Isaiah 28:21

21 For ADONAI will arise, as at Mount P'ratzim, and storm with rage, as in the Giv'on Valley; so he can do his deed, his strange deed, and perform his task, his alien task.

Isaiah 28:21 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 28:21

For the Lord shall rise up as [in] Mount Perazim
Where the Lord broke forth on David's enemies the Philistines, as the breach of waters; see ( Isaiah 28:17 ) and destroyed them, from whence the place had the name of Baalperazim, ( 2 Samuel 5:20 ) . The Targum is,

``for as the mountain which moved when the glory of the Lord was revealed in the days of Uzziah the king;''

referring to the earthquake in his time, ( Amos 1:1 ) ( Zechariah 14:5 ) : he shall be wroth as [in] the valley of Gibeon;
Josephus Ben Gorion

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FOOTNOTES:

F2 makes mention of the valley of Gibeon, where a battle was fought between Cestius the Roman general and the Jews, in which the latter got the victory, and says it was about six miles from Jerusalem: here the Philistines were smitten, returning again after they had been vanquished before, ( 1 Chronicles 14:16 ) though it is more generally thought that this refers to the discomfiture of the Canaanites in the times of Joshua, when also hailstones fell upon them, and destroyed many; see ( Isaiah 28:17 ) and when the sun and moon stood still till Israel were avenged on their enemies, and which showed the power and presence of God with them, ( Joshua 10:10-13 ) and so the Targum, which adds,

``and in the miracles which he (the Lord) did for Joshua, in the valley of Gibeon;''

and these instances are mentioned as proofs of the divine power and vengeance, and to assure the Jews that the Lord would rise up in the same wrath and indignation against them, and consume them: that he may do his work, his strange work, and bring to pass his
act, his strange act;
which may be called so, because in the above mentioned instances he fought for his people Israel, but in this he would fight against them; and because this was a work and act of strict justice and awful severity, and not so agreeable to him as acts of mercy, grace, and goodness, in which he delights; or rather, because it was an unusual one, marvellous and surprising, and would be so to the Jews themselves, and even to their enemies, and to all the world, as the destruction of Jerusalem was, especially as by the Romans; see ( Habakkuk 1:5 Habakkuk 1:6 ) . Vitringa, besides this, adds the calling of the Gentiles, the seizing of the inheritance of the world, and the destruction of the kingdom of Satan in the Roman empire. The Targum interprets this in a very contrary sense, of such as do strange works, idolatry, for which they are consumed.
F2 L. 6. c. 5. p. 559. Vid. Joseph. de Bello Jud. l. 2. c. 19. sect. 1.

Isaiah 28:21 In-Context

19 As often as it passes through, it will take you, for it will pass through every morning, day after day, night after night; understanding the message will be sheer terror."

20 For, [as the saying goes,] "The bed is too short for a person to stretch, and the blanket too narrow [to protect him from cold] even if he crams himself in."

21 For ADONAI will arise, as at Mount P'ratzim, and storm with rage, as in the Giv'on Valley; so he can do his deed, his strange deed, and perform his task, his alien task.

22 Therefore, now, stop your scoffing, or your bonds will be further tightened; for I have heard from Adonai ELOHIM-Tzva'ot that destruction is decreed for the whole land.

23 Listen and hear my voice; pay attention, and hear what I say: