_A.M. 3263. B.C. 741._ Damascus, Samaria, Israel, and their cities, to be ruined by the Assyrians, Isaiah 17:1. A remnant shall consider and repent, Isaiah 17:6. The rest plagued for their impiety, Isaiah 17:9. The wo of Israel's enemies, Isaiah 17:12.... [ Continue Reading ]
_The burden of Damascus_ Both of that city and kingdom. But though “this prophecy, by its title, should relate only to Damascus, is full of much concerns, and more largely treats of, the kingdom of Samaria and the Israelites, confederated with Damascus and the Syrians against the kingdom of Judah.”... [ Continue Reading ]
_The cities of Aroer are forsaken_ “What has Aroer,” says Bishop Lowth, “on the river Arnon, (see Deuteronomy 2:36,) to do with Damascus?” He therefore follows the LXX., (who, he supposes, for ערער, _Aroer_, read עדי עד, εις τον αιωνα,) and renders the clause, _The cities are deserted for ever._ Gro... [ Continue Reading ]
_The fortress also shall cease from Ephraim_ The meaning may be, that Damascus being destroyed, that fortress or protection, in which the Ephraimites had placed their confidence, should be taken; or, that at what time Damascus should be overthrown, and deprived of all government and power, the Ephra... [ Continue Reading ]
_At that day shall a man_ Those few men that are left; _look to his Maker_ They shall sincerely respect, trust in, and worship God, and God only. In other words, at that time, when God shall execute these severe judgments upon the Ephraimites, some, being fully convinced by experience that they had... [ Continue Reading ]
_In that day_ The day of Jacob's trouble, of which he spake, Isaiah 17:4; _shall his strong cities be as a forsaken bough_ The cities belonging to the ten tribes shall stand solitary and destitute of inhabitants, all the country about them being destroyed; _and an uppermost branch, which they left b... [ Continue Reading ]
_Because thou_, O Israel, _hast forgotten the God of thy salvation_ That God, who was thy only sure defence; _therefore shalt thou plant pleasant plants_ Fetched from far countries, and therefore highly esteemed. The sense is, Thou shalt use much industry and cost, but to no purpose, as it follows.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wo_, &c. “We have here the third member of this prophetic discourse, and the first part of the section concerning the unexpected overthrow of the Assyrians. After the prophet had exhibited the divine judgments upon the Syrians, (Isaiah 17:1,) and upon the Ephraimites, (Isaiah 17:4,) he immediately... [ Continue Reading ]