--- title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible" author: "Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown" languages: [en] shelf: "Commentaries" section: 301 of 927 url: https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/301/ cite: "Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, section 301. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/301/" --- # Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible *Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown* The Victorian standard commentary, critical and practical, from Genesis to Revelation. ## 301. Isaiah · 4 of 79 Source: https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/301/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/301/#p-N [¶0] 10. Poetical form of expressing that, such were their sins, they would be obliged by God's judgments to seek a hiding-place from His wrath ([Re 6:15], ). [¶1] dust--equivalent to "caves of the earth," or dust ([Is 2:19]). [¶2] for fear, &c.--literally, "from the face of the terror of the Lord." [¶3] 11. lofty looks--literally, "eyes of pride" ([Psa 18:27]). [¶4] humbled--by calamities. God will so vindicate His honor "in that day" of judgments, that none else "shall be exalted" ([Zec 14:9]). [¶5] 12. Man has had many days: "the day of the Lord" shall come at last, beginning with judgment, a never-ending day in which God shall be "all in all" ([1Co 15:28]; [2Pe 3:10]). [¶6] every--not merely person, as English Version explains it, but every thing on which the nation prided itself. [¶7] 13. cedars ... oaks--image for haughty nobles and princes ([Am 2:9]; [Zec 11:1], ; compare [Re 19:18-21]). [¶8] Bashan--east of Jordan, north of the river Jabbok, famous for fine oaks, pasture, and cattle. Perhaps in "oaks" there is reference to their idolatry ([Is 1:29]). [¶9] 14. high ... hills--referring to the "high places" on which sacrifices were unlawfully offered, even in Uzziah's (equivalent to Azariah) reign ([2Ki 15:4]). Also, places of strength, fastnesses in which they trusted, rather than in God; so [¶10] 15. tower ... wall--Towers were often made on the walls of cities. [¶11] fenced--strongly fortified. [¶12] 16. Tarshish--Tartessus in southwest Spain, at the mouth of the Guadalquivir, near Gibraltar. It includes the adjoining region: a Phoenician colony; hence its connection with Palestine and the Bible ([2Ch 9:21]). The name was also used in a wide sense for the farthest west, as our West Indies ([Is 66:19]; [Psa 48:7]; ). "Ships of Tarshish" became a phrase for richly laden and far-voyaging vessels. The judgment shall be on all that minister to man's luxury (compare [Re 18:17-19]). [¶13] pictures--ordered to be destroyed ([Nu 33:52]). Still to be seen on the walls of Nineveh's palaces. It is remarkable that whereas all other ancient civilized nations, Egypt, Assyria, Greece, Rome, have left monuments in the fine arts, Judea, while rising immeasurably above them in the possession of "the living oracles," has left none of the former. The fine arts, as in modern Rome, were so often associated with polytheism, that God required His people in this, as in other respects, to be separate from the nations ([De 4:15-18]). But Vulgate translation is perhaps better, "All that is beautiful to the sight"; not only paintings, but all luxurious ornaments. One comprehensive word for all that goes before (compare [Re 18:12], [14, 16]). [¶14] 17. Repeated from [Is 2:11], for emphatic confirmation. [¶15] 18. idols--literally, "vain things," "nothings" ([1Co 8:4]). Fulfilled to the letter. Before the Babylonian captivity the Jews were most prone to idolatry; in no instance, ever since. For the future fulfilment, see [Zec 13:2]; [Re 13:15]; . [¶16] 19. The fulfilment answers exactly to the threat ([Is 2:10]). [¶17] they--the idol-worshippers. [¶18] caves--abounding in Judea, a hilly country; hiding-places in times of alarm ([1Sa 13:6]). [¶19] shake ... earth--and the heavens also ([He 12:26]). Figure for severe and universal judgments. [¶20] 20. moles--Others translate "mice." The sense is, under ground, in darkness. [¶21] bats--unclean birds ([Le 11:19]), living amidst tenantless ruins ([Re 11:13]). [¶22] 22. The high ones ([Is 2:11], ) on whom the people trust, shall be "brought low" ([Is 3:2]); therefore "cease from" depending on them, instead of on the Lord ([Psa 146:3-5]). ### Chapter 3 [¶24] [Is 3:1-26]. [¶25] 1. For--continuation of [Is 2:22]. [¶26] Lord of hosts--therefore able to do as He says. [¶27] doth--present for future, so certain is the accomplishment. [¶28] stay ... staff--the same Hebrew word, the one masculine, the other feminine, an Arabic idiom for all kinds of support. What a change from the previous luxuries ([Is 2:7])! Fulfilled in the siege by Nebuchadnezzar and afterwards by Titus ([Jr 37:21]; ). [¶29] 2. Fulfilled ([2Ki 24:14]). [¶30] prudent--the Hebrew often means a "soothsayer" ([De 18:10-14]); thus it will mean, the diviners, on whom they rely, shall in that day fail. It is found in a good sense ([Pr 16:10]), from which passage the Jews interpret it a king; "without" whom Israel long has been ([Ho 3:4]). [¶31] ancient--old and experienced ([1Ki 12:6-8]). [¶32] 3. captain of fifty--not only captains of thousands, and centurions of a hundred, but even semi-centurions of fifty, shall fail. [¶33] honourable--literally, "of dignified aspect." [¶34] cunning--skilful. The mechanic's business will come to a standstill in the siege and subsequent desolation of the state; artisans are no mean "stay" among a nation's safeguards. [¶35] eloquent orator--rather, as Vulgate, "skilled in whispering," that is, incantation ([Psa 58:5]). See [Is 8:19], below; and on "prudent," see on [Is 3:2]. [¶36] 4. children--in ability for governing; antithesis to the "ancient" (see [Is 3:12]; [Ec 10:16]). [¶37] babes--in warlike might; antithesis to "the mighty" and "man of war." [¶38] 5. The anarchy resulting under such imbecile rulers ([Is 3:4]); unjust exactions mutually; the forms of respect violated ([Le 19:32]). [¶39] base--low-born. Compare the marks of "the last days" ([2Ti 3:2]). [¶40] 6. Such will be the want of men of wealth and ability, that they will "take hold of" ([Is 4:1]) the first man whom they meet, having any property, to make him "ruler." [¶41] brother--one having no better hereditary claim to be ruler than the "man" supplicating him. [¶42] Thou hast clothing--which none of us has. Changes of raiment are wealth in the East ([2Ki 5:5]). [¶43] ruin--Let our ruined affairs be committed to thee to retrieve. [¶44] 7. swear--literally, "lift up," namely, his hand; the gesture used in solemn attestation. Or, his voice, that is, answer; so Vulgate.