Isaiah 34:17

17 He has cast the 1lot for them, And His hand has divided it to them by 2line. They shall possess it forever *; From 3generation to generation they will dwell in it.

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 The tree snake will make its nest and lay eggs there, And it will hatch and gather them under its protection. Yes, the hawks will be gathered there, Every one with its kind.
16 Seek from the book of the LORD , and read: Not one of these will be missing; None will lack its mate. For His mouth has commanded, And His Spirit has gathered them.
17 He has cast the lot for them, And His hand has divided it to them by line. They shall possess it forever ; From generation to generation they will dwell in it.

Cross References 3

  • 1. Isaiah 17:13, 14; Jeremiah 13:25
  • 2. Isaiah 34:11
  • 3. Isaiah 34:10
New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, California.  All rights reserved.