Isa 22:1

The word “oracle” or “burden” (Isa 13:1; 15:1; 17:1; 19:1; 21:1; 22:1; 23:1) is from the Heb “to lift up”, in foreboding or expectation; it implies something that God has planned for another. More often than not, it speaks of a coming punishment; but at times it simply means an important event involving a particular people. The distinction must be determined by the context. Often, the “burden” begins with warnings of judgments to come, and then proceeds with prophecies of something beneficial arising out of the dark times. Zec 12 illustrates this: it begins with a “burden… for Israel… in the siege”, but then quickly speaks of a time of blessing succeeding the time of affliction: Jerusalem inhabited again in her own place (Zec 12:6,7). The burdens of Isaiah generally follow this same pattern, with special ref to the LD of Gentile times and the establishment of “Israel in their own land” (Isa 14:1) and Christ as the “ruler of the land… upon the mount of the daughter of Zion” (Isa 16:1). Also the roles of various Gentile powers, esp in relation to Israel and God’s plans for the LD, are outlined. What might first appear to be a dry and unrewarding study becomes in reality a promise of God’s deliverance for His people (in typical prophecies) and a glorious assurance (in initial fulfillments) that God’s purpose stands firm (Isa 14:26,27).

Suggested chronological order of this ch: (1) vv 8-11: preparations for defense; (2) vv 1-3: “peace” celebrations; (3) vv 12-14: Isaiah’s condemnation of the celebrations; and (4) vv 4-7: the coming siege (WIsa 243).

Vv 1-3: “Peace” celebrations: “Here is an amazing picture of holy Jerusalem gone delirious with delight. And why? Because the invading Assyrians have been bought off (2Ki 18:14-16). But all the gaiety is premature…”

VALLEY OF VISION: The part of Jerusalem where the prophet lived? Moriah, the Temple site, means “the vision of Yahweh”. Perhaps the Kidron Valley on the eastern side of the city (cp incident, Isa 7:3).

Isa 22:2

YOUR SLAIN WERE NOT KILLED BY THE SWORD…: They were so “drunk” that they looked dead!

Isa 22:3

“Suggestion: some of the more far-sighted and better informed, realising that trouble was bound to come, were hoping to find safety in flight. But the Arabian archers, deserting to the enemy (Isa 21:15?), sought to please their new masters by handing these fugitives over, bound as prisoners, to the Assyrians” (WIsa 246).

Isa 22:4

Vv 4-7: The coming siege of Jerusalem: a series of vivid “snapshots” of what the reality would turn out to be, and that right soon!

Isa 22:6

ELAM: Overrun earlier by Sennacherib, Elamites had now been recruited into the Assyrian forces.

THE QUIVER: Elam was known for its archers: Jer 49:35.

KIR: Another mercenary element in Sennacherib’s army. A distant region in the area of Mesopotamia, its people had been forcibly resettled elsewhere (Amo 1:5,9:7).

Isa 22:8

Vv 8-11: Defensive preparations, for the invasion by Sennacherib.

THE DEFENSES OF JUDAH ARE STRIPPED AWAY: The fortresses, maintained in fine condition in the time of Uzziah (2Ch 26:8,13-15), have deteriorated in the days of Ahaz (Isa 32:14; Hos 8:14; Mic 1:8-16), and become easy pickings for Sennacherib: “Forty-six of his strong walled towns and innumerable smaller villages… I besieged and conquered” (Taylor Prism; cp Isa 37:36).

THE PALACE OF THE FOREST: Perhaps this refers to a royal armory, or to Solomon’s ‘House of the Forest of Lebanon,’ where weapons may have been kept (1Ki 10:16-17).

Isa 22:9

MANY BREACHES: Cp 2Ch 32:5.

YOU STORED UP WATER IN THE LOWER POOL: Hezekiah’s conduit (2Ki 18:17; 2Ch 32:4).

Isa 22:11

BUT YOU DID NOT LOOK TO THE ONE WHO MADE IT…: Was this the exact time that Hezekiah fell ill, and could not continue the work of preparation?

Now here comes the key point, the “punch line”, so to speak… — “…but you did not look to the One who made it, or have regard for the One who planned it long ago.”

At the threatened attack of the enemy, Judah — and Jerusalem — began to strengthen every conceivable defense, and take every conceivable precaution. They looked to their weapons, and their walls, and their water. They looked to everything they possible could… EXCEPT the God of Israel!

At other times, the Israelites trusted in altars (Isa 17:7), in defensed cities (Isa 37:26), in Egypt (Isa 31:1), or in Syria (2Ch 16:7-9).

But they did not, or could not, or refused to, trust in the God of Israel (Isa 8:17; Jer 33:2,3; Mic 7:7).

“Men cry out under a load of oppression; they plead for relief from the arm of the powerful. But no one says, ‘Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night, who teaches more to us than to the beasts of the earth and makes us wiser than the birds of the air?’ ” (Job 35:9-11).

In the midst of all the preparations for the defense of the ultimately defenseless city of Jerusalem; in the midst of the crying and hand-wringing and desperate, foolish planning; in the midst of the silly, midnight-hour frenzy to “eat and drink… for tomorrow we die!” (v 13), it remained for two men — the king and the prophet — to ask the nation the only question it had not asked itself: “Where is our God?”

Isa 22:12

Vv 12-14: Isaiah’s condemnation of optimistic celebrations: the city should have been repentant and contrite, as well as thankful. But instead they gave them over to debauchery and license and foolish partying.

Isa 22:13

LET US EAT AND DRINK… FOR TOMORROW WE DIE!: These words seem to imply a lurking uncertainty as to whether the Assyrians had been stopped permanently, or only temporarily. These words are cited by Paul in 1Co 15:32, to express a hopeless resignation to “enjoying” the life that now is, no matter how short or uncertain: the ultimate sensual denial of God.

Isa 22:15

SHEBNA: Poss this fellow was a foreigner, brought in by Ahaz from Syria (no refs to family). Guesses: (1) was he made the “High Priest” of the Assyrian “religion”?; (2) did he become regent when Hezekiah became so ill; (3) was he leader of the pro-Assyrian diplomatic corps? Typically, “Shebna” = the Mosaic priesthood, corrupt and proud.

Isa 22:16

A GRAVE: His own sepulchre, thus guaranteeing a resurrection?

ON THE HEIGHT: Built in the very area reserved for the kings of Judah (1Ki 2:10; 2Ch 32:33). Does the writer of Psa 49 have Shebna in mind… whose sepulchre will be his long home, who understands not, and will be like the beasts that perish?

Suggestion: The “sepulchre” was perhaps only a place of hiding from the Assyrians. A ref to the superstition that death can be escaped by pretending to be dead (cp “covenant with death”: Isa 28:15) (BS 11:169).

Isa 22:18

ROLL YOU UP TIGHTLY LIKE A BALL AND THROW YOU INTO A LARGE COUNTRY: Instead of a stately burial in a special sepulchre, Shebna’s body will be rolled up in whatever fabric is available, and then hastily stowed away! Or, poss, his body would be tied to the tail of a horse and dragged along behind (Tes 51:221).

YOUR SPLENDID CHARIOTS: Apparently the ref to chariots alludes to Shebna’s excessive pride, which in turn brings disgrace to the royal family

Isa 22:20

Vv 20-24: // Rev 3:7: key of David, open, shut, etc.

IN THAT DAY I WILL SUMMON MY SERVANT, ELIAKIM SON OF HILKIAH: Could be read: “In that day I will call my servant (ie, Hezekiah) TO Eliakim”… the leper coming to the priest for cleansing (Lev 14:2) (WRev 31; WIsa 249,250). (The same Heb form occurs in 1Ki 1:32: “Call me Zadok the priest”.) The language in this section (ie, shoulder, throne, government, father, house of David) all suggests Hezekiah and the Messiah. [In this, Hezekiah typ Christ, raised up and healed of the “leprosy” of sin and death.]

MY SERVANT: When singular in Isaiah, refs to Hezekiah — as the prototype of the Messiah (Isa 42:1; 44:1,2,21; 45:4; 49:3,6; 52:13).

Isa 22:21

HE WILL BE A FATHER TO THOSE: “Father” = “leader” (Isa 4:20,21; 45:8; 2Ki 5:13; Isa 22:21). Used metaphorically of one who protects and supports those under his care and authority, like a father does his family (cp Job 29:16).

Isa 22:22

THE KEY TO THE HOUSE OF DAVID: Cp Isa 9:6,7 — re Hezekiah. Temple restoration by Hezekiah (2Ch 29:3). Cp Kingdom prophecy: Isa 60:11.

Isa 22:23

A PEG: The words of the wise (Ecc 12:11), made flesh in Christ, the “nail” of Zec 10:4.

A PEG INTO A FIRM PLACE: “The figure… is almost unique in Scripture. It is essentially a priestly metaphor, for ‘place’ is Heb ‘maqom’, the normal meaning of which is a ‘holy place’. Ezra 9:7,8 gives it this meaning, but concerning both kings and priests! And ‘sure’ [‘firm’] is really the wd ‘true’, with ref to the utter dependability of the promises of God. On this nail there is to be sufficient support for large and small, for cups of gold (Exo 24:6) and flagons of earthen ware (so Paul interprets: ‘vessels of gold and of silver, also of wood and of earth’: 2Ti 2:20, yet all purged and ‘sanctified, and meet for the Master’s use’ ” (WIsa 250).

Isa 22:24

‘Everything else will depend on him!’

Isa 22:25

‘But before the nail, or peg, can be made absolutely sure and steadfast, it will have to be cut off and fall’: ie, re Hezekiah: the illness and nearness to death, before the healing; and re Christ: the sufferings and death, before the resurrection and glorification.

