Isaiah 10:28 He has come against Aiath, he has passed through Migron; at Michmash he deposited his baggage.
Isaiah 10:29 They have gone through the pass, saying, “Geba will be our lodging place.” Ramah is terrified, and Gibeah of Saul has fled away.
Isaiah 10:28-32 describes an invasion of Judah from the north to the south. These verses describe the Assyrian advance toward Jerusalem. All the cities named are within a three-hour march of Jerusalem (Ryrie Study Notes).
The first town mentioned is Aiath. It has been translated Ai or Aija or Aiath or Hai per Strong’s Concordance. Its name means: heap of ruins. Ai is located approximately 15-20 miles due north of Jerusalem in the mountains. Ai is east of Bethel and beside Bethaven near Jericho.
Migron is the second town noted. Migron means: precipice. Migron is located south of Ai and north of Jerusalem. I Samuel 14:2 describes it near Gibeah. Saul was staying in the outskirts of Gibeah under the pomegranate tree which is in Migron. Strong’s Concordance has Migron located north of Michmash.
The third town is Michmash. Its name means: hidden. It is located 7 miles northwest of Jerusalem. Supplies will be dropped in this town.
Geba or “hill” is located south of Michmash. Citizens of Ramah (hill) and Gibeah (hill) are sandwiched between the invading army from the north and the city of Jerusalem to the south. These places are approximately 5 miles from Jerusalem.
Isaiah 10:30-32 Cry aloud with your voice, O daughter of Gallim! Pay attention, Laishah and wretched Anathoth! Madmenah has fled. The inhabitants of Gebim have sought refuge. Yet today he will halt at Nob; He shakes his fist at the mountain of the daughter of Zion, the hill of Jerusalem.
Gallim (springs), Laishah (lion), Anathoth (answers to prayer), Madmenah (dunghill, how would you like to live in a town that means pile of poop?), Gebim (cisterns). These are all towns that lie just north of Jerusalem. They are located approximately 3-5 miles north of Jerusalem.
The Assyrian invader will be stopped at Nob. It means: high place.
Historically, there is debate if this invasion noted in Isaiah 10:28-32 has taken place. There were invasions in 735 BC, 713 BC, and 701 BC. But, there are discrepancies in time lines and approach to Jerusalem. For example, historical records indicate Sennacherib approached Jerusalem from the southwest 701 BC. This invasion of Israel is from the north.
If this invasion has not yet taken place, is this a prelude of things to come? In today’s world, a leader from modern day northern Iraq/Syria would invade Israel from the north. He would get to within 3 to 5 miles north of Jerusalem before being turned away and executed.