Isaiah 5:26
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:
Original Language Analysis
וְנָֽשָׂא
And he will lift up
H5375
וְנָֽשָׂא
And he will lift up
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
1 of 12
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
נֵ֤ס
an ensign
H5251
נֵ֤ס
an ensign
Strong's:
H5251
Word #:
2 of 12
a flag; also a sail; by implication, a flagstaff; generally a signal; figuratively, a token
לַגּוֹיִם֙
to the nations
H1471
לַגּוֹיִם֙
to the nations
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
3 of 12
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
מֵרָח֔וֹק
from far
H7350
מֵרָח֔וֹק
from far
Strong's:
H7350
Word #:
4 of 12
remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used adverbially (with preposition)
וְשָׁ֥רַק
and will hiss
H8319
וְשָׁ֥רַק
and will hiss
Strong's:
H8319
Word #:
5 of 12
properly, to be shrill, i.e., to whistle or hiss (as a call or in scorn)
מְהֵרָ֖ה
with speed
H4120
מְהֵרָ֖ה
with speed
Strong's:
H4120
Word #:
10 of 12
properly, a hurry; hence (adverbially) promptly
Cross References
Zechariah 10:8I will hiss for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them: and they shall increase as they have increased.Isaiah 7:18And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall hiss for the fly that is in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.Isaiah 18:3All ye inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on the earth, see ye, when he lifteth up an ensign on the mountains; and when he bloweth a trumpet, hear ye.Deuteronomy 28:49The LORD shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand;Isaiah 11:12And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.Malachi 1:11For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.
Historical Context
Assyria and later Babylon functioned as God's rod of anger (Isaiah 10:5), unknowingly serving divine purposes while pursuing their own imperial ambitions.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's sovereign use of ungodly nations for judgment display His comprehensive providence?
- What modern powers might God be 'whistling' for purposes we don't yet perceive?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God's 'lifting up an ensign' (signal) to distant nations and 'hissing' (whistling to summon) them depicts sovereign control over foreign powers used as judgment instruments. The imagery of nations coming 'swiftly' from 'the end of the earth' shows divine orchestration of history—even pagan armies accomplish God's purposes. This anticipates Habakkuk's revelation that God raised Chaldeans for judgment (Habakkuk 1:6) and demonstrates the Reformed conviction of divine providence governing all events.