WOE

CHAP. XXX. (n)

TOE to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, "but not of me; and that cover (0) with "a covering, but not of my spirit, that "they may add sin to sin : 2. That walk "to go down into Egypt, (and have not "asked at my mouth) to strengthen them"selves in the strength of Pharaoh, and "to trust in the shadow of Egypt. "3. Therefore shall the strength of "Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust "in the shadow of Egypt your confusion. σε 4. For(p) his princes were at Zoan, "and his ambassadors came to Hanes. "5. They (g) were all ashamed of a people "that could not profit them, nor be an help 68 nor profit, but a shame, and also a re"proach. 6. The burden (r) of the beasts. "of the south: into the land (s) of trouble "and anguish, from whence come the "young and old lion, the viper and fiery "flying serpent, they will carry their

(n) A severe rebuke for looking for help to man instead of God; an intimation that God would shew forbearance, that the people might turn to him, and that he would then take ample vengeance upon their adversaries. It might refer to the destruction of Sennacherib's army in Hezekiah's time; but it probably referred also to more distant judgments, and perhaps in part to times not yet complete. It was perhaps written in the time of Ahaz.

(o) v. 1. "Cover, &c." i. e. "put them"selves under Egypt, not under me."

(p) v. 4. The reading should perhaps be, "For his princes were dismayed, his ambassa "dors of no avail :" or, "His rulers were

in dismay, his princes laboured (or were "weary) to no purpose." This seems the meaning of the Hebrew. "Hancs," or "Tanis," Egypt. Schindler 1558. Or, for "for" read "when;" and then "Zoan" and "Hanes " will stand for places in Egypt.

(4) v.5. They," i. e. "the Egyptians."

"riches upon the shoulders of young 66 asses, and their treasures upon the "bunches of camels, to a people that shall "not profit them." 7. For the Egyptians "shall help in vain, and to no purpose: "therefore have I cried concerning this, "Their strength (t) is to sit still. 8. Now

go, write it before them in a table, and "note it in a book, that it may be for the "time to come for ever and ever: 9. That "this is a rebellious people, lying childre "children that will not hear the law "the LORD: 10. Which say to th

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seers (u), "See not ;" and to the pro "phets, "Prophesy not unto us right "things (x), speak unto us smooth things, "prophesy deceits: 11. Get you out of "the way (y), turn aside out of the path. 66 cause the holy One of Israel to cease "from before us." 12. Wherefore thes

saith the holy One of Israel, “Because 66 ye despise this word, and trust in oppre‹"sion and perverseness, and stay thereon:" 13. Therefore this iniquity shall le

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you as a breach ready to fall, seling "out in a high wall, whose braing "cometh suddenly at an instant. 14. And "he shall break it as the breaking of the "potters vessel, that is broken in piece "he shall not spare; so that there shall "not be found in the bursting of it, a "sherd to take fire from the hearth, or to

(r) v. 6. "The burthen, &c." i.e. (p) bably) this shall be the cry against the Jessi for their folly in bribing the Egyptians, lading the beasts of the south (i. e. of Egypt) with their treasures.

(s) v. 6. "Into the land, &c." to the of the verse. "This is the cry." An int tion that they were giving their treasures people who would do them harm, not gad

(t) v.7. "Their strength, &c." Their ab sence will do more good than their aid.

(u) v. 1o. "Seers," who had communica tions from God.

(x) v. 10. "Right things," i. e. the truth what God really imparts, least it should be

unfavourable.

ake water withal out of the pit. 15. For us saith (a) the LORD God, the holy One of Israel, "In returning and rest hall ye be saved, in quietness and in onfidence shall be your strength;" and e would not. 16. But ye said, "No, or we will flee upon horses;" therefore hall ye flee: and, "We will ride upon he swift ;" therefore shall they that ursue you be swift. 17. One thouand shall flee at the rebuke of one: at he rebuke of five shall ye (b) flec, till we be left as a beacon (c) upon the top of a mountain, and as an ensign on an hill. 18. And therefore (d) will the LORD wait that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, hat he may have mercy upon you: for he LORD is a God of judgment (e); blessed are all they that wait for him. 19. For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: e will be very gracious unto thee, at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear t, he will answer thee. 20. And though the LORD give (ƒ) you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes

a) v. 15. "Saith," or "said." It proly refers to a communication God had ore made them.

b) v. 17. " Ye," i. e. " the whole nation." Bp. Lowth thinks the reading should "ten thousand," and considers Isaiah as erring to Deut. xxxii. 30. "How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the Lord had shut them up :" intimation what might be the consequence they persisted in deserting God, and he serted them.

