Annotations upon the Holy Bible. Vol. I wherein the sacred text is inserted, and various readings annex'd, together with parallel scriptures, the more difficult terms in each verse are explained, seeming contradictions reconciled, questions and doubts resolved, and the whole text opened / by the late reverend and learned divine Mr. Matthew Poole.

CHAP. XXXIII.

1. WO to thee that * 1.1 spoilest a 1.2, and thou wast not spoiled b 1.3, and dealest trea∣cherously c, and they dealt not treacherously with thee d 1.4 d 1.5; when thou shalt cease to spoil, thou shalt be spoiled e 1.6 e 1.7; and when thou shalt make an end to deal treacherously, they shall deal treacherously with thee.

2. O LORD, be gracious unto us, we have waited for thee, be thou their * 1.8 arm every morning f 1.9, our salvation also in the time of trouble.

3. At the noise of the tumult g 1.10 the people h 1.11 fled; at the lifting up of thy self the nations i 1.12 were scattered.

4. And your spoil k 1.13 shall be gathered l 1.14 like the gathering of the caterpillar m 1.15: as the run∣ning to and fro of locusts n 1.16 shall he run upon them.

5. The LORD is exalted o 1.17, for he dwell∣leth on high p 1.18, he hath filled Zion q 1.19 with judg∣ment and righteousness r 1.20.

6. And † 1.21 wisdom and knowledg s 1.22 shall be the stability of thy times t 1.23, and strength of sal∣vation u 1.24: the fear of the LORD is his trea∣sure x 1.25.

7. Behold y 1.26, their ‖ 1.27 valiant ones z 1.28 shall cry without a 1.29, the embassadours of peace b 1.30 shall weep bitterly c 1.31.

8. * 1.32 The high-ways lie wast, the wayfaring man ceaseth d 1.33, he hath broken the covenant e 1.34, he hath despised the cities f 1.35, he regardeth no man g 1.36.

9. The earth mourneth h 1.37 and languisheth, Le∣banon is ashamed and ‖ 1.38 hewn down i 1.39: * 1.40 Sharon k 1.41 is like a wilderness, and Bashan and Carmel l 1.42 ‖ 1.43 shake off their fruits m 1.44.

10. Now will I rise n 1.45, saith the LORD; now will I be exalted, now will I lift up my self.

11. * 1.46 Ye shall conceive chaff, ye shall bring forth stubble o 1.47, your breath as fire shall devour you p 1.48.

12. And the people shall be as the burnings of lime q 1.49, as thorns cut up shall they be burnt in the fire.

13. Hear ye that are far off, what I have done, and ye that are near, acknowledge my might r 1.50.

14. The sinners in Zion are afraid s 1.51, fearful∣ness hath surprized the hypocrites, who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who a∣mongst us shall dwell with everlasting burn∣ings t 1.52?

15. He that * 1.53 walketh † 1.54 righteously u 1.55, and speaketh † 1.56 uprightly x 1.57, he that despiseth y 1.58 the gains of ‖ 1.59 oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding z 1.60 of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of † 1.61 blood a 1.62, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil b 1.63.

16. He shall dwell on † 1.64 high c 1.65, his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks, bread shall be given him, his waters shall be sure d 1.66.

17. Thine eyes shall see the king e 1.67 in his beau∣ty f 1.68, they shall behold † 1.69 the land that is very far off g 1.70.

18. Thine heart shall meditate terrour h 1.71; * 1.72 Where is the scribe? where is the † 1.73 re∣ceiver? where is he that counted the tow∣ers i 1.74?

19. * 1.75 Thon shalt not see a fierce people k 1.76, a * 1.77 people of a deeper speech than thou canst perceive l 1.78; of a ‖ 1.79 stammering tongue m 1.80, that thou canst not understand.

20 Look upon Zion n 1.81 the city of our solem∣nities o 1.82, thine eyes shall see * 1.83 Ierusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down, not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords there∣of be broken p 1.84.

21. ‖ 1.85 But there q 1.86 the glorious LORD will be unto us a place † 1.87 of broad rivers and streams r 1.88, wherein shall go no galley with oars, neither shall gallant ships pass thereby s 1.89.

