CHAP. XLIX.
monites; and it shall be a desolate heap, Prophecies concerning the Ammonites, 1-6; Edom, 7-22; and eher daughters shall be burned with
Damascus, 23-27; Kedar and Hazor, 28-33; and Elam, 34
-39.
King the LORD of Hosts" has a controversy with a people, their young men go down to the slaughter, rather than to battle; and all the beauty and strength of nations, only tend to increase the astonishment of those, who bemoan their ruin, and exclaim, "How is the strong staff broken and the beautiful rod!" Every circumstance, which increased their glory, now enhances their misery: and every inquiry about what is done, makes_known their terror and distress. But "the LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works:" and he does not "cut off the horn and break the arm" of any, except of such as "magnify themselves against him."
V. 26-47.
When sinners become intoxicated with pride and ungodly lusts, the Lord will make them drunken with his judgments, and expose them to shame and derision. He abhors those, who rejoice in the calamities of their neighbors, and insult over the miserable, especially over his inoffensive worshippers: yet this is the general effect of the envy, malice, selfishness, and impiety of the human heart.
But pride, in its multiplied exercises, is the fruitful root of unnumbered crimes; and when this diabolical vice grows stronger continually, disgrace and ruin are at hand: for "a haughty spirit goes before a fall;" and the Lord knows the rage, malice, deceit, and lies of his enemies, and will disappoint them.
It becomes us to compassionate the sufferings even of our enemies: when "joy and gladness are taken away from the plentiful field;" when penury and famine succeed luxury and abundance, and the riches of those who once lived in splendor are perished; we should sympathize in their sorrows, and be ready to afford them such relief as we are able.
But we should also take warning to avoid their transgressions: and amidst the changes and calamities which surround us, we should learn to "set our affection on things above, and not on things on the earth." If our sirs be pardoned and our hearts renewed, our God will preserve us from every fear, pit, and snare, into which others fall: and whilst "the vessels of wrath," in whom he has no pleasure, and which are "fitted for destruction," shall perish for ever; he will effectually take care of those "vessels of mercy, whom he hath afore prepared for his glory." ( Note , Rom. 9:22,23.)
NOTES.
CHAP. XLIX. V.1. The king of Ammon had sent Ishmael to murder Gedaliah, and probably Nebuchadnezzar intended to revenge that injury, when he made war against the
fire: then shall Israel be heir unto them that were his heirs, saith the Lord.
3 & Howl, O Heshbon, for Ai is spoiled: cry, ye daughters of Rabbah, gird you with sackcloth; lament, and run to and
fro by the hedges; for their king shall
go into captivity, and his priests and his princes together.
4 Wherefore I gloriest thou in the val
e Num. 21:25. marg. 2 Sam. | i Job 30:3-7. Is. 15:2. 11:1. 12:27-29. Ps. 48:11. 97:8. Ez. 16:46-55. f1. Is. 14:1-3. Ob. 19. g 48:20. 51:8. Is. 13:6. 14:31. 15:2. 16:7. 23:1,6. Jam. 5:1. h 4:8. 6:26. - See on 48:37. Is. 32:11,12.
Or, Melcom. 1. 1 Kings 11: 5,33. 2 Kings 23:13. Milcom. Zeph. 1:5. Malcham. k 46:25. 43:7. Am. 1:15.
19:23. Is. 28:1-4. 47:7:8. Rev. 18:7.
Ammonites: ( Notes , 40:13-16. 41:16-18.) but the Lord had a controversy with them, on account of their injustice to his people. Being situated on the north east border of the country allotted to Israel, the Ammonites seized every opportunity of seizing on the cities and lands adjacent to their territory, as if the Israelites had no heirs: and thus the subjects of the king of Ammon, or the worshippers of Melcom the idol of Ammon, ( marg .) dwelt in the lot of Gad, and in the cities which God had given to his people, and which had never belonged to the ancestors of the Ammonites. ( Marg . Ref .
