Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 5:26
And he will lift up an ensign to the nations from far, and will hiss unto them from the end of the earth: and, behold, they shall come with speed swiftly:
26. And he will lift up an ensign ] i.e. a signal, set up on a hill (Isa 13:2, Isa 18:3, Isa 30:17; cf. Isa 11:10; Isa 11:12) as a point of rendezvous. (Mark the significant change to the future tense.) the nations from far ] better, a nation from afar (cf. Amo 6:14). The singular is demanded by what follows, and is obtained by removing the last letter of one word to the beginning of the next, exactly as in Jer 5:15. will hiss ] as in ch. Isa 7:18; Zec 10:8. The image is that of a bee-keeper alluring the swarm.
with speed swiftly ] because it is Jehovah who calls. “They” should be “he,” to the end of the chapter, the nation being individualised.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
26 29. A powerful description of the advance of the invaders, who however remain unnamed.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And he will lift up an ensign … – The idea here is, that the nations of the earth are under his control, and that he can call whom he pleases to execute his purposes. This power over the nations he often claims; compare Isa 44:28; Isa 45:1-7; Isa 10:5-7; Isa 9:11; Isa 8:18. An ensign is the standard, or flag used in an army. The elevation of the standard was a signal for assembling for war. God represents himself here as simply raising the standard, expecting that the nations would come at once.
And will hiss unto them – This means that he would collect them together to accomplish his purposes. The expression is probably taken from the manner in which bees were hived. Theodoret and Cyril, on this place, say, that in Syria and Palestine, they who kept bees were able to draw them out of their hives, and conduct them into fields, and bring them back again, with the sound of a flute or the noise of hissing. It is certain also that the ancients had this idea respecting bees. Pliny (lib. xi. ch. 20) says: Gaudent plausu, atque tinnitu aeris, coque convocantur. They rejoice in a sound, and in the tinkling of brass, and are thus called together. AElian (lib. v. ch. 13) says, that when they are disposed to fly away, their keepers make a musical and harmonious sound, and that they are thus brought back as by a siren, and restored to their hives. So Virgin says, when speaking of bees:
Tinnitusque cie, et Matris quate cymbala circum.
Georg. iv. 64.
On brazen vessels beat a tinkling sound,
And shake the cymbals of the goddess round;
Then all will hastily retreat, and fill
The warm resounding hollow of their cell.
Addison
So Ovid:
Jamque erat ad Rhodopen Pangaeaque flumina ventum,
Aeriferae comitum cum crepuere manus.
Ecce! novae coeunt volucres tinnitibus actae
Quosque movent sonitus aera sequuntur apes.
Fastor, lib. iii., 739.
See also Columella, lib. x. ch. 7; Lucan, lib. ix. ver. 288; and Claudian, Panegyric. in sextum consul. Honorii, ver. 259; compare Bochart, Hieroz. P. ii. lib. iv. ch. x. pp. 506, 507. The prophets refer to that fact in several places, Isa 8:18; Zec 10:8. The simple meaning is, that God, at his pleasure; would collect the nations around Judea like bees, that is, in great numbers.
The end of the earth – That is, the remotest parts of the world. The most eastern nations known to them were probably the Babylonians, Medes, Persians, and perhaps the inhabitants of India. The general idea is, that he would call in the distant nations to destroy them. In Isa 7:18, Egypt and Assyria are particularly specified. This was in accordance with the prediction in Deu 28:49.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 26. He will – hiss – “He will hist”] “The metaphor is taken from the practice of those that keep bees, who draw them out of their hives into the fields, and lead them back again, , by a hiss or a whistle.” – Cyril, on this place; and to the same purpose Theodoret, ib. In Isa 7:18, the metaphor is more apparent, by being carried farther, where the hostile armies are expressed by the fly and the bee: –
“JEHOVAH shall hist the fly
That is in the utmost parts of Egypt;
And the bee, that is in the land of Assyria.”
On which place see De 1:44; Ps 118:12; and God calls the locusts his great army, Joe 2:25; Ex 23:28. See Huet, Quest. Alnet. ii. 12. sharak or shrak, he shall whistle for them, call loud and shrill; he shall shriek, and they (their enemies) shall come at his call.
