Chapter XXVIII
Ver. 1-29. Chaps. 2S.-33. form almost one continuous prophi oy concerning the destruction of Ephraim, the Impiety and folly of Judah, the danger of their league with Egypt, the straits they would be reduced to by Assy I la, from which Jehovah would deliver them on their turning to Him; ch. 28. refers to the time just before the sixth year of Hezekiah's reign, the rest not very long before his fourteenth year. 1. crown of yriAc—Hebrew for "proud crown of W\e drunkards," &c. [Horsley], r)i2., Samaria., the capital of Ephraim, or Israel. "Drunkards,"
the dialect of these, though Semitic, like the Hebrew, was so far difl'erent as to sound to the Jews like the speech of stammerei-s (cf. ch. 33. 19 ; S6. 11 ). To them who will not understand God will speak still more unintelligibly. Rather, " He (Jehovah) who hath said to them." this . . . tlie rest —reference may be primarily to " rest" from national warlike preparations, the Jews being at the time " weary" through various precedingcalaurities, as the Syro-Israelite invasion (ch. 7. 8 ; cf. ch. 30. 15; 22. 8; 39. 2; 36. 1 ; 2 Kings,
IS. 8). But spiritually, the "rest" meant is that to be found in obeying those very " precepts" of God (v. 10) which they jeered at (cf. JereiAiah 6. 16 ; Matthew 11. 29). 13. But —rather, Therefore, viz., because " they would not hear"
lit. (u. 7, 8; ch.5. 11,22; Amos 4. 1; 6. 1-6) and metaphorically,
like drunkards, rushing on their own destruction, beauty
. . . llovver—" whose glorious beauty or ornament is a fading liower." Carrying on the image of "drunkards;"
(v. 12). tliat tlicy might go—the designed result to those who, from a defect ot the will, so far from profiting by God's mode of instructing, "precept upon precept," <$ic., made It into a stumbling-block (Hosea 6.5; 8. 12; Matthew 13. 14). go and fall—image appropriately from "drunkards" (v. 7,
it was the custom at feasts to wreatlie the brow with flowers; so Samaria, "which is (not as English Fe?'ston, ' which
are') upon the head of the fertile valley," i. e., Situated on a hill surrounded with the rich valleys as a garland (1 Kings 16. 24) ; but the garland is " fading," as garlands often do, because Ephraim is now close to ruin (cf. ch. 16.8); fulfilled 721 B. c. (2 Kings 17. 6, 24). 3. strong one—the Assyrian (ch. 10. 5). cast down viz., Ephraim (v. 1) and Samaria, its crown. witU . . . hand—with Di'oZence (ch. 8.
6, which they were) who in trying to " go" forward " hill backward." 14. scornful— (Note v. 9, 10.) 15. said—virtually, in your conduct, if not in words, coven.mt—there may be a tacit reference to their confidence in their "covenant" with the Assyrians in the early part of Hezekiah's prosperous reign, before that he ceased to i>ay tribute to them, as if it ensured Judah from evil, whatever might befall the neighbouring Ephraim (v. 1). The full meaning is shown by the language ("covenant with death —hell," or sheol) to apply to all lulled In false security spiritually (P.salm 12.4; Ecclesiastes 8. 8; Jeremiah 8.11); the godly alone are in covenant with death (Job 5. Xi,
11). 3. crown . . . tHe drunkards—rather, "the crown
of the drunkard >." 4. Rather, "the fading flower, their glorious beautj {v. 1), which is on the head of the fat
(fertile) valley, shall be as the early fig." [O. V. Smith.] Figs usually ripened in August; but earlier ones (i/e6?'ei(/ bikkurah, Spanish bokkore) in June, and were regarded as a delicacy (Jeremiah 24. 2; Hosea 9. 10 • Micah 7. 1). 460
Chfisl the Sure Foundation. ISAIAH XXIX. Coming Invasion of Jerusalem.
that His judgments, being put off so long, would neTer come at all, ch. 5. 19); His object being not to destroy His people any more than the farmer's object in threshing is
Itosea 2. 18; 1 Corinthians 3. 22). overflowing scourge— two jnetapliors : the lioslile Assyrian armies like an over-
wheltning flood, pass tliroiigh—viz., through Judea on
to destroy his crop; this vindicates God's " strange work"
their way to Egypt, to punish it as the protector of Sama-
(v. 21) in punishing his people. Cf. tlie same Image, Jeremiah 24. 6; Hosea 2. 23; Matthew 3. 12. 24. aU day—emphatic; he is not nZtmys ploughing : he also "sows," and
ria (2 Kings 17. 4). lies— 2Vipj/ did not use these words, but
Isaiah designates their sentiments by their true name (Amos 2. 4). 16. Lit, Behold me as Him who has laid; viz.,
that, too, in accordance with sure rules (v. 25). do«li he open—supply aZway*. Is he always harrowing f 25. face —the surface of the ground: "made plain," or level, by harrowing, fltclies—rather, dill, or fennel, Nigella romana, with black seed, easily beaten out, used as a condiment and medicine in the East. So the LXX., "cummin" was used in the same way. cast in . . . principal wheat—rather, plant the wheat in rows (for wheat was thought to yield the largest crop, by being planted sparingly; Pliny, H. N. 18. 21); [Maurbr] ; "sow the wheat regularly" [Horsley]. But Gesenius, like English Ver-
In my Divine counsel (Revelation 13.8); none save I could
lay it (ch. G3. 5). stone—Jesus Christ; Hezekiah [Maukek],
or the temple lEyfAiA)], do not realize the full signiflcancy
of the language ; but only in type point to Him, in whom the propliecy receives its exhaustive accomplishment; whether Isaiah understood its fulness or not (1 Peter 1. 11,
12), the Holy Ghost plainly contemplated its fulfilment In
Christ alone; so in ch. 32. 1; cf. Genesis 49. 24; Psalm 118.
