King James Version

What Does Isaiah 17:11 Mean?

Isaiah 17:11 in the King James Version says “In the day shalt thou make thy plant to grow, and in the morning shalt thou make thy seed to flourish: but the harvest s...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“In the day shalt thou make thy plant to grow, and in the morning shalt thou make thy seed to flourish: but the harvest shall be a heap in the day of grief and of desperate sorrow. a heap: or, removed in the day of inheritance, and there shall be deadly sorrow”

Isaiah 17:11 · KJV

Context

9

In that day shall his strong cities be as a forsaken bough, and an uppermost branch, which they left because of the children of Israel: and there shall be desolation.

10

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:

11

In the day shalt thou make thy plant to grow, and in the morning shalt thou make thy seed to flourish: but the harvest shall be a heap in the day of grief and of desperate sorrow. a heap: or, removed in the day of inheritance, and there shall be deadly sorrow

12

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! multitude: or, noise mighty: or, many

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. a rolling: or, thistledown

Read Isaiah 17 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'In the day shalt thou make thy plant to grow, and in the morning shalt thou make thy seed to flourish: but the harvest shall be a heap in the day of grief and of desperate sorrow.' The cultivated plants initially thrive—rapid growth suggesting apparent success. But the harvest produces only a 'heap' (ned—heap of ruins) in the day of 'grief' (nachaleh—sickness) and 'desperate sorrow' (keev anush—incurable pain). Fertility cult practices seemed to work temporarily, but ultimately failed catastrophically. This illustrates false religion's pattern: initial apparent success masking ultimate futility. The contrast between morning flourishing and harvest grief emphasizes the tragic reversal—hopes dashed, efforts wasted, sorrows multiplied. Sin's wages always come due (Romans 6:23).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Fertility religions promised agricultural prosperity through ritualized sex acts, sacred planting, and seasonal celebrations. These seemed to 'work' in sense that crops sometimes flourished—but natural cycles and God's common grace were the actual causes. When judgment came (drought, invasion, conquest), these practices failed utterly. The promised 'harvest' of blessing became a 'heap' of ruins and sorrow. Historical records show that pagan nations consistently experienced this pattern—temporary prosperity followed by judgment and collapse. Only covenant faithfulness provides lasting security; all other foundations prove illusory.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does temporary success followed by catastrophic failure teach about false religion's deceptive nature?
  2. How does the contrast between morning flourishing and harvest grief illustrate sin's ultimately disastrous consequences?
  3. Why do people continue trusting false securities despite evidence they eventually fail?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
בְּי֥וֹם1 of 12

“In the day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

נִטְעֵךְ֙2 of 12

“shalt thou make thy plant”

H5194

a plant; collectively, a plantation; abstractly, a planting

תְּשַׂגְשֵׂ֔גִי3 of 12

“to grow”

H7735

to hedge in

וּבַבֹּ֖קֶר4 of 12

“and in the morning”

H1242

properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning

זַרְעֵ֣ךְ5 of 12

“shalt thou make thy seed”

H2233

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

תַּפְרִ֑יחִי6 of 12

“to flourish”

H6524

to break forth as a bud, i.e., bloom; generally, to spread; specifically, to fly (as extending the wings); figuratively, to flourish

נֵ֥ד7 of 12

“shall be a heap”

H5067

a mound, i.e., wave

קָצִ֛יר8 of 12

“but the harvest”

H7105

severed, a limb (of a tree, or simply foliage)

בְּי֥וֹם9 of 12

“In the day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

נַחֲלָ֖ה10 of 12

“of grief”

H2470

properly, to be rubbed or worn; hence (figuratively) to stroke (in flattering), entreat

וּכְאֵ֥ב11 of 12

“sorrow”

H3511

suffering (physical or mental), adversity

אָנֽוּשׁ׃12 of 12

“and of desperate”

H605

to be frail, feeble, or (figuratively) melancholy

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 17:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 17:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hosea 8:7Job 4:8Romans 2:5Matthew 8:11-12Galatians 6:7-8Psalms 90:6

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