Jamieson, Fausset and Brown on Isaiah 14:23

23. bittern--rather, "the hedgehog" [Maurer and Gesenius]. Strabo (16:1) states that enormous hedgehogs were found in the islands of the Euphrates.

pools--owing to Cyrus turning the waters of the Euphrates over the country.

besom--sweep-net [Maurer], (1Ki 14:10; 2Ki 21:13).

Is 14:24-27. A Fragment as to the Destruction of the Assyrians under Sennacherib.

This would comfort the Jews when captives in Babylon, being a pledge that God, who had by that time fulfilled the promise concerning Sennacherib (though now still future), would also fulfil His promise as to destroying Babylon, Judah's enemy.