22; Matthew 21. 42; Romans 10. 11; Ephesians 2. 20. tried —both by the devil (Luke 4. 1-13) and by men (Luke 20. 1-
38), and even by God (Matthew 27. 46) ; a stone of tested
sion, " fat," or " principal," i. e., excellent wheat, appointed barley—rather, " barley in its appointed place. [Mauker.] in their place—rather, "in its (the field's) border. [Maurer.] 26. to discretion—in the due rules of husbandry; God first taught it to man (Genesis 3. 23). 27. The husbandman uses the same discretion in thresliiug. The
solidity to bear the vast superstructure of man's redemp-
tion. The tested righteousness of Christ gives its peculiar merit to His vicarious sacrifice. The connection with the context is, though a " scourge" shall visit Judea (v. 15), yet God's gracious purpose as to the elect remnant, and His kingdom of which "Ziou ' shall be tlje centre, shall, not
dill ("fitches") and cummin, leguminous and tender grains, are beaten out, not as wheat, &c., with the heavy corn-drag ("threshing instrument"), but with "a staff;" heavy instruments would crush and injure the seed, cart wheel—two iron wheels armed with iron teeth, like a saw, joined together by a wooden axle. The "corndrag" was made of three or four wooden cylinders, armed with iron teeth or flint stones fixe<i underneath, and joined like a sledge. Both instruments cut the straw for fodder as well as separated the corn, staff—used also where they had but a small quantity of corn: the flail (Ruth 2. 17). 28. Bread-corn—Corn of which bread is mftde. bruised— threshed with the corn-drag (as contrasted with dill and cummin, "beaten with the stafl""),
fail, because it rests on Messiah (Matthew 7. 24, 25 ; 2 Timothy 2. 19). i>»-eclous lit., of preciousness ; so in the Greek,
1 Peter 2. 7, He is preciousness. corner-stone—(1 Kings 5.
17 ; 7. 9; Job 3.S. G) ; the stone laid at the corner where two walls meet and connecting them; often costly, maltc Uaate—flee in hastyalarm ; but LXX. have "be ashamed ;"
so Romans 9. 33, and 1 Peter 2. 6, "be confounded," substantially the same idea; he who rests on Him shall not have the shame of disappointment, nor flee in sudden panic
(see ch. 30. 15; 32. 17). 17. line-the measuring-line of the plummet. Horsley translates, " I will appoint judgment
for tlie rule,and justice for the plummet." As the cornerstone stands most perpendicular and exactly proportioned, so Jehovah, while holding out grace to believers In the Foundation-stone, will judge the scoffers (v. 15) according to the exact justice of the law (cf. James 2. 13). liall—Divine judgments (ch. 30. 30; 32. 19). 18. cUgaunailed—obliterated, as letters traced on a waxen tablet are obliterated by passing the stylus over it. trodden down—passing from the metaphor in "scourge" to the thing meant, the artny which treads down its enemies. 19. Prom tlic time, &c.—rather, " As often as it comes over
or, "trodden out" by the hoofs of cattle driven over it on the threshing-floor [G. V. Smith], (Deuteronomy 25.4; Micah 4.13). because— rather, but [Horsi.ey]; though the corn is threshed with the heavy instrument, yet he will not always be thus threshing it. brealt It—"drive over it (continually) the wheel." [Maurer.] cart—threshing-drag, horseman—rather, horses: used to tread out corn. 20. Tliis also—The skill wherewith the husbandman duly adjusts his modes of threshing is given by God, as well as the skill (v. 26) wherewith he tills and sows (v. 24, 25). Therefore He must also be able to adapt His modes of treatment to the several moral needs of His creatures. His object in sending tribidation (derived from the Latin tribulum,a, threshing instrument, Luke 22.31; Romans 5. 3) is to sever the moral chaff from the wheat, not to crush utterly; "His judgments are usuallj' in the line of our offences; by the nature of the judgments we may usually ascertain the nature of the sin." [Barnes.]