22. For the LORD is our judge t 1.90, the Lord is our * 1.91 † 1.92 lawgiver u 1.93, the LORD is king, he will save us.

23 ‖ 1.94 Thy tacklings are loosed x 1.95, they y 1.96 could not well strengthen their mast, they could not spread the sail: then is the Prey of a great spoil divided, the Iame take the prey z 1.97.

24. And the inhabitants a 1.98 shall not say, I am sick b 1.99: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity c 1.100.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Chap. 21. 2. Hab. 2. 8.
• a 1.2

  To Sennacherib, who wasted the Land of Iudah.
• b 1.3

  Thou didst not meet with any considerable Opposition, but wast victorious over all thine Enemies; of which, the Assyrian boasteth, Isa. 10. 8, 9. & 36. 18, 19. As Sennacherib did with Hezekiah, 2 Kings 18. 14, 17.
• d 1.4

  None of thine E∣nemies could prevail against thee, either by force, of which he speaketh in the former Clause, or by treachery, as here. Or, when they dealt not, &c. when Hezekiah did not deal treacherously with thee. If it be said, that Hezekiah dealt treacherously with him, in breaking his Faith, and rebel∣ling against him; it may be answered, That Hezekiah nei∣ther promised nor owed him any Service or Subjection. What was done in that kind, was done by Ahaz onely: And he onely begged his assistance for a particular Work, and paid him well for it, 2 Kings 16. 7, 8. and the King of Assyria did not keep his Conditions with him; for, he distressed him, but strengthned him not, 2 Chron. 28. 20.
• d 1.5

  The Prophet contemplating the Judgment which was now coming upon God's People, directeth his Prayer to God for them.
• e 1.6

  When thou hast performed the Work of chastising my People, for which I sent thee, thou also shalt be spoiled by thine Enemies.
• e 1.7

  Our Arm or Strength. The change of persons is most frequent in Prophetical Writings.
• * 1.8

  Psal. 85. 7, 8.
• f 1.9

  When we offer the Morning Sacrifice, and call upon Thee: Which yet is not meant exclusively, as if he did not desire God's help at other times▪ but comprehensively, the Morning being put Synecdochically for the whole day. The Sence is, Help us speedily and continually.
• g 1.10

  Which the Angel shall make in destroying the Army.
• h 1.11

  Those of the Army, who escaped that stroke.
• i 1.12

  The People of divers Nations, which made up his Army.
• k 1.13

  That Treasure which you have raked together, by spoiling divers People.
• l 1.14

  By the Iews at Ierusalem, when you shall be forced to flee away with all possible speed, leaving your Spoils behind you.
• m 1.15

  Either 1. passively, with as much ease, and in as great numbers as Cater∣pillars are gathered and destroyed. Or rather 2. active∣ly, as appears from the next Clause; as Caterpillers or Locusts (for the Word signifies either) gather and devour all the Fruits of the Earth; which was a common Plague in those Countries.
• n 1.16

  As Locusts, especially when they are sent, and Armed by commission from God, come with great force, and run hither and thither, devouring all the Fruits of the Earth, wheresoever they find them.
• o 1.17

  Will get great Glory by the marvellous Destruction of so proud and potent an Army; and by the Defence of his People.
• p 1.18

  For he is, and will appear to be Superior to his Enemies, both in Place and Power. He dwelleth in the Heaven, whence He can easily, and irresistably pour down Judgments upon his Enemies. Although these words may be, and by some are joyned with those that follow thus, For he that dwelleth on high hath filled, &c.
• q 1.19

  He will fill Ierusalem.
• r 1.20

  Either 1. with a glorious Instance of his just Judgment against the Assyrians. Or 2. with the Exe∣cution of Justice by good Hezekiah, as before it was fil∣led with impiety and injustice under Ahaz. The City shall not onely be delivered from that wicked Enemy, but shall also be established and blessed with true Religi∣on and Righteousness; which was a great addition to that Mercy.
• † 1.21

  Heb. the strength of sal∣vations, of wis∣dom and know∣ledge shall be the stability of thy times.
• s 1.22

  To govern thy self and thy People well.
• t 1.23

  Of thy Reign; times being oft put for things done in those times, as 1 Chron. 12. 32. Psal. 31. 15. & 37. 18. &c. He turn∣eth his speech to Hezekiah. The Sence is▪ Thy Throne shall be established upon the sure Foundations of Wisdome and Justice.
• u 1.24

