Matthew Henry Commentary Isaiah 29:1-8

"Ho Ariel, Ariel, the city where David encamped! add ye year to year; let the feasts come round: then will I distress Ariel, and there shall be mourning and lamentation; and she shall be unto me as Ariel. And I will encamp against thee round about, and will lay siege against thee with posted troops, and I will raise siege works against thee. And thou shalt be brought down, and shalt speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall be low out of the dust; and thy voice shall be as of one that hath a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and thy speech shall whisper out of the dust. But the multitude of thy foes shall be like small dust, and the multitude of the terrible ones as chaff that passeth away: yea, it shall be in an instant suddenly. She shall be visited of Jehovah of hosts with thunder, and with earthquake, and great noise, with whirlwind and tempest, and the flame of a devouring fire. And the multitude of all the nations that fight against Ariel, even all that fight against her and her stronghold, and that distress her, shall be as a dream, a vision of the night. And it shall be as when a hungry man dreameth, and, behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and, behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh, and, behold, he is faint, and his soul hath appetite: so shall the multitude of all the nations be, that fight against mount Zion." — Isaiah 29:1-8 (ASV)

Ariel may signify the altar of burnt offerings. Let Jerusalem know that outward religious services will not make people free from judgments. Hypocrites never can please God, nor make their peace with him.

God had often and for a long time, by a host of angels, encamped around Jerusalem for protection and deliverance; but now he fought against it. Proud looks and proud language will be brought down by humbling providences. The destruction of Jerusalem's enemies is foretold.

The army of Sennacherib vanished like a dream; and thus the multitudes, who through successive ages fight against God's altar and worship, will fall. Speedily will sinners awake from their soothing dreams in the pains of hell.