Exposition of Ezekiel 20-29, Exposition · Chapter 27

Exposition of Ezekiel 20-29 · Exposition · Chapter 27

p. 443CHAP. XXVII.

p. 444Verſ. 1 The word of the Lord came again unto mee, ſaying,

2 Now thou ſon of man take up a lamentation for Tyrus.

3 And ſay unto Tyrus, O thou that art ſituate at the entry of the Sea, which art a Merchant of the people for many Iſles, Thus ſaith the Lord God, O Tyrus, thou haſt ſaid I am of perfect beauty.

4 Thy borders are in the midſt of the Seas, thy builders have perfected thy beauty.

5 They have made all thy ſhip-boards of fir-trees of Senir, they have taken Cedars from Lebanon to make Maſts for thee.

6 Of the Oakes of Baſhan have they made thine Oars, the company of the Aſhurites, have made thy benches of Ivory, brought out of the Iſles of Chittim.

IN this Chapter the Prophet is commanded to take up a Lamentation for Tyrus; wherein is ſet out.

1 The Dignity, glory, and excellency of Tyrus, from the 2. v. to the 26.

2 The irrecoverable fall and deſtruction thereof, from the 26. to the end.

1 The word of the Lord came again unto me.

The Hebrew is, And there hath been the word of Jehovah to mee, the word of him who is being, hath had being in mee. God is eſſence, or being unchangeable, and ſuch is his word, which ſhews the certainty of the word, hee had twice before received the word to Propheſy againſt the Nations, and now again hee is put on by the ſame, God commiſſioning him thereunto.

p. 4452 Take up a Lamentation for Tyrus.

The word Naſa, to take up, ſignifies to take up that which is heavy, burdenſome; and Lamentations are ſuch things; the Lord would have the Prophet ſenſible of the great miſery comming upon Tyrus, and to bewaile the ſame. —Jeremy, bewailed the condition of Jeruſalem when deſtruction was comming upon it, Jerem. 4.19. chap. 9.1. God would not have Prophets give out judgements and threatnings with bitter ſpirits, not when they are againſt Heathens, Tyrians; he would have his Servants to compaſſionate others.

3 Say unto Tyrus, O thou that art ſituate at the entry of the Sea.

Here he begins to ſet out the dignity of Tyrus, which firſt he doth from her ſituation, ſhee was ſeated at the entry of the Sea; ſhee was not onelyonly upon a rock, and ſo eminent for ſight, but by the Sea, yea, the entry of the Sea, and ſo was commodious for trading. The Hebrew for entry, is Mevooth, Inſignis erat tutiſſimis portubus Tyrus Vilalpandus. inſula erat multorum portuum. Vatablus.entries or Ports, from foreign Ʋenire, to come in. Tyrus was famous for Ports, ſo that ſhipps might come in, and ride there ſafely, and go out again at pleaſure. It was in an Iſland, and Iſlands have many Ports or Harbours.

Which art a Merchant of the People for many Iſles.

Tyrus did Merchandize with the Iſles far and near, ſhee did ſend out to them, and they brought into her what commodities were Merchantable. Shee was a Merchant City, Iſa. 23.8. the Merchants of Zidon traded with her, ver. 2. The Hebrew is, to many Iſles, the people prepared many vendible commodities, which the Iſles took off their hands, ſo that hereby her wealth was greatly increaſed, and her Merchants like Princes, Iſa. 23.8. and this was another dignity of Tyrus.

p. 446Thou haſt ſaid I am of perfect beauty.

Chelilat tophi, of univerſal beauty, I am ſo built that I want nothing to adde unto my beauty, its perfect. What God ſaid of Sion, Pſalm 50.2. that ſhee was the perfection of beauty, the ſame ſaid Tyrus of her ſelf, which was her ſinne; that ſhee war neatly and ſtrongly built was her glory, but that ſhee was proud hereof, was her ſinne and ſhame; for who can ſay, I am of perfect beauty, but the Lord?

4 Thy borders are in the midſt of the Seas.

Some Cities border upon Hills; Vallies, Woods, Rivers, but Tyrus had no ſuch borders, her borders were in the midſt, or as the Hebrew is, In the heart of the Seas. None could come to her by land, being half a mile, or ſeven hundred paces from the Continent; but Alexander in his time, made a paſſage into Tyrus, by filling up the Sea. This was the glory of Tyrus, that ſhe was compaſſed about with the Seas, and ſate as a virgin City, and Queen regent in the deeps.

Thy builders have perfected thy beauty.

Who were the Builders of Tyrus we finde not in Scripture, but Adrichomius following Beroſus, and the Traditions of the Antient, tells us, that one Tyrus the ſeventh of Japhets Sonnes, built it, a little after the floud, and that from him it was called Tyrus. This ſeems very probable, becauſe it was before Joſhuahs daies, as appears Joſh. 19.29. But whether hee or the Sidonians built it, is not clear, but who ever were the Builders, they were Maſters of Architecture, and nothing was left undone; quod ad ornatum & munitionem urbis pertinuit. The Sidonians were men of skill, Artiſts in hewing and building, 1 King. 5.6.

p. 4475 They have made all thy ſhip-boards of fir-trees of Senir.

Having ſhewed the dignity of Tyrus from the ſituation, ſtructure, and trading; now hee comes to ſet it out from the ſhipping of it. The Tyrians abounded in ſhips, and are thought to bee the firſt Authors of Navigation. Pliny ſaith,Lib. 5. c, 12. the Phenitians were famous for the invention, navalium & bellicarum artium, of the navigatory and military art, and Tybullus ſaith, that Tyrus firſt committed a ſhip to Sea. Lib. 1. Eleg. 7. primo ratem ventis credere docta Tyrus. Vide Sands Relat. 3. Editi. 1627. l. 3. p. 214 Vide Quiſter prim. in loc.Tyrus was the Metropolis of Phaenicia.

Thy ſhip-boards.

Luach is a table or plank, and Col luchocam is, all the planks on both ſides of the ſhips, there muſt bee thick and ſtrong planks to make a ſhip. Some render the word trauſtra, that is, ſeats, whereon rowers ſit in ſhips, boats, or gallies.

Of fir-trees of Senir.

The word Beroſhim for Fir-trees, ſome render it Cedars, but 1 King. 5.8. Iſa. 37.24. Fir-trees and Cedars have diſtinct names foreign is a Cedar, and Beroſh the fir-tree, which is a tree tall and ſtrong, therefore great men are likened unto it, Nahum 2.3. the fir-trees ſhall be terribly ſhaken, that is, the men in place and honour. Planks of fir, its obſerved are ſmooth, will cleave cloſe together, and ſo were counted then fitteſt for ſhipping; theſe fir trees were taken from Senir, a Mount, which had many names, Deut. 3.9. Moſes called it Hermon, the Sidonians Shirion, or Syrion, the Amorites Shenir. Others Hor and ſome Sion. Stephanus in Onomaſt. interprets it dormiens lucerna, the Chaldee calls it, the Snow Mount, becauſe the ſnow uſed to continue upon it. Our Prophet here makes it a mount of Fir-trees.

p. 448They have taken Cedars from Lebanon.

This Mountain is partly in Canaan, and partly in Syria, or Phaenicia. Solomon ſent to Hyram to hew him Cedar Trees out of Lebanon, that was from that part of the Mount, which runne along in Syria, and Phaenicia. Some make it a Mount in Syria, ſo high, that in the midſt of the ſummer, it preſerves the ſnow on the top of it, which is fetched thence to Tyrus, Mart. Lexic.made uſe of to cool their ſummer cups, and ſold to others for the ſame purpoſe. Its called Lebanon, the learned conceive, becauſe of its ſnowy whiteneſſe. Laban in Hebrew is White, thence Lebanon, Jerem. 18.14. Can a man leave the ſnow of Lebanon? It abounded with Cedars, which are ſtrong, durable, and tall, Ezek. 17.22. they are ſaid to be high, and men in high places are compared to high Cedars, expoſed to windes, ſtorms, ſhakings, and ruine, more than others, by reaſon of their tallneſſe and ſtrength, they were the fitter for ſhipping.

To make Masts for thee.

The Maſt is arbor navis qua vela ſuſtinentur, the tree in the ſhip, which bears up the Sails. In Greek foreign, becauſe it ſtands upright in the ſhip. Heſyc. calls it, foreign, the right or ſtrait wood of the ſhip. In Hebrew foreign from foreign as it ſignifies a Merchant, quaſi arbor mercateria.

6 Of the Oakes of Baeſhan.

Baſhan was a land beyond Jordan, which bred mighty men, and was called the land of Gyants, Deut. 3.13. Og was King thereof, whoſe bed-ſtead of iron, was nine Cubits in length, and four in breadth, verſ. 11. this country was large, and fell partly to Manaſſeh, verſ. 14. and partly to Gad, 1 Chron. 5.11, 16. it was a rich ſoil, and fruitful, the Lambs and Rams of it are ſet out in ſcripture with an emphaſis, Deut. 32.14. the breed of Baſhan, it bred luſty, ſtrong, p. 449and fat Cattle, hence great ones, and rich men are likened to the Bulls of Baſhan, Pſalm 22.12. to Kine of Baſhan, Amos 4.1. the mighty ones and Princes of the earth, are called fatlings of Baſhan, Ezek. 39.18. This land as it bred Men and Beaſts of ſtrength and ſtature, ſo Trees likewiſe; eſpecially Oakes, which are ſet out by way of diſtinction from others, as Oakes of Baſhan, Iſa. 2.13. by which ſtrong and great men are ſet out, Zech. 11.2. The Hebrew for Oakes, is Allonim, which ſome have rendred Pine-trees, ſome Cheſnut-trees, ſome fir-trees, but moſt Oakes: for Baſhan was a woody Countrey, and did abound with Oakes, and Allon ſignifies an Oake, Joſh. 24.26. Iſa. 6.13. Callonim, as Oakes.