  Thy saving Strength, or thy strong or mighty Salvation.
• x 1.25

  And although thou shalt have great Treasures of Gold and Silver, &c. yet thy chief Treasure and Delight is, and shall be in promoting the Fear and Worship of God; which shall be a great honour and safeguard to thy self and people. He saith, his treasure, for thy treasure, by a sudden Change of the Person, usual in these Books.
• y 1.26

  That the Mercy here promised might be duly mag∣nified, he makes a lively Representation of their great danger and distress, in which it found them.
• ‖ 1.27

  Or, messen∣gers.
• z 1.28

  Or, their heralds or messengers, as the Hebrew Doctors ex∣pound the word: Either 1. those whom the King of Assyria sent to Ierusalem, 2 Kings. 18. 17. Or rather those whom Hezekiah sent to Treat with the Assyrian Commissio∣ners, 2 Kings 18. 18. as the next Clause sheweth.
• a 1.29

  Through grief and fear.
• b 1.30

  Whom he shall send to beg Peace of the Assyrian.
• c 1.31

  Because they cannot obtain their desires.
• * 1.32

  Judg. 5. 6.
• d 1.33

  Because the Assyrian Souldiers possessed and filled the Land.
• e 1.34

  Sennacherib broke his Faith, given to Hezekiah, of departing for a Sum of Money, 2 Kings 18. 14. 17.
• f 1.35

  The defenced Cities of Iudah, which he contemned, and easily took, 2 Kings 18. 13.
• g 1.36

  Either to spare them, or to fear them, or to keep Faith with them. He neither feareth God, nor Reverenceth Man.
• h 1.37

  Being desolate and neglected.
• ‖ 1.38

  Or, withered away.
• i 1.39

  By the Assyrians. Or, as the Word signifies, and is here rendred by others, withereth or languisheth, because its Trees are now used by the Iews for their Buildings, as they have been: And be∣cause they are spoiled and destroyed by▪ the Assyrians.
• * 1.40

  Chap. 35. 2.
• k 1.41

  A pleasant and fruitful Place, as appears from 1 Chron. 27. 29. Cant. 2. 1. Isa. 35. 2.
• l 1.42

  Two places eminent for Fertility, and especially for good Pastures, Deut. 32. 14. 1 Sam. 25. 2. which are here Synecdochically pu•…•… for all such places
• ‖ 1.43

  Or, yell, Jer. 51. 38.
• m 1.44

  Are spoiled of their Fruits. Or, as it is rendred in the Margent, and by some others, yell or roar, as this Word is rendred, Ier. 51. 38.
• n 1.45

  In this extremity, I will appear on the behalf of my People and Land.
• * 1.46

  Psal. 7. 1•…•….
• o 1.47

  In stead of Solid Corn. Your great hopes and de∣signs, O ye Assyrians! shall be utterly disappointed.
• p 1.48

  Your Rage against my People shall bring Ruine upon your selves.
• q 1.49

  Shall be burnt as easily and effectually, as Chalk is burned to make Lime.
• r 1.50

  My power and justice in destroying the Assyrians, shall be so evident, that People, both far and near, shall be for∣ced to acknowledge it.
• s 1.51

  This is spoken, not of the Assyrians, as some would have it, but of the Iews, as appears, both from the Words themselves, and from the following Verses. The Prophet having foretold the Deliverance of God's People, and the Destruction of their Enemies, ver. 10. 11, 12. for the grea∣ter Illustration of that wonderful Mercy, here returns to the Description, and gives a lively representation of the dismal and frightful Condition, in which the Iews, espe∣cially such of them as were ungodly and unbelieving, were before this Deliverance came. Although the Godly Iews were, in some measure, supported by the sense of God's Favour, and by God's Promises delivered to them by Isaiah▪ yet the generality of the People were filled with Horrors▪ and expectation of utter Destruction.
• t 1.52