Isa 23:1

The word “oracle” or “burden” (Isa 13:1; 15:1; 17:1; 19:1; 21:1; 22:1; 23:1) is from the Heb “to lift up”, in foreboding or expectation; it implies something that God has planned for another. More often than not, it speaks of a coming punishment; but at times it simply means an important event involving a particular people. The distinction must be determined by the context. Often, the “burden” begins with warnings of judgments to come, and then proceeds with prophecies of something beneficial arising out of the dark times. Zec 12 illustrates this: it begins with a “burden… for Israel… in the siege”, but then quickly speaks of a time of blessing succeeding the time of affliction: Jerusalem inhabited again in her own place (Zec 12:6,7). The burdens of Isaiah generally follow this same pattern, with special ref to the LD of Gentile times and the establishment of “Israel in their own land” (Isa 14:1) and Christ as the “ruler of the land… upon the mount of the daughter of Zion” (Isa 16:1). Also the roles of various Gentile powers, esp in relation to Israel and God’s plans for the LD, are outlined. What might first appear to be a dry and unrewarding study becomes in reality a promise of God’s deliverance for His people (in typical prophecies) and a glorious assurance (in initial fulfillments) that God’s purpose stands firm (Isa 14:26,27).

Vv 1-5: “A dramatic picture of Phoenician ships of their way home from a long voyage, learning with dismay when they touch at Cyprus that their home harbor is now in enemy hands” (WIsa 253).

TYRE: An ancient Phoenician city-state on the Mediterranean between Acre and Sidon. In control of only the plain of Tyre (c 15 miles long and two miles wide) in the early days, the city eventually established leadership over all the cities of the Phoenician coast, but did not unify them into a national state. Origins of Tyre date to very early times, prob the 3rd millennium BC. During the Amarna age (1400-1360 BC) Sidon successfully besieged the town and maintained an ascendancy over it thereafter. The temple of Asherah in Tyre was well known to the people of ancient Ugarit. When sea raiders left Sidon largely in ruins about 1200 BC, many of her people migrated to Tyre, contributing to this ascendancy. Thus it could be said that Tyre was the “daughter of Sidon” (Isa 23:12).

SHIPS OF TARSHISH: “Trading ships” (NIV of Isa 60:9). The use of “Tarshish” prob expresses type of ship, not origin (MNIV 97,98) See Lesson, Tarshish.

Isa 23:4

SIDON: An ancient Phoenician city located about 20 miles north of Tyre and a like distance south of Beirut. Backed by the Lebanon Mountains, Sidon faces the Mediterranean and controlled the Plain of Sidon, a strip of coastal plain about 20 mi long and two mi wide. Apparently the oldest of Phoenician cities, Sidon was founded by the son of Canaan (Gen 10:15). Gradually it assumed domination of the Phoenician coast and maintained it for several centuries, finally losing it to Tyre. So great was this ascendancy that “Sidonian” and “Phoenician” largely became interchangeable terms. This was true for the early period when Sidon was predominant in Phoenicia (Deu 3:9; Jos 13:4,6), as well as long after Tyre attained the headship. Thus Ethbaal, king of Tyre, is called king of the Sidonians in 1Ki 16:31.

THE SEA HAS SPOKEN…: The sea laments the loss of her “children”, ie Tyre and Sidon, the great seafaring peoples of the ANE.

Isa 23:5

Egypt and Tyre were trading partners: Tyre handling the shipping of Egypt’s huge grain crops (v 3).

Isa 23:6

TARSHISH (Psa 48:7) was a son of Javan (Gen 10:4); it is a name which came to ref to the Phoenicians, a sea-faring and trading people (hence such refs as Jon 1:3; Eze 27:12; 1Ki 9:26; 10:22; 2Ch 9:21). That Tarshish represents a latter-day power is evident both here and in Eze 38:13 (where it appears as an ally of Sheba and Dedan). In Isa 23 — a prophecy concerning Tyre, there is plainly a strong link with “the daughter of Tarshish” and “the ships of Tarshish” (vv 1,6,10,14) — this leads to the reasonable conclusion that Tarshish is another name for Tyre. (The proposed identification of Tarshish with England merely on the basis that the latter is — or rather was — a significant sea power is extremely tenuous at best.)

CROSS OVER TO TARSHISH: “Archaeological evidence suggests that although Sennacherib overran Phoenicia and subjugated Sidon, he did not entirely capture Tyre. Doubtless the mainland city became his. Psa 83:7 points to this, and no doubt the Tyrians sought Assyrian favour by contributing fighting men and naval aid down the coast for the furthering of Sennacherib’s campaign against Judah. But until the time of Alexander the Great, island-Tyre was inviolate” (WIsa 253).

So this v suggests that refugees fled from mainland Tyre at the attack of Sennacherib, and made their way to the island city, where they were safe.

Isa 23:7

FAR-OFF LANDS: Deportation of Tyrians by Sennacherib.

Isa 23:8

TRADERS: Lit, “Canaanites”. Zidon was a son of Canaan (Gen 10:15). Later the traders of Tyre became the best-known of all the Canaanites (cp Zec 14:21).

Isa 23:9

TO BRING LOW THE PRIDE OF ALL GLORY: Lit, “to profane…” The Tyrian worship of Melkart was modeled on that of Yahweh, as a consequence of the close friendship between Solomon and Hiram. {Friendly relations had once existed between the Hebrews and Tyrians. Hiram provided carpenters, masons, and wood for the construction of David’s palace (2Sa 5:11-12; 1Ch 14:1-2), and he provided men and materials for the construction of Solomon’s palace and the temple (2Ch 2; 1Ki 5:1-12).]

Isa 23:13

“And if you depart [being led away captive: v 7] to the land of the Chaldeans [ie, to Babylon], this also is laid waste by the Assyrians, for their wall is fallen” (LXX). That is, ‘Wherever you may go, you cannot escape the depredations of the Assyrians!’

Isa 23:15

Vv 15-18: A very difficult passage. Poss interpretation: For 70 years, Tyre had abandoned her previously close association with Jerusalem. But now, driven by the defeat by Assyria, Tyre seeks once again “fellowship” with Judah (cp Psa 87:4; 45:12; 2Ch 32:23). Thus the “wages of a harlot” (ie, her mercantile profits) are, in some measure, given to the LORD. “It is remarkable that whereas certain of the Arab powers seem to be marked out for hard discipline or even utter destruction in the time of the end (eg Isa 34; Oba), there is to be a willingness on the part of others to acknowledge God’s King in Jerusalem. Is it relevant that there are more (nominal) Christians among the Arabs of Lebanon than in any other part of the Arab world? Then, although there has been no friendship in Lebanon for the new state of Israel, perhaps this 70-year estrangement is due to be replaced with a new spirit of amity and service” (WIsa 255).

Isa 24:1

THE EARTH: “There can be little doubt that throughout this ch the wd ‘eretz’ sb read Land (16 times). Certainly in its primary ref it is the Land of Israel whose misery is being foretold (in future tense, in Heb). But, significantly, Jerusalem itself is not mentioned — appropriate enough, for it was the only city in Judah not to suffer directly in the Assyrian campaign” (WIsa 256). Not, of course, a complete devastation of the surface of the whole globe!

RUIN ITS FACE: Lit, “turn it upside down”: cp 2Ki 21:13; Eze 21:27 (overturn).

SCATTER ITS INHABITANTS: In Hezekiah’s day, only the first taste of what was to come on Jewry, and is yet to come on them (Deu 28:64).

Isa 24:2

“The long catalogue of all segments of society all brought to a common level of misery is a highly effective characteristic of Isaiah’s writing; cp Isa 2:12-16; 3:1-3,18-24… Contemporary Hosea has a similar description: Hos 4:3,6,9” (WIsa 256).

Isa 24:4

“It is a depressing picture, with the nobility suffering as much as the rest. God’s Holy Land is defiled by violence and by heedless transgression of God’s laws (Lev 26:46), by gross neglect of His Passover ordinance (sw Exo 12:14,17,24) and a callous disregard of the covenant made between Jehovah and Israel at Mt Sinai (Exo 24). The most obvious token of this was the shutting of the temple by Hezek’s evil father” (WIsa 256,257).

Isa 24:5

THE EARTH IS DEFILED BY ITS PEOPLE: Isa 26:21 suggests that the Land’s inhabitants defiled the Land by shedding the blood of their fellow Jews (cp Num 35:33,34).

AND BROKEN THE EVERLASTING COVENANT: If the Noahic covenant, may mean the prohibition against wrongful bloodshed (Gen 9:7) — of which Israel was guilty (Isa 1:15,21; 4:4). Or may ref more esp the LM and its regulations prohibiting murder (Exo 20:13; Num 35:6-34), which are an extension of the Noahic mandate.

Isa 24:6

BURNED UP… VERY FEW ARE LEFT: The dross of Israel’s guilt was to be burned out (Isa 1:31; 5:24; 9:18,19; 10:16,17)… Assyrian invaders would ruthlessly fire towns and villages” (WIsa 257).

Isa 24:7

THE NEW WINE… VINE…: God removed Jews’ means of sacrifice and worship — because of their disregard for Him (cp Joel 1:10-12).

Isa 24:8

TAMBOURINES: Used in religious services: Psa 81:2; 1Sa 10:5; Exo 15:20 — esp to celebrate victories.

Isa 24:9

A SONG: The joyful music of the feasts would cease (Amo 6:5); only the chant of lamentation would remain (Amo 8:10).

BITTER: Cp Deu 32:33.

