Isa 5:26-29 | JFB | STEP | 26. lift . . . ensign —to call together the hostile nations to execute His judgments on Judea ( ). But for mercy to it, in . hiss — ( ). Bees were drawn out of their hives by the sound of a flute, or hissing, or whistling ( ). God will collect the nations round Judea like bees ( ). end of the earth —the widely distant subject races of which the Assyrian army was made up ( ). The ulterior fulfilment took place in the siege under Roman Titus. Compare "end of the earth" ( , &c.). So the pronoun is singular in the Hebrew, for "them," "their," "whose" (him, his, &c.), ; referring to some particular nation and person [HORSLEY ].

Isaiah 5:26-29

26. lift . . . ensign—to call together the hostile nations to execute His judgments on Judea (Isa 10:5-7; 45:1). But for mercy to it, in Isa 11:12; 18:3.

hiss— (Isa 7:18). Bees were drawn out of their hives by the sound of a flute, or hissing, or whistling (Zec 10:8). God will collect the nations round Judea like bees (De 1:44; Ps 118:12).

end of the earth—the widely distant subject races of which the Assyrian army was made up (Isa 22:6). The ulterior fulfilment took place in the siege under Roman Titus. Compare "end of the earth" (De 28:49, &c.). So the pronoun is singular in the Hebrew, for "them," "their," "whose" (him, his, &c.), Isa 5:26-29; referring to some particular nation and person [HORSLEY].

27. weary—with long marches (De 25:18).

none . . . slumber—requiring no rest.

girdle—with which the ancient loose robes used to be girded for action. Ever ready for march or battle.

nor the latchet . . . broken—The soles were attached to the feet, not by upper leather as with us, but by straps. So securely clad that not even a strap of their sandals gives way, so as to impede their march.

28. bent—ready for battle.

hoofs . . . flint—The ancients did not shoe their horses: hence the value of hard hoofs for long marches.

wheels—of their chariots. The Assyrian army abounded in cavalry and chariots (Isa 22:6, 7; 36:8).

29. roaring—their battle cry.