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Selected Verse: Isaiah 10:28 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Isa 10:28	Strong Concordance	He is come [0935] to Aiath [05857], he is passed [05674] to Migron [04051]; at Michmash [04363] he hath laid up [06485] his carriages [03627]:
	King James	He is come to Aiath, he is passed to Migron; at Michmash he hath laid up his carriages:

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
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 (Gen 34:27). Aiath--same as Ai (Jos 7:2; Neh 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, Act 21:15) at Michmash, so as to be more lightly equipped for the siege of Jerusalem. So Sa1 17:22; Sa1 25:13; Sa1 30:24 [JEROME and MAURER].

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

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 (Gen 34:27).

Aiath--same as Ai (Jos 7:2; Neh 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, Act 21:15) at Michmash, so as to be more lightly equipped for the siege of Jerusalem. So Sa1 17:22; Sa1 25:13; Sa1 30:24 [JEROME and MAURER].

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
He is come to Aiath - These verses Isa 10:28-32 contain a description of the march of the army of Sennacherib as he approached Jerusalem to invest it. The description is expressed with great beauty. It is rapid and hurried, and is such as one would give who was alarmed by the sudden and near approach of an enemy - as if while the narrator was stating that the invader had arrived at one place, he had already come to another; or, as if while one messenger should say, that he had come to one place, another should answer that he was still nearer, and a third, that he was nearer still, so as to produce universal consternation. The prophet speaks of this as if he "saw" it (compare the note at Isa. 1): as if, with the glance of the eye, he sees Sennacherib advancing rapidly to Jerusalem. The general course of this march is from the northeast to the southwest toward Jerusalem, and it is possible still to follow the route by the names of the places here mentioned, and which remain at present. All the places are in the vicinity of Jerusalem, and this shows how much his rapid approach was suited to excite alarm. The name עית ‛ayâth does not occur elsewhere; but עי ‛ay is often mentioned, and עיא ‛ayâ' is found in Neh 11:31. Doubtless, the same city is meant. It was situated near Bethel eastward; Jos 7:2. It was at this place that Joshua was repulsed on account of the sin of Achaz, though the city was afterward taken by Joshua, the king seized and hanged, and the city destroyed. It was afterward rebuilt, and is often mentioned; Ezr 2:28; Neh 7:32. It is called by the Septuagint, Ἀγγαι Angai; and by Josephus, "Aina." In the time of Eusebius and Jerome, its site and scanty ruins were still pointed out, not far distant from Bethel toward the east. The name, however, has at present wholly perished, and no trace of the place now remains. It is probable that it was near the modern Deir Diwan, about three miles to the east of Bethel: "see" Robinson's "Bib. Researches," ii. pp. 119, 312, 313. He is passed to Migron - That is, he does not remain at Aiath, but is advancing rapidly toward Jerusalem. This place is mentioned in Sa1 14:2, from which it appears that it was near Gibeah, and was in the boundaries of the tribe of Benjamin, to the southwest of Ai and Bethel. No trace of this place now remains. At Michmash - This was a town within the tribe of Ephraim, on the confines of Benjamin; Ezr 2:27; Neh 7:31. This place is now called Mukhmas, and is situated on a slope or low ridge of land between two small wadys, or water-courses. It is now desolate, but bears the marks of having been a much larger and stronger place than the other towns in the neigchourhood. There are many foundations of hewn stones; and some columns are lying among them. It is about nine miles to the northeast of Jerusalem, and in the immediate neighborhood of Gibeah and Ramah. - Robinson's "Bib. Researches," ii. p. 117. In the time of Eusebius it was a large village. - "Onomast." Art. "Machmas." He hath laid up his carriages - Hebrew, 'He hath deposited his weapons.' The word rendered "hath laid up" - יפקיד yapeqı̂yd - may possibly mean, "he reviewed," or he took an account of; that is, he made that the place of "review" preparatory to his attack on Jerusalem. Jerome says, that the passage means, that he had such confidence of taking Jerusalem, that he deposited his armor at Michmash, as being unnecessary in the siege of Jerusalem. I think, however, that the passage means simply, that he had made Michmash one of his "stations" to which he had come, and that the expression 'he hath deposited his armor there,' denotes merely that he had come there as one of his stations, and had pitched his camp in that place on the way to Jerusalem. The English word "carriage," sometimes meant formerly, "that which is carried," baggage, vessels, furniture, etc. - "Webster." In this sense it is used in this place, and also in Sa1 17:22; Act 21:15.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

He is come to Aiath - These verses Isa 10:28-32 contain a description of the march of the army of Sennacherib as he approached Jerusalem to invest it. The description is expressed with great beauty. It is rapid and hurried, and is such as one would give who was alarmed by the sudden and near approach of an enemy - as if while the narrator was stating that the invader had arrived at one place, he had already come to another; or, as if while one messenger should say, that he had come to one place, another should answer that he was still nearer, and a third, that he was nearer still, so as to produce universal consternation. The prophet speaks of this as if he "saw" it (compare the note at Isa. 1): as if, with the glance of the eye, he sees Sennacherib advancing rapidly to Jerusalem. The general course of this march is from the northeast to the southwest toward Jerusalem, and it is possible still to follow the route by the names of the places here mentioned, and which remain at present.