Isa 24:10

RUINED: Heb “tohu”, as in Gen 1:2: “formless”.

THE ENTRANCE TO EVERY HOUSE IS BARRED: Barricaded against the time when the enemy will threaten to batter its gates to pieces (v 12).

Isa 24:11

But ct this with Isa 25:6-9; 35:1… This is not the permanent condition!

Isa 24:13

GLEANINGS: Same figure in Isa 17:4-6; 27:2; Mic 7:1,2. (Does the “harvest” motif here suggest that the last terrible 3 1/2 year tribulation period for Israel begins at time of Feast of Tabernacles — ie harvest — and concludes at time of Passover?)

Isa 24:14

THEY SHOUT FOR JOY: Seemingly entirely out of place with earlier vv, but fully explained by the sudden and total overthrow of Sennacherib’s host!

FROM THE WEST THEY ACCLAIM…: This last phrase: “The water of the sea shall be troubled” (LXX). Cited Luk 21:25. Or… as NIV, the loud acclamation and rejoicing — but from east and west — at the defeat of Sennacherib (2Ch 32:23; Isa 25:3) [ // v 15 also].

Isa 24:15

EAST: Heb “orim” — transltd “fires” in AV, but prob a ref to the dawn, or the east.

ISLANDS OF THE SEA: The coastlands (and poss islands of Medit), to the west. Together, east and west!

Isa 24:16

GLORY TO THE RIGHTEOUS ONE: Not used of God Himself; thus a ref to Hezekiah — “raised up” from the “dead”, so to speak!

BUT I SAID, ‘I WASTE AWAY… THE TREACHEROUS BETRAY!…”: Even in the midst of victory, there is observed the terrible devastation of the Land at the hand of Sennacherib — the result of the cowardly betrayal of Isaiah’s (and Hezekiah’s) ideals by self-serving politicians (see Isa 21:2; 33:1) and turncoat Arab mercenaries (Isa 25:10; 34:5)!

THE TREACHEROUS BETRAY: In LD, refs esp to Israel’s Arab neighbors: Jer 48:42,43; Psa 83 (the Arabs who betray their “brethren”!).

Isa 24:17

TERROR… PIT… SNARE: Heb “pachad, pachath, pach”. “Lest that day come upon you as a snare” (Luk 21:35).

TERROR: Sw used about Uzziah’s earthquake: Isa 2:10,19,21.

SNARE: A trap in which animals are caught. But the sw occurs in Psa 11:6 re a storm.

Isa 24:18

For general idea, cp Amo 5:9; 9:1-4.

Nuclear weapons? Consider: (1) mighty explosion, (2) underground bomb shelters, (3) imperceptible fallout.

FLOODGATES OF THE HEAVENS: “As in days of Noah” (Gen 7:11; 8:2; Mat 24:37).

THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE EARTH SHAKE: See Lesson, Earthquakes.

Isa 24:19

THOROUGHLY SHAKEN: “Perplexed” (LXX: “aporia”, sw Luk 21:25).

Isa 24:20

DRUNKARD: “Surfeiting and drunkenness” (Luk 21:35).

LIKE A HUT IN THE WIND: A frail shack battered and wrecked by a hurricane.

Isa 24:21

POWERS IN… HEAVENS.. .AND.. .ON THE EARTH: Two “tsabaoth”, or kinds of armies: in heaven (air force, missiles) and on earth (army, navy). A perfect anticipation of modern warfare.

Isa 24:23

Cited Mat 24:29: sun darkened… moon shall not give her light. The glory of the resurrected Christ outshines sun (Isa 4:5; 60:1,3; Mal 4:2; Act 26:13).

ELDERS: The “fathers” (Gen 28:4; Joh 8:56), incl David (2Sa 7:16).

LD: Here is pictured “the long-overdue repentance of the nation, its self-humiliation before the Man — whom, formerly, they would not have to reign over them. At that time not only those who are the Lord’s true temple, his mount Zion, but also the entire city of Jerusalem will gladly receive Jesus as ‘the Lord our Righteousness.’ And with them there will be the ‘ancients’ of the race, the Fathers: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David — men of faith who received promises, believed them with heart and soul, but who have slept through long centuries till the day of fulfillment. Here, and not here only (Isa 25:8; 26:19) is Isaiah’s confident doctrine of the resurrection” (WIsa 264).

Isa 25:1

Isa 25: The “songs” alluded to in Isa 24:16!

IN PERFECT FAITHFULNESS: “Faithful and sure” (RSV). Or “faithful and true”, a title of Christ in Rev 9:11. An idiom for the promises of God, esp those made to the ancient fathers and to David (Mic 7:20; Psa 89:1,2,22,24,29; Gen 24:27).

MARVELOUS THINGS: “A wonder of counsels”: cp Isa 9:6. The “marvelous things” = the saving of Jerusalem from the Assyrians; the saving of Hezekiah from a deadly illness. In both deliverances, there was no hope from man, but only by dramatic act of God (Isa 38:5,6).

THINGS PLANNED LONG AGO: Foretold some years earlier: Isa 14:25; 17:13; 4:2; 1:26; 8:14; 16:5; 22:20,21.

Isa 25:2

THE CITY: Here, Nineveh, not destroyed soon (in fact, more than 100 years later). Is this characteristic prophetic language, asserting inevitable overthrow because Isaiah himself (Isa 13;14), Micah (Mic 5:6), and Nahum (Nah 2;3) had already foretold it?

THE FOREIGNERS’ STRONGHOLD… NEVER BE REBUILT: The Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem?

Isa 25:3

The Gentile nations giving glory to the God of Hezekiah: 2Ch 32:23. For LD //, see Rev 11:13.

Isa 25:4

// Isa 4:5,6.

REFUGE: God a strong tower: Pro 18:10.

POOR… NEEDY: Hezekiah himself, delivered simultaneously from the threat to his own life and threat to his city.

Isa 25:5

AS HEAT IS REDUCED BY THE SHADOW OF A CLOUD: “As when heat burns under a cloud”, ie the Shekinah Glory.

SO THE SONG OF THE RUTHLESS IS STILLED: “A psalm shall bring down the terrible ones” (TofE 67). Cp 2Ch 20:21,22.

Isa 25:6

THIS MOUNTAIN: Mt Zion (Isa 24:23).

RICH FOOD: Previously all fat things were God’s portions only (Lev 3:3-5). But now they are shared with all mankind. Feast of Tabernacles language (cp Zec 14:16)! Also, Breaking of bread, with bread and wine: Luk 22:16; Mat 26:29; Isa 55:1,2.

FOR ALL PEOPLE: “None can sit at the table who do not know the giver” (GbS 58). “Many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven” (Mat 8:11).

WINES: “When I drink it anew with you” (Mat 26:29).

Isa 25:7

See Lesson, Judgment seat at Jerusalem.

SHROUD: Or “veil”, marking their leprous uncleanness (Lev 13:45) — the disease that threatened to kill Hezekiah. “Shroud”, however, suits v 8: “death”. Perhaps, esp, the veil, or cloth, placed over the face of the dead (cp Joh 11:44; 19:40; 20:7). (“Veil”, or “shroud” = Heb “lowt”, or “Lot”, the father of Moab (cp v 10 here).

THAT ENFOLDS ALL PEOPLES: “And suffering Gentile nations shared in his [Hezekiah’s] gladness (Isa 14:1; 16:4 19:18-25; 23:18; 2Ch 32:23; 2Ki 20:12)” (WIsa 266).

Isa 25:8

HE WILL SWALLOW UP DEATH FOREVER: Hezekiah: Isa 38:19-21. The image of the LORD “swallowing” death would be esp powerful, for death was viewed in Canaanite mythology and culture as a hungry god who swallows his victims. (NT) Quoted by Paul in 1Co 15:54 re resurrection.

THE SOVEREIGN LORD WILL WIPE AWAY THE TEARS FROM ALL FACES: Re Hezekiah: Isa 38:5; 30:19; Psa 116:8. LD: “It is the picture of the angel of the Lord personally wiping away for ever the tears of sadness which have been inevitable in the experience of all saints in Christ. This incomparable comfort will be one of the greatest of the blessings of the kingdom of God. For the assurance of the sore-tested believer it is so picked out in two Apocalyptic visions of the age to come (Rev 7:17; 21:4). Behind these words is yet a further comfort. More than once it has been said: ‘How shall I be able to enjoy the blessedness of the kingdom if one whom I have so long and so dearly loved does not share it with me?’ To this Isaiah’s answer is that even such tears will be wiped away. The implication is that all memories involving sadness will be blotted out by the imparting of a superb faculty for forgetting: ‘Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears; for thy work shall be rewarded’ (Jer 31:16)” (WIsa 269).

HE WILL REMOVE THE DISGRACE OF HIS PEOPLE FROM ALL THE EARTH: “Disgrace” = the Assyrian menace: Psa 44:13-16; 79:10,11; 89:50,51; Mic 6:16.

Isa 25:9

IN THAT DAY: Cp Isa 26:1; 27:1,2,12,13.

WE TRUSTED IN HIM: Cp Isa 26:8; 33:2.

LET US BE REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN HIS SALVATION: Psa 118:24.

Isa 25:10

THE HAND OF THE LORD WILL REST: That is, to protect.

BUT MOAB WILL BE TRAMPLED: But for the enemy (Moab here: Isa 15;16), Zion, originally a threshing floor, became a place of downtreading.

Isa 12:1

Isa 12: A psalm of praise for the deliverance God will bring to Jerusalem, by the destruction of the army of Assyria. Note //s with Exo 15 — commemorating the destruction of the army of Egypt.

