By it. The word of God. (Haydock) --- God. Elohim means also princes or idols. (Calmet) --- Whether they seek God unwillingly, or the aid of men, (ver. 22.) they shall perish. (Worthington) CHAPTER VIII. Loaded. Theglathphalassar took away whole tribes, (2 Paralipomenon v. 26.) the year after this. Yet these people were the first enlightened with the rays of the gospel, (Matthew iv. 13.) though so much despised, John vii. 52. (Calmet) --- Here Christ preached first. But after his passion, few Jews believed in him. (Worthington) Risen. the kingdom of Juda hoped for redress, when they saw the people of Israel humbled, (Haydock) or rather after the defeat of Sennacherib. (Calmet) And hast. Parkhurst says it should be, "(whom) thou hast not brought up (the Gentiles) with joy they," &c. (Symmachus) (Haydock) --- The numerous forces of the Assyrians could not save them from the angel. Under Ezechias the people increased. Was not his reign a figure of the Church persecuted and increasing: but on that account, in danger from a relaxation of discipline? (Luke v. 5.) --- Spoils. They shall return thanks to God for the unexpected liberation. Oppressor. Who levied taxes for Assyria, 4 Kings xviii. 7. Sennacherib made war, because Ezechias refused to pay them any longer, and his troops fell upon each other, (Calmet) as the Madianites had done, Judges vii. (Haydock) Fire. Being cut and useless. See Diss. on the defeat of Sennacherib. (Calmet) Child. The Messias, whom the son of Isaias prefigured. --- Shoulder. Where the badges of royalty were worn. (Calmet) --- Christ bore his cross. (Tertullian, &c.) --- Wonderful. In his birth, &c. --- Counsellor. From whom all good advice proceeds. Grotius falsely translates, "the consulter of the strong God," meaning Ezechias. Though he deemed the Socinians unworthy of the Christian name, (Ep. ad Valleum.) he too often sides with them. Johets always means one who "gives counsel," chap. xl. 13. Ezechias was at this time ten years old, and he did not always take advice, nor was his reign peaceful, &c. --- God. The three Greek versions maliciously render El "the strong," though it be uncertain that it ever has that meaning, as it certainly has not when joined with gibbon, "mighty." Why should two terms of the same import be used? The Septuagint copies vary much. Some read only, "he shall be called the angel of the great council, for I will bring peace upon the princes and his health." St. Jerome thinks they were afraid to style the child God. But this reason falls to the ground, as other copies have, (Calmet) after council, "Wonderful, Counsellor, God, the Mighty, the Potent, Greek: exousiaszes, the Prince of Peace, the Father of the world to come, for, &c., His." Grabe (de Vitiis lxx. p. 29.) asserts that the former is the genuine version, and that the inserted titles are a secondary one; so that there must have been two version before the days of Aquila, as the text is thus quoted at large by Clement and St. Ir\'e6neus, the year of the Lord 180; Kennicott adds also by St. Ignatius, the year of the Lord 110. (Haydock) --- The omnipotent God became a little child, and without violence subdued the world, which he still governs. (Worthington) Peace. Christ gives it, and propagates his Church, Hebrews xii. 2. Word. Septuagint, "death." This also agrees with the Hebrew term, and with the context. Cedars. They speak in a proverbial way, that they will shortly repair the injuries done by the Assyrians depending on king Osee. Him. Israel. Salmanasar came to ruin the kingdom. (Calmet) Still. God punishes the impenitent throughout eternity, ver. 12., and chap. x. 4. (Worthington) Him. Hebrew, "the branch and the rush." (Calmet) --- Septuagint, "the great and the small." Headlong. If the blind lead the blind, both fall into the ditch, Matthew xv. 14. (Haydock) Folly. Sin. They are all guilty. He will shew no compassion. High. All shall witness the fall of Israel, (Calmet) like a forest on fire. (Haydock) Brother. Civil wars shall rage, 4 Kings xv. Josephus (Jewish Wars vii.) perhaps alluded to this passage, when he said, that an ancient prophecy announced ruin to the Jews, when they should turn their arms against each other. (Calmet) CHAPTER IX. Injustice. These great ones excite God's indignation. (Calmet) --- Jeroboam forbidding any to go to Jerusalem; and the Pharisees establishing their wicked traditions, ruined