Bible/Isaiah/34

Isaiah 34:17

34:16 Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them.
And he hath cast the lot for them, and his hand hath divided it unto them by line: they shall possess it for ever, from generation to generation shall they dwell therein.

KJV

Save image

He has cast the lot for them, and his hand has divided it to them with a measuring line. They shall possess it forever. From generation to generation they will dwell in it.

And he hath cast the lot for them, and his hand hath divided it unto them by line: they shall possess it for ever, from generation to generation shall they dwell therein.

And he has cast the lot for them, and his hand has divided it to them by line: they shall possess it for ever, from generation to generation shall they dwell therein.

What does Isaiah 34:17 mean?

Isaiah 34:17 is a verse in the book of Isaiah, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include נָפַל (nâphal), גּוֹרָל (gôwrâl), יָד (yâd). It connects to 11 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

Full chapter interlinear →
And
he
hath
castנָפַלnâphal/naw-fal'/H5307to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
the
lotגּוֹרָלgôwrâl/go-rawl'/H1486properly, a pebble, i.e. a lot (small stones being used for that purpose); figuratively, a portion or destiny (as if determined by lot)
for
them,
and
his
handיָדyâd/yawd/H3027a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),
hath
dividedחָלַקchâlaq/khaw-lak'/H2505to be smooth (figuratively); by implication (as smooth stones were used for lots) to apportion or separate
it
unto
them
by
line:קַוqav/kav/H6957a cord (as connecting), especially formeasuring; figuratively, a rule; also a rim, a musical string or accord
they
shall
possessיָרַשׁyârash/yaw-rash'/H3423to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish, to ruin
it
forעַדʻad/ad/H5704as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
ever,עוֹלָםʻôwlâm/o-lawm'/H5769properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e. (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial (especially with prepositional prefix) always
from
generationדּוֹרdôwr/dore/H1755properly, a revolution of time, i.e. an age or generation; also a dwelling
to
generationדּוֹרdôwr/dore/H1755properly, a revolution of time, i.e. an age or generation; also a dwelling
shall
they
dwellשָׁכַןshâkan/shaw-kan'/H7931to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)
therein.

Commentary on Isaiah 34:17

HENRY_FULL · Isaiah 34:17
: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit. See here, 1. What is the care and aim of a wicked man; he would do mischief: He desires the net of evil men. "Oh that I were but as cunning as such a man, to make a hand of those I deal with, that I had but his art of over-reaching, that I could but take my revenge on one I have spite to as effectually as he can!" He desires the strong-hold, or fortress, of evil men (so some read it), to act securely in doing mischief, that it may not turn upon him. 2. What is the care and aim of a good man: His root yields fruit, and is his strength and stability, and that is it that he desires, to do good and to be fixed and confirmed in doing good. The wicked desires only a net wherewith to fish for himself; the righteous desires to yield fruit for the benefit of others and God's glory, Rom. xiv. 6 . Truth and Falsehood.

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Psalms 63:5

My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: marrow: Heb. fatness

Isaiah 3:10

Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.

Isaiah 3:11

Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him. given: Heb. done to him

Isaiah 13:2

Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice unto them, shake the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles.

Matthew 10:41

He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.

Matthew 10:42

And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

Matthew 16:27

For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

2 Thessalonians 1:6

Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;

2 Thessalonians 1:7

And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, his: Gr. the angels of his power

Hebrews 2:2

For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;

Hebrews 11:26

Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. of Christ: or, for Christ

Topics

Edomites, the

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Isaiah 34:17.

1 Chronicles 24:5

Thus were they divided by lot, one sort with another; for the governors of the sanctuary, and governors of the house of God, were of the sons of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar.

Exodus 12:24

And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever.

Exodus 14:13

And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. for the: or, for whereas ye have seen the Egyptians to day

Exodus 15:9

The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them. destroy: or, repossess

Genesis 13:15

For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.

Genesis 3:22

And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:

Joshua 17:14

And the children of Joseph spake unto Joshua, saying, Why hast thou given me but one lot and one portion to inherit, seeing I am a great people, forasmuch as the LORD hath blessed me hitherto?

Joshua 18:10

And Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before the LORD: and there Joshua divided the land unto the children of Israel according to their divisions.

Frequently asked questions

What does Isaiah 34:17 say?

Isaiah 34:17 (King James Version) reads: "And he hath cast the lot for them, and his hand hath divided it unto them by line: they shall possess it for ever, from generation to generation shall they dwell therein."

Is Isaiah 34:17 in the Old or New Testament?

Isaiah 34:17 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Isaiah.

Reflect

As you read Isaiah 34:17, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

Plan a sermon or study on Isaiah 34:17
34:16Read all of Isaiah 34