Have they made thine Oares.

The Tyrians made their ſhips, ſo, that when the wind ſerved not, or not ſufficiently, they might row with Oares, and ſo make the more ſpeed upon occaſions. Their Oares were made of choice Oake, which was firm and laſting, Miſhſhotim Oares, its from Shut, which ſignifies diſcurrere curſitare. The Oares helped on the motion of the ſhip, and ſerved to tow her in, where winds would not ſuffer.

The company of the Aſhurites have made thy benches of Ivory.

In the Hebrew its Bath aſhurim, the Daughter of the Aſſyrians. Ʋatablus hath it, Congregatio Aſſyriorum, The Congregation of the Aſſyrians, which hee interprets thus, the beſt Aſſyrian Artiſts, have made thy benches of Ivory. The Septuagint hath it, foreign, domunculas nemoroſas, Darke houſes, quaſi beth aſherim. Lyra, interprets the words, Domunculas in navibus ad reponendum neceſſaria, Cabbins to lay up things neceſſary. Others have differing conjectures about the words. Which in the Original ſtand thus: They have made thee benches of Ivory, the Daughter of Aſhurim. that is, the Daughter of Tradings, or goings; to this purpoſe Junius and Piſcator interpret the words, one hath it, Ex eb…re tritiſſimo, the other, Ex ebore bene attrito, of Ivory p. 450well worn, or trodden, and thus doth Buxtorfius render the word, Shen bath aſhurim, Ebur, filius or filia greſſuum, i. e. Greſſibus tritum. The word Aſhur ſignifies going treading, and Pliny ſaith, that Ivory, which hath been long in the earth,Vid. Buxtor. verbo. Aſhur. and much trodden upon, is the onelyonly Ivory. The word for Ivory is Shen, a tooth, which by a Synecdoche is put for the tooth, or teeth of Elephants; whereof Ivory is made. Some calls them the Elephants hornes; becauſe they are large and like unto Hornes. Theſe teeth or hornes they ſhed every ten years, and being ſhed defodiunt & reponunt, they hide them, and lay them up. Theophraſt. and Pliny ſpeak of Ebur foſſile, Martinius in Lexic.Ivory digged out of the Earth, white and black, which may bee the Teeth or hornes of the Elephant, hid in the earth, and trodden into it.

Of Ivory the Tyrians made them benches.

The word for Benches is, foreign which ſignifies a board, a table, or plank, that which may bee joyned to other things, and may be rendred the decks or hatches, but becauſe their ſhips had Oares, its like there were ſeats or benches.

Brought out of the Iſles of Chittim.

In the Word is mention of the land of Chittim, Iſa. 23.1. The coaſt of Chittim, Numb. 24.24. the ſhips of Chittim, Dan. 11.30. and here, of the Iſles of Chittim. Some make it Italy, the Vulgar hath it, De inſulis Italiae. Melancthon thinks it to bee Macedonia. Bonfrerius ſaith, Cyprus was firſt ſo called, and after, this name Chittim was given to other Iſlands, as Italy, Greece. A Lapide names Cyprus, Crete, Sicily, the Iſlands of Apulia, and Italy, which hee comprehends under the Iſles of Chittim. They were ſo called from Chittim, one of the Sonnes of Javan, who deſcended from Japhet; the ſon of Noe, Gen. 10.45. and hee with his brethren divided the Iſles of the Gentiles, after their Tongues and Families.

Obſ. 1 The men of the world are wiſe, chuſing the fitteſt places for their own advantage and intereſt. Tyrus was ſituate at the entry of the Sea, was a Merchant of the people for many Iſles, the Tyrians ſeated themſelves, where they might p. 451have great trading at Sea, and acceſſe unto them, from all parts, and ſo grow great and rich; the Canaanites dwelt by the Sea, and coaſt of Jordan, Numb. 13.29. places fit for exportation and importation. Babylon was ſeated upon many waters, Jer. 51.13. the great river Euphrates ran through it, by means whereof, it grew rich; for it follows, abundant in treaſures: Thoſe Cities or Towns, that are built upon rivers, navigable, and Sea coaſts, where bee Ports commodious for ſhipping, they draw the wealth unto them, and abound in treaſure. Let us learn ſo much of the men of the world, to bee wiſe for our ſpiritual intereſt, and ſeat our ſelves near the waters of the Sanctuary, that ſo trading with God and Chriſt, we may abound with ſpiritual treaſure.

Obſ. 2 Outward excellencies lift up mens hearts, beget vain confidences, and cauſe them to boaſt. Tyrus was built upon a Rock, ſituate at the entry of the Sea, did Merchandiſe with many Iſles, whereby ſhe gate the Riches, and Rarities of other places, and hereupon ſhee ſweld, and ſaid, I am of perfect beauty, I want nothing conducing to eſſence or ornament, to being, or well-being; I and mine are compleat every way. Great Cities which have outward advantages of inriching themſelves, are full of pride, confidence, and ſinful boaſtings. Babylon was a great and rich City, and Iſa. 47.7. ſhee ſaid, Ehjeh gevareth, I ſhall be a Lady or mighty woman for ever: Shee took upon her the name of God, verſ. 8. I am, and none elſe beſides mee, I ſhall not fit as a widow, I am the golden, the beautiful, the ſtrong City, none is comparable unto mee, none is able to deal with mee, to deprive mee of my glory, wealth, greatneſs, and make mee deſolate, and ſit mourning like a widow. Theſe were the confidences and boaſtings of Babylon. The like you may read of Rome, which is ſpiritual Babylon, Revel. 18.7. Shee ſaid in her heart, I ſit a Queen, and am no widdow, and ſhall ſee no ſorrow. I have great command, and power, I ob…y none. Nations and Kings are under mee, I am no widdow like other Cities, I abound with delicacies and delights, in this condition ſhall I continue, I ſhall ſee no ſorrow. This is the great wickedneſſe of Cities inriched by God, that they forget him, and p. 452glory in external excellencies.

Obſ. 3 No ſituation, ſtrength, or outward advantage can ſecure proud Cities. Tyrus borders were in the heart of the Seas, ſhee was compaſſed about with great waters, judged by all to bee impregnable, but Gods deſigne was to ruine Tyrus for her pride, and he found out a way and means to do it. Let Cities bee built where they will, in the deeps, on rockie mountains, whereſoever, if they glory in their ſtrength, beauty, ſcituation, God can bring deſtruction upon them. Nothing ſhall hinder in nature or art. Hee will work, and who ſhall let it, Iſa. 43.13. hee will work, and what ſhall let it, not ſeas, not rocks, not walls, not ſtrong towers, nor multitude of ſhips.—Babylons, many waters could not ſecure her, when the Lord had a device to deſtroy her; her pride, and inſolency, cauſed him to dry up her waters, and make her heaps, Jer. 51.36, 37.

Obſ. 4 Artiſts will put forth themſelves to the utmoſt to ſhew their skill. Thy builders have perfected thy beauty, they concealed not their art, what skill ſoever they had in Architecture, they ſtrove to manifeſt the ſame.

Verſ. 7 Fine linnen, with broidered work from Egypt, was that which thou ſpreadeſt forth to bee thy Sail, blue and purple from the Iſles of Eliſhah, was that which covered thee.

Having ſpoken of the ſubſtantials, he comes now to the Ornament of Tyrus ſhipping, viz. their ſails.

Fine Linnen, with broidered work from Egypt.

Egypt abounded with Flax, which was very fine, white, and pretious, whereof the Egyptians made fine linnen, which for the Excellency and diſtinction ſake, was called the fine linnen of Egypt, Prov. 7.16. which was ſo fine, that diverſe interpreters have rendred the word, Shoſh byſſum, ſilk; it was ſuch as Philoſtratus ſaith, Solis Nobilibus licuiſſe byſſo indui, that is, was lawful onelyonly for Noble men to wear.

Notwithſtanding this Linnen was ſo fine, they did imbroider p. 453it, which as it made it more ſtrong, ſo far more coſtly. The Hebrew Berichma is from foreign acu pingere, to picturiſe by the needle, and rochem is,Quivarias formas & figuras multis coloribus effigiare novit, ſicut acupictores vel qui varia fila diverſorum colorum intexentes rerum omnium imagines imitantur. V…l 2 lp. Such an Artiſt as can draw the form and figures of things in divers colours. Linnen of Egypt imbroidered with the forms and figures of ſeveral things had the Tyrians to make ſailing for their ſhips.

Which thou ſpreadeſt forth to be thy ſail.

The word for Sail is Nes, which ſome derive from Naſah, to exalt, elevate, for ſailes are on high. Others from Naſas, which is vexillum erigere, to ſet up a banner, to which the Souldiers gather, and to the ſail when its hoyſed up, as to the banner of the Ship, the winds gather. In Latine its called velum quia diſtantum in navi inſtar alae ventum excipit, and ſo helps on the motion of the ſhip.

Blue and Purple.

Theſe might be rich colourings, which they uſed to beautify and adorn their ſhips withall, or to colour their ſails with. In Jer. 10.9. its ſaid blue and purple is their cloathing; their Idols were cloathed with cloath of thoſe colours, and ſo here, its probable they migh cover their heads with blue and purple cloathes to keep off the heat, or deck and cover their ſhips with cloathes ſo coloured.

From the Iſles of Eliſha.

