Annotations on the Pentateuch, Psalms, Song of Songs, Biblical commentary 5 · Chapter 28

Annotations on the Pentateuch, Psalms, Song of Songs · Biblical commentary 5 · Chapter 28

p. 127CHAP. XXVIII.

1 VponUpon condition of observing and doing all Gods commandements, hee promiseth many blessings earthly and heavenly. 15 But for disobedience, he threatneth manifold curses, plagues, and miseries.

ANd it shall be, if hearkening thou shalt 1hearken unto the voice of Iehovah thy God, to observe to doe all his commandements, which I command thee this day, that Iehovah thy God will give thee to bee high above all the nations of the earth. And 2all these blessings shall come upon thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of Iehovah thy God. Blessed 3shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of thy 4wombe, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattell, the increase of thy kine, and the flockes of thy sheepe. Blessed shall 56be thy basket and thy dough trough. Blessed shalt thou be when thou commest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out. Iehovah 7will give thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flie before thee seven waies. Iehovah will command 8the blessing to be with thee, in thy store-houses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he will blesse thee in the Land which Iehovah thy God giveth unto thee. Iehovah 9will stablish thee unto him-selfe for an holy people, as hee hath sworne unto thee, if thou shalt keepe the commandements of Iehovah thy God, and walke in his waies. And all 10peoples of the earth shall see, that the name of Iehovah is called upon thee, and they shall bee afraid of thee. And Iehovah will make 11thee plenteous in good things, in the fruit of thy wombe, and in the fruit of thy cattell, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which Iehovah sware unto thy fathers to give unto thee. Iehovah will open unto thee his 12good treasure, the heavens, to give the raine of thy land in his season, and to blesse all the worke of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.

And Iehovah will give thee to be the head, 13and not the taile, and thou shalt bee above only, and shalt not be beneath, if thou hearken unto the commandements of Iehovah thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to doe. And thou shalt not goe 14aside from any of the words which I command you this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to goe after other gods to serve them.

And it shall bee, if thou wilt not hearken 15unto the voice of Iehovah thy God, to observe to doe all his commandements, and his statutes which I command thee this day, that all these curses shal come upon thee, and overtake thee. Cursed shalt thou be in the citie, and 161718cursed shalt thou be in the field. Cursed shall be thy basket, and thy dough-trough. Cursed shall be the fruit of thy wombe, and the fruit of thy ground, the increase of thy kine, and the flockes of thy sheepe. Cursed shalt 19thou bee when thou commest in, and cursed shalt thou be when thou goest out. Iehovah 20will send upon thee a curse, vexation, and rebuke, in all that thou settest thine hand unto, which thou wouldest doe, untill thou bee destroyed, and untill thou perish quickly, because of the evill of thy doings, for that thou hast forsaken mee. Iehovah will make the 21pestilence cleave unto thee, untill he have consumed thee from off the land whither thou goest to possesse it. Iehovah will smite thee 22with the consumption, and with the burningague, and with an inflammation, and with an extreme burning, and with the sword, and with blasting, and with meldew, and they shall pursue thee untill thou perish. And thy heavens 23which are over thine head shall be brasse, and the earth which is under thee shall be iron.

Iehovah will give the raine of thy land to 24be powder and dust, from the heavens shall it come downe upon thee untill thou be destroyed. Iehovah will give thee to bee smitten before 25thine enemies; thou shalt goe out against him one way, and flee before him seven waies, and thou shalt bee for a removing to all the kingdomes of the earth. And thy carkasse 26shall bee for meat to all the fowles of the heavens, and to the beasts of the earth, and none shall fray them away. Iehovah will smite 27thee with the boyle of Egypt, and with the Emrods, and with the scab, and with the itch, whereof thou canst not be healed. Iehovah 28will smite thee with madnesse, and with blindnesse, and with astonishment of heart. And 29thou shalt bee groping at noone day, as the blinde gropeth in thicke darknesse, and thou shalt not prosper in thy wares, and thou shalt bee onelyonly fraudulently oppressed and robbed all daies, and none shall save thee. Thou shalt 30betroth a wife, and another man shall lie with her; thou shalt build an house, and thou shalt not dwell therein; thou shalt plant a vineyard, p. 128and shalt not make it common. Thine oxe shall be slaine before thine eies, and thou shalt 31not eat thereof: thine asse shall be violently taken away from before thy face, and shall not returne unto thee; thy sheepe shall be given unto thine enemies, and thou shalt have none to save. Thy sonnes and thy daughters shall be 32given to another people, and thine eies shall see, and shall faile with longing for them all the day, and there shall be no power in thine hand.

