multitude

Multitude, &c. This and all that follows to the end of the chapter, relates to the Assyrian army under Sennacherib, (Challoner) or rather to that of Israel and its allies. (Calmet) ---

After the Assyrians had afflicted Israel, they were also punished. (Worthington)

Gill: Isa 17:12 - Woe to the multitude of many people // which make a noise like the noise of the seas // and to the rushing of nations // that make a rushing like the rushing of mighty, waters

Woe to the multitude of many people,..... Not as lamenting the people of the Jews with Hezekiah, as if they were the words of the prophet bemoaning their condition, saying, "O the multitude", &c. nor intending the Syrians and Israelites joined together against Judah; but the Assyrian army under Sennacherib, which consisted of people of many nations, and was very numerous, who are either threatened or called unto. A new subject is here begun, though a short one.

which make a noise like the noise of the seas; in a storm, when they foam and rage, and overflow the banks; this may refer both to the noise made by the march of such a vast army, the rattling of their armour and chariot wheels, and prancing of their horses; and to the hectoring, blustering, and blasphemous speeches of Sennacherib and Rabshakeh:

and to the rushing of nations, or "rushing nations",

that make a rushing like the rushing of mighty, waters; which denotes the fury and force with which they come, threatening to bear down all before them, as an inundation of water does.