With speed] This refers to the nineteenth verse. As the scoffers had challenged God to make speed, and to hasten his work of vengeance, so now God assures them that with speed and swiftly it shall come.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
He will lift up an ensign, to call them together for his service, as generals used to do for the raising of armies, to
the nations from far; either,
1. To the Assyrians, of whom he speaks more particularly Isa 10, and that under this same character of a people that come from far, Isa 5:29 and who did not long after this prophecy invade Judea, and did much mischief in it. Although that part of the prediction, Isa 5:29,
They shall lay hold of the prey, and shall carry it away safe, and none shall deliver it, do not seem to agree to them, nor that invasion; for the Assyrians were forced to retreat with great shame and loss, and the Jews were delivered from them. Or,
2. To the Chaldeans; for even Babylon is called a far country, Isa 39:3. And he saith nations, because the Chaldean army was made up of several nations. Will hiss unto them; or, will whistle unto or for them; will gather them together by his word, as shepherds gather their sheep. He intimates how easily and speedily God can do this work. From the ends of the earth; which is not to be understood strictly, but popularly, and with a latitude, from very remote places; although part of the Chaldean army did come from places not very far distant from the end of that part of the world, so far as it was then known.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
26. lift . . . ensignto calltogether the hostile nations to execute His judgments on Judea(Isa 10:5-7; Isa 45:1).But for mercy to it, in Isa 11:12;Isa 18:3.
hiss (Isa7:18). Bees were drawn out of their hives by the sound of aflute, or hissing, or whistling (Zec10:8). God will collect the nations round Judea like bees(Deu 1:44; Psa 118:12).
end of the earththewidely distant subject races of which the Assyrian army was made up(Isa 22:6). The ulteriorfulfilment took place in the siege under Roman Titus. Compare “endof the earth” (De 28:49,c.). So the pronoun is singular in the Hebrew, for”them,” “their,” “whose” (him, his,&c.), Isa 5:26-29referring to some particular nation and person [HORSLEY].
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And he will lift up an ensign to the nations from far,…. Not to the Chaldeans or Babylonians, for they were not nations, but one nation, and were a people near; but to the Romans, who consisted of many nations, and were afar off, and extended their empire to the ends of the earth; these, by one providence or another, were stirred up to make an expedition into the land of Judea, and besiege Jerusalem: and this lifting up of an ensign is not, as sometimes, for the gathering and enlisting of soldiers, or to prepare them for the battle, or to give them the signal when to begin the fight; but as a direction to decamp and proceed on a journey, on some expedition:
and will hiss unto them from the end of the earth, or “to him” i; the king, or general of them, wherever he is, even though at the end of the earth: and the phrase denotes the secret and powerful influence of divine Providence, in moving upon the hearts of the Romans, and their general, to enter upon such a design against the Jews; and which was as easily done as for one man to hiss or call to another; or as for a shepherd to whistle for his sheep; to which the allusion seems to be; the Lord having the hearts of all in his hands, and can turn them as he pleases, to do his will:
and, behold, they shall come with speed swiftly; or “he shall come”; the king with his army; and so the Targum paraphrases it;
“and behold, a king with his army shall come swiftly, as light clouds;”
this shows the swift and sudden destruction that should come upon the Jews; and is an answer to their scoffs, Isa 5:19.