(i.e., passes through), it shall overtake you" [Horsley]; like a flood returning /rojn. time to time, frequent hostile invasions shall assail Judah, after the deportation of the ten tribes, vexation . . . Iiear . . . report—rather, " It shall be a terror even to hear the mere report of it." [Mauker.] (1 Samuel 3. 11.) But G. V. Smith, "Hard treatment (Hor.si.ey, dispersion) only shall make you to understand instruction ;" they scorned at the simple way
in which the prophet ollered it {v. 9), therefore, they must be taught by the severe teachings of adversity. 20. Proverbial, for thcj' shall And all their sources of confidence
fail them ; all shall be hopeless perplexity in their afl'airs. 21. Perazim—In the valley of Rephaim (2Samuel5. 18,20;
CHAPTEK XXIX.
1 Chronicles 14. 11), there Jehovah, by David, broke forth as waters do, and made a breach among the Philistines, David's enemies, as Perazim means, expre.ssing a sudden and complete overthrow. Gibeon—(1 Chronicles 14. 16 ; 2 Samuel 5.25; Margin.) Not Joshua's victory (Joshua 10.10). •trange—as being against His own people ; judgment Is not what God delights in, it is, though necessary, yet strange to Him (Lamentations 3. .«). work—punishing the guilty
Ver. 1-24. Coming Invasion of Jerusalem : its Failure : Unbelief op the Jews. This chapter opens the series of prophecies as to the invasion of Judea under Sennacherib, and its deliverance. 1. Ariel Jerusalem; Ariel means Lion of God, i. e., city rendered by God invincible: the lion is emblem of a mighty hero (2 Samuel 23.
20). Otherwise, Hearth of Ood, i. e., place where the altarflre continually burns to God (ch. 31. 9; Ezekiel 43. 15, 16). add . . . year to year—ironically; suffer one year after another to glide on in the round of formal, heartless "sacrifices." Rather, "add yet another j^ear" to the one just closed. [Maurer.] Let a year elapse and a little more (ch. 32. 10; Margin), let . . . Kill sacrifices—rather, "let the beasts (of another year) go round" [Mauuer]:
(cli. 10. 12). -i'l. mocJtcrs—a sin which tliey had committed (d. 9. 10). bands—their Assyrian bondage (ch. 10. 27); Judah was then tributary to Assyria; or, " lost your punishment be made still more severe" (ch. 24. 22). conBuinptlon—destruction (ch. 10. 2'2, 23; Daniel 9. 27). 23. Calling attention to the following illustration from husbandry (Psalm 49. 1, 2'. As the husbandman does his different kinds of work, each in its right time unA due jrroportion, so God adapts His measures to the varying exigencies of the several cases: now mercy, now judgments;
t. e., after the completion of a year " I will distress Ariel." 2. Yet— rather. Then, heaviness . . . sorrow — rather, preserving the Hebrew paronomasia, groaning and moaning, as Ariel—either, " the city shall be as a lion of Ood,
now punishing sooner, now later (an answer to the scoff
i.e., it shall emerge from its dangers unvanqulshed ; or
2Tke Coming Invasion of Jerusalem,. ISAIAH XXIX. and the Unbelief of the Jew*.
quotation of this verse from the LXX. 14. (Habakknk 1.
-It shall be as the altar of burnt offering," consuming with Are the besieiiers (v. 6; ch. 30. 30 ; 31. 9; Leviticus 10. 2); or
5; Acts 13.41.) The "marvellnus work" is one of unparal-
best, as the next verse continues the tlireai, and the pi'om-
leled vengeance on tlie hypocrites: cf. "strange work," ch.
28.21. The judgment, too, will visit the wise in that respect in which they most pride themselves; their wisdom shall be hid, i. e., shall no longer appear, so as to help tlie nation in its distress (cf. 1 Corinthians 1. 19). 15. seek deep to hide—rather, "That seek to hide deeply," &c. (cf. ch. 30. 1,2). The reference is to the secret plan which many of the Jewisli nol:)les had of seeking Egyptian aid against
ise o{ deliverance does not come till v. 4, " it shall be lilte a hearth of burning," t. e., a scene of devastation by fire.
[G. V. Smith.] The prophecy, probably, contemplates uUi-
maleli/, besides the affliction and deliverance in Senna-
clierib s time, the destruction of Jerusalem by Rome, the dispersion of the Jews, their restoration, the destruction
of the enemies that besiege the city (Zeehariah 14. 2), and the final glory of Israel (v. 17-24). 3. I—Jehovah, acting through tlie Assyrian, &c.. His instruments (ch. 10. 5). iwouiit—an artificial mound formed to out-top high walls
Assyria, contrary to the advice of Isaiah. At tlie same time the hypocrite in general is described, who, under a plausible exterior, tries to hide his real character, not only from men, but even from God. 16. Rather, "Ah! your perverseness ! just as if the potter .should be esteemed as the clay !" [JNIaurer.] Or, " Ye invert (turn upside down) the order of things, putting yourselves instead of God," and vice versa, just as If the potter should be esteemed as the clay [Horsley], (ch. 45. 9; 64. 8). 17. turned—as contrasted with yoxir "turnings of things upside down" (v. 16), there shall be other and better ^trnmsr* or revolutions: the outpouring of the Spirit In the latter days (ch. 32. 15); first on the Jews; which shall be followed by their national restoration (Note, v^ji; Zeehariah 12. 10); then on the Gen-
(ch. 37. 33). Else a station, viz., of warriors, for the siege, round all)o«t—not fully realized under Sennacherib, but
In the Boman siege (Luke 19.43; 21. 20). forts— siegetowers (Deuteronomy 20. 20). 4. Jerusalem shall be as a
captive, humbled to the dust. Her voice shall come from
the earth as that of the spirit-charmers or necromancers
(ch. 8. 19), faint and shrill, as the voice of the dead was supposed to be : ventriloquism was doubtless the trick caused to make tlie voice appear to come from the earth
(eh. 19. 3). An appropriate retribution that Jerusalem, which consulted necromancers, should be made like them! 5. Moreover—ratlier. Yet: yet in this extremity help shall come, and the enemy be scattered, strangers
tiles (Joel 2. 28). fruitful fielda Carmel (Note, ch. 10.
