Isaiah 17:5 Meaning and Explanation
“And it shall be as when the harvestman gathereth the corn, and reapeth the ears with his arm; and it shall be as he that gathereth ears in the valley of Rephaim.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Israel's people will be harvested away like grain—taken from their land as captives.
The Context of Isaiah 17:5
The harvest metaphor illustrates deportation and removal of the population.
What Does Isaiah 17:5 Mean?
The harvest metaphor portrays the people of Israel being systematically removed from their land. The harvestman cuts grain and gathers the ears (grain heads). This image—gathering and removing—parallels military conquest and deportation. The valley of Rephaim (a plain near Jerusalem, often a battleground) adds historical concreteness: this describes an actual military reality.
Harvest as judgment is a recurring biblical image: what grows in a field is reaped by the farmer's hand. Similarly, the people of Israel, who belonged to God's land, will be harvested by invading armies. Few will remain unpicked; most will be taken away from their homes.
Isaiah 17:5 in the Original Language
qāṣīr (קָצִיר), 'harvestman' — one who reaps crops, a laborer gathering the produce.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 17:5
What does Isaiah 17:5 mean?
Israel's people will be harvested away like grain—taken from their land as captives.
What is the context of Isaiah 17:5?
The harvest metaphor illustrates deportation and removal of the population.