The fruit of thy land, and all thy labour shall a people eat up which thou knowest not: 33and thou shalt be onelyonly fraudulently oppressed and crushed all daies. And thou shalt be 34mad for the sight of thine eies which thou shalt see. Iehovah will smite thee with an evill 35bovle on the knees, and on the legs, wherof thou canst not be healed, from the sole of thy foot, even unto the top of thine head. Iehovah will bring thee, and thy king which 36thou shalt set overthee, unto a nation which thou hast not knowne, thou or thy fathers, and there thou shalt serve other gods, wood and stone. And thou shalt be for an astonishment, 37for a proverbe, and for a by-word among all peoples, whither Iehovah shall lead thee. Much seed shalt thou carry out into 38the field, and little shalt thou gather in, for the Locust shall consume it. Thou shalt 39plant vineyards and dresse them, but thou shalt not drinke the wine, nor gather (the grapes) for the worme shall eat it. Thou 40shalt have olive-trees in all thy coast, but thou shalt not anoint thy selfe with the oile, for thine Olive shall cast (his fruit.) Thou shalt 41beget sonnes and daughters, but they shall not be thine, for they shall goe into captivity. All thy trees, and the fruit of thy land shall 4243the grassehopper possesse. The stranger that is within thee shall get up above thee on high on high, and thou shalt come downe below below. He shall lend to thee, and thou shalt 44not lend to him; hee shall bee the head, and thou shalt bee the taile. And all these curses 45shall come upon thee, and shall pursue thee, and overtake thee, untill thou bee destroyed, because thou hearkenedst not unto the voice of Iehovah thy God, to keepe his commandements and his statutes which hee hath commanded thee. And they shall be upon thee 46for a signe and for a wonder, and upon thy seed for ever. Because thou servedst not Iehovah 47thy God with joyfulnesse, and with goodnesse of heart for the abundance of all things. Therefore thou shalt serve thine enemies, 48whom Iehovah will send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakednesse, and in want of all things: and hee will put a yoke of iron upon thy necke, untill he have destroyed thee. Iehovah will bring against thee a nation 49from far, from the end of the earth, as the Eagle flieth: a nation whose tongue thou shalt not heare. A nation of a strong face, 50which will not regard the face of the old, nor shew grace to the young. And hee shall eat 51the fruit of thy cattell, and the fruit of thy land, untill thou hee destroyed, which shall not leave unto thee, corne, new wine, or new oile, the increase of thy kine, or flockes of thy sheepe, untill he have destroyed thee. And 52he shall besiege thee in all thy gates, until thine high and fenced walls come downe, wherein thou trustedst, thorowout all thy land, and hee shall besiege thee in all thy gates, thorowout all thy land, which Iehovah thy God hath given unto thee. And thou shalt eat the fruit 53of thy wombe, the flesh of thy sonnes and of thy daughters which Iehovah thy God hath given unto thee, in the siege and in the straitnesse wherewith thine enemies shall distresse thee. The man that is tender among you and 54very delicate, his eie shall bee evill towards his brother, and towards the wife of his bosome, and towards the remnant of his sonnes which he shall leave. So that he will not give 55to any one of them of the flesh of his sonnes, whom hee shall eat, because hee hath not left unto him any thing in the siege & in the straitnesse, wherewith thine enemies shall distresse thee in all thy gates. The tender woman among 56you and delicate, which would not adventure the sole of her foot to set it on the ground for delicatenesse and for tendernesse, her eie shall bee evill towards the husband of her bosome, and towards her sonne, and towards her daughter: And towards her after-birth 57that commeth out from betweene her feet, and towards her sonnes which shee shall beare, for shee shall eat them for want of all things, in secret, in the siege and in the straitnesse, wherewith thine enemy shall distresse thee in thy gates. If thou wilt not observe 58to doe all the words of this Law, that are written in this booke, to feare this glorious and fearefull name Iehovah thy God. And 59Iehovah will make marvellous thy plagues, and the plagues of thy seed; plagues great and permanent, and sicknesses evill and permanent. And he will bring upon thee every disease 60of Egypt, which thou wast afraid because of them, and they shall cleave unto the.