Notes , Judg . 10:6-9,17,18. 11:12 -27. 1 Sam . 11:1-3. 2 Chr . 20:1,2,10,11. Ps . 83:1-8.
Ez . 25:2-11.)-It seems that their rapacity was on some occasions attended with the most atrocious and savage cruelty. ( Note , Amos 1:13-15.) Even before the Syrians and Assyrians had dispossessed the Israelites, several cities, originally given to Gad or Reuben, were possessed by the Ammonites; for the names of several cities first given to the two tribes and a half, are elsewhere found among those possessed by the Ammonites: ( Note , 3.) but they then seized on them with less reserve. ( Notes 2 Kings 10:32--36. 17:5,6. 1 Chr . 5:25,26.)
V. 2. Rabbah .] Marg . Ref . Notes , 2 Sam . 12:26--31. Ez . 21:19-22.-Daughters.] "The 'lesser cities, which are reckoned as so many 'daughters to the mother city. The Jews 'made themselves masters of the Ammonites 'and the neighboring countries under the Mac'cabees. (1 Мас . 5:6,7.) ... The words, heir and ' inheritance , in the Hebrew, signify any real 'and lasting possession.' Lowth . ( Notes , Is . 14: 1,2. Ob . 17-21. Zeph. 2:8-10.) - It is probable that the future restoration of Israel is also predicted.
V. 3. Ai, of Ammon, was situated eastward of Jordan; and was a different city from that destroyed by Joshua. ( Josh . 7:2. 8:) "When Ai, ... a city of the Ammonites is destroyed, then 'it is time for Heshbon, the chief city of Moab, 'to lament her danger; for her turn comes next. (48:2.)' Lowth .-'Howl, O Heshbon, the chief 'city of the Gadites; (usurped by Ammon;) for 'Ai, the neighboring city is spoiled.' Bp. Hall. -Heshbon, the capital of Sihon's kingdom, had originally been taken from Moab: ( Note , Num . 21:26-30.) and it is generally supposed; that Heshbon of Moab, (48:2.) is the same city, the Moabites having again got possession of it. -But it is not certain that another city, called by the name of that which the Amorites took from Moab, might not be intended. The king dom of Sihon was divided between Reuben and Gad: Heshbon was at first allotted to Reu
leys, thy flowing valley, O backsliding 8 Flee ye, turn back, dwell deep,
daughter? that trusted in her treasures, saying , Who shall come unto me?
5 Behold, PI will bring a fear upon thee, saith the Lord God of hosts, from all those that be about thee; and ye shall be driven out every man right forth; and none shall gather up him that wandereth.
6 And afterward I will bring again the captivity of the children of Ammon, saith
the LORD.
7 Concerning Edom, thus saith the Lord of hosts, " Is wisdom no more in * Teman? is counsel perished from the prudent? is their wisdom vanished?
* Or, thy valley floweth away. t 25:9,21. Gen. 25:30. 27:41. m 3:14. 7:24. Hos. 4:16.
n 48:7. Ps. 49:6. 52:7. 62:10. Prov. 10:15. Ez. 28:4-7.1 Tim. 6:17.
16. 21:13. Ob. 4,5.
p 29. 15:8. 20:4. 48:41-44. Josh. 2:9. 2 Kings 7:6,7. 19: 7. Job 15:21. Prov. 28:1.
q 46:5. Am. 4:3.
r Is. 16:3. Ob. 12-14.
$ 39. 46:26. 48:47. Is. 19:18
23. 23:18. Ez. 16:53.
36:8. Num. 20:14-21. 24:17, 18. Deut. 23:7. Ps. 83:4-10. 137:7. Is. 34: 63:1-6. Ez. 25:12-14. 35: Dan. 11:41. Joel 3:19. Am. 1:11,12. 1,&c. Mal. 1:3,4. 18:18. Job 5:12-14. 11-13.29:14. Ob. 8. 1:22,23.
Ob.
