Isaiah 10:29 - Printer Friendly

ESV: they have crossed over the pass; at Geba they lodge for the night; Ramah trembles; Gibeah of Saul has fled.

NIV: They go over the pass, and say, 'We will camp overnight at Geba.' Ramah trembles; Gibeah of Saul flees.

NASB: They have gone through the pass, saying, 'Geba will be our encampment for the night.' Ramah is terrified, and Gibeah of Saul has fled.

CSB: They crossed over at the ford, saying, "We will spend the night at Geba." The people of Ramah are trembling; those at Gibeah of Saul have fled.

NLT: They are crossing the pass and are camping at Geba. Fear strikes the town of Ramah. All the people of Gibeah, the hometown of Saul, are running for their lives.

KJV: They are gone over the passage: they have taken up their lodging at Geba; Ramah is afraid; Gibeah of Saul is fled.

NKJV: They have gone along the ridge, They have taken up lodging at Geba. Ramah is afraid, Gibeah of Saul has fled.

Using specific locations, Isaiah is describing the path of a fast-approaching invading army en route to attack the city of Jerusalem (Isaiah 10:28). Scholars say this is not actual route taken by the Assyrian king Sennacherib before his defeat at Jerusalem. However, the description of the approach is effectively threatening.

Speaking in the present tense, Isaiah says the army has reached the town of Michmash. At this location the army has stored their traveling supplies, and crossed over the pass to the town of Geba. This is where they camp for the night. The people in the surrounding towns are terrified. The invaders can take one of three roads from Geba. Ramah is two miles to the west, so the people there tremble. Gibeah, King Saul's former capital, is about three miles southwest. The people there may have evacuated in case the invaders came their way. Instead, the army will head toward Anathoth.

Isaiah 10:20–34 describes the remnant that will be saved in Israel and who will reestablish trust in the Lord. Only these few will be saved, and the Lord's destruction will come. The Lord, though, urges His people not to fear the Assyrians. His anger will soon turn from Israel to Assyria's direction. He will use His supernatural power to end Assyria's oppression over Israel. Even if a great Assyrian army marches all the way to the edge of Jerusalem, the Lord will cut them down as a forest.

Isaiah declares woe on those in Israel and Judah who use the law to take advantage of the poor. These people will not escape the Lord's judgment. He next describes the Assyrians as the Lord's staff of judgment against the godless nation that is His people. When He is done punishing His people, the Lord will turn His anger on the Assyrians, nearly destroying them. Eventually, a remnant of Israelites will return to faith in the Lord. Destruction will come, but it will not consume everything. The Lord will triumph over Assyria.

Isaiah 10 follows prophecies about God's judgment on Israel for the nation's sins. It begins pronouncing sorrow for those who oppress the poor and needy. He also declares woe on the Assyrians, whom the Lord is using to judge His people Israel. Soon, the Lord will direct His anger against the Assyrians for the arrogance of their king. He will burn them down as a forest. A remnant of Israel will survive the Assyrian judgment and trust the Lord again. His anger will turn from Israel to Assyria. The Assyrian oppression of Israel will be ended.

Isaiah is among the most important prophetic books in the entire Bible. The first segment details God's impending judgment against ancient peoples for sin and idolatry (Isaiah 1—35). The second part of Isaiah briefly explains a failed assault on Jerusalem during the rule of Hezekiah (Isaiah 36—39). The final chapters predict Israel's rescue from Babylonian captivity (Isaiah 40—48), the promised Messiah (Isaiah 49—57), and the final glory of Jerusalem and God's people (Isaiah 58—66).

Accessed 4/30/2024 12:16:29 AM