All the places are in the vicinity of Jerusalem, and this shows how much his rapid approach was suited to excite alarm. The name עית ‛ayâth does not occur elsewhere; but עי ‛ay is often mentioned, and עיא ‛ayâ' is found in Neh 11:31. Doubtless, the same city is meant. It was situated near Bethel eastward; Jos 7:2. It was at this place that Joshua was repulsed on account of the sin of Achaz, though the city was afterward taken by Joshua, the king seized and hanged, and the city destroyed. It was afterward rebuilt, and is often mentioned; Ezr 2:28; Neh 7:32. It is called by the Septuagint, Ἀγγαι Angai; and by Josephus, "Aina." In the time of Eusebius and Jerome, its site and scanty ruins were still pointed out, not far distant from Bethel toward the east. The name, however, has at present wholly perished, and no trace of the place now remains. It is probable that it was near the modern Deir Diwan, about three miles to the east of Bethel: "see" Robinson's "Bib. Researches," ii. pp. 119, 312, 313.

He is passed to Migron - That is, he does not remain at Aiath, but is advancing rapidly toward Jerusalem. This place is mentioned in Sa1 14:2, from which it appears that it was near Gibeah, and was in the boundaries of the tribe of Benjamin, to the southwest of Ai and Bethel. No trace of this place now remains.

At Michmash - This was a town within the tribe of Ephraim, on the confines of Benjamin; Ezr 2:27; Neh 7:31. This place is now called Mukhmas, and is situated on a slope or low ridge of land between two small wadys, or water-courses. It is now desolate, but bears the marks of having been a much larger and stronger place than the other towns in the neigchourhood. There are many foundations of hewn stones; and some columns are lying among them. It is about nine miles to the northeast of Jerusalem, and in the immediate neighborhood of Gibeah and Ramah. - Robinson's "Bib. Researches," ii. p. 117. In the time of Eusebius it was a large village. - "Onomast." Art. "Machmas."

He hath laid up his carriages - Hebrew, 'He hath deposited his weapons.' The word rendered "hath laid up" - יפקיד yapeqı̂yd - may possibly mean, "he reviewed," or he took an account of; that is, he made that the place of "review" preparatory to his attack on Jerusalem. Jerome says, that the passage means, that he had such confidence of taking Jerusalem, that he deposited his armor at Michmash, as being unnecessary in the siege of Jerusalem. I think, however, that the passage means simply, that he had made Michmash one of his "stations" to which he had come, and that the expression 'he hath deposited his armor there,' denotes merely that he had come there as one of his stations, and had pitched his camp in that place on the way to Jerusalem. The English word "carriage," sometimes meant formerly, "that which is carried," baggage, vessels, furniture, etc. - "Webster." In this sense it is used in this place, and also in Sa1 17:22; Act 21:15.

