And in that day it shall come to pass, that the glory of Jacob shall be made thin, and the fatness of his flesh shall wax lean.

ISAIAH 17:4KJV
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Isaiah 17:4 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 17:4 mean?

Isaiah 17:4 describes a time when the people of Israel, called "Jacob," will lose their strength and prosperity, becoming weak and diminished. The verse uses the image of their "glory" being made thin and their "flesh" growing lean to show that what once made them proud and secure will fade away.

The prophet Isaiah is speaking to the nation of Israel during a period of warning about coming judgment. This verse fits into a larger prophecy against Damascus and Israel, where God is telling the people that their former greatness and abundance will be stripped away because of their actions. The language paints a vivid picture of decline, using physical imagery to show the loss of both honor and well-being.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 17:4

  • "glory" (כָּבוֹד, kavod): This word often means honor, splendor, or wealth. Here, it points to everything that made Israel impressive or respected in the eyes of others, not just material riches.
  • "thin" (דָּלַל, dalal): This word means to become small, weak, or diminished. The verse uses it to show a shrinking or fading away of what once was strong.
  • "fatness" (מִשְׁמַן, mishman): This refers to richness or abundance, often connected to health or prosperity. Its loss signals a move from plenty to scarcity.
  • "flesh" (בָּשָׂר, basar): In this context, it means the physical body, representing the people's well-being and vitality.
  • "lean" (רָזֶה, razeh): This word means to become thin or wasted, emphasizing the idea of loss and hardship.

Why Isaiah 17:4 matters

  • Isaiah 17:4 clears up that the "glory" and "fatness" are not just about physical appearance but represent the nation's overall strength, honor, and prosperity.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage by showing that Israel's coming troubles are not random but a direct result of their choices and actions, fitting into Isaiah's message of warning and consequence.
  • The vivid imagery helps readers understand the depth of the coming loss, making the prophecy more than just a prediction—it becomes a warning about the cost of turning away from what is right.

Where else these words appear

“lean” Hebrew H7329 · used in 2 verses

  • Zephaniah 2:11 The LORD will be terrible unto them: for he will famish all the gods of the earth; and men shall worship him, every one from his place, even all the isles of the heathen.

“fatness” Hebrew H4924 · used in 7 verses

  • Genesis 27:28 Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine:
  • Nehemiah 8:10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
  • Isaiah 10:16 Therefore shall the Lord, the Lord of hosts, send among his fat ones leanness; and under his glory he shall kindle a burning like the burning of a fire.

“thin” Hebrew H1809 · used in 9 verses

  • Judges 6:6 And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites; and the children of Israel cried unto the LORD.
  • Psalms 79:8 O remember not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low.
  • Proverbs 26:7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.