In Gen. 10.4. Eliſha the Son of Javan was one of them that divided the Iſles of the Gentiles, and thoſe Iſles hee had, were honoured with his Name. Theodoret makes them to bee the Iſlands of Greece. Jerome the Iſlands in the Ionian Sea, Junius makes Eliſha to bee Author of the Aeolians, who were of note for purple. Tyrus had much purple of its own, yet being a Mart Town, from all places where it was, both that,Vid. Jun. not…s in Gen. 10.4Gen 10:4 and other rich Commodities were brought unto Tyre.

p. 454Obſ. 1 The wiſdome of God in beſtowing ſeveral mercies upon ſeveral places. No one place hath all his bleſſings, and hardly any place but hath ſome diſtinct bleſſing. In the 5, 6, and 7. verſes, you may ſee that Senir hath fir-trees, Lebanon had Cedars, Baſhan had Oakes, the Iſles of Chittim had Ivory, Egypt fine Linnen, the Iſles of Eliſha, blue and purple. All theſe places had diſtinct Mercies, and Tyrus was beholding to them all. The Scripture ſpeaks of Gods aſſigning diſtinct mercies to divers places, as Balm and Myrrh to Gilead, Gen. 37.25. Gold to Ophir, 1 King. 9.28. Braſs to Tibhah and Chun, 1 Chron. 18.18. Vines to Sibmah, Jer. 48.32. and wines to Lebanon, Hoſ. 14.7. which ſets out the manifold wiſdome of God, making way thereby for the Merchandizing of Nations, Civilizing of men by commerce, communicating of intelligence, providences, the Truth, and Goſpel of Chriſt. The Indies have ſweet ſpices, Silks, Cotten, Indico, Cutchineale. Conſtantinople, Smyrna, the Mediterranean Iſlands, and other parts have their Commodities. Norway, and thoſe parts, have ſomething peculiar. Our Nation hath Lead, Tin, Fullers Earth, wools, and cloathes, for which Forrainers have been beholding to us.

Obſ. 2 Proud ſpirits ſpare no coſt to ſatisfy their humours and luſts. The men of Tyrus were rich and proud, they built ſhips, and beautified them with coſtly materials, their ſhipboards were of Fir-trees of Senir, their Maſts were of Cedars from Lebanon, their Oares were of Oakes of Baſhan, their Benches, holds, or decks, were of Ivory, out of the Iſles of Chittim; their ſails were of fine Linnen from Egypt, and that imbroidered; they coloured and covered their ſhips with blue and purple from the Iſles of Eliſhah. Mens Luſts are coſtly things, to gratifye them, they will laviſh out gold and ſilver. When Sea-Towns are fatted with the wealth of Sea and Land, they become proud, and pride in whomſoever it is, is expenſive. Plutarch tells of a ſhip which Cleopatra had, ſaying,In vita Antonii. Erat aurea puppis, vela purpurea, pandebantur remi argentei, ipſa regina ſub tentorio aurato requieſcens. Where God gives in great ſupplies, great means, they are ſeldome laid out for the honour of that God, but frequently both among Heathens, and Gods people, are laid out to maintain ſtate, p. 455pride, ſome wretched, ſome baſe luſt, or other. So Jeruſalem being inriched with Gods bleſſings, and trading from all parts, Ezek. 26.2. being the gates of the people, ſhee made of her Jewels, gold, and ſilver, Idols covering them with broidered garments, Ezek. 16.17, 18.

Verſ. 8 The Inhabitants of Zidon, and Arvad were thy Marriners: thy wiſe men, O Tyrus, that were in thee were thy Pilots.

9 The Ancients of Gebal, and the wiſe men thereof were in thee, thy calkers, all the ſhips of the Sea, with their Marriners were in thee, to occupy thy merchandiſe.

Having ſpoken of the Materials, Fabrick, and rich Ornaments of Tyrus ſhipping, in theſe two verſes hee treats of the officers and perſons imployed therein, and multitude of Trafiquers with Tyrus.

8 The Inhabitants of Zidon and Arvad.

Zidon was a famous City of Phaenicia ſaith Jerome and Euſebius, it was more North than Tyrus, in the North-Weſt of Canaan, at the utmoſt borders thereof. It was built either by Sidon, the firſt-born of Canaan, Gen. 10.15, 19. or by the Sidonians, who deſcending from him, built it in honour to his name. It was a great City, Joſh. 19.28. aſſigned unto the Tribe of Aſher, but the inhabitants thereof were not driven out by that Tribe. Judg. 1.31. It was more ancient than Tyrus. Strabo makes it two hundred furlongs from Tyre, Bonfrerius ſome five or ſix mile.

Arvad or Arad, the Vulgar reads it, Aradii, the Aradians were thy Marriners; it was not Arad, a City in the South, Numb. 21.1. For the men thereof were no Marriners, it being an in-land City. The Hebrew is Arvad which OEcolampadius takes to bee Damaſcus. Jerome makes it an Iſland, and ſo doth Ʋilalpandus, and tha… not far from Sidon, but Junius makes it rath…r, a Town in the ſea, ſeven furlongs long, and two hundred paces from the Continent, And Pliny tells us, that the Tyrians, Sidonians, and Aradians dwelt near together, p. 456and were very skilful in Navigation, eſpecially the Sidonians, Vide Plinii naturalem hiſtoriam. l. 5. c. 20.and Arvadites. Of theſe were their Marriners.

Thy wiſe-men, O Tyrus, that were in thee, were thy Pilots.

The Tyrians took Marriners from other places, but ſet men of their own over them, ſuch as were wiſe and fit for that imployment; inferiour places, they called ſtrangers to; the honorable and places of truſt, they reſerved for their own. The Tyrians were wiſe and skilful in Sea-affaires, 1 King. 9.27. Hyrams ſhip-men were ſuch as had knowledge of the Sea, they knew the ſeveral parts, what rocks and ſands were in the way to them, they knew how to ſteer the ſhip in all winds and weathers, and to order all in the ſhip for the beſt advantage. Such were their Pilots. The word for Pilot is, foreign chobel, which ſignifies the Maſter, Captain, or Governour of the ſhip, which OEcolampadius derives from foreign funis, becauſe by them the ſailes of the ſhip are extended or contracted at the pleaſure of the Pilot or Governour, but rather its from foreign parturire, like one in travail, who hath many fears and ſorrows before ſhee bring forth, ſo hath the Pilot or Maſter of the ſhip.

9 The Antients of Gebal, and the wiſe men thereof.

Gebal was a Province or City in Syria, or Syrophaenicia neer unto Sidon, the men thereof confederated with others againſt the people of God, Pſalm 83.7. Theſe Gebalites were men skilful in he wing of ſtones, 1 King. 5.18. that is, ſtone-ſquarers. The Hebrew word is, Gibhlim, the Giblites, or Gebalites, they with others, were the hewers of the ſtones and Timber wherewith the Temple was built. Among theſe alſo were ancient wiſe and able men for building and calking of ſhips.

p. 457Were in thee thy Calkers.

The Hebrew is, Machazikee bidkec, which Montanus renders roborantes ſciſſuram tuam, Strengthening thy clefts, or ruptures, in the Margent you have it, ſtoppers of chinks. Calkers are thoſe that drive in the Okum in the Clefts, Chinks, or diſtances between the planks of the ſhip, and then with Pitch, Rozen, and Oyle, doth pay the ſame, that ſo no water may enter. The French is, Reparans tes crevaſſes, repairing thy crevices.

All the ſhips of the Sea with their Marriners were in thee, to occupy thy merchandize.

Ships from all places and parts came to Tyrus, bringing in their Commodities thither, and carrying out what Tyrus afforded, glaſs, purple, and other Commodities. The Hebrew word for Ships is, Onijoth, being the plural Number from foreign which ſometimes is rendred a Navy, as 1 King. 10.11, 22. 1 King. 9.26, 27. but moſtly a ſhip, as Prov. 30.19. Jonah 1.3, 4, 5. Iſa. 33.21. A ſhip is an hollow veſſel, made to ſwim or ſail upon the waters, and carry burdens. Which Plautus calls, Equum ligneum. Lucretius, the Chariot of the windes. Auguſt. A Sea Wagon. Ships are at Sea, what Carts, Chariots, or Wagons, are at land; and as thoſe are drawn by horſes, ſo are they driven on by windes and ſailes.Curvum ventorum vehiculum marinum. The word foreign being from Anah, impellere, quia impetu ventorum navis impellitur. It is the winde which cauſeth the ſhip to move.

The word for Marriners in the 8. v. is ſhatim, and in this 9. v. its Mallachim, the firſt is from Shut to move, go up and down from place to place, and ſo Marriners do, carrying the ſhip from Port to Port; the latter word is from Melach, ſalt, quaſi, ſalt-men, becauſe they row and ſail in the Salt Sea.

p. 458To occupy thy Merchandiſe.

The Hebrew is, Ad negotiandum negotiationem tuam, to negotiate thy negotiation, or to buy thy buying, thou haſt played the Merchant in buying diverſe Commodities,foreign Miſ. cuit & mercatu, eſt nam mercatores in emendo & vendendo miſcent unum cum alio. and Merchants come to thee to fetch away thoſe Commodities. Ʋatablus his ſenſe of the words is ſo, Ad diſtrahendas merces tuas, to take off thy wares.

Verſ. 10 They of Perſia, and of Lud; and of Phut, were in thine Army, thy men of war: they hanged the ſhield and helmet in thee: they ſet forth thy comelineſſe.

11 The men of Arvad with thine Army were upon thy Walls round about, and the Gamadims were in thy Towers: they hanged their ſhields upon thy walls round about, they have made thy beauty perfect.