Also every sicknesse, and every plague, p. 12961which is not written in the booke of this Law, them will Iehovah bring upon thee, until thou be destroyed. And yee shall be left with a few men, whereas yee were as the starres of 62the heavens for multitude, because thou hearkenedst not unto the voice of Iehovah thy God. And it shall be, as Iehovah rejoyced over you, to doe you good, and to multiply 63you, so Iehovah will rejoyce over you to make you perish, and to destroy you, and ye shall bee plucked from off the Land, whither thou goest in to possesse it. And Iehovah will scatter thee among all peoples, from the 64end of the earth, and unto the end of the earth; and there thou shalt serve other gods, which thou hast not knowne, thou or thy fathers, wood and stone. And in those nations thou shalt not finde ease, neither shall there 65bee rest for the sole of thy foot: and Iehovah will give unto thee there, a trembling heart, and failing of eies, and pining of soule.

And thy life shall bee hanging in doubt before thee, and thou shalt dread night and day, 66and shalt not have assurance of thy life. In the morning thou shalt say, Who will give 67the evening; and in the euening thou shalt say, Who will give the morning: for the dread of thine heart wherewith thou shalt dread, and for the sight of thine eies which thou shalt see.

And Iehovah will returne thee to Egypt with ships, by the way whereof I said unto 68thee, Thou shalt not see it againe any more: and there yee shall bee sold to your enemies, for bondmen and for bond-women, and none shall buy you.

Annotations.

HEarkening thou shalt hearken] that is, shalt continually 1and diligently hearken to (or obey) the voi…e; which the Chaldee translateth, shalt receive the word of the LORD. As in the former Chapter the Law was confirmed by blessings and curses pro…ounced by the people; so here it is confirmed in like sort, but more largely by God himselfe: that Israel might be kept in due obedience, and finding in themselves the impossibility of doing the Law, they might have recourse unto Christ by faith. to observe to doe] in Greeke, to observe (or keepe) and to doe. give thee to be high] that is, set and stablish thee high: as giving 1 Chron. 17. 22. is expounded, stablishing, 2 Sam. 7. 24. And highnesse meaneth heavenly dignity given of God, by the high (or heavenly) calling, whereby they were made partakers, Phil. 3. 14. Heb. 3. 1. whereby they were to seeke and minde, the things that are above, Col. 3. 1, 2. and have their conversation in heaven, Phil. 3. 20. For, the way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath, Prov. 15. 24. See also Deut. 26. 19.

Vers. 2. overtake thee] or, take h…ld on thee: The 2Greeke translateth, finde thee. It meaneth obtaining of all blessings, and effectuall applying of them, for their good and comfort. The like is said of the curses, in v. 15. 45. and generally of Gods words and statutes, of which the Prophet telleth the Iewes, that they overtooke (or tooke hold) of their fathers, when they were punished for transgressing them, Zach. 1. 6.

Vers. 3. Blessed thou] The first blessing is upon 3the person, who must be acceptable to God, before any of his workes are accepted, Gen. 4. 4. and the person being blessed, all things prosper about him. What blessing is, see the Annotations on Gen. 1. 22. and 2. 3. and 12. 2. citie] by this, and the field, all places, and all estates of life are meant.

Vers. 4. fruit of thy wombe] or, of thy belly: the 4Chaldee saith, the child of thy bowels. The second blessing is upon a mans possessions, of all sorts for increase, which was at the first by God blessing the creatures, Gen. 1. 22. 28. and so continueth, as it is written, And he blesseth them, and they are multiplied greatly, Psal. 107. 39. So Psal. 128. 1, 3. thy ground] or land, the fruits whereof were also figures of heavenly blessing: see Levit. 26. 4. increase] or young: in Greeke, herds: see Deut. 7. 13.