18). The moral change in the Jewish nation shall be as great as if the wooded Lebanon were to become a fruitful
foi'eign enemies, invaders (ch. 25. 2). It slinU be—tiiz., the destruction of the enemy, at an Instant—in a moment
field, and vice versa. Cf. Matthew 11. 12, Greek, "the kingdom of heaven forces itself," as it were, on man's acceptance ; instead of men having to seek Messiah, as they had John, in a desert. He presents Himself before them with loving invitations; thus men's hearts, once a moral desert, are reclaimed so as to bear fruits of righteousness
(ch. 30. 2:3). 6. TUon—The Assyrian army, tlumder—&c. —not lit., in the case of the Assyrians (ch. 37. 36); but Jig.,
for an awful judgment (ch. 30. 30; 28. 17). The ulterior ful-
filment, in the case of the Jews' foes in the last days, may be more literal (see as to "earthquake," Zeehariah 14. 4).
vice versa, the ungodly who seemed prosperous, both in the moral and literal sense, shall be exhibited in their real barrenness. 18. deaf. . . blind—(Cf. Matthew 11. 5.) The spiritually blind, &e., are chiefly meant; "the book," as Bevelation is called pre-eminently, shall be no longer ".sealed," as is described {v. 11), but the most unintelligent shall hear and see (ch. .35. 5). 19. meeU—rather, the afflicted godly: the \dea.\?,,xnrtnoiis suffering (ch.<n.\; Psalm 25.9;
7, miinltlon—fortress. 8. Their disappointment in the very height of their confident expectation of taking Jerusalem shall be as great as that of the hungry man who in a dream fancies he eats, but awakes to hunger still (Psalm
73. 20); their dream shall be dissipated on the fatal morning (ch. 37. 3G). soul — simply his appetite; he is still
thirsty. 9. Stay—rather, Be astounded: expressing the Btapid and amazed incredulity with which the Jews received Isaiah's announcement, wonder—the second tm-
37.11). [Barnes.1 poor among men—t. e., the poorest o( men, viz., the pious poor, rejoice—when they see their oppressors punislied (v. 20, 21), and Jehovah exhibited as their protector and rewarder {v. 22-24; ch. 41. 17; James 2.
perative, as often (ch. 8. 9), Is a threat ; the first is a simple declaration of a fact, "Be astounded, since you choose to be so, at the prophecy, soon }/ou will be amazed at the sight of the actual event." |Mauker.] cry . . . out . . . cry-
5). 30. terrible—Viz., the persecutors among the Jewish nobles, scorner— (Ch. 28. 14, 22.) watch for—not only commit iniquity, but watch for opportunities of committing it, and make It their whole study (see Micah 2. 1; Matthew 26. 59 ; 27. 1). 31. Bather, "Who make a man guilty in his cause" [Gesenius], i. e., unjustly condemn him. "A man" is in the Hebrew, apoor man, upon whom such unjust condemnations might be practiced with more impunity than on the rich; cf. v. 19, "the meek . . . the poor." him that reproveth—rather, pjeade^/i ,• one who has a suit at issue, gate—the place ofconcour.se in a city, where courts of justice were held (Buth 4. 11; Proverbs
rather, " Bo ye blinded (since you choose to be so, though the liglit sliines all round you), and soon ye sliall be blinded" in good earnest to your sorrow [Maurer], (ch. 6.
9,10). not wltU wine—but with spiritual paralysis (ch.
51. 17, 21). ye . . . tliey—the cliange from speaking to, to speaking of them, intimates tliat the prophet turns away from tliem t o a greater distance, because of their stupid un-
belief. 10. Jehovah gives them up Judicially to their own hardness of heart (cf. Zeehariah 14. 13). Quoted by Paul, With variations from the LXX., Bomans 11. 8. See ch. 6.
