Jamieson, Fausset and Brown on Isaiah 29:1

CHAPTER 29

Is 29:1-24. Coming Invasion of Jerusalem: Its Failure: Unbelief of the Jews.

This chapter opens the series of prophecies as to the invasion of Judea under Sennacherib, and its deliverance.

1. Ariel--Jerusalem; Ariel means "Lion of God," that is, city rendered by God invincible: the lion is emblem of a mighty hero (2Sa 23:20). Otherwise "Hearth of God," that is, place where the altar-fire continually burns to God (Is 31:9; Eze 43:15, 16).

add ... year to year--ironically; suffer one year after another to glide on in the round of formal, heartless "sacrifices." Rather, "add yet another year" to the one just closed [Maurer]. Let a year elapse and a little more (Is 32:10, Margin).

let ... kill sacrifices--rather, "let the beasts (of another year) go round" [Maurer]; that is, after the completion of a year "I will distress Ariel."