Is. 19: Rom.
x 20. Gen. 36:11,15. 1 Chr. 1:53. Job 2:11. 4:1. Ez. 25: 13. Am. 1:12. Ob. 9. Hab. 3:3.
ben; but it is afterwards mentioned as a city of Gad: ( Num . 32:34-38. Josh . 13:15-21. 21:3442.) so that either Moab or Ammon had taken it from Reuben or Gad.-Heshbon is mention
ed by Isaiah, as a city of Moab; as are several others, which had been given to Reuben and Gad: (Comp. Num . 32:34-38, and Josh . 13:15 -28, with Is . 15: 16:) but Heshbon, as a city of Ammon, is not elsewhere mentioned.
Run to , &c.] 'Try to hide yourselves in the 'thickets, and remove from one place to anoth'er, for fear of being discovered.' Lowth .-Their king, &c.] Or, Melcom . ( Marg . and Marg . Ref .-- Notes , 1. 48:7. Zeph . 1:5.)
V. 4. The Ammonites gloried, either in the security of their valleys, as surrounded on every side with mountains, so that no army could penetrate into their country; or in the fruitfulness of them: one in particular was called "the flowing valley;" as resembling Canaan that flowed with milk and honey.--Ammon is called a "backsliding daughter," either as having apostatized from the religion of Lot the ancestor of the nation; or rather as refractory and rebellious; for so the word may signify. ( Marg . Ref .-- Notes , Is . 28:1-4. 47:7--10.) V. 5. Marg. Ref . Note, Is . 24:17-20.- Ye shall be driven, &c.] 'So as not to dare to look 'back.... None shall bring him that flees from 'the enemy to his house, or afford him any 'shelter or accommodation.' Lowth . ( Notes , 46: 5,6. Is . 16:3-5.)
V. 6. ( Note , 48:47.) It is observable, that the Septuagint leave out these intimations of mercy in reserve for the descendants of Moah and Ammon; though that concerning Elam is not omitted. (39)--"The conversion of idolaters is 'expressed, by returning from their captivity.' Lowth . ( Note , Ez . 16:52-55, v . 53.)
V.7. ( Marg . Ref . )--Eliphaz, the friend of Job, was a Temanite; ( Note , Job 2:11.) and it is probable, that the descendants of Esau were among those children of the east, who in Solomon's days were famed for wisdom: (1 Kings 4:30.) but, 'when God designs a people for de'struction, he deprives them of that common 'prudence and foresight, which is requisite for 'the due management of their affairs; and takes 'from them their usual courage, so that all
O inhabitants of Dedan: for I will bring the calamity of Esau upon him, the time that I will visit him.
9 If e grape gatherers come to thee, would they not leave some gleaning grapes. if thieves by night, they will destroy + till they have enough.
10 But I have made Esau bare, I have uncovered his secret places, and he shall not be able to hide himself: his seed is spoiled, and his brethren, and his neighbors, and & he is not.
11 Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive; and let thy widows trust in me.
y 30. 6:1. 48:6. Matt. 24:15- | d Mal. 1:3,4. Rom. 9:13. 18. Rev. 6:15. e 23:24. Is. 45:3. Am. 9:3. f Ps. 37:28. Ob. 9.
Or, they are turned back.
z 48:28. Judg. 6:2. 1 Sam. 13: 6. Is. 2:21. Am. 9:1-3. Ob. 3,4.
a 25:23. Is. 21:13.
b 32. 46:21. 48:44. Lam. 4:21,
22.
c Is. 17:6. Ob. 5,6.
Heb. their sufficiency.
Is. 14:20-22.
g Ps. 37:35,36. Is. 17:14.
b Deut. 10:18. Ps. 10:14-13. 68:5. 22:3. 146:9. Prov. 23: 10,11. Hos. 14:3. Jon. 4:11. Mal. 3:5. Jam. 1:27.
i 1 Tim. 5:5.
"thousand flee at the rebuke of one." ( Is . 19: 11,12, &c.)' Lowth . ( Notes , Is . 19:11-14. 47: 7--11. Ob . 7-9.)