ALTHOUGH YOU WERE ANGRY WITH ME: “This, of course, makes no sense apart from the realisation that the affliction which came on Hezekiah was not personally deserved but was visited on him as representative of the nation. Nor does this first declaration make sense apart from what follows: ‘Thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortest me’ ” (WIsa 191).

Isa 12:3

WELLS OF SALVATION: “In Hezekiah’s day there was only one ‘well of salvation’ — the Gihon spring which was led underground by Hezekiah’s conduit (2Ch 32:3,4) to Siloam (Isa 8:6) inside the city’s defences. The intensive plural — ‘wells’ — is used here for emphasis. Here is the beginning (it could hardly have been introduced earlier) of the lovely figure of speech, in psalms and prophets, of the Lord as a life-giving spring of water (Jer 2:13; cp Psa 42:1,2). [This v] suggests that it was in thanksgiving for the Assyrian deliverance that the procedure was instituted at the Feast of Tabernacles [cp also Zec 14:16] of drawing water from Siloam and taking it in solemn processional to the temple, there to be poured out in praise and thanksgiving at the base of the altar. It was, of course, this to which Jesus referred in his great appeal on the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles (Joh 7:37,38). He appropriated the meaning of the entire procedure to himself, and thus underlined (what needs no underlining) that Isa 12 is about himself and his salvation” (WIsa 192).

Isa 12:4

GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD, CALL ON HIS NAME: Quoting from one of the processional psalms when David brought the ark to Zion (1Ch 16:8; cp Psa 105:1). ‘Do not forget that the true “Ark” of the glory of God is here in Jerusalem, and that He is the tower and refuge of His people (Psa 46:7; 48:3).’

Isa 12:5

GLORIOUS: Or “excellent”. Lit, the “surging” or “welling up” of mighty waters (cp sw in Psa 89:9; similar wd in Exo 15:1,21; Eze 47:5) — alluding to the sudden flow of water through the Siloam conduit when completed. Cp ideas in Psa 46.

LET THIS BE KNOWN TO ALL THE WORLD: One outcome of the Assyrian defeat was an unparalleled acknowledging of the God of Israel by surrounding nations (2Ch 32:23).

Isa 12:6

SHOUT ALOUD AND SING FOR JOY: In unrestrained gladness at such a mighty salvation.

GREAT IS THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL AMONG YOU: Cp Hos 11:9; Zep 3:14,15. Cp Christ entering the Jerusalem: “Hosanna… Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” (Mat 21:9; Psa 118:26; cp Zec 14:16; Rev 7:9; 21:3).

Isa 6:1

Isa 6: “The majestic prophecy of Isa provides a continuing panorama of wonder. Isa 6 begins a new section, and focuses attention on the glory of the King, the Lord Jesus. It opens with a significant historical background: the death of king Uzziah — the man who violated the sanctity of the temple, and died a leper. It is significant that this vision of the glory of the spiritual temple is set against the death of the monarch who violated the visible temple. It is also the time of an outstanding earthquake, only elsewhere mentioned in the Zec 14:5, as typical of the earthquake of the future. The chapter reveals the character of the future Monarch to sit on the throne of David. He would be associated with sin (v 6), representing a people found in transgression (v 5), but would be elevated by Yahweh to fulfil His ultimate purpose to reveal His righteousness and to save the Seed of His selection… The voice of Messiah is obviously found in the message, as he sets forth to deliver the message of Isaiah to the generation (v 8), and by him, the Isaiah type are cleansed. His great sacrifice was for himself (v 7) that it might be for all those in him (v 13). The glory of this ch becomes the introduction to the great prophecy of Emmanuel in the chs that follow [Isa 7-12]” (GEM).

Isaiah was confronted by God’s preeminence (Uzziah died and he saw God alone: v 1); by God’s purity (“Holy, holy, holy”: v 3); and by God’s power (the earthquake: v 4)!

IN THE YEAR THAT KING UZZIAH DIED: Uzziah repr the sin-cursed rulers of this world; in the year they “die”, then the Lord Jesus Christ will be exalted in his temple!

SEATED ON A THRONE: A “throne” in the Temple? The mercy-seat above the ark, in the Most Holy Place.

HIGH AND EXALTED: It was God, not Uzziah, who was to be exalted in His Temple — in ct to the unseemly self-exaltation attempted by Uzziah (2Ch 26:16,21). “Exalted”, or “lifted up”, ref to God revealing His righteousness in His Son Christ on the cross (Joh 12:34; cp John 12:40,41; cp also Isa 52:13).

THE TRAIN OF HIS ROBE: Ref to the High Priest garments (Exo 28:33,34). God manifesting Himself in Christ, who will be a priest upon his throne (Zec 6:13).

Isa 6:2

SERAPHS: Describes the flying serpents of the wilderness (Num 21:6,8; Isa 30:6; Deu 8:15). Related to the verb describing the refining, cleansing fire of God, esp in judgment or retribution. So perhaps here, = God’s instruments (the angels of “evil”, or “destroying angels”: Psa 78:49?) inflicting His righteous penalty for sin. Cp the 6-winged living creatures in Rev 4: God’s judgments held in readiness.

COVERING THEIR FACES: Sym God turning away His face so as not to behold evil (Hab 1:13), ie that of Uzziah. “There is some appropriateness in their faces being covered, for if it had not been for the Fall in Eden their grim work would not be necessary” (WIsa 135). Also, at this time, the original brazen serpent had become an object of idolatrous worship (2Ki 18:4).

WITH TWO THEY COVERED THEIR FEET: Temporarily resting from their labors? Ct Dan 10:6; Rev 1:15.

WITH TWO THEY WERE FLYING: Or “hovering”, like the Passover angels: angels of evil were preparing for judgments, and protecting angels were doing their work also!

Isa 6:3

THE WHOLE EARTH IS FULL OF HIS GLORY: “Earth” may = the whole Land, both north (invaded by Assyria) and south (under God’s watchful protection). Either way, the Glory of God is at work!

Isa 6:4

// Amo 9:1, same scene?

FILLED WITH SMOKE: In ct with the incense offered by Uzziah. Sig the wrath of God (cp Psa 18:7,8; Exo 19:18; Deu 29:20) — hiding God’s glory until His judgments are finished. “There is a close parallel to all this in Rev 15; 16, where there are cherubim and a hymn to the praise of God; the temple is filled with smoke, and the wrath of God is expressed in a violent earthquake (Rev 15:1,3,7,8; 16:18,19)” (WIsa 136).

Isa 6:5

“Whenever God has chosen men for some great duty and has prepared them for it by the vision of His holiness, their complete unfitness for divine use has been realized: ‘I am a man of unclean lips,’ said Isaiah, when he had heard the three-fold acclamation of God’s holiness. This was not because he was base or depraved; on the contrary he was a ‘holy man of God’ chosen to be the channel of the most outstanding revelations of the Messiah. And not only did he realize his own uncleanness of lip, but he felt also that his race, his people, were likewise unclean: ‘And I dwell in the midst of an unclean people.’ The sin-conscious man is aware of his oneness with his fellows as members of a sin-enthralled race” (CGal 71).

I AM RUINED: An overwhelming sense of his own unworthiness and incompetence and uncleanness, as with Moses (Exo 3:6,11), Jeremiah (Jer 1:6), and Job (Job 32:6).

I AM A MAN OF UNCLEAN LIPS: The same effect — a feeling of unworthiness — was produced on others by the presence of God (Jdg 6:22; 13:22; Job 42:5,6; Luk 5:8; Rev 1:17).

UNCLEAN LIPS: Sig leprosy (like that of Uzziah, Hezekiah), or moral leprosy (cp Isa 1:5,6). “The leper was commanded to go with rent clothes, and head bare, and lip covered, as he made his warning cry: ‘Unclean, unclean’ (Lev 13:45)” (WIsa 137).

AND I LIVE AMONG A PEOPLE OF UNCLEAN LIPS: The leprosy of sin-nature, from which all mankind suffers. Ct the promise of a “pure lip” in Zep 3:9.

Isa 6:6

A LIVE COAL: A burning coal from the altar of incense, related to the altar of burnt offering. It was only by the perfect offering for sin that Isaiah could be cleansed of his “leprosy”. (Was Jeremiah’s mouth likewise touched by a live coal: Jer 1:9?)

WHICH HE HAD TAKEN WITH TONGS FROM THE ALTAR: Even though it could only be a perfect man to effect such cleansing, the angels were necessary in this operation (Heb 1:14).

Isa 6:7

YOUR SIN ATONED FOR: “Atoned for” = Heb “kippor”. Did this happen on Day of Atonement?

Isa 6:8

HERE AM I. SEND ME!: “Isaiah’s reaction to this devastatingly awe-inspiring experience might well have been a shrinking away into silent reluctance. But instead, the declaration of sins forgiven impelled him to a willingness to go as the Lord’s messenger, although not knowing whither he went” (WIsa 138).

Contrast with examples of prophetic reluctance: Exo 4:10; Jer 1:6; Eze 3:14; Jon 1:3; 1Ki 19:10; Luk 5:8,10; 9:59; 18:23; Act 13:13; 18:9.

Isa 6:9

Vv 9,10: A divine judgment for the wickedness of Israel: cp Christ’s use of these words in Mat 13:12-15. Also see Deu 29:4; Joh 12:39,40. Israel were vessels of wrath fit for destruction (Rom 9:22; cp Rom 11:25,26).

Isa 6:11

HOW LONG…?: That is, ‘How long will Your judgments last when they come?’ (cp Jer 12:4; Dan 12:6; Zec 1:12; Psa 90;13; Rev 6:10).

