Isaiah 33

The destruction of Sennacherib and his Camp or Army is foretold, vers.1,3.4. A prayer of the Godly. 2 Joy in Zion for the overthrow of the Assyrians, 5. The miserable condition of Jerusalem before the Lord smote Sennacherib, 7,8,9. The Lord ariseth for the help of his people, 10 and derideth the Assyrians, and stirreth up every one to admire and wonder at their destruction, 13. Teaching what ought to be done for the obtaining of Gods blessing. 15. A further promise of victory and peace, 17, etc. Especially in the time of the Messiah, 20. A jeering speech of God to the Assyrians, 23 and a comfortable speech to the godly, 24.

1. Wo unto thee thou waster, [To wit, thou Senacherib King of the Assyrians: but it is spoken also to all persecutors of the Church of God] thou that wast not wasted, and thou that dealest unfaithfully where one hath not dealt unfaithfully against thee: when thou shalt have finished the wasting, [when thou shalt be come to the end which God hath appointed: that is, when thou shalt have filled up thy measure, and when the judgements wherewith God will visit his people, shall have an end] thou shalt be wasted: [to wit, first thy Army shall be wasted and destroyed by the Angel. Secondly, thou thy self shalt be destroyed by thine own sons. See 2 King.19.35, &c. Lastly, thy City Nineve shall be wasted or destroyed by the Chaldeans] when thou shalt have made an end of dealing unfaithful, one shall deal unfaithfully against thee. [It seemeth that this is to be understood of Sennacheribs sons, who murdered him in his Idolatrous Temple, 2 Kings 19:37.]

2. LORD be gracious unto us, [To wit, thy holy Church: or, unto us, we that are thy people] we have waited for thee: [to wit, that thou shouldest help and deliver us] be (thou) their arm [to wit, the arm of the godly Jews. The meaning is, be thou the defender and Protector of thy people against the Assyrians] every morning, [Heb. In the mornings: that is, every morning, continually, always, as Psal.90.14. See the Annotat. Psal.73.on vers.14. Or, when they call upon thee at the time of the morning sacrifice] besides our preservation in the time of trouble.

3. At the sound of the Tumult [To wit, when the Annot angel shall fall upon them. See 2 Kings 19:35.] shall the Nations flee away: [to wit, the souldiery in the Army of the King of Assyria, which consisted of divers people and nations] at thine exaltation [when thou O Lord, shall set thy self as it were upon thy judgement-seat, and shalt execute judgement upon the enemies of thy people] shall the Heathen be scattered.

4. Then shall your spoil be gathered as the Caterpillars are gathered: [This is a speech made to the Assyrians. The meaning is, the Assyrians shall be slain by the Angel of the Lord, and be spoiled and plundered by the Jews. (your spoil, &c.) That is, the spoil or prey which the Assyrians plundered and took away from other Nations, the same shall be again taken away from you. (as the Caterpillers are gathered:) Heb. With a gathering of the Caterpiller] they shall skip to and fro upon it, as the Grasshoppers do skip to and fro [Upon it; to wit, upon your spoil or prey; that is, upon the spoil or prey which shall be taken away from you. Upon it shall they skip and leap to and fro, and dance often upon it, with joy, again and again and with gladness, and with shouting.]

5. The LORD is exalted, for he dwelleth (on) high: [That is, in heaven] he hath filled Zion with judgement and righteousness. [Or, he shall fill Zion, &c. To wit, after the destruction of the Assyrians in Hezekiahs time.]

