Isaiah 17:3

¹ This is the burden against Damascus: “Behold, Damascus is no longer a city; it has become a heap of ruins.

² The cities of Aroer are forsaken; they will be left to the flocks, which will lie down with no one to fear.

The fortress will disappear from Ephraim, and the sovereignty from Damascus. The remnant of Aram will be like the splendor of the Israelites,” declares the LORD of Hosts.

⁴ “In that day the splendor of Jacob will fade, and the fat of his body will waste away,

⁵ as the reaper gathers the standing grain and harvests the ears with his arm, as one gleans heads of grain in the Valley of Rephaim.

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: The fortress will disappear from Ephraim, and the sovereignty from Damascus. The remnant of Aram will be like the splendor of the Israelites,” declares the LORD of Hosts.
KJV: The fortress also shall cease from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus, and the remnant of Syria: they shall be as the glory of the children of Israel, saith the LORD of hosts.
WEB: The fortress shall cease from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus, and the remnant of Syria. They will be as the glory of the children of Israel,” says the LORD of Armies.
ASV: And the fortress shall cease from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus, and the remnant of Syria; they shall be as the glory of the children of Israel, saith Jehovah of hosts.
DARBY: The fortress also shall cease from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus, and the remnant of Syria: they shall be as the glory of the children of Israel, saith Jehovah of hosts.
BLB: The fortress will cease from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus; and the remnant of Aram will become like the glory of the sons of Israel,” a declaration of YHWH of hosts.

ÅB: Og det skal være slutt med festninger i Efra'im og med kongedømmet i Damaskus og med resten av Syria; det skal gå med dem som med Israels barns herlighet, sier Herren, hærskarenes Gud.
OTB: Den befestede byen skal forsvinne fra Efraim, og suverenitet fra Damaskus; resten av Aram skal være som herligheten til Israels barn," erklærer Herren, hærskarenes Gud.
B1930: Og det skal være slutt med festninger i Efra'im og med kongedømmet i Damaskus og med resten av Syria; det skal gå med dem som med Israels barns herlighet, sier Herren, hærskarenes Gud.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Isaiah 7:16
For before the boy knows enough to reject evil and choose good, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste.
Read in context
Isaiah 8:4
For before the boy knows how to cry ‘Father’ or ‘Mother,’ the wealth of Damascus and the plunder of Samaria will be carried off by the king of Assyria.”
Read in context
Hosea 9:11
Ephraim’s glory will fly away like a bird, with no birth, no pregnancy, and no conception.
Read in context
Isaiah 7:8
For the head of Aram is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin. Within sixty-five years Ephraim will be shattered as a people.
Read in context
Micah 1:4–9
The mountains will melt beneath Him, and the valleys will split apart, like wax before the fire, like water rushing down a slope.
Read in context
Hosea 9:16–17
Ephraim is struck down; their root is withered; they cannot bear fruit. Even if they bear children, I will slay the darlings of their wombs.
Read in context
Hosea 13:7–8
So like a lion I will pounce on them; like a leopard I will lurk by the path.
Read in context
Amos 3:9–15
Proclaim to the citadels of Ashdod and to the citadels of Egypt: “Assemble on the mountains of Samaria; see the great unrest in the city and the acts of oppression in her midst.”
Read in context