Commentary on Isaiah Volume 1 John Calvin (continued)
COMMENTARY ON ISAIAH
informed.
At Michmash he will lay up his baggage. The words which we render, He will lay up his baggage or armor, are translated by some, He hath made a muster; for( פקדpakad) signifies also to number. I do not dislike this interpretation, but prefer the former; for I understand the Prophet to mean that the Assyrian will lay up his armor, that is, the provisions, and the rest of the implements of war, in Michmash. It is the custom of warriors not to lead forward an army without providing the means of support, which they lay up in a safe and convenient place, that the army may be supplied out of it with all that is needful. Under the word baggage or arms, he includes not only darts and swords, but all the supplies and provisions of war. The meaning of the word( כליcheli) is extensive, and includes every kind of implements, and thus resembles the word (vasa) which denotes vessels in the Latin language.
29. They have crossed the ford. 178 Some understand by this the passage of the Jordan, but I do not know if it could be crossed by a ford in that quarter. 179 He describes how great will be the terror when they hear of the approach of the Assyrian, that the whole country will be struck with terror and alarm, so that the Assyrian will subdue it without any difficulty. When such dread has seized their hearts, they will freely surrender at the first attack of the enemy, so that the conquerors will be allowed to ravage at their pleasure. He passes from the singular to the plural number, because he speaks sometimes of the king and sometimes of the whole army.
Ramah is afraid; Gibeah of Saul is fled. He mentions Ramah in preference to the rest, because it was the nearest town; and he describes the flight of the inhabitants of some towns, as if the mere report had terrified them to such a degree that they gave up their country into the enemy's hand. After having spoken of so great dismay, he adds. —
30. Neigh, 180 O daughter of Gallim. By the word neigh he denotes the howling and cries which will be heard at a distance. It is very common, in the Hebrew language, to call cities daughters. He says that the howling will be so great that it will be heard even by the neighboring cities; for at Laish will be heard the groanings which will be uttered in Anathoth
31. Madmenah is removed. In exaggerated language he describes that city to have been shaken to such a degree, as if it had been removed to another place. This relates to the disorderly movements of a people in flight; as if he had said that the inhabitants of that city were thrown into as great a commotion as if the city had been razed to its foundations.
The inhabitants of Gebim have gathered themselves. This may be ex-
178"They have passed the strait. The strait here mentioned is that of Michmas, a very narrow passage between two sharp hills or rocks, (see 1 Samuel 14:4, 5,) where a great army might have been opposed with advantage by a very inferior force. The enemies having passed the strait without opposition, shows that all thoughts of making a stand in the open country were given up, and that their only resource was in the strength of the city." — Lowth.
179Lift up thy voice. (Heb. Cry shrill with thy voice.) — Eng. Ver. 180"Yet this day. One day longer shall the Assyrian be permitted to remain in the vicinity of Jerusalem, and to affright the daughter of Zion." — Stock.