6. And it shall come to pass, that the stability of thy times, the strength of (thy) preservations shall be wisdom and knowledge: [Here the Prophet turneth or directeth his speech unto King Hezekiah. Others conceive that it is a speech made or directed to the Church of God. As if the prophet had said, that which shall cause the church to stand fast and immoveable, shall be the knowledge of the loving kindness and favour of God. (the stability of thy times) That is, of thy reign O Hezekiah; or, O Church of God: (the strength of (thy) preservations) or, (thy) saving strength, or, the strength of (thy) manifold salvation (shall be) or, is,] the fear of the LORD shall be [or, is] his treasure. [To wit, King Hezekiahs treasure. As if he had said, because he feareth the Lord, therefore he will bless him with riches. See 2 King.20.13. and 2 Chron.32.vers.27,28,29. Others, his, or her treasures; to wit, the treasure of the Church of God. If these words be applied to King Hezekiah, then they shew likewise what and how great and excellent that wisdom of King Hezekiah was, of which we may read 2 Kings 19:1, 14. And chap.18.verse 4,5,6.]

7. Behold their strongest ones [To wit, Sennacheribs, and his Princes strongest ones, or most valiant men. Or, their Ambassadors, messengers: to wit, those whom Sennacherib sent to King Hezekiah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 2 King.18, etc.] the messengers of peace [to wit, those men whom Hezekiah had sent unto Sennacherib, to ask or beg peace of him, 2 Kings 18:14.] weep bitterly.

8. The high ways [To wit, in the land of Juda] are wasted, [to wit, by the Assyrians] he that goeth through the paths ceaseth: [the meaning is, no man dare journey or travel in the land of Juda on the common roads or high-ways, because of the invasion of the Assyrians. Compare Judg.5.6. and the Annot. There] he [to wit, Sennacherib] disanulleth the covenant, [to wit, which he had made, promising to march away when Hezekiah should have paid him the sum of money which he had laid upon him as a tax or tribute. See 2 Kings 18:14, etc.] he despiseth the cities, [to wit, the cities in Juda] he regardeth no man.

9. The Land [To wit, the land of Juda, which is laid wast by the Assyrians, mourneth, it langisheth,] Libanon [the name of a mountain, and by this as by other places after named, lying on the borders of the land, is signified that the whole land was wasted and destroyed] is ashamed, [to wit, because it is bereaved of its fair high Cedar trees, which are hewn down by the Assyrians, wherewith it was formerly beautiful and adorned]it is wherewith: or, it was hewn down] Sharon is become like a wilderness; [Sharon was a land or country where good wheat was wont to grow. See 1 Chron.27.20. but it was pitiful wasted when the Prophet wrote this.] both Basan [in Basan was good pasture. See Deut.32.14. Psal.22.13. This mountain lay not in the tribe of Juda, but in the half-tribe of Manasseh, Jos.13.30.] and Carmel [Here was also good pasture ground, 1 Sam.25.2.] are shaken] or cast off; to wit, their fruits. Others, brayeth; that is, roareth or crieth like an ass, that is, roareth terribly, because the beasts that were wont to feed there, were now driven away and plundered.]

10. Now will I arise [or get me up; to wit, against the Assyrians] faith the LORD, now will I be exalted, [to wit, by slaying the Assyrians] now will I be lifted up.

11. Ye conceive straw, ye shall bring forth stubble, [The Lord speaketh this to the Assyrians. As if he had said, ye indeed intend some great matter, to wit, to take and destroy Jerusalem: but your design shall not prosper, ye your selves shall be confounded and destroyed (ye shall bring forth stubble) your enterprises shall prevail as little, as if they were made of straw and stubble] your spirit (as) fire shall devour you. [That is, your high mind shall move me to destroy you; to wit, by my destroying Angel. See 2 Kings 18:19, etc. And chap.19.vers.9, etc.]

12. And the nations shall be (as) the burning of lime: [to wit, the souldiers in the camp of the Assyrian, shall be destroyed as lime is burnt in the Lime-Kil. See 2 Kings 19:35. Others, shall be laid in lime-kils, namely to be burned in lime] (as) thorns cut down shall they be burnt with fire.

13. Hear ye that are far off what I have done: and ye that are near, acknowledge my might. [This is a preface to that which followeth here, namely an exhortation unto strange and foreign nations to honour the true God because of the destruction of the Assyrians. (bear ye that are afar off what I have done:) to wit, how wonderfully I have destroyed the Assyrians by an Angel, (etc. ye that are near acknowledge my might) that is, observe and exalt my great power.]

