Isaiah 10

17, 18. light of Israel--carrying out the image in the end of Isaiah 10:16 . Jehovah, who is a light to Israel, shall be the "fire" ( Deuteronomy 4:24 , Hebrews 12:29 ) that shall ignite the "thorns," (the Assyrians, like dry fuel, a ready prey to flame).

18. glory of his forest--The common soldiers, the princes, officers, &c., all alike together, shall be consumed
in one day--( Isaiah 37:36 ).
fruitful field--literally, "Carmel," a rich mountain in the tribe of Asher. Figurative for Sennacherib's mighty army. Perhaps alluding to his own boasting words about to be uttered ( Isaiah 37:24 ), "I will enter the forest of his Carmel."
soul and body--proverbial for utterly; the entire man is made up of soul and body.
as when a standard bearer fainteth--rather, "they shall be as when a sick man" (from a Syriac root) wastes away." Compare "leanness," that is, wasting destruction ( Isaiah 10:16 ) [MAURER]. Or, "there shall be an entire dissipation, like a perfect melting" (namely, of the Assyrian army) [HORSLEY].

19. rest--those who shall survive the destruction of the host.
his forest--same image as in Isaiah 10:18 , for the once dense army.
child . . . write--so few that a child might count them.

20-22. The effect on the "remnant" (contrasted with the Assyrian remnant, Isaiah 10:19 ); namely, those who shall be left after the invasion of Sennacherib, will be a return from dependence on external idolatrous nations, as Assyria and Egypt ( 2 Kings 18:21 , 16:7-9 ), to the God of the theocracy; fulfilled in part in the pious Hezekiah's days; but from the future aspect under which Paul, in Romans 9:27 Romans 9:28 (compare "short work" with "whole work," Isaiah 10:12 , here), regards the whole prophecy, the "remnant," "who stay upon the Lord," probably will receive their fullest realization in the portion of Jews left after that Antichrist shall have been overthrown, who shall "return" unto the Lord ( Isaiah 6:13 , 7:3 , Zechariah 12:9 Zechariah 12:10 , Zechariah 14:2 Zechariah 14:3 , Zephaniah 3:12 ).

21. mighty God--( Isaiah 9:6 ) the God who shall have evinced such might in destroying Israel's enemies. As the Assyrians in Sennacherib's reign did not carry off Judah captive, the returning "remnant" cannot mainly refer to this time.

22. yet--rather in the sense in which Paul quotes it ( Romans 9:27 ), "Though Israel be now numerous as the sand, a remnant only of them shall return"--the great majority shall perish. The reason is added, Because "the consumption (fully completed destruction) is decreed (literally, decided on, brought to an issue), it overfloweth ( Isaiah 30:28 , 8:8 ) with justice"; that is, the infliction of just punishment ( Isaiah 5:16 ) [MAURER].

23. even determined--"A consumption, and whatever is determined," or decreed [MAURER].
midst--Zion, the central point of the earth as to Jehovah's presence.
land--Israel. But the Septuagint, "in the whole habitable world." So English Version ( Romans 9:28 ), "upon the earth."

24. Therefore--Return to the main proposition, Assyria's ultimate punishment, though employed as God's "rod" to chastise Judea for a time.
O my people--God's tenderness towards His elect nation.
after the manner of Egypt--as Egypt and Pharaoh oppressed thee. Implying, too, as Israel was nevertheless delivered from them, so now it would be from the Assyrian Sennacherib. The antithesis in Isaiah 10:26 requires this interpretation [MAURER].

25. For--Be not afraid ( Isaiah 10:24 ), for
indignation . . . cease--The punishments of God against Israel shall be consummated and ended ( Isaiah 26:20 , Daniel 11:36 ). "Till the indignation be accomplished," &c.
mine anger--shall turn to their (the Assyrians') destruction.

