TARTAN] rather, 'the Tartan': the official title of the Assyrian commander-in-chief (2 Kings 18:17). SARGON] The only known mention of this monarch until modern times. Inscriptions have now thrown much light on his reign. He followed Shalmaneser (2 Kings 18:9) 722 b.c. and reigned till 705, when he... [ Continue Reading ]
EGYPT'S CAPTIVITY SYMBOLISED This chapter is assigned in the title to the time when Sargon besieged Ashdod (711 b.c.). The Philistine city was at that time the centre of revolt. Sargon interposed and set up a new king, but the people were dissatisfied and substituted another; the siege and capture... [ Continue Reading ]
SACKCLOTH] such as prophets sometimes wore (2 Kings 1:8; Zechariah 13:4). NAKED, etc.] i.e. in the guise of a captive. Not only by word, but by action calculated to arrest attention, Isaiah strove to impress his message. Such symbolic actions were frequently performed by the prophets (1 Kings 11:30;... [ Continue Reading ]
The prophet's strange action explained.... [ Continue Reading ]
ISLE] RV 'coast-land,' referring especially to Philistia, which had been foremost in the revolt against Assyria. FLEE] RV 'fled.'... [ Continue Reading ]