Having ſpoken of their gallant ſhipping, their Pilots, Marriners, Calkers, and Naval-affairs, here hee comes to the Military, they had conſiderable Forces, from other parts, and of their own, both which are touched in theſe two verſes.

They of Perſia.

The Perſians were good Souldiers, Cyrus the Perſian conquered the Chaldaeans, Lib. 31and ſet up the Perſian Empire. Ammianus ſaith of the Perſians, Pugnandi ſunt peritiſſimi, they are expert in warlike affairs. The Hebrew for Perſia is parats, which ſignifies to divide, to this Dan…el alludes, chap. 5.28. Peres, thy Kingdome is divided, and given to the Medes, and Perſians. Martinius in Lexico.But the name of Perſia was before, and upon another account, from one Perſeus a King.

And of Lud.

In the tenth of Geneſis, there is mention of Ludim the Son of Mizraim and Ham, verſ. 13. and of Lud the ſon of Shem of the firſt its conceived came the Lubims in Africa, p. 459who were enemies to the Jews, 2 Chron. 12.3. Of the ſecond the Lydians, a people in Aſia, who were skilful Archers,Lydes intel gentes r…b…ſtiſſimos reputatos eorum que regem Croeſum a Cyro captum eſſe. Hyer…nimus. as appears, Jerem. 46.9 and Jerome ſaith, they were counted the ſtrongeſt among the Nations.

And of Phut.

Phut was one of the ſonnes of Ham, Gen. 10.6. from whom both poſterity and country were ſo named, Ezek. 38.5. Phut is tranſlated Lybia, and Lybians, Jerem. 46.9. and the Greek Scholiaſt here turnes Phut, Lybias, the Lybians. So vulgar; and theſe were Celebres in praelio pugnatores, famous warriours, and therefore hyred to be Tyriae urbis defenſores. Theſe joyned with their own men, made up their Army, fighting for them at Sea when occaſion was, and conſtantly guarding their City. The word for War is Milchamah from Lacham to eat, and to fight, becauſe wars do eat up men, and their eſtates; hence the ſword is ſaid to devoure, and that from one end of the land to another, Jerem. 12.12. and to bee drunk with blood, Jer. 46.10. war is bloudy, conſuming, and devouring.

They hanged the ſhield, and helmet in thee.

The Hebrew for ſhield is, Magen to protect, quia ferentem protegit, becauſe it protects and defends him that bears it. The Lord ſaid to Abraham, Gen. 15.1. Anachi magenlak, I am a ſhield to thee, that is, I that am the great God, am thy Protector; Hence great men, who ought to protect the people, the places and Cities they dwell in, are called Magin…e erez, the ſhields of the earth, Pſa. 47.10.

The word for Helmet in Hebrew is, Covah, in Greek foreign, that peece of Armor which covers the head. Of Old they made Helmets of the skins of Beaſts, afterwards of mettals, as braſs, iron, ſilver.Martin.

In time of peace, they hanged up their ſhields and helmets where they might be ſeen, that ſo both ſtrangers and others might ſee they were well provided for warres upon all occaſions, or rather, it was to ſet forth their glory and greatneſſe. Its like they had ſome publique Armory, where their Armes were laid up. The Jews ſtored up theirs p. 460in the houſe of God, 2 Chron. 23.9.

They ſet forth thy comelineſſe.

This added much to the beauty and glory of Tyrus, that it had ſtrong men in it, who were expert warriours, and ſtore of Armes hung up orderly. Solomon tells you an Armory is very comely, where there hangs ſhields and bucklers of mighty men, Cant. 4.4. ſuch hangings become an Armory, as well as Tapeſtry or Arras do any room.

11 The men of Arvad with thine Army, were upon thy walls round about.

Of the Arvadites was touched before, they with the Tyrians, and thoſe they had hired for military ſervices, kept watch upon the walls of Tyrus continually. Though it were a ſtrong City, ſeated upon a rock, in the midſt of the Seas, yet they thought it wiſdome to have a watch on all ſides, not knowing but enemies might come by Sea, and do them miſchief. Chomah, eſt murus quaſi muniens robur, a defenſive ſtrength; theſe Tyrians truſted not only to their Walls, a liveleſſe ſtrength, but had watches of their Souldiers, which were living ſtrengths.

The Gammadims were in thy Towers.

There is ſome diſpute among interpreters, who theſe Gammadims were. The Vulgar renders the word Pigmies, and ſo doth Shindler, whom authors affirm to bee, a people of three Cubits or Spans in ſtature, but its impoſſible the Tyrians ſhould imploy ſuch, who had ſought the ſtrongeſt and skilfulleſt of men in other Nations, to bee an ornament and defence unto them; what glory was it, to have ſuch dwarfes among their valiant men? Some make them to ſeem Pigmies, and little ones, becauſe they were in high Towers; this favours more of phanſy, than of truth; why ſhould not the Tyrians have ſtout men in their Towers, as we…l as on their walls? The Chaldee reads it Cappadocians. The Septuagint, p. 461foreign, Keepers, and Jerome though hee renders the word Pigmies, yet he addes quaſi bellatores, foreign, a lucta & certamine, becauſe they were forward to fight, and were notable fift-fighters. Gammadim is from Gomed, a Cubite, which occaſioned many to think them to bee Cubit-men; but Gomed may note the arm, wherein mans ſtrength lies, and hence they are called Ʋiri brachiales, quod brachio potentes & robuſti eſſent, becauſe they were men of their armes. And Junius calls them, viros lacertoſos, Buxtor. in verbo Gammadim Vid. de Dien. in locum.men of armes and ſtrength, fit to defend what they undertook. Doubtleſſe they were men of ſtature and ſtrength. Otherwiſe what ſhould they have done with ſhields, they would have been burdenſome to little and weak men. Quiſtorpius ſaith, theſe Gammadims were a warlike people, not inferiour to the Perſians, Lydians, or Arvadians, ſo called from a region of that name. A Lapide conceives, Gammadim may bee from foreign ſtare, and ſo theſe Gammadims to bee milites ſtationarii, ſtanding Souldiers, a ſtanding garriſon in the Towers of Tyrus.

They hanged their ſhields upon thy walls round about.

The word for ſhields differs from that in the former verſe, there its magen, and here its foreign ▪ Shelet. Whence our Engliſh word ſhield comes; its from ſhalat, dominari, poſſe, becauſe thoſe uſed ſhields, were like men of power, and inabled to incounter their enemies.

They have made thy beauty perfect.

The French is, Ils t' ont fait parfaite en beaute, they have made thee perfect in beauty. The Vulgar is, Compleverunt pulchritudinem tuam, they have filled up thy beauty; the Sidonians, Arvadians, Gebalites, Perſians, Lydians, Lybians. Gammadims, every one added ſomething, which made up the beauty of Tyrus. You may confine it to their ſhipping and armes.

p. 462Obſ. 1 That even amongſt Heathens, were wiſe and experienced men. Zida, Arvad, Tyrus, Gebal, were Heatheniſh, yet had they their wiſe men, and ancients. Chacamim and Sekenim, all wiſdome and experience were not ſhut up in Judaea, the Lord gave gifts unto Heathens, ſo that many of them excelled in wiſdome, and had great skill in natural and humane things. The word Chacam imports knowledge, and wiſdome, in divine and humane things. Heathens fell ſhort in the firſt, but went beyond moſt in the ſecond. Solomon acknowledged, that there was none among the Jews, that had ſuch skill in hewing of Timber, as the Sidonians, 1 King. 5.6. and you may read how skilful a Tyrian was, 2 Chron. 2.14. Hee was Iſh Chacam, verſ. 13. its a cunning man in our tranſlation, but rather it ſhould bee a man of wiſdome, a man of skill, hee was ſo skilful▪ as to finde out any thing put unto him. There were wiſe men in the Nations, Jerem. 10.7. Edom had hers, Obad. 8. So Babylon, Dan. 5.7. Egypt had the like, Exod. 7.11. and Tyre, and Sidon, had not onelyonly wiſe men, but thoſe were very wiſe, Zech. 9.2.

Obſ. 2 Matters of importance are to bee committed to men of wiſdome and experience. Tyrus put her Naval affairs, in the hands of wiſe men and ancient; ſhe would not truſt young, raw, unexpert men to bee her Marriners, Pilots, or Calkers. ſhee looked not to kindred, friends, and relations, as ſtates now do; but unto thoſe were fit, and able, wiſe, and experienced in the affairs they were to bee imployed in. Wiſdome directs Eccl. 10.10. wiſdome builds up and eſtabliſheth, Prov. 24.3.

Obſ. 3 Wiſe States as they will make uſe of Forrainers to advance their affaires, and ſecure themſelves, ſo eſpecially they will promote their own unto the principal places. Thy wiſe men, O Tyrus, that were in thee were thy Pilots, Sidonians, and Arvadites were her Marriners, the Gibalites her Calkers, but Tyrians themſelves were her Pilots. So Perſians, Lydians, and Phutians were in the Army of Tyrus, but they were not the Commanders thereof. Tyrus was careful, and ſhewed her great wiſdome in placing men of her own; Thoſe were Natives, in the chief places of her Navy, and of her Army.

When ſtrangers are ſet in chief places, it diſcontents the p. 463Natives, cauſes envy, grudgings, and animoſities, ſo that thoſe under them, oft plot againſt them, and ſo the work they are in, is made unſucceſſeful. Solomon ſet his own people over the work, 1 King. 5.16. and Pharaoh ſet Egyptians over the Iews, and Jewiſh Officers, Exod. 1.11, 5.14.