i “ei”, Vatablus; Montanus; “illi”, Cocceius; “ad se”, Junius & Tremellius.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Jehovah finds the human instruments of His further strokes, not in Israel and the neighbouring nations, but in the people of distant lands. “And lifts up a banner to the distant nations, and hisses to it from the end of the earth; and, behold, it comes with haste swiftly.” What the prophet here foretold began to be fulfilled in the time of Ahaz. But the prophecy, which commences with this verse, has every possible mark of the very opposite of a vaticinium post eventum . It is, strictly speaking, only what had already been threatened in Deu 28:49. (cf., Deu 32:21.), though here it assumes a more plastic form, and is here presented for the first time to the view of the prophet as though coming out of a mist. Jehovah summons the nations afar off: haggoyim m erachok signifies, as we have rendered it, the “distant nations,” for m erac is virtually an adjective both here and Isa 49:1, just as in Jer 23:23 it is virtually a substantive. The visible working of Jehovah presents itself to the prophet in two figures. Jehovah plants a banner or standard, which, like an optical telegraph, announces to the nations at a more remote distance than the horn of battle ( shophar ) could possibly reach, that they are to gather together to war. A “banner” ( nes ): i.e., a lofty staff with flying colours (Isa 33:23) planted upon a bare mountain-top (Isa 13:2). alternates with in this favourite figure of Isaiah. The nations through whom this was primarily fulfilled were the nations of the Assyrian empire. According to the Old Testament view, these nations were regarded as far off, and dwelling at the end of the earth (Isa 39:3), not only inasmuch as the Euphrates formed the boundary towards the north-east between what was geographically known and unknown to the Israelites (Psa 72:8; Zec 9:10), but also inasmuch as the prophet had in his mind a complex body of nations stretching far away into further Asia. The second figure is taken from a bee-master, who entices the bees, by hissing or whistling, to come out of their hives and settle on the ground. Thus Virgil says to the bee-master who wants to make the bees settle, “Raise a ringing, and beat the cymbals of Cybele all around” ( Georgics, iv 54). Thus does Jehovah entice the hosts of nations like swarms of bees (Isa 7:18), and they swarm together with haste and swiftness. The plural changes into the singular, because those who are approaching have all the appearance at first of a compact and indivisible mass; it is also possible that the ruling nation among the many is singled out. The thought and expression are both misty, and this is perfectly characteristic. With the word “behold” ( hinneh ) the prophet points to them; they are approaching m eherah kal, i.e., in the shortest time with swift feet, and the nearer they come to his view the more clearly he can describe them.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
26. And he will lift up an ensign to the nations. In this and the following verses he describes the nature of the punishment which the Lord would inflict on his people; namely, that they were about to suffer from the Assyrians a similar, or even a heavier calamity, than that which their brethren the Israelites had lately endured. Many distresses had indeed been suffered by themselves from the Assyrians, though the kingdom of Judah was not yet overturned. Besides, what had befallen the kingdom of Israel might be viewed as a mirror in which they could behold God’s wrath and righteous chastisement.
And yet this prediction, though it was accompanied by clear proofs, must undoubtedly have appeared to be incredible; for at that time they enjoyed repose, and the slightest truce of any kind easily laid them asleep. He says, therefore, that this calamity will come to them from distant nations, from whom nothing of this kind was expected; and he sounds an alarm as if the enemy were already at hand. It is not for the sake of soothing their fear that he uses those words, from afar, and from the end of the earth; but, on the contrary, he speaks in this manner for the express purpose of informing them that they ought not to judge of the anger of God from what meets the eye, for we are wont to judge of dangers from the outward appearance of things. Now, if the enemies are not so near, or if other circumstances hinder them from giving us immediate annoyance, we give ourselves no concern. Thus the people were lulled into a profound sleep, as if there were no danger to be dreaded. But Isaiah says that this will not hinder the Lord from erecting a banner, and instantly commissioning the Assyrians to slaughter them. The expression is metaphorical; for when a banner is displayed it is customary for soldiers, at the bidding of their general, to advance in hostile array and rush into the battle.
He will hiss to it. (88) Though a change of number frequently occurs in Scripture, yet it is on solid grounds that the Prophet, by changing the number, makes many nations to be but one nation. The meaning is, that when it shall please God to assemble various nations, and form them into one body, it will not be a confused multitude, but will resemble a body which has a visible head that rules and guides. He chose to employ the word hiss rather than a word of weightier import, such as sound a trumpet, or anything of that sort; in order to show that God does not need to sound a trumpet in order to call the enemies to battle, and that he has no difficulty in inflicting punishment when the time for taking vengeance is fully at hand, for by a mere nod he can accomplish the whole. (89)
And lo, it will come speedy and swift. This confirms still more what I have already observed, that we ought not to judge of the anger of the Lord from the present appearance of things; for although everything appears to give assurances of peace, yet suddenly war will break out from a quarter from which we do not expect it. Even though we think that we are defended on all sides by friends, yet God will stir up enemies from the farthest corners of the earth, who will break through every obstruction, and overtake us with ease, as if the way were plain and smooth. This ought to be carefully observed, that we may not suffer ourselves to be blinded by vain presumption and foolish confidence.
