Isaiah 46

1. Bel boweth down, etc. Thrown down ignominiously by the conqueror. “Bel” (another form of Baal) was the principal god of the Babylonians (see Budge, Babylonian Life and History, 1925, p. 102). There was in Babylon a splendid temple erected to him, the ruins of which are still visible. His name appears in the compound proper names of the country; such as Belshazzar, Belteshazzar, “Vebo,” the other idol specified, is supposed to have been the symbol of the planet Mercury; corresponding to Hermes among the Greeks, and Anubis among the Egyptians. This name is likewise found in many of the compound names of the Chaldæans; e.g., Nebonassar, Nebuchadnezzar (Budge, as quoted, p. 105).

Your carriages were (are) heavy loaden. The word “carriages” is always used, in the Bible, in the old English sense of things carried, or burdens. “Your burdens are packed, a load to the weary [beast]”: see R.V.

3 which are carried from the womb. The argument is, Babylon carries its gods; but your God carries you! The expressions used point back to the infancy of the nation, when Jehovah had manifested a more than maternal care and tenderness, which He would continue to exercise until the latest period of their history.

6. They lavish gold. This expression is appropriately applied to the idols of Babylon, many of which appear to have been very costly: see Dan. iii. 1.

7. They bear him upon the shoulder. From the workshop to the shrine.

8 show yourselves men. That is, “act rationally; stand fast” (see R.V. marg.). The address is to waverers between the worship of Jehovah and heathenism.

11 a ravenous bird. This ravenous bird represents Cyrus; and the image denotes rapidity, strength, and destructive power. It is worthy of notice that Cyrus had an eagle as his standard (Xenophon, Cyrop. vii. 1, 4).

12 ye stouthearted. Addressed to those who have gone yet further in the direction of idolatry than the “transgressors” (8).