Vers. 5. basket] whereinto fruits are put when 5they are gathered, Deut. 26. 2. dough-trough] or dough, or store: see Exod. 8. 3. and 12. 34. These two are named in stead of all places and vessels, wherein the fruits and commodities which God sendeth, are kept for use and store. Therefore the Greeke for basket, translateth barnes (as Luk. 12. 18.) and for the dough-trough, remainders, or store that is left. So in v. 17. And this is the third degree of blessing upon the commodities which men reape of their poss…ssions.

Vers. 6. comest in] by comming in, and going out, 6the Scripture meaneth all imployment and administration in any businesse, or office, as in government of a kingdome, 2 Chron. 1. 10. of the Church; Act. 1. 21. of a family, Gen. 39. 11. Psal. 104. 23. and generally of all other affaires, as 2 Sam. 3. 25. Act. 9. 28. So this fourth blessing concerneth the whole administration and conversation of the Saints.

Vers. 7. smitten] that is, as the Greeke and Chaldee 7expound it, crushed, and broken: see an example of this in Davids enemies, 2 Sam. 22. 38,—43. And this fift blessing concerneth the safety of Gods people, and their victories over their enemies, of whom the chiefe is Sa…an himselfe, and him will the God of peace crush under the …et of his people, Rom. 16. 20. …lee] a signe of discomfiture and destruction: therefore when one Prophet saith, Wilt thou she before thine enemies? 2 Sam. 24. 13. another explaineth it, to be destroyed before thine enemies, 1 Chron. 21. 12. seven waies] that is, many waies: so signifying a ful conquest over them, for seven is a compleat number, often used for many, as is noted on Gen. 2. 2. and 33. 3. Lev. 4. 6. p. 130It signifieth also their dispersion, every man his way, whereas they came out joyntly together, all one way.

Vers. 8. will command] that is, will powerfully 8send, and effectually procure the blessing. Of this phrase, see Levit. 25. 21. The contrary hereunto is, hee will send upon thee, v. 20. the blessing] whereunto is opposed the curse, vexation, and rebuke, vers. 20. storehouses] or barnes; in Chaldee, treasures: so in Prov. 3. 10. that thou settest thy hand unto] Hebr. the setting to of thy hand: whereof see Deut. 12. 7. Thus this sixt promise implieth a generall blessing upon all that the godly hath or doth.

Vers. 9. stablish thee] set thee up firme and sure. This seventh blessing properly concerneth spirituall 9things and heavenly, for the sanctification of the Church, and establishment thereof in that grace, by reason of the covenant and oath of God, whereof he never repenteth, Psal. 110. 4. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance, Rom. 11. 29.

Vers. 10. is called upon thee] that is, thou art called 10by his name: as before Moses said, Yee are the sonnes of Iehovah your God, Deut. 14. 1. Of this phrase, see the Annotations on Gen. 48. 16. Here God enlargeth his former blessings, in causing them to be knowne and acknowledged of all other peoples. afraid of thee] as was fore-promised, Deut. 11. 25. and had come to passe unto Israel, Deut. 2. 25. and unto Abraham, Esay 41. 5. and other particular persons, as Saul was afraid of David because the Lord was with him, 1 Sam. 18. 12. 15, 29.

Vers. 11. make thee plenteous] or, make thee to 11excell; in Greeke, multiply thee. in good] or, for good things. An enlargement of the blessing promised in v. 4. which all should see by the abundance of good things from beneath.

Vers. 12. treasure] or, treasury, store-house, which 12he expoundeth after to be raine from heaven, for so the Scripture elsewhere mentioneth, treasuries of the snow, and treasuries of the haile, and of the winde, Iob 38. 22. Psal. 135. 7. and these were blessings from above, which caused the increase of those good things promised in v. 4, 5. in his season] that is, in due season; meaning the first and latter raine, mentioned in Deut. 11. 14. See the notes on Levit. 26. 4. shalt lend] that is, shalt have such plenty, as that thou shalt lend unto many nations; a signe both of wealth, liberality, and soveraignty; for, the borrower is servant to the man that lendeth, Prov. 22. 7. therefore the Greeke giveth here a double interpretation; thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow: and shalt rule over many nations, and they shall not rule over thee: which words are borrowed here from Deut. 15. 6.

