Westminster Annotations, Isaiah · Chapter 1
CHAP. I.
Vers. 1. THE vision] The word of God made known to Isaiah by vision, or revelation, Revel. 1. 1. and 9. 17. a kinde of divine or spirituall rapture, Numb. 24. 4, 16. Ezek. 1. 1. and 11. 24. Rev. 1. 10. one of those means, whereby in those times God imparted his minde to his Prophets. Of which see Gen. 15. 1. Numb. 12. 6. So Obad. 1. Nahum 1. 1. Vision here for visions. as Chap. 22. 1. 1 Sam. 3. 1. Dan. 1. 17. for this is an inscription, not of this Chapter onelyonly, or the Prophecie therein contained, but of the main body of the whole book: as by the times of the severall kings here after mentioned, appeareth. So Jer. 1. 1, 3. Hosea 1. 1.
saw] was revealed to him, 1 Pet. 1. 12. 1 Corinth. 2. 10. as clearly, and as certainly, as if he had seen it, 2 Cor. 4. 18. and 5. 1. Heb. 11. 27. whence also the Prophets were anciently tearmed Seers, 1 Sam. 9. 9, 19. Chap. 30. 10. So Chap. 2. 1.
Judah] Judah, the holy land, Zech. 2. 12. the seat of Gods people; and Jerusalem, the holy Citie, Dan. 9. 24. the chief place in it, and of Gods solemn service, Psal. 76. 1, 2. put here for the state and inhabitants of either; and that, as distinguished from the other ten tribes, that were revolted from Davids house, 1 King. 11. 31, 32. and 12. 16, 17. here onelyonly mentioned, because unto them chiefly was Isaiah sent: albeit, he prophecie of, and to, other nations besides them. But that also, for the instruction, consolation, or reprehension of Gods people: those nations being such, as either they had been oppressed by, as Assur and Babel, Chap. 10. and 13, &c. or had too much relied upon: as Egypt and Ethiopia, Chap. 20 and 30. &c.
Ʋzziah,] called also Azariah, 2 King. 15. 1. Of these Kings read 2 King. Chap. 14. to Chap. 22. and 2 Chron. Chap. 25. to Chap. 33.
V. 2. Heare] Because men are obstinate and senselesse, the dumbe creatures are called upon, as more ready to hear and obey Gods word then they; and withall summoned to be as witnesses for God against them. So Deut. 4. 26. and 30. 19. and 32. 1. Jer. 2. 12. Mic. 6. 1, 2.
hath spoken] Or, speaketh; and therefore requireth attention, as Chap. 41. 1.
I have nourished] God declareth his singular favour to them, in choosing them, before all other nations, to be his children and peculiar people, Deut. 7. 6. and 10. 15. and 26. 18.
brought up] Or, advanced, as 1 King. 1. 37.
V. 3. The ox, &c.] The very brutest and dullest creatures, Psal. 32. 9. Prov. 7. 22. take better notice of their owners and feeders, then my people do of me, who have done so much for them, Hos. 11. 1, 4. See Jer. 8. 7.
V. 4. sinfull nation,] Addicted, or given to sin, Psal. 1. 1. Luk. 7. 34, 37. Joh. 9. 31. Gal. 2. 15.
laden with iniquitie,] Great and grievous sinners, as Gen. 18. 20. Chap. 30. 27▪ and 36. 2.
laden with iniquitie] Heb. of heavinesse of iniquity, as Ch. 21. 15.
a seed of evil doers,] That tread on in the steps of their wicked progenitors, Ps. 78. 8. and 106. 6. Ch. 57. 3. Jer. 7. 26 & 16. 11, 12.
children] Children, that deal corruptly, 2 Chron. 27. 2. Jer. 6. 28. or that have corrupted themselves, and their wayes, Exod. 32. 7. Deut. 32. 5, Heb. corrupters, that is, wasters, as Prov. 18. 9. or, destroyers, as Prov. 28. 24. stroy-good or wastfull children; a metaphor taken from riotous and prodigall younkers, that waste and consume the means left them by their parents, Luk. 15. 13, 30. applyed to this people, as having embezilled their spirituall patrimonie derived to them from their godly progenitors, Gen. 17. 7. Deut. 7. 6, 8. and 32. 9, 20. Psal. 147. 19, 20 and 148. 4. Rom. 3. 1, 2. and 9. 4, 5.
the holy One] He, who both is holy himself, and sanctifieth those that are his, Lev. 19. 2. and 20. 7, 8.
gone away] Heb. alienated, or, estranged, (Psal. 78. 30.) backward. Or, alienated, and gone back, as Chap. 38. 17.
away backward.] They have alienated themselves from God by their sins; Psal. 58. 3. Col. 1. 21. by their idolatry especially, Ezek. 14. 5.