"Hath their wisdom overshot itself?"רת
'signifies to be redundant or luxuriant , like the branches of a vine. Hence Dr. Taylor has 'explained this passage, "Is their wisdom be'coine luxuriant? Doth it shoot out into proud 'vain, foolish conceit?" Blayney .
V. 8. Ezekiel mentions Dědan twice, in his account of those, who traded with Tyre: in one place he speaks of the Dedanites, the descendants of Dedan, the son of Abraham by Keturah; in the other, as it is probable, of those who inhabited Dedan, a city in Idumæa. (Gen. 25: 3. Ez . 27:15,20.)
Dwell , &c.] That is, 'Retire into your cav'erns and fastnesses to secure yourselves, for 'there will be no security in the open country, 'or even in the cities.' ( Marg.and Marg . Ref. Notes , 9-11. Judg . 6:2,3. Is . 2:19-21.)
V.9-11. (Note 3-6) Grape-gatherers generally leave some gleanings; and nocturnal depredators take what they can, or till they are sufficed, ( marg .) and have as much as they can carry off, yet do not destroy every thing: but the Chaldeans, whom God employed to desolate Edom, would entirely spoil them; they would discover and plunder their secret treasures, and leave them no refuge to hide in: and they would so destroy their seed, and brethren, and neighbors; that there would be none left to say to those that were dying, 'Leave thy orphans and widows to my care, 'and I will provide for them.' ( Notes , Ps . 137:7 -9.
Is . 21:11, 12. Lam . 4:21,22. Ez . 25:12—14. 35: Am . 1:11,12. Mal . 1:2-5.) This seems the most natural meaning of the eleventh verse in this connexion; though it is generally quoted as a promise to the people of God, when about to leave the world: and some suppose, that it was intended for the afflicted Israelites, to remind them of the advantages which they possessed above the Edomites.
Some indeed understand it ironically, as if no orphans or widows would remain, about whom the dying Edomites need be concerned: but so entire a massacre does not often take place; and such a way of predicting so dire an event, does not accord -7. Lam . 4:21,22. Ob . 15,16.) Israel, the peo-when driven from his den by the overflowing
k See on 25:28,29.-30:11. 46: 27. Prov. 17:5. Lam. 4:21, 22. Ob. 16. 1 Pet. 4:17,18. 1 See on 44:26. Gen. 22:16. Is. 45:23. Ez. 35:11. Am. 6:8.
m 22. Gen. 36:33. Is. 34:6. 63: 1. Am. 1:12.
n 17,18. Is. 34:9-15. Ez. 25: 13,14. 35:2-15. Joel 3:19. Ob. 18. Mal. 1:3,4.
o 51:46. Is. 37:7. Ez. 7:26. Ob. 1. Matt. 24:6.
with the general serious and solemn manner of the holy scriptures. "Shall I preserve the life of thy fatherless children? Or shall thy widows trust in me?" Blayney .
V. 12. ( Notes , 25:27-29. 30:10,11. Ex . 34:5
17 Also Edom shall be a desolation: every one that goeth by it shall be astonished, and * shall hiss at all the plagues thereof.
18 As in the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah, and the neighbor cities thereof, saith the LORD, no man shall abide there, neither shall a son of man dwell in it.
19 Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan against the habitation of the strong: but I will suddenly make him run away from her: and who is a chosen man , that I may appoint over her? for who is like me? and who will * appoint me the time? and who is
that shepherd that will stand before me? 20 Therefore hear the counsel of the LORD, that he hath taken against Edom; and his purposes, that he hath purposed against the inhabitants off Teman: & Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out; surely he shall make their habitations desolate with them.
21 The earth is v 13. Is. 34:9-15. Ez. 25:13, 14. 35:7,15.
x 51:37. 1 Kings 9:8. 2 Chr 7: 20,21. Lam. 2:15,16. Mic. 6: 16. Zeph. 2:15.
