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. III.

FOr behold a 1.1, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem, and from Judah, the stay and the staf•…•… b 1.2, the whole stay of bread c 1.3, and the whole stay of water:

2 The mighty man d 1.4 and the man of war, the judge e 1.5, and the prophet f 1.6, and the † 1.7 prudent g 1.8, and the ancient h 1.9;

3 The captain of fifty i 1.10, and the † 1.11 honoura∣ble man k 1.12, and the counsellor l 1.13, and the cunning artificer m 1.14, and the † 1.15 eloquent oratour n 1.16.

4 And I will give * 1.17 children o 1.18 to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them.

5 And the people shall be oppressed p 1.19, every one by another, and every one by his neighbour: the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honourable q 1.20.

6 When a man shall take hold of his brother, of the house of his father r 1.21, saying, Thou hast cloathing s 1.22, be thou our ruler t 1.23, and let this ru∣ine be under thine hand u 1.24.

7 In that day shall he † 1.25 swear x 1.26, saying, I will not be an † 1.27 healer y 1.28: for in my house is neither bread nor cloathing z 1.29: make me not a ruler of the people.

8 For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen: because their tongue and their doings are against the LORD, to provoke the eyes of his glory a 1.30.

9 ¶ The ‖ 1.31 shew of their countenance doth witness against them b 1.32, and they declare their sin c 1.33 as * 1.34 Sodom, they hide it not d 1.35: wo unto their soul, for they have rewarded e 1.36 evil unto themselves.

10 Say ye f 1.37 to the righteous, That it shall be well with him: for they shall eat of the fruit of their doings g 1.38.

11 Wo unto the wicked h 1.39, it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hand shall be † 1.40 given him.

12 ¶ As for my people, * 1.41 children are their oppressours, and women i 1.42 rule over them: O my people, * 1.43 ‖ 1.44 they which lead thee k 1.45 cause thee to erre, and † 1.46 destroy the way of thy paths l 1.47.

13 The LORD standeth up m 1.48 to plead, and standeth to judge the people n 1.49.

14 The LORD will enter into judgment with the ancients o 1.50 of his People, and the Princes there∣of: for ye have ‖ 1.51 eaten up p 1.52 the vineyard q 1.53; the spoil of the poor r 1.54 is in your houses.

15 What mean ye s 1.55 that ye beat my people to pieces, and grind t 1.56 the faces of the poor? saith the Lord GOD of hosts.

16 ¶ Moreover, the LORD saith, Because the daughters of Zion u 1.57 are haughty, and walk with stretched-forth necks x 1.58, and † 1.59 wanton eyes y 1.60, walking and ‖ 1.61 mincing as they go z 1.62, and making a tinkling with their feet a 1.63:

17 Therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head b 1.64 of the daughters of Zi∣on, and the LORD will † 1.65 discover their secret parts c 1.66.

18 In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments about their feet, and their ‖ 1.67 cauls d 1.68, and their round tires like the moon e 1.69,

19 The ‖ 1.70 chains, and the bracelets, and the ‖ 1.71 mufflers.

20 The bonnets f 1.72, and the ornaments of the legs, and the head-bands, and the † 1.73 tablets g 1.74, and the ear-rings,

21 The rings, and the nose-jewels h 1.75,

22 The changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the wimples, and the crisping-pins i 1.76.

23 The glasses k 1.77, and the fine linen, and the hoods, and the vails.

24 And it shall come to pass, that in stead of sweet smell l 1.78, there shall be stink m 1.79; and in stead of a girdle n 1.80, a rent o 1.81; and in stead of well∣set hair, baldness; and in stead of a stomacher, a girding of sackcloth; and burning p 1.82, in stead of beauty.

25 Thy men shall fall by the sword, and thy † 1.83 mighty in the war.

26 And her gates q 1.84 shall lament and mourn, and she being ‖ 1.85 † 1.86 desolate, shall sit upon the ground r 1.87.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Look upon it as a thing as certain as if it were al∣ready done.
• b 1.2

  All the Supports of their State and Church.
• c 1.3

  Called elsewhere the staff of bread; whereby is under∣stood, either, 1. the Nourishing power of Bread, which wholly depends upon Gods Blessing; or rather, 2. Bread it self, as this Phrase is understood Levit. 26. 26. Psal. 105. 16. Ezek. 4. 16. and directly explained Ezek. 5. 16. Bread which is the Staff of Life.
• d 1.4

  Strong and valiant Men.
• e 1.5

  The Civil Magistrates.
• f 1.6

  Either strictly so called, the want of whom is matter of grief, see Psal. 74. 9. or largely, so as to include all skilful and faithful Teachers.
• † 1.7

  Heb. diviner or ghesser.
• g 1.8

  Whose Wisdom and Conduct was necessary to preserve them from ruine.
• h 1.9

  Whose Wisdom was increased by long Experience.
• i 1.10

  There shall not be a Man left able to command and ma∣nage Fifty Soldiers, and much less such as could command Hundreds or Thousands, which yet were necessary.
• † 1.11