  How shall we be able to abide the Presence, and endure, or avoid the Wrath of that God, who is a consuming Fire; who is now about to destroy us, utterly by the Assyrians, and will af∣terward burn us with unquenchable Fire. Fo•…•… seeing it is sufficiently evident, from both Old and New-Testament, as hath been formerly observed and proved, That the Iews, except the Sadducees, did generally believe the rewards and punishments of the future Life; and these Temporal Judg∣ments, as they did frequently cut Men off from this Life, so they transmitted them into that future and endless Life: It is not strange, if their guilty Consciences made them dread both the present Judgment here, and the terrible Consequences of it hereafter. Heb. Who shall dwell for us, &c. i. e. in our stead? Who will interpose himself between God's Anger and us. How shall we escape these Miseries? That this is the Sence of this Question, may be gathered from the Answer, given to it in the following Verse; in which, he directs them to the right Course of removing God's Wrath, and regaining His Favour.
• * 1.53

  Psal. 15. 2. & 24. 4.
• † 1.54

  Heb. in righ∣teousnesses.
• u 1.55

  Who is just in all His dealings with Men, of which the following Clauses explain it: Which is not spoken ex∣clusively, as if Piety towards God were not as necessary, as Righteousness towards Men; but comprehensively, this being one Evidence, and a constant companion of Piety.
• † 1.56

  Heb. upright∣nesses.
• x 1.57

  Who speaks truly and sincerely, what He really intends.
• y 1.58

  That refuseth it, not for politick Reasons, as Men some∣times may do, but from a contempt and abhorrency of in∣justice.
• ‖ 1.59

  Or, deceits.
• z 1.60

  Or, from taking or receiving; as this Verb sig∣nifies, Prov. 4. 4. & 5. 5. & 28▪ 17. That will not receive, much less retain, Bribes.
• † 1.61

  Heb. bloods.
• a 1.62

  Who will not hearken or as∣sent to any Counsels or Courses, tending to shed innocent Blood.
• b 1.63

  That abhorreth the very sight of Sin, commit∣ted by others, and guardeth his Eyes from beholding oc∣casions of Sin, of which, see on Iob. 31. 1.
• † 1.64

  Heb. heights, or high places.
• c 1.65

  Out of the reach of danger.
• d 1.66

  God will furnish him with all necessaries.
• e 1.67

  First Hezekiah, and then Christ, as before.
• f 1.68

  Tri∣umphing over all Enemies, and Ruling his own People with Righteousness; in which two things, the beauty and glory of a King and Kingdome, doth chiefly consist.
• † 1.69

  Heb. the land of far distance.
• g 1.70

  Thou shalt not be shut up in Ierusalem, and confined to thine own narrow Borders, as thou hast been, but thou shalt have free Liberty to go abroad with honour and safety, where thou pleasest, even into the remotest Countries, be∣cause of the great renown of thy King, and the enlarge∣ment of his Dominions.
• h 1.71

  This is, Either 1. a Premonition concerning a future Judgment, as if he said, Before these glorious Promises shall be accomplished, thou shalt be brought into great straits and troubles. Or rather 2. a thankful Acknowledgment of deliverance from a former Danger; as if he had said, When thou art delivered, thou shalt, with pleasure and thankful∣ness▪ recal to mind thy former Terrours and Miseries.
• * 1.72

  1 Cor. 1. 20.
• † 1.73

  Heb. weigher.
• i 1.74

  These Words are, Either 1. words of Gratulation, and Insultation over the Enemy. Thou shalt then say, Where are the great Officers of the Assyrian Host? They are no where, they are not, they are dead or slain. Or rather 2. the words of Men dismayed and confounded, such as proceeded from the Iews, in the time of their distress; and are here remembred to aggravate the present Mercy. For the Officers here mentioned, seem not to be those of the Assyrian Army, who were actually fighting against the Iews and Ierusalem (for then he would rather have mentioned the Captains of the host, as the Scripture commonly doth in these cases, than the scribes and receivers, &c.) but rather of the Iews in Ierusalem, who, upon the approach of Sen∣nacherib, began to make Military preparations for the de∣fence of the City; and to chuse such Officers, as were necessary and usual, for that end; such as these were, to wit, the scribe, whom we call Muster-Master, who was to make and keep a List of the Souldiers, and to call them together, as occasion required: The receiver, who received and laid out the Money for the Charges of the War; and he that counted the Towers, who surveyed all the parts of the City, and considered what Towers or Fortifications were to be made or repaired for the Security of the City. And unto these several Officers the People resorted, with great distraction and confusion, to acquaint them with all Oc∣currences, or to quicken them to their several Works, or to transact Matters with them, as occasion required.
• * 1.75

