Isaiah 17:14 Meaning and Explanation
“And behold at eveningtide trouble; and before the morning he is not. This is the portion of them that spoil us, and the lot of them that rob us.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The trouble comes suddenly at evening, but by morning the invaders are gone—this is the fate of all who attack God's people.
The Context of Isaiah 17:14
Swift, overnight judgment: the invaders are gone by morning, defeated by God.
What Does Isaiah 17:14 Mean?
A swift judgment unfolds within a single night. Eveningtide brings trouble—the crisis seems acute and threatening. But before morning light comes, the enemy is gone ('he is not'). This is not a slow process but a dramatic reversal: one moment the invading power looms; the next moment it has vanished. The pattern recalls God's deliverance in other biblical narratives: sudden reversal, overnight judgment.
'This is the portion of them that spoil us' and 'the lot of them that rob us'—those who attack and plunder God's people receive this judgment as their reward. The rapid destruction at night, leaving the people safe by morning, becomes the standard outcome for all enemies. The verse offers assurance: though trouble comes, it is short-lived, and those who threaten God's people will themselves be scattered and destroyed by dawn.
Isaiah 17:14 in the Original Language
chelqah (חֶלְקָה), 'portion' or 'lot' — the allotted share, inheritance, or destiny that falls to someone as their due reward.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 17:14
What does Isaiah 17:14 mean?
The trouble comes suddenly at evening, but by morning the invaders are gone—this is the fate of all who attack God's people.
What is the context of Isaiah 17:14?
Swift, overnight judgment: the invaders are gone by morning, defeated by God.