After the glimmer of hope offered by the previous verses, Isaiah returns to the judgment. He repeats the judgment on the cities. Israel was proud of her strong, fortified cities, which offered refuge. Yet nothing would be left but their ruins, leaving Israel defenceless.
9 In that day their strong cities will be like the deserted places of the wooded heights and the hilltops, which they deserted because of the children of Israel, and there will be desolation.