14. The sinners at Zion [That is, the wicked among the Jews, that have despised all admonitions (at Zion) that is, at Jerusalem] were afraid, [to wit, when I did visit them by the Assyrians, who were not afraid when I did threaten them by the Prophet Isaiah. See 2 Kings 18:37. and 19.14.] trembling hath surprised the hypocrites: (they say) who is there among us that dwell with a consuming fire? [that is, with God when he is provoked to anger. See Deut.4.24. and 9.3. Heb.12.29. Some take these words as being spoken by the Prophet. Compare Psal.15.1. who is there among us that can dwell with an everlasting burning?

15. He that walketh in righteousnesses, and he that speaketh equities: [In these and the following words the prophet, or God by the prophet, maketh answer to the foregoing question of the wicked Jews. And he sheweth that they have no cause to complain of Gods rigor and severity, but rather of their own wicked life, whereby they give God just cause to punish them. Compare Psal.15.2. and 24.3.] he that rejecteth the gain of oppressions, [that is, unjust or unrighteous gain, which men take to help to wrong and oppress their neighbour] he that shaketh out his hands that they hold no bribes, [to wit, which are given to them as a judge, for to make a good cause bad] he that stepped his ear, that he heareth no blood-guiltinesses] that is, he abide not in or nigh the counsellors of shedding innocent blood. See Psal.51.on vers.16.] and shutteth his eyes that they behold not evil: [to wit, with pleasure and delight. See Psal.22.on verse 18.]

16. He shall dwell on high, [That is, sure and safe, out of danger, under the protection of the most High. Compare Psal.91.1.] the strong holds of rocks shall be his high place of defence: his bread [that is, the bread which he needeth, or desireth to have] is given him, [the meaning is, he shall want nothing] his waters are sure. [that is, the LORD will surely provide drink for him, or furnish him with drink.]

17. Thine eyes shall see the King in his beauty: [Here the prophet speaketh to those whom he described, verse 15.to wit, the godly among the Jews, (thine eyes shall see) or, behold with joy, (the King) some understand here King Hezekiah: Others, the Lord Christ (in his beauty;) to wit, after the glorious victory and conquest over the Assyrians: for before, when the Assyrians were fallen into the land, he was in a sad and doleful condition. See 2 Chron.32.23,27.] they shall see a land lying far off. [Heb. The land of farnesses. The meaning is, they to wit, the citizens of Jerusalem, shall no more be forced to be straitly shut up, and as it were to abide prisoners within their own city, but they shall have their liberty to go and travel withers ever they list throughout the whole land.]

18. Thine heart shall meditate terror, [Here the Prophet speaketh to all the godly Jews in particular, (thine heart shall mediate terror,) or, it shall endite of that terror; to wit, of those terrors wherewith thou wast surprised because of the Assyrians, and from which thou shalt be wonderfully delivered by the power and grace of God] (saying,) where is the scribe? Where is the pay-master? Where is he that counteth the towers? [These are the words of the Jews, defying the Assyrians after they had gotten the victory. As if they had said, where are now all those great masters and offices of King Sennacherib? They are now all consumed and destroyed, we care now no more for them, they cannot hinder not hurt us. Some take these as words spoken by the Jews in this manner, to wit, as of when the Assyrians came against them, they had through astonishment and so want o counsel asked where are now the Officers and Trustees that should heed our safety and protection, and take care and order concerning all things? (Where is the (crib?) to wit, clerk of the muster, or secretary of the army, to wit, of King Sennacheribs army (where is the pay-master?) or, the receiver, treasurer, cash-keeper, or keeper of the treasure. Heb. The weighed, or he that weigheth, to wit, the money; that is, he that payeth the Souldiers their wages or Salary. Concerning the weighing of money see Genes.23.on vers.16. (where is he that counteth the towers?) that is, the Surveyor or Engineer, whose office is that is, the Surveyor or Engineer, whose office is to count and ordain how many towers, strongholds, sorts, or bulwarks ought to be made for the maintaining of a siege against a city, or to defend a city besieged.

