_Wo to them that devise iniquity_ That design and frame mischief; _and work evil upon their beds_ Contrive how to work it, and actually execute their plans when they rise in the morning. _Because it is in the power of their hand_ Because they can do it; because there is none that can hinder them. Th... [ Continue Reading ]
_Therefore, behold, against this family do I devise evil_ As they devise mischief against others, so will I devise an evil against them, as a due punishment for their sin. As they have unjustly deprived others of their inheritances, so a conquering enemy shall dispossess them and carry them into cap... [ Continue Reading ]
_In that day shall one take up a parable_ Shall use a figurative speech, _against you_ A parable signifies a speech out of the ordinary way, as the Greek word παροιμια imports, and illustrated with metaphors or rhetorical figures. So speaking in parables is opposed to speaking plainly, John 16:25; J... [ Continue Reading ]
_O thou that art named The house of Jacob_ But dost not act suitably to the piety of thy father Jacob, and therefore, though thou art in name, yet not in truth the genuine seed of Jacob. _Is the Spirit of the Lord straitened_ Is God's hand shortened? Are his power, wisdom, and kindness less now than... [ Continue Reading ]
_Of late my people is risen up as an enemy_ AGAINST ME is to be here understood, namely, against God; for this is still spoken in the person of God. The sense is more evident in the Hebrew than in our translation, namely, But _they who were yesterday_ (or lately) _my people rise up_ (now, or to-day)... [ Continue Reading ]
_Arise ye, and depart_ Ye Israelites prepare for your departure out of this land, for it shall be no longer yours; _it is not your rest, because it is polluted_ Though it was given to the posterity of Jacob for a place of rest, under my protection, yet this was on condition of their continued obedie... [ Continue Reading ]
_If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood_ If a man falsely pretending to have the spirit of prophecy, _do lie_ Speak things very false, and utter pretended predictions of events that shall never take place. _Saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and strong drink_ I will discourse to you of... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of thee_, &c. Many commentators, connecting these verses with the preceding, interpret them as a prediction of the captivity of Israel and Judah. By _assembling all of Jacob, and gathering the remnant of Israel, as a flock in the midst of their fold_, they under... [ Continue Reading ]