Vers. 13. the head] a figure or parable, meaning chiefe in authority and power, (called before, a ruling 13over many nations, Deut. 15. 6.) as the taile signifieth inferiority and basenesse, which the Chaldee expoundeth thus, The Lord will give thee to be strong and not weake. This is opened in Esay 9. 14, 15. The Lord will cut off from Israel, head and taile, &c. the ancient and honourable, hee is the head; and the Prophet that teacheth lies, he is the taile. Thus by head here, we may also understand spiritually, the honour of the truth, wherewith the Church of God should bee adorned and exalted. above] in honour and dignity, not earthly onelyonly, but heavenly, as in v. 1. So Christ said to the Iewes, Yee are from beneath, I am from above: yee are of this world, I am not of this world, Iob. 8. 23. Likewise of his Disciples he saith, They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world, Iob. 17. 16. If thou hearken] The condition of the former promises, the first branch whereof is obedience, to doe all that is commanded.

Vers. 14. and thou shalt not] that is, If thou shalt not; for this is the second branch of the condition, 14restraining all disobedience against any of Gods words. other gods] which the Chaldee expoundeth, Idols of the peoples.

Vers. 15. not hearken] in Chaldee, not receive 15the Word of the LORD. Here followeth a large commination of the curses that shall come upon the transgressours of the Law: compare herewith Levit. 26. 14. &c. and this condition is opposite to the former in v. 1, 2.

Vers. 16. Cursed thou] The first curse is upon 16their persons, opposed to the blessing in v. 3. What the curse meaneth, see Deut. 27. 15. Gen. 3. 14.

Vers. 17. dough-trough] or store; in Greeke, thy 17remainders. This second curse is opposed to the third blessing in v. 5.

Vers. 18. fruit of thy wombe] in Chaldee, the 18child of thy bowells. This third curse is set against the second blessing in v. 4.

Vers. 19. commest in, &c.] that is, in all thy 19waies and administration. The fourth curse, opposed to the fourth blessing, in v. 6.

Vers. 20. a curse] so God threatneth the Priests, 20in Mal. 2. 2. and this fift denunciation is against the sixt promise of blessing, in v. 8. This curse the Greeke expoundeth, lacke, or penury. vexation] or, trouble, tumult and destruction, as Deut. 7. 23. this the Greeke interpreteth, famine; but the word is more generall, implying warres also, and other plagues upon the body, as Zach. 14. 13. 1 Sam. 14. 20. and 5. 9. And this judgement was upon Israel, 2 Chron. 15. 5. rebuke] this is not onelyonly from men, but from God, who is said to rebuke, not onelyonly by words but by deeds, whereupon men perish, Psal. 80. 17. and his rebuke is with flames of fire, Esay 66. 15. Hereupon the Greeke here translateth it consumption. How this came upon Israel, see Esay 51. 20. and 30. 17. forsaken me] in Chaldee, forsaken my feare.

Vers. 21. the pestilence] The Greeke and Chaldee 21translate it, death: see the Annotations on Ex. 5. …. and Levit. 26. 25. The fulfilling of this plague is mentioned in Amos 4. 10.

Vers. 22. consumption] of this and the ague following, 22see Lev. 26. 16. the sword] or draught: but the Greeke taketh it in the first sense, translating it slaughter: So in Levit. 26. 25. blasting] of corne and fruits with a dry winde, 2 Kin. 19. 26. p. 131for the originall word signifieth drinesse; and such was the East-winde that blasted in those parts, Gen. 41. 6. Therefore the Greeke translateth it, corruption with winde. The fulfilling of this judgment is shewed in Amos 4. 9. Hag. 2. 17. meldew] which hath the name in Hebrew of palenesse (as Ier. 30. 6.) & so is here translated in Greeke, and is a plague upon corne, through too much moistnesse, (as blasting is with drinesse) whereby the naturall greenenesse is gone before it bee ripe, and the colour faded. So in Amos 4. 9. Hag. 2. 17. 2 Chron. 6. 28.

