Is it not yet a very little while, and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest?

ISAIAH 29:17KJV
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Isaiah 29:17 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 29:17 mean?

Isaiah 29:17 says that soon, Lebanon—a region known for its forests—will be transformed into a fertile, productive field, and what is now considered a fruitful field will be regarded as a forest. This verse uses a picture of dramatic change in the land to hint at a coming reversal or transformation.

The prophet Isaiah is speaking to the people of Judah during a time of spiritual decline and looming threat from foreign powers. By mentioning Lebanon and the fruitful field, Isaiah uses familiar landscapes to describe how God can completely change situations, turning what seems barren into abundance and what seems prosperous into something even greater or different. The verse sets up a contrast to highlight God's power to reverse fortunes.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 29:17

  • לְבָנוֹן (Levanon, "Lebanon"): This word refers to the famous mountainous region north of Israel, known for its dense cedar forests. The mention of Lebanon brings to mind wild, uncultivated land, making its transformation into a fruitful field especially striking.
  • שָׁב (shav, "turned"): This word means "to turn" or "to return." Here, it describes a complete change in the nature of the land, emphasizing the idea of reversal or restoration.
  • כַּרְמֶל (karmel, "fruitful field"): This word often means a fertile, cultivated field or orchard. The transformation of Lebanon into a karmel suggests a move from wilderness to productivity.
  • יַעַר (ya'ar, "forest"): This word means "forest" or "woodland." The fruitful field being "esteemed as a forest" suggests a reversal or an unexpected change in status, possibly implying wild growth or a shift in value.

Why Isaiah 29:17 matters

  • Isaiah 29:17 clears up the idea that God's promises are only about restoring what was lost; it shows that God can bring about surprising and total changes, even in places or situations that seem unchangeable.
  • The verse emphasizes that God's work is not just about returning things to normal but about transforming them in ways people might not expect.
  • In the context of Isaiah 29, this verse prepares the reader for the theme of reversal and renewal that follows, showing that God's plans often overturn human expectations.

Where else these words appear

“very” Hebrew H4213 · used in 4 verses

  • Isaiah 10:25 For yet a very little while, and the indignation shall cease, and mine anger in their destruction.
  • Isaiah 16:14 But now the LORD hath spoken, saying, Within three years, as the years of an hireling, and the glory of Moab shall be contemned, with all that great multitude; and the remnant shall be very small and feeble.
  • Isaiah 24:6 Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.

“field” Hebrew H3759 · used in 11 verses

  • Leviticus 2:14 And if thou offer a meat offering of thy firstfruits unto the LORD, thou shalt offer for the meat offering of thy firstfruits green ears of corn dried by the fire, even corn beaten out of full ears.
  • Isaiah 10:18 And shall consume the glory of his forest, and of his fruitful field, both soul and body: and they shall be as when a standardbearer fainteth.
  • Isaiah 32:16 Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field.

“forest” Hebrew H3293 · used in 58 verses

  • Deuteronomy 19:5 As when a man goeth into the wood with his neighbour to hew wood, and his hand fetcheth a stroke with the axe to cut down the tree, and the head slippeth from the helve, and lighteth upon his neighbour, that he die; he shall flee unto one of those cities, and live:
  • Psalms 83:14 As the fire burneth a wood, and as the flame setteth the mountains on fire;
  • Isaiah 56:9 All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the forest.

“Lebanon” Hebrew H3844 · used in 64 verses

  • Deuteronomy 1:7 Turn you, and take your journey, and go to the mount of the Amorites, and unto all the places nigh thereunto, in the plain, in the hills, and in the vale, and in the south, and by the sea side, to the land of the Canaanites, and unto Lebanon, unto the great river, the river Euphrates.
  • 2 Chronicles 2:8 Send me also cedar trees, fir trees, and algum trees, out of Lebanon: for I know that thy servants can skill to cut timber in Lebanon; and, behold, my servants shall be with thy servants,
  • Isaiah 33:9 The earth mourneth and languisheth: Lebanon is ashamed and hewn down: Sharon is like a wilderness; and Bashan and Carmel shake off their fruits.