John Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 17:1

A historical reference excerpt for this verse. Read it alongside the biblical text and other available sources.

Exposition of the Old and New Testament
John Gill (1697–1771) · 18th-century historical commentary
Source: BibleWord.ai's local reference edition of this named work.

The burden of Damascus, &c.] A heavy and grievous prophecy, concerning the destruction of it; the Arabic version is, “the prophecy of Isaiah concerning Damascus;” and the Targum is, “the burden of the cup of cursing to give Damascus to drink.” Behold, Damascus is taken away from [being] a city; a kingdom, as the Targum; it was the head of one, but now its walls were demolished, its houses pulled down, and its inhabitants carried captive; this was done by Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria, (<121609>2 Kings 16:9) it had been a very ancient city, (see <011502>Genesis 15:2) and the head of the kingdom of Syria, (<230708>Isaiah 7:8), and though it underwent this calamity, it was rebuilt again, and was a city of great fame, when destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, (<244924>Jeremiah 49:24,25) after which it was raised up again, and was in being in the apostle’s time, and still is, (<440922>Acts 9:22) (<471132>2 Corinthians 11:32) and it shall be a ruinous heap; or a heap of stones, as the Targum and Kimchi interpret it. A “behold” is prefixed to the whole, as being very wonderful and remarkable, unthought of, and unexpected.

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