VISION OF BABYLON'S FALL The subject of this section is the siege of Babylon, and the dismay with which the prophet receives tidings of its fall. The siege referred to can scarcely be the one at the close of the exile, as is maintained by many scholars, because (_a_) the prophet is much depressed at... [ Continue Reading ]
BURDEN] see Isaiah 13:1. DESERT OF THE SEA] i.e. Babylonia: SEA refers to the Euphrates, the word being used in Hebrew of a large river, as in Isaiah 19:5 of the Nile. SOUTH] the technical name for the S. of Judah, a region specially liable to tempests: Jeremiah 4:11; Hosea 13:15; Zechariah 9:14. I... [ Continue Reading ]
TREACHEROUS DEALER] i.e. the Assyrian (Isaiah 33:1). GO UP, etc.] the command of the Assyrian to the tributaries serving in his army. SIGHING THEREOF] i.e. caused by Babylon.... [ Continue Reading ]
PREPARE.. DRINK] read these verbs as present indicative, 'they prepare,' etc.; the Babylonian feast is at its height when the cry to arms is raised. ANOINT THE SHIELD] Leather shields were greased before going to battle that the weapons of the enemy might glide off.... [ Continue Reading ]
The prophet himself is the watchman.... [ Continue Reading ]
RV 'And when he seeth a troop, horsemen in pairs, a troop of asses, a troop of camels, he shall hearken,' etc.... [ Continue Reading ]
RV 'cried as a lion.'... [ Continue Reading ]
Just as he groans aloud in impatience, he sees a company approaching, and recognises that they are the bearers of the expected tidings.... [ Continue Reading ]
His dismay because of the suffering involved for Judah. Referring to Judah which has suffered much from the Assyrian invader already (Isaiah 10:5). The news of this fresh Assyrian victory over Babylon is distasteful, but the prophet must deliver his message.... [ Continue Reading ]
SEIR] another name for Edom (Genesis 36:8; Deuteronomy 2:12).... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FATE OF EDOM An oracle concerning Edom, here symbolically called Dumah ('silence'), because of the silence and desolation in store for it. The prophecy, like that which follows, refers to a time when the peoples concerned were in danger, probably from the Assyrians; and, as Sargon was waging wa... [ Continue Reading ]
IF YE WILL, etc.] suggesting the possibility of there being another answer at another time.... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE FOREST, etc.] The trading caravans must turn from their route and hide themselves because of the invasion. ARABIA] in OT. denotes the N. part of what we call Arabia. DEDANIM] a tribe dwelling near Edom (Ezekiel 27:15).... [ Continue Reading ]
JUDGMENT UPON ARABIA This section concerns the N. Arabian tribes. For the occasion see prefatory note on Isaiah 21:11; Isaiah 21:12. 13-17. Owing to the incursions of the As Syrians the Dedanite caravans must take to flight, and other Arabian tribes shall share their fate.... [ Continue Reading ]
The Edomites (INHABITANTS OF.. TEMA) succour the fugitives. PREVENTED, etc.] RV 'did meet the fugitives with their bread.'... [ Continue Reading ]
ACCORDING TO THE YEARS, etc.] see Isaiah 16:14. KEDAR] a general name for the tribes of N. Arabia (Psalms 120:5).... [ Continue Reading ]
The forecast was fulfilled in the victories over the Arabian tribes by Sargon and Sennacherib, as related in their inscriptions.... [ Continue Reading ]