Vers. 23. thy heavens] in Greeke and Chaldee, the heaven: see the Annotations on Levit. 26. 19. 23It meaneth a restraint of raine, whereby the land should be barren.

Vers. 24. powder] or small dust. In stead of raine, your aire shall be filled with dust, which the winde 24and other things raise in time of drought. This word is used, when speech is of Gods judgments, in Esay 5. 24. and 29. 5. Ezek. 26. 10. Nahum. 1. 3. Luk. 9. 5. and with dust was Egypt plagued, Ex. 9. 9. from the heavens] that is, from the aire.

Vers. 25. smitten] in Chaldee, broken: this is 25opposite to the fi…t blessing, in ver. 7. flee] and consequently fall and perish; as to flee three moneths before the enemie, 2 Sam. 24. 13. is expounded, to be destroyed three moneths, 1 Chron. 21. 12. for a removing] that is, removed, shaken, and dispersed; as the Greeke translateth, thou shalt bee in dispersion. This word Ieromy useth when the time of their dispersion was come upon them, Ier. 15. 4. and 29. 18. and 34. 17. So in 2 Chron. 29. 8.

Vers. 26. thy carkasse] that is, carkasses; the Greek 26expoundeth it, your dead men: hee meaneth that they should not have honest buriall; but being slain by the sword, should bee eaten by beasts. These words of Moses Ieremy repeateth, Ier. 7. 33. and 16. 4. and 34. 20. And Asaph lamenteth the complement of this plague, Psal. 79. 1, 2, 3.

Vers. 27. boyle of Egypt] or Egyptian ulcer, 27whereof see Exod. 9. 9, 10, 11. emrods] or piles, a disease wherewith God smote the Philistines in their secret hinder parts, 1 Sam. 5. 9. Psal. 78. 66. For this disease the Hebrew hath two names, the one in the line Gnaphólim, the other in the margine Techórim; and this latter is used in the line, in 1 Sam. 6. 11, 17. itch] so the Greeke expoundeth it: the Chaldee saith, a drie scab. whereof] or, so that thou canst not be healed: and this is contrary to the promise made upon their obedience, in Exod. 15. 26.

Vers. 28. madnesse] or furie; this is properly in 28the minde, but manifested by foolish gesture, 1 Sam. 21. 13, 14. And because the Prophets were often moved with extasies, & carried themselves strangely, some in contempt would call them mad men, 2 King. 9. 11. Ier. 29. 26. blindnesse] this is both in body and minde, Esay 42. 19. The contrary blessing wee receive by Christ, Esay 42. 7. 16. astonishment] or, amazement, wondring: this is threatned even to the Prophets, in Ier. 4. 9. and other unbeleevers, Habak. 1. 5. Act. 13. 41.

Vers. 29. groping] or, feeling; meant as an effect 29of blindnesse of soule, as Paul speaketh of Gods workes to the heathen, that they should seeke the Lord, if haply they might seele (or grope) after him, and finde him, Act. 17. 17. So it is said of the wicked, in Iob 5. 14. They meet with darknesse in the day time, and grope in the noone day as in the night: and in Iob 12. 25. They grope in the darke without light. save thee] that is, as the Greeke translateth it, thou shalt have no belper. So in 2. Sam. 22. 42. they looked, but there was none to save.

Vers. 30. lie with her] or, defile, ravish her. The 30Hebrew Shagal signifying the act of generation, as here and in Esa. 13. 16. and Zach. 14. 2. expounded in the Hebrew margine to bee read Shacab, which is to lie with. make it common] that is, gather and eat the grapes thereof. See Deut. 20. 6. On the contrary, when God promiseth grace, hee saith, the planters shall plant (vines) and shall make them common, Ier. 31. 5.

Vers. 31. not returne] that is, not be returned, or 31restored, as the Greeke explaineth it. See the Annotations on Gen. 2. 20. and 16. 14. to save] in Greeke, no helper: as v. 29.

