Isaiah 46

A Prophesy of the ruine of the Babylonians, and their Idols, vers.1, &c. God putteth the Jews in mind of his love and faithfulness towards them, 3. And he exhorteth them to make no image of him, 5. Setting before their eyes the folly of Idolaters, 6. The Lord proveth by his works which he did formerly, and now of late for his Church, that he alone is the true God 8, &c.

1. Bel [Bel is the name of the chiefest Idol of the Babylonians. See Dan.1.2. in the Annotat.] is bended, Nebo [This is also the name of an Idol among the Babylonians] is bowed down, [when the city of Babel was taken by the Persians, then were also the Gods of the Babylonians destroyed, and as it were carried away captive to Persia] their Idols [to wit, the Idols of the Babylonians. Heb. Their sorrows, because Idols occasion sorrows to those that serve and worship them] are become for the beasts and for the cattle, namely, that they might carry them into Persia] your packs loaden are a burden for the wearied beasts which the Persians shall make use of for the transportation and carrying away of your Idols, shall be so heavily loaden therewith, that they shall grow weary of them.]

2. They are bowed down, they are bended: [The meaning is, they, to wit, the Idols of Babels, were not able to hinder the Persians from carrying away a great prey out of Babylon; yea they themselves must also go into captivity: such goodly powerful Gods are they. Others understand it thus; The burden-bearing beasts that carried the Images, were so extremely laden therewith, as that they went crooked and bowed down,] they [to wit, the Idols, or the Babylonians] could not deliver the burden, but they themselves [Heb. Their soul: that is, they themselves. So below chap.47.verse 14.] are gone into captivity. [That is, they shall be carried away captive to Persia.]

3. Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, ye which are born (of me) from the belly, and taken up from the womb. [That is, for whom I continually take care, whose defence and protection I have always been. See Exod.19.4. Deut.1.31. and 32.11. Psal.22.11. and 71.6. (which are born, or, carried of or by me from the belly,) or, from (the mothers) belly. The meaning is, I have been troubled with you, as a mother is troubled with her child, and have defended you and provided for you from you first original, (and taken up from the womb.) That is, as soon as ye were born.]

4. And unto old age will I be the same, yea unto hoariness, [That is, until ye shall be grown old and gray] will I carry (you): [As a mother or nurse carrieth her young babe; that is, I will provide well for you] I have done it, and I will take (you) up, and I will carry and deliver (you).] To wit, out of the Babylonish captivity; or, out of all trouble.]

5. To whom would ye liken me, and make (me) equal, and compare me, that we should be like one another? [Compare above chap.40.18,25.]

6. They [To wit, Idolaters] lavish gold out of the bug, [Or, they waste and spend it unprofitably. The Hebrew word signifieth properly to lavish away money in great abundance, as making no spare of it, or making no account of it: So that here is set forth the folly and madness of Idolaters, and their senselessness [and weigh silver with the balance: [Or, beam of the balance, equal weight and price, or, tongue of the balance] they hire a goldsmith, [Heb. A melter, as above chap.41.7.] and he maketh it a God; [That is, an Idol] they kneel down, also they bow themselves (before it).

7. They take him upon the shoulder, they carry, him, and set him in place, [Heb. Under himself] there he slandereth, he removeth not from his place, yea if (any) cry unto him, he answereth not, he delivereteh him not: [To wit, the Idolater] out of his distress.

8. Remember this, and behave yourselves valiantly, [Or, behave your selves manfully, be established, or, grounded: Take heed ye be not deceived, nor moved, or brought to serve and worship Idols through fear, or by the example of the Babylonians] bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors. [Or, bring it again to mind unto transgressors. (O ye trangressors) That forsake my covenant, and suffer yourselves to be seduced by Idolaters.

9. Remember the former things [To wit, the mercies and miracles which I have formerly shewed unto you, or to my Church] of ancient times: [The sentence might be fuller and more perfect thus: which were done of ancient times, or, long ago] that I am God, and there is no God more, and there is nothing like me: [Compare above chap.45.vers.5,14,18,21,22. And chap.41.vers.22.]

10. Which declare the end from the beginning, and from off all those things which are not yet done: [That is, I that foretell future things a great while before they are done, making it thereby appear that I alone an the true God] who say my counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure. [Compare Psal.33.11. Prov.29.21. and 21.30. Heb.6.17]

11. Who call a covetous fowl [Meaning Cores, who shall come as swiftly and speedily from Persia into Babylon, as if he were a bird of a swift flight, and flew] rom the east, [to wit, from Persia, which lieth Eastward off from the Babylonians] a man of my counsel [that is, a man that shall waste and destroy Babel, and shall deliver my people out of captivity] from a far Country; Yea I have spoken (it), I will also cause it to came to pass, I have formed it, [To wit in my mind, or in my secret counsel, I have purposed it, I have resolved or intended it] I will also doe it.

12. Hearken unto me, ye stiff in heart: [Or, the stout, wilful, stiff-necked, obstinate in heart: the wicked perverse Jews] ye that are far from righteousness. [As if God had said, ye that are altogether unworthy of my grace and favour, because ye do not (as ye ought to do) seriously mind goodiness, and true piety or godliness.]

13. I bring [Or, I will bring, or, I have brought: and so often by the Prophets, who by reason of the certainty of their Prophesies do oftentimes speak of a thing that is to come, yet is to be done, as if it were already done and accomplished] neer my righteousness; to wit, the deliverance of my people from captivity in Babylon, and consequently their redemption by Christ from spiritual misery and thraldom. Sew above chap.45.vers.8.] it shall not be far off, and my salvation [That is, the deliverance which I shall give unto my people, redeeming and delivering them out of Captivity] shall not tarry; but I will give salvation in Zion, my glory unto Israel. [That is, such a deliverance whereby my people of Israel shall be greatly glorified. Others, (for) my glory; to wit, which shall be published and extolled by this glorious work of redemption. Others, for Israels sake which is my glory.]