The chapter ends with a short “burden” for the Philistines. The KJV’s “Palestina” is rendered “Philistia” by Blenkinsopp. Ahaz died about 720 B.C.
Text: Even though these verses are directed toward the Philistines, they depend upon Isaiah’s previous prophecy about the Assyrians. “The rod of him that smote thee” refers to the Assyrians’ loss of political/military power, which might be the reason for the Philistines’ joy. Nevertheless, Yahweh warns them that Assyria’s destruction will not spell salvation for them. Worse is coming.
Translation: The King James Version renders “seraph” as “fiery flying serpent.” “Seraph,” the term Isaiah used for describing the beings in his first vision (see commentary accompanying 2 Nephi 16:2), means “the burning one.” In this context, it refers to the burning caused by a serpent’s venom. Thus the “seraph” is necessarily a poisonous snake. The same word is also used when venomous serpents attack the Israelites after they have left Egypt (Num. 21:7). “Flying” may indicate the speed of their attack.
Literature: Serpent’s “root” refers to fallen Assyria, both as a nation or symbolically, while “fruit” represents its successor. Isaiah warns Philistia not to rejoice in Assyria’s destruction because, from that same serpent’s root (meaning the nation and/or evil intent), will come an even worse enemy—not just a “snake” but a “fiery flying” serpent.
History: The Philistines were exulting over the defeat of Shalmaneser V (727–722 B.C.) or perhaps the freedom gained after Sargon’s conquest of Samaria and Israel (722–721 B.C.). While these historical “snakes” were dead, Sennacherib, king of Assyria, conquered Philistia in 701 B.C.