Westminster Annotations, Isaiah · Chapter 46
CHAP. XLVI.
Vers. 1. BEl boweth down, Nebo stoupeth] Bel and Nebo, two chief idols of Babylon: Bel contracted of Baal, Jer. 51. 44. and of him was Daniel by the King of Babylon called Belteshazzar, Dan. 4. 8. Nebo, so called of a word that signifieth to prophecie; being as it seemeth an Idol famous for predictions, and Oracles.
their idols were upon the beasts] Heb. beast. Ezek. 33. 27. See Jer. 50. 2.
your carriages] The carriages of the Medes and Persians; who took them away with them; because they were of rich materials Dan. 3. 1. & 5. 4.
V. 2. they could not deliver the burden] The Babylonians could not save their idols, that should have saved them: nor their idols themselves, who should have saved others, Jer. 48. 7.
themselves] Heb. their soul. Psal. 107. 18.
V. 3. which are born by me] A remarkable difference, between the true God and idols: men must carry them: vers. 7. but he carrieth his; as a nurse or mother her child, Exod. 19. 4. Deut. 32. 11. Chap. 63. 9.
from the womb] Chap. 44. 2, 24. Psal. 22. 9,—12. and 71. 6.
V. 4. even to your old age] As I have born you hitherto: so will I bear, nourish, and preserve you for ever, Psal. 48. 14. and 71. 9.
I am he] Or, the same. Psal. 102. 27. Mal. 3. 6. Jam. 1. 17.
I have made] Another notable difference between the true God and idols: he is the maker of those that worship him, Psal. 100. whereas their worshippers make them, vers. 6.
will deliver you] From the Babylonians, and other your enemies, Chap. 43. 14.
V. 5. To whom, &c.] Chap. 40. 18, 25.
will ye liken me, and make me equall, and compare me] Or, resemble, and make me like, or compare.
V. 6. They lavish gold out of the bag, &c.] That they might not be tempted to think the Babylonians idols more powerfull then the true God; considering the Babylonians flourishing estate, and their own miserable condition; he mindeth them of the originall of their idols, to make them the more despicable and detestable. So Chap. 40. 19, 20. and 44. 12,—19. Jer. 10. 3,—5, 9.
weigh silver] Jer. 32. 9, 10.
in the balance] Or, by the beam. Heb. reed. or, cane. the beam put for the balance.
and hire] Or, they hire.
a goldsmith] Heb. founder; or, finer. Chap. 41. 7.
he maketh it a god] Chap. 44. 10.
they fall down] Chap. 45. 20.
V. 7. They bear him] Jer. 10. 4, 5.
set him in his place] Chap. 44. 13.
standeth] Or, abideth. Chap. 66. 22.
from his place shall he not remove] Or, he cannot stir. (as J…r. 2. 32.) Chap. 41. 7.
yea, one shall cry unto him] Or, though one crie to him.
V. 8. shew your selves men] Not beasts, like the idolaters, Jer. 10. 14. Or, not woman-like timorous, to comply with them for fear, Jer. 10. 1, 11.
bring it again to mind] Heb. to heart. Chap. 44. 19.
V. 9. there is none else] Chap▪ 44. 8. and 45. 5, 6, 21. 22.
V. 10. declaring the end from the beginning] Fore-telling the issue of things, before they begin to be in execution, Chap. 41. 22, 23. and 43. 12. and 48: 2.
My counsel shall stand] Psal. 33. 11. Pro. 19. 21. and 21. 30. Chap. 14. 24, 26.
V. 11. a ravenous bird] Cyrus; who shall come swiftly, and seise upon Babylon, as an Eagle or Vulture upon his prey, Job 9. 26.
from the east] Persia; East of Babylon, Chap. 41. 2, 25.
the man that executeth my counsel] Heb. the man of my counsel. Chap. 40. 13. Not, whom I take counsel of for ought, Chap. 40. 14. but concerning the destruction of Babylon, and the deliverance of my people, vers. 10. Chap. 44. 28. Jer. 50. 45. whom I have appointed to execute, what I have determined.
V. 12. ye stout-hearted] Who by opposition, or by incredulity and obstinacie, would hinder the performance of my promise. Or, who by your wicked courses make your selves unworthy of having any favour shewed you, Chap. 43. 24, 25.
V. 13. I bring neare] Heb. make to approach. Chap. 41. 21.
my righteousnesse] My faithfulnesse in fulfilling my promise; Chap. 1. 27. and 41. 2. and 45. 8. and 51. 5. which no might, malice or incredulitie can keep from taking effect, Rom. 3. 3. 2 Tim. 2. 13. Or, the righteousnesse, which my people receive from me, for their justification and acquitall from their sinnes, Chap. 45. 24, 25. Rom. 1. 17. and 3. 21.
Israel my glory] In the deliverance of whom I will make my self glorious, Chap. 45. 6. and 50. 3. and 59. 19.