Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 33:8
The highways lie waste, the wayfaring man ceaseth: he hath broken the covenant, he hath despised the cities, he regardeth no man.
8. The highways lie waste ceaseth ] cf. Jdg 5:6.
he hath broken the covenant ] See on Isa 33:7.
he hath despised the cities ] For ‘rm (cities) Duhm proposes to read ‘dm (witnesses), i.e. the witnesses to the broken treaty. There might no doubt be an allusion to the capture of the fenced cities of Judah, 2Ki 18:13.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The highways lie waste – This verse contains a description of the desolations that had been caused by the invasion of Sennacherib. Some have understood it as containing the account which the ambassadors sent by Hezekiah gave of the effects of the invasion. Thus Grotius interprets it. But it is probably a description made by the prophet himself, and is designed to state one cause why the messengers that had been sent out wept bitterly. They had not only failed of inducing Sennacherib to abandon his purpose of attacking Jerusalem, but they had witnessed the effects of his invasion already. The public ways were desolate. In the consternation and alarm that was produced by his approach, the roads that had been usually thronged were now solitary and still. A mournful desolation already prevailed, and they apprehended still greater calamities, and hence, they wept.
The wayfaring man ceaseth – Hebrew, He that passes along the road ceases. That is, there is a cessation of travel. No one is seen passing along the streets that used to be thronged.
He hath broken the covenant – This may either mean that the Assyrian king had violated the compact which had been made with him by Ahaz, by which he was to come and aid Jerusalem against the allied armies of Syria and Samaria (see the notes at Isa. 7), or it may mean that he had violated an implied compact with Hezekiah. When Judea was threatened with an invasion by Sennacherib, Hezekiah had sent to him when he was at Lachish, and had sought for peace 2Ki 18:14. In that embassy Hezekiah said, I have offended, return from me; that which thou puttest on me I will bear. And the king of Assyria appointed unto Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold. To pay this, Hezekiah exhausted his treasury, and even stripped the temple of its golden ornaments 2Ki 18:15-16. A compact was thus made by which it was understood that Sennacherib was to withdraw his army, and depart from the land. But notwithstanding this, he still persisted in his purpose, and immediately despatched a part of his army to lay siege to Jerusalem. All the treaties, therefore, had been violated. He had disregarded that which was made with Ahaz, and that which he had now himself made with Hezekiah, and was advancing in violation of all to lay siege to the city.
He hath despised the cities – That is, he disregards their defenses, and their strength; he invades and takes all that comes in his way. He speaks of them with contempt and scorn as being unable to stand before him, or to resist his march. See his vain and confident boasting in Isa 10:9; Isa 36:19.
He regardeth no man – He spares no one, and he observes no compact with any man.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
The highways lie waste, the wayfaring man ceaseth, because the Assyrian soldiers possessed and filled the land.
He hath broken the covenant; Sennacherib broke his faith, given to Hezekiah, of departing for a sum of money, 2Ki 18:14,17.
He hath despised the cities; the defenced cities of Judah, which he contemned and easily took, 2Ki 18:13.
He regardeth no man; either to spare them, or to fear them, or to keep faith with them. He neither feareth God, nor reverenceth man.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
8. broken . . . covenantWhenSennacherib invaded Judea, Hezekiah paid him a large sum to leave theland; Sennacherib received the money and yet sent his army againstJerusalem (2Ki 18:14; 2Ki 18:17).
despisedmake slight ofas unable to resist him (Isa 10:9;Isa 36:19); easily captures them.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
The highways lie waste,…. No man walking in them, for fear of the enemy; “the ways of Zion”, which are said to “mourn, because none come to the solemn feasts”, La 1:4 none daring to attend the ministry of the word and ordinances; see Isa 35:8:
the wayfaring man ceaseth; or, “the traveller rests” z; or stops; he does not proceed on his journey; a stop is put to a religious course and conversation; there is an entire cessation of religious worship; a sabbath is kept, but not a religious one; he that would walk in Zion’s ways is forbid, and is obliged to sit still:
he hath broken the covenant; some, as Kimchi’s father, interpret this of the Jews’ complaining that God had broken his covenant with them, as in Ps 89:39 but most of Sennacherib’s breaking his covenant with Hezekiah, 2Ki 18:14 rather this is to be understood of antichrist, whose doctrine is, that faith is not to be kept with heretics, and which will abundantly appear at this distressing time:
he hath despised the cities; as Sennacherib did the fenced cities of Judah; he despised their fortifications, and easily took them, and treated the inhabitants with disdain and contempt; and so will the reformed Protestant cities and countries be invaded, seized upon, and insulted, by the Romish antichrist:
he regardeth no man; so as to keep covenant with them, have compassion on them, and spare them, he fearing neither God nor man.
