HAYDOCK CATHOLIC BIBLE COMMENTARY ON THE OLD TESTAMENT

ISAIAS 30

CHAPTER XXX.

Ver. 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 K. xviii. 20. C. --- And. Sept. "alliances not by," &c. H.

Ver. 2. Down, with presents. v. 6. 4 K. xviii. 20.

Ver. 3. Shame. Egypt had been defeated before Sennacherib's approach.

Ver. 4. Hanes. Chal. "Taphanes," (Jer. ii. 16.) or DaphnÃ¦ PelusiÃ¦. Herod. ii. 30. --- In the Arabic, Nome, which formed part of (H.) the dominions of Tharaca. C.

Ver. 6. Burden. This title seems unnecessary, and may be added by some Jew, (C. xxi. 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, &c. The rest of the prophecy is against the Jews, who cannot well be styled beasts of the south. C. --- Basilisk. The ibis devours many serpents on their flight from Arabia and Egypt. Herod. ii. 5. Solin. xxxii.

Ver. 7. Cried. Heb. "called it Rahab, (or pride) it is rest." The people are indolent, though they will make great promises. C.

Ver. 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.

Ver. 10. See not. Such were the dispositions of their heart. C. xxviii. 15.

Ver. 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. C.

Ver. 12. Oppression. Lit. "calumny," (H.) 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.

Ver. 13. For. Ps. lxi. 3. If God had not miraculously cut off the army of Sennacherib, what would have become of the kingdom of Juda?

Ver. 15. Be. Sept. "groan," as Origen, &c. read. If you be seriously converted, and trust not in Egypt, you need not fear.

Ver. 16. Ones, or chariots. C. --- Egypt was famous for horses. Deut. xvii. 16. Forcr. --- Rebsaces ridicules the Jews for the want of them. 4 K. xviii. 23. H.

Ver. 17. Five. A small number shall put you to flight. M. --- Mast, set up after a shipwreck, to warn others, or as a signal. C. xxxiii. 23.

Ver. 18. Wait for him. Having convinced Ezechias that he ought to trust in on other, the Lord rescues him from the hand of Sennacherib. C.

Ver. 19. Weep. The citizens expected certain death, (H.) or slavery. C.

Ver. 20. Water. The land will be reduced to a miserable condition by the ravages of Sennacherib. H. --- The following was a sabbatical year. v. 23. C. xxxvii. 30. --- Teacher. It seems that Isaias, &c. had been silent. He spoke after Ezechias had sent for him, and God promises that the people shall not be left without guides. C. --- Christ will not abandon his Church. M.

Ver. 22. Garment. Heb. "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.

Ver. 24. Floor. They shall not have straw only, but wheat, &c. to denote abundance.

Ver. 25. Towers, or chief officers of Sennacherib. All shall be luxuriant.

Ver. 26. Sevenfold. Exceedingly great, equal to the light of 49 days. C. --- 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. C. --- He alludes to the day of judgment. S. Jer. M.

Ver. 27. Name. Majesty of God, (C.) in the future ages. H.

Ver. 28. Error. The unjust government of Sennacherib, who endeavoured to engage all in idolatry.

Ver. 29. Night. When the festivals commenced. C. --- He may particularly mean that night, when the destroying angel slew the Egyptians. Vatab. --- Pipe. Music. H. --- This was not prescribed.

Ver. 30. Stones. The Angel raised the storm, which destroyed many, while the rest in a panic fell upon one another. C. ix. 5. and xxvii. 36.

Ver. 31. Rod. Sennacherib is terrified, who a few days before insulted the living God.

Ver. 32. Harps. The sound of thunder will fill the people of Ezechias with joy, while the enemy shall perish irrecoverably. C.

Ver. 33. Topheth. 'Tis the same as Gehenna, and is taken for hell. Ch. --- The Assyrians perish amid horrid cries (H.) and thunders, which resembled the noise made by drums, and by children who were burning in the arms of Moloc. 4 K. xviii. 4. and xxiii. 10. and 2 Par. xxix. 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. C. xxxvii. 33. C.