all. (Worthington) Afar. When Salmanasar shall come from Ninive to destroy Samaria, to punish the people for their idolatry (Calmet) and oppressions. (Haydock) --- Glory. Golden calves, (Osee viii. 5., and x. 5.) or possessions, chap. ix. 8. Woe. Or come on, Heus, though (Calmet) ho is ordinarily rendered, alas! It here indicates that God makes use of this scourge with regret, and will afterwards consign it to the flames. (Haydock) --- The prophet speaks of Salmanasar, or of Sennacherib. (St. Cyprian; St. Jerome) Deceitful. Hebrew, "hypocritical," joining my worship with that of idols. (Calmet) --- They had solemnly promised to serve the Lord, Exodus xix. 8. (Worthington) So. He will not think that he is executing my vengeance, supposing that he conquers by his own power. As. Literally, "altogether kings." (Haydock) --- Thus Nabuchodonosor kept the conquered princes for derision, Habacuc i. 10., and Judges i. 7. --- Arphad, Arad, or rather Raphan\'e6, Jeremias xlix. 23. --- Damascus. These two cities were not yet subdued. Idols. He looks upon the true God as no better than any idols, (4 Kings xviii. 32.) and falsely supposes that the latter were adored in Jerusalem. (Calmet) Works. Humbling and terrifying Ezechias and his subjects, who were reduced to great distress, in order to avert the impending war. (Haydock) --- Eyes. The Assyrians were punished in their turn. Nest. Some put these words in the mouth of God. (Tertullian) (Abdias 4.) --- But they shew the insolence of Sennacherib. Axe. The Assyrian has no right to boast. What can man do without God's assistance? (Calmet) --- Grati\'e6 tu\'e6 deputo et qu\'e6cumque non feci mala. (St. Augustine, Confessions ii. 7.) --- Sennacherib persecuted the Jews of his own free will, though he was God's instrument. (Worthington) Fire. The Jews assert, that 185,000 perished by an inward burning, so that only ten men were left, ver. 19. (St. Jerome) Light. God. (Haydock) --- Thorns. Private soldiers. (Calmet) Glory. Officers. --- Flesh. Or body. All shall perish. (Haydock) --- Fear. Sennacherib escaped alone, and fell by the sword of his own sons. CHAPTER X. Israel now submitted to Ezechias, as their kingdom was overturned in the sixth year of his reign, eight years before Sennacherib's arrival. Isaias speaks of this time, and therefore makes no distinction of the kingdoms. Striketh the Assyrian. Converted. This was partly verified in the children of Israel who remained after the devastations of the Assyrians, in the time of king Ezechias: and partly in the conversion of a remnant of the Jews to the faith of Christ. (Challoner) --- 4 Kings xviii. 3., and Romans ix. 27. The apostle follows the Septuagint, (Calmet) "and if the people of Israel be." --- Converted. Septuagint, "saved, for perfecting the word and abridging in justice. Because God, the Lord of hosts, will make an abridged word in the universe." (Haydock) --- As the apostle has explained this passage, "every other interpretation must cease." (St. Jerome) --- The few who were converted under Ezechias were a figure of those who should embrace the faith of Christ. (Calmet) --- Consumption. That is, the number of them cut short, and reduced to few, shall flourish in the abundance of justice. (Challoner) --- Hebrew, "the desolation is decreed, justice shall overflow." God will treat all with rigour, Nahum i. 8. The incredulous Jews shall be rejected, ver. 23., and Romans ix. Egypt. He sent Rabsaces from Lachis, when he set out to meet Tharaca, 4 Kings xix. Little. Twenty-eight years, (Psalm lxxxix. 4.) or he alludes to the destruction which took place in a single night, (Calmet) or in a moment, ver. 16. (Haydock) Oreb. Judges vii. 25. --- And his. Moses thus let loose the waters of the Red Sea on the Egyptians, by stretching forth his rod. (Calmet) Oil. That is, by the sweet unction of divine mercy. (Challoner) --- Chaldean, "before the anointed," in consideration of Ezechias and Isaias. In the higher sense, it denotes the victory of Christ over the devil. (Calmet) Into Aiath, &c. Here the prophet describes the march of the Assyrians under Sennacherib; and the terror they should carry with them; and how they should suddenly be destroyed. (Challoner) Lodging. Here, say the Assyrians, we will encamp. Take. Protestants, "gather themselves to flee." (Haydock) Nobe. He may arrive thither shortly, in the environs of Jerusalem. (Calmet) --- Septuagint, "exhort