z “cessaverat viator”, Junius Tremellius “desiit viator”, Cocceius.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
8. The roads are deserted. He now adds, that “the roads” will be shut up, so that no one shall go in or out; which commonly happens when war has been declared. The Prophet appears to represent the ambassadors as declaring that henceforth there will be no opportunity of carrying on merchandise, and even that the highways will not be safe. (9) It is immediately added, —
They have violated the treaty. These words are viewed by some commentators as a complaint made by hypocrites that God does not fulfill his promises. If it were thought proper to view them as referring to God, still it would not be necessary to say that such a complaint proceeds from none but wicked men; for sometimes believers also quarrel with God in this manner. But I cannot approve of that interpretation; and, therefore, consider this to be a part of the description which the Prophet gives of the cruelty and insatiable rage of Sennacherib, in treacherously breaking the treaty which he had formerly made with Hezekiah; for, although he had promised that he would maintain peace, yet as soon as an opportunity presented itself for invading Judea, he violated his promise and made preparations for war. Such is also the import of the conclusion of the verse, that he hath despised the cities, he hath regarded no man, which means that his cruelty will be so great that he will not be restrained by shame or fear.
(9) “These are not the words of the ambassadors reporting the condition of the country (Grotius), but of the Prophet himself describing it. The scene presented is not that of Protestant cities seized by Antichrist, and a stop put to a religious course and conversation (Gill), but the actual condition of Judea during the Assyrian invasion. (Compare Jud 5:6).” — Alexander.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(8) The highways lie waste . . .Another feature in the picture of terror. No traveller dared to show himself in the main road. (Comp. Jdg. 5:6.)
He hath broken.Sennacherib is denounced as having broken the treaty of 2Ki. 18:14. Hezekiah had complied with his conditions, and yet there was no suspension of hostilities.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
8, 9. The highways lie waste In disregard of his covenant the enemy still would ravage the country, render impassable the usual highways, cut off travel, break up villages and cities, and show mercy to none. Such treachery called for the world’s detestation and Heaven’s speediest retribution; this is a sense in which the earth, or the land, mourneth; in which Lebanon, noble in its cedars and towering heights, blushes in very shame; in which Sharon, the Shephala, or flowery plain on the sea, wilts to desolation; in which the east Jordanic Bashan, with its rich pastures and oaks, and
Carmel the synonyme for greatest fertility forget their rightful glory and hide away through mortification at such stupendous treachery.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Isa 33:8 The highways lie waste, the wayfaring man ceaseth: he hath broken the covenant, he hath despised the cities, he regardeth no man.
Ver. 8. The highways lie waste. ] And byways are more frequented, through fear of the enemy.
He hath broken the covenant.
He hath despised the cities.
He regardeth no man.
a Turkish History, 755.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
highways. See note on Isa 7:3.
lie waste = are desolate. See note on Isa 1:7.
wayfaring man = he that walketh along the path. See note on “path”, Isa 2:3.
man = mortal. Hebrew. ‘enosh. App-14
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
highways: Isa 10:29-31, Jdg 5:6, Lam 1:4
he hath broken: 2Ki 18:14-17
he hath despised: Isa 10:9-11, Isa 36:1, 2Ki 18:13
he regardeth: Isa 10:13, Isa 10:14, 1Sa 17:10, 1Sa 17:26, 2Ki 18:20, 2Ki 18:21, Psa 10:5, Luk 18:2-4
Reciprocal: Gen 17:14 – broken Lev 26:22 – your high Jer 4:28 – the earth Rom 1:31 – covenantbreakers
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
33:8 The {n} highways lie waste, the wayfaring man ceaseth: he hath broken the covenant, he hath despised the cities, he regardeth no man.
(n) These are the words of the ambassadors, when they returned from Sennacherib.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
People are afraid to go out onto the highways to travel about the land (cf. Jdg 5:6). The enemy has broken his treaty, having no regard for the cities or the individuals he is now attacking.