Isaiah 10:29
29 They are gone over [`abar] the passage: [ma`abar] they
have taken up their lodging [malown] at Geba; [Geba`] Ramah [Ramah] is afraid; [charad] Gibeah [Gib`ah] of Saul [Sha'uwl] is fled. [nuwc] KJV-Interlinear
29 They have
gone through the pass, saying, "Geba will be our lodging place."
Ramah is terrified, and Gibeah of Saul has fled away. NASB
The passage, ‘maabar,’
refers to a crossing of a river or stream, but it can also refer to a narrow
pass through which an army can travel.
The passage is not
specified, but it could not have been the crossing of the Jordan River because
all of these landmarks are already on the west side of the Jordan.
In 1 Sam 13:23, the
'passage of Michmash' is mentioned as the boundary of the garrison of the
Philistines.
Between Jeba and Mukhmas
there is a steep valley, which is probably the passage referred to. This valley,
runs into another that joins it on the north, and then comes out on the plain near
Jericho. In the valley are two hills having steep rocky sides, which are
probably the rocks mentioned, in connection with Jonathan's adventure, as a
narrow way between the rock Bozez on the one side, and Seneh on the other, 1
Sam 14:4-5.
This valley is the
dividing line between the tribes of Ephraim and Benjamin, for Geba on the south
side of this valley was the northern limit of Judah and Benjamin, 2 Kings 23:8. And Bethel on its north side was on the
southern border of Ephraim, Judg 16:1-2.
This was an important
place, and could normally be easily defended.
So, by the invading army’s
having passed this place means an unhindered advance toward Jerusalem, showing
that nothing impeded their progress, and that its leaders were rapidly moving
with their army toward the city of Jerusalem.
Once the units of the
northern army have passed through the pass, then they set up their headquarters
near Geba.
Geba was a city located
in the tribe of Benjamin just outside of the northern boundary of Judah, 1 Kg.
15:22.
Ramah, meaning elevated
ground, is to the east between Geba and Gibeah. The residents there are shuddering with
fear. Their state of mind is not one of
defense or even of surrender, but one of paralysis in fear.
Gibeah was the birthplace
of Saul, 1 Sam. 11:4; 15:34; 2 Sam. 21:6, and is so mentioned in order to
distinguish it from the other Gibeah’s, one in Judah and one where Eleazar was
buried. This city is within the boundary
of tribe of Benjamin. And again showing
the advance of the enemy not yet into the boundary of the Tribe of Judah.
Gibeah is fled, means
that they all left in a hurry. The
meaning of fled here is to be put in commotion, to abandon, to leave in a
hurry, to run in panic.
They were at least
thinking, and since the invasion is coming rapidly from the northeast, then it
is reasonable to assume that they will head toward the safety Jerusalem to the
southwest.
This also shows that the
invasion was rapid, unexpected, and caught the general population off guard. That means that they did not know doctrine,
or at least this portion of Isaiah.