10; Psalm 69. 23. eyes ; the propliets, Ac-rather, " Hath closed your eyes, tlie prophets; and your heads (Margin, see also ch. 3. 2), the seers, He hatli covered." Tlie Orien-
31.23; Amos 5. 10, 12). just—one who has a just cause; or, Jesus Christ, "the Just One." [Horsley.] for a thing of nanglit—lather, " through falsehood," "by a decision that is null in justice." [Barnes.] Cf. as to Christ, Proverbs 28.21; Matthew 26.15; Acts 3. 13, 14; 8. 33. 33. Join "saith . . . concerning the house of Jacob." redeemed out of Ur, a land of idolaters (Josliua 24. 3). not now
tals cover tlie head to sleep; thus "covered" is parallel to "closed your eyes" (Judges 4. 19). Covering the face was also preparatory to execution (Esther 7. 8). This cannot apply to the time when Isaiah himself prophesied, but to subsequent times. 11. of all—rather, " the whole vinxon."
Vision is the same here as revelation, or law: in ch. 28. 15, the same Hebrew word is translated, covenant. [Maukf.r.] sealed—(ch. 8. 16), God seals up the truth so that even the learned, because tliey want believing docility, cannot discern it (.Mattliew 13. 10-17 ; 11. 25). Prophecy remained comparatively a sealed volume (Daniel 12. 4, 9), until Jesus, who "alone is worthy," "opened the seals" (Revelation
after the moral revolution described (t). 17), the children of Jacol) shall no longer give cause to their forefathers to blush for them, wax pale—with shame and disappointment at the wicked degeneracy of his posterity, and fear as to their punishment. 33. But—rattier, /for. he—Jacob, work of mine hands—spiritually, as well as physically
(ch. 19.25; 60.21; Kpliesians 2.10). By Jehovah's agency
5.1-5,9; 6.1). 1^. Tlie unlearned succeed no better than the learned, not from want of human learning, as they fancy, but from not having the teaching of God (cii. 51. 13; Jeremiah 31.31; John 6.45; 1 Corinthians 2. 7-10; 1 John
Israel shiill be cleansed of its corruptions, and shall consist wholly of pious men (cli. 51. 13, 11 ; 52. 1 ; 60. 21). midst of him—;, r., his land. Or else " His children" are the Oen-
tiles adopted amongst the Israelites, his lineal desrendantt (Bomans 9. 26; Ephesians 3. 0). [HoRSLEY.] 34. They . . . that erred—(Ch. 28.7.) Icai-n doctrine— rather, shall re-
2. 20). 1-3. precept of men— 1 nstead of the precepts of God, given by His prophets; also worship external, and by
ceive discipline or instruction. " Murmuring" was the ctia-
rule, not lieartfelt as God requires (John 4. 24). Cf. Christ's
4()2
Conf.dmce in Egypt Reproved. ISAIAH XXX. God!s Mercies towards His Church,
It. No man, />ro/e.?sed?2/, wished to be deceived; but many seek a kind of teaching wliich is deceit; and wliich, if they would examine, they miglitknow to bo such (1 Kings
racteristic of Israel's rebellion against God (Exodus 16. 8
Psalm 106. 2-5). This shall be so no more. Chastisements, and, in Horsi-ey's view, the piety of the Gentiles provoking the Jews to holy jealousy (Romans 11. 11, 14), shall then produce the desired effect.
22. 13). The Jews desired success to be foretold as tlie issue of their league with Egypt, though ill had Ix en announced
b5' God's pi'ophet as tlie result; this constituted the "de-
ceits." 11. Depart from the true "way" (so in Acts 19. 9,
CHAPTEE XXX.
23) of religion, cause ... to cease—let us hear no mora of His name. God's holiness is what troubles sinners most. 13. Holy One—Isaiah so little yields to their wicked prejudices, that he repeats the very name and truth which they disliked, this word—Isaiah's exhortation to reliance on Jehovah, oppression—whereby tliey levied the treasures to be sent to conciliate Egj'pt (v. 6). perverseness—in relying on Egypt, rather than on Jehovah. 13. Image from a curve swelling out In a wall (Psalm 62. 3), when the former gives way, it causes the downfall of the whole wall; so their policy as to Egypt. 14. lie—the enemy; or rather, God (Psalm 2. 9; Jeremiah 19. 11). it-the Jewish state, potter's vessel—earthen and fragile, sherd —a fragment of the vessel large enough to take up a live coal, &c. pit—cistern or pool. The swell of the wall is at
Ver. 1-32. Chaps. 30 - 32. befbk pkobably to the Summer of 714 b. c, as Chap. 29. to the Passovek OF that Year. Jewish ambassadors were now on their way to Egypt to seek aid against Assyria (eh. 30.