Obſ. 4 The glory of a State and City is made up of, and ſet out by external things. Ships, ſouldiers, ſhields, helmets, they made up the beauty of Tyrus, they made it perfect, they became her, and ſet forth her comelineſſe. Such Comelineſſe, ſuch beauty, have heatheniſh States and Cities, but there is another beauty, another Comelineſſe, which would far exceed theſe, and make States, Cities very glorious, viz. True Doctrine, pure worſhip, holineſſe of life, execution of juſtice, and proviſion for the Poor; theſe things would make the beauty of a City perfect, and ſet forth the comelineſſe thereof unto the life. Sion that had theſe things in her, was the Perfection of beauty.

Verſ. 12 Tarſhiſh was thy Merchant, by reaſon of the multitude of all kind of riches: with ſilver, Iron, Tin, and Lead, they traded in thy fairs.

The glory of Tyrus, being pencilled out from its ſtructure, Navy, and Militia. Now the Prophet proceeds to amplify, the ſame from the great Merchandiſing it had, Iſaiah tells you, chap. 23.3, that Tyrus was a Mart of Nations, and Lavater ſaith, it was quaſi emptorium totius mundi, as a Market or Fair for the whole world, which was an exceeding great honour unto Tyrus. This amplification extends unto the 25. verſ. and in the ſeveral verſes are ſet out the divers ſorts of Merchants, and their wares.

Tarſhiſh was thy Merchant.

This word Tarſhiſh hath greatly perplexed Interpreters, and their thoughts about it are various. Jerome in moſt places, and many others that follow him; make it to bee the Sea; ſome the Mediterranean, others the Ocea; but this Munſter likes not, becauſe as the other ſons of Javan divided p. 464the Iſles of the Gentiles, and gave their names unto them, ſo its probable that Tarſhiſh being his Son, did the like, Gen. 10.4, 5. beſides Pſalm 72.10. mention is made of the Kings of Tarſhiſh, which imports it was Land, and not Sea. In this place the Septuagint hath foreign. Jerome, and the Vulgar Carthaginenſes, the Carthaginians, ſo that they all underſtand by Tarſhiſh, Carthage. So Mariana likewiſe, who ſaith, that Tunis being near Carthage, was called in the Arabick Tongue Tharſis, which hee hath from Leo Africanus: and in theſe two places, Iſa. 23.1. Ezek. 38.13. The Septuagint hath Carthage, and the Carthaginians: Pliny makes it a Colony of Tyrus: Lib. 5. c. 19. Q Curt. l. 4.and Curtius ſaith, the Tyrians built Carthage; and were honoured by the Carthaginians, Parentum loco. Some make Tharſis, here to bee Tarſus, a City in Cilicia, that which Jonas fled unto, Jon. 1.3. the City whereof Paul the Apoſtle was, Act. 21.39. but this Boeti. in his ſacred animadverſions likes not, becauſe Tarſus was not a Sea, Lib. 4. c. 6.but an Inland-Town; and he cites Pliny for proof of it, ſaying, that the river Cydnus doth divide Tarſus far from the Sea; Lib. 5. c. 2.and moreover, Cilicia had not ſuch mettals, as here are mentioned. Others therefore make this Tarſhiſh to bee Tarteſſus a Sea-Town in Spain, which abounded with theſe mettals here mentioned, viz. ſilver, iron, tin, and lead, which were brought to Tarteſſus: but what ever probabilities are alledged for this opinion. The Prophet Iſaiah confounds them all, when hee ſaith, chap. 23.10. that Tyrus was the Daughter of Tarſhiſh. Tyrus was very ancient, yet not ſo ancient as Tarſhiſh, which was ſome Mediterranean Iſland, with the City thereof, ſo named from Tarſhiſh the Son of Javan, Gen. 10.4, 5. How then can either Carthage, or Tarteſſus, bee Tarſhiſh? when they were daughters of Tyrus, as Pliny, l. 5. c. 19. and Sanct. upon Iſa. 2.13. do affirm, and though both of them were ancient, yet muſt they not compare with Tyrus or Tarſhiſh for antiquity.

The men of Tarſhiſh, what Iſland, City, or place ſoever it was, they came to Tyrus, and Merchandiſed with her, The Word for Merchant is foreign Socher, from ſachar, to p. 465go from place to place, in a trading way, tranſporting commodities, which is the work of Merchants; they themſelves, or by their factors, do cauſe goods to bee carried from Port to Port, and tranſported beyond Sea. Either Tarſhiſh had ſuch Mines, as yeilded the mettals ſpoken of in the verſe, or they were brought unto it, and ſo tranſported by the Merchants thereof to Tyrus.

With Silver, Iron, Tin, and Lead.

Ceſeph is the word for ſilver, which comes from Caſaph, to deſire, for ſilver is that which all men covet and deſire, yet are not ſatisfied therewith.Hujus deſiderium omnes homines tenet. Avenarius. So ſtrongly are ſome carried out in their deſires after it, that they venture limbs and life for it, yea, peirce themſelves through many cares, and drown their ſouls in perdition, 1 Tim. 6, 8, 10.

Bazreh is Iron, bertz is a Chaldee word, ſignifying tranſfigere perforare, from whence it may bee derived, becauſe Iron is that which peirceth through, and faſtens things togegether, it is of great uſe, and could not well bee wanted in any ſtate, its frequently put in ſcripture,Scalig. Exert. 10.6.2. for that is made of Iron, as 2 King. 6.5, 6. that is called the Axe, in Hebrew is Iron, and Pſalm 105.18. hee was laid in iron, that is, in Chaines made of Iron, ſo Pſal. 107.10. being bound in affliction, and Iron, that is, in fetters or chains, therefore metaphorically it notes hard things.

Tin, that is, Bedil, from Hiphdell, which is to ſeparate, becauſe its ſeparated not onelyonly from ſilver in the fire, but other droſſy materials, ſome call it white lead. Our pewter hath much of it mingled with it.

Lead, the Hebrew is, foreign Ophereth from Aphar, pulvis, duſt, becauſe it hath much earthineſſe in it, not becauſe its fetched out of the duſt of the earth, ſo are other mettals which are more noble.

They traded in thy fairs.

The Hebrew runnes thus, dederunt ſubſidiis tuis, they have p. 466given in theſe to thy aid. Faires are aides and helpes to places, where they bee kept. Others read for fairs, in derelictionibus tuis, in thy leavings they have traded, in the place where all things are left for ſale and exchange; the word iſbon, or isbonim notes the place whither wares are brought and left, from foreign aſab to leave, and alſo to help.

Verſ. 13 Javan, Tubal, and Meſhech, they were thy Merchants, they traded the perſons of men, and veſſels of braſs in thy market.

Javan was the ſon of Japhet, Gen, 10.2. from whom came the Jonians, afterwards called the Grecians, Dan. 8.21. the rough goat, is melech Javan, the King of Grecia, and the Septuagint here hath it, foreign, which is Greece: Joel 3.6. jevanim is rendred foreign by the Septuagint, and Grecians by our tranſlators.

Tubal.

Tubal was the Son of Japhet alſo, Gen. 10.2. and as Junius in his notes upon the place, obſerves, from him came the Iberians, and Albanians. The Iberians were a people in Aſia, near the Cuſpian, and Euxine Seas, and the Albanians were their neighbours, between Colchis and Armenia. Some expoſitors do tell us, there were Occidental Iberians as well as Oriental, and by them they underſtand the Spaniards, who were ſo called from the river Iber, and they make Tubal, Vid. Vilalp.the father and founder of Spain; the firſt City whereof they affirm to be called Thubal.

Meſhech.

Some make him being the Son of Japhet, Gen. 10.2. the father of the Muſcovites: others of the Cappadocians, who formerly were called Meſchines, or Meſchates. Joſephus in his firſt book of Antiquities chap. 7. which is of Nations deriving their names from the Authors, ſaith, Meſchus was p. 467the author of them called Meſchates, who were lately named Cappadocians: for they ſhew even at this day, a token of their ancient name, to wit, the City of Maſaca.

They were thy Merchants.

The word for Merchant here, differs from that in the precedent verſ, its foreign rochel, which properly is a Merchant dealing in Grocery, Spicery, and ſweet things, in the 1 King. 10.15. they bee called Spice-Merchants, harocelim, There bee two words more in the verſ. for Merchants, Tor foreign becauſe they ſearch into the nature of things; and Socher, becauſe they ſend their goods up and down from place to place; but Rochel is uſed for thoſe that Merchandiſe in other things, as follows.

They traded the perſons of men.

The Hebrew is, Benepheſh adam, in the ſoul, or ſouls of men, So the Septuagint, foreign. The Vulgar is, Mancipia, ſlaves. The Fren. is, Les ames des homes. Junius and Piſcator, reads it hominibus, They traded in men, either they brought men to Tyrus to ſell them there, or brought men in to Tyrus to carry elſe where. This was a frequent practiſe among Hea…hens to buy and ſell men. If it be thought lawful to ſell thoſe are taken in war, from whom the Conqueror might take their lives, what warrant there is to buy and ſell other men like beaſts in a Market, I ſee not. The Scholiaſt ſaith, God here doth accuſe their great in-juſtice, qui homines per vim vendant. The Merchants that dealt with the whore of Babylon; they traded, Rev. 18.…3. in the bodies, ſo is the word ſlaves in the Original, and Soules of men. They traded in the ſoul of man, that is, ſaith Vilalpandus, cum ingenti vitae periculo, with the great hazard of their lives, according to that, Lament. 5.9. we gate our bread, benaphſhenu in anima noſtra, that is, with the hazard of our ſoul, or life, becauſe of the ſword of the wilderneſs.

p. 468And veſſels of braſs in thy market.