Deut.
y 50:40. Gen. 19:24,25. 29:23. Ps. 11:6. Is. 13:19-22. Am. 4:11. Zeph. 2:9. 2 Pet. 2:6. Jude 7.
z 33. Job 18:15-18. Is. 34:10. Rev. 18:21-23.
a 4:7. 50:44. Zech. 11:3.
b 12:5. Josh. 3:15. 1 Chr. 12:15. c See on Ex. 15:11. Ps. 89:6,8. -113:5,6. Is. 40:25.
moved at the noise of * Or, convent me in judgment. Job 9:19-21. 23:3-7. 40:28. 42:3-5, Ps. 143:2.
d See on 30:21. Job 41:10. Ps. 76:7. Nah. 1:6.
e 50:45. Ps. 33:11. Prov. 19 21. Is. 14:24-27. 46:10,11 Acts 4:28. Eph. 1:11.
f See on 7.
g 37:10. 50:45. Zech. 4:6 1 Cor. 1:27-29.
h See on 13,17,18. - Mal. 1:3,4. i 50:46. Is. 14:4-15. Ez. 26: 15,18. 31:16. 32:10. Rev. 18: 10.
V. 17, 18. Marg . Ref . Notes , Gen. 19:24,25, 27-29. Deut . 29:21-25. Is . 13:19-22. 34:915. Zeph . 2:8-10. Rev. 18 : 11-24 .
V. 19, 20. Nebuchadnezzar was about to come up, as a lion from the banks of Jordan,
ple of God might, on some accounts, have expected an exemption from the calamities, which overtook his enemies; yet they had been deeply involved in them: and could the Edomites hope to escape? Not the character, but the peculiar privileges of the Israelites were alluded to Notes, Prov . 11:31. 1 Pet . 4: 17-19.)
V. 13. Marg. Ref . Notes , 9-11. Is . 34: 63: 1-6.
V. 14, 15. ( Marg . Ref . Notes , Is . 18:2. Ob . 1, 2.) 'God's stirring up men's spirits to invade 'such countries is described here, as if he had 'sent an ambassador to the Chaldeans and 'their confederates, to engage them in the war 'against the Idumæans: according to the meth'ods, which earthly princes use to engage their 'allies. (51:27,28.)' Lowth .
V. 16. The word rendered terribleness is, by some, supposed to mean an idol worshipped by the Idumæans, from which they expected help, but which would disappoint their confidence. 'Jerom, who lived in the neighbor'hood, tells us, in his commentary on Obadiah, 'that Idumea was a rocky mountainous coun'try; and that the inhabitants dwelt in caves, 'dug out of the rocks and hills.' Lowth . ( Marg . Ref. Notes, 48:28-30, Is . 14:12-15. Ob . 3 -6.)
waters, he fiercely assaulted the sheep-folds; ( Note , Zech. 11:1-3, v. 3.) and the Lord will cause him suddenly to run upon the land of Edom, though it was strongly fortified: or he would cause the Edomites, every one of them, suddenly to run out of the land, as despairing of success against so powerful an invader. For God had, as it were, summoned all the valiant captains of the earth to appear before him, that he might appoint one of them to this service; and from them all he had chosen Nebuchadnezzar. And who, like JEHOVAH, was able to prepare instruments to his work?
Who dared to appoint him a time, either to meet him in judgment, or to face him in battle, or to fulfil his counsels and decrees? Or, what ruler of Edom would dare to withstand "him, and the weapons of his indignation?" What shepherd could meet this fierce lion, to defend the sheepfold against him? Let then the Edomites hear the counsel and purpose of God against them: for he meant so to enfeeble and intimidate them, that the least of Nebuchadnezzar's soldiers would be able to draw them out of their cities, and to lead them into captivity. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . Notes , 30:1922. 50:44,45.)
Surely the least, &c.] "Surely they shall 'be dragged away from the little one of the heard in the * Red sea.
their fall: at the cry, the noise thereof was || smite, thus saith the LORD; Arise ye
22 Behold, khe shall come up, and fly as the eagle, and spread his wings over Bozrah: and at that day shall the heart of the mighty men of Edom be as the heart of a woman in her pangs.