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]
Aesthetically considered, the description is one of the most magnificent that human poetry has ever produced. "He comes upon Ayyath, passes through Migron; in Michmash he leaves his baggage. They go through the pass: let Geba be our quarters for the night! Ramah trembles; Gibeah of Saul flees. Scream aloud, O daughter of Gallim! Only listen, O Laysha! Poor Anathoth! Madmenah hurries away; the inhabitants of Gebim rescue. He still halts in Nob today; swings his hand over the mountain of the daughter of Zion, the hill of Jerusalem. Behold, the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, lops down the branches with terrific force; and those of towering growth are hewn down, and the lofty are humbled. And He fells the thickets of the forest with iron; and Lebanon, it falls by a Majestic One." When the Assyrian came upon Ayyath (= Ayyah, Ch1 7:28 (?), Neh 11:31, generally hâ-‛ai, or 'Ai), about thirty miles to the north-east of Jerusalem, he trod for the first time upon Benjaminitish territory, which was under the sway of Judaea. The name of this 'Ai, which signifies "stone-heap," tallies, as Knobel observes, with the name of the Tell el-hagar, which is situated about three-quarters of an hour to the south-east of Beitn, i.e., Bethel. But there are tombs, reservoirs, and ruins to be seen about an hour to the south-east of Beitin; and these Robinson associates with Ai. From Ai, however, the army will not proceed towards Jerusalem by the ordinary route, viz., the great north road (or "Nablus road"); but, in order to surprise Jerusalem, it takes a different route, in which it will have to cross three deep and difficult valleys. From Ai they pass to Migron, the name of which has apparently been preserved in the ruins of Burg Magrun, situated about eight minutes' walk from Beitn. (Note: I also find the name written Magrum (read Magrun), which is probably taken from a more correct hearsay than the Machrn of Robinson (ii. 127).) Michmash is still to be found in the form of a deserted village with ruins, under the name of Muchms, on the eastern side of the valley of Migron. Here they deposit their baggage (hiphkid, Jer 36:20), so far as they are able to dispense with it - either to leave it lying there, or to have it conveyed after them by an easier route. For they proceed thence through the pass of Michmash, a deep and precipitous ravine about forty-eight minutes in breadth, the present Wady Suweinit. "The pass" (ma‛bârâh) is the defile of Michmash, with two prominent rocky cliffs, where Jonathan had his adventure with the garrison of the Philistines. One of these cliffs was called Seneh (Sa1 14:4), a name which suggests es-Suweinit. Through this defile they pass, encouraging one another, as they proceed along the difficult march, by the prospect of passing the night in Geba, which is close at hand. It is still disputed whether this Geba is the same place as the following Gibeah of Saul or not. There is at the present time a village called Geba' below Muchms, situated upon an eminence. The almost universal opinion now is, that this is not Gibeah of Saul, but that the latter is to be seen in the prominent Tell (Tuleil) el-Fl, which is situated farther south. This is possibly correct. (Note: This is supported by Robinson in his Later Biblical Researches in Palestine (1857), by Valentiner (pastor at Jerusalem), and by Keil in the Commentary on Joshua, Judges, etc. (Jos 18:21-28), where all the more recent writings on this topographical question are given.) For there can be no doubt that this mountain, the name of which signifies "Bean-hill," would be a very strong position, and one very suitable for Gibeah of Saul; and the supposition that there were two places in Benjamin named Geba, Gibeah, or Gibeath, is favoured at any rate by Jos 18:21-28, where Geba and Gibeath are distinguished from one another. And this mountain, which is situated to the south of er-Rm - that is to say, between the ancient Ramah and Anathoth - tallies very well with the route of the Assyrian as here described; whilst it is very improbable that Isaiah has designated the very same place first of all Geba, and then (for what reason no one can tell) Gibeah of Saul. We therefore adopt the view, that the Assyrian army took up its quarters for the night at Geba, which still bears this name, spreading terror in all directions, both east and west, and still more towards the south. Starting in the morning from the deep valley between Michmash and Geba, they pass on one side of Rama (the present er-Rm), situated half an hour to the west of Geba, which trembles as it sees them go by; and the inhabitants of Gibeath of Saul, upon the "Bean-hill," a height that commands the whole of the surrounding country, take to flight when they pass by. Every halting-place on their route brings them nearer to Jerusalem. The prophet goes in spirit through it all. It is so objectively real to him, that it produces the utmost anxiety and pain. The cities and villages of the district are lost. He appeals to the daughter, i.e., the population, of Gallim, to raise a far-sounding yell of lamentation with their voice (Ges. 138, 1, Anm. 3), and calls out in deep sympathy to Laysha, which was close by (on the two places, both of which have vanished now, see Sa1 25:44 and Jdg 18:29), "only listen," the enemy is coming nearer and nearer; and then for Anathoth (‛Anâtâ, still to be seen about an hour and a quarter to the north of Jerusalem) he utters this lamentation (taking the name as an omen of its fate): O poor Anathoth! There is no necessity for any alteration of the text; ‛anniyâh is an appeal, or rather an exclamation, as in Isa 54:11; and ‛anâthoth follows, according to the same verbal order as in Isa 23:12, unless indeed we take it at once as an adjective written before the noun - an arrangement of the words which may possibly have been admissible in such interjectional sentences. The catastrophe so much to be dreaded by Jerusalem draws nearer and nearer. Madmenah (dung-hill, see Comm. on Job, at Job 9:11-15) flees in anxious haste: the inhabitants of Gebim (water-pits) carry off their possessions (הּעיז, from עוּז, to flee, related to chush, hence to carry off in flight, to bring in haste to a place of security, Exo 9:19, cf., Jer 4:6; Jer 6:1; synonymous with hēnı̄s, Exo 9:20; Jdg 6:11; different from ‛âzaz, to be firm, strong, defiant, from which mâ‛oz, a fortress, is derived - in distinction from the Arabic ma‛âdh, a place of refuge: comp. Isa 30:2, to flee to Pharaoh's shelter). There are no traces left of either place. The passage is generally understood as implying that the army rested another day in Nob. But this would be altogether at variance with the design - to take Jerusalem by surprise by the suddenness of the destructive blow. We therefore render it, "Even to-day he will halt in Nob" (in eo est ut subsistat, Ges. 132, Anm. 1) - namely, to gather up fresh strength there in front of the city which was doomed to destruction, and to arrange the plan of attack. The supposition that Nob was the village of el-'Isawiye, which is still inhabited, and lies to the south-west of Ant, fifty-five minutes to the north of Jerusalem, is at variance with the situation, as correctly described by Jerome, when he says: "Stans in oppidulo Nob et procul urbem conspiciens Jerusalem." A far more appropriate situation is to be found in the hill which rises to the north of Jerusalem, and which is called Sadr, from its breast-like projection or roundness - a name which is related in meaning to nob, nâb, to rise. From this eminence the way leads down into the valley of Kidron; and as you descend, the city spreads out before you at a very little distance off. It may have been here, in the prophet's view, that the Assyrians halted. (Note: This is the opinion of Valentiner, who also regards the march of the Assyrians as an "execution-march" in two columns, one of which took the road through the difficult ground to the east, whilst the other inflicted punishment upon the places that stood near the road. The text does not require this, however, but describes a march, which spread alarm both right and left as it went along.) It was not long, however (as the yenōphēph which follows ἀσυνδέτως implies), before his hand was drawn out to strike (Isa 11:15; Isa 19:16), and swing over the mountain of the daughter of Zion (Isa 16:1), over the city of the holy hill. But what would Jehovah do, who was the only One who could save His threatened dwelling-place in the face of such an army? As far as Isa 10:32, the prophet's address moved on at a hurried, stormy pace; it then halted, and seemed, as it were, panting with anxiety; it now breaks forth in a dactylic movement, like a long rolling thunder. The hostile army stands in front of Jerusalem, like a broad dense forest. But it is soon manifest that Jerusalem has a God who cannot be defied with impunity, and who will not leave His city in the lurch at the decisive moment, like the gods of Carchemish and Calno. Jehovah is the Lord, the God of both spiritual and starry hosts. He smites down the branches of this forest of an army: sē‛ēph is a so-called piel privativum, to lop (lit. to take the branches in hand; cf., sikkēl, Isa 5:2); and pu'rah = pe'urah (in Ezekiel pō'rah) is used like the Latin frons, to include both branches and foliage - in other words, the leafy branches as the ornament of the tree, or the branches as adorned with leaves. The instrument He employs is ma‛arâtzâh, his terrifying and crushing power (compare the verb in Isa 2:19, Isa 2:21). And even the lofty trunks of the forest thus cleared of branches and leaves do not remain; they lie hewn down, and the lofty ones must fall. It is just the same with the trunks, i.e., the leaders, as with the branches and the foliage, i.e., with the great crowded masses. The whole of the forest thicket (as in Isa 9:17) he hews down (nikkaph, third pers. piel, though it may also be niphal); and Lebanon, i.e., the army of Asshur which is now standing opposite to Mount Zion, like Lebanon with its forest of cedars, falls down through a Majestic One ('addı̄r), i.e., through Jehovah (Isa 33:21, cf., Psa 76:5; Psa 93:4). In the account of the fulfilment (Isa 37:36) it is the angel of the Lord (mal'ach Jehovah), who is represented as destroying the hundred and eighty-five thousand in the Assyrian camp in a single night. The angel of Jehovah is not a messenger of God sent from afar, but the chosen organ of the ever-present divine power.