We ought also to observe that wars are not kindled accidentally, or by an arrangement of men, but by the command of God, as if he assembled the soldiers by the sound of a trumpet. Whether, therefore, we are afflicted by battle, or by famine, or by pestilence, let us know that all this comes from the hand of God, for all things obey him and follow his direction. And yet it was not the intention of the Chaldeans to obey God, for they were hurried on by their eagerness to obtain wealth and power, while he has quite another object in view: but God employs their agency for executing his judgments. Hence arises a remarkable and illustrious display of the power of God, which is not limited by the will of men, or dependent on their decisions, but leads them, though contrary to their wish, or without their knowledge, to obey him. And yet it is no excuse for the ungodly that they are drawn contrary to the disposition of their mind, and do not willingly serve God, for they aim at nothing else than fraud, cruelty, and violence; and by their cruelty God punishes the transgressions and crimes of his people.
(88) Sibilabit ad eam . In the version prefixed to the Commentary on this chapter, our Author has likewise observed here the singular number, sibilabit genti , he will hiss to the nation. Bishop Stock, following Bishop Lowth, renders ושקר לו, ( veshakar lo,) he will hiss to every one of them. — Ed
(89) “The metaphor is taken from the practice of those that keep bees, who draw them out of their hives into the fields, and lead them back again, συρίσμασι, by a hiss or a whistle;” Cyril on the place: and to the same purpose Theodoret, ibid. In Isa 7:18, the metaphor is more apparent by being carried further, where the hostile armies are expressed by the fly and the bee: —
“
Jehovah shall hist the fly, That is in the utmost parts of Egypt; And the bee, that is in the land of Assyria.”
On which place see Deu 1:44; Psa 118:12. — Lowth.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(26) And he will lift up an ensign.The banner on the summit of a hill indicated the meeting-place of a great army. In this case the armies are thought of as doing the work of Jehovah Sabaoth, and therefore as being summoned by Him. The same image meets us in Isa. 11:10; Isa. 11:12; Isa. 13:2; Isa. 18:3; Isa. 49:22; Isa. 62:10.
Will hiss unto them.The verb meets us in a like context in Isa. 7:18. It seems to describe the sharp shrill whistle which was to the ear what the banner was to the eye, the signal of a rendezvous. Possibly, as in Isa. 7:18, the idea of the bees swarming at the whistling of the bee-master is already in the prophets thoughts.
From the end of the earth.The words point to the Assyrians, the Euphrates being the boundary of Isaiahs political geography.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
The foreign invaders summoned to execute judgment, Isa 5:26-30.
26-30. An ensign A signal to nations from afar Assyrians, Babylonians, Parthians, Scythians, perhaps, and finally Romans.
And will hiss This illustrates the preceding words, and is an allusion to the practice of Orientals in managing bees. They hiss or whistle (Zec 10:8) in calling swarms from and to their hives. So shall the called armies from afar be obedient and powerful in action and speed. From across the whole earth they shall come swiftly. Their pace shall be without weariness, without demand for sleep, without stumbling, without impeding loosened girdle or sandals. On they come, with arrows sharp, bows bent, hoofs of horses rock proof, and chariots of war flying. On they come, with shouts, as if for certain victory, and they snatch away their prey at a single bound no one resisting. All warring nations, from very early times, made large use of the horse, which to Israel was forbidden, in order to keep the nation religious and peaceful. But horses and mules came all at once into fashion in the reigns of David and Solomon. Horses, inured to rocky bridle paths, seldom fail of foot up and down mountain steeps. As anciently Israel and other world powers, so now Bedouins, Circassians, and Tartars, never shoe their horses, whose faint sense of feeling in their feet secures their surefootedness. The prey which these on-rushing armies are seeking is JUDAH; but it adds to the gloom of the prophecy that Judah is not mentioned. It seems hard for the prophet to let the word pass his lips.
