Isaiah 3

Isaiah 3:1

OF bread] see Jeremiah 37:2. and 38. 9 Lamentations 5:4.

Isaiah 3:2

The mighty man] he means peradventure the captivity of valiant and industrious men, set downe, 2 King. 24. 14. The prudent] the Italian, the soothsayer; some take this word in a good sense, for every wise man that doth foresee a great while before hand things that will come to passe, see 2 Chron. 12. 32. Others do take it for Astrologers, whom great men amongst the Heathen, and by their example amongst the Jews, did make use of in their businesses and resolutions of greatest importance, Esther 1:13.

Isaiah 3:3

Eloquent 〈◊〉] the Italian, the man skilfull in secret speeches; that is to say, in the deepest secrets of nature or state: or in obscure riddles, of the expounding of which the ancient wise men made a glorious profession: or in magicke and other hidden arts, in which were used words and characters.

Isaiah 3:4

Babes] not onely in age, but also in understanding and experience. It may be he meanes the four last Kings of Judah, which came to bee Kings whilest they were but very young, following their youthfull appetites, the advice of Councellors of their own age, and the irregular wills of their mothers, or their wives, vers. 12.

Isaiah 3:6

When a man] the Italian, if a man; the peoples misery shall be so great, that no man shall be willing to undertake the governing of them, though it be voluntarily offered them.Clothing] that is to say, thou art not yet quite wretched, as the common sort of people are, thou hast yet some badge of honour left to maintain thy dignity, and hast some means to exercise thy function Let this uie] namely, this desolate and ruined state.

Isaiah 3:9

The shew of their] that is to say, their impiety, which they carry graven in their foreheads, and which they openly professe, doth accuse them before God, and calleth his judgement upon them.

Isaiah 3:10

They shall eat] they shall receive the reward of their piety and righteousnesse.

Isaiah 3:12

They which] namely, the false prophets which dally with thee, praising thee, or prophecying happinesse to thee And destroy] confirming thee in thy wickednesse, and making thee incorrigible, and thy sinnes incurable.

Isaiah 3:14

The vineyard] namely, the Church, which is Gods Vineyard, which you have spoiled through your wickednesse, Isai. 5. 1. Matth. 21. 33. Or poore mens inheritances, through your extortions and oppressions.

Isaiah 3:16

Mincing] with a wton and lascivious gate: A tikling] this hath a reference to some ornaments which maids did weare upon their legs and feet for pride and wantonnesse.

Isaiah 3:17

Smite with the scab] that is to say, he will cause them to be taken prisoners in the wars, and shall be shaven according to the custom, like slaves: or he will give them cause to mourne extreamly, whereof the shaving of the head was a token, Isaiah 15:2. Discover] a kinde of scornfull usage, which they used towards women that were taken prisoners in the wars,Isaiah 47:2-3. Jeremiah 13:22. Ezech. 16. 37. Nahum 3:5.

Isaiah 3:18

Cawles] belike they were some kinde of stockins full of holes, through which one might see their legs Like the moon] the Italian, their little moons; an ornament for their shoes, made of gold or some other costly stuffe, in the form of a little crescent, which was likely set upon the points or ends of their shoes.

Isaiah 3:21

Nose-jewels] see concerning these kinds of jewels, Genesis 24:47.

Isaiah 3:26

Shall lament] that is to say, they shall yeeld cause and occasion of sorrow by reason of their solitude and ruine, see Jeremiah 14:2. Lament. 1. 4. Desolate] the Italian, emptied; of people and goods Shall fit] the Italian, shall lie; being brought to dust through ruine and ashes by the fire.