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]

Aesthetically considered, the description is one of the most magnificent that human poetry has ever produced. "He comes upon Ayyath, passes through Migron; in Michmash he leaves his baggage. They go through the pass: let Geba be our quarters for the night! Ramah trembles; Gibeah of Saul flees. Scream aloud, O daughter of Gallim! Only listen, O Laysha! Poor Anathoth! Madmenah hurries away; the inhabitants of Gebim rescue. He still halts in Nob today; swings his hand over the mountain of the daughter of Zion, the hill of Jerusalem. Behold, the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, lops down the branches with terrific force; and those of towering growth are hewn down, and the lofty are humbled. And He fells the thickets of the forest with iron; and Lebanon, it falls by a Majestic One." When the Assyrian came upon Ayyath (= Ayyah, Ch1 7:28 (?), Neh 11:31, generally hâ-‛ai, or 'Ai), about thirty miles to the north-east of Jerusalem, he trod for the first time upon Benjaminitish territory, which was under the sway of Judaea. The name of this 'Ai, which signifies "stone-heap," tallies, as Knobel observes, with the name of the Tell el-hagar, which is situated about three-quarters of an hour to the south-east of Beitn, i.e., Bethel. But there are tombs, reservoirs, and ruins to be seen about an hour to the south-east of Beitin; and these Robinson associates with Ai. From Ai, however, the army will not proceed towards Jerusalem by the ordinary route, viz., the great north road (or "Nablus road"); but, in order to surprise Jerusalem, it takes a different route, in which it will have to cross three deep and difficult valleys. From Ai they pass to Migron, the name of which has apparently been preserved in the ruins of Burg Magrun, situated about eight minutes' walk from Beitn.

(Note: I also find the name written Magrum (read Magrun), which is probably taken from a more correct hearsay than the Machrn of Robinson (ii. 127).)

Michmash is still to be found in the form of a deserted village with ruins, under the name of Muchms, on the eastern side of the valley of Migron. Here they deposit their baggage (hiphkid, Jer 36:20), so far as they are able to dispense with it - either to leave it lying there, or to have it conveyed after them by an easier route. For they proceed thence through the pass of Michmash, a deep and precipitous ravine about forty-eight minutes in breadth, the present Wady Suweinit. "The pass" (ma‛bârâh) is the defile of Michmash, with two prominent rocky cliffs, where Jonathan had his adventure with the garrison of the Philistines. One of these cliffs was called Seneh (Sa1 14:4), a name which suggests es-Suweinit. Through this defile they pass, encouraging one another, as they proceed along the difficult march, by the prospect of passing the night in Geba, which is close at hand. It is still disputed whether this Geba is the same place as the following Gibeah of Saul or not. There is at the present time a village called Geba' below Muchms, situated upon an eminence. The almost universal opinion now is, that this is not Gibeah of Saul, but that the latter is to be seen in the prominent Tell (Tuleil) el-Fl, which is situated farther south. This is possibly correct.

(Note: This is supported by Robinson in his Later Biblical Researches in Palestine (1857), by Valentiner (pastor at Jerusalem), and by Keil in the Commentary on Joshua, Judges, etc. (Jos 18:21-28), where all the more recent writings on this topographical question are given.)

