Isaiah 37:23-29
23. Whom--not an idol. 24. said--virtually. Hast thou within thyself? height--imagery from the Assyrian felling of trees in Lebanon (Is 14:8; 33:9); figuratively for, "I have carried my victorious army through the regions most difficult of access, to the most remote lands." sides--rather, "recesses" [G. V. Smith]. fir trees--not cypresses, as some translate; pine foliage and cedars are still found on the northwest side of Lebanon [Stanley]. height of ... border--In 2Ki 19:23, "the lodgings of his borders." Perhaps on the ascent to the top there was a place of repose or caravansary, which bounded the usual attempts of persons to ascend [Barnes]. Here, simply, "its extreme height." forest of ... Carmel--rather, "its thickest forest." "Carmel" expresses thick luxuriance (see on Is 10:18; Is 29:17). 25. digged, and drunk water--In 2Ki 19:24, it is "strange waters." I have marched into foreign lands where I had to dig wells for the supply of my armies; even the natural destitution of water there did not impede my march. rivers of ... besieged places--rather, "the streams (artificial canals from the Nile) of Egypt." "With the sole of my foot," expresses that as soon as his vast armies marched into a region, the streams were drunk up by them; or rather, that the rivers proved no obstruction to the onward march of his armies. So Is 19:4-6, referring to Egypt, "the river--brooks of defense--shall be dried up." Horsley, translates the Hebrew for "besieged places," "rocks." 26. Reply of God to Sennacherib. long ago--join, rather, with "I have done it." Thou dost boast that it is all by thy counsel and might: but it is I who, long ago, have ordered it so (Is 22:11); thou wert but the instrument in My hands (Is 10:5, 15). This was the reason why "the inhabitants were of small power before thee" (Is 37:27), namely, that I ordered it so; yet thou art in My hands, and I know thy ways (Is 37:28), and I will check thee (Is 37:29). Connect also, "I from ancient times have arranged ('formed') it." However, English Version is supported by Is 33:13; 45:6, 21; 48:5. 27. Therefore--not because of thy power, but because I made them unable to withstand thee. grass--which easily withers (Is 40:6; Psa 37:2). on ... housetops--which having little earth to nourish it fades soonest (Psa 129:6-8). corn blasted before it be grown up--Smith translates, "The cornfield (frail and tender), before the corn is grown." 28. abode--rather, "sitting down" (Psa 139:2). The expressions here describe a man's whole course of life (De 6:7; 28:6; 1Ki 3:7; Psa 121:8). There is also a special reference to Sennacherib's first being at home, then going forth against Judah and Egypt, and raging against Jehovah (Is 37:4). 29. tumult--insolence. hook in ... nose--Like a wild beast led by a ring through the nose, he shall be forced back to his own country (compare Job 41:1, 2; Eze 19:4; 29:4; 38:4). In a bas-relief of Khorsabad, captives are led before the king by a cord attached to a hook, or ring, passing through the under lip or the upper lip, and nose.
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