V. 5. Why] Or, Why, the more ye are smitten, do ye more and more revolt?
Why should] What availeth it, to seek to amend you by chastisements, when as the more ye are corrected, the worse ye wax? 2 Chron. 28. 22. Jer. 7. 24.
ye will] Or, since ye will.
revolt] Heb. encrease, or, adde revolt, vers. 13. Chap. 7. 10.
the whole head] The whole state, both civil and ecclesiasticall, is distempered and out of frame; and those worst and weakest, that should support and strengthen the rest, Psal. 75. 3. and 82. 5. Or, The evils; that have befaln you, are both generall, and exceeding grievous, like hurts received, Gen. 3. 15. Psal. 68. 21. and diseases, that lye in the head, 2 Kings 4. 19, 20. or that pierce and strike to the heart, Jer. 4. 18, 19. and 8. 18.
the whole head] Heb. every head. as Ezek. 29. 18.
the whole heart] Heb. every heart.
V. 6. From the sole of the foot] Ye have been so scourged over and over, that there is no part free, from top to toe: a proverbiall speech, 2 Sam. 14. 25. Job 2. 7. intimating, that no sort of persons had escaped scot-free; but all, as well greatest and highest, as least and lowest, had been plagued, 2 Chron. 28. 5, 8.
there is] Psal. 38. 3, 7.
bruises] Psal. 38. 5. Prov. 20. 30. Chap. 53 5.
they have not been] Nor had any means at least available been used for the cure of them, 2 Chron. 28. 20 21. Jer. 8. 21, 22. expressed here by phrases borrowed from the practise of Chirurgery, as Chap. 3 7. and 30. 26. and 61. 1. Jer. 30, 12, 13. Psal. 147. 3. Hos. 6. 1.
closed] Or, crusht, Jer. 30. 13. to crush out the matur.
ointment] Or, oyl, Eccl. 7. 1. and 9. 8.
V. 7. Your countrey] Deut. 28. 51, 52. Chap. 5. 5.
desolate] Heb. desolation, Chap. 64. 10. or, brought unto desolation, Jer. 12. 11.
it] The fruit of it, Deut. 28. 33.
in your presence,] Before your faces; to encrease your grief, Deut. 28. 31, 32.
as overthrown] Heb. as the overthrow of strangers. Or, as by an overthrow, &c. as Deut. 29. 23. Chap. 13. 19.
strangers] Who destroy all before them, as being not their own, Jer. 8. 16.
V. 8. the daughter of Zion] Jerusalem; so called from one principall part of it, 2 Sam. 5. 6, 7. the daughter Zion; or, of Zion; for Zion, who is as a daughter: as the daughter Zidon, or, of Zidon, for Zidon it self. Chap. 23. 12.
a cottage] Desolate, and distressed.
a lodge] Job 27. 18.
a garden] Lam. 2. 6.
besieged citie.] Or, watched. as Ezek. 6. 12. See Jer. 4. 17. Or, wasted, as Chap. 65. 4.
V. 9. Except the Lord] Rom. 9. 29.
had left unto us] Because he will ever have a Church, to serve him, and call upon his name, Psal. 130. 4. Chap. 4. 3. and 6. 13.
as Sodom] All utterly destroyed, as they were, Gen. 19. 24. Deut. 29. 23. Lam. 4. 6. Amos 4. 11.
V. 10. of Sodom;] Like them for wickednesse, Deut. 32. 32. as bad as they; Ezek. 16. 48. and deserving to be destroyed as they were, Lam. 3. 22.
the law of our] The word of God, that I shall now tell you. as Psal. 78. 1.