For there can be no doubt that this mountain, the name of which signifies "Bean-hill," would be a very strong position, and one very suitable for Gibeah of Saul; and the supposition that there were two places in Benjamin named Geba, Gibeah, or Gibeath, is favoured at any rate by Jos 18:21-28, where Geba and Gibeath are distinguished from one another. And this mountain, which is situated to the south of er-Rm - that is to say, between the ancient Ramah and Anathoth - tallies very well with the route of the Assyrian as here described; whilst it is very improbable that Isaiah has designated the very same place first of all Geba, and then (for what reason no one can tell) Gibeah of Saul. We therefore adopt the view, that the Assyrian army took up its quarters for the night at Geba, which still bears this name, spreading terror in all directions, both east and west, and still more towards the south. Starting in the morning from the deep valley between Michmash and Geba, they pass on one side of Rama (the present er-Rm), situated half an hour to the west of Geba, which trembles as it sees them go by; and the inhabitants of Gibeath of Saul, upon the "Bean-hill," a height that commands the whole of the surrounding country, take to flight when they pass by. Every halting-place on their route brings them nearer to Jerusalem. The prophet goes in spirit through it all. It is so objectively real to him, that it produces the utmost anxiety and pain. The cities and villages of the district are lost.

He appeals to the daughter, i.e., the population, of Gallim, to raise a far-sounding yell of lamentation with their voice (Ges. 138, 1, Anm. 3), and calls out in deep sympathy to Laysha, which was close by (on the two places, both of which have vanished now, see Sa1 25:44 and Jdg 18:29), "only listen," the enemy is coming nearer and nearer; and then for Anathoth (‛Anâtâ, still to be seen about an hour and a quarter to the north of Jerusalem) he utters this lamentation (taking the name as an omen of its fate): O poor Anathoth! There is no necessity for any alteration of the text; ‛anniyâh is an appeal, or rather an exclamation, as in Isa 54:11; and ‛anâthoth follows, according to the same verbal order as in Isa 23:12, unless indeed we take it at once as an adjective written before the noun - an arrangement of the words which may possibly have been admissible in such interjectional sentences. The catastrophe so much to be dreaded by Jerusalem draws nearer and nearer. Madmenah (dung-hill, see Comm. on Job, at Job 9:11-15) flees in anxious haste: the inhabitants of Gebim (water-pits) carry off their possessions (הּעיז, from עוּז, to flee, related to chush, hence to carry off in flight, to bring in haste to a place of security, Exo 9:19, cf., Jer 4:6; Jer 6:1; synonymous with hēnı̄s, Exo 9:20; Jdg 6:11; different from ‛âzaz, to be firm, strong, defiant, from which mâ‛oz, a fortress, is derived - in distinction from the Arabic ma‛âdh, a place of refuge: comp. Isa 30:2, to flee to Pharaoh's shelter). There are no traces left of either place. The passage is generally understood as implying that the army rested another day in Nob. But this would be altogether at variance with the design - to take Jerusalem by surprise by the suddenness of the destructive blow. We therefore render it, "Even to-day he will halt in Nob" (in eo est ut subsistat, Ges. 132, Anm. 1) - namely, to gather up fresh strength there in front of the city which was doomed to destruction, and to arrange the plan of attack. The supposition that Nob was the village of el-'Isawiye, which is still inhabited, and lies to the south-west of Ant, fifty-five minutes to the north of Jerusalem, is at variance with the situation, as correctly described by Jerome, when he says: "Stans in oppidulo Nob et procul urbem conspiciens Jerusalem." A far more appropriate situation is to be found in the hill which rises to the north of Jerusalem, and which is called Sadr, from its breast-like projection or roundness - a name which is related in meaning to nob, nâb, to rise. From this eminence the way leads down into the valley of Kidron; and as you descend, the city spreads out before you at a very little distance off. It may have been here, in the prophet's view, that the Assyrians halted.

(Note: This is the opinion of Valentiner, who also regards the march of the Assyrians as an "execution-march" in two columns, one of which took the road through the difficult ground to the east, whilst the other inflicted punishment upon the places that stood near the road. The text does not require this, however, but describes a march, which spread alarm both right and left as it went along.)

