Albert Barnes Commentary Isaiah 5:30

"And they shall roar against them in that day like the roaring of the sea: and if one look unto the land, behold, darkness [and] distress; and the light is darkened in the clouds thereof." — Isaiah 5:30 (ASV)

They shall roar against them - The army that will come up will roar against the Jews. The image of “the roaring of the sea” indicates the great number that would come; that of the roaring of the “lion” denotes their fierceness and terror.

And if one looks toward the land - This expression has caused some perplexity because it is supposed not to be full or complete. The whole image, it has been supposed (see “Lowth”), would be that of looking “upward” to heaven for help, and then to the land, or “earth” (compare to Isaiah 8:22, where the same expression is used).

But there is no need to suppose the expression is defective. The prophet speaks of the vast multitude that was coming up and roaring like the tumultuous “ocean.” On “that” side, there was no safety. The waves were rolling, and everything was suited to produce alarm.

It was natural to speak of the “other” direction as the “land,” or the shore, and for the people to look there for safety. But, he says, there would be no safety there. All would be darkness.

Darkness and sorrow - This is an image of distress and calamity. There would be no light, no consolation, no safety (Amos 5:18, 5:20; Lamentations 3:2).

And the light is darkened ... - That which gave light is turned to darkness.

In its heavens - This refers perhaps to the “clouds,” or the gloomy thick clouds. Lowth renders it, ‘the light is obscured by the gloomy vapor.’

The main idea is plain: there would be distress and calamity, and there would be no light to guide them on their way. On the one hand, a roaring, ragtag multitude, like the sea; on the other, distress, perplexity, and gloom.

Thus shut up, they must perish, and their land will be utterly desolate.