And I will camp against thee round about, and will lay siege against thee with a mount, and I will raise forts against thee.

Scofield Reference Notes

[1] And I will camp

Here, as often in prophecy, and especially in Isaiah, the near and far horizons blend. The near view is of Sennacherib's invasion and the destruction of the Assyrian host by the angel of the Lord (Isa. 36., 37.); the far view is that of the final gathering of the Gentile hosts against Jerusalem at the end of the great tribulation Ps 2:5 Rev 7:14 when a still greater deliverance will be wrought. (See "Times of the Gentiles," Lk 21:24 Rev 16:14. The same remark applies also to Isa 28:14-18 where there is a near reference to the Egyptian alliance ("we have made a covenant," etc.), while the reference to the stone Isa 29:16 carries the meaning forward to the end-time, and the covenant of unbelieving Israel with the Beast. Dan 9:27.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

3. I-Jehovah, acting through the Assyrian, &c., His instruments (Isa 10:5).

mount-an artificial mound formed to out-top high walls (Isa 37:33); else a station, namely, of warriors, for the siege.

round about-not fully realized under Sennacherib, but in the Roman siege (Lu 19:43; 21:20).

forts-siege-towers (De 20:20).

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

29:1-8 Ariel may signify the altar of burnt-offerings. Let Jerusalem know that outward religious services will not make men free from judgements. Hypocrites never can please God, nor make their peace with him. God had often and long, by a host of angels, encamped round about Jerusalem for protection and deliverance; but now he fought against it. Proud looks and proud language shall be brought down by humbling providences. The destruction of Jerusalem's enemies is foretold. The army of Sennacherib went as a dream; and thus the multitudes, that through successive ages fight against God's altar and worship, shall fall. Speedily will sinners awake from their soothing dreams in the pains of hell.