(c) v. 17. "As a beacon," i. e. " alone," solitary," "without people."

(d) v. 18. "And therefore," or "neverthess." ""Be exalted," or "expect." He will rbear, that you may turn to him, and then will e deliver you.

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mercy, for

(e) v. 18, “ Judgment," i. e. bearance, long-suffering." (f) v. 20. "Give," or rather "hath given."

(g) v. 22. "Defile also, &c." An intimaion that they should act zealously up to God's ommands. The sin against which they were

"shall see thy teachers: 21. And thine "ears shall hear a word behind thee, say "ing, "This is the way, walk ye in it, "when ye turn to the right hand, and "when ye turn to the left. 22. Ye shall "defile (g) also the covering of thy graven "images of silver, and the ornament of

thy molten images of gold: thou shalt "cast them away as a menstruous cloth; "thou shalt say unto it, Get thee hence. "23. Then shall he give the rain (b) of thy "seed that thou shalt sow the ground "withal, and bread of the increase of the "earth, and it shall be fat and plenteous: "in that day shall thy cattle feed in large "pastures. 24. The oxen likewise and "the young asses that ear the ground, "shall eat clean provender (i) which has "been winnowed with the shovel and with "the fan. 25. And there shall be upon "every high mountain, and upon every "high hill, rivers (k), and streams of waters,

in the day of the great slaughter (7), "when the towers (m) fall. 26. Moreover "the light of the moon shall be as the light "of the sun, and the light of the sun shall "be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, "in the day that the LORD bindeth up the "breach (1) of his people, and healeth the

most particularly cautioned was idolatry, (see Deut. vii. 25.-Deut. xii. 2.3.), which implied a distrust of God's superintendance and power. (b) v. 23. "The rain of," or rather" rain "for."

(i) v. 24. "Clean provender." There shall be such plenty, that they shall be able to separate the best for them: they shall have no occasion to eat the refuse.

(k) v.25. "Rivers, &c." So that the tops of the hills and mountains, which are usually barren, shall be as productive as rich vallies: and as plenty produces joy, so shall there be great joy in Judah, in the day of the great slaughter, when God bindeth up the breach of his people.

(). 25. "The great slaughter," i. e. "of v. "the enemies of God's people;" referring probably, in the first instance at least, to the Assyrians.

(m) v. 25.

Bp. Lowth.

(n) v. 26. "Bindeth up the breach of," i. e. either "takes again into favour, is recon"ciled unto," or 66 rescues them from adver"sity, relieves their distress."

"stroke of their wound. 27. Behold, the "name of the LORD (p) cometh from far, "burning with his anger (q), and the "burden thereof is heavy: his lips are full "of indignation, and his tongue as a de"vouring fire. 28. And his breath, as an "overflowing stream, shall reach to the "midst of the neck (r), to sift the nations. "with the sieve of vanity(s): and there shall

be a bridle in the jaws of the people, "causing them to err. 29. Ye (t) shall "have a song as in the night, when a holy "solemnity is kept, and gladness of heart, "as when one goeth with a pipe to come "into the mountain of the LORD, to the "mighty One of Israel. 30. And the "LORD shall cause his glorious voice to "be heard, and shall shew the lighting

(p) v. 27. "The name of the Lord," i. e. "the Lord;" he to whom that name belongs. (q) v. 27. "Anger," i. e. against his adver saries; those who oppose his religion.

(r) v. 28. "To the midst of the neck." An expression to signify great danger; as great as that of a man overtaken by a flood, where the water has reached the middle of his neck. The same expression occurs also, Is. viii. 8. in speaking of the overwhelming power of the king of Assyria: "He shall pass "through Judah, he shall overflow and over, he shall reach even to the neck."

go

(s) v. 28. "The sieve of vanity." Probably such a sieve as will preserve, not the proud or vain, but the humble and the meek: one through which the vain, the haughty, and the idolater, will fall into destruction. A metaphorical expression.

(t) v. 29. "Ye," i. e. "The Jews," God's people. A contrast between their situation in these times of vengeance and that of God's opponents: exultation and joy to the one, woe and lamentation to the other.

(u) v. 31. "The Assyrian," i. e. "Sen"nacherib's army," if it is to that destruction alone that the chapter refers; or to the adversaries of God's religion in general, if the chapter has a more extensive application.

(x) v. 32. "Grounded staff," or rather "rod "of correction." Bp. Lowth. "It shall be "with tabrets, &c." i. e. " the vengeance upon "God's enemies shall produce joy and exulta"tion to his people."