[Practical Observations.]
23 Concerning Damascus, math is confounded, and Arpad: for they have heard evil tidings: they are fainthearted; there is Psorrow on the sea; it cannot be quiet.
24 Damascus is waxed feeble, and turneth herself to flee, and fear hath seized on her : anguish and sorrows have taken her, as a woman in travail.
25 How is the city of praise not left, the city of my joy!
26 Therefore her young men shall fall in her streets, and all the men of war shall be cut off in that day, saith the LORD of hosts.
27 And I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, and it shall consume the palaces of " Ben-hadad.
28T Concerning * Kedar, and concerning the kingdoms of Hazor, which Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon shall
m 24. 4:31. 6:24. 13:21. 22:23. 30:6. 48:41. Ps. 18:5. Is. 13: 8. 21:3. 26:17. 1 Thes. 5:3.
n Gen. 14:15. 15:2. 1 Kings 11:24. Is. 17:1-3. Am. 1:35. Zech. 9:1,2. 2 Cor. 11:32. o Num. 13:21. 2 Sam. 8:9.2 Kings 17:24. 18:34. 19:13. Is. 10:9. 11:11.
† Heb. melted. Deut. 20:8. marg . Josh. 2:11. 14:8. 2 Sam. 17:10. Is. 13:7. Nab. 2:10.
26,27. Luke 8:23,24. 21:25,26. Acts 27:20.
q See on 22.
r 48:2,39. 51:41. Ps. 37:35,36. Is. 14:4-6. Dan. 4:30. Rev. 18:10,16-19.
s 9:21. 11:22. 50:30. 51:3,4. Lam. 2:21. Ez. 27:27. Am. 4:10.
t See on Am. 1:3-5. u 1 Kings 15:18-20. 20:1, &c. 2 Kings 13:5.
x 2:10. Gen. 25:13. 1 Chr. 1: 29. Cant. 1:5. Is. 21:16,17. 42:11. Ez. 27:21.
y 30,33.
'flock." That is from wives and children.' Blayney.
V. 21. All the adjacent regions would hear with astonishment of Edom's ruin; and the outcries of the sufferers would be heard at the Red Sea, which lay at a considerable distance. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . Notes , Ex . 15:14-16. Is . 14:2-15.)
V. 22. Marg . Ref . Note , 48:41,42. V. 23. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . n, o.) Damascus, the chief city of Syria, is put for the whole country, which, it is probable, Nebuchadnezzar totally subdued during the siege of Tyre.
On the, &c.] Or, "as on the sea," when the ship is sinking, and the sailors have nothing but death before their eyes. ( Marg . and Marg. Ref. p.- Notes , Ps . 107:23-30. Ez . 27:26-36.)
V. 24, 25. Marg . Ref .- How , &c. (25) This may be considered as the language of the king or the inhabitants of Damascus, when they found their city, which they had so much applauded and rejoiced in, involved in the common fate of other cities, which had been desolated by the Chaldeans. ( Notes , 48:2. 51: 41.)
go up to Kedar, and spoil the men of the east.
29 Their tents and their flocks shall they take away: they shall take to themselves their curtains, and all their vessels, and their d camels; and they shall cry unto them, Fear is on every side.
30 Flee, get you far off, 'dwell deep, Oye inhabitants of Hazor, saith the LORD; & for Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath taken counsel against you, and hath conceived a purpose against you.
31 Arise, get you up unto the || wealthy nation, that dwelleth without care, saith the Lord, which have neither gates nor bars, which dwell alone.
32 And their camels shall be a booty, and the multitude of their cattle a spoil: and I will scatter into all winds them that are in the utmost corners: and I will bring their calamity from all sides thereof, saith the LORD.
33 And Hazor shall be ma dwelling for dragons, and a desolation for ever: there shall no man abide there, nor any son of man dwell in it.
