Isaiah 46

1

Bel bows down. Nebo stoops. Their idols are carried by animals, and on the livestock. The things that you carried around are heavy loads, a burden for the weary.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 1. Bel; perhaps Nimrod, ( Calmet.) or Saturn, to whom they sacrificed their children. Worthington.—Nabo, “the oracle” of Belus. The Chaldees adored statues and beasts. But the Persians worshipped the elements. Calmet.—Xerxes destroyed the tomb of Belus, after his expedition into Greece. Arrian vii.) He had there demolished the temples, (Herod. viii. 109.) pretending ( Bible.) that “the world is the house of the gods.” Cic. Leg. ii.—Weariness. The priests affected to be weighed down, as if the god were present. Baruch 6:25. Saint Cyril

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2

They stoop and they bow down together. They could not deliver the burden, but they have gone into captivity.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 2. They. Lit. “their soul.” Bible.—The pagans must have supposed they had one. Calmet.—Captivity. “There are as many triumphs over the gods as over men.” Tert.—The former shared the fate of their adorers. Their statues were plundered.

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3

“Listen to me, house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, that have been carried from their birth, that have been carried from the womb.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 3. By my. Vulg. may have read a me ab, ( Calmet.) instead of a meo. Hebrew and Septuagint “taken from the womb,” ( Bible.) and treated with the utmost tenderness. Calmet.

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4

Even to old age I am he, and even to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear. Yes, I will carry, and will deliver.

5

“To whom will you compare me, and consider my equal, and compare me, as if we were the same?

6

Some pour out gold from the bag, and weigh silver in the balance. They hire a goldsmith, and he makes it a god. They fall down— yes, they worship.

7

They bear it on their shoulder. They carry it, and set it in its place, and it stands there. It cannot move from its place. Yes, one may cry to it, yet it can not answer. It cannot save him out of his trouble.

8

“Remember this, and show yourselves men. Bring it to mind again, you transgressors.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 8. Ashamed. Septuagint “groan.” Prot. “shew yourselves men.” Bible.

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9

Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other. I am God, and there is none like me.

10

I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done. I say: My counsel will stand, and I will do all that I please.

11

I call a ravenous bird from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. Yes, I have spoken. I will also bring it to pass. I have planned. I will also do it.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 11. Bird; Cyrus, whose rapid conquests are thus denoted. Calmet.—He chose a golden eagle, with wings expanded, for his standard. Xen. vii.—Christ came from heaven to redeem the world. Psalms 18:6. Malachi 4:2. Calmet.—He was the orient, adored by the eastern sages, to whom the prophet refers. Saint Jerome Worthington.

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12

Listen to me, you stubborn-hearted, who are far from righteousness!

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 12. Israel. It shall no longer be a reproach. Cyrus shall restore my people to their own country. But Christ more full accomplished what is here declared respecting the establishment of his Church. Calmet.

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13

I bring my righteousness near. It is not far off, and my salvation will not wait. I will grant salvation to Zion, my glory to Israel.