--- title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible" author: "Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown" languages: [en] shelf: "Commentaries" section: 323 of 927 url: https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/323/ cite: "Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, section 323. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/323/" --- # 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. ## 323. Isaiah · 26 of 79 Source: https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/323/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/323/#p-N [¶0] Seir--the principal mountain in Idumea, south of the Dead Sea, in Arabia-Petræa. "He calleth" ought to be rather, "There is a call from Seir." [¶1] to me--Isaiah. So the heathen Balak and Ahaziah received oracles from a Hebrew prophet. [¶2] Watchman--the prophet ([Is 62:6]; [Jr 6:17]), so called, because, like a watchman on the lookout from a tower, he announces future events which he sees in prophetic vision ([Ha 2:1], ). [¶3] what of the night--What tidings have you to give as to the state of the night? Rather, "What remains of the night?" How much of it is past? [Maurer]. "Night" means calamity ([Job 35:10]; [Mi 3:6]), which, then, in the wars between Egypt and Assyria, pressed sore on Edom; or on Judah (if, as Barnes thinks, the question is asked in mockery of the suffering Jews in Babylon). The repetition of the question marks, in the former view, the anxiety of the Idumeans. [¶4] 12. Reply of the prophet, The morning (prosperity) cometh, and (soon after follows) the night (adversity). Though you, Idumeans, may have a gleam of prosperity, it will soon be followed by adversity again. Otherwise, as Barnes, "Prosperity cometh (to the Jews) to be quickly followed by adversity (to you, Idumeans, who exult in the fall of Jerusalem, have seized on the southern part of their land in their absence during the captivity, and now deride them by your question)" ([Is 34:5-7]). This view is favored by Ob 10-21. [¶5] if ye will inquire, inquire--If ye choose to consult me again, do so (similar phrases occur in [Ge 43:14]; [2Ki 7:4]; [Es 4:16]). [¶6] return, come--"Be converted to God (and then), come" [Gesenius]; you will then receive a more favorable answer. ### Is 21:13-17. Prophecy that Arabia Would Be Overrun by a Foreign Foe within a Year [¶8] Probably in the wars between Assyria and Egypt; Idumea and Arabia lay somewhat on the intermediate line of march. [¶9] 13. upon--that is, respecting. [¶10] forest--not a grove of trees, but a region of thick underwood, rugged and inaccessible; for Arabia has no forest of trees. [¶11] travelling companies--caravans: ye shall be driven through fear of the foe to unfrequented routes ([Is 33:8]; [Jud 5:6]; [Jr 49:8] is parallel to this passage). [¶12] Dedanim--In North Arabia ([Ge 25:3]; [Jr 25:23]; [Eze 25:13]; ; a different "Dedan" occurs [Ge 10:7]). [¶13] 14. Tema--a kindred tribe: an oasis in that region ([Jr 25:23]). The Temeans give water to the faint and thirsting Dedanites; the greatest act of hospitality in the burning lands of the East, where water is so scarce. [¶14] prevented--that is, anticipated the wants of the fugitive Dedanites by supplying bread ([Ge 14:18]). [¶15] their bread--rather, "his (the fugitive's) bread"; the bread due to him, necessary for his support; so "thy grave" ([Is 14:19]), [Maurer]. [¶16] 15. they--the fugitive Dedanites and other Arabs. [¶17] 16. years of ... hireling--(See on [Is 16:14]). [¶18] Kedar--a wandering tribe ([Psa 120:5]). North of Arabia-Petræa, and south of Arabia-Deserta; put for Arabia in general. [¶19] 17. residue ... diminished--The remnant of Arab warriors, famous in the bow, left after the invasion, shall be small. ### Chapter 22 ### Is 22:1-14. Prophecy as to an Attack on Jerusalem [¶22] That by Sennacherib, in the fourteenth year of Hezekiah; [Is 22:8-11], the preparations for defense and securing of water exactly answer to those in [2Ch 32:4], 5, 30. "Shebna," too ([Is 22:15]), was scribe at this time ([Is 36:3]) [Maurer]. The language of [Is 22:12-14], as to the infidelity and consequent utter ruin of the Jews, seems rather to foreshadow the destruction by Nebuchadnezzar in Zedekiah's reign, and cannot be restricted to Hezekiah's