30. In that day they shall roar In this description the transitions are spirited and beautiful. First, the change is from the enemy’s rapid movement to his roaring in expectation of speedy victory; and now, from his roaring as a lion to a roaring as the sea. “Israel is threatened by the raging sea, and, looking landward, sees it growing dark there, until, after being fluctuating, the darkness becomes total.” Alexander.
God Summons The Instruments of His Wrath ( Isa 5:26-30 ).
Isa 5:26-27
‘And he will lift up an ensign to the nations from far,
And will whistle for them from the end of the earth,
And behold they will come swiftly with speed,
None will be weary or stumble among them,
None will slumber or sleep,
Nor will their belts become loose,
Nor their shoe fasteners be broken.’
When God in His wrath raises His banner the nations will flock to do His will. They are there awaiting His call. At this time Assyria was ‘the ends of the earth’ to Jerusalem and Judah, for they were a ‘far off’ nation with which they had had little to do. But when Yahweh calls they will come.
However we interpret Isa 5:25 these verses are clear indication of a powerful invasion. For the enemy will come, summoned by Yahweh, responding to His whistle (‘hiss’) and they will come quickly with nothing to hinder them, not even a broken belt or shoe fastening. They will be tireless and their approach inexorable, wide awake, alert and with no faltering.
Isa 5:28-30
‘Whose arrows are sharp,
And all their bows bent.
Their horses hooves will be accounted as flint,
And their wheels like a whirlwind.
Their roaring will be like a lion,
they will roar like young lions,
Yes, they will roar and lay hold of the prey,
And carry it away safe, and there will be none to deliver.
And they will roar against them in that day,
Like the roaring of the sea,
And if one look to the land, behold, darkness and distress,
And the light is darkened in its clouds.’
The powerful intermingling of a description of an invincible enemy and awesome natural forces is again repeated. Their ferocity and speed of approach is emphasised. Their arrows are sharp and their bows ready for war, the hooves of their horses are sharp and strong, their chariot wheels whirl at frightening speed. And as they come they yell their battlecries like young lions in their strength roaring at their prey, and then they will pounce and seize the prey, growling their satisfaction, and none will be able to prevent it.
For the One Who could prevent it is the One Who has summoned them to the task. And those others that Israel and Judah had previously looked to for help will be unable to give it. Indeed the approach will be like that of the beating of a powerful sea against the storm battered shore, and against equally storm-battered ships; while turning landwards for relief will provide none, for it will be equally shrouded in the same fearful heavy-clouded storm.
So do we come to the end of his first section of Isaiah in which he has been concerned to lay down the basis of his message without specific historical application. He has revealed the extent of the sinfulness of those who claimed to be His people. He has demonstrated that only those who respond to Him are truly His people. He has declared the glorious future that God has prepared for those who are truly His, and the judgment that awaits those who are not. And has clearly indicated that that glorious future will be shared with some from the peoples of all nations. In the end all the glory will be His.
Isa 5:26. And he will lift up an ensign That decree of the divine severity, which had been spoken of in general in Isa 5:24 is here explained: particularly God is shewn to be the supreme general or leader of the people which were to come from far to execute his vengeance; they were to assemble at his setting up his ensign as a signal, and at his hissing,a metaphor taken from bees, (see on chap. Isa 7:18.) which by hissing, whistling, or some sound of that kind, used to be drawn out of their hives, as Bochart has fully shewn. Hieroz. pars 2: lib. 4 cap. 10. And the meaning is, that God would collect the people like bees, by the slightest indication of his will, and bring them into Judaea to execute his vengeance. We have next the place from which they should be brought: from far, and the ends of the earth; and the manner of their expedition, or execution of the divine wrath; that they should come with speed swiftly: in all which, though the Chaldeans may be understood, yet it is most undoubted that the prophesy is with peculiar force applied to the Romans. See Nahum, chap. Isa 3:1, &c.