It was not long, however (as the yenōphēph which follows ἀσυνδέτως implies), before his hand was drawn out to strike (Isa 11:15; Isa 19:16), and swing over the mountain of the daughter of Zion (Isa 16:1), over the city of the holy hill. But what would Jehovah do, who was the only One who could save His threatened dwelling-place in the face of such an army? As far as Isa 10:32, the prophet's address moved on at a hurried, stormy pace; it then halted, and seemed, as it were, panting with anxiety; it now breaks forth in a dactylic movement, like a long rolling thunder. The hostile army stands in front of Jerusalem, like a broad dense forest. But it is soon manifest that Jerusalem has a God who cannot be defied with impunity, and who will not leave His city in the lurch at the decisive moment, like the gods of Carchemish and Calno. Jehovah is the Lord, the God of both spiritual and starry hosts. He smites down the branches of this forest of an army: sē‛ēph is a so-called piel privativum, to lop (lit. to take the branches in hand; cf., sikkēl, Isa 5:2); and pu'rah = pe'urah (in Ezekiel pō'rah) is used like the Latin frons, to include both branches and foliage - in other words, the leafy branches as the ornament of the tree, or the branches as adorned with leaves. The instrument He employs is ma‛arâtzâh, his terrifying and crushing power (compare the verb in Isa 2:19, Isa 2:21). And even the lofty trunks of the forest thus cleared of branches and leaves do not remain; they lie hewn down, and the lofty ones must fall. It is just the same with the trunks, i.e., the leaders, as with the branches and the foliage, i.e., with the great crowded masses. The whole of the forest thicket (as in Isa 9:17) he hews down (nikkaph, third pers. piel, though it may also be niphal); and Lebanon, i.e., the army of Asshur which is now standing opposite to Mount Zion, like Lebanon with its forest of cedars, falls down through a Majestic One ('addı̄r), i.e., through Jehovah (Isa 33:21, cf., Psa 76:5; Psa 93:4). In the account of the fulfilment (Isa 37:36) it is the angel of the Lord (mal'ach Jehovah), who is represented as destroying the hundred and eighty-five thousand in the Assyrian camp in a single night. The angel of Jehovah is not a messenger of God sent from afar, but the chosen organ of the ever-present divine power.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
He - Here the prophet returns to the Assyrian invasion; which he describes, after the manner of the prophets, as a thing present, and sets down the several stages by which he marched towards Jerusalem. He, Sennacherib, king of Assyria, is come, in his way to Jerusalem. Laid up - Leaving such things there as were less necessary, that so he might march with more expedition.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
He is come to Aiath - A description of the march of Sennacherib's army approaching Jerusalem in order to invest it, and of the terror and confusion spreading and increasing through the several places as he advanced; expressed with great brevity, but finely diversified. The places here mentioned are all in the neighborhood of Jerusalem; from Ai northward, to Nob westward of it; from which last place he might probably have a prospect of Mount Sion. Anathoth was within three Roman miles of Jerusalem, according to Eusebius, Jerome and Josephus. Onomast. Loc. Hebr. et Antiq. Jud. 10:7, 3. Nob was probably still nearer. And it should seem from this passage of Isaiah that Sennacherib's army was destroyed near the latter of these places. In coming out of Egypt he might perhaps join the rest of his army at Ashdod, after the taking of that place, which happened about that time, (see Isa 20:1-6.); and march from thence near the coast by Lachish and Libnah, which lay in his way from south to north, and both which he invested till he came to the north-west of Jerusalem, crossing over to the north of it, perhaps by Joppa and Lydda; or still more north through the plain of Esdraelon.

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²⁴ For who will hearken [08085] unto you in this matter [01697]? but as his part [02506] is that goeth down [03381] [03381] to the battle [04421], so shall his part [02506] be that tarrieth [03427] by the stuff [03627]: they shall part [02505] alike [03162].

¹³ And David [01732] said [0559] unto his men [0582], Gird ye on [02296] every man [0376] his sword [02719]. And they girded on [02296] every man [0376] his sword [02719]; and David [01732] also girded on [02296] his sword [02719]: and there went up [05927] after [0310] David [01732] about four [0702] hundred [03967] men [0376]; and two hundred [03967] abode [03427] by the stuff [03627].

²² And David [01732] left [05203] his carriage [03627] in the hand [03027] of the keeper [08104] of the carriage [03627], and ran [07323] into the army [04634], and came [0935] and saluted [07592] [07965] his brethren [0251].

¹⁵ And [1161] after [3326] those [5025] days [2250] we took up our carriages [643], and went up [305] to [1519] Jerusalem [2419].

³² The men [0582] of Bethel [01008] and Ai [05857], an hundred [03967] twenty [06242] and three [07969].

² And Joshua [03091] sent [07971] men [0582] from Jericho [03405] to Ai [05857], which is beside [05973] Bethaven [01007], on the east side [06924] of Bethel [01008], and spake [0559] unto them, saying [0559], Go up [05927] and view [07270] the country [0776]. And the men [0582] went up [05927] and viewed [07270] Ai [05857].

²⁷ The sons [01121] of Jacob [03290] came [0935] upon the slain [02491], and spoiled [0962] the city [05892], because they had defiled [02930] their sister [0269].

¹⁵ And [1161] after [3326] those [5025] days [2250] we took up our carriages [643], and went up [305] to [1519] Jerusalem [2419].

³¹ The men [0582] of Michmas [04363], an hundred [03967] and twenty [06242] and two [08147].

²⁷ The men [0582] of Michmas [04363], an hundred [03967] twenty [06242] and two [08147].

² And Saul [07586] tarried [03427] in the uttermost [07097] part of Gibeah [01390] under a pomegranate tree [07416] which is in Migron [04051]: and the people [05971] that were with him were about six [08337] hundred [03967] men [0376];

³² The men [0582] of Bethel [01008] and Ai [05857], an hundred [03967] twenty [06242] and three [07969].

²⁸ The men [0582] of Bethel [01008] and Ai [05857], two hundred [03967] twenty [06242] and three [07969].

³¹ The children [01121] also of Benjamin [01144] from Geba [01387] dwelt at Michmash [04363], and Aija [05857], and Bethel [01008], and in their villages [01323],

²⁸ He is come [0935] to Aiath [05857], he is passed [05674] to Migron [04051]; at Michmash [04363] he hath laid up [06485] his carriages [03627]:
²⁹ They are gone over [05674] the passage [04569]: they have taken up their lodging [04411] at Geba [01387]; Ramah [07414] is afraid [02729]; Gibeah [01390] of Saul [07586] is fled [05127].
³⁰ Lift up [06670] thy voice [06963], O daughter [01323] of [01530] Gallim [01554]: cause it to be heard [07181] unto Laish [03919], O poor [06041] Anathoth [06068].
³¹ Madmenah [04088] is removed [05074]; the inhabitants [03427] of Gebim [01374] gather themselves to flee [05756].
³² As yet shall he remain [05975] at Nob [05011] that day [03117]: he shall shake [05130] his hand [03027] against the mount [02022] of the daughter [01323] [01004] of Zion [06726], the hill [01389] of Jerusalem [03389].

