John Calvin Commentary Isaiah 7:24

"With arrows and with bow shall one come thither, because all the land shall be briers and thorns." — Isaiah 7:24 (ASV)

With arrows and bow shall they come thither. The verb יבא (yabo), he shall come, is in the singular number; but it should be understood in the plural, signifying that archers will march through Judea.

Some think that Isaiah speaks of bows and arrows because the dread of enemies would be so great that no unarmed man would venture to approach his possessions. But I consider it more probable that the Prophet means that where the richest cultivation formerly existed, an opportunity for hunting will be found, as wild beasts will have their dens there.

Now, it is a most wretched change when fields formerly cultivated and fertile are turned into woods and thickets. By bow and arrow here, therefore, I understand hunting, in this sense: “It will not be approached by farmers but by hunters, and they will not plant or tend vines, but will chase wild beasts.” In short, it means nothing other than frightful desolation, which will change the aspect of the land.