Isa 6:13

CUT DOWN: Like abominable branches (Isa 14:19), and two “abominable” kings, Jehoiakin and Jeconiah (Jer 22:19,28).

SO THE HOLY SEED WILL BE THE STUMP IN THE LAND: “Nevertheless the ‘tree’ of Israel will survive through the ‘holy seed’ foretold in the next prophecy (Isa 7:14), the rod out of the stem of Jesse, the Branch out of his roots (Isa 11:1), the Branch of the Lord who will be beautiful and glorious (Isa 4:2), the dead Tree of Golgotha a veritable Tree of Life” (WIsa 141).

Isa 7:1

Background: “An inscription of Tiglath-pileser mentions both Menahem of Samaria and Rezin of Damascus as paying tribute to Assyria. So evidently at the time of the prophecy, whilst the Assyrian king was busy with fighting to the north and east of his capital, these two vassals rebelled and set about forcing Judah to join an anti-Nineveh confederacy… Verse 6 shows that they were determined to have a nominee of their own ruling in Jerusalem” (WIsa 142).

WHEN: Lit “it came to pass” (AV): Sig a time of trouble which ends in blessing: Gen 14:1; Rth 1:1; Jer 1:3; Est 1:1; 2Sa 21:1.

AHAZ: A wicked ruler (2Ki 16:3-5; 2Ch 28:23), who set up idolatrous worship and heathen altars, and desecrated the holy places of God. The “Book of Immanuel” (Isa 7-12) begins with an idolatrous king on throne in Jerusalem, and ends with the “Holy One” enthroned on Zion.

Isa 7:2

THE HOUSE OF DAVID: A term expressing the far-reaching import of the words of Isaiah: ie, not just for Ahaz, but for his whole family, and for generations to come.

ARAM: Syria sought to wrest Elath, on the gulf, from Judah (2KI 16:6).

EPHRAIM: At the same time, Israel invaded from the north, right up the walls of Jerusalem, and then retired (2Ch 28:5…).

THE HEARTS OF AHAZ AND HIS PEOPLE WERE SHAKEN…: A panicky halting between alternative policies: (1) join the confederacy and fight against Assyria, or (2) resist these Syrians and Israelites, because God is with us, or (3) buy Assyrian aid by sending more tribute to Nineveh: this last was the policy which had been followed to this point, and which had been denounced by Hosea (Hos 5:13; 8:8,10; 10:5-7).

Isa 7:3

YOUR SON: An implied rebuke the wicked king, who had burned his own son in the fires (2Ki 16:3).

SHEAR-JASHUB: Sig “a remnant will return”, whose name testified to the unhappy fact of a nation astray from God, with only a remnant remaining faithful (Isa 6:13; 10:21)… but also to the promise that a remnant WOULD return from the soon-coming captivity of the Assyrian (Isa 37:31).

UPPER POOL: Perhaps the “Virgin’s Fountain” (Joh 5:2n). Was Ahaz inspecting some piece of engineering to cover and protect the Gihon spring, in the event of attack (the sort of thing later completed by Hezekiah)?

WASHERMAN’S FIELD: The place where new cloth was repeatedly washed in the waters of the spring and then laid out for drying in the sun.

Isa 7:4

Vv 4-6: An assurance given entirely in the spirit of the commandment (Deu 20:3,4), that in time of battle the army be encouraged by a priestly exhortation to faithful dependence on God (cp Isa 30:15; 57:20).

TWO SMOLDERING STUBS OF FIREWOOD: A contemptuous phrase: two burned-out torches! What a ct to the devouring fire of Yahweh (Isa 5:24; 33:14).

BECAUSE OF THE FIERCE ANGER…: Alternate rendering: “For when my fierce anger is over, I will heal again” (LXX).

Isa 7:6

Isaiah also reveals to Ahaz all the secret counsels of his enemies — but tells him that their plans will not succeed.

Isa 7:7

IT WILL NOT TAKE PLACE, IT WILL NOT HAPPEN: But Judah will be safe from the depredations of Syria and Israel: God has guaranteed it!

Isa 7:8

SIXTY-FIVE YEARS: Too long a period to have any immediate impact. One suggestion, by a slight change: “six, even five years” — perhaps six years for Israel, and 5 years for Syria. (This shorter time span corresponds well with vv 14,16.) By then, the rising tide of Assyrian aggression will have swamped them both.

Isa 7:11

ASK THE LORD: A daring challenge from a prophet who is absolutely sure of himself!

A SIGN… DEPTHS… HEIGHTS: Blessings of heaven (ie Gen 49:25) in the birth of a special son (cp Pro 30:4). Blessings from sheol, in life from the dead, resurrection, etc (as ref Hezekiah in Isa 38:10). Blessings of the Messiah.

Isa 7:12

I WILL NOT ASK: Ahaz was already committed to buying the cynical aid of Tiglath-pileser (2Ki 16:7,8). Besides, he could not let the king of Assyria find out (as he would eventually) that he, Ahaz, was listening to Isaiah!

Isa 7:13

YOU HOUSE OF DAVID: Implying that the promises to David re his “house” (2Sa 7) should have been the trust of Ahaz! But they were not, and so the promise was not for Ahaz at all, but for the family of which he was (an unworthy) part! In its immediate fulfillment, “Immanuel/Hezekiah” would do Ahaz no good; it would, however, benefit the “house of David”. And in its final and complete fulfillment, “Immanuel/Jesus” would come long after Ahaz had died, and would be for the whole “house of David” in ages to come!

Isa 7:14

VIRGIN: “Virgin” in AV, NIV. “Young woman” in NEB. Other OT prophecies of “virgin birth”: Isa 41:9; 43:1; 44:2,24; 45:4; 46:3; 49:1; Psa 22:9,10; 71:6: 89:26,27; 110:1,3; 132:11; Gen 3:15; Mic 5:2; 2 Sam 7:14; Gen 49:25; Jer 31:22; Pro 30:4. Also, type of Isaac’s birth. Also, cp v 11: a “sign” in the height, depth, etc is idiomatic for a “sign” about the Messiah (Gen 49:25; Pro 30:4; Isa 45:8; Psa 85:11; etc). The first express prophecy in the OT is Gen 3:15, the seed of the woman (but not the man) who would destroy the power of sin symbolized by the serpent. And the first express fulfillment of prophecy in the NT is Mat 1:23. How was this prophecy of Isaiah to be fulfilled? Over the centuries this has become a Jewish controversy, and even a Christian controversy, as witnessed by some modern versions that translate the Heb “alma” or the Gr “parthenos” by “young woman” or the like, instead of “virgin”. Of one thing there can be no doubt: no matter what the best translation of the original words, both Matthew and Luke agree that Mary had had no relations with any man when Jesus was conceived. God has clearly shown how Isaiah’s prophecy was fulfilled despite whatever minor arguments may revolve around the precise words used.

The Heb “alma” and its related words are derived from a root sig to cover or conceal. One common suggestion is that it refers to the practice of keeping unmarried girls in seclusion in their parents’ homes. This explanation would favor virginity as the meaning of alma, but would not prove it absolutely. However, a more meaningful aspect comes into view when the antonym is considered; it means “to uncover”. “To uncover the nakedness” (so translated, lit, by the KJV) of another is a Heb euphemism for having sexual intercourse (Lev 20:11,17-21). So one who is “covered” — an alma — is then specifically one who has not engaged in sexual intercourse.

IMMANUEL: Not “God-with-us”, as in “HE is God!” But rather “God is with us”, as a promise of God’s protection. See such promises as Gen 28:15; Exo 33:16; Jos 1:9; Jdg 6:13; 1Ki 8:57; 2Ki 18:7; 2Ch 32:8; Deu 20:4.

See Lesson, “Little child” in Isa.

Isa 7:15

Vv 15,16: Even though v 14 is plainly a prophecy of the birth of Jesus, it just as plainly has a practically immediate fulfillment! The child to be born will be Hezekiah: see how Isa 9:6,7 and Isa 11:1… suit his person and reign also. (Cp similar prophecy of birth of special child in Mic 5:2…) It may be assumed that, alongside Ahaz, there was standing there Abijah, the daughter (or grand-daughter) of Zechariah the High Priest (2Ch 29:1; 24:20), the young virgin whom Ahaz would shortly marry; after their marriage, she would conceive and bear a special son (named “Immanuel”, then changed later to “Hezekiah”?).

HE WILL EAT CURDS AND HONEY: “He will feed on rich stores of covenant blessings” (WK). Cp Isa 55:2; 1Pe 2:2. As re Christ, the copying out of the LM as a child (Deu 17:18).

Isa 7:16

THE TWO KINGS YOU DREAD: Two possibilities: (1) Rezin and Pekah (v 4), or (2) the kings of Assyria and Egypt (vv 17,18). Re Christ: Herod the Great and Archelaus both die shortly after Christ is born.

Isa 7:18

FLIES FROM… EGYPT… BEES FROM… ASSYRIA: “Swarming flies are irritating; bees are irritating and esp dangerous because of the pain they inflict with their sting (Deu 1:44; Psa 118:12). The metaphors are well chosen, for the Assyrians (symbolized by the bees) were much more powerful and dangerous than the Egyptians (symbolized by the flies). Nevertheless both would put pressure on Judah, for Egypt wanted Judah as a buffer state against Assyrian aggression, while Assyria wanted it as a base for operations against Egypt. Following the ref to sour milk and honey (v 15), the metaphor is esp apt, for flies are attracted to dairy products and bees can be found in the vicinity of honey” (NET notes).

Isa 7:20

RAZOR… THE KING OF ASSYRIA: So thoroughly will these “bees” (v 18) gather their “honey” (plunder) that Judah will be like a man shaved bald!

