Isaiah 46

Isaiah 46:1

BEl boweth down, Nebo stoupeth] Bel and Nebo, two chief idols of Babylon: Bel contracted of Baal, Jeremiah 51:44. and of him was Daniel by the King of Babylon called Belteshazzar, Daniel 4:8. Nebo, so called of a word that signifieth to prophecie; being as it seemeth an Idol famous for predictions, and Oracles.

their idols were upon the beasts] Heb. beast. Ezekiel 33:27. See Jeremiah 50:2.

your carriages] The carriages of the Medes and Persians; who took them away with them; because they were of rich materials Daniel 3:1. & Daniel 5:4.

Isaiah 46:2

they could not deliver the burden] The Babylonians could not save their idols, that should have saved them: nor their idols themselves, who should have saved others, Jeremiah 48:7.

themselves] Heb. their soul. Psalms 107:18.

Isaiah 46:3

which are born by me] A remarkable difference, between the true God and idols: men must carry them: vers. 7. but he carrieth his; as a nurse or mother her child, Exodus 19:4. Deuteronomy 32:11. Chap. 63. 9.

from the womb] Chap. 44. 2, 24. Psal. 22. 9,—12. and 71. 6.

Isaiah 46:4

even to your old age] As I have born you hitherto: so will I bear, nourish, and preserve you for ever, Psalms 48:14. and Psalms 71:9.

I am he] Or, the same. Psalms 102:27. Malachi 3:6. James 1:17.

I have made] Another notable difference between the true God and idols: he is the maker of those that worship him, Psal. 100. whereas their worshippers make them, vers. 6.

will deliver you] From the Babylonians, and other your enemies, Chap. 43. 14.

Isaiah 46:5

To whom, &c.] Chap. 40. 18, 25.

will ye liken me, and make me equall, and compare me] Or, resemble, and make me like, or compare.

Isaiah 46:6

They lavish gold out of the bag, &c.] That they might not be tempted to think the Babylonians idols more powerfull then the true God; considering the Babylonians flourishing estate, and their own miserable condition; he mindeth them of the originall of their idols, to make them the more despicable and detestable. So Chap. 40. 19, 20. and 44. 12,—19. Jer. 10. 3,—5, 9.

weigh silver] Jeremiah 32:9-10.

in the balance] Or, by the beam. Heb. reed. or, cane. the beam put for the balance.

and hire] Or, they hire.

a goldsmith] Heb. founder; or, finer. Chap. 41. 7.

he maketh it a god] Chap. 44. 10.

they fall down] Chap. 45. 20.

Isaiah 46:7

They bear him] Jer. 10. 4, 5.

set him in his place] Chap. 44. 13.

standeth] Or, abideth. Chap. 66. 22.

from his place shall he not remove] Or, he cannot stir. (as Jr. 2. 32.) Chap. 41. 7.

yea, one shall cry unto him] Or, though one crie to him.

Isaiah 46:8

shew your selves men] Not beasts, like the idolaters, Jeremiah 10:14. Or, not woman-like timorous, to comply with them for fear, Jer. 10. 1, 11.

bring it again to mind] Heb. to heart. Chap. 44. 19.

Isaiah 46:9

there is none else] Chap 44. 8. and 45. 5, 6, 21. 22.

Isaiah 46:10

declaring the end from the beginning] Fore-telling the issue of things, before they begin to be in execution, Chap. 41. 22, 23. and 43. 12. and 48: 2.

My counsel shall stand] Psalms 33:11. Proverbs 19:21. and Proverbs 21:30. Chap. 14. 24, 26.

Isaiah 46:11

a ravenous bird] Cyrus; who shall come swiftly, and seise upon Babylon, as an Eagle or Vulture upon his prey, Job 9:26.

from the east] Persia; East of Babylon, Chap. 41. 2, 25.

the man that executeth my counsel] Heb. the man of my counsel. Chap. 40. 13. Not, whom I take counsel of for ought, Chap. 40. 14. but concerning the destruction of Babylon, and the deliverance of my people, vers. 10. Chap. 44. 28. Jeremiah 50:45. whom I have appointed to execute, what I have determined.

Isaiah 46:12

ye stout-hearted] Who by opposition, or by incredulity and obstinacie, would hinder the performance of my promise. Or, who by your wicked courses make your selves unworthy of having any favour shewed you, Chap. 43. 24, 25.

Isaiah 46:13

I bring neare] Heb. make to approach. Chap. 41. 21.

my righteousnesse] My faithfulnesse in fulfilling my promise; Chap. 1. 27. and 41. 2. and 45. 8. and 51. 5. which no might, malice or incredulitie can keep from taking effect, Romans 3:3. 2 Timothy 2:13. Or, the righteousnesse, which my people receive from me, for their justification and acquitall from their sinnes, Chap. 45. 24, 25. Romans 1:17. and Romans 3:21.

Israel my glory] In the deliverance of whom I will make my self glorious, Chap. 45. 6. and 50. 3. and 59. 19.