(y) v. 32. "It," or rather "him," i. e. "whoever is referred to in verse 31. under the 66 name of "the Assyrian.”

(*) v. 33. "Tophet." A receptacle for the carcases of those whom God will slay.

"down of his arm, with the indignation "of his anger, and with the flame of a "devouring fire, with scattering, and ten"pest, and hailstones. 31. For through "the voice of the LORD shall the Ass "rian (u) be beaten down, which smote " with a rod. 32. And in every place "where the grounded staff (x) shall pass, "which the LORD shall lay upon him, it "shall be with tabrets (x) and harps: and " in battles of_shaking will he fight with "it (y). 33. For Tophet (z) is ordained "of old: yea for the king (z) it is prepa " he hath made it (a) deep and large: the " pile thereof (b) is fire (c) and mach "wood, the breath of the LORD, like a "stream of brimstone, doth (d) kindle it."

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"The king," either Sennacherib, Mede or idolaters in general; God's oppones The word translated "king" stands also fr "Moloch," the principal idol of the An ites; and it was in Tophet, also called the valley of Hinnom, that the Jews, who they worshipped the gods of the Ammonita, b their children to Moloch. It was so ed the times of Ahaz, 2 Chron. xxviii. 3. T was afterwards used as a common depository for dead bodies. The meaning therefore her may be, that God has long ordained in b counsels such a slaughter as will fill the greatest receptacle for dead bodies, and that it is pro pared for those who are given to idolatry, set themselves against his ordinances. In nouncing vengeance against the Jews for thi sacrifices to Moloch (long after the destructio of Sennacherib's army, probably in Jehoiaki time, just before the commencement of the Babylonish captivity), God uses this languag

They have built the high places of Top "which is in the valley of the son of Hins "" to burn their sons and their daughters "fire; which I commanded them not,

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came it into my heart. Therefore b

"the days come, saith the Lord, that i da

no more be called Tophet, nor the valley "of the son of Hinnom, but the valley of "slaughter: for they shall bury in Top "till there be no place." Jer. vi i

CHAP. XXXII. (e) EHOLD, a king (f) shall reign: in righteousness, and princes shall le in judgment. 2. And a man (g) all be as an hiding-place from the ind, and a covert from the tempest:

rivers of water in a dry place, as the adow of a great rock in a weary land. . And the eyes of them that see, shall ɔt be dim (¿): and the ears of them at hear, shall hearken. 4. The heart so of the rash shall understand knowdge, and the tongue of the stammerers all be ready to speak plainly (i). 5. The le person shall be no more called libel, nor the churl said to be bountiful. . For the vile person will speak villany, nd his heart will work iniquity, to pracce hypocrisy, and to utter error against e LORD, to make empty the soul of the ungry, and he will cause the drink of he thirsty to fail. 7. The instruments lso of the churl are evil: he deviseth bricked devices to destroy the poor with ying words, even when the needy speakth right. 8. But the liberal deviseth iberal things, and by liberal things shall he stand. 9. Rise up ye women that [re at ease, hear my voice ye careless aughters, give ear unto my speech. o. Many days and years shall ye be roubled, ye careless women: for the intage shall fail, the gathering shall not ome. 11. Tremble ye women that are at ease: be troubled, ye careless ones : trip ye and make ye bare, and gird sack

men

(g) v. 2. "A man," i. e. (probably) in general." So universal shall be the improveent, that every man shall be ready to do acts kindness and benevolence.

(b) v. .3. "Not be dim." No longer in the ondition of having eyes, and seeing not, and ars, and hearing not: improving to the utmost ne light and information within their reach. (i) v. 4. "The tongue, &c. speak plainly."

"cloth upon your loins. 12. They shall la"ment (k) for the teats (k), for the pleasant "fields, for the fruitful vine. 13. Upon "the land of my people shall come up "thorns and briers, yea upon all the "houses of joy in the joyous city: 14. Be"cause the palaces shall be forsaken, the "multitude of the city shall be left (7), "the forts and towers shall be for dens for "ever (m), a joy of wild asses, a pasture "of flocks: 15. Until the spirit be poured 66 upon us from on high, and the wilder"ness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful "field be counted for a forest. 16. Then "judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, "and righteousness remain in the fruitful "field. 17. And the work of righteous

ness shall be peace, and the effect of " righteousness, quietness, and assurance. ❝ for ever. 18. And my people shall "dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in "sure dwellings, and in quiet resting"places: 19. When it shall hail, coming. "down on the forest (n); and the city "shall be low in a low place. 20. Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters (0), that "send forth thither the feet of the ox and "the ass."

