signal which had been agreed upon.
That they should make. — Literally, multiply to cause to ascend. The actual words of the agreed on signal are quoted. For the word hereb (which is an imperative) some MSS. read chereb, “a sword,” and this is adopted by the LXX. (Cod. A). But the flash of a sword would not be seen at such a distance, and the word gives no good sense. Otherwise it would remind us of the shield, which was seen to flash in the sun as a traitorous signal from Athens to the Persians, just before the battle of Marathon.
A great flame with smoke. — The margin gives elevation for “flame.” It means a column of smoke, or “beacon.” (Comp. Jeremiah 6:1 : “Set up a sign of fire in Beth-haccerem.”)