19. Thou shalt not see (any more) that surely people, [For the Angel of the Lord shall partly them, and partly put them to flight. See 2 kings 19.35,36. (that surely people,) or, cruel people, or, Barbarous people. Heb. Strengthened, hardened people. See Judg.14.o vers.14. and Psal.114.1. Deut.28.50.] the people that is so deep of speech [Heb. Of lip, as Genes.11.1. that is, a people that hath an unknown language] that a man cannot hear it, [that is, cannot understand it. See Genes.11.7.] of a ridiculous tongue, [See above chap.28.on vers.11. Others, of a stammering tongue] which a man cannot understand.

20. Look upon Zion, [Here the Prophet speaketh still to the godly Jews] the city of our meeting together: [to wit, Jerusalem, where the people of God were wont, especially on the solemn feast-days, to assemble and meet together] thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tent that shall not be cast down, [Understand here the Christian Church which should forever abide firm and unmoveable, although it should be so sorely assaulted by her enemies. The earthly Jerusalem was wasted and destroyed by the Romans. Compare Psal.46.6. and 125.vers.1,2.] whose stakes shall not be plucked out [Heb. Shall not remove] in eternity, [that is, never] and of whose cords none shall be broken.

21. But the LORD shall be there glorified with us, [Of the word glorified see Psal.8.on verse 2.] it [to wit Jerusalem, meaning the spiritual Jerusalem, that is, the Church of the elect] shall be a place of Rivers [or broad. Heb. Wide in hands; that is, wide in compass, as Gen.34.21. Judg.18.10. Psal.10.4,27. See the Annotat. There] streams: no rowing boats shall pass through it, neither shall any goodly ship. [Or, galley] pass over it [The meaning of this verse is, the Church shall be like a city that is compassed about with wide ditches or hedges, so that no enemies shall be able to prevail against it, but all the elect shall be sure and safe in it.]

22. For the LORD is our Judge, the LORD is our Law-giver: the LORD is our King, he will preserve [Or, deliver, or, save] us.

23. Thy cords are grown slack, they shall not be able to hold their mast straight, stiff, they shall not stretch out the sail, [The Prophet speaketh here to the Assyrians, as if they were all of them in one ship ready to be cast away. As if he had said, O ye Assyrians, all your strength and purpose against the Church and people of God, is vain and to no purpose; as men cannot sail, and advance when the tacklings and sails for want of wind cannot stand stiff out or be spread abroad, or are broken by storm and tempest. (The cords, or tacklings, are grown slack) or, are loosed, slackened. (They) to wit, the enemies, or the tacklings. (Shall not be able to hold their mast straight stuff) or, hold it straight up, bolt upright, (they shall not stretch out the sail) or, spread abroad the flag, or Ensign] then [to wit, when the enemies that would destroy the Church of God, shall be smitten and confounded by the Lord] shall the prey of a plentiful spoil be divided, [others, then shall there be divided, [Others, then shall there be divided unto a great spoil. The meaning is, the citizens of the Christian Church (To wit, the faithful, or believers) shall greatly rejoice. Compare this with above chap.9.verse 2.] (even) the lame shall spoil the spoil. [The meaning is, the case shall be so with the enemies of Gods Church, that even the weakest and feeblest shall be strong enough to spoil and plunder them. See Psal.18.on verse 13.]

24. And no inhabitant [To wit, of the city of Jerusalem; that is, of the Christian Church] shall say, I am sick, [or, weak, or, feeble, crazy: for the Lord healeth all our infirmities, and he forgiveth us all our offences,] as is shewed in the following words] (for) the people that dwell therein shall have forgiveness of iniquity. [Heb. Shall be unburdened of iniquity. God will unburden them, that is, God will forgive them their sin; and therefore he maketh them strong and courageous. See Psal.32. The Aunotat. On verse 1.]