15; 31. 1). Isaiah denounces this reliance on Egypt rather than on Jehovah. God had prohibited such alliances with heathen nations, and It was a leading part of Jewish polity that they should be a separate people (Exodus 23. 32; Deuteronomy 7. 2). 1. take counsel rather, as v. 4, 6, imply, execute counsels, cover . . . covering—t. e., wrap themselves in reliances disloyal towards Jehovah. "Cover" thus answers to "seek to hide deeply their counsel from the Lord" (ch. 29. 15). But the Hebrew
Is lit., "who pour out libations:" as It was by these that leagues were made (Exodus 24. 8; Zechariah 9. 11), translate, " who make a league." not of—not suggested " by my Spirit" (Numbers 27. 21 ; Joshua 9. 14). that they may add —the consequence is here spoken of as their intention, so reckless were they of sinning: one sin entails the commission of another (Deuteronomy 29.19). 3. walk—are now setting out, viz., their ambassadors (u. 4). Egypt See JVofe, in the beginning of ch. 19. and 20. Pharaoh The generic name of the kings of Egypt, as C(Esar was at Kome. The word in Egyptian means king (Jo.sephtjs, An-
first imperceptible and gradual, but at last it comes to the crisis; so the decay of the Jewish state. 15. returning and rest—turning back from your embassy to Egypt, and ceasing from warlike preparations, quietness—answering to " wait for Him " (God) (v. 18). 16. flee—not as fugitives, but we will speed our course, viz., against the Assyrians, by the help of cavalry supplied by Egypt (ch. 31.
1). Tills was expressly against the Mosaic law (Deuteronomy 17. 16; cf. iV^o«e, ch. 2. 7 ; Hosea 14. 3). sliall . . . flee —lU., before your enemies; their sin and its punishment correspond. 17. One thousand—A thousand at once, or. As one man. [Maureb.] rebuke—the battle-cry. sliall ye—at the rebuke of five shall ye, viz., all (in contrast to
tiquities, 8. 6, 2). Phra, " the sun," was the hieroglyphic symbol and title of tlie king, shadow—image from shelter against heat: protection (Psalm 121.5, 6). 3. shamedisappointment. Egypt, weakened by its internal dissensions, can give no solid help. 41. his—Judah's (cf. ch. 9. 21). at Zoan—are already arrived there on their errand to Pharaoli (see ch. 19. 11). came to Hanea—are come there. West of the Nile, in central Egypt: Egyptian Hnes; the Greek Hcracleopolis : perhaps the Anysis of Herodotus
tlie "one thousand") flee so utterly that even two shall not be left together, but each one shall be as solitary "as a signal staff [G. V. Smith], or a banner on a hill
" (ch. 5.
26; 11. 12). The signal-staff was erected to rally a nation in war. The remnant of Jews left would be beacons to warn all men of the justice of God, and the truth of liis threatening.?. Gbsenius, from Leviticus 20. K; Deuteronomy 32.30, arbitrarily inserts "ten thousand." "At the rebuke of five shall ten thousand of you flee." 18. tlxerefore—on account of your wicked perverseness (v. 1,
(2. 137); according to Grotius; Tahpanhes contracted (Jei-emiah 43. 7-9) ; the seat of a reigning prince at the time, as was Zoan, hence the Jewish ambassadors go to both. 5. (Jeremiah 2. 36.) 6. bnrden—tlie prophecy as
to, &c. [Maurer]; so LXX., the fresh inscription here marks emphatically the prediction that follows. Or, rather. Isaiah sees in vision, the ambassadors' beasts burdened with rich presents travelling southwards {viz.,to Egypt, Daniel 11. 5, 6), and exclaims. Oh the burden of treasure on the beasts ! &c. (Hosea 8. 9 ; 12. 1). Ian* of tronble—the desert between Palestine and Egypt, destitute of water and abounding in dangerous animals (Deuteronomy 8. 15; Jeremiah 2. G). flying serpent—(ch. 14. 29), a species which springs like a dart from trees, on its prey, will carry rather. Present, carry, viz., as presents to Egypt (1 Kings
2, 9, 15, 16), Jehovah will delay to be gracious. [Hoksley.] Ratlier, wait or delay in punishing, to give you time for repentance {v. 13, 14,17). [Maurer]. Or, Yet thei-e/ore {viz., because of the distress spoken of in the previous verses: tliat distress will lead the Jews to repentance, and .so Jehovah will pity them). [Gbsenius.] beexalted-men will have more elevated views of God's mercy; or else, "He will rise up to fl|ty you." [G.V.Smith.] Or [taking tlie previous clause as Maurer, " Therefore Jehovah will delay " in punishing you, "m order that He may be gracious
to you," if ye repent], He will be far removed Ironi you [so in Psalm 10. 5, far above out of sight], i. e.. He will not immediately descend to punish, "in order that He may have mercy, &c. judgment^justice ; faithfulness to His covenant, wait—cf. V. 15, wait, viz., for His times of having mercy. 19. (Ch. 65.9.) The restoration from Babylon only typifies the full accomplishment of the prophecy (u.