³⁶ Then the angel [04397] of the LORD [03068] went forth [03318], and smote [05221] in the camp [04264] of the Assyrians [0804] a hundred [03967] and fourscore [08084] and five [02568] thousand [0505]: and when they arose early [07925] in the morning [01242], behold, they were all dead [04191] corpses [06297].

⁴ The LORD [03068] on high [04791] is mightier [0117] than the noise [06963] of many [07227] waters [04325], yea, than the mighty [0117] waves [04867] of the sea [03220].

⁵ The stouthearted [047] [03820] are spoiled [07997], they have slept [05123] their sleep [08142]: and none of the men [0582] of might [02428] have found [04672] their hands [03027].

²¹ But there the glorious [0117] LORD [03068] will be unto us a place [04725] of broad [07342] [03027] rivers [05104] and streams [02975]; wherein shall go [03212] no [01077] galley [0590] with oars [07885], neither shall gallant [0117] ship [06716] pass [05674] thereby.

¹⁷ Therefore the Lord [0136] shall have no joy [08055] in their young men [0970], neither shall have mercy [07355] on their fatherless [03490] and widows [0490]: for every one is an hypocrite [02611] and an evildoer [07489], and every mouth [06310] speaketh [01696] folly [05039]. For all this his anger [0639] is not turned away [07725], but his hand [03027] is stretched out still [05186].

²¹ To go [0935] into the clefts [05366] of the rocks [06697], and into the tops [05585] of the ragged rocks [05553], for [06440] fear [06343] of the LORD [03068], and for the glory [01926] of his majesty [01347], when he ariseth [06965] to shake terribly [06206] the earth [0776].

¹⁹ And they shall go [0935] into the holes [04631] of the rocks [06697], and into the caves [04247] of the earth [06083], for [06440] fear [06343] of the LORD [03068], and for the glory [01926] of his majesty [01347], when he ariseth [06965] to shake terribly [06206] the earth [0776].

² And he fenced [05823] it, and gathered out the stones [05619] thereof, and planted [05193] it with the choicest vine [08321], and built [01129] a tower [04026] in the midst [08432] of it, and also made [02672] a winepress [03342] therein: and he looked [06960] that it should bring forth [06213] grapes [06025], and it brought forth [06213] wild grapes [0891].

³² As yet shall he remain [05975] at Nob [05011] that day [03117]: he shall shake [05130] his hand [03027] against the mount [02022] of the daughter [01323] [01004] of Zion [06726], the hill [01389] of Jerusalem [03389].

¹ Send [07971] ye the lamb [03733] to the ruler [04910] of the land [0776] from Sela [05554] to the wilderness [04057], unto the mount [02022] of the daughter [01323] of Zion [06726].

¹⁶ In that day [03117] shall Egypt [04714] be like unto women [0802]: and it shall be afraid [02729] and fear [06342] because [06440] of the shaking [08573] of the hand [03027] of the LORD [03068] of hosts [06635], which he shaketh [05130] over it.

¹⁵ And the LORD [03068] shall utterly destroy [02763] the tongue [03956] of the Egyptian [04714] sea [03220]; and with his mighty [05868] wind [07307] shall he shake [05130] his hand [03027] over the river [05104], and shall smite [05221] it in the seven [07651] streams [05158], and make men go over [01869] dryshod [05275].

² That walk [01980] to go down [03381] into Egypt [04714], and have not asked [07592] at my mouth [06310]; to strengthen [05810] themselves in the strength [04581] of Pharaoh [06547], and to trust [02620] in the shadow [06738] of Egypt [04714]!

¹¹ And there came [0935] an angel [04397] of the LORD [03068], and sat [03427] under an oak [0424] which was in Ophrah [06084], that pertained unto Joash [03101] the Abiezrite [033]: and his son [01121] Gideon [01439] threshed [02251] wheat [02406] by the winepress [01660], to hide [05127] it from [06440] the Midianites [04080].

²⁰ He that feared [03373] the word [01697] of the LORD [03068] among the servants [05650] of Pharaoh [06547] made his servants [05650] and his cattle [04735] flee [05127] into the houses [01004]:

¹ O ye children [01121] of Benjamin [01144], gather yourselves to flee [05756] out of the midst [07130] of Jerusalem [03389], and blow [08628] the trumpet [07782] in Tekoa [08620], and set up [05375] a sign [04864] of fire in Bethhaccerem [01021]: for evil [07451] appeareth [08259] out of the north [06828], and great [01419] destruction [07667].

⁶ Set up [05375] the standard [05251] toward Zion [06726]: retire [05756], stay [05975] not: for I will bring [0935] evil [07451] from the north [06828], and a great [01419] destruction [07667].

¹⁹ Send [07971] therefore now, and gather [05756] thy cattle [04735], and all that thou hast in the field [07704]; for upon every man [0120] and beast [0929] which shall be found [04672] in the field [07704], and shall not be brought [0622] home [01004], the hail [01259] shall come down [03381] upon them, and they shall die [04191].