Isa 7:22

ABUNDANCE: Due to misguided policy of Ahaz, the Assyrians would bring such destruction that yogurt and wild honey would be only food available. “Abundance” may be read sarcastically (Baly 84).

ALL WHO REMAIN IN THE LAND: Or poss a promise of prosperity, but with a sinister twist: “all who remain” (cp Isa 1:8; 4:3; 6:12) implies great loss of life, so that only a remnant remain where previously there had been a great population!

Isa 7:23

A THOUSAND VINES… ONLY BRIERS AND THORNS: The “vineyard” of the LORD (Isa 5) has been reduced to this!

Isa 8:1

LARGE SCROLL: A placard for public witness.

WRITE ON IT: Other allusions to writing: Isa 8:16; 29:11,18; 30:8; 34:16; Jer 32:14; 36:4; Hab 2:2,3.

MAHER-SHALAL-HASH-BAZ: “Speed-spoil-haste-prey”: a name of both comfort (v 4: retribution on Syria and Israel) and warning (vv 7,8: the same thing could happen to Judah).

Isa 8:2

URIAH: In 2Ki 16:10-16 he appears in an unfavorable light, as he complies without complaint with certain undesirable changes in the temple worship at the request of Ahaz.

ZECHARIAH SON OF JEBEREKIAH: Almost certainly Ahaz’s father-in-law and grandfather of Hezekiah (2Ch 29:1), and prob a wholesome influence on his grandson

Isa 8:3

Figure of mother and children in Isaiah: Isa 8:3,4; 11:8; 26:17,18; 28:9; 45:10,11; 46:3,4; 49:15,20-23; 54:1; 60:16; 66:11-13.

PROPHETESS: Others were Deborah (Jdg 4:4) and Huldah (2Ch 34:22). Where are her prophecies? Poss Isa 5 (“beloved” is masc); Isa 40 (Isa 40:9 is fem: “she who brings good news”); and numerous refs in Isa 40-66 to women and marriage and children.

Isa 8:4

THE WEALTH OF DAMASCUS: The first Assyrian devastation of Syria ended Rezin’s reign (2Ki 16:9).

THE PLUNDER OF SAMARIA: Not recorded in Scripture; however, must have occurred at about the same time. The complete overthrow of both kingdoms was finally accomplished by Shalmaneser V (2Ki 17:6; 18:9,10).

Isa 8:6

THIS PEOPLE HAS REJECTED…: Rejected what? Both the offer of a sign to Ahaz (Isa 7:11), and the solemn Maher-shalal… warning (Isa 8:4). Cp Isa 30:12. Literally rejected were the sweet waters of the conduit for the Gihon Spring and Virgin’s Fountain — begun in Ahaz’s reign but not completed? (Cp Joh 9:7: the blind man did not refuse these waters!)

Through the sacred page flow two very different streams. The raging torrent, the seasonal river overflowing its banks, is used by Isaiah as a figure for the advancing Assyrians (Isa 8:7,8). The waters thereof roar and are troubled; proud billows and lashing waves, lofty as hills, sweep aside mountains in their path (Psa 46:3). But in their tumultuous course the wild waters come at last against the immovable height of Zion (Psa 125:1): “Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed” (Job 38:11). For here, beneath Zion’s hill, flows another stream which is the secret of her survival. It is not harsh and overpowering; its waters go softly (Isa 8:6) through the rock-hewn channels of Hezekiah’s conduit (2Ki 20:20) into the pool of Siloam (John 9:7). It brings life to thirsty watchmen on Zion’s walls. In its silent, unerring course it symbolizes the sure and certain purposes of God. Its whispering waters speak in a still, small voice of the blessings of faith in God. This is the river of life, the streams whereof make glad the city of God, the holy places of the tabernacles of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; God shall help her; the Lord of Hosts is with us — here is the promise of Immanuel again (Psa 46:4,5,11). Let us drink of this stream; its quiet waters will restore our souls and bring us inward peace in the midst of stormy trials.

Isa 8:7

THE MIGHTY FLOODWATERS OF THE RIVER: The chaotic waters are perhaps intended to conjure up the picture — familiar in Canaanite and Babylonian mythology — of the god’s (ie, in this case, Yahweh’s) primordial victory over Leviathan the “god” of the sea: see Lesson, Leviathan — esp “OT History”.

Isa 8:8

REACHING UP TO THE NECK: But not over the “head” (Jerusalem)!

ITS OUTSTRETCHED WINGS: An allusion to the “cherubim” which were an essential part of Assyrian religion: winged ox-lions, with human faces (borrowed from Israel? or handed down from the days of Noah?).

WILL COVER THE BREADTH OF YOUR LAND, O IMMANUEL: A stark and vulgar contrast to the overshadowing protection of the cherubim-wings of Yahweh.

O IMMANUEL: Yet the mention of Immanuel makes clear that the Assyrian would have no right to be there. “The Land is mine” (Lev 25:23)! (So the prophecy about Immanuel must have had an immediate fulfillment, in Hezekiah!)

Isa 8:9

RAISE THE WAR CRY: Or “associate yourselves” (AV), like the enemies of God in Psa 2.

NATIONS: Usual word for Israel: so may ref the Northern Kingdom.

DISTANT LANDS: Thus ref Syria.

BE SHATTERED: Like a potter’s vessel: Psa 2:9; Rev 2:26,27.

Isa 8:12

CONSPIRACY: “Confederacy” (AV) or “treaty” (NIV mg). Some in Judah wanted to confederate with Syria and Israel against Assyria. Others wanted to confederate with Assyria. Still others were thinking of joining with Egypt (Isa 19:1; 30:2; cp 2Co 6:14-18). All such alliances with the Gentile nations were sin. Yet men like Isaiah were considered traitors for saying so (cp Jer 26:8-19).

Isa 8:14

SANCTUARY: Christ = tabernacle among men (Joh 1:14). God was in Christ (2Co 5:19-21; Rom 8:3).

A STONE THAT CAUSES MEN TO STUMBLE: The original “foundation stone” was the altar-rock of Zion — which was probably the site where Abraham prepared to offer Isaac (Gen 22: cp v 9 there with Psa 118:27), and which was probably also the threshing-floor of Araunah the Jebusite on mount Moriah (2Sa 24:18-25). The wicked Ahaz, infected with a zest for the worship of foreign gods, removed the altar of burnt-offering from its prominent place atop this foundation stone, and “hid” it away in a corner of the Temple enclosure (2Ki 16:14). Yet whilst the true altar might be set aside, there was no way to shift the massive outcropping of rock on which it had stood (it is still there today, in the center of the Dome of the Rock). Thus, in Ahaz’s day it remained — quite literally — a “stone of stumbling” (Isa 8:14,15) for priests walking across the temple court, and a “rock of offence” in a spiritual sense.

It was only when Hezekiah came into full control of the kingdom that he could remedy this sacrilege, and restore the Temple worship to its rightful setting. And so the “stone” rejected by the new “builders” of Judah became, once again, a precious stone and a sure foundation for the true worship of the Lord (Isa. 28:16).

It is easy, then, to see how this foundation stone symbolized Hezekiah himself (and his faith in the Lord), upon which all true worship in Judah depended. While sick unto death, he had been “set aside” by other would-be “builders” and rulers, but when miraculously healed he would stand forth again as the chief prince of his people. (See further on WBS 111-116.)

(NT) Christ is the “stone” which cannot be hidden or removed, and over which men “stumble” (cp Rom 9:32 with Isa 8:14 and Isa 26:8; also see 1Pe 2:6-8; Psa 118:22.

A ROCK THAT MAKES THEM FALL: The God of Israel = a Rock: Isa 10:26; 26:4; 30:29).

Isa 8:18

I AND THE CHILDREN… WE ARE SIGNS: This refers to Shear-jashub (7:3) and Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz (8:1,3). Or, “signs and portents.” The names of all three individuals has symbolic value. Isaiah’s name (which meant “the LORD delivers”) was a reminder that the LORD was the nation’s only source of protection; Shear-jashub’s name (Isa 7:3) was meant, at least originally, to encourage Ahaz, and Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz’s name (Isa 8:1,3,4) was a guarantee that God would defeat Israel and Syria.

Isa 8:19

// Exo 22:18; Lev 20:6,26; Deu 18:9-12.

Isa 8:20

“If they speak not according to this word, there will be for them no morning.” This translation, following the AV mg, emphasizes that, for such as the prophet here describes, there will indeed be no “dawn” (Isa 26:19; Psa 110:3), or no resurrection.

Isa 8:21

Vv 21,22: “The judgment brought by God’s instrument, the conquering Assyrian, would leave the people roughly handled and desperately hungry through the famine of war. And in their anger with themselves for deserving such a fate they would curse their weak useless king Ahaz and the pagan god he had sought to exalt. More than this, they would curse the brutal Assyrian king and the foreign god he sought to vindicate against Jehovah. the wretched people would look up to heaven in mute despair and look also to their ravaged Land (Isa 5:30) and find no answer to their clamant needs. Instead, only harrowing perplexity (sw Luk 21:25) and gloom (as in Joel 2:2) as multitudes of captives were driven away into captivity (cp Deu 30:1,4)” (WIsa 163,164).

Isa 9:1

THERE WILL BE NO MORE GLOOM FOR THOSE WHO WERE IN DISTRESS: A picture of Jerusalem (fem in Heb), apprehensive of invasion and yet coming through unscathed. (This first phrase of Isa 9:1 actually belongs at the end of Isa 8:22.)