All kinde of Brazen veſſels, were brought thither, and ſold into other parts. The word for Market is Maarab from foreign to mingle, becauſe in Markets there are mixtures of all things; in Tyrus, were men, braſs, lead, tin, iron, ſilver, and a multitude of other things to bee had.

Verſ. 14 They of the houſe of Togarmah traded in thy fairs, with horſes, and horſemen, and mules.

Togarmah was the ſon of Gomer, the ſon of Japhet, Gen. 10.2, 3. and the Chaldee paraphraſt makes his Countrey Germany. The Jews underſtand by the Thogarmaeans, the Turks, and by Togarma, Turkia. Others by the houſe of Togarmah mean the Phrygians who abounded in horſes, and Horſemen, which were skilful in horſemandry. What houſe, that is, people, or Nation ſoever they were, they poſſeſſed the Northeren parts, Eze. 38.6.

Horſes, horſe-men, and Mules.

Suſim notes common horſes; Paraſim, or Pharaſim, horſes for war; Peradim, ſwift horſes, ſuch as Kings and Princes uſed, ſaith A Lapide; but Paraſh is a horſeman, quod equum calcaribus pungat, 2 Chron. 1.14. and Pered is a Mule, from Parad to ſeparate, becauſe the generation of mules is differing from other beaſts.

Verſ. 15 The men of Dedan were thy Merchants; many Iſles, were the merchandize of thy hand: they brought thee for a preſ…nt, hornes of Ivory and Ebeny.

Dedan was a City in Idumaea, belonging to the poſterity of Eſau, Jerem. 49.8. of it, ſee what was ſaid chap. 25.13. thoſe in that City, who were Merchants, did merchandiſe with Tyrus.

p. 469Many Iſles were the Merchandize of thy hand.

Iſles in the Ocean, or Mediterranean Sea. Sanctius thinks they could not bee the Mediterranean Iſlands, becauſe they yeilded not ſuch Commodities as are here ſpoken of. They brought their wares into Tyrus, bargaining with her Merchants and Inhabitants, which bargains were confirmed by ſtriking hands: or, by the Merchandiſe of thy hand, may be underſtood, their bringing wares to her hand, and taking wares off from her hand.

They brought thee for a preſent, hornes of Ivory and Ebeny.

Elephants have no Horns; but becauſe their Teeth grow ſomething like Horns, therefore they are called Hornes, and horns of Ivory, for that the Ivory is made of thoſe teeth or horns.

The Heb. word for Ebeny is hoben, hobenim, or hobnim, Jonathan in Targum Pagnine French.which ſome have interpreted Peacocks; but the word for Peacocks, is tuccljim, 1 King. 10.22. Ebeny is black, ſolid, and ſhining wood, ſo heavy, that it ſwims not in water,Sola India nigrum fert hebenum. Virg. but ſinks even like a ſtone, Eben in Hebrew is a ſtone, and Ebeny differs not much from it. India is the Parent of it.

For a preſent, not that they gave the Tyrians their Ivory and Ebeny, but preſented them for ſale unto them. Therefore Piſca. reads the words thus, With horns of Ivory and with Ebeny they have made, or rendred thy price; they have given thee theſe, for other commodities, and ſo the French, Ils ont change pour ton payement les deuts d'yvoire & des paons.

Verſ. 16 Syria was thy Merchant by reaſon of the multitude of the wares of thy making: they occupied in thy Fairs, with Emeraulds, Purple, and broidered work, and fine Linnen, and Coral, and Aga…e.

The word for Syria in Hebrew is Aram, Gen. 10.22. Aram … the Sonne of Shem, and from him came the Aramites, p. 470or Armenians, who poſſeſſed Armenia; ſo called from Aram, which ſignifies high; and in Armenia, its conceived was the higheſt part of the earth, Gen. 8.4. the Ark firſt reſted upon the Mountains of Ararat, which were in Armenia. Vilalpandus tells us, that from foreign Sur a Province therein, it afterward was called Syria; Joſephus Antiq. l. 1. c. 7. ſaith, of Aram, Vid. Martin. in verb. Syrus.came the Aramaeans, whom the Greeks called Syrians. Theſe Syrians were the Merchants of Tyrus; but whither the Syrians of Damaſcus, 2 Sam: 8.5. or the Syrians of Beth-Rehob, or thoſe of Zoba, 2 Sam. 10.6. or the Syrians of Padan-Aram, Gen. 10.20. or all of them, is uncertain.

For the multitude of the wares of thy making.

In the Hebrew its, for the multitude of thy workes. Tyrus had many Artiſts, which made and multiplied wares for other parts. Shee imploied her people, who filled her with Artificial things.

They occupied in thy Fairs with Emeralds.

E Genere gemmarum nigri coloris. Druſius. Vid. Rueum de gemmis. l. 2. 3. 4The word for Emerald is Nophech, which Rabbi David ſaith is a kind of pretious ſtone, of black colour. Jerome, and Santes make it a Carbuncle, and ſo the French, and Vatablus. Others the ſmarag'd Emerald, or Green-ſtone, with which colour the eyes are greatly pleaſed, and delighted.

Purple, and broidered work, and fine Linnen.

Theſe were rich commodities which the Syrians traded in; for Purple, the French is ſcarlet, l'eſcarlate. Of theſe before.

Corall.

This grows in the ſea, whilſt its under the water, its green, being got above the water,Rueu…. l. 1. c. 19. Foſterus renders it, Unicor…u. it becomes red, its called Arboreus lapis, the tree-ſtone, or ſtony-tree, becauſe it brancheth out like a tree. The Hebrew Ramoth is from Rum to elevate or raiſe up, and ſo doth Coral ſpring up out of the rock or Sea.

p. 471Agate.

The Margent is, Chryſoprafe chad Shod. Jerome profeſſes hee knows not what this word means. The Hebrews affirm, that by it are meant all pretious wares. Its rendred by Interpreters, a Carbuncle, a Pearl, a Cryſtal; and here an Agate, which is a ſtone well known.Plini. l. 37. natural hyſt. c. 10. It had its name from Achates a River in Sicilia, in which, or near to which, it was firſt found, but afterwards in other places.

Verſ. 17. Judah, and the land of Iſrael, they were thy Merchants, they traded in thy market, wheat of Minnith, and Pannag, and honey, and oyle, and balm.

The poſterity of Judah, and the inhabitants of Canaan, they abounding with wheat, honey, oyle, and balme, exported them to Tyrus, for Tyrus was victualled by Judea, Act. 12.20. and Hyram King of Tyre had twenty thouſand meaſures of wheat, and twenty meaſures of oyle yearly from Solomon, for his houſhold, 1 King. 5.11. what then had all his people from the Merchants of the Jews?

Wheat of Minnith.

Bechitte Minnith. Chittah quaſi chintah from chanat to bring forth, to thruſt out, becauſe the wheat thruſts it ſelf, Ex folliculis out of the hoſe or ſtalk, and appears above the ſame. Canaan was Erez chittah, a land of wheat and barley, a land of oyle-olive, and honey, Deut. 8.8. Minnith was ſome principal place in it for wheat, it is mentioned onelyonly in the 11 of Judges, 33. and here.

Pannag.

Some tranſlate it Balſome. ſome a Fig, but Aquila Symmachus, and Theodot. do make it a place, as Minnith, which yeilded choice wheat. Juniu, and Piſcator, calls it Phaenicia. And ſo Buxtorfius.

p. 472Balme.

Some render it Rozin, which is a humour or juyce flowing out of certain trees; but Balme its rendred here, and Gen. 37.25. Jerem. 8.22.46.11.51.8. which is the principal of oyles, or liquids, that flow out of trees, quaſi foreign Dominus Olei, the Lord or King of oyles.

Verſ. 18 Damaſcus was thy Merchant in the multitude of the Wares of thy making, for the multitude of all riches: in the wine of Helbon, and white wool.

Damaſcus was a famous City of Syria, rather than Phaenicia, which Julian called the eye of the Eaſt, between Lybanus and Mount Hermon. Iſaiah tells us it was the head of Syria, chap. 7.8. that is, the head or principal City thereof: Merchants came from thence to Tyrus, and traded in her wares, and Tyrians went to Damaſcus, and traded in hers.

For the multitude of all riches.

Tyrus abounded with the riches of Sea and land, having Commodities fitting for all places.

In the Wine of Helbon.

Helbon or Chelbon ſignifies milk, or Fatneſs, and metaphorically, it ſignifies the beſt of any thing; here its conceived to bee the name of a place in Syria, Buxtorf. in verbo Halab.where grew choice grapes, of which the beſt wine was made. Wine as pleaſant as milk, if not like unto milk in colour.

And white wooll.

The Septuagint and Jerome have it wooll, from Miletus a City in the borders of Jonia and Caria, but the Hebrew word is foreign which is candor, whiteneſſe, ſo that the words p. 473are wooll of whiteneſſe. In the Eaſtern parts are arbores laniferae, trees that bear wooll or Cotten, which is very white, and ſheep that bear wooll of whiteneſſe, or white wool. The word Tzachar hath affinity with foreign Tzahar, which ſignifies light, and all light hath a whiteneſſe, and brightneſſe in it.

Verſ. 19 Dan alſo, and Javan going to and fro occupied in thy fairs: bright Iron, Caſſia and Calamus were in thy Market.

Dan the poſterity of the Patriarch Dan, who inhabited the City Dan near Jordan, both which had their names from him, Joſh. 19.47. that City Dan in Chriſts time was called Caeſarea Philippi, and in Jeromes Paneas, Bonfrerius. Maſius in Joſh. 19.Josh 19from hence being ſome thirty five miles from Tyrus, came the Danites to trade with the Tyrians.

