For three transgressions] He sheweth first that all the people round about should be destroyed for their manifold sins: which are meant by three and foure, which make seven; because the Israelites should the more deeply consider Gods judgements toward them. Others, I will not punish Syria whose chief citie is Damascus, so much for many other sinnes, as I will do for their crueltie used towards my people. Or for the same sinnes I will not recall my threatning voyce, vers. 2. of Damascus] Isaiah 8:14. &Isaiah 17:1. Jeremiah 49:23. Zechariah 9:1. and for foure] Or, yea for foure. turn away the punishment] Or, conveit it, or let it be quiet and so vers. 6, &c. they have threshed Gilead] If the Syrians shall not be spared for committing this cruelty against one citie, it is not possible that Israel should escape punishment, which hath committed so mny and grievous sinnes against God and man. with threshing-instruments of iron] See of this kind of torment and punishment, 2 Samuel 12:31. All this may be referred to Hazaels crueltie, 2 Kings 8:12. &2 Kings 10:32. &2 Kings 12:18. and 13. 3.