Isaiah 28:15

“Because ye have said, &c.] Within themselves; they thought so, if they did not say it in express words; and their conduct and behaviour showed that these were the sentiments and presumptions of their minds: We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement: as safe from death, and secure from hell, or the grave, as if a covenant and compact had been formally entered into between them. The phrases are expressive of their being fearless of them, and of their confidence and assurance that they should not be hurt by them. Some interpret this of their deadly enemies, as Sennacherib king of Assyria particularly, with whom they had made peace, and had entered into a covenant of…”

“said--virtually, in your conduct, if not in words. covenant--There may be a tacit reference to their confidence in their "covenant" with the Assyrians in the early part of Hezekiah's prosperous reign, before he ceased to pay tribute to them, as if it ensured Judah from evil, whatever might befall the neighboring Ephraim (Isa 28:1). The full meaning is shown by the language ("covenant with death--hell," or sheol) to apply to all lulled in false security spiritually (Psa 12:4; Ecc 8:8; Jer 8:11); the godly alone are in covenant with death (Job 5:23; Hos 2:18; Co1 3:22). overflowing scourge--two metaphors: the hostile Assyrian armies like an overwhelming flood. pass through--namely, through…”

“Said - In your hearts. We - We are as safe from death, and hell, or the grave, as if they had entered into covenant with us. The scourge - The judgment of God. Through - The land. For - We shall secure ourselves by lying and dissimulation. Isaiah 28:16”

“28:15 cheat death (literally have made a covenant with death) . . . dodge the grave: There are two interpretive possibilities: (1) The people had sold themselves to the Canaanite god of death, Mot, in return for his supposed protection. (2) The prophet was being sarcastic; the people thought their various political and economic moves guaranteed their personal security, but they had actually destroyed themselves. • lies and deception: The leaders did not think of themselves as deceptive, but they were.”

“We have: To be in covenant with a thing, says Bp. Lowth, is a proverbial expression to denote perfect security from mischief or evil of which it is the cause. Isa 5:18, Isa 5:19; Ecc 8:8; Job 5:23, Job 15:25-27; Jer 44:17; Eze 8:12; Hos 2:18; Zep 1:12 when: Isa 8:7, Isa 8:8; Dan 11:22 we have made: Isa 30:10; Jer 5:31, Jer 14:13, Jer 16:19, Jer 28:15-17; Eze 13:16, Eze 13:22; Amo 2:4; Jon 2:8; Th2 2:9-11 Isaiah 28:16”