Methinks I would read these verses with a twofold aspect. God had said by the prophet, in a preceding chapter; Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him; while to the wicked, it shall be ill with him, Isa 3:10-11 . And may we not make application of what is here said, in both senses? The Lord will lift up an ensign for his people, in the same moment that he will lift up an ensign for destruction to his enemies. And when Jesus, the glorious ensign of his people’s redemption comes, it is both for vengeance and for salvation. See Isa 11:10 and Isa 63:4 .
Isa 5:26 And he will lift up an ensign to the nations from far, and will hiss unto them from the end of the earth: and, behold, they shall come with speed swiftly:
Ver. 26. And he will lift up an ensign. ] That is, by his secret providence he shall bring on the enemy’s army. The Roman forces are called God’s armies, Mat 22:7 and Titus confessed that he only lent God his hand to execute his wrath on that rebellious people the Jews.
And will hiss unto them.
From the end of the earth.
And behold they shall come with speed. NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Isa 5:26-30
26He will also lift up a standard to the distant nation,
And will whistle for it from the ends of the earth;
And behold, it will come with speed swiftly.
27No one in it is weary or stumbles,
None slumbers or sleeps;
Nor is the belt at its waist undone,
Nor its sandal strap broken.
28Its arrows are sharp and all its bows are bent;
The hoofs of its horses seem like flint and its chariot wheels like a whirlwind.
29Its roaring is like a lioness, and it roars like young lions;
It growls as it seizes the prey
And carries it off with no one to deliver it.
30And it will growl over it in that day like the roaring of the sea.
If one looks to the land, behold, there is darkness and distress;
Even the light is darkened by its clouds.
Isa 5:26 He will also lift up a standard to the distant nation A standard (BDB 651) was a way for armies to communicate (cf. Isa 11:12; Isa 18:3; Isa 30:17; Isa 31:9; Isa 49:22). It can be positive (restoration) or negative (invasion) depending on the context. In this context it signals the invaders to come!
This is an extremely significant passage for the following reasons: (1) notice that God is in control of history, all history, as well as nature; (2) notice that God lifts up a standard to the Gentile nations. Many have seen this verse as an allusion to Deu 28:49-57.
Within the book of Isaiah it seems to be a reference to the inclusion of the Gentiles (cf. Isa 1:2-4; Isa 11:9-11; Isa 27:13; Isa 49:22; Isa 56:7; Isa 62:10; Isa 66:19)!
The term nations in the Masoretic text is PLURAL, goyim. Most modern translations change it to SINGULAR, however, the PLURAL possibly refers to an invading mercenary army made up of many nations. Assyria and Babylon conscripted the soldiers of defeated armies into their ranks.
will whistle for it This is a metaphor for YHWH calling Gentile nations into conflict with His own sinful people (cf. Isa 7:18).
The same root (BDB 1056) also means kiss as a sign of disgust, amazement, or derision.
from the ends of the earth This is a hyperbolic phrase. It denotes a nation out of the local sphere of regular trade and politic. It reflects the covenant curse of Deu 28:49.
Isa 5:27-30 This strophe describes the invincible invading army. They are not tired or weary and do not stumble because YHWH is with them. The shock of this description is that it follows the very terms used to describe faithful Israel in Isa 40:29-31. God is against His own covenant people! He will fight on behalf of the invading pagan enemy (cf. Habakkuk 1-2).
Isa 5:28 like a whirlwind The term (BDB 693) describes a destructive storm.
1. literally, Isa 17:13; Isa 21:1; Job 21:18; Job 37:9; Psa 83:15
2. metaphor, Isa 29:6; Jer 4:12-13
a. of YHWH’s chariot, Isa 66:15; Jer 4:13
b. the invaders YHWH sends, Isa 5:28
Isa 5:29 no one to deliver it This PARTICIPLE (BDB 664, KB 717, Hiphil PARTICIPLE ) means to snatch away or deliver (cf. Isa 42:22; Isa 43:13; Isa 47:14; Hos 5:14; Mic 5:8). YHWH’s actions are sure. No one or no thing can thwart His will (i.e., judgment or salvation).