Vers. 32. faile] or, be consumed, to wit, with longing, 32or desire: so it is elsewhere spoken of the eies, in Psal. 119. 82. of the soule, Psal. 84. 3. and of the reines, Iob 19. 27. where Iob speaketh of his desire to see God at the resurrection. no power in thy hand] so the Chaldee expoundeth it, and the Greeke, thy hand shall not be strong (or able) or wee may interpret it, nothing shall bee in the power of thine hand. The contrary is in Mich. 2. 1. Gen. 31. 29.

Vers. 33. eat up] or, devoure: this judgement 33came upon Israel by the heathens, Esai. 1. 7. Ier. 5. 17. and 8. 16.

Vers. 34. for the sight] in Greeke, for the sights (or 34visions) meaning that they should see such heavy troubles, as should make them mad through feare and sorrow, being without faith, comfort, and patience. These are the lively and powerfull effects of the Law upon the conscience of sinners, that it bereaveth them of all sense of Gods favour: for the Law is not of faith, Gal. 3. 12.

Vers. 35. evill boyle] sore, or, malignant ulcer: 35such a plague spirituall God sendeth on the Antichristians, Rev. 16. 2. And in body Iob was afflicted with such from the sole of his foot unto the top of his head, for the triall of his faith and patience, Iob. 2. 7.

Vers. 36. bring] or lead, make goe into captivity. 36This foretelleth the overthrow of their state, which was accomplished by Assyria and Babylon, 2 King. 17. 6. and 25. 1. &c. thy King] in Greeke, thy Princes: both were fulfilled, 2 King. 24. 14, 15. other gods] as in their owne land they served other Gods, that is, Idols of wood and of stone, Ier. 2. 27. so God threatneth to send them as slaves into other lands, where they would doe the like, though by his Prophets hee warned them not to doe so, Esay 44. 8, 9. &c. Ier. 10. 2, 3,—11. So for making an Idoll in the Wildernesse, God had before given them up to worship the host of heaven, Act. 7. 41, 42. The Chaldee here p. 132translateth; thou shalt serve peoples that serve idols of wood and of stone: So after in v. 64.

Vers. 37. a by word] a sharpe or …tting taunt: 37this God threatned againe immediatly before it came to passe, Ier. 24. 9. and before that in Solomons daies, 1 King. 9. 7. and it came upon them, as Psalm. 44. 14, 15. &c.

Vers. 38. the Locast] that is, Loc…sts: see the judgements here threatned, fulfilled in Ioel 1. 4. 38Amos. 4. 9. and 7. 1, 2. H…g. 1. 6, 11.

Vers. 42. Grash…pper] called in Hebrew Tselatsal, 42a word here onelyonly used; the Greeke translateth it eris…bee, which is a blasting, or m…dew, that spoileth corne.

Vers. 44. the head] or, for the head, that is, the 44chiefe, which the Chaldee expoundeth strong; as the taile is in Chaldee the weake: see v. 13.

Vers. 46. for a signe] the Greeke and Chaldee 46translate plurally, signes and wonders. thy seed] Chaldee, thy sonne….

Vers. 47. goodnesse of heart] the Greeke translateth 47it, a good heart; the Chaldee, truth of heart: it meaneth also gladnesse, as in Esay 65. 14. it is opposed to sorrow. Of this the Iewes made confession when they were returned from Babylon, Nehem. 9. 35. of all] Greeke, of all things; and Thargum Ionathan addeth, of all good: and so in v. 48. want of all good.

Vers. 48. yoke of iron] that is, hard servitude 48under heathen Rulers; as Ier. 28. 13, 14. for servants are said to be under the yoke, 1 Tim. 6. 1.

Vers. 49. as the Eagle] that flieth swiftly and 49violently, therefore the Greeke translateth, like the violence of an Eagle. This is a prophesie of the Babylonians, the Lion with Eagles wings, Dan. 7. 4. So Nebuchadnezzar is likened to a great Eagle with great wings, &c. Ezek. 17. 3. 12. not heart] that is, not understand: see the notes on Gen. 11. 7.

Vers. 50. of a strong face] that is, bold, fierce, 50cruell, and (as the Greeke translateth) impudent. This title is given to Antiochus Epiphanes, the great afflict…r of the Iewes▪ Dan. 8. 23. not regard] not respect or honour any person.

