Isaiah 34:17

17 And he has cast the lot for them, and his hand has divided it unto them by line; therefore they shall have it as an inheritance for ever; from generation to generation they shall dwell therein.

Isaiah 34:17 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 34:17

And he hath cast the lot for them
The Targum adds,

``by his word:''

and his hand hath divided it unto them by line;
the same adds,

``by his will.''

The allusion is to the dividing of the land of Canaan by lot and line, to the children of Israel, for their inheritance and possession; and in like manner, it is suggested, shall Rome and its territories be distributed to those wild beasts and birds of prey, and everyone shall know and take its proper place and portion:

they shall possess it for ever;
as their inheritance, allotted and appointed to them:

from generation to generation shall they dwell therein:
(See Gill on Isaiah 34:10) where Jarchi, out of the Derash, has this note,

``this is the curse of Moses; the war of the Lord against Amalek, from generation to generation; from the generation of Moses to the generation of Saul; from thence to the generation of Mordecai; and from thence to the generation of the King Messiah.''

Isaiah 34:17 In-Context

15 There shall the great owl make his nest and conserve his eggs and hatch his young and gather them under his wings; there shall the vultures also be gathered, each one with his mate.

16 Seek ye out that which is written in the book of the LORD and read; if one of these is lacking, none is missing with his mate, for his mouth has commanded it, and his same Spirit has gathered them.

17 And he has cast the lot for them, and his hand has divided it unto them by line; therefore they shall have it as an inheritance for ever; from generation to generation they shall dwell therein.