Because thou hast forgotten the God of thy salvation, and hast not been mindful of the rock of thy strength, therefore shalt thou plant pleasant plants, and shalt set it with strange slips:
ISAIAH 17:10KJVWhat does Isaiah 17:10 mean?
Isaiah 17:10 says that the people have forgotten God, who saves and protects them, and because of this, their efforts—like planting pleasant plants and setting foreign slips—will not bring lasting success. The verse points out that turning away from God leads to fruitless work, no matter how attractive or carefully planned those efforts might seem.
Isaiah is speaking to the people of Israel, warning them about the consequences of neglecting God ("the God of thy salvation") and not remembering their true source of strength ("the rock of thy strength"). The verse uses the image of planting and grafting to show that, despite their attempts to secure prosperity or beauty by their own means—including adopting foreign practices or alliances—these efforts will ultimately fail because they have ignored God.
The Hebrew behind Isaiah 17:10
- "Forgotten" (שָׁכַח, shakach): This word means to neglect or lose memory of something important. Here, it emphasizes a deliberate turning away from God, not just a passive forgetting.
- "Rock" (צוּר, tsur): Often used in the Hebrew Bible as a symbol for God’s steadfastness and reliability. Calling God the "rock of thy strength" highlights that Israel’s real security comes from God, not from their own actions or alliances.
- "Strange" (זָר, zar): This word means "foreign" or "alien." The "strange slips" suggest the people are bringing in foreign elements—possibly foreign religious practices or alliances—hoping for success apart from God.
Why Isaiah 17:10 matters
- Isaiah 17:10 clarifies that the issue is not just a lack of religious feeling, but a practical forgetting—Israel is actively relying on other sources of help and security instead of God.
- The verse connects to the wider passage by showing that judgment comes not only from obvious wrongdoing, but also from misplaced trust and adopting outside influences.
- The agricultural imagery ("pleasant plants" and "strange slips") helps the reader see that even attractive or promising efforts are empty if they are rooted in forgetfulness of God.