The Meaning of Isaiah 24:17 Explained

Isaiah 24:17

KJV: Fear, and the pit, and the snare, are upon thee, O inhabitant of the earth.

YLT: Fear, and a snare, and a gin, Are on thee, O inhabitant of the land.

Darby: Fear, and the pit, and the snare are upon thee, inhabitant of the land.

ASV: Fear, and the pit, and the snare, are upon thee, O inhabitant of the earth.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Fear,  and the pit,  and the snare,  [are] upon thee, O inhabitant  of the earth. 

What does Isaiah 24:17 Mean?

Context Summary

Isaiah 24:14-23 - The Inescapable Penalty Of Sin
There is always a godly remnant, as we are told in Isaiah 24:13, remaining in times of shaking, on the topmost boughs. The survivors who had fled across the seas from the judgments, would adore Jehovah for His goodness and mercy.
The fires of the East are in contrast to the isles of the West, Isaiah 24:15. Perhaps they stand for the fires of tribulation, in which we must glorify God. To whatever part of the earth the fugitives fled, they would be compelled to acknowledge the glory of righteousness, or perhaps of the Righteous One. The dispersion of the Church in the early days carried the message and music of the gospel everywhere. Though we may travel to the limits of sorrow, let us glorify our God.
Note the instability of all earthly things, Isaiah 24:18, etc. Woe to those who trust in them! Remember to build within the borders of the everlasting kingdom of Hebrews 12:23-28. When all the world kingdoms are destroyed, that of Israel, God's ancient choice, shall stand, Isaiah 24:23. May we as the brethren of the King share His glory and reign with Him in those great coming days! In the meanwhile glorify Him in the skies. [source]

Chapter Summary: Isaiah 24

1  The doleful judgments of God upon the land
13  A remnant shall joyfully praise him
16  God in his judgments shall advance his kingdom

What do the individual words in Isaiah 24:17 mean?

Fear and the pit and the snare [Are] upon you inhabitant of the earth
פַּ֥חַד וָפַ֖חַת וָפָ֑ח עָלֶ֖יךָ יוֹשֵׁ֥ב הָאָֽרֶץ

פַּ֥חַד  Fear 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: פַּחַד  
Sense: terror, dread.
וָפַ֖חַת  and  the  pit 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular
Root: פַּחַת  
Sense: pit, hole.
וָפָ֑ח  and  the  snare 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular
Root: פַּח 
Sense: bird trap, trap, snare.
עָלֶ֖יךָ  [Are]  upon  you 
Parse: Preposition, second person masculine singular
Root: עַל 
Sense: upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against.
יוֹשֵׁ֥ב  inhabitant 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular construct
Root: יָשַׁב 
Sense: to dwell, remain, sit, abide.
הָאָֽרֶץ  of  the  earth 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: אֶרֶץ  
Sense: land, earth.