Isa 5:30 b,c The land of the light of YHWH has become the land of darkness and gloom. The pagan army revels over its divinely appointed victory! What a reversal of expectations!!!
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.
1. Why did Isaiah choose this method (folk song) of presenting truth?
2. What is the difference between active, temporal judgment and passive temporal judgment? (cf. Rom 1:24; Rom 1:28)
3. What is the central truth of this parable song? How does it apply to our day?
4. List the sins alluded to in Isa 5:8-23.
5. What nation does Isa 5:26 ff refer to and why?
hiss unto = hiss for (as men call bees).
they shall come. Note the Figure of speech Hypotyposis in Isa 5:26-30.
he will: Isa 11:12, Isa 18:3, Jer 51:27
hiss: Isa 7:18, Zec 10:8
end: Isa 39:3, Deu 28:49, Psa 72:8, Jer 5:15, Mal 1:11
they: Isa 30:16, Jer 4:13, Lam 4:19, Joe 2:7, Hab 1:8
Reciprocal: 2Ch 33:11 – of the king Isa 10:3 – in the desolation Isa 13:2 – Lift ye up Isa 17:12 – make a noise Isa 29:6 – General Jer 6:4 – Prepare Jer 6:23 – their Jer 25:9 – I Jer 50:26 – against Zec 14:2 – gather
Isa 5:26. And he will lift up an ensign to the nations To call them together for his service. Here that decree of the divine severity, which had been spoken of in general terms in Isa 5:24, is explained. God is shown to be the supreme general or leader of the people, which were to come from far to execute his vengeance; they were to assemble at his setting up his ensign as a signal; and at his hissing A metaphor taken from the practice of persons keeping bees; who used to draw them out of their hives into the fields, and lead them back again, , by hissing, whistling, or some sounds of that kind; as Cyril, Theodoret, and Bochart have shown. The meaning is, that God would collect the people, like bees, by the slightest indication of his will, and bring them into Judea to execute his vengeance. Bishop Lowth and Dodd. It is not expressed particularly from whence they should be brought, but only said in general, 1st, That they should come from far Which may be applied, either to the Assyrians, spoken of under this same character, (Isa 10:3,) and who, not long after, invaded Judea, and did much mischief in it; or to the Chaldeans, even Babylon being called a far country, Isa 39:3. 2d, That they should come from the ends of the earth An expression hardly applicable either to the Assyrians or Chaldeans, but which exactly agrees to the Romans, and which undoubtedly received its final and most perfect accomplishment in the destruction brought on the Jews by them. In saying, they shall come with speed swiftly, the prophet refers to Isa 5:19. As the scoffers had challenged God to make speed, and to hasten his work of vengeance, so now they are assured, that with speed, and swiftly, it shall come.
5:26 And he will lift up an ensign {f} to the nations from afar, and will hiss to them from the end of the earth: and, behold, they shall come with speed swiftly:
(f) He will make the Babylonians come against them at his beck, and to fight under his standard.
3. The coming destruction 5:26-30
The two brief sections explaining the reasons for Judah’s judgment (Isa 5:13-17; Isa 5:24-25) give way to fuller clarification of these reasons here. This section is the climax of Isaiah’s message in chapter 5.
The Judahites had taunted God to act in judgment, and had concluded that because He had not destroyed them, He could not. The prophet now revealed that Yahweh, as sovereign not only over their nation but over all nations, was preparing to call a foreign power to punish them (e.g., Egypt, Assyria, and Babylonia). All He had to do was raise a flag, as in battle to summon troops, or whistle and they would respond swiftly, even though they resided in a remote part of the earth. The Assyrian army prided itself on its maneuverability and quickness. [Note: Watts, p. 65.]
"The second figure is taken from a bee-master, who entices the bees, by hissing or whistling, to come out of their hives and settle on the ground." [Note: Delitzsch, 1:182.]
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)