Vers. 51. fruit of thy cattell] thy young beasts▪ See 51the fulfilling of this mentioned before the captivity, Esay 1. 7. corne] The enemies devouring of these earthly blessings in Canaan, the holy land, figured also that Israel should for their sinnes bee deprived of Gods heavenly blessings, till God should turne them againe to himselfe by the faith of the Gospell: and then hee sweareth, If I give (that it, surely I will not give) any more thy corne to be meat for thine enemies, and the sonnes of the stranger shall not drink thy wine, for which thou hast laboured: but they that have gathered it, shall eat it, and praise the Lord, and they that have brought it together, shall drinke it in the Courts of my holinesse; Esay 62. 8, 9.

Vers. 52. thy gates] in Greeke and Chaldee, thy 52cities: so vers. 55. See this fulfilled, 2 King. 17. and 25.

Vers. 53. the fruit of thy …] in Chaldee, the children of thy bowels. The like threatning is 53in Levit. 26. 29. Ier. 19. 9. fulfilled, 2 King. …. 29. Lam. 4. 10.

Vers. 54. eie shall be evill] that is, he shall grudge 54and envy: see Deut. 15. 9. The Greeke translateth, he shall be witch with his eie. So in v. 56. of his bosome] that is, which lieth in his bosome, as Mic. 7. 5.

Vers. 57. her after-birth] and so her little one 57therein; as the Chaldee expoundeth it, the least of her children.

Vers. 58. fearefull] in Greeke, marvellous.

Vers. 59. thy plagues] or, every of thy plagues, as the forme of the Hebrew word implieth. thy seed] Chald. thy children. permanent] or, firme, faithfull, and continuing long: as Tharg. Ionath. explaineth, which shall dure long upon your bodies.

Vers. 60. disease] or sicknesse; in Greeke, sorrow. 60Of the plagues of Egypt, see Exod. 8. &c.

Vers. 62. with a few men] Greeke, in a short (or 62small) number: Chald. a people of number, that is, soone numbred. See this fulfilled, Esay 1. 9. hearkenedst not] Chaldee, receivedst not the word

Vers. 63. will rejoyce] although the destruction 63of the wicked is to themselves miserable, yet Gods judgements upon them are unto him, his Angels, and all the Saints, joyfull, Rev. 18. 20. Ps. 58. 11, 12. Ier. 51. 48. for, when the wicked perish, there is shouting joy, Prov. 11. 10.

Vers. 64. and unto the end, &c.] that is, from one 64end of the earth to another. A like phrase is, from the end of the heavens unto the end of them, Matt. 24. 31. Mark. 13. 27. This dispersion of the Iewes is visible even to this day. serve other gods] the Chaldee expoundeth it, serve peoples that serve idols: but it implieth Gods judgment in giving them over to further sinne: see the notes on vers. 36.

Vers. 65. not finde ease] or, not have quietnesse. 65VntoUnto this curse of the Law for sinne, is opposed the promise of grace in Christ, Ier. 31. 2. a trembling heart] in Greeke, a faint (or discouraged) heart. See Levit. 26. 36. Esay 1. 5. failing of eies] in Greeke, failing eies, that shall looke for deliverance, but not see it. pining of soule] in Greeke, a melting soule, that is, sorrowfull and fearefull. See Lev. 26. 16. 1 Sam. 2. 33.

Vers. 66. hanging in doubt] that is, uncertaine, as after followeth. So the Greeke, thy life shall bee hanging before thine eies. not have assurance of thy life] or, not beleeve in thy life; in Greeke, not beleeve thy life; that is, have no assurance of it, but alwaies feare death.

Vers. 67. Who will give] that is, O that it were 67evening: see Deut. 5. 29. A lively description of misery, wherein every houre by night or by day seemeth long and tedious. Compare Iob 7. 3, 4.

Vers. 68. to Egypt] the house of bondage, Exod. 20. 2. and figure of spirituall bondage under sinne and Satan: in which estate the Law leaveth all men, till they be redeemed by grace in Christ. So another Prophet saith, They shall not dwell in I…hovahs land; but Ephraim shall returne to Egypt, and they shall eat uncleane things in Assyria, Hos. 9. 3.