time [Lowth]. [¶23] 1. of ... valley of vision--rather, "respecting the valley of visions"; namely, Jerusalem, the seat of divine revelations and visions, "the nursery of prophets" [Jerome], ([Is 2:3]; 29:1; [Eze 23:4], Margin; [Lu 13:33]). It lay in a "valley" surrounded by hills higher than Zion and Moriah ([Psa 125:2]; [Jr 21:13]). [¶24] thee--the people of Jerusalem personified. [¶25] housetops--Panic-struck, they went up on the flat balustraded roofs to look forth and see whether the enemy was near, and partly to defend themselves from the roofs ([Jud 9:51], &c.). [¶26] 2. art--rather, "wert"; for it could not now be said to be "a joyous city" ([Is 32:13]). The cause of their joy ([Is 22:13]) may have been because Sennacherib had accepted Hezekiah's offer to renew the payment of tribute, and they were glad to have peace on any terms, however humiliating ([2Ki 18:14-16]), or on account of the alliance with Egypt. If the reference be to Zedekiah's time, the joy and feasting are not inapplicable, for this recklessness was a general characteristic of the unbelieving Jews ([Is 56:12]). [¶27] not slain with the sword--but with the famine and pestilence about to be caused by the coming siege ([La 4:9]). Maurer refers this to the plague by which he thinks Sennacherib's army was destroyed, and Hezekiah was made sick ([Is 37:36]; ). But there is no authority for supposing that the Jews in the city suffered such extremities of plague at this time, when God destroyed their foes. Barnes refers it to those slain in flight, not in open honorable "battle"; [Is 22:3] favors this. [¶28] 3. rulers--rather, "generals" ([Jos 10:24]; [Jud 11:6], ). [¶29] bound--rather, "are taken." [¶30] by the archers--literally, "by the bow"; so [Is 21:17]. Bowmen were the light troops, whose province it was to skirmish in front and ([2Ki 6:22]) pursue fugitives ([2Ki 25:5]); this verse applies better to the attack of Nebuchadnezzar than that of Sennacherib. [¶31] all ... in thee--all found in the city ([Is 13:15]), not merely the "rulers" or generals. [¶32] fled from far--those who had fled from distant parts to Jerusalem as a place of safety; rather, fled afar. [¶33] 4. Look ... from me--Deep grief seeks to be alone; while others feast joyously, Isaiah mourns in prospect of the disaster coming on Jerusalem ([Mi 1:8], ). [¶34] daughter, &c.--(see on [Is 1:8]; [La 2:11]). [¶35] 5. trouble ... by the Lord--that is, sent by or from the Lord (see on [Is 19:15]; [Lu 21:22-24]). [¶36] valley of vision--(See on [Is 22:1]). Some think a valley near Ophel is meant as about to be the scene of devastation (compare see on [Is 32:13],). [¶37] breaking ... walls--that is, "a day of breaking the walls" of the city. [¶38] crying to the mountains--the mournful cry of the townsmen "reaches" to (Maurer translates, towards) the mountains, and is echoed back by them. Josephus describes in the very same language the scene at the assault of Jerusalem under Titus. To this the prophecy, probably, refers ultimately. If, as some think, the "cry" is that of those escaping to the mountains, compare [Mt 13:14]; , with this. [¶39] 6. Elam--the country stretching east from the Lower Tigris, answering to what was afterwards called Persia (see on [Is 21:2]). Later, Elam was a province of Persia ([Ezr 4:9]). In Sennacherib's time, Elam was subject to Assyria ([2Ki 18:11]), and so furnished a contingent to its invading armies. Famed for the bow ([Is 13:18]; [Jr 49:35]), in which the Ethiopians alone excelled them. [¶40] with chariots of men and horsemen--that is, they used the bow both in chariots and on horseback. "Chariots of men," that is, chariots in which men are borne, war chariots (compare see on [Is 21:7]; [Is 21:9]). [¶41] Kir--another people subject to Assyria ([2Ki 16:9]); the region about the river Kur, between the Caspian and Black Seas. [¶42] uncovered--took off for the battle the leather covering of the shield, intended to protect the embossed figures on it from dust or injury during the march. "The quiver" and "the shield" express two classes--light and heavy armed troops. [¶43] 7. valleys--east, north, and south of Jerusalem: Hinnom on the south side was the richest valley. [¶44] in array at the gate--Rab-shakeh stood at the upper pool close to the city ([Is 36:11-13]).