4.
Be thou ashamed O Zidon,] q. d. Blush ye and be ashamed, O ye Sidonians (which were the builders of Tyre, and which did people it at first) to see the misery of Tyre, and to hear her moans and not to be able to help her.
Men are then ashamed when they have hopes of a thing and cannot attain to their hopes, when therefore the Prophet bids the Sidonians be ashamed, or tells them that they shall be ashamed; he intimates that the Sidonians should hope, and perhaps attempt to relieve Tyre, but should not be able to do it.
Here the Prophet useth an Apostrophe to the Sidonians.
The sea hath spoken, even the strength of the sea,] By the sea and the strength of the sea, he meaneth Tyre, which he calleth the sea, per Metonymiam Adjuncti: because it was scitu∣ate in the sea, and compassed about by the sea, as being an Island. And he calls it the strength of the sea, because it was the strong∣est of all Maritime places, and the Tyrians were stronger by sea then any other peo∣ple whatsoever, that dwelt upon the Medi∣terranean.
I travel not, nor bring forth children, nei∣ther do I nourish up young men, nor bring up virgins.] Note, that the Hebrews have nei∣ther Optative, nor Potential, nor Subjunctive Mood; here therefore is used an Indicative for an Optative, and the sence is, q.d. would to God I travelled not, nor brought up children, nor nourished up young men, nor brought up virgins.
This Tyre speaks, and thus she wisheth, because of the miserie which was like to befall her Children, that is, her Inhabi∣tants.