Isaiah 17:13 Meaning and Explanation
“The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but God shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Though nations rush like flood waters, God rebukes them and scatters them like chaff in the wind.
The Context of Isaiah 17:13
God's rebuke disperses the invading nations as if they were chaff.
What Does Isaiah 17:13 Mean?
The opening repeats verse 12's image of rushing waters to emphasize the power of the invasion. But the turning word is 'but': God shall rebuke them. 'Rebuke' is divine speech—a word of correction and command. God does not fight the nations with armies; He rebukes them, and they flee far off. The rebuke itself breaks their momentum and sends them into rout and retreat.
The scattering that follows is complete: they become like chaff (grain husks, the lightest, most useless part of the harvest) blown by mountain wind, or like a rolling thing tumbling before a whirlwind. What seemed mighty becomes weightless, powerless, and driven by forces beyond its control. This verse reveals the truth: the great rushing waters of human military power are subject to God's breath and word, and can be scattered like dust.
Isaiah 17:13 in the Original Language
gā'ar (גָּעַר), 'rebuke' — to rebuke, reprove, or command with divine authority; God's speech itself becomes the force of victory.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 17:13
What does Isaiah 17:13 mean?
Though nations rush like flood waters, God rebukes them and scatters them like chaff in the wind.
What is the context of Isaiah 17:13?
God's rebuke disperses the invading nations as if they were chaff.