For so the LORD said unto me, I will take my rest, and I will consider in my dwelling place like a clear heat upon herbs, and like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest.
For so the Lord said unto me, I will take my rest, and I will consider in my dwelling place - I will calmly look on from heaven, my dwelling place, and from Zion my earthly seat (Isaiah 18:7), and not interpose, while all seems to promise success to the enemy; when 'the sun's heat' and 'the night dews' ripen their "harvest;" but 'before' it reaches its maturity I will destroy it (Isaiah 18:5; Ecclesiastes 8:11-12).
Like a clear heat upon herbs, (and) like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest - `at the time of [so kª- is used in Genesis 18:1] the clear (serene) heat' (Maurer). But the Hebrew may be taken, with the English version, in its usual sense, "like:" I will be like the heat and dew maturing the herbs; 'but afore harvest' I will cut off 'the sprigs' (Isaiah 18:5).
Upon herbs - answering to "harvest" in the parallel clause. Maurer translates, 'in the sunlight' (Job 31:26; Job 37:21; Habakkuk 3:4). But the Hebrew [plural of 'owr (H216)], is used for "herbs" in 2 Kings 4:39. The idea of sprouting as an herb is associated with the idea of sunlight, so that the same Hebrew term expresses both. The English version is supported by the parallelism.
Like ... dew. Maurer here also translates, 'at the time of the dew-cloud.' But the English version is good sense. I will look on, seeming to mature the enemies' plans, like as the dew ripens the harvest (Proverbs 19:12). God's "silence" is mistaken by the ungodly for consent; His delay in taking vengeance for forgetfulness (Psalms 50:21); so it shall be before the vengeance which in the last day shall usher in the restoration of the Jews (Isaiah 34:1-8; Isaiah 57:11, end; 2 Peter 3:3-10).