The invasion of Judah]

and that distress her, shall be as a dream of a night vision.

8 It shall be even as when an hungry man dreameth, and, behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and, behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh, and, behold, he is faint, and his soul hath appetite: so shall the multitude of all the nations be, that fight against mount Zion.

9 Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink.

10 For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.

11 And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed:

12 And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee; and he saith, I am not learned.

13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me; but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of

men:

14 Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this

people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.

15 Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD; and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?

16 Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding?

17 Is it not yet a very little while, and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest?

18 And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book; and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness.

19 The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.

20 For the terrible one is brought to nought, and the scorner is consumed," and all that watch for iniquity are cut off:

21 That make a man an offender for a word, and lay a snare for him that reproveth in the gate, and turn aside the just for a thing of nought.

22 Therefore thus saith the LORD, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob, Jacob shall not

Ver. 9. Cry ye out and cry-Marg. "Take your pleasure and riot." The cry is here, not perhaps either that of distress or revelry, but the noise of faction, quarrelling among themselves. It might therefore be rendered" Amuse yourselves with your own noise." But Gesenius renders it," Be ye dazzled and blinded;" which agrees very well with the context.

Ver. 11. A book that is sealed — that is, the Lord had given them up to the blindness of their own hearts, (see Ephes. iv. 18.) so that God's word had become to them utterly unintelligible.

Ver. 13. Their fear toward me, &c.-The Evangelist Matthew (chap. viii. 9.) quotes this from the Septuagint," But in vain do they worship me, teaching (for) doctrines the commandments of men.' Ver. 11. I will proceed-Heb. "Add.”

Ver. 16. Surely your turning, &c.-This very obscure passage is thus rendered by Lowth," Perverse 309

as ye are shall the potter be esteemed as the clay ?" and Boothroyd to the same effect.

Ver. 17. Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field-Lowth, "Shall become like Carmel, and Carmel," &c. i. e. great changes must be expected; which some think may refer to the rejection of the Jews, and calling of the Gentiles. See Lowth.

Ver. 18. In that day that is, under the gospel dispensation. See chap. ii. 11, 17.-xii. 1.--xix. 21. xxvi. 1, &c.

Ver. 21. That make a man an offender, &c.— Lowth and Boothroyd continue the sentence;" Who made a an offender," &c. or, as Dr. B. turns it, "Who accounted a man guilty for a word, and laid snares,' &c. Bp. Stock refers this to judicial proceedings, and renders the clause, "That cause the poor man to be cast in the process."

Ver. 24. Shall come to understanding-Heb." Shall know understanding. Shall learn doctrine Boothroyd, Shall attend to instruction."

The Jews threatened for]

`now be ashamed, neither shall his face now wax pale.

23 But when he seeth his children, the work of mine hauds, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify my name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel. 24 They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine. (E)

CHAP. XXX.

WOE to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover 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 themselves 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. 4 For his princes were at Zoan, and his ambassadors came to Hanes.

CHAP. XXIX.

[their reliance on Egypt,

5 They were all ashamed of a people that could not profit them, nor be an help nor profit, but a shame, and also a reproach.

6 The burden of the beasts of the south into the land of trouble and anguish, from whence come the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they will carry their riches upon the shoulders of young 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 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 children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD:

10 Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things; speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:

(E) The invasion of Judah by Sennacherib announced.-"The subject of this, and the four following chapters, is the invasion of Sennacherib: the great distress of the Jews while it continued; their sudden and unexpected deliverance by God's immediate interposition in their favour: the subsequent prosperous state of the kingdom under Hezekiah, interspersed with severe reproofs, and threats of punishment for their hypocrisy, stupidity, infidelity; their want of trust in God, and their vain reliance on the assistance of Egypt with promises of better times, both immediately to succeed, and to be expected in the future age (of the Messiah ;) the whole making, not one continued discourse, but rather a

collection of different discourses upon the same subject; which is treated with great elegance and variety." Bp. Lowth. The Chapters are not ill-divided, but it may be proper to mark the transitions from one topic to another as we proceed.

Ariel is here certainly Jerusalem; and the opening of the chapter represents the distress of the city on Seuuacherib's invasion, with their recourse to Necromancers; then follows the defeat of the haughty monarch by divine Providence, without human aid, and the utter destruction of his army. Finally, the Prophet describes and bewails the perverseness of the Jews, predicts their rejection and the calling of the Gentiles, and concludes with a farther reference to the progress of Messiah's kingdom.

The

CHAP. XXX. Ver. 1. That cover with a covering -Heb. "Who pour out a libation," to ratity their covenant with Egypt," but not of my spirit.' appointed libations had a reference to God's Spirit, (see Expos. of chap. xin) but this alludes, probably, to some heathen rite.

Ver. 6. The burden of the beasts of the southLowth," Going southward;" i. e. with presents to Egypt, to secure their alliance. The land of trouble.-See Dent. xvii. 15.

as the light of seven days, in the day that the LORD bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound.

27 Behold, the name of the LORD cometh from far, burning with his anger, and the burden thereof is heavy his lips are full of indignation, and his tongue as a devouring fire:

28 And his breath, as an overflowing stream, shall reach to the midst of the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of vanity: and there shall be a bridle in the jaws of the people, causing them to err.

29 Ye 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,

CHAP. XXX.

[over Assyria.

30 And the LORD shall cause his glorious voice to be heard, and shall shew the lighting down of his arm, with the indignation of his anger, and with the flame of a devouring fire, with scattering, and tempest, and hailstones.