¹¹ Lo, he goeth [05674] by me, and I see [07200] him not: he passeth on [02498] also, but I perceive [0995] him not.
¹² Behold, he taketh away [02862], who can hinder [07725] him? who will say [0559] unto him, What doest [06213] thou?
¹³ If God [0433] will not withdraw [07725] his anger [0639], the proud [07293] helpers [05826] do stoop [07817] under him.
¹⁴ How much less shall I answer [06030] him, and choose out [0977] my words [01697] to reason with him?
¹⁵ Whom, though I were righteous [06663], yet would I not answer [06030], but I would make supplication [02603] to my judge [08199].

¹² And he said [0559], Thou shalt no more [03254] rejoice [05937], O thou oppressed [06231] virgin [01330], daughter [01323] of Zidon [06721]: arise [06965], pass over [05674] to Chittim [03794]; there also shalt thou have no rest [05117].

¹¹ O thou afflicted [06041], tossed with tempest [05590], and not comforted [05162], behold, I will lay [07257] thy stones [068] with fair colours [06320], and lay thy foundations [03245] with sapphires [05601].

²⁹ And they called [07121] the name [08034] of the city [05892] Dan [01835], after the name [08034] of Dan [01835] their father [01], who was born [03205] unto Israel [03478]: howbeit [0199] the name [08034] of the city [05892] was Laish [03919] at the first [07223].

⁴⁴ But Saul [07586] had given [05414] Michal [04324] his daughter [01323], David's [01732] wife [0802], to Phalti [06406] the son [01121] of Laish [03919], which was of Gallim [01554].

²¹ Now the cities [05892] of the tribe [04294] of the children [01121] of Benjamin [01144] according to their families [04940] were Jericho [03405], and Bethhoglah [01031], and the valley [06010] of Keziz [07104],
²² And Betharabah [01026], and Zemaraim [06787], and Bethel [01008],
²³ And Avim [05761], and Parah [06511], and Ophrah [06084],
²⁴ And Chepharhaammonai [03726], and Ophni [06078], and Gaba [01387]; twelve [08147] [06240] cities [05892] with their villages [02691]:
²⁵ Gibeon [01391], and Ramah [07414], and Beeroth [0881],
²⁶ And Mizpeh [04708], and Chephirah [03716], and Mozah [04681],
²⁷ And Rekem [07552], and Irpeel [03416], and Taralah [08634],
²⁸ And Zelah [06762], Eleph [0507], and Jebusi [02983], which is Jerusalem [03389], Gibeath [01394], and Kirjath [07157]; fourteen [0702] [06240] cities [05892] with their villages [02691]. This is the inheritance [05159] of the children [01121] of Benjamin [01144] according to their families [04940].

⁴ And between the passages [04569], by which Jonathan [03129] sought [01245] to go over [05674] unto the Philistines [06430]' garrison [04673], there was a sharp [08127] rock [05553] on the one side [05676], and a sharp [08127] rock [05553] on the other side [05676]: and the name [08034] of the one [0259] was Bozez [0949], and the name [08034] of the other [0259] Seneh [05573].

²⁰ And they went in [0935] to the king [04428] into the court [02691], but they laid up [06485] the roll [04039] in the chamber [03957] of Elishama [0476] the scribe [05608], and told [05046] all the words [01697] in the ears [0241] of the king [04428].

³¹ The children [01121] also of Benjamin [01144] from Geba [01387] dwelt at Michmash [04363], and Aija [05857], and Bethel [01008], and in their villages [01323],

²⁸ And their possessions [0272] and habitations [04186] were, Bethel [01008] and the towns [01323] thereof, and eastward [04217] Naaran [05295], and westward [04628] Gezer [01507], with the towns [01323] thereof; Shechem [07927] also and the towns [01323] thereof, unto Gaza [05804] and the towns [01323] thereof:

¹ In the year [08141] that Tartan [08661] came [0935] unto Ashdod [0795], (when Sargon [05623] the king [04428] of Assyria [0804] sent [07971] him,) and fought [03898] against Ashdod [0795], and took [03920] it;
² At the same time [06256] spake [01696] the LORD [03068] by [03027] Isaiah [03470] the son [01121] of Amoz [0531], saying [0559], Go [03212] and loose [06605] the sackcloth [08242] from off thy loins [04975], and put off [02502] thy shoe [05275] from thy foot [07272]. And he did so [06213], walking [01980] naked [06174] and barefoot [03182].
³ And the LORD [03068] said [0559], Like as my servant [05650] Isaiah [03470] hath walked [01980] naked [06174] and barefoot [03182] three [07969] years [08141] for a sign [0226] and wonder [04159] upon Egypt [04714] and upon Ethiopia [03568];
⁴ So shall the king [04428] of Assyria [0804] lead away [05090] the Egyptians [04714] prisoners [07628], and the Ethiopians [03568] captives [01546], young [05288] and old [02205], naked [06174] and barefoot [03182], even with their buttocks [08357] uncovered [02834], to the shame [06172] of Egypt [04714].
⁵ And they shall be afraid [02865] and ashamed [0954] of Ethiopia [03568] their expectation [04007], and of Egypt [04714] their glory [08597].
⁶ And the inhabitant [03427] of this isle [0339] shall say [0559] in that day [03117], Behold, such [03541] is our expectation [04007], whither we flee [05127] for help [05833] to be delivered [05337] from [06440] the king [04428] of Assyria [0804]: and how shall we escape [04422]?