Woe to the multitude of many people, which make a noise like the noise of the seas; and to the rushing of nations, that make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters!

ISAIAH 17:12KJV
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Isaiah 17:12 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 17:12 mean?

Isaiah 17:12 presents many peoples and nations as a threatening force whose noise fills the scene. The cry of “woe” signals trouble, while the comparison with the sea gives the nations the appearance of overwhelming power.

Isaiah speaks as an observer hearing the uproar approach. The repeated sounds of “noise” and “rushing” make the verse feel crowded and restless. After the loss described in verse 11, the image turns to the turmoil of nations.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 17:12

  • “Woe” — הוֹי (hoy): This is a cry that can express alarm or announce trouble. It draws attention to the scene before Isaiah describes the nations.
  • “multitude” — הָמוֹן (hamon): This word can mean a crowd or a noisy uproar. It brings together the size of the gathering and the sound that follows.
  • “rushing” — שָׁאוֹן (shaʾon): This word describes a roar or tumult. It gives the nations’ movement the sound of powerful, surging water.

Why Isaiah 17:12 matters

  • The sea is a picture of the nations, not the subject of the warning. Isaiah compares their sound to “the noise of the seas” and “the rushing of mighty waters.”
  • The nations’ roar is not the final word in the passage. In verse 13, God rebukes them, and they flee; their apparent strength in verse 12 makes that reversal striking.
  • The passage moves from a vast crowd to the fate of those who threaten others. Verse 14 speaks of those who plunder and rob, giving the uproar a more concrete setting.

Where else these words appear

“rushing” Hebrew H7582 · used in 5 verses

  • 2 Kings 19:25 Hast thou not heard long ago how I have done it, and of ancient times that I have formed it? now have I brought it to pass, that thou shouldest be to lay waste fenced cities into ruinous heaps.
  • Isaiah 6:11 Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate,
  • Isaiah 17:13 The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but God shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind.

“mighty” Hebrew H3524 · used in 10 verses

  • Job 8:2 How long wilt thou speak these things? and how long shall the words of thy mouth be like a strong wind?
  • Job 34:17 Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just?
  • Isaiah 10:13 For he saith, By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I am prudent: and I have removed the bounds of the people, and have robbed their treasures, and I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man:

“rushing” Hebrew H7588 · used in 16 verses

  • Psalms 40:2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
  • Isaiah 17:13 The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but God shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind.
  • Jeremiah 46:17 They did cry there, Pharaoh king of Egypt is but a noise; he hath passed the time appointed.

“nations” Hebrew H3816 · used in 31 verses

  • Genesis 25:23 And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.
  • Psalms 67:4 O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.
  • Isaiah 34:1 Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein; the world, and all things that come forth of it.