Isaiah 29

A Prophesy concerning the besieging and destroying of the Temple and city of Jerusalem, vers.1. Of the miserable state and condition of the Jews, 3, etc. The unsatiable wrath of their enemies is represented by two similitudes, 7,8. Because of the Jews hardness, and blindness,9, etc. A threatening that they shall be cast away, because of their hypocrisy, 14. Etc. A promise concerning the conversion both of Gentiles and Jews, 17,22, etc. A threatening against Tyrants and scorners, 20,21.

1. Wo to Ariel, Ariel, [Ariel signifieth as much as a strong lion, or, a lion of God, as Ezek.43.15,16. But we must here understand by Ariel the Altar of burnt-offering in the Temple at Jerusalem, yea even the Temple it self: now the Altar is called a lion of God, because like a strong lion, it devoured daily much cattle by the fire that was come down from heaven] the city (wherein) David camped: [that is, lodged, kept his Court. That is, the city of David; namely the upper part or quarter of the city Jerusalem, where David with his Court resided, as also afterward other Kings of Juda did. But under the name of the city of David is here understood the whole city of Jerusalem, as elsewhere besides] add year unto year, [this is an Apostrophe or speech directed to the Jews. The meaning is, keep every year your feast-days] let them [to wit, the Priests and Levites] slay the feast-offerings. [or, cut off (the heads) of the feast-offerings, or cut the throats of the feast-offerings. See Psal.118. the Annotat. On vers.27. and Exod.13.18. The Prophet reproveth the folly of those that imagined that they had quitted themselves sufficiently before God, when they did onely perform outward worship and service unto God by offering of sacrifices, &c. Meaning, that by onely doing this they should thenceforward go quite unpunished, because sundry years one after another were expired, and they had still escaped unpunished. See 2 Pet.3.4.]

2. Yet will I distress Ariel: [As if he had said, it is in vain that ye think to appease and pacify me with outward ceremonies. Compare above chap.1.11.] and there shall be heaviness and sorrow, [to wit, among the Jews, for the breaking down of the Altar of burnt-offering] and (that city) shall be unto me like Ariel [that is, I will likewise distress it, suffering it to be wasted and destroyed by the Babylonians. Or, as in the Temple dead beasts do lie before the Altar, which were slain to be offered up in sacrifice: so shall likewise many dead bodies of Jews that are slain lie i and about this city. Heb. And it shall be unto me like Ariel; to wit, that city of Jerusalem.]

3. For I will lay a camp [To wit, the camp, or army of the Babylonians] in a circle [Heb. With, or as with a Ball, that is, in manner or form of a ball, round about, in a circle, or in a round ring, or compass] about thee [round about thee, O Jerusalem] and I will besiege thee with Bulwarks, [properly with works standing up, or lifted up. Others ramparts, and I will cast up sorts against thee [or round about thee.]

4. Then shalt thou [O city of Jerusalem; that is, ye inhabitants of Jerusalem] be brought down, thou shalt speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall proceed softly out of the dust. [or be still, low, weakly, or thy speech shall be deep etc. low; as the speech of those that lie in a pit or ditch. The meaning is, thou shalt be brought to such a sad and miserable condition, as that thou shalt hardly dare speak or open thy mouth to make thy moan. Others, shall be lower then the dust] etc. thy voice shall be out of the ground as a sorcerer [or, sooth saying spirits, divination. Wizards and conjurers, and such as by the devil do give answer to those that ask counsel of them, are wont to answer them softly, and in such a way and manner as they cannot well understand what they say, to wit, with a dark and doubtful voice, as it were proceeding out of hollow ground. See above chap.8.on vers.19. and Levit.chap.19.on ver.31.and they speech shall whisper out of the dust.

5. And the multitude of thy strange (souldiers) [These words may be taken in a two sold sense, first thus, that the words of the Prophet may be here understood of the strange souldiers that should come against the Jews. Secondly, they may be understood of the strange souldiers that were hired by the Jews to help, and assist them] shall be like thin dust, [that is, (according to the meaning those that understand this of the enemies of the Jews) they shall be in as great a number and quantity, as the small thin flying dust, which cannot be numbered: but according to the sense and meaning of those that understand it of such as were hired to help and aid the Jews, it will be a matter of no importance, they shall vanish away, and come to nothing] and the multitude of tyrants [or, of the terrible ones] as chaff that flieth away, [Compare Job 21:18. Psal.1.4. and 35.5. above chap.17.13.] and it shall be done in a moment suddenly. [Compare below chap.30.13.]