V. 11. To what purpose] It is in vain, and to no end, that ye do all this. vers. 13. So Jer. 6. 20.
the multitude] Albeit he had commanded these things to be done; yet being done, by such as they were, and in such manner, as they did them, to wit, without repentance and true devotion, he refuseth and rejecteth them, Psal. 50. 8-16. Prov. 15. 8. and 21. 27. Chap. 61. 8. and 66. 3. Jer. 6. 20. and 7. 21. Amos 5. 21, 22. Mic. 6. 7.
full of] I am cloyed with them, as one with meat, which he loatheth, and his stomach goeth against, Prov. 27. 7.
burnt-offerings] Which were wholly consumed with fire, Lev. 1. 3, 9. Psal. 40. 6. Mark 12. 33.
fat of fed beasts,] Which in other sacrifices also, as reserved for Gods portion, was burnt upon his altar, Lev. 3. 3, 5, 16, 17. and 4. 8, 10. Deut. 32. 38.
I delight not] Tho he delighted much in the good affection and obedience of his faithfull people, by such performances expressed and testified, Gen. 8. 21. Psal. 20. 3. and 51. 19. Mal. 3. 4. yet not at all in the things themselves, Psal. 50. 13. much lesse so, and by such, performed. Chap. 57. 6. See Jer. 7. 22, 23.
bloud of bullocks,] Reserved likewise for sacred uses; and forbidden therefore to be eaten, Lev. 17. 10, 11, 12.
he-goats.] Heb. great he-goats, Chap. 14. 9. Jer. 50. 8.
V. 12. to appear] Heb. to be seen. Exod. 34. 24. Deut. 31. 11.
before me,] In my Temple, Psal. 42. 2. Jer. 7. 10.
who hath required] I neither desire, nor require the company of such as ye are, Ezek. 20. 39.
hath required] Or, requireth.
tread] As if by repairing to his house, they did but trample upon the pavement of it, as a company of beasts would do, and foule it onelyonly, or weare out the stones of it, with their feet, Ezek. 20. 39.
tread] Heb. trample on. Chap. 63. 3.
V. 13. Bring no more] Jer. 7. 21. Mal. 1. 10. Heb. Adde not to bring. vers. 5. Chap. 23. 12.
vain oblations] Heb. an oblation of vanitie, as Lam. 2. 14.
vain] Vain, because not performed in sinceritie. Or, because in vain offered, as not accepted or regarded, vers. 11. Mal. 1. 9, 10. and 2. 13. Matth. 15. 9.
oblations,] Meat-offerings, Lev. 2. 1. Numb. 15. 4.
incense] Both that which the Priests daily burnt, Exod. 30. 7, 35, 36. and that which the people brought together with their offerings. Lev. 2 1, 2.
the new moons] Or, the calling of assemblies in the new-moons and sabbaths, 2 King. 4. 23.
new-moons] In which they had holy assemblies, Psal. 81. 2.
sabbaths] Either weekly or yeerly, Lev. 23. 3, 32, 38, 39.
calling] Which was usually done by sound of trumpet; that the people might thereby be prepared, to repair with the more devotion thereunto, Numb 10. 10. Joel 1. 14. and 2. 15, 16.
assemblies] Heb. a convocation, Lev. 23. 3.
iniquitie,] Or, grief, Chap. 10. 1.
even the] Or, and vexation, (as Chap. 53. 8. Psal. 107. 39.) to me. as vers. 14.
V. 14. new-moons,] Both the solemnities themselves, and the sacrifices offered in them, Numb. 10. 10. 2 Chron. 31. 3.
appointed feasts] Or, set-meetings, feasts or fasts, Lev. 23. 2, 4, 27, 37.
my soul hateth] I abhorre: or, I abhorre from my heart, Psal. 11. 5. Zech. 11. 8.
V. 15. when ye spread] Prov. 1. 28. Jer. 11. 11. and 14. 12. Mic. 3. 4. Zech. 7. 13.
your hands,] In prayer, described by the gesture therein ordinarily then used, Exod. 9. 29, 33. 1 King. 8. 22, 38. Ezra 9. 8. Job 11. 13. Psal. 88. 9.
I will hide] I will not regard you. See the phrase, Prov. 28. 27. Psal. 10. 1. Chap. 58. 7. Ezek. 22. 16.
when] Or, though. as Psal. 23. 4.
when ye] Be ye never so instant, and by such your instancie hope to speed, Matth. 6. 7.
make many prayers,] Heb. multiply prayer. as Jer. 2. 22. and 46. 11.
your] Chap. 59. 3.
hands are full] Which ye spread forth in prayer, 1 Tim. 2. 8.
bloud] Heb. blouds. Chap. 26. 23.
bloud.] Murther, crueltie, oppression, extortion. Vers. 20. the cause, why their prayers (seemed they never so devout) were not heard. Chap. 58. 2, 3. and 59. 2, 3. Job 27. 8, 9. Ezek. 8. 17, 18.