15.19). young asses—rather, full-grown asses. [Mauker.J t. "Egypt is vanity, and to no purpose will they help." (G. V. Smith.] strength Hebrew, Rahab, a designation of Egypt (ch. 51.9; Psalm 87.4), Implying her haughty fierceness ; translate, "Therefore I call her Arrogance that sitteth still." .She who boasted of the help she would give, when it came to the test, sat still (ch. 36. 6). English Version agrees with v. 15 and ch. 7. 4. 8. table—o tablet (Habakkuk 2. 2), which should be set in public, containing the prophecy in a briefer form, to be read by all. a tiook viz., a parclimont roll, containing the prophecy in
18-33). weep no more—(Ch. 25. 8.) thy cry—(Ch. 26. 8, 9; Jeremiah 29. 12-14.) 30. Rather, "The Lord will give;" the though is not in the original, bread of adversity He will not deny you food enough to save you in j'our adversity (1 Kings 22. 27; Psalm 127. 2). be removed—rather, "hide themselves;" they shall no more be forced to hide themselves from persecution, but shall be openly received with reverence. [Maurer.] Contrast with this Psalm 71.
full, for the use of distant posterity. Its truth will be seen hereafter when the event has come to pass. See ch.
8. 1, 16, Notes, for ever and ever—rather read, " For a testimony for ever" [Chaldeb, Jerome, Lowth]: "testimony is often joined to the notion of perpetuity (Deuteronomy 31. 19, 21, 26). ». lying-unfaithful to Jehovah, whose covenant they had taken on them as His adopted children (ch. .59. 13 : Proverbs 30. 9). 10. (Micah 2. 6, 11 ; 3.
9; Amos 8. 11. 31. word—conscience, guided by the Holy Spirit (John 16. 13). 32. covering of . . . images—ratlier, images (formed of wood or potter's clay, and ) covered with
silver. Hezekiah, and afterwards Josiah, defiled them (2 Kings2.3. 8, 10, 14,16; 2 Chronicles 31. 1 ; cf.ch. 2.20; Deuteronomy?.^), as. rain of—rather, "/or <7i3/ seed." Physical prosperity accompanies national piety; especially undei the Old Testament. The early rain fell soon after the seed
6). See not—as you now do, foretelling misfortune. Prophesy not . . . right things—Not that they avowedly requested tins, but their conduct virtually expressed
Tlie Destruction of Assyria. ISAIAH XXXI. Folly of Trusting m Egypt
their dead, but tlie heathen Assyrians are to be burnt as a mark of ignominy. In the latter sense Tophet is the receptacle " jiropared for the devil (antitype to " the king,
was sown In October or November; the latter rain In tbe
spring, before the ripening of the cora. Both were needed
for a good harvest, increase—the produce, fat—bread made of the best wheat flour (cf. Genesis 49. 20; Deuteronomy 32. 14). 24. ear—i. e., till. Asses were employed in
ch. 14.12-15) and his angels," and unbelieving men (Matthew 5. 22 ; 25. 41 ; Mark 9. 43, 44). CHAPTER XXXI.
tillage, as well as oxen (Deuteronomy 22. 10). clean-
rather, salted provender. [Gesenius.] The Arab proverb
Is, Sweet provender is as bread to camels—salted provender as confectionery. The very cattle shall share the coming felicity. Or else, well-fermented maslin, i. e., provender formed of a mixture of various substances: grain,
Ver. 1-9. The Chief Strength of the Egyptian Armies Lay in their Cavalry. In their level and
fertile plains horses could easily be used and fed (Exodus
14.9; 1 Kings 10.28). In hilly Palestine horses were not so easily had or available. The Jews were therefore the more eager to get Egyptian chariots as allies against the Assyrian caviilry. In Assyrian sculptures chariots are represented drawn by three horses, and with three men in them (see ch. 36. 9 ; Psalm 20. 7 ; Daniel 9. 13). 3. he also
beans, vetches, hay, and salt, winnowed—not as It is
usually given to cattle before it is separated from the
chaff; tlie grain shall be so abundant that it shall be given winnowed, sliovel—by which the grain was thrown up
ih the wind to separate it from the chaff, fan—an instrument for winnowing. 35. Even the otherwise barren hills
is wise—as well as the Egyptian priests, so famed for wisdom (Acts 7.22), but who are "fools" before Him (ch.
