Isaiah 17:1

The burden of Damascus. See on ch. 13:1. Verses 1-11 constitute a message against Damascus and Israel. It will be recalled that in the days of Ahaz, Syria was united with Israel in an alliance against Judah, and that Isaiah had foretold the defeat of both Syria and Israel (ch. 7:1-16). The present prophecy deals with more extensive judgments.

From being a city. A severe blow was to fall upon Damascus; it would no longer be numbered among the great cities of the world. For a time the city seems to have lain in ruins, but was eventually rebuilt, for a century later Jeremiah delivered further messages against it (Jer. 49:23-27).