Albert Barnes Commentary Isaiah 37:29

"Because of thy raging against me, and because thine arrogancy is come up into mine ears, therefore will I put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest." — Isaiah 37:29 (ASV)

Because thy rage and thy tumult – or rather, your pride, your insolence, your vain boasting.

Therefore will I put my hook in thy nose – this is a most striking expression, denoting the complete control which God had over the haughty monarch, and his ability to direct him as he pleased.

The language is taken from the custom of putting a ring or hook in the nose of a wild animal for the purpose of governing and guiding it. The most violent animals may be thus completely governed, and this is often done with those animals that are fierce and untamable.

The Arabs often pursue this course in regard to the camel and thus have it under entire control. A similar image is used in respect to the king of Egypt (Ezekiel 29:4).

The idea is that God would control and govern the wild and ambitious spirit of the Assyrian, and that with infinite ease he could conduct him again to his own land.

And my bridle – (See the note at Isaiah 30:28).

And I will turn thee back – .