V. 16. Wash ye,] Cleanse both your hands, and hearts, Psal. 26. 6. Jer. 4. 14. Jam. 4. 8. An allusion to the rites of washing then in use, Exod. 19. 10. Numb. 19. 28, 29. Deut. 21. 6. and 23. 11. Heb. 9. 10. and 10. 22.
from before mine eyes,] Which cause me to hide mine eyes from you, Vers. 15. Job 11. 13, 14.
cease] Psal. 34. 14. and 37. 37. 1 Pet. 3. 11.
to do evil,] To deal cruelly and injuriously, Chap. 58. 6.
V. 17. Learn] Chap. 26. 9, 10.
do well,] To exercise mercy and beneficence, Chap. 58. 7, 10. Dan. 4. 27.
seek judgement,] He presseth them with the duties of the second Table; because hypocrites (though professing a great deal of devotion) are wont therein much to fail. Psal. 50. 16-18. Mic. 6. 7, 8. Matth. 23. 23. Jam. 1. 27. and 2. 14-26.
relieve] Or, righten. Prov. 23. 19.
V. 18. reason together,] That it may appear, whether I charge you without cause, or no. Chap. 43. 28. Or, that we may bring the businesse to some issue; that we may come to some tearmes of agreement. Chap. 27. 5. Job 22. 21.
though your sins] That they may not pretend rigour on Gods part, part, he offereth, upon their sincere repentance and serious reformation, to pardon all their sins, tho never so hainous, Chap. 55. 6, 7. Ezek. 18. 21, 22.
as scarlet,] Of a deep bloudy die. Vers. 15.
as white as snow,] Psal. 51. 7. Rev. 7. 14.
as wooll.] Dan. 7. 9. Rev. 1. 14.
V. 19. If ye] Implying, that whatsoever they had hitherto …red, ought to be ascribed unto their own wilfull disobedi…, Jer. 2. 17, 19.
be willing] Or, will consent (Prov. 1. 10.) and obey. or, consent to obey. Ezek. 3. 7.
obedient,] Heb. hear. 1 Sam. 12. 15.
good of the land.] Heb. goodnesse. Jer. 2. 7. See Deut. 8. 7-9.
V. 20. the sword:] Of your enemies. Chap. 3. 20.
for the mouth] Chap. 40. 5. and 58. 14.
hath spoken it.] And it is sure therefore to be effected. Chap. 21. 17. and 55. 11. Jer. 44. 28, 29. Ezek. 12. 25.
V. 21. How] Spoken by way of admiration; as wondring at so strange an alteration, Jer. 2. 21.
the faithfull citie] Jerusalem, who had plighted fidelitie to God, as a loyall wife to her husband. 2 Chron. 15. 12-15. and 23. 16. but now carryed her self disloyally, as an harlot, or common strumpet. Jer. 2. 20, 21. and 3. 10, 11, 14. Psal. 73. 27. and 106. 39.
it was full of judgement,] A place, wherein justice and judgement had sometime been constantly exercised and administred, 2 Sam. 8. 15. 1 King. 10. 9. 2 Chron. 19. 5-10.
murderers.] Or, they are all murtherers, as Jer. 9. 3.
murderers.] Men given to oppression and crueltie, vers. 15.
V. 22. Thy silver] Whatsoever was pure in thee, is now corrupt; make it never so fair a shew outwardly. Prov. 26. 23. Chap. 64. 8. Jer. 6. 28. 30. Ezek. 22. 18, 19.
thy wine mixt] Hos. 4. 18.
V. 23. Thy princes are rebellious,] Hos. 9. 15.
companions of theeves:] They maintain wicked men and extortioners, and do not onelyonly winke at them, Lev. 20. 4. but partake with them, and are such themselves. Prov. 29. 24. Mic. 7. 3.
loveth gifts,] Ezek. 22. 12. Hos. 4. 8. Mic. 3. 11.
judge not the fatherlesse,] Jer. 5. 28. Zech. 7. 10.