31 For through the voice of the LORD shall the Assyrian be beaten down, which smote with a rod.

32 And in every place where the grounded staff shall pass, which the LORD shall lay upon him, it shall be with tabrets and harps and in battles of shaking will be fight with it.

33 For Tophet is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it. (F)

(F) The Jews threatened for their reliance on Egypt, and the awful destruction of Assyria again predicted. The folly of the former, in their sending ambassadors with enormous presents into Egypt, through the wilderness of wild beasts and serpents, is exposed and ridiculed. For this foolish and rebellious conduct they are severely threatened; and it is predicted that Egypt, in which they trusted, should not only afford them no protection; but, like a tottering wall, should fall suddenly on them, and overwhelm them with destruction.

Ver. 18. Consolation is, however, afforded them in promises of mercy and deliverance; which, though long delayed, shall not fail;

"Blessed are all they that wait for him." A holy people shall yet be restored to Zion, to be dispersed and weep no more. Divine instruction shall be afforded them; idolatry shall be utterly suppressed, and temporal prosperity shall be restored. That these promises have reference to the new dispensation of the Messiah there can be no doubt, for to that only can be applied the promises of increasing light and glory in ver. 26, when the day of knowledge and of grace to be increased to a sevenfold degree of splendour. The latter part of the chapter relates evidently to the terrible overthrow of Sennacherib and his army, which were to be utterly destroyed, like the sacrifices in the valley of Hinnom, here called To phet.

Ver. 27. The name of the Lord-the report of his great judgments, his mighty fame.-And the burden thereof is heavy - Lowth, "His wrath burneth, and the flame rageth." So Boothroyd. Compare Heb. of Judges xx. 38, 40.

Ver. 28. His breath-Lowth, "Spirit."-The sieve of vanity.-Kimchi says, the van (or fan) with which God will winnow the nations, shall be the van of emptiness, or perdition; it will save nothing. See Matt. iii. 12. There shall be a bridle-that is, they shall be infatuated with a sense of their own security, which shall lead them blindfold to ruin.

Ver. 29. A song as in the night-that is, in the eve preceding every great festival.-The mighty oneHeb. "The rock" of Israel.

Ver. 30. And shall shew the lighting down of his arm. So the Lord is said to "make bare his arm." See chap. lii. 10.

Ver.31. Which smote with a rod.-We think, with Gataker, this refers to the Lord's smiting the Assy

rian "as with a rod," supplying as instead of which. Compare Ps. ii. 9.

. it

Ver. 32. And in every place, &c.-On the autho rity of two or three MSS only, Lowth reads, "the rod of correction," but we think improperly, since it was the rod of destruction, as appears by the context. We would propose to read, And in every place where the passing staff is grounded,. shall be, &c. We consider it an allusion to a criminal being scourged to the place of execution, and at every pause of the scourging rod, Israel shall exult in songs.And with battles of shaking, &c. Lowth, "And with fierce battles shall he fight against them."

Ver. 33. Tophet is ordained of old.—This alludes to the valley of Hinnom, where children were sacri ficed to Moloch, with the sound of drums, as the name Tophet implies; so was Assyria to be con sumed amid the noise of triumph. See chap. xxxii. 14. Of old-Heb." From yesterday; i. e. fram former times. See 2 Kings xxiii, 10.

CHAP. XXXI.

WOE to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!

2 Yet he also is wise, and will bring evil, and will not call back his words: but will arise against the house of the evil doers, and against the help of them that work iniquity.

3 Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they shall all fail together.

4 For thus hath the LORD spoken unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: so shall the LORD of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof.

5 As birds flying, so will the LORD

CHAP. XXXI.

of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it; and passing over he will preserve it.

6 Turn ye unto him from whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted.

7 For in that day every man shall cast away his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which your own hands have made unto you for a sin.

8 Then shall the Assyrian fall with the sword, not of a mighty man; and the sword, not of a mean man, shall devour him: but he shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall be discomfited.

9 And he shall pass over to his strong hold for fear, and his princes shall be afraid of the ensign, saith the LORD, whose fire is in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem. (G)

(G) The Jews are again reproved for their confidence in Egypt.-This chapter is very similar to the preceding. Their folly is strongly exhibited in a contrast between the weakness of creatures and the

power of the Creator: What is flesh to spirit? what is man compared with God? Two fine comparisons are here introduced. The former, ver. 4. represents the weakness of Egypt as a protecting power, no more able to secure Israel against their offended God, than a company of unarmed shepherds to oppose the mighty lion. other, ver. 5. exhibits the divine protection of his people in allusion to the mounting

CHAP. XXXI. Ver. 2. Not call back -"Not remove ;" Lowth, "Not set aside."

The

"As the

eagle guarding her own nest. mother-birds hovering over their young; so shall Jehovah God of hosts protect Jerusalem protecting and delivering; leaping forward and rescuing her." Lowth. Comp. Deut. xxxii. 11.-The Jews are then exhorted to repentance, and to the rejection of their idols.

The chapter concludes like the last, with again predicting the fall of Sennacherib. It was proper to dwell much on this important event, which, in human appearance, was very unlikely, the Assyrian being at that time the greatest empire in all the world. But what is all the world before the power of Jehovah ?

Ver. 4. The noise-Marg. " Multitude." Ver. 8. Not of a mighty man, &c.-Lowth, "Not of man; "the meaning is, he should not fall by the sword of but of God. His young men shall be discomfited-Lowth," The courage of his young

man,

(or chosen) men shall fail."

Ver. 9. He shall pass over to his strong holdLowth, "Beyond his strong hold," even to Nineveh, where he was slain. Ch. xxxviii. 37, 38. Afraid of the ensign-Lowth, "Struck with consternation at his flight."