And it shall be as when the harvestman gathereth the corn, and reapeth the ears with his arm; and it shall be as he that gathereth ears in the valley of Rephaim.

ISAIAH 17:5KJV
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Isaiah 17:5 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 17:5 mean?

Isaiah 17:5 uses the image of a harvest worker gathering grain in a field to describe how thorough and sweeping the coming judgment will be. The verse says that just as a reaper collects every ear of grain in the valley of Rephaim, so too will the people and resources be gathered up and removed.

The prophet Isaiah is speaking to the people of Damascus and Israel, warning them of a coming devastation. The valley of Rephaim was a fertile area near Jerusalem known for its abundant crops, so this image would have been vivid for Isaiah’s audience. The verse emphasizes that the destruction will be as complete and methodical as a harvest, leaving little behind.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 17:5

  • "Harvestman" (קָצִיר, qâtsîr): This word refers to a person who cuts and gathers crops. By using this term, Isaiah paints a picture of judgment that is not chaotic but intentional and thorough, like a farmer at work.
  • "Gathereth" (אָסַף, ʼâsaph): This word means to collect or assemble. It highlights the idea that nothing will be left behind; everything will be gathered up.
  • "Corn" (שִׁבֹּלֶת, shibbōlet): In this context, "corn" refers to ears of grain, not modern corn. The focus is on the heads of grain, which are the valuable part of the harvest.
  • "Valley" (עֵמֶק, ʽēmeq) and "Rephaim" (רְפָאִים, rephā’îm): The valley of Rephaim was a well-known, fertile area. Mentioning it underlines the completeness of the coming loss, since even the most fruitful places will not be spared.

Why Isaiah 17:5 matters

  • Isaiah 17:5 clarifies that the coming judgment will be as complete as a harvest, not a random or partial event, but one that leaves little behind.
  • The verse connects the warning to a familiar, everyday image for Isaiah’s audience, making the prophecy more immediate and understandable.
  • By mentioning the valley of Rephaim, Isaiah underscores that even places known for abundance and security are not immune to God’s judgment, tying this warning to the broader theme of accountability in the surrounding chapters.

Where else these words appear

“corn” Hebrew H7054 · used in 8 verses

  • Exodus 22:6 If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the stacks of corn, or the standing corn, or the field, be consumed therewith; he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution.
  • Deuteronomy 23:25 When thou comest into the standing corn of thy neighbour, then thou mayest pluck the ears with thine hand; but thou shalt not move a sickle unto thy neighbour's standing corn.
  • 2 Kings 19:26 Therefore their inhabitants were of small power, they were dismayed and confounded; they were as the grass of the field, and as the green herb, as the grass on the housetops, and as corn blasted before it be grown up.

“ears” Hebrew H7641 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 41:5 And he slept and dreamed the second time: and, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good.
  • Genesis 41:24 And the thin ears devoured the seven good ears: and I told this unto the magicians; but there was none that could declare it to me.
  • Job 24:24 They are exalted for a little while, but are gone and brought low; they are taken out of the way as all other, and cut off as the tops of the ears of corn.

“Rephaim” Hebrew H7497 · used in 24 verses

  • Genesis 14:5 And in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer, and the kings that were with him, and smote the Rephaims in Ashteroth Karnaim, and the Zuzims in Ham, and the Emims in Shaveh Kiriathaim,
  • Joshua 13:12 All the kingdom of Og in Bashan, which reigned in Ashtaroth and in Edrei, who remained of the remnant of the giants: for these did Moses smite, and cast them out.
  • 2 Samuel 21:20 And there was yet a battle in Gath, where was a man of great stature, that had on every hand six fingers, and on every foot six toes, four and twenty in number; and he also was born to the giant.

“gathereth” Hebrew H3950 · used in 34 verses

  • Genesis 31:46 And Jacob said unto his brethren, Gather stones; and they took stones, and made an heap: and they did eat there upon the heap.
  • Leviticus 19:9 And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest.
  • Ruth 2:16 And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not.