6. Thou shalt be visited of the Lord of hosts with thunder, etc. with earth-quake, etc. a great sound with whirl-wind and tempest, [That is, with terrible storming and assault of the enemies; to wit of the Babylonians, that shall over power and destroy all things. It may be also understood according to the letter, (and great sound) or noise; that is, with a great cry and of war] and the flame of a devouring fire. [To wit, of adversities and plagues. See Job 15.on verse 30.]

7. And as the dream of a night-vision is, (so) shall the multitude of all the heathen be that shall fight against Ariel: even all that shall fight against her, and her strong hold, and (shall) distress her. [The meaning is, it shall happen to the enemies that shall distress thee, as if so be they dreamed of a night-vision. See verse 8. And Psal.73.on verse 20. Of Ariel see verse 1. (all that shall fight against her,) to wit, against Jerusalem.]

8. It shall be so as when an hungry man dreameth, and behold he eateth, but when he awaketh, [Heb. That behold, he eateth, but when he awaketh. So presently again] then his soul [that is, he himself: to speak properly, his body. Thus the word soul is taken for body Psal.16.10.] is empty: or like as when a thirsty man dreameth, and behold he drinketh, behold then he is yet weary, [or, faint; that is, thirsty. See Psal.63.on verse 2. Below chap.32.2.] and his soul [that is, he himself, properly his body, as before [is greedy: so shall the multitude of all the heathen be that war against mount Zion. [That is, against Jerusalem. The meaning is, they will not be satisfied with the horrible cruelties and outrages which they shall have committed upon or against you, but they shall be still greedy to commit yet more abominable villanies against you, as having not yet sufficiently wreaked their spleen against you; all the tyranny and cruelty which they formerly practised, shall be but as a dream in comparison of that which they intend to do yet further unto you.]

9. They [To wit, the wicked Jews] linger, [to wit, to believe the words of the Prophets, and to mend their lives] therefore wonder ye [ye religious and godly ones] they are weary, [that is, they give themselves to all pleasures and delights] therefore cry ye; to wit, unto the Lord, that he be favourable and merciful unto you] they [to wit the wicked Jews] drunken, but not with wine, [but with a spirit of giddiness, which blinded their understandings] they stagger, but not with strong drink. [The meaning is, they are so partial and self-conceited, as if they were void of all understanding, wisdom and prudence, not willing to entertain or follow the advice and counsel of the Prophets.]

10. For the LORD hath poured out [Heb. Mingled] upon you [O ye wicked Jews] a spirit of a deep sleep, [so that you neither feel nor mind it, though men do pray a long while and often unto you, and threaten you with Gods judgements] and he hath shut up your eyes: [to wit, the eyes of your understanding] the Prophets, [namely, the false Prophets] and your heads, [that is, your Rulers] (and) the seers [See 1 Sam.9.on verse 9.] hath he blinded. [Heb. Covered. To wit with darkness: that is, with blindness of mind. Compare above chap.25.vers.7.]

11. Therefore all vision [That is, all the predictions and Prophesies of the true Prophets which God sent unto you. Or, the vision of all] is become unto you as the words of a sealed [that is, hidden, unknown. See above chap.6.on verse 16.] book, which they deliver to one that can read, [Heb. That knoweth letter, or, writing, or, a book [saying, Read this, I pray: and he saith, I cannot, for it is sealed.

12. Or they deliver the book to one that cannot read, saying, read this I pray: and he saith, I cannot read. [The meaning of the 11 and 12 verses is, that neither the learned nor the unlearned should understand the predictions or prophesies of God published and preached by the Prophets.]

13. For the Lord said, because this people draw nigh (unto me) with their mouth, and they do honour me with their lips, but remove their heart far from me: [Such were in Christ time the Pharisees & Scribes, yea also the greatest part by far of the people. Therefore Christ applieth this speech or saying unto them, Matth.15.8. Mar.7.6.] and their fear (wherewith they fear) [that is, serve] me, [Heb. Their fear on, or towards me] are the precepts of men, which are taught them.

14. Therefore behold, I will hence forth deal wonderfully with this people [Or, I will proceed to deal wonderfully with this people] wonderfully, and marvellously: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish and the understanding of their men of understanding shall hide it self [that is, it shall not stand them in any stead them in any stead at all. Compare Jer.49.7. Obad.verse 8. Matt.11.25.1. Cor.1.19.]

15. Wo unto them that will hide themselves deep from the LORD, hiding (their) counsel: [That is, which think that God seeth them not, but that their devices are hid from him. Or thus; which hide (their) counsel deep from the Lord] and whose works are done in darkness, and they say, who seeth us? And who knoweth us? [Compare Psal.94.7.]