Javan going to and fro,

Of Javan before, verſ. 13. The word for going to and fro, is Meuzzal, which ſome make the name of a place. Meuzzal from uzal; ſo Aquila, as if the Danites and Grecians did bring Commodities from Uzal to Tyrus; but Meuzel is a participle from foreign Ezal, which is to go, Avari erant Graeci & quaeſtus cauſa liue illuc vagabantur per mare.to move. Vatubl. turns it vagabunda, for the Greeks being covetous did ſail, and move to all places for gain.

Bright Iron.

The Hebrew is, Iron made, defecated from all the droſs, and made pure, or made into bars or plates.

Caſſia.

Its a kinde of a ſweet cane, or ſhrub, in Hebrew Kiddah, from kadad, inclinare vertice, to bow with the head, or top; ſo this Caſſia, grows with the top, inclining or bowing; its mentioned p. 474onelyonly here, and in Exod. 30.24. where its reckoned among the principal ſpices, for the holy annointing. The word for Caſſia in Pſalm 45.9. is kezioth from foreign to ſhave, Vid. Plin. Natur. Hyſt. l. 12. c. 19.unbarke; for Caſſia, is odorata arbuſcula cujus cortex abraditur, an odoriferous Shrub, whoſe bark ſhav'd off is very uſefull.

Calamus.

It is a kinde of ſweet Reed, or Cane, full of knots, growing in India, Iſa. 43.24. its called ſweet Cane, and Jerem. 6.20. Sweet Cane from a far Countrey, which was India, ſaith Jerome. Maldon. in locum.Of it, and other ſpices, was made the incenſe.

Verſ. 20. Dedan was thy Merchant in pre… us cloathes for Charets.

The Hebrew for Pretious cloathes, is Bigde Chopheſh veſtimentis ingenuitatis, garments of Ingenuity, or liberty; ſuch Garments as Noble and Freemen uſed for their horſes and charets. Men of quality adorn their horſes and charets with rich and pretious ornaments, rich ſaddles, trappings, and coverings.

Verſ. 21 Arabia, and all the Princes of Kedar, they occupied with thee, in Lambs, and Rams, and Goats, in theſe were they thy Merchants.

The Arabians dealt much in ſheep and Goats, they brought thouſands of them to Jehoſhaphat. 2 Chron. 17.11. Arabia petraea, and deſerta, bred multitudes of them.

The Princes of Kedar.

Kedar ſaith Jerome is a region in the wilderneſſe of the Saracens, ſo named from Kedar the ſon of Iſhmael, Gen. 25.13. in it was a City alſo of that name, which had diverſe Princes; the Kedarits and Arabians, as they were not far from one another, ſo not far from Tyrus, becauſe ſuch caſtle p. 475could not bee driven far: in theſe they traded with the Tyrians.

In theſe were they thy Merchants.

The Hebrew is, the Merchants of thy hand, that is, Merchants near at hand: they were near, and alway ready to furniſh them with Lambs, Rams, and Goats.

Verſ. 22 The Merchants of Shebah and Raamah, they were thy Merchants: they occupied in thy fairs with chief of all ſpices, and with all pretious ſtones and gold.

In the 10. of Gen. 7. wee read of Seba, with Samech, and Seba, with Shin; this Seba with Shin, was the Son of Raamah, who inhabited the upper Tract, Coaſt, or part of Arabia Foelix, and from him that region was named Sheba: the other Seba with Samech, was the Son of Cuſh, and Nephew of Ham, who poſſeſſed that region in Aethiopia, called from him Saba, of which Iſaiah ſpeaks, chap. 43.3. I gave Egypt for thy ranſome, Aethiopia and Seba, or Saba, for thee. You have them both Pſalm, 72.10. The Kings of Sheba, and Seba ſhall offer gifts. The firſt is with the letter ש ſhin. The ſecond with ס Samech. The Queen that came to Solomon, was of Sheba, not Seba, or Saba; Sheba, in Arabia the happy, Bonfrerius.abounded with thoſe things ſhe preſented unto him.

Raamah.

Some make this word an Epithite of the former, the Merchants of Shebah, even Raamah: or thus, the Merchants of Shebah, even thunder or thunderers; for Raam and Ramah, or Raamah, ſignifie thunder, Job 39.19. haſt thou cloathed his neck with thunder? ſpeaking of the Horſe; Haſt thou made him terrible? The Sabaeans were Commotores ſeu turbantes omnia. But I rather conceive with Junius, Vid. Iun. in Gen. 10 7. Regma eſt civitas Arabiae felicis. Maldonat.Gen 10:7it was ſome place in Arabia the happy, near unto Sheba; its moſt probable the father and the Son pitched in thoſe parts were near one another.

p. 476With chief of all ſpices, and with all pretious ſtones, &c.

Arabia Foelix did abound with choice spices, Jer. 6.20. Incenſe came from Sheba, and not onelyonly incenſe, but gold, Iſa. 60.6. the Queen of Sheba ſhee brought spices, much gold, and pretious ſtones unto Solomon, 1 King. 10.2.

Verſ. 23 Haran, and Canneh, and Eden, the Merchants of Sheba, Aſhur, and Chilmad, were thy Merchants.

Haran or Charran, was a City in Meſopotamia, where Abraham ſome time dwelt, Gen. 11.31. Act. 7.4. Canneh is no where mentioned, but in this place, and its thought to bee ſome City or region nigh to Haran. Junius makes it the ſame with Calneh, Gen. 10.10. Eden is ſpoken of 2 King. 19.12. and Iſa. 37.12. where its ſaid to bee in Thelaſſar. Ʋilalpandus makes Eden to bee a moſt pleaſant Region in Syria. Others in Meſopotamia. Junius in Chaldaea.

Shebah.

Some make this Shebah the ſame with the former. Jun. and Piſcator difference it from the former, placing it in Arabia deſerta, and think it that Sheba Job ſpeaks of, chap. 6.19. The companies of Sheba waited for them.

Aſhur.

He was the ſon of Shem, Gen. 10.22. of him came the Aſſyrians, who were a ſcourge and plague to the Jews, Iſa. 10.5.

Chilmad.

It is from Lamad to Teach, and the words may bee read thus, The Merchants of Sheba and Aſhur, quaſi d cti, being verſed and skilled in thy wares and affairs, they were thy Merchants; but its more ſuitable to look at Chilma… p. 477as the proper name of a place. Its by the learned made a Province of the Medes, between Aſſyria and Parthia.Targum Hieroſolim. Junius. Polanus. Quae gens eſſet clam eſt Mariana.

Verſ. 24 Theſe were thy Merchants in all ſorts of things, in blue cloathes, and broidered work, and in cheſts of rich apparel, bound with cords, and made of Cedar among thy merchandiſe.

The Men of Shebah, Aſhur, and Chilmad, they brought the Commodities here mentioned unto Tyrus, and ſold them in her markets.

In all ſorts of things.

The Hebrew is Bemachluhim, in perfectionibus, its from Calal. to perfect, and notes variety, and multitude of perfect wares, ſuch as were no waies faulty.

In blue cloathes.

Baglome Tecelech, in involucris hyachinthi, ſaith Montanus, in the wrappings of Hyacinth. Symmachus, in pretioſis involucris, in pretious coverings. The French, En habillemens de hyacinthe, that is, in cloathes died blue, the word galem is a cloak or covering, in which a man doth wrap and cover himſelf.

In cheſts of rich apparel bound with cords.

Beginze in the Caſes, or cheſts, ganaz is that in which gold, ſilver, cloathes, and deſirable things are laid up in, they put up rich Apparel in cloathes, and bound them with cords, yea, with cords of ſilk ſaith Vitalpandus.

The word for rich Apparel, is beromim onelyonly in this place, and it notes pretious, Deſirable Garments. The ſeptuagint turns it, foreign, Choice treaſures.

p. 478Made of Cedar.

Cedars are well ſented, durable, but brittle, of them they made Cheſts for their pretious things.

Verſ. 25 The ſhips of Tarſhiſh did ſing of thee in thy market, and thou waſt repleniſhed, and made very glorious in the midſt of the Seas.

The ſhips of Tarſhiſh were thy Princes.

So Montanus, and others, They were the chief of all the ſhips came to thee. The Hebrew is, Sharothajick, which the Hebrews derive from foreign to play the Prince, but ours from foreign ſhur to ſing, and ſo the Merchants, or men of Tarſhiſh, that came and traded with thee, they did magnify thee, and thy wares, they praiſed thee above all places, and thy wares above all wares.

Thou wast repleniſhed and made very glorious.

Thou wast filled with the wares and Commodities of all the Iſlands and Nations near and far off, ſo that nothing was wanting in thee, and hereupon thou becameſt famous abroad; thou hadſt all pretious and rare things: whatever was the glory and excellency of other places, was brought to thee, being in the heart of the Sea, ſo it is in the Original.

