Isaiah 46

Isaiah 46:1

Bel; perhaps Nimrod, (Calmet) or Saturn, to whom they sacrificed their children. (Worthington) — Nabo, “the oracle” of Belus. The Chaldeans adored statues and beasts. But the Persians worshipped the elements. (Calmet) — Xerxes destroyed the tomb of Belus, after his expedition into Greece. (Arrian vii.) He had there demolished the temples, (Herodotus viii. 109.) pretending (Haydock) that “the world is the house of the gods.” (Cicero, Leg. ii.) — Weariness. The priests affected to be weighed down, as if the god were present. (Baruch vi. 25.) (St. Cyril)

Isaiah 46:2

They. Literally, “their soul.” (Haydock) — The pagans must have supposed they had one. (Calmet) — Captivity. “There are as many triumphs over the gods as over men.” (Tertullian) — The former shared the fate of their adorers. Their statues were plundered.

Isaiah 46:3

By my. Vulgate may have read a me ab, (Calmet) instead of a meo. Hebrew and Septuagint, “taken from the womb,” (Haydock) and treated with the utmost tenderness. (Calmet)

Isaiah 46:8

Ashamed. Septuagint, “groan.” Protestants, “shew yourselves men.” (Haydock)

Isaiah 46:11

Bird; Cyrus, whose rapid conquests are thus denoted. (Calmet) — He chose a golden eagle, with wings expanded, for his standard. (Xenophon vii.) — Christ came from heaven to redeem the world, Psalm xviii. 6., and Malachias iv. 2. (Calmet) — He was the orient, adored by the eastern sages, to whom the prophet refers. (St. Jerome) (Worthington)

Isaiah 46:12

Israel. It shall no longer be a reproach. Cyrus shall restore my people to their own country. But Christ more full accomplished what is here declared respecting the establishment of his Church. (Calmet)

Isaiah 46:25

CHAPTER XLVI.