  2 Kin. 19. 32.
• k 1.76

  As Moses said of the Egyptians, Exod. 14. 13. So I say of the Assyrians, that fierce and warlike People, whom thou hast seen, with great Terrour, near the Walls of Ierusalem, thou shalt see them again no more.
• * 1.77

  Deu. 28. 49. Jer. 5. 15.
• l 1.78

  A forreign Nation, whose Language is abstruse and unknown to thee.
• ‖ 1.79

  Or▪ ridicu∣lous, or barba∣rous.
• m 1.80

  Of which, see on Isa. 28. 11.
• n 1.81

  Contemplate Zions beauty and safety, and her glo∣rious and peculiar Priviledges: It is an Object worthy of thy deepest Meditation.
• o 1.82

  This he mentions, as the chief part of Zions Glory and Happiness, that God was solemn∣ly Worshipped, and the solemn Assemblies and Feasts kept in her.
• * 1.83

  Psal. 46. 5. & 125. 1, 2.
• p 1.84

  Which was but very obscurely and imperfectly fulfilled in the literal Zion; but was clearly and fully ac∣complished in the mystical Zion, the Church of God in the times of the Gospel▪ against which, we are assured, that the gates of Hell shall not prevail, Mat. 16. 18.
• ‖ 1.85

  Or, but there (glorious is the LORD) we shall have a place, &c.
• q 1.86

  In and about Zion.
• † 1.87

  Heb. broad of spaces or hands.
• r 1.88

  Though we have nothing but a small and contemptible Brook to defend us; yet God will be as sure and strong a Defence to us, as if we were sur∣rounded with such great Rivers, as Nilus or Euphrates, which were a great security to Egypt and Babylon.
• s 1.89

  But although they shall have from God, the security of a great River, yet they shall be freed from the disadvantage of it; which is, That the Enemies may come against them in Ships; for no Galleys, nor Ships of the Enemies shall be able to come into this River to annoy them.
• t 1.90

  To judge for us, to plead our Cause against our Ene∣mies, as the ancient Judges of Israel did, Iudg. 2. 16.
• * 1.91

  Jam. 4. 12.
• † 1.92

  Heb. statute∣maker.
• u 1.93

  Our chief Governour, to whom it belongs, to give Laws, and to defend his People.
• ‖ 1.94

  Or, they have forsaken thy tacklings.
• x 1.95

  He directeth his Speech to the Assyrians; and having tacitely designed their Army under the notion of a gallant Ship, ver. 21. he here represents their broken and undone condition, by the Metaphor of a Ship, tossed in a tempe∣stuous Sea, having her Cables broken, and all her Tack∣lings loose, and out of order, so as she could have no be∣nefit of her Masts or Sails; and therefore is quickly bro∣ken, or swallowed up by the Sea.
• y 1.96

  The Assyrians, of whom he still speaks, as in the first Clause he spake to them.
• z 1.97

  They, who came to spoil and prey upon my People, shall become a prey to them, and shall be forced to flee away so suddenly, that they shall leave so many Spoils behind them, that when strong and active Men have carried away all that they desired, there shall be enough left for the Lame, who come last to the Spoil. The ge∣neral Sence of the place is, That God's People shall be Victorious over all their Enemies.
• a 1.98

  To wit, of Ierusalem; God's people.
• b 1.99

  Shall have no cause to complain of any sicknes or calamity; shall be ful∣ly delivered from all their Enemies and evil Occurrents; shall enjoy perfect tranquility and prosperity.
• c 1.100

  This may be added, Either 1. as the Reason of the foregoing pri∣viledge; Their Sins, the main causes of all their Distres∣ses, shall be pardoned; and therefore their Sufferings, the effects of Sin, shall cease: Or 2. as an additional Favour. They shall not onely receive from me a glorious Tempo∣ral Deliverance; but, which is infinitely better, the par∣don of all their Sins, and all those spiritual and everlasting Blessings, which attend upon that Mercy.