Poss context: “Isaiah, in disfavor at the court of Ahaz, because of his strong opposition to fashionable idolatries (2Ki 16:11-17; Isa 8:9) and wrong-headed political alliances (Isa 8:12), was hunted out of Judah and took refuge in Galilee (Isa 8:16,17). Thither he spread abroad his prophetic message of a new era of godliness and prosperity, which the new king (Hezekiah) would bring in in due time” (WGos 111).

IN THE PAST HE HUMBLED THE LAND OF ZEBULUN AND THE LAND OF NAPHTALI: The overrunning of the Northern Kingdom in the first of the Assyrian inroads under Tiglath-pileser III.

ZEBULUN… NAPHTALI: “Rejoice, O Zebulun”: Deu 33:18-23; cp Psa 68:27,28; Act 2:7. This land also witnessed the deliverances of God in the days of Deborah and Barak (Jdg 4;5).

BUT IN THE FUTURE HE WILL HONOR GALILEE: The spiritual renewal and re-unfication of the 12 tribes in the days of Hezekiah (2Ch 30:11).

(NT): As cited in Mat 4:14-16, these regions of Galilee were honored to witness the great miracles and to hear the wonderful words of Jesus.

BY THE WAY OF THE SEA: The sea of Galilee, or Chinnereth (Num 34:11; Deu 3:17; Joh 6:1; Mar 6:53).

ALONG THE JORDAN: Or “beyond Jordan”, ie Perea, Gilead, Bashan.

Isa 9:2

THE PEOPLE WALKING IN DARKNESS… LIVING IN THE LAND OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH: Those who were dragged away into captivity by the Assyrians (// Psa 107:10). The Northern Kingdom, having been ravaged by Sennacherib, is being prepared to hear the glorious message of Isaiah and Hezekiah.

DARKNESS: The reason for affliction: darkness, or ignorance of God’s will.

HAVE SEEN A GREAT LIGHT… A LIGHT HAS DAWNED: The shining forth of the Shekinah Glory in the destruction of Sennacherib’s host, and the liberation of the captives.

(NT) Cited by Zechariah the priest and father of John the Baptist in his psalm of praise: Luk 1:78,79. More generally, Jesus as the Light from God in Joh 1:4,5,9; 8:12; 9:5 — as foretold in Isa 42:6; 49:9.

Isa 9:3

Vv 3-5: The destruction of Sennacherib’s army, bringing joy to the nation, and “multiplying” them through the return of the captives carried away earlier by the Assyrians (WGos 112); cp Isa 26:15; 49:19; 54:2,3.

AS PEOPLE REJOICE AT THE HARVEST: The deliverance from Sennacherib came at Passover (Isa 30:29; 31:5; 26:20,21), and the captives came home to a phenomenal harvest inaugurating a year of Jubilee freedom (2Ki 19:29,30; Isa 61:1,2; cp Psa 126; Isa 25:6).

DIVIDING THE PLUNDER: Isaiah has another picture of the plundering of the stricken Assyrian camp by the inhabitants of Jerusalem: Isa 33:4,23.

Isa 9:4

MIDIAN’S DEFEAT: The slaughter of Midian at the rock Oreb (Isa 10:26); fall of Oreb, Zeeb, and Zalmunnah: Jdg 6-8. Gideon’s battles typify the victories of Christ. Cp Psa 83:9.

YOKE: As in Isa 10:24-27; 14:25; cp Nah 1:13.

ROD: As in Isa 10:5.

Isa 9:5

EVERY WARRIOR’S BOOT: Only here in OT. “Apparently the Heb has borrowed an Assyrian word to describe the jackboots of Sennacherib’s soldiers. These are plainly shown in more than one Assyrian bas-relief. In this respect also these international bullies of ancient days were the prototypes of Hitler’s storm troopers” (WIsa 166).

DESTINED FOR BURNING… FUEL FOR THE FIRE: The divine fire which destroyed Sennacherib’s army: Isa 37:36; 30:30,31; 31:9; Psa 46:9; 76:3. “The nation of Israel will be multiplied, and its joy increased only when the yoke and staff and rod of all oppressors have been broken, only when the clever contrivances and brutalities of modern war have all been consigned by the Prince of Peace to burning and fuel of fire” (WIsa 167).

Isa 9:6

Vv 6,7: Primary fulfillment to Hezekiah: already born (note present tenses). Cp //s to Isa 22 — a Hezekiah prophecy: “government, father, shoulder, David, throne” (Isa 22:21-23).

THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE ON HIS SHOULDERS: The government of Israel is here symbolized by one of its emblems: the royal robe fastened at the shoulder. In Jdg 16:3,4: Samson possesses the gate of his enemy Dagon, carrying it on his shoulders to Hebron. [The gate, especially of one’s enemies, also symbolizes governmental power (Rth 4:1, and other refs].

When we come to the New Testament, reference to the royal shoulder suggests the shoulder of Jesus, that bore the cross (John 19:17).

WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, MIGHTY GOD, EVERLASTING FATHER, PRINCE OF PEACE: This is probably intended to be all one name, like Mahershalalhashbaz (Isa 8:1). Following the Soncino Bible, this could be read: “Pele-joez-gibbor-el-abi-ad-sar-shalom” = (perhaps) “The wonderful counselor, the mighty God, IS the everlasting Father OF the prince of peace”. (Some of these same “names” are combined elsewhere: in Isa 28:29; 25:1, for examples, about God Himself.)

However, if it be insisted that every phrase be applied, separately, to some human being, then — first of all — it may be applied to Hezekiah (he is the initial fulfillment of the “child” in Isa 7:14, and the “little child” in Isa 11), and then secondarily (though, of course, most importantly) to Jesus…

COUNSELOR: Used by Micah in Virgin Birth prophecy (Mic 4:9). “Counsel” refers to the personal fellowship between God and His Son: Psa 16:7; Mar 1:35; Joh 6:15; 5:19,20; 8:28; 12:49; 14:10. True counsel, wisdom, only from God: Jer 10:23; Job 12:13; Isa 40:12-14; 11:2-4. Christ brought God’s counsel (Deu 18:15-18), as “one having authority” (Mat 7:29). See also 1Co 1:30; Col 2:3; Zec 6:12.

MIGHTY GOD: “El Gibbor” = “mighty hero” (Moffatt). The Father has given His own Name to His Son as well (Phi 2:9; cp Psa 45:3,6; Heb 1:8). In general Scriptural terminology, one who acts on behalf of God may be called “God”: (a) angels: Gen 16:13; 18:13; Exo 23:20,21; Hos 12:3,5; (b) men: Exo 22:28; 22:6; 21:8 (elohim); Psa 138:1; Joh 10:34 (cit Psa 82:1,6); (c) the Messiah: Isa 8:13,14; 61:1,6; 64:4; 65:16; Zec 12:10; Mal 3:1; Joh 20:28; Heb 1:8.

EVERLASTING FATHER: In Hebrew idiom, “father” may signify “master, leader, teacher” (ie, Isa 22:21; Gen 45:8; 2Ki 5:13; Jdg 18:19; Gen 4:20,21). So, literally, this phrase may mean “father of the age to come” (LXX).

PRINCE OF PEACE: As was Melchizedek (Gen 14; Heb 7). “The peace” — or the “prince who brings peace” — “when the Assyrian comes into the Land” (Mic 5:5) — about Hezekiah first, before it is about Jesus. Cp the angels’ testimony at the announcement of Jesus’ birth: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth PEACE to men on whom his favor rests” (Luk 2:14).

See Lesson, “Little child” in Isa.

Isa 9:7

DAVID’S THRONE: Eze 37:25; Luk 1:32,33.

THE ZEAL OF THE LORD ALMIGHTY WILL ACCOMPLISH THIS: Same phrase used in Isa 37:32 re destruction of Sennacherib’s host.

Isa 9:8

Vv 8-21: “A prophecy spoken by Isaiah personally against the Northern Kingdom — supporting the theory that Isaiah fled north for refuge from the hostility of Ahaz. The Manasseh-Ephraim refs in v 21 support this idea, as does the picture (in vv 9-12) of Israel fighting against enemies to the north and south” (WIsa 169).

Isa 9:10

A spirit of arrogant self-confidence in Israel, entirely out of keeping with their current situation. Also, seemingly, a failure to rely on the God of Israel at all (v 13).

Isa 9:11

Rezin, king of Syria, paid tribute to Assyria for a time. Later, he joined Pekah of Israel (Isa 8:6) against Judah, and thus angered Yahweh (Isa 8:4). Rezin took Elath from Judah. Ahaz paid Tiglath-pileser to defeat Rezin (2Ki 16:6-9).

Isa 9:12

ARAMEANS FROM THE EAST: After Rezin’s death, the Syrians were forced to aid Assyria by fighting against their former ally, Israel. Cp Amo 1:3.

Isa 9:13

“These men of northern Israel neither gave due honour to Jehovah nor were they willing to consider that the piling up of ‘misfortune’ against them was His work” (WIsa 170).

Isa 9:14

HEAD AND TAIL: Cp v 15: the leading men of wide experience in politics and the false prophets teaching religious lies (Isa 29:10; Jer 14:14; Hab 2:18).

PALM BRANCH AND REED: The high and the lowly all together.

Isa 9:16

THOSE WHO GUIDE THIS PEOPLE MISLEAD THEM: Jeroboam (1Ki 12:26-30), Nadab (1Ki 15:26), Baasha (1Ki 15:34), Jehu (2Ki 10:29,31), and others besides.

Isa 9:17

EVERY MOUTH SPEAKS VILENESS: A word specifically used of sexual perversions: Gen 34:7; Deu 22:21; Jdg 19:23,24; 20:6,10; etc.

