Historical chapter commentary
Verse 1. Of me. Ezechias was guided by human prudence, in making an alliance with Egypt, though he might have just reasons for refusing to pay tribute to the Assyrians. 4 Kennicott. 18:20. Calmet.—And. Septuagint “alliances not by,” and so forth Bible.
Verse 2. Down, with presents. verse 6. 4 Kennicott. 18:20.
Verse 3. Shame. Egypt had been defeated before Sennacherib’s approach.
Verse 4. Hanes. Chal. “Taphanes,” (Jeremiah 2:16) or Daphnæ Pelusiæ. Herod. ii. 30.—In the Arabic, Nome, which formed part of ( Bible.) the dominions of Tharaca. Calmet.
Verse 6. Burden. This title seems unnecessary, and may be added by some Jew, (Calmet. 21:13) though the Chal. and others explain it, “They carry on their beasts, presents to the south,” to the nations of Arabia and Egypt, infested with lions, and so forth The rest of the prophecy is against the Jews, who cannot well be styled beasts of the south. Calmet.—Basilisk. The ibis devours many serpents on their flight from Arabia and Egypt. Herod. ii. 5. Solin. xxxii.
Verse 7. Cried. Hebrew “called it Rahab, (or pride) it is rest.” The people are indolent, though they will make great promises. Calmet.
Verse 8. Box. This word was covered with wax. Propert. iii. 3.—Write, that none may pretend that they were not admonished. Some think that this was addressed to Jeremias: but Isaias spoke to his incredulous countrymen.
Verse 10. See not. Such were the dispositions of their heart. Calmet. 28:15.
Verse 11. Us. Mention God no more, or let him not meddle with our affairs. Seek not to reclaim us, we are pleased with our delusion. Calmet.
Verse 12. Oppression. Lit. “calumny,” ( Bible.) or rebellion against the Assyrians. This was contrary to the respect due to God’s name, used in the ratification of treaties, how wicked soever those princes might be.
Verse 13. For. Psalms 61:3. If God had not miraculously cut off the army of Sennacherib, what would have become of the kingdom of Juda?
Verse 15. Be. Septuagint “groan,” as Origen, and so forth read. If you be seriously converted, and trust not in Egypt, you need not fear.
Verse 16. Ones, or chariots. Calmet.—Egypt was famous for horses. Deuteronomy 17:16. Forcr.—Rebsaces ridicules the Jews for the want of them. 4 Kennicott. 18:23. Bible.
Verse 17. Five. A small number shall put you to flight. Menochius.—Mast, set up after a shipwreck, to warn others, or as a signal. Calmet. 33:23.
Verse 18. Wait for him. Having convinced Ezechias that he ought to trust in on other, the Lord rescues him from the hand of Sennacherib. Calmet.
Verse 19. Weep. The citizens expected certain death, ( Bible.) or slavery. Calmet.
Verse 20. Water. The land will be reduced to a miserable condition by the ravages of Sennacherib. Bible.—The following was a sabbatical year. verse 23. Calmet. 37:30.—Teacher. It seems that Isaias, and so forth had been silent. He spoke after Ezechias had sent for him, and God promises that the people shall not be left without guides. Calmet.—Christ will not abandon his Church. Menochius.
Verse 22. Garment. Hebrew “ephod,” belonging to the idol, or its priest. Ezechias had prohibited idolatry at first. After his deliverance he was still more zealous, and even those who had formerly retained an affection for idols, saw their vanity, and became sincere.
Verse 24. Floor. They shall not have straw only, but wheat, and so forth to denote abundance.
Verse 25. Towers, or chief officers of Sennacherib. All shall be luxuriant.
Verse 26. Sevenfold. Exceedingly great, equal to the light of 49 days. Calmet.—The fame of Ezechias spread widely. His kingdom was a figure of that of Christ, when this was more perfectly realized, the preaching of the gospel having dispelled the darkness of error. Calmet.—He alludes to the day of judgment. Saint Jerome Menochius.
Verse 27. Name. Majesty of God, ( Calmet.) in the future ages. Bible.
Verse 28. Error. The unjust government of Sennacherib, who endeavoured to engage all in idolatry.
Verse 29. Night. When the festivals commenced. Calmet.—He may particularly mean that night, when the destroying angel slew the Egyptians. Vatab.—Pipe. Music. Bible.—This was not prescribed.
Verse 30. Stones. The Angel raised the storm, which destroyed many, while the rest in a panic fell upon one another. Calmet. 9:5 and 28:2.
Verse 31. Rod. Sennacherib is terrified, who a few days before insulted the living God.
Verse 32. Harps. The sound of thunder will fill the people of Ezechias with joy, while the enemy shall perish irrecoverably. Calmet.
Verse 33. Topheth. ‘Tis the same as Gehenna, and is taken for hell. Challoner.—The Assyrians perish amid horrid cries ( Bible.) and thunders, which resembled the noise made by drums, and by children who were burning in the arms of Moloc. 4 Kennicott. 18:4 and 23:10. and 2 Chronicles 29:16. Some think that the carcasses of the Assyrians were to be burnt in this common sewer of Jerusalem. But they were too far distant. Calmet. 37:33. Calmet.