Isaiah 39 - Introduction
_MERODACH-BALADAN, SENDING TO VISIT HEZEKIAH BECAUSE OF THE WONDER, HATH NOTICE OF HIS TREASURES. ISAIAH, UNDERSTANDING THEREOF, FORETELLETH THE BABYLONISH CAPTIVITY._ _Before Christ 714._... [ Continue Reading ]
_MERODACH-BALADAN, SENDING TO VISIT HEZEKIAH BECAUSE OF THE WONDER, HATH NOTICE OF HIS TREASURES. ISAIAH, UNDERSTANDING THEREOF, FORETELLETH THE BABYLONISH CAPTIVITY._ _Before Christ 714._... [ Continue Reading ]
MERODACH-BALADAN— _Merodach_ was the name of an idol worshipped by the Babylonians, and _Bel_ another; add these two idols, with the addition of אדן _Adan_ or _Adon,_ which signifies _Lord,_ gave name to this king. _Baladan_ is generally supposed to be the same person who is called _Belesis_ or _Bel... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HEZEKIAH WAS GLAD, &C.— This action of Hezekiah favoured of great weakness, as nothing more strongly excites the enmity of neighbouring states, than such an unseasonable display of riches: it favours of ostentation and vanity, both of them vices very unsuitable to that temper of mind, which his... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, THE DAYS COME— Whoever considers the state of things at this time, the small power the Assyrian had, and that their king was tributary to the king of Babylon, must acknowledge that this was a striking instance of the divine omniscience; and, when he finds that this prediction was verified, a... [ Continue Reading ]
_Isaiah 39:7. They shall be eunuchs,_ &c. The Hebrew word סריסים _sarisim,_ rendered _eunuchs,_ signifies great officers employed about the person of the sovereign; and, as eunuchs were generally invested with these offices, the word _eunuch,_ and a _great officer,_ became frequently synonymous term... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN SAID HEZEKIAH TO ISAIAH— Hezekiah, convinced of his error, and perceiving that he had justly provoked the divine indignation, acknowledges his fault, and _humbles himself greatly for his pride,_ as is recorded to his praise, 2 Chronicles 32:26. And these words afford us a strong proof of his hu... [ Continue Reading ]