Isaiah 34:9

“And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, &c.] The Septuagint render it, “the valleys”; the word signifying both rivers and valleys, most render it rivers or streams. The Targum is express, “the rivers of Rome shall be turned into pitch;” by which may be meant the maritime places belonging to the Romish jurisdiction, the same on which the third vial will be poured, by which the rivers and fountains of waters will become blood; and which refers to this very time, when blood shall be given to the whore of Rome to drink, (<661604>Revelation 16:4-6). The allusion, in this and some following clauses, is to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah; (see <244917>Jeremiah 49:17,18): and the…”

“Images from the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 19:24-28; so Deu 29:23; Jer 49:17-18).”

“And the streams thereof - The idea here is, that there would be as great and awful a destruction as if the streams everywhere should become pitch or resin, which would be set on fire, and which would fill the land with flame. This image is very striking, as we may see by supposing the rivers and streams in any land to flow not with water, but with heated pitch, turpentine, or tar, and that this was all suddenly kindled into a flame. It cannot be supposed that this is to be taken literally. The image is evidently taken from the destruction of Sodom and Gamorrah (Genesis 19:25-28), an image which is more fully used in reference to the same subject in Jeremiah 49:17-18 : ‘And Edom shall be a…”

“The land - Idumea shall be dealt with, as Sodom and Gomorrah were. Isaiah 34:10”

“34:9 Edom’s judgment was similar to the judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 19:24; see also Jer 49:17-18).”

“Gen 19:28; Deu 29:23; Job 18:15; Psa 11:6; Luk 17:29; Jde 1:7; Rev 19:20; Rev 21:8 Isaiah 34:10”