V. 24. the mightie One of Israel,] He calleth himself, the holy One of Israel, Vers. 4. when he hath to do with his Church; the mightie One of Israel, Chap. 49. 26. when with his adversaries; as able to over-master them, though never so strong, or so great, vers. 31.
ease me of mine adversaries,] Satisfie my minde by taking vengeance on them, Chap. 47. 14. Ezek. 5. 13. Hos. 10. 10. which yet, because it is to his own people in covenant with him, he goeth about it with grief, Lam. 3. 33. Hos. 6. 4. and 11. 8.
avenge me] Jer. 5. 9.
enemies] This people; whom I account now, not as children, Deut. 32. 5. 15. but as enemies, Chap. 63. 10. Luk. 19. 14, 27.
V. 25. I will turn my hand] He will do it, whose work it is to purifie mans heart, Pro. 17. 3. Deut. 30. 6. Ezek. 36. 25. Act. 15. 9.
purely] Heb. according to purenesse.
purge away thy drosse,] By destroying the incorrigible wicked from among them. Vers. 31. Psal. 119. 119. Ezek. 20. 38. and 22. 19-22. and by purging the residue. Chap. 4. 4. Jer. 6. 19. and 9. 7. Zech. 13. 8, 9. Mal. 3. 3. Prov. 25. 4.
V. 26. restore thy judges] I will give thee such rulers, as at first thou hadst; such as Moses, Joshuah, David, &c. fulfilled in Zerubbabel, Nehemiah, &c.
The citie of righteousnesse,] A citie of righteousnesse, Jer. 31. 23. and 50. 7. as of truth, Zech. 8. 3. that is, a righteous city, as Lev. 19. 36. or, A citie of righteous ones, Chap. 4. 3. and 61. 21.
V. 27. Zion shall be redeemed] Jerusalem, as vers. 8. the place put for the people, as vers. 1. These promises are added for the consolation of the faithfull, as Chap. 4. 2. and 10. 24. Jer. 3. 14.
judgement] Executed upon the wicked, and upon the enemies of the Church, Chap. 4. 4. and 5. 16. and 34. 2.
her converts] Or, they that return of her, to wit, from captivitie. Ezra 6. 21.
righteousnesse.] Faithfulnesse, in fulfilling his promises to his people, as Psal. 143. 1, 2. Chap. 51. 5, 6. and 56. 1. 1 Joh. 1. 9.
V. 28. And] Or, But, as Chap. 29. 13.
the] They shall have no portion in Gods gracious promises, Chap. 65. 20. The drosse is destroyed, when the gold is refined, vers. 25. So Job 31. 3. Psal. 1. 6. and 5. 6. and 37. 20. and 73. 27. and 92. 9. and 104. 35.
destruction] Heb. breaking, Jer. 4. 20. and 19. 11.
V. 29. they] Or, Ye, vers. 30.
the oakes] The trees and groves set apart to idolatrous servic…s, Chap. 57. 5. and 65. 3. Jer. 2. 20. and 3. 6. Ezek. 20. 28. forbidden, Deut. 12. 2, 3. and 16. 21.
have de…ired,] Or, delight in, as Chap. 2. 16. Jer. 22. 28.
the gardens] Abused by the exercise of idolatry, Chap. 65. 3. and 66. 17.
V. 30. For] Or, When, Gen. 4. 12. Chap. 19. 20.
as an oak] Like one of those oaks, vers. 29. in winter time: stript of all your wealth and state. Chap. 28. 1. See Jer. 17. 6. and 48. 6. and the contrary. Psal. 1. 3. Jer. 17. 8.
whose leaf fadeth,] Heb. shedding her leaf.
as a garden] One of those gardens, vers. 29. when they want water in time of drought; wherein nothing thriveth, but all withereth away. Chap. 5. 13. and 10. 16. and 17. 4. Psal. 37. 2. See the contrary, Psal. 1. 3. Chap. 58. 11.
V. 31. the strong] Either the strongest among you; and all that they can do, as Psal. 76. 5, 6. Amos 2. 14, 16. Or, Your strong idols, as ye esteem them; and those that make them, as Psal. 97. 7. and 115. 8.
as tow,] Jud. 15. 14. and 16. 9.
none shall quench them.] Chap. 34. 10. Jer. 17. 27.