_A.M. 3274. B.C. 730._ We now enter upon the second part of Isaiah's prophecies, containing a wonderful account of God's dealings with the enemies of his church and people. It begins at this chapter and extends to the twenty-fourth, comprising eight discourses. The first respects the fate of Babylo... [ Continue Reading ]
_The burden of Babylon_ Of the city and empire of Babylon. The original word, משׂא, here rendered _burden_, is, by Dr. Waterland, after Vitringa, translated, _The sentence upon_, or, _delivered concerning Babylon._ It is “derived from a verb, which signifies to _take_, or _lift up_, or _bring;_ and... [ Continue Reading ]
_Lift up a banner_ To gather soldiers together for this expedition; _upon the high mountain_ Whence it may be discerned at a considerable distance. _Exalt the voice unto them_ To the Medes, named Isaiah 13:17. _Shake the hand_ Beckon to them with your hand, that they may come to this service. _That... [ Continue Reading ]
_The noise of a multitude in the mountains_ No sooner had the Almighty given the command, than the multitude assembles to his banners; _like as a great people_ Not rude and barbarous; but well- disciplined, regular, and veteran troops, such as are wont to be furnished by a great and powerful people;... [ Continue Reading ]
_Howl ye_ We have here a very elegant and lively description of the terrible confusion and desolation which should be made in Babylon by the attack which the Medes and Persians should make upon it. They who were now at ease and secure are premonished to howl, and make sad lamentation, 1st, Because G... [ Continue Reading ]
_Behold the day cruel both with wrath and fierce anger_ Dr. Waterland renders the clause, _fierceness, wrath, and hot anger:_ divers words are heaped together, to signify the extremity of the divine indignation; _to lay the land desolate_ Hebrew, לשׁום לשׁמה, _to make it a desolation_, an entire and... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will punish the world_ The Babylonish empire, which is called the world, as the Roman empire afterward was, (Luke 2:1,) because it was extended to a great part of the world, and because it was very populous, and Babylon itself looked more like a world than one city. I _will lay low the haughtines... [ Continue Reading ]
_Behold_, &c. Here follows the second part of this prophecy, in which the calamity which the prophet had foretold, principally in figure, is plainly related and set forth in its causes and consequences. Its causes are stated to be the Medes, raised up by God himself against the Babylonians, and desc... [ Continue Reading ]
_Babylon, the glory of kingdoms_ Which once was the most noble and excellent of all the kingdoms then in being, and was more glorious than the succeeding empire, and therefore is represented by the _head of gold, Daniel 2:37_. _The beauty of the Chaldees' excellency_ The famous and beautiful seat of... [ Continue Reading ]
_It shall never be inhabited_ After the destruction threatened shall be fully effected. This was not done immediately upon the taking of the city by Darius the Mede and Cyrus the Persian, his nephew; but was fulfilled by degrees, as is recorded by historians, and as appears at this day. It will be s... [ Continue Reading ]
The _wild beasts of the desert shall lie there_ Which was literally fulfilled, as we have just seen, in Jerome's time, when it was a forest for breeding wild beasts, or a royal chase for hunting. _And their houses shall be full of doleful creatures_ This likewise has been exactly accomplished. Benja... [ Continue Reading ]