Isa 9:18

WICKEDNESS BURNS: Either (1) it was Israel’s wickedness which kindled the “fire” of judgment, or (2) metonymy: the “fire” is the punishment for their wickedness!

THE FORESTS: In these days the two main forests (which have long since disappeared) were in Ephraim (Jos 17:15) and Manasseh (2Sa 18:6,8 — east of Jordan).

BRIERS AND THORNS: Base and vile men (2Sa 23:6; Isa 33:12; Heb 6:8), who are destroyed to make way for better things.

Isa 9:20

EACH WILL FEED ON THE FLESH OF HIS OWN OFFSPRING: As, gruesomely, in Deu 28:53. Or, “they eat every man the flesh of his neighbour”.

Isa 9:21

“It was a period when all sense of moral decency and social responsibility had disintegrated. It was a chaotic era such as the twentieth century has already achieved in modern Israel, where there has come about an unhappy fragmentation in politics, economics, and religion, and an exacerbation of social spirit such as would dismay utterly the idealism of the early Zionists. Both then and now the best comfort is in Isaiah’s superbly eloquent promise of a Prince of Peace sitting on David’s throne (vv 6,7). But modern Israel wants none of it” (WIsa 172).

Isa 10:1

Vv 1,2: More comments about social injustice in Israel: cp Isa 3:14,15; 5:7,23. See also Deu 27:19; Isa 1:23; 29:21; Amo 5:12. Ct these wicked rulers with the Messiah: Isa 11:3,4.

Isa 10:2

PREY… ROBBING: “Shalal… bazaz”: allusions to the name Maher-shalal-hash-baz (Isa 8:1).

Isa 10:3

RECKONING… DISASTER: KJV has “visitation… desolation”, appropriated by Jesus in his warnings of coming judgment on his people because of their rejection of Immanuel (Luk 19:44; Mat 23:38).

WHERE WILL YOU LEAVE YOUR RICHES?: Or, perhaps, “What will your riches do for you?”

Isa 10:4

HIS HAND IS STILL UPRAISED: In which is the club of His wrath, the Assyrian (v 5).

Isa 10:5

Vv 5-11: “The remarkable similarity between this passage and 2Ki 19:2-37 [// Isa 37] (together with other indications) makes it likely that, through the renegade Rabshakeh, Sennacherib actually knew the tenor of this and other prophecies Isaiah had spoken in Jerusalem. Why else should the Assyrian use the self-confident argument: ‘Am I now come up without the LORD against this land to destroy it? The LORD saith to me, ‘Go up against this land, and destroy it’ (Isa 36:10)” (WIsa 174).

God’s use of Gentile kings as His “instruments”: Neh 9:37; Hab 1:y,12; Jer 22:7; 25:9; 5:15; 34:22; 51:20; Eze 29:18-20; Psa 17:13; Pro 21:1; Mat 22:7.

THE ROD OF MY ANGER: God’s tool to punish Israel: Isa 7:20; Joel 2:25; Jer 27:6; Zec 9:4; Eze 38:4.

Isa 10:6

I DISPATCH HIM: “I give him a charge” (AV). Although the Assyrian does not understand the impulse (cp v 7), yet God Himself rules in the Kingdom of men (Dan 4:17,25).

Isa 10:8

ARE NOT MY COMMANDERS ALL KINGS?: Like Alexander the Great and Napoleon later, Sennacherib’s policy was to install his generals as rulers in the conquered territories. Thus Hosea refers to him as the “king of princes” (Hos 8:10). Yet God would soon demonstrate that He alone was truly “King of Kings” (Dan 2:37)!

Isa 10:9

The city states listed here were conquered by the Assyrians between 740-717 BC. The point of the rhetorical questions is that no one can stand before Assyria’s might.

Isa 10:10

AS MY HAND SEIZED THE KINGDOMS OF THE IDOLS: Kingdoms that were weak, unsupported by their gods, and unable to resist Sennacherib. The same figure as in v 14, of a man plundering the nest of a helpless bird. (These other nations had idols at least as extravagant and splendid as those found in Jerusalem in the days of Ahaz.)

Isa 10:11

JERUSALEM AND HER IMAGES: Heavy sarcasm: ‘He has copied the altar of MY god, but it likely that MY god will help HIM against ME?’ “When the Assyrian campaigns came to their climax in the attempt to take Jerusalem, a very considerable element in the propaganda was centred around Sennacherib’s determination to vindicate his own deity against the Name and might of Jehovah (Isa 36:18,19; 37:10)” (WIsa 175).

Isa 10:12

THE WILLFUL PRIDE OF HIS HEART: Cruelty, lust for empire, and a vile blasphemy against Jehovah.

THE HAUGHTY LOOK IN HIS EYES: Poss, “the glory of the lifting up of his eyes”, ref the god to which the Assyrian king lifted up his eyes in worship.

Isa 10:13

I REMOVED THE BOUNDARIES OF NATIONS: Sennacherib’s policy of deporting the populations of conquered territories (2Ki 15:29; 17:6,24). Yet it was Yahweh who actually “set the bounds of the peoples” (Deu 32:8).

Isa 10:14

ABANDONED EGGS…: By ct, Jesus wished to spread his wings over the “chicks” of Jerusalem, to protect them from the Enemy (Mat 23:37-39; Luk 13:34).

Isa 10:15

// Rom 9:20,21.

Isa 10:16

Vv 16-19: Famine and fire: the destruction of Sennacherib’s host: 2Ki 19:35; Isa 37:36.

Isa 10:21

A REMNANT WILL RETURN: The return from Assyrian captivity of the 200,000 enslaved of Judah. And in NT, the ultimate regathering of Jews to their Land.

Isa 10:22

DESTRUCTION HAS BEEN DECREED, OVERWHELMING AND RIGHTEOUS: “The first question to settle here is whether the ‘consumption’ foretold is a judgment against Judah as God’s people or against the Assyrians for their cruel hostility to Abraham’s race… The context here, in vv 24,25, puts powerful emphasis on the outpouring of wrath on the Assyrian. So presumably the prophecy is so phrased as to be capable of being read both ways — against Judah for their indifference to the God of their fathers, and against the Assyrians for their national pride and contempt for the true God” (WIsa 179).

Isa 10:24

DO NOT BE AFRAID OF THE ASSYRIANS: // Isa 8:12,13; 37:6; 43:1,5; 44:2.

Isa 10:25

VERY SOON: // Isa 26:20.

Isa 10:26

AS WHEN HE STRUCK DOWN MIDIAN AT THE ROCK OF OREB: Already alluded to in Isa 9:4: Gideon’s victory: an oppression raised up by God; irresistible invasion (like locusts); cry of faith in God; a manifestation of divine glory — the angel of the LORD; trumpet and fire in the destruction of the enemy; the hostile leader escapes, only to be slain later (Oreb: Jdg 7:25; Sennacherib: Isa 37:38) (Jdg 6:1,5,7,8,22,25; 7:1,20,25; Psa 83:11-13).

HE WILL RAISE HIS STAFF OVER THE WATERS, AS HE DID IN EGYPT: The first of many instances in Isa where the saving of Jerusalem by the destruction of Sennacherib’s army is set alongside the saving of Israel at the Red Sea by the destruction of Pharaoh’s army.

Isa 10:27

THE YOKE WILL BE BROKEN: Cp the acted parable of Jeremiah (Jer 28:10).

BECAUSE YOU HAVE GROWN SO FAT: “Because of the anointing” (AV) or “oil” (RV mg): Perhaps an allusion to the royal anointing oil, ie to the faith of good king Hezekiah.

Isa 10:28

Vv 28-32: “An invasion of Judah from the north… Many others identify the invasion as Sennacherib’s in 701 BC, but historical records indicate Sennacherib approached Jerusalem from the southwest… The prophecy of the invasion was not necessarily intended to be a literal itinerary of the Assyrians’ movements; rather its primary purpose was to create a foreboding mood. Geographical references contribute to this purpose, but they merely reflect how one would expect an Assyrian invasion to proceed, not necessarily how the actual invasion would progress. Despite its rhetorical nature, the prophecy does point to the invasion of 701 BC, as the announcement of the invaders’ downfall in vv 33-34 makes clear; it was essentially fulfilled at that time” (NET notes).

“Almost all the names mentioned are associated, in 1Sa, with king Saul. Here ‘Gibeah of Saul’ (Isa 10:29) makes the link explicit. Thus an added purpose behind this dismal record comes to light — the king men would choose ‘to go out before us and fight our battles’ (1Sa 8:20) was no success in this respect, nor were those descended from him; but, by ct, ‘there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse’ (Isa 11:1) endowed with all the godly powers which would mean the saving of his people” (WIsa 181,182).

Isa 10:32

NOB: On Mt Scopus, from where Assyrian threat against Zion (Isa 2:2,3) would be obvious. For centuries that hill was called “the camp of the Assyrians”.

Isa 10:33

WILL LOP OFF THE BOUGHS: Cp figure in Isa 6:13. Leaving nothing but the roots (see Isa 11:1).

THE LOFTY TREES WILL BE FELLED: A preparation for the final siege of Jerusalem.

LOFTY TREES… TALL ONES: The self-confident leaders of the nation (Isa 2:11).

Isa 10:34

FOREST… LEBANON: The forest of Lebanon was the national armory (Isa 2:13; 33:9; 1Ki 10:17), a building with cedar pillars. Cp also Jer 22:6,7,23; Isa 2:13; Eze 17:3.

WITH AN AX: Cp John the Baptist: “the ax is laid at the root of the trees” (Mat 3:10), to warn his heedless generation of impending judgment — by the Messiah refd in the next v (Isa 11:1).