King James Version

What Does Isaiah 17:6 Mean?

Isaiah 17:6 in the King James Version says “Yet gleaning grapes shall be left in it, as the shaking of an olive tree, two or three berries in the top of the uppermo...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Yet gleaning grapes shall be left in it, as the shaking of an olive tree, two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough, four or five in the outmost fruitful branches thereof, saith the LORD God of Israel.”

Isaiah 17:6 · KJV

Context

4

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.

5

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.

6

Yet gleaning grapes shall be left in it, as the shaking of an olive tree, two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough, four or five in the outmost fruitful branches thereof, saith the LORD God of Israel.

7

At that day shall a man look to his Maker, and his eyes shall have respect to the Holy One of Israel.

8

And he shall not look to the altars, the work of his hands, neither shall respect that which his fingers have made, either the groves, or the images. images: or, sun images

Read Isaiah 17 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'Yet gleaning grapes shall be left in it, as the shaking of an olive tree, two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough, four or five in the outmost fruitful branches thereof.' Despite thorough judgment, a remnant survives—like few grapes or olives left after careful harvesting. The Hebrew concept of the 'remnant' is crucial to prophetic theology. Not total annihilation but severe reduction with small faithful remnant preserved. The specificity ('two or three...four or five') emphasizes how few survive. This demonstrates God's mercy even in judgment—preserving a remnant through whom His purposes continue. Reformed theology emphasizes the remnant doctrine: God always preserves a faithful few despite widespread apostasy.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Historically, this remnant included Judahites who remained in the land after northern kingdom's fall, plus any northern Israelites who escaped to Judah or survived deportation. Prophets like Hosea and Amos also emphasized remnant theology. The small numbers proved true—the northern kingdom largely disappeared from history, though genetic and cultural influences persisted. Later, Ezra-Nehemiah describes returnees from various tribes, indicating small preservation of northern tribal identities. The remnant theme continues through Scripture to the Church—a preserved few through whom God's redemptive purposes advance.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the remnant doctrine teach about God's faithfulness despite widespread apostasy?
  2. How do the specific small numbers emphasize both judgment's severity and mercy's preservation?
  3. In what ways does the Old Testament remnant prefigure the Church as God's preserved people?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וְנִשְׁאַר1 of 18

“shall be left”

H7604

properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant

בּ֤וֹ2 of 18
H0
עֽוֹלֵלֹת֙3 of 18

“Yet gleaning grapes”

H5955

only in plural gleanings; by extension gleaning-time

כְּנֹ֣קֶף4 of 18

“in it as the shaking”

H5363

a threshing (of olives)

זַ֔יִת5 of 18

“of an olive tree”

H2132

an olive (as yielding illuminating oil), the tree, the branch or the berry

שְׁנַ֧יִם6 of 18

“two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

שְׁלֹשָׁ֛ה7 of 18

“or three”

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

גַּרְגְּרִ֖ים8 of 18

“berries”

H1620

a berry (as if a pellet of rumination)

בְּרֹ֣אשׁ9 of 18

“in the top”

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

אָמִ֑יר10 of 18

“of the uppermost bough”

H534

a summit (of a tree or mountain)

אַרְבָּעָ֣ה11 of 18

“four”

H702

four

חֲמִשָּׁ֗ה12 of 18

“or five”

H2568

five

בִּסְעִפֶ֙יהָ֙13 of 18

“branches”

H5585

a fissure (of rocks); also a bough (as subdivided)

פֹּֽרִיָּ֔ה14 of 18

“in the outmost fruitful”

H6509

to bear fruit (literally or figuratively)

נְאֻם15 of 18

“thereof saith”

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָ֖ה16 of 18

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֵ֥י17 of 18

“God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃18 of 18

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

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 17:6 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 17:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 24:13Deuteronomy 4:27Romans 11:4-6Judges 8:2Obadiah 1:5Romans 9:27

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