Albert Barnes Commentary Isaiah 10:29

"they are gone over the pass; they have taken up their lodging at Geba; Ramah trembleth; Gibeah of Saul is fled." — Isaiah 10:29 (ASV)

They are gone over the passage - The word “passage” (מעברה ma‛ebîrâh) may refer to any passage or ford of a stream, a shallow part of a river where crossing was practicable; or it may refer to any narrow pass, or place of passing in mountains. The Chaldee Paraphrase renders this, 'They have passed the Jordan;' but this cannot be the meaning, as all the transactions referred to here occurred in the vicinity of Jerusalem, and long after they had crossed the Jordan. In 1 Samuel 13:23, the 'passage of Michmash' is mentioned as the boundary of the garrison of the Philistines. Between Jeba and Mukhmas there is now a steep, precipitous valley, which is probably the 'passage' here referred to.

This wadi, or valley, runs into another that joins it on the north, and then issues out upon the plain not far from Jericho. In the valley are two hills of a conical form, having steep rocky sides, which are probably the rocks mentioned, in connection with Jonathan’s adventure, as a narrow defile or way between the rock Bozez on the one side, and Seneh on the other (1 Samuel 14:4–5). This valley appears at a later time to have been the dividing line between the tribes of Ephraim and Benjamin, for Geba on the south side of this valley was the northern limit of Judah and Benjamin (2 Kings 23:8); while Bethel on its north side was on the southern border of Ephraim (Judges 16:1–2; Robinson’s “Bib. Researches,” vol. 2, p. 116). Of course, it was an important place and could be easily guarded—like the strait of Thermopylae. His having passed this place denotes an advance toward Jerusalem, showing that nothing impeded his progress and that he was rapidly hastening with his army to the city.

They have taken up their lodging at Geba - They have pitched their camp there, having passed entirely through the defile of Michmash. Hebrew, 'Geba is a lodging place for us;' that is, for the Assyrians. Perhaps, however, there is an error in the common Hebrew text here, and it should be למו (lāmô)—'for them,' instead of לנוּ (lānû)—'for us.' The Septuagint and the Chaldee read it this way, and our translators have understood it so. “Geba” here is not to be confused with 'Gibeah of Saul,' mentioned shortly after. It was in the tribe of Benjamin (1 Kings 15:22) and was on the line, or nearly on the line, of Judah, making it its northern boundary (2 Kings 23:8). It was not far from Gibeah or Gibeon. At present, no traces of the place are known.

Ramah - This city was in the tribe of Benjamin. It was between Geba and Gibea. It was called “Ramah” from its being on elevated ground (compare the note at Matthew 2:18).

“Ramah,” now called “er-Ram,” lies on a high hill a little east of the road from Jerusalem to Bethel. It is now a miserable village, with few houses, and these mostly deserted in the summer. Large square stones and columns are scattered about in the fields here, indicating an ancient place of some importance. A small mosque with columns is here, which seems once to have been a church. Its situation is very conspicuous and commands a fine view.

It is near Gibeah, about six Roman miles from Jerusalem. So Jerome, in his “Commentary” on Hosea 5:8, notes: 'Rama quae est juxta Gabaa in septimo lapide a Jerosolymis sita.' Josephus places it at forty stadia from Jerusalem (“Ant.” 8.12.3).

Is afraid - Ramah is terrified and alarmed at the approach of Sennacherib—a beautiful variation in the description, denoting his rapid and certain advance on the city of Jerusalem, spreading consternation everywhere.

Gibeah of Saul - This was called 'Gibeah of Saul' because it was Saul's birthplace (1 Samuel 11:4; 1 Samuel 15:34; 2 Samuel 21:6), and to distinguish it from Gibea in the tribe of Judah (Joshua 15:57), and also from a Gibeah where Eleazar was buried (Joshua 24:33). Jerome mentions Gibeah as being level with the ground in his day (“Epistle 86, to Eustochium”). Since his time, it has been almost wholly unnoticed by travelers. It is probably the same as the modern village of Jeba, lying southwest of Mukhmas. This village is small and half in ruins.

Among these ruins, large hewn stones are occasionally seen, indicating antiquity. The ruins here include an almost solid small tower and a small building that appears to have been an ancient church. It is an elevated place from which several villages are visible (Robinson’s “Bib. Researches,” vol. 2, p. 113).

Is fled - That is, its inhabitants have fled. Such was the consternation produced by the march of Sennacherib's army that the city was thrown into commotion and left empty.