shall then be well watered (ch. 44. 3). the days, &c.—when
the disobedient among the Jews shall have been slain, as
19.11). He not only devises, but executes wliat He devises witliout "calling back His words" (Numljers 23.19). house— the whole race, help— the Egyptian succour sought by the Jews. 3. not spirit—not of Divine power (Psalm 56.4; 146.3,5; Zechariah 4.6). he that hclpeth— Egypt, holpen — Judah. 4. (Ch. 42.18; Hosea 11.10.) roaring on growling ox'er his prey, abase liimself—be disheartened or frightened. 5. As in tlie image of "the lion," the point of comparison is the fearless miglit of Jeliovah ; so in tliat of the birds, it is His solicitous affection (Deuteronomy 32.11; Psalm 91.4; Matthew 2:3.37). flying— Rather, which defend their young with their wings ; to fly is a secondary meaning of the Hebrew word. [Maurer.] Hovering over to protect their young. [G. V. Smith.] passing over—as the destroying angel passing
foretold in t'. 16: "towers," i.e., mighty men (ch. 2. 15). Or else, the lovers of the Assyrian Sennacherib, or of Baby-
lon, types of all enemies of God's people. 36. Image from
the heavenly bodies to express the Increase of spiritual
light and felicity. "Sevenfold" implies the pei-/ection
of that felicity, seven being the sacred number. It shall
also be literally fulfilled hereafter In the heavenly city
(ch. CO. 19, 20; kevelation 21. 23, 24 ; 22.5). breacli—the wound, or calamity, sent by God on account of their Bins (ch 1. .5). 37. name of . . . Ijord i.e., Jehovah Himself (Psalm 44.5; 54. 1); represented as a storm approaching an,l ready to burst over the Assyrians (v. 30,
31). bin'tlcn ... is heavy lit., grievousness is the flame,
1. e., the flame wliich darts from Him is grievous. Or else
(as tlie Ilvbreiv means an uplifting) the uprising cloud is grievous [G. V. Smith]; the gathering cloud gradually
over, so as to spare the blood-marked houses of the Israel-
ites on the first passover (Exodus 12. 13, 23, 27). He passed, or leaped forward [Lowth], to destroy the enemy and to spare His people. 6. Tlie power and love of Jehovah, just mentioned, are the strongest incentives for returning to Him (Ezekiel 16.62,63; Ho.sea 6.1). ye . . . Israel —The change of person marks that when they return to the Lord, He will address them in more direct terms of communion in the second person ; so long as they were
ri.«ing till it bursts. 38. (Ch. 11.4; 2 Thessalonians 2.8.) reach . . . nccfe—the most extreme danger; yet as the head, or capital of Judah, was to be spared (ch. 8. 8), so the head, or sovereign of Assyria, Sennacherib, should escape, sieve of vBsiity—Rather, the winnowing fan of destruction [LoWTil] (ch. 41. 16). bridle in . . . jaws—as prisoners are represented in the Assyrian inscriptions (ch. 37.29). causing ... to err — (Ch. 63.17.) "People," Hebrciv,
revolters, God speaks of them, as more at a distance, in the third person, rather than to them. 7. In the day of
peopl!:s, viz., tlie various races composing the Assyrian armies (cli. 5. 26). 39. the night . . . solemnity—As in
trial the idols will be found to render no help, and will therefore be cast away. Cf. as to the future restoration and conversion of Israel simultaneously with the interposition of Jehovali in its defence, Zecliariali 12.9-14; 13.
tlie passovor-night ye celebrate your deliverance from Egypt, so shall ye celebrate your rescue from Assyrian bondage. Tran.Hlate, "the solemnity" (Exodus 12.42). goeth with a pipe—or flute. They used to go up to Jerusalem ("tlie mountain of the Lord," Zion) at the three
1,2. for a sin i.e., whereby especially you contracted guilt (1 Kings 12. 30). 8. Assyrian—Sennacherib, representative of some powerful head of the ungodly in the latter ages. [Horsley.] sword, not of . . . mighty . . . mean man—but by the unseen sword of God. flee—Sennacherib alone fled homewards after his army had been destroyed (ch. 37.37). young men— tlie flower of his army, discomfited—Rather, sfiall be subject to slavery;
fea.sts with music; and gladness (Deuteronomy 16. 16; Ezra
2. ft'); Psalm 122.1-4). 30. Jehovah's "glorious voice," raised agninst tne enemy {v. 27), is againi^entioned here, in contrast to the music {v. 29) witli which His people shall come to worsliip Him. lighting down of . . . arm — ( I'. 32;. Psalm 38. 2.) The descent of His arm in striking. scattering~?'iz., a blast that scatters, or an inundation. [.Maurek.] 31. The Assyrian rod which beat shall itself
lit., shall be liable to tribute, i. e., personal service (Deuteronomy 20. 11 ; Joshua 9. 21). [Maurer.] Or, not so well, shall melt away. [Rosbnmuller.J 9. Rather, "shall pass beyond his strongholds;" he shall not stop to take refuge In It through fear (Judges 20. 47; Jeremiah 48.28). [Gesenius.] ensign—the banner of Jehovah protecting the Jews. [Maurer.] Are . . . furnace light and fire, viz., of Jehovah's altar at Jerusalem (ch. 29. 1). Perhaps "furnace," as distinguished from "fire," maj' mean that His dwelling-place (His hearth) was at Jerusalem (cf. ch. 4.5); or else tlie flery furnace awaiting all tlie enemies who should attaclt Jerusalem.
lie beaten, .and tliat by the mere voice of the Lord, i. e., an unseen Divine agency (ch. 10.5, 24). 33. grounded—
Ratlier, decreed, appointed. [Maureb.] staff—the avenging j-oci. him—the Assyrian; type of all God's enemies In every age. Margin and Mauker construe, "Every passing tlirougli (infliction, ch. 28.15) of the appointed rod, which, Ac, sliall be with tabrets," i. e., accompanied
witli joy on the part of tlie rescued peoples, battles of shaking—i. c, sliock of battles (cli. 19.16; cf. "sift . . . sieve," v. 28). with iU-viz., Assyria. 33. Tophet— A place of abomination : the valley of the sons of Hinnom,
8outli-ea.st of Jerusalem, where Israel offered human sac-