26. slaughter of--"stroke upon."
Midian--( Isaiah 9:4 , Judges 7:25 ).
as his rod was upon the sea--rather, understanding "stroke" from the previous clause, "according to the stroke of His rod upon the Red Sea" ( Exodus 14:16 Exodus 14:26 ). His "rod" on the Assyrian ( Isaiah 10:24 Isaiah 10:26 ) stands in bold contrast to the Assyrian used as a "rod" to strike others ( Isaiah 10:5 ).
after the manner of Egypt--as He lifted it up against Egypt at the Red Sea.

27. his burden--the Assyrians oppression ( Isaiah 9:3 ). Judah was still tributary to Assyria; Hezekiah had not yet revolted, as he did in the beginning of Sennacherib's reign.
because of--( Hosea 10:15 ).
the anointing--namely, "Messiah" ( Daniel 9:24 ). Just as in Isaiah 9:4-6 , the "breaking of the yoke of" the enemies' "burden and staff" is attributed to Messiah, "For unto us a child is born," &c., so it is here. MAURER not so well translates, "Because of the fatness"; an image of the Assyrians fierce and wanton pride drawn from a well-fed bull tossing off the yoke ( Deuteronomy 32:15 ). So Isaiah 10:16 above, and Isaiah 5:17 , "fat ones."

28-32. Onward gradual march of Sennacherib's army towards Jerusalem, and the panic of the inhabitants vividly pictured before the eyes.
come to--come upon as a sudden invader ( Genesis 34:27 ).
Aiath--same as Ai ( Joshua 7:2 , Nehemiah 7:32 ). In the north of Benjamin; so the other towns also; all on the line of march to Jerusalem.
Michmash--nine miles northeast of Jerusalem.
laid up . . . carriages--He has left his heavier baggage (so "carriages" for the things carried, Acts 21:15 ) at Michmash, so as to be more lightly equipped for the siege of Jerusalem. So 1 Samuel 17:22 , 25:13 , 30:24 [JEROME and MAURER].

29. passage--the jaws of the wady or defile at Michmash ( 1 Samuel 13:23 , 1 Samuel 14:4 1 Samuel 14:5 ).
lodging--their quarters for the night, after having passed the defile which might have been easily guarded against them.
Ramah--near Geba; seven miles from Jerusalem.
Gibeah of Saul--his birthplace and residence, in Benjamin ( 1 Samuel 11:4 ), distinct from Gibeah of Judah ( Joshua 15:57 ).

30. daughter of Gallim--Gallim and her sons "Cry aloud in consternation."
Laish--not the town in Dan ( Judges 18:7 ), but one of the same name near Jerusalem (I Maccabees 9:9).
Anathoth--three miles from Jerusalem in Benjamin; the birthplace of Jeremiah. "Poor" is applied to it in pity, on account of the impending calamity. Others translate, Answer her, O Anathoth.

31. Madmenah--not the city in Simeon ( Joshua 15:31 ), but a village near Jerusalem.
removed--fled from fear.
gather themselves to flee--"put their goods in a place of safety" [MAURER].

32. that day--literally, "As yet this (one only) day (is allowed to the soldiers) for remaining (halting for rest) at Nob"; northeast of Jerusalem on Olivet; a town of the priests ( Nehemiah 11:32 ).
daughter--rightly substituted for the Chetib reading, house. His "shaking his hand" in menace implies that he is now at Nob, within sight of Jerusalem.

33. bough--literally, the "beauty" of the tree; "the beautiful branch."
high ones of stature--"the upright stem," as distinguished from the previous "boughs" [HORSLEY].

34. This verse and Isaiah 10:33 describe the sudden arrest and overthrow of Sennacherib in the height of his success Isaiah 10:18 Isaiah 10:19 , Ezekiel 31:3 Ezekiel 31:14 , &c., contain the same image; "Lebanon" and its forest are the Assyrian army; the "iron" axe that fells the forest refers to the stroke which destroyed the one hundred and eighty-five thousand Assyrians ( 2 Kings 19:35 ). The "Mighty One" is Jehovah ( Isaiah 10:21 , Isaiah 9:6 ).