| Barnes' Notes on the Bible This is the purpose - This is the sum of the whole design - a design that embraces the destruction both of the king of Assyria, and of Babylon. Upon the whole earth - The successive kingdoms of Assyria and Babylonia embraced the whole earth, and to destroy them would in fact affect all the nations.
Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThis is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth, &c. Or, "counsel that is counselled". The Targum is, "all the inhabitants of the earth;'' and the Septuagint version, "the whole world", meaning the Assyrian empire, and all states depending on it; as the Roman empire is called, Luke 2:1 for this purpose respects not the end of the world, and the judgment of it at the last day, as some have thought; but the preceding prophecy, purpose, or counsel, concerning breaking and trampling under foot the Assyrians, and delivering the Jews from subjection to them: and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations; of which the Assyrian army consisted, or which made up the Assyrian monarchy, or depended on it, and fell with it. "Purpose" denotes the counsel, will, and decree of God, about this business; and "hand" the execution of it. The Targum renders it "power"; so "hand" and "counsel" go together in Acts 4:28. The Targum is "on all kingdoms.''
Geneva Study BibleThis is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth: and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations.
Wesley's Notes 14:26 The earth - Upon this vast empire, now in the hands of the Assyrians, and shortly to come into the hands of the Babylonians. The hand - The providence of God executing his purpose.
Scofield Reference Notes[1] whole earth This universality is significant and marks the whole passage as referring, not merely to a near judgment upon Assyria, but in a yet larger sense to the final crash of the present world-system at the end of the age. (See "Times of the Gentiles," Lk 21:24 Rev 16:14 Dan 2:44,45 "Armageddon," Rev 16:14 19:17. No other such universal catastrophe on the nations is known to Scripture.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary26. This is . purpose . whole earth-A hint that the prophecy embraces the present world of all ages in its scope, of which the purpose concerning Babylon and Assyria, the then representatives of the world power, is but a part. hand . stretched out upon-namely, in punishment (Isa 5:25).
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary14:24-27 Let those that make themselves a yoke and a burden to God's people, see what they are to expect. Let those that are the called according to God's purpose, comfort themselves, that whatever God has purposed, it shall stand. The Lord of hosts has purposed to break the Assyrian's yoke; his hand is stretched out to execute this purpose; who has power to turn it back? By such dispensations of providence, the Almighty shows in the most convincing manner, that sin is hateful in his sight. | 
