The Prophet and His Day: Isaiah 1-39 - Free Bible Commentary

allusion to Jerusalem. The first strophe (i.e., 29:1-4) deals with the capital of Judah, Jerusalem, as 28:1-4 dealt with the capital of the Northern Ten Tribes, Samaria.} “Add year to year, observe your feasts on schedule” This second line of v. 1 reinforces the viewthat vv. 1-4 refer to Jerusalem, the place of Israel’s feasts (cf. Exodus 23; Deuteronomy 16).1. add, BDB 414, KB 418, Qal IMPERATIVE2. observe, BDB 668, KB 722, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense29:2-3 These verses describe what YHWH will do to His own chosen city (i.e., Jerusalem, the placewhere He caused His name to dwell, cf. Deut. 12:5,11,21; 14:23,24; 16:2,6,11; 26:2).1. I will bring distress, BDB 847, KB 1014, Hiphil PERFECT, cf. v. 7; 51:13 (twice); Deut. 28:53,55,57.2. she will be likea. lamenting, BDB 58, cf. 21:2; 35:10; 51:11b. mourning, BDB 58 doubling so characteristic of Isaiah, also note Lam. 2:5c. a burned-out hearth, BDB 72, cf. vv. 1,2,73. I will camp against you, BDB 333, KB 332, Qal PERFECT, cf. Luke 19:43,444. I will set up siege works, BDB 848 II; KB 1015, Qal PERFECT, cf. 21:25. I will raise up battle towers, BDB 877, KB 1086, Hiphil PERFECT, cf. 23:1329:4 This verse has a series of metaphors for death.1. you shall be brought low, BDB 1050, KB 1631, Qal PERFECT2. from the earth you shall speak, BDB 180, KB 210, Piel IMPERFECT3. from the dust where you are prostrate, BDB 1005, KB 1458, Niphal IMPERFECT4. your voice shall be like that of a spirit from the ground, BDB 224, KB 283, Qal PERFECT5. your speech shall whisper from the dust, BDB 861, KB 1050, Pilpel IMPERFECTThis context is not dealing with necromancy, as Deut. 18:9-12,14 is, but metaphorical language todescribe Jerusalem, on the brink of total destruction, crying out to her God in a weak voice while lyingon the ground just before death.NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 29:5-85But the multitude of your enemies will become like fine dust,And the multitude of the ruthless ones like the chaff which blows away;And it will happen instantly, suddenly.6From the LORD of hosts you will be punished with thunder and earthquake and loud noise,With whirlwind and tempest and the flame of a consuming fire.7And the multitude of all the nations who wage war against Ariel,Even all who wage war against her and her stronghold, and who distress her,Will be like a dream, a vision of the night.8It will be as when a hungry man dreams—And behold, he is eating;But when he awakens, his hunger is not satisfied,Or as when a thirsty man dreams—And behold, he is drinking,But when he awakens, behold, he is faintAnd his thirst is not quenched.284