  Heb. a man eminent in countenance.
• k 1.12

  Men of high Birth, and Place, and Power, and Reputation.
• l 1.13

  Wise and Learned Statesmen.
• m 1.14

  Who could make either Ornaments for Times of Peace, or Instruments for War; which therefore Conquerors took away from those Nations whom they subdued, 1 Sam. 13. 19, 20. 2 Kings 24. 14.
• † 1.15

  Heb. skilful of charm.
• n 1.16

  Heb. The skilful of charm. Whereby he un∣derstands either▪ 1. Charmers, whom he threatens to take away, not as if such Persons were Blessings to a People, or the removing of such were a Curse, but only because they made great use of them, and trusted to them. And so he signifies that God would remove all the Grounds of their Confidence, both right and wrong, and make their Case desperate. As in like manner, and for the same rea∣son, God threatens the Israelites that they should be as with∣out a sacrifice, so without Teraphim, Hos. 3. 4. or, 2. as most understand it, such as could powerfully perswade, and, as it were, charm that ungovernable Beast the Multitude of Common People, by their Eloquence, to do those things which were necessary for their Peace and Safety: For this word may be taken in good sence, as divination is, Prov. 16. 10.
• * 1.17

  E•…•…cl. 10. 16.
• o 1.18

  Either 1. in Age, whose Minority corrupt Ministers of State commonly abuse to great Mischiefs; or, 2. in Under∣standing, Experience, and Manners, foolish, froward, un∣teachable, &c.
• p 1.19

  By the command or connivence of such Childish Rulers.
• q 1.20

  Foolish and unworthy Men shall by wicked Arts gain the Favour and abuse the Power of the Prince, and thereby behave themselves insolently towards their Betters.
• r 1.21

  Whereas Envy ordinarily reigns in near Relations, when one Brother is advanced far above all the rest.
• s 1.22

  We are utterly undone, and have neither Food nor Raiment; but thou hast something yet left to support the Dignity which we offer to thee, and to enable thee to execute thine Office.
• t 1.23

  He sheweth, that Misgovernment should cause the Dissolution of the Government, and that the former Governours should be removed either by Foreign Force, or by Domestick Insurrection.
• u 1.24

  To wit, to heal it, as it is explained in the next Verse. Undertake the Charge of this tottering State.
• † 1.25

  Heb. lift up the hand.
• x 1.26

  Heb. he shall l•…•…ft up; understand either i. his Voice; he shall cry aloud, to shew his earnestness in refusing the Offer; or 2. his Hand, which was the usual gesture in Swearing, Gen. 14. 22. Deut. 32. 40. &c. to shew his Resolvedness.
• † 1.27

  Heb. binder up.
• y 1.28

  A Repairer of the Ruines of the State.
• z 1.29

  I have not sufficient Provisions either of Food or Raiment for my own Family; much less, as you falsely suppose, for the Discharge of so high a Trust.
• a 1.30

  Of his glorious Majesty, whom they ought to reve∣rence and adore.
• ‖ 1.31

  Or, hardning.
• b 1.32

  Their Pride, and Wantonness, and Impiety manifestly shews it self in their very Looks and Carriages, and will be a swift Witness against them both before God and Men.
• c 1.33

  They act it publickly, casting off all Fear of God, and Reverence to Men, and they glory in it.
• * 1.34

  Gen. 13. 13▪ & 18. 21. & 19. 5.
• d 1.35

  As Men do who have any remainders of Modesty or Ingenuity.
• e 1.36

  i. e. Pro∣cured a fit Re•…•…ompence for their Wickedness, even utter Ruine. Or, they have done: for this Word is oft so used, without any signification of a Recompence, as Psal. 7. 4. They cannot blame me▪ but themselves: their Destruction is wholly from themselves. Compare Hos. 13. 9.
• f 1.37

  God hath said it, and doth now by me say it; and you▪ O ye Priests and Levites, say it in your Sermons to the Peo∣ple.
• g 1.38

  Let not them fear, for God will be their Safeguard and Portion in the common Calamity.
• h 1.39

  These heavy Judgments are designed against them, and shall certainly find them out▪ though here they be mixed with the Righteous.
• † 1.40

  Heb. done to him.
• * 1.41

  Ver. 4.
• i 1.42

  Either 1. properly so called, by their Favour and Pow∣er with the Rulers; or, 2. weak and effeminate Rulers, such being called Women both in Sacred and Profane Wri∣tings.
• * 1.43

  Chap. 9. 16.
• ‖ 1.44

  Or, they which call thee blessed.
• k 1.45

  Thy Rulers Civil and Ecclesiastical, whose Duty it is to shew thee th•…•… right way. Or, as others, They that bless thee, i. e. thy false Prophets, which flatter thee, and speak Peace to thee.
• † 1.46

  Heb. swallow up.
• l 1.47

  Keep thee from the Knowledge or Practice of that Way which leads to thy Salvation, and mis∣lead thee into evil Courses, by their wicked Counsels or Examples.
• m 1.48