Obſ. 1 That Merchandiſing is Ancient and lawful. Tyrus was of great Antiquity, Iſa. 23.7. and the mart of Nations, verſ. 3. In Jacobs daies there were Midianitiſh Merchants. Gen. 37.28. in Abrahams time there were ſuch, Gen. 23.16. Neither is the calling of Merchants unlawful, though Chryſostome bee againſt it. Hee ſaith, Chriſt caſt the buyers, and ſellers out of the Temple, ſignifying that a Merchant can hardly or never pleaſe God, and therefore no Chriſtian ought to bee a Merchant; or if hee will, let him bee thrown out of the Church of God, hee cites that in Pſalm 70. v. 16. according to the Vulgar, Becauſe I have not known merchandiſing, p. 479I ſhall enter into the powers of the Lord (but this is otherwiſe in the Original, in our tranſlation being in Pſ. 71.15, 16.) and hee gives his reaſon hereof, becauſe Merchandiſe can hardly bee exerciſed without lying and perjury.Vilalpand. p. 12 col, 2. l…t. E. This is an hard ſentence againſt them, its much to bee feared that many of them are covetous, deal in bad wares, corrupt thoſe are good, by mixtures of worſe with them, ſet prizes too high, do lye, ſwear, and forſwear themſelves, in their much dealings, yet all theſe do not make merchandiſing unlawful, Prov. 31.24. the vertuous woman ſold her fine linnen and girdles, unto the Merchant, had Merchandiſe been unlawful, ſhee would not have done it. Lot Merchants take heed of Covetouſneſſe; the evils are inſident to buying and ſelling, do in all their tradings, with domeſtiques or forrainers, as they would bee done unto, and ſo their calling will not onelyonly bee warrantable, but of ſingular advantage unto Common-wealths and Cities.

Obſ. 2 Great trading makes places rich and famous. Tyrus had Merchants from all parts, and they brought in all ſorts of pretious Commodities, ſo that ſhee was repleniſhed and glorious. Shee was full of wealth, and famous in all parts. Babylon had trading with many Nations, and ſhee abounded in treaſures, Jerem. 51.13. When Jeruſalem was the gates of the people, when all Nations came into her, then ſhe abounded in wealth and fame.

Obſ. 3 True happineſſe lies not in the abundance of outward things. Tyrus h…d what the world could afford; men of wiſdome, skill, and ſtrength, choice helmets and ſhields, horſes, horſe-men, and mules; horns of ivory and ebeny, gold, ſilver, pretious ſtones, Emeralds, Agates, Coral; the choiceſt wheat, honey, oyle, and Balm; ſhee had pretious cloaths r…ch apparel, the m…ltitude of all riches in her; yet heatheniſh, and near unto deſtruction, Iſa, 23.11. The Lord hath given a commandement againſt the Merchant City, to deſtroy the ſtrong holds thereof, outward things make not happy, Pſalm 144.15.

Verſ. 26 Thy rowers have brought thee into, great waters: the Eaſt winde hath broken thee in the midſt of the Seas,

p. 48027 Thy Riches, and thy Fairs, thy Merchandiſe, thy Marriners, and thy Pilots, thy Calkers, and thy occupiers of thy merchandiſe, and all thy men of warre that are in thee: and in all thy company, which is in the midſt of thee; ſhall fall into the midſt of the Seas, in the day of thy ruine.

28 The ſuburbs ſhall ſhake at the ſound of the cry of thy Pilots.

29 And all that handle the Oare, the Marriners, and all the Pilots of the Sea, ſhall come down from their ſhips, they ſhall ſtand upon the land.

30 And ſhall cauſe their voice to bee heard againſt thee, and ſhall cry bitterly, and ſhall caſt up duſt upon their heads, they ſhall wallow themſelves in the aſhes.

31 And they ſhall make themſelves, utterly bald for thee, and gird them with Sackcloath, and they ſhall weep for thee, with bitterneſſe of heart, and bitter wailing.

32 And in their wailing, they ſhall take up a lamentation for thee, and lament over thee, ſaying, what City in like Tyrus, like the deſtroyed in the midſt of the Sea?

33 When thy wares went forth out of the Seas, thou filledſt many people, thou dideſt inrich the Kings of the earth with the multitude of thy riches, and of thy Merchandiſe.

34 In the time when thou ſhalt be broken by the Seas, in the depths of thy waters, thy merchandiſe, and all thy company in the midſt of thee ſhall fall.

35 All the inhabitants of the Iſles ſhall bee aſtoniſhed at thee, and their Kings ſhall be ſore afraid, they ſhall bee troubled in their countenance.

36 The Merchants among the people ſhall hiſs at thee, thou ſhalt be a terror, and never ſhalt be any more.

Having ſhown the great wealth and dignity of Tyrus, here the Prophet comes to the ſecond general part of the Chapter, viz. to ſhew the irrecoverable fall of Tyrus.

In theſe words we have,

1 The diſtinction it ſelf of Tyrus.

2 The Effects and events that follow.

p. 481This diſtinction of Tyrus is ſet out,

1 By way of Metaphor, or ſimilitude, which is implied in the 26. v. Tyrus is likened unto a ſhip at Sea, that ſuffers by the winds and waters, and ſo periſheth, being laden with rich Commodities.

2 From the moving cauſe thereof, viz. her Rowers, ibid.

3 The Inſtrument or means, the Eaſt wind.

2 The Effects. 1 Loſſe of all, v. 27.34.

2 The mourning of Pilots, and Marriners, v. 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33. with the manner thereof.

3 The influence it had upon forreiners, aſtoniſhment, fear, trouble it produced in ſome, v. 35. and hiſſing in others, verſ. 36.

26 Thy Rowers have brought thee, &c.

This verſe is wholly Metaphoricall; by Rowers are meant the Great men that ruled and governed Tyrus, who were to the City as rowers to a ſhip; They by their Pride, wicked counſells, and wretched lives, cauſed God to bring a long ſiedge upon her, and ruine at laſt, which are called great waters.

The Eaſt winde hath broken thee.

That was Nebuchadnezzar, who came with a great Army from the Eaſt, beſiedged, took, and ruined Tyre, hee dealt with that Metaphorical ſhip, as a rough Eaſt wind doth with a ſhip at Sea, breaks it, and ſinks it.

27 Shall all fall into the midſt of the Sea, &c.

The Hebrew is, The heart of the Sea, all the wealth, greatneſſe and glory of Tyrus ſhould be drowned in the Sea.

28 The Suburbs ſhall ſhake.

The word for Suburbs is Migreſheth; and Migraſh, ſaith Pagnine, is a village out of the City. By Suburbs here, you p. 482underſtand all the villages and Colonies belonging unto Tyre, when the Pilots, the Prince, and Governours thereof, ſhould cry for the ruine of it, then ſhould all the Towns, Ʋillages, Colonies, were under her command, bee troubled and ſhake for fear.

Obſ. 1 Nothing humane can protect a ſinful City and People from the judgements of God. Tyrus was as ſtrong a place as the world had, her walls, towers, ſhips, wiſe, ſtrong men, could not do it. Tyrus was as rich a place as any under heaven, ſhee had a multitude of all riches, yet theſe kept her not from being brought into great waters; what power or art of man can keep off the winde from a ſhip, when it is at Sea? Its not in the power of all the Sea-men or Marriners in the world to do it; neither can any number of men, or all men keep off a judgement of God when it is comming upon a ſinfull place. Let us not confide in humane things.

Obſ. 2 The ruine of Cities and States is chiefly from the Princes and Governours in the ſame. Thy Rowers, they ſit in the chief places, they have brought thee into great waters, they brought War, Famine, deſolation upon Tyrus. Zedekiah and his Nobles breaking with Nebuchadnezzar, brought Judaea, and Jeruſalem into great waters, Pharaohs ſin brought all the plagues upon Egypt; when Governours are wilful, covetous, weak, ignorant, careleſſe, given to their luſts and pleaſures, they may quickly overthrow all. Rhehoboams folly, cauſed that rent in Iſrael, as never was made up again. It was Ahaz ſin that brought Judah into deep waters, 2 Chron. 28.19. The Lord brought Judah low, becauſe of Ahaz King of Iſrael, for hee made Judah naked, and tranſgreſſed ſore againſt the Lord.

Obſ. 3 That Cities and States grown rich and renowned, have their periods. Tyrus was repleniſhed with the rarities of the world, ſhee had all excellent things in her, and was very glorious, but what became of her, and all ſhe had? were not her riches, her glory, laid in the Seas in the day of her ruine, v. 27. ſhee h…d her daies for riſing, and a day for her ruine; all the glory, bravery, and wealth, of this great, ſtrong, and beautiful City, was on a ſuddain in a day, buried in the deep Sea.

p. 483Obſ. 4 When the Lord brings his judgements upon ſinfull Cities and States, when he makes great changes in them, or utterly ruines them, then ſome lament, and ſome laugh. When Tyrus was beſiedged, ſtormed, taken, and ruined; then the Rowers, Marriners, and Pilots, cryed, wept, and wailed bitterly, lamenting her deſtruction; then the Merchants laughed, and hiſſed at her.

When Jeruſalem was taken, burnt, and nothing left but rubbiſh, and aſhes, then Jeremy and many others lamented greatly, for the ruine thereof, and then the Ammonites, Moabites, and Edomites, laughed thereat, as you may ſee Ezek. 25. ſuch is the condition of humane affairs, and corruption of humane nature, that what is matter of mourning and humiliation to one, becomes matter of rejoycing and inſulting to another, but wiſdome hath ſaid, he that is glad at calamities, ſhall not bee unpuniſhed, Prov. 17.5.

Obſ. 5 The righteous God doth ſometimes recompence ſinners in the ſame way they have ſinned. Tyrus laughed at the deſtruction of Jeruſalem, Ezek. 26.2. and here in this ch. v. 36. T…e Merchants of the people ſhall hiſſe at thee. Hiſſing, as it ſometimes notes aſtoniſhment, ſo ſometimes gladneſſe and inſulting, Lament. 2.15, 16. all that paſs by clap their hands at thee, they wag their heads, and hiſs, and ſay, this is the day we looked for, &c. at firſt theſe Merchants might bee aſtoniſhed, at the tydings of Tyrus her ruine, and after rejoyce, clap their hands, and hiſſe at her. Agag by his ſword had made women childleſſe, and by Samuels ſword his mother was made childleſſe, 1 Sam. 15.33.