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(k) v. 12. "Lament," i. e. "have cause to "lament." "For the teats, &c." i. e. probably, "for want of milk, corn, and fruit." (1) v. 14. "Left, &c." or rather, " removed." (m) v. 14. For ever," i. e. "for a long "time;" until, according to verse 15. spirit is poured on us from on high." (n) v. 19. "The forest," i. e." the places on which God's visitations shall fall."

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"the

(o) v. 20. "Sow beside all waters," i. e. perhaps, try every thing, spare no exertions, guard against all events, to be right some"where" probably a proverbial expression. (p) v. 1. "Those days." About 712 years before Christ.

him, "Thus saith the LORD, "Set thine "house in order: for thou shalt die, and "not live." 2. Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, 3. and said, "Remember now, "O LORD, I beseech thee, how I have "walked before thee in truth, and with a "perfect heart, and have done that which "is good in thy sight." And Hezekiah wept sore. 4. Then came the word of the LORD to Isaiah, saying, 5. "Go, and say 66 to Hezekiah, "Thus saith the LORD, "the God of David thy father, I have "heard thy prayer, I have seen thy "tears (q) behold, I will add unto thy "days fifteen years. 6. And I will deli66 ver thee and this city out of the hand of "the king of Assyria (r) : and I will de

fend this city. 7. And this shall be a "sign (s) unto thee from the LORD, that "the LORD will do this thing that he hath "spoken; 8. Behold, I will bring again "the shadow. of the degrees, which is down in the sun-dial of Ahaz, ten gone "degrees backwards." So the sun returned ten degrees, by which degrees it was gone down. 9. The writing (t) of Hezekiah king of Judah, when he had been sick, and was recovered of his sickness: 10. "I said in the cutting off of my "days (u), I shall go to the gates of the "grave: I am deprived of the residue of 66 my years. 11. I said, I shall not see "the LORD, even the LORD, in the land

"of the living: I shall behold man no 66 more with the inhabitants of the world.

12. Mine age is departed, and is re"moved from me as a shepherd's teat: I "have cut off like a weaver my life: be "will cut me off with pining sickness: "from day (x) even to night wilt thee "make an end of me. 13. I reckoned t "morning, that as a lion so with he bre "all my bones: from day even to nig "wilt thou make an end of me.

14. La

66 a crane or a swallow, so did I char. "I did mourn as a dove: mine eyes: "with looking upward: O LORD, Iz "oppressed; undertake for me. 15. W "shall I say? he hath both spoken "unto me, and himself hath done it (y) : "shall go softly (z) all my years in t "bitterness of my soul. 16. O LORD. "by these things men live, and in all th "things is the life of my spirit: so wit "thou recover me, and make me to la "17. Behold, for peace I had great bitt (6 ness but thou hast in love to my s "delivered it from the pit of compte: "for thou hast cast all my sins behind "thy back. 18. For (b) the grave catr "praise thee, death can not celebrate the "they that go down into the pit ca "hope for thy truth. 19. The living, "living, he shall praise thee, as I as this "day: the father to the children "make known thy truth. 20. The Lo

was ready to save me therefore we

(q) v. 5. Thy tears." In 2 Kings xx. 5,

where there is also an account of these facts there is this addition, "behold I will heal "thee: on the third day thou shalt go up 66 unto the house of the Lord." See note on verse 7.

(r) v. 6. "Of the king of Assyria." This therefore (probably) was before the signal destruction of Sennacherib's army, mentioned in Is. xxxvii. 35.

(s) v. 7. “A sign." According to 2 Kings xx. 8. Hezekiah asked Isaiah, "what shall be "the sign that the Lord will heal me, and that "I shall go up into the house of the Lord the "third day;" and this is the answer to that question. See post verse 22.

(t) 9. "The writing, &c." This is not v.9. inserted in 2 Kings.

(u) v. 10. "In the cutting off of my dar i.e. "when my days were about to be cut d (x) v. 12. "From day, &c." i. e. (; bably! every moment I was expecting "would make an end of me."

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(y) v. 15. Spoken, &c." and "des, i. e. promised me deliverance, and effec (*) v. 15. "I shall go softly, &c." m "I will remember all my years this bitte "of my soul." Dr. Lowth-Bp. Lowth (a) v. 16. 17. Bp. Lowth thus re these verses, "For this cause shall it be declar "O Jehovah, concerning thee, that thou ba "revived my spirit, that thou hast resto "my health, and prolonged my life: Be my anguish is changed into ease; thou "rescued my life from perdition, yea, "hast cast behind thy back all my sins." (b) v. 18. "For," rather "truly."

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