  He will shortly and certainly stand up as a Judge, to enquire into the Cause, and to give Sentence.
• n 1.49

  i. e. To def•…•…nd and deliver them, or to judge for them, as this Phrase is oft used.
• o 1.50

  The Princes or Rulers, as it is explained in the next Clause, who are oft called Elders, because such were com∣monly and fitly chosen out of those who were ripe in years.
• ‖ 1.51

  Or, bur•…•…t up.
• p 1.52

  Destroyed in stead of preserving and dressing it, as you should have done.
• q 1.53

  The Church and Commonwealth of Israel, which is oft called Gods Vineyard, as Psal. 80. 8, 14, 15. Isa. 5. 1. Ier. 2. 21. &c. and here the vineyard, by way of eminency: or, the vineyard which was committed to your care to keep.
• r 1.54

  The Goods which you have violently taken away from the Poor.
• s 1.55

  What Warrant have ye for it? How durst you presume to do it?
• t 1.56

  Or, bat•…•…er, as the Word is used Exod. 32. 20. Smite them cruelly. See Chap. 58. 4.
• u 1.57

  The Women; as hitherto he reproved the Men.
• x 1.58

  Affecting Stateliness, Psal. 75. 5. and to seem tall.
• † 1.59

  Heb. decei∣ving with their eyes.
• y 1.60

  Or, as others, twinkling with their eyes in a lascivious manner.
• ‖ 1.61

  Or, tripping nicely.
• z 1.62

  After the manner of loose and wanton Persons.
• a 1.63

  By some Ornaments which they wore upon their Shoes.
• b 1.64

  Will by sending Scabs, or by other ways, take off the Hair of their Head, which is a Womans Glory, 1 Cor. 11. 15▪ and which doubtless ministred to their Pride and Wanton∣ness. Others render it, He will make bald, &c.
• † 1.65

  Heb. make naked.
• c 1.66

  By giving her into the power of those Enemies that shall either strip her of all her Raiments, not leaving her sufficient to cover her Nakedness; or otherwise abuse her, by such immodest and contemptuous Actions▪ Compare Isa. 47. 3▪ Ezek. 16. 37. & 23▪ 10, 26▪
• ‖ 1.67

  Or, net∣works.
• d 1.68

  As for this and the other Hebrew words here following, I judge it unnecessary and improper to trouble the English Reader with the differing Interpretations given of them by Learned Men, which the Curious may find in my Latin Sy∣nopsis. It is agreed by all, that they were Ornaments used by that People in those Times, and made Fewel to their Lusts. And it is of no concernment to the Direction either of our Faith or Manners, exactly to understand the Nature and Differences of them. And therefore I shall take them as they are in our Translation.
• e 1.69

  There were in ancient Times, and at this day there are some Jewels or other Orna∣ments worn, which carry a manifest resemblance to the Moon or Half-moon. Compare Iudg. 8. 21, 26.
• ‖ 1.70

  Or, sweet balls.
• ‖ 1.71

  Or, spangled ornaments.
• f 1.72

  These were Ornaments to cover the Head, common both to Men, as Exod. 39. 28. and to Women, as here.
• † 1.73

  Heb. houses of the soul.
• g 1.74

  Heb. the houses of the soul, or, of l•…•…fe, or, of breath. Whereby he seems to mean Boxes of excellent Perfumes, which are of great efficacy to revive our drooping Spirits, and to that end are oft applied to such as are ready to saint away.
• h 1.75

  Which were fastned to the Head, and hung down upon the Forehead to the beginning of the Nose. Of which see Gen. 24. 22, 47. Iudg. 8. 24. &c.
• i 1.76

  Of Silver or Gold, either used to curl the Hair, or rather fastned and worn in the Hair; which Custom is not altoge∣ther disused at this day.
• k 1.77

  The Looking-glasses, as we call them, though in truth they were not made of Glass, but of bright and burni•…•…ed B•…•…ass.
• l 1.78

  Those Perfumes mentioned v. 20.
• m 1.79

  From their scabs mentioned v. 17. or from other ill usages of their Enemies.
• n 1.80

  Which were fine and costly, and useful to gird their Gar∣ments about them.
• o 1.81

  Either the rending of their Garments for grief; or torn and tattered Garments, not sufficient to cover their Bodies.
• p 1.82

  By the heat of the Sun, to which they are now commonly exposed, from which they used for∣merly to guard themselves with great care.
• † 1.83

  Heb. might.
• q 1.84

  The Gates of Zion or Ierusalem, which, by a Figure very usual in Sacred Scripture, and all Authors, are said to lament, to imply the great Desolation of the Place, that there should be no People to go out and come in by the Gates, or to meet together in the Gates, as they used to do.
• ‖ 1.85

  Or, emptied.
• † 1.86

  Heb. cleans∣ed.
• r 1.87

  Like a mournful Woman bewailing the loss of her Hus∣band and Children.