Isaiah 34:17 Meaning and Explanation
“And he hath cast the lot for them, and his hand hath divided it unto them by line: they shall possess it for ever, from generation to generation shall they dwell therein.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →God has legally and permanently assigned the desolated Edom to creatures of ruin as their eternal possession.
The Context of Isaiah 34:17
Isaiah concludes the oracle with Edom's eternal assignment to desolation.
What Does Isaiah 34:17 Mean?
The language of 'casting the lot' and dividing 'by line' employs the terminology of property distribution and inheritance law. What is being divided and assigned is not fertile farmland but wasteland—yet the legal language gives it profound weight. God does not merely abandon Edom; He deliberately and formally transfers ownership to the creatures that will inhabit it.
The promise that these creatures 'shall possess it for ever, from generation to generation' mirrors the covenant language used for Israel's promised land. By applying such language to Edom's desolation, Isaiah underscores that this judgment is as permanent and divinely secured as blessing. Edom's fate is sealed and irrevocable.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 34:17
What does Isaiah 34:17 mean?
God has legally and permanently assigned the desolated Edom to creatures of ruin as their eternal possession.
What is the context of Isaiah 34:17?
Isaiah concludes the oracle with Edom's eternal assignment to desolation.