Verse 29
29. Rejoice not… whole Palestina Rather, Philistia, a territory in the southwest of Judah, and which the Philistines, a people from Caphtor in the Mediterranean, though of Egyptian origin, had long occupied, and from which they were never dislodged, though much of the time kept in subjection.
Because the rod… that smote thee is broken “The rod” is a symbol for dominion; and probably refers here to the former Jewish power. Some commentators, however, refer it to the Assyrian oppressers.
Serpent’s root This is argued to be Uzziah, the grandfather of Ahaz, who had subjected Philistia, but from which subjection she had recovered under Ahaz.
Cockatrice Hezekiah, who again subjected Philistia. The “root” was of the ordinary serpent, not over venomous; but its offspring, the basilisk, was very venomous.
And his fruit… a fiery flying serpent Poetically intensive of the basilisk. The warning is to Philistia not to exult because of denounced Assyria; she has yet to drink of a bitter cup from the hands of a lesser enemy Hezekiah.
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