34 The word of the LORD, that came to Jeremiah the prophet against Elam, in
z 14,31. 50:14-16. Is. 13:2-5.
a Gen. 25:6. Judg. 6:3. Job 1:3. Is. 11:14.
b Ps. 120:5. Is. 13:20. 60:7.
с 4:20. 10:20.
d Gen. 37:25.
Hab. 3:7.
Judg. 6:5. 7:12.
8:21,26. 1 Chr. 5:20,21. Job
1:12. Zeph. 2:15.
i Num. 23:9. Deut. 33:28. Judg. 13:28. Mic. 7:14.
k See on 29.
1 Deut. 28:64. Ez. 5:10,12. 12: 14,15.
Heb. cut off into corners, or that have the corners of theit hair polled , 9:26. 25:23. mar gins .
m 17,18. 9:11. 10:22. 50:39,40 51:37. Is. 13:20-22. 14:23 34:9-17. Zeph. 2:9,13-15 Mal. 1:3. Rev. 18:2,21,22. n 25:25. Gen. 10:22, 14:1 Ezra 4:9. Is. 21:2. Ez. 32 24,25. Dan. 8:2. Acts 2:9.
kings of Syria. ( Marg . Ref . u.-Notes, Is. 17: 1-3 . Am . 1:3-5. Zech . 9:1-4.)--The accomplishment of these prophecies on the surrounding nations, during the captivity of the Jews in Babylon, would greatly tend to encourage their hopes of that deliverance, which had been predicted by the same prophet; and to impress the spectators with a conviction, that the God of Israel was indeed the Lord of heaven and earth.
V. 28. Kedar and Hazor seem to have been districts to the south-east of the land of Canaan, occupied by different tribes of the Arabians, who lived in tents, and subsisted chiefly by feeding cattle, or by rapine. ( Marg . Ref . Note , Is . 21:13-17.)
V. 27. Ben - hadad .] A common name of the ||
V. 29. 'Because they used to dwell in tents, he nameth the things that pertain thereunto. ( Marg . Ref . Notes , Ps . 120:5. Cant . 1:5,6.) Fear , &c.] Marg . Ref . e.- Note , 20:1-6, υυ . 3,4.
V. 30-33. Marg . and Marg . Ref . Notes , 8 9:25,26. Judg . 18:7-10. Is . 47:7-10. Ez . 38: 11. Zeph . 2:13-15.- Get you far off . (30) "Flit greatly." Marg . -Note , Ps . 56:8. - Dwell alone (31) Not in cities, or towns; but in tents, or habitations not contiguous to each other.
the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah | mayed before their enemies, and before king of Judah, saying,
35 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the chief of their might.
36 And upon Elam will I bring the four winds from the four quarters of heaven, and will scatter them toward all those winds; and there shall be no nation whither the outcasts of Elam shall not come.
37 For I will cause Elam to be dis
ο 50:14,29. 51:56. Ps. 46:9. Is. 22:6.
p Dan. 7:2,3. 8:8,22. 11:4. Rev.
7:1.
q 32. Deut. 28:25,64. Ez. 5:
10,12. Am. 9:9.
r 30:17. Ps. 147:2. Is. 11:12. 16:3,4. 27:13. 56:8.
$ 5,22,24,29. 48:39. 50:36. Ps. 48:4-6. Ez. 32:23. Marg.
V. 34. Elam was a district of the country afterwards called Persia. It was subjected and ravaged by Nebuchadnezzar; but under Cyrus it aided to destroy the Chaldean monarchy: ( Marg . Ref. n.-Notes, Ez . 32:24,25. Dan . 8:2.)-This prophecy was delivered about ten years before the taking of Jerusalem, and probably the others were delivered nearly at the same time, though accomplished a considerable time after that event.
V. 35–38. Βοw . (35) Note , Is . 22:6,7.— Winds . (36) 'Enemies directing their force against 'them from every quarter of the heavens.' Blayney . Nation , &c.] That is, in all that part of the world. -Throne, &c. (38) The Lord would place his judgment-seat among them, whence he would give sentence against them, which the Chaldeans would execute: or, 'Nebuchadnezzar, acting under the com'mission and authority of God, the establish'ment of his power, was in effect the setting 'up the throne or dominion of his principal. Blayney .
