Here, “gentile” refers to the Assyrians under Sennacherib; generally, it can be used to refer to anyone who is not Jewish. In context, the word’s use again underscores the poem’s religious themes and engagement with a story from the Old Testament.
“Baal” was a pagan god worshipped in the land of Canaan, a geographical area in the ancient Near East which is often mentioned in the Bible. The idols being broken in the temple of a pagan god emphasizes the power and authority of the Judeo-Christian God of the Bible.
"the rust on his mail..."See in text(Text of the Poem)
In context, “mail” refers to chain mail, a type of body armor worn by soldiers in ancient and medieval times to protect them in battle. It consists of small metal rings joined together to mimic cloth. The rust on the soldier’s mail contrasts sharply with the fine clothing and weapons of the Assyrians as they are described at the beginning of the poem and emphasizes the totality of their destruction.
“Galilee” refers to the Sea of Galilee in Israel, through which the Jordan River flows. Jesus is said to have walked on the waters of Galilee during the time of his ministry. The reference’s strong association with Jesus introduces the topic of Christianity into the poem.
Ashur was an ancient Assyrian city in what is now northern Iraq. It was named for the god Ashur, whom the Assyrians most revered. The reference to a pagan god contrasts with the previous biblical allusion to the Judeo-Christian Angel of Death, who prevails in destroying the Assyrians.
This phrase refers to Sennacherib, the emperor of Assyria from 705 to 681 BCE. Assyria was an empire in ancient Mesopotamia that covered large swaths of land in today’s Middle East and Levant.