to-day, that they may continue on the road. Comfort with the hand the daughter of Sion, thou rock and hills within Jerusalem." (Haydock) --- Hand. As Nicanor did against the temple, 2 Machabees xv. 32. (Calmet) Vessel. Like Gideon, when he attacked Madian, ver. 26., and Judges vii. 19. Septuagint, "the nobles." (Haydock) --- Hebrew, "their beauty." The empire of Assyria shall presently fall. (Calmet) Root. Juda shall not be exterminated, like the Assyrians. (Calmet) --- Christ shall spring from the blessed Virgin [Mary], (Worthington) for the salvation of mankind. The Jews agree, that this prediction regards the Messias; though some, with Grotius, would explain it literally of Ezechias. They do not reflect that he was now ten years old, and that the prophet speaks of an event which should still take place after he had been a long while upon the throne. If we were to look for any figure of the Messias, to whom this might be applicable, it would be Zorobabel, Zacharias iii. 8. But how disproportionate would be the promises to the execution? Some passages may indeed relate to the return of the captives, (ver. 11.) as the people must have a more immediate object, to insure the accomplishment of the more elevated predictions concerning the Messias: but these also refer ultimately to the propagation of the gospel, which the prophet had also in view. (Calmet) Him. In the form of a dove, John i. 32. (Haydock) --- "The whole fountain of the Holy Ghost descending." (Ev. Nazar.) (St. Jerome) --- Christ was filled with his seven gifts, and of his fullness his servants receive. (Worthington) --- Yet all virtues are the gifts of the holy Spirit, and the number seven is not specified in Hebrew, as the same word (Calmet) yirath, is rendered godliness, which (ver. 3.) means, the fear of the Lord. (Haydock) --- God enables us to penetrate the difficulties of Scripture, and to act with prudence, &c. (Menochius) Filled. Hebrew, "breath or smell." So St. Paul says, (2 Corinthians ii. 15.) we are the good odour of Christ. (Calmet) --- Protestants, "he shall make him of quick understanding (marginal note, smell) in the fear," &c. (Haydock) --- Ears. Which are often deceived. (Menochius) Wicked. Antichrist, (2 Thessalonians ii. 8.) and all impiety, by means of the apostles. Reins. He shall possess these virtues, performing his promises with the strictest fidelity. (Calmet) Wolf. Some explain this of the Millennium. (apud St. Jerome) (Lactantiusvii. 24.) --- But the more intelligent understand, that the fiercest nations shall embrace the gospel, and kings obey the pastors of the Church. (Calmet) --- Lead. Or "drive," as the word is used by Festus. (Haydock) Basilisk. Psalm ix. 13. The apostles subdued kings and philosophers, without any human advantages. Kill. The most inveterate pagans, being once converted, entirely alter their manners, Osee ii. 18. Ensign. the cross is the standard of Christians. --- Sepulchre. Hebrew, Septuagint, &c., "rest." St. Jerome give the true sense. The holy places have been greatly reverenced, and Christian princes strove for a long time to recover them. (Calmet) --- They are respected even by the Turks. Christ's death was ignominious, but his monument was full of glory. Thus the saints begin to shine, where the glory of the wicked ends. (Worthington) Time. After the deliverance from Sennacherib, they shall return from captivity. Ezechias recalled some few, 2 Paralipomenon xxix. 9. --- Remnant. Some embraced the gospel, Romans ii. 2., and Acts ii. 41., &c. --- Phetros, in Egypt. --- Of the Mediterranean sea, and all places to which the Jews went by water. Away. Under Ezechias the Israelites began to join with Juda. But they did it more cordially after their return from Babylon. Shoulders. Or confines, Ezechiel xxv. 9. Ezechias and the Machabees attacked the Philistines. (Calmet) --- Septuagint, "and they shall fly on the ships of the strangers; they shall plunder the sea together, and those on the east, and Idumea." (Haydock) --- East. Ammonites, &c., often defeated by the Machabees, and probably by Ezechias. Tongue. Gulf of the Mediterranean, near Pelusium, or the seven mouths of the river Nile. The country was ravaged by Sennacherib, Cambyses, Alex.[Alexander the Great?], and Epiphanes, chap. xix. 4., &c. The Jewish captives shall return thence, chap. l. 3., and Zacharias x. 10. Assyrians. They shall march without impediment. (Calmet)