16. Your overturning as if the Potter should be esteemed as clay, that the thing made should say of its maker, he made not; and the formed vessel should say of its maker, he made me not; and the formed vessel should say of its potter, he doth not understand it. [Your overturning, &c. To wit, that you pervert the nature of things, desiring as we say, to Lord it or play the master above God, whereas thou art but his creature. Others, O your perverness! Shall the potter be esteemed like unto the clay? To wit, which neither doth nor understandeth any thing. If the clay deny that it is formed by the potter, and that he understandeth any thing, then the potter is esteemed as the clay. The meaning is, in that you have such an opinion of your own, dexterity, craftiness and subtility, as if you were able to deceive even God himself, and were able to hinder and frustrate his purpose; is not that as senseless, as if they clay should exalt it self against the potter, to dispute with him, and to control him not doing his work well? Compare below chap.45.9.]

17. Is it not but for a little while yet that Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field? [Or, Carmel. See the Annotat. 2 Kings 19:23. and Jerem.2.on ver.7.] and the fruitful field [or Carmel, as before] shall be esteemed as a forest. [The meaning is, Barren places shall, become fruitful; and on the contrary, fruitful places, shall grow barren. The spiritual meaning is, the wild desert hearts, of the elect Gentiles, shall in Christs time grow fruitful, that is, they shall be born again by the Holy Ghost: and on the contrary, the hearts of the wicked Jews, who by reason of their hypocrisy seem, to be fruitful, shall be hardened and grow wild.]

18. And in that day shall the deaf hear [That is, understand] the words of the book: [to wit, of the holy Scripture, as Psal.40.8. Heb.10.7. See the 11 and 12 verses.] and the eyes of the blind, being out of obscurity, and out of darkness, [that is, being enlightened by the spirit of God,] shall see. [The curing of this deafness and blindness may in the first place have respect to the miracles of Christ upon the bodies of men, Matth.11.5. but it hath specially respect to the spiritual illumination or enlightening; the sense whereof is, that those that firmerly were unfit and uncapable, by the power of the holy ghost, to understand the mysteries of salvation.]

19. And the meek [See Psal.1.on verse 17.] shall have joy upon joy [Heb. Add unto joy] in the LORD: [that is, because of the saving knowledge of the LORD] and the needy among men, [that is, the poor in spirit, Matth.5.3.] shall rejoice in the holy one of Israel, [that is, in God, whom the people of God do hallow and honour. See Psal.71.on verse 22.]

20. When the tyrant shall have an end, and the scorner shall cease [That is, when the wicked Jews shall be cut off. Others, for the Tyrant shall have amend, &c.] and all that watch for iniquity [that is, all that are diligent to commit iniquity] shall be cut off.

21. Which make a man guilty [Heb. Cause him to sin, or, make him a sinner; that is, accuse him, as if he had committed a great offence] for a word, [not being able to endure that their sin should be seriously reproved. This was fulfilled in our blessed Saviour Christ and his Apostles] and lay snares for him that reproveth (them) in the gate: [that is, in judgement. See the Annotat. Genes.34.20. and 22.17. Or, in the gate, that is, openly in the public assembly. See Amos 5:10. Others, And lay snares for him in the gate that reproveth them; that is, and seek his destruction by false accusations] and which drive away the righteous into the desert. [Where they can find no food nor relief, and where all things are dreadful and terrible. The meaning is, which by their false accusation cause the righteous to be condemned in judgement, and to be scattered to misery and calamity. Others, for a thing of nought.]

22. Therefore thus saith the LORD, who redeemed Abraham, [To wit, from idolatry. See Genes.12.1. Jos.24.2.3.] unto the house of Jacob: [Or, concerning the house of Jacob; that is, concerning the posterity of Jacob: meaning the godly and religious Jews, or, the Church of God] Jacob shall not now be (any more) ashamed, [the Jews, being now turned unto God, and having amended their lives, or the Church in general, shall be no more ashamed] neither shall his face now wax pale (any more) [to wit, through shame or fear.]

23. For when he [To wit, Jacob; that is, Jacobs house, or the Church, as in the former verse] shall see his children [which shall be born unto him by the preaching of the Gospel] the work of mine hands [the children whom I shall have begotten again, and as it were created anew by the Holy Ghost. See above chap.19.25. Eph.2.10. Heb.2.10.] in the midst of him, they [to wit, the posterity of Jacob] shall hallow [that is, land and praise] my name: and they shall hallow the holy one of Jacob, [that is, the true God, whom Jacob praised and magnified] and fear [or, reverence; that is honour, glorify] the God of Israel. [That is, of the Israelites.]

24. And they that erre in spirit shall come to understanding [Heb. Shall know understanding] and the murmurers [That murmur against God and his Prophets because of the ruling of the Gentiles. Compare Matth.20.11. Luke 15:28. Rom.10.19.] shall receive doctrine. [Or, shall suffer themselves to be taught, or instructed Heb. Shall learn instruction. See Job 11.on verse 4.]