פירוש על ישעיהו 14:31

for from the North smoke has come Retribution harsh as smoke shall come upon them from the north. Gaza and its boundaries, which Hezekiah smote, were in the south of Eretz Israel in the southwestern corner. Eretz Israel is found to be north of it. And so we find in Sifrei in Ha’azinu 322: They attempted to flee through the south, and they turned them over, as it is stated (Amos 1:6): “For three transgressions of Gaza... [because of their exiling a complete exile to deliver to Edom.]” Hence, we learn that Gaza is on the south.

הילילי Howl. Lift up thy voice publicly.

and there is no straggler in his ranks Jonathan renders: And there is no straggler among his appointed ones, i.e., in his ranks whom he appointed to come upon them, and no one delays his steps to be secluded and to come in seclusion alone, but all of them shall come as one, with strength.

For there shall come from the north a smoke. The king of Assyria, and probably Sennacherib is meant, as may be inferred from the words that the Lord hath founded Zion (ver. xxxii).²⁹From the words quoted, I. E. infers that the prophet speaks here of an enemy who is to invade Palestine with success, and to proceed unto Jerusalem; but there he is to be defeated. This was, in fact, the case with Sennacherib.

בודד Alone. Related to בָּדָד alone.

במועדיו In his castles.³⁰A. V., In his appointed times. מועד admits both meanings: the appointed time, and the appointed place. The smoke shall enter, and no one shall be able to remain there, even alone.