Isaiah 7:18 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

In that day; known to God, and appointed by him for the execution of these judgments. Shall hiss: See Poole on "Isaiah 5:26". The fly; the flies. So he calls these enemies, to imply either their great numbers, or their speedy march, or their unavoidable assault. In the uttermost part; in, or near, or towards their extremity or end, where they go out into the sea. Of the rivers; of the river Nilus, which may be called rivers, either for its greatness, for which cause the title of rivers is given also to Euphrates, Psalms 137:1, and to Tigris, Nahum 2:6; or because, towards the end of it, it is divided into seven famous streams, by which it emptieth itself into the midland sea, Isaiah 11:15. He seems plainly to design and describe the Egyptians, who were always dangerous neighbours to Judah, and did probably animate and assist the Philistines, and Edomites, and others against them, and at last made a formal invasion and conquest of their land, 2 Kings 23:33, &c. Besides, when the Chaldeans had in good measure subdued the Egyptians, it is very probable that great numbers of the Egyptian soldiers did list themselves in the Chaldean army, and with them invade the land of Judah. The bee; the bees, the Assyrian army, who are compared to bees, as for their numerous forces and orderly march, so for their fierce attempts and mischievous effects. In the land of Assyria; in the empire of Assyria, or Babylon; for these two were united into one empire, and therefore in Scripture are promiscuously called sometimes by one title, and sometimes by the other.