V. 39. Marg. Ref . Notes , 6. 48:47.)-Under the Medo-persian kings, Shushan the chief city of Elam or Elymaus became the metropolis of the kingdom. ( Notes , Neh . 1:1. Dan . 8:2.) But far later and more important benefits were predicted.
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.
V. 1-22.
The Lord notes down every instance of dishonesty, and will call men to an account for the whole; and especially for all their injustice to the destitute and orphans, who are not able to defend their own property. Power may for a time overcome right: but he will cause the injurious to make ample restitution for all their ill-gotten wealth. The commission of iniquity, nay, the connivance at it, by those in authority, causes the alarm of war, with all its desolations, to be heard in the land: and it is a serious inquiry, whether an account of this kind do not stand out against this nation, at least in respect of several of our foreign dependences? and whether they may not be
made heirs to our wealth in those remote regions, who have been unjustly deprived by us of their inheritances? It is in vain for those who rebel against God, to glory in fruitful fields, and "flowing valleys;" or t or to trust in fleets, armies, treasures, or advantageous advantageous situations. His terror can make even the stoutest to flee: and at his word, kings, ings, princes, and priests must go go into captivity together. But, however the people of God may be plundered and injured, they will "inherit the earth," and "the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just." Wisdom and counsel cannot be preserved from
them that seek their life: and I will bring evil upon them, even my fierce anger, saith the LORD, and "I will send the sword after them, till I have consumed them.
38 And I will set my throne in Elam, and will destroy from thence the king and the princes, saith the LORD.
39 But it shall come to pass in the latter days, that I will bring again the captivity of Elam, saith the LORD.
vanishing and perishing, when the time of God's visitation comes. By a blow, or a fever, the finest genius may be rendered an idiot, and the gravest statesman a lunatic. Even when men's faculties are preserved, their coun sels may be so infatuated, that they may appear as fools and madmen to all around them: and, in short, without true piety there can be no valuable or durable wisdom.
When the Lord lets loose victorious armies to spoil guilty nations, they often cause tremendous desolations, not only for the sake of plunder, but out of wanton cruelty: then the inhabitants are driven into dens and caves, or hunted out of their fastnesses, and cut off by the devouring sword: and the case of widows and fatherless children is very deplorable.
But the Lord has given gracious intimations of his special care of them: and if the dying believer have neither friend nor brother, to take charge of those whom he leaves behind; if he can make no provision for them, nor direct them to any earthly protection; he may be satisfied in hearing his God and Savior say to him, "Leave thy fatherless children, and I will preserve them alive, and let thy widows trust in me." This is "a strong tower, into which the righteous may flee," and be safe in every emergency; but no secret places can hide the sinner from the wrath to come.
And if the children of God here drink the bitter cup of affliction, can prosperous rebels expect to escape "altogether unpunished?" Indeed the Lord has sworn by himself, that they shall drink the cup of his vengeance to the very dregs, and "wring them out;" and that they shall become "a reproach, and a curse, and a desolation." God will make those small among the nations, and despised among men, who exalt themselves against him and his people. - When nations grow formidable to their neighbors, and eminent in power and prosperity; their pride often deceives them; they deem themselves like the eagle, which has made "her nest in the top of the rock," and forget that God can easily bring them down from thence.
He is as powerful, and as holy, as when he overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah: he can as easily destroy this guilty land, as he did those devoted cities; and make it an astonishment and a hissing to all that go by. It is therefore immensely safer to trust his promises, by penitent faith, and in humble obedience, than to rely on our advantages and to commit iniquity. He can choose from the whole earth the most proper person for his work; or he can form one on purpose, as he pleases. "Who then is like unto the LORD? Who can stand in judgment before him?
Who hath hardened his heart against him and prospered?" He