John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 2. And Hamath also shall border thereby , etc.] By the land of Hadrach, or by Damascus; and that it was near Damascus is clear from ( Isaiah 10:9 Jeremiah 49:23) it is called Hamath the great in ( Amos 6:2) and according to Jerom f173 , is the same with Antioch, which he says was so called by some; and the Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel on ( Numbers 13:21), renders Hamath by Antioch: and, if so, here was the Lord’s rest likewise; here the Gospel was preached, and many converted, and a church, consisting of Jews and Gentiles, was formed; and here the disciples were first called Christians, ( Acts 11:26). Tyrus and Zidon ; these were famous cities of Phoenicia; upon the borders of these our Lord himself was, ( Matthew 15:21) of the conversion of the inhabitants of these places the psalmist prophecies, ( Psalm 45:12) here likewise the Lord had his resting place; we read of the disciples here, ( Acts 21:3,4 27:3): though it be very wise ; particularly Tyre, which was famous for wisdom, ( Ezekiel 28:3,4) which the Lord confounded by the preaching of the Gospel, and by the foolishness of that saved them that believe. Kimchi refers this to the times of the Messiah; his note is, she shall not trust in her wisdom in the time of the Messiah: so Ben Melech.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-8 - Here are judgements foretold on several nations. While the Macedonian and Alexander's successors were in warfare in these countries, the Lor promised to protect his people. God's house lies in the midst of a enemy's country; his church is as a lily among thorns. God's power an goodness are seen in her special preservation. The Lord encamps abou his church, and while armies of proud opposers shall pass by an return, his eyes watch over her, so that they cannot prevail, an shortly the time will come when no exactor shall pass by her any more.
Original Hebrew וגם1571 חמת2574 תגבל1379 בה צר6865 וצידון6721 כי3588 חכמה2449 מאד׃3966
