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This prophecy goes back to the Syro-Ephraimite crisis (see on chs. 7 and 8) in which Syria (Damascus) and Israel (Ephraim) were allied against Judah. In ch. 7 Isaiah predicted their downfall. Here he presents a more detailed prophecy. V.3 is cryptic: “The remnant of Aram will be like the glory of the Israelites.” Clements thinks it makes no sense and alters the text. But the prophet is teasing his readers and goes on to describe the glory of Israel as a tragically faded glory (vv.4-6).
The prophet believes that this judgment will have a corrective influence on Israel so that it will once again turn to the Holy One (vv.7-8). In the meantime, devastation will surely come (vv.9-11).