Isaiah 5:26

Translations

Modern

He lifts a banner for the distant nations and whistles for those at the ends of the earth. Behold—how speedily and swiftly they come!

Traditional

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:

Literal

And He will lift up a signal for the nations from afar, and He will whistle to them from the end of the earth—and behold, swiftly with haste it will come!

Latin

Et elevabit signum in nationibus procul, et sibilabit ad eum de finibus terræ: et ecce festinus velociter veniet.

Original

Hebrew

English

He lifts a banner for the distant nations and whistles for those at the ends of the earth. Behold—how speedily and swiftly they come!

Notes

Isaiah 5:26

The signal was a banner raised on a long pole. It was often placed on a high hill so people could see it from far away (see also Isaiah 13:2; 18:3; 30:17).
In Isaiah, the phrase a banner for the distant nations appears many times. Sometimes it calls nations to join in battle, as in this passage. In other places, it calls them to share in salvation (Isaiah 11:10, 12; 49:22; 62:10).
The distant nations here refer to the Assyrians and Babylonians. God used them as instruments (tools) of judgment. Assyria conquered Israel in 722 BC. Babylon destroyed Judah and Jerusalem in 586 BC.
Isaiah describes them as wild animals called in to trample the vineyard (Isaiah 5:1–7). They would fiercely attack Israel and Judah until God's judgment was complete (Isaiah 5:27–30).

Isaiah 5:1–30

The prophet delivered judgment through a song (Isaiah 5:1–7) and prophecies of sorrow (5:8–30). Although Israel's future will be pure and in fellowship with God (Isaiah 4:2–6), it must address the current sinful state of the people and their leaders.

Theme notes and profiles

Isaiah Salvation in Isaiah

Events

Prophecies of Isaiahc. 759 BC

Related verses

Zechariah 10:8
I will whistle for them to gather, for I have redeemed them; and they will be as numerous as they once were.
Isaiah 7:18
On that day the LORD will whistle to the flies at the farthest streams of the Nile and to the bees in the land of Assyria.
Deuteronomy 28:49
The LORD will bring a nation from afar, from the ends of the earth, to swoop down upon you like an eagle—a nation whose language you will not understand,
Isaiah 18:3
All you people of the world and dwellers of the earth, when a banner is raised on the mountains, you will see it; when a ram’s horn sounds, you will hear it.
Isaiah 11:12
He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; He will collect the scattered of Judah from the four corners of the earth.
Malachi 1:11
For My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place, incense and pure offerings will be presented in My name, because My name will be great among the nations,” says the LORD of Hosts.
Joel 2:7
They charge like mighty men; they scale the walls like men of war. Each one marches in formation, not swerving from the course.
Psalm 72:8
May he rule from sea to sea, and from the Euphrates to the ends of the earth.
Isaiah 39:3
Then the prophet Isaiah went to King Hezekiah and asked, “Where did those men come from, and what did they say to you?” “They came to me from a distant land,” Hezekiah replied, “from Babylon.”
Jeremiah 4:13
Behold, he advances like the clouds, his chariots like the whirlwind. His horses are swifter than eagles. Woe to us, for we are ruined!
Lamentations 4:19
Those who chased us were swifter than the eagles in the sky; they pursued us over the mountains and ambushed us in the wilderness.
Isaiah 30:16
“No,” you say, “we will flee on horses.” Therefore you will flee! “We will ride swift horses,” but your pursuers will be faster.

Glossary

Coins Isaiah, Book of

Topics

Armies: March in Ranks: Forced Marches Assyria: Armies of, Described Assyria: Predictions Respecting: Invasion of Judah By Backsliders: Backsliding of Israel Ensign: General Scriptures Concerning Isaiah: Prophecies, Reproofs, and Exhortations of Denounces Existing Corruptions The Flag War: God Uses, As a Judgment

Isaiah 5:26

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Translations

Original

Notes

Events

Related verses

Glossary

Topics