3. Therefore- -the sea.-Vers. 7, 8. The Prophet now describes the consequences of this haughtiness. Moab must then howl for it. Moab howls to Moab, i. e. as the Prophet (xv. 3, "all of it shall howl,") himself declares every thing howls, and thus the cry of lament from one locality meets that of the next. For not for its neighbor does each locality lament, but for itself; but this howling is heard from one place to the other. ["It is better to adhere to the common interpretation of as denoting the subject or occasion of the lamentation:-the simplest supposition is that Moab for Moab means Moab for itself. --J. A. A.].

What the Prophet urged vers. 1-5, is made nuga- | tent of their culture. It reached to Jazer northtory by the pride of Moab. Jer. xlviii. 11 com- ward, and eastward to the desert they wandered, pares Moab to wine not drawn off from vessel to i. e. the vines extended in wild growth. Jazer vessel, but ever settled on its lees.. That means: (Num. xxxii. 1, 3, 35; Josh. xiii. 25, and often) Moab has always remained in his land: never now a cluster of ruins of Siev, according to the gone into exile. Thereby has been developed in ONOMASTICON, lay 15 Roman miles north of Heshhim a strong sense of strength and security (comp. bon. The vigorous growth of the vine is, even in xxv. 11; Jer. xlviii. 14, 17, 18, 25, 26, 29; Zeph. our colder climate, something extraordinary. It ii. 8, 10). is quite possible that in that warm and fruitful land the vine, by root-sprouts, spread itself, extending beyond the limits of cultivation, till it was stopped by the sand of the desert. But to the sea also it spread. What sea is this? Jer. (xlviii. 32) understands thereby the sea of Jazer." That can be nothing but a pool or basin (comp. "the sea," in the temple, 1 Kings vii. 23 sqq.). But our context demands that we look rather for a sea lying to the south or west; for the extension of the vines northward and eastward has already been mentioned. If it is to be described as an extension on every side, there is only wanting the southern and western direction, or, as combining both, the south-western. Southwest of Sibmah lay the Dead Sea. This the Prophet means (comp. 2 Chr. xx. 2). But I would not, with DELITZSCH, take 7, "they passed over," as a hyperbolical expression for "extended close to it." We may without ado understand the expression in its full and proper sense. Did not Engedi, celebrated for its vine culture (Song of Solomon i. 14), lie on the west shore of the Dead Sea in a corner, splendidly watered by a spring? And there, only a few hours further westward, lay Hebron, also renowned for its wine (Num. xiii. 24, HERZ. R. Encycl. XVII., p. 611). It is only a bold poetic view when the Prophet treats the vines that grow on the western shore of the Dead Sea as runners from those that grow so gloriously on the east shore in Moab.

In what follows, several localities present themselves to the view of the Prophet elevated above the general level of universal lament, and these are such localities that hitherto had produced the most precious gifts of field or vineyard, and thus had been the places of most joyous pleasures. Kir-hareseth, (comp. ver. 11, Jer. xlviii. 11, 31, 36; 2 Kings iii. 25), since VITRINGA, has been recognized as identical with Kir-Moab xvi. 1, and perhaps so named on account of its brick walls. It sighs for its grape cakes; and as a further reason for the mourning it is said that the meadows of Heshbon (xv. 4) are withered and dry. The Essebonitis (JOSEPHUS Antiq. xii. 4, 11) was very fruitful. Thence came the celebrated grain of Minnith, Ezek. xxvii. 17. "The traveller LEGH brought so-called Heshbon wheat 4. Therefore I will--shouting to cease. to England with stalks 5' 1" long and having-Vers. 9, 10. The Prophet cannot restrain him84 grains in the ear, which weighed four times as much as an English ear of wheat (LEYRER in HERZ. R. Encycl. VI., p. 21).-Sibmah (Num. xxxii. 3 03, comp. ver. 38; Josh. xiii. 19) according to JEROME on Jer. xlviii. 32, say only 500 paces from Heshbon. The vines of Sibmah are cut down by the lords of the nations, i. e. the leaders of the heathen host. If these words were understood to mean that the vines by the power of their wine overcame the lords of the nations, then nothing would be said of the calamity that overtook the vines themselves. [Of the exposition here objected to, J. A. A. says: "This ingenious exposition (scil. of COCCEIUS is adopted by VITRINGA, LOWTH, HITZIG, MAURER, HENDEWERK, DE WETTE, KNOBEL, on the ground of its agreement with the subsequent praises of the vine of Sibmah. GESENIUS objects that there is then no mention of the wasting of the vineyards by the enemy unless this can be supposed to be included in languish." Besides GESENIUS; ROSENMUELLER, EWALD, UMBREIT, and most of the older writers make p the object of the verb instead of its subject." See Text. and Gram.]. In order to make a due impression of the damage done by cutting down the vines of Sibmah, the Prophet presents a picture of the ex

self from joining in the heart-rending lament that
he hears proceeding from Moab. One may know
by that how fearful it must be. For if even the
enemy feels compassion the misery must have
reached the acme.
["The emphasis does not lie
merely in the Prophet's feeling for a foreign na-
tion, but in his feeling for a guilty race, on whom
he was inspired to denounce the wrath of God."
-J. A. A.]. is not = ; and therefore
the Prophet does not say that he weeps "as bitter-
ly as Jazer," but that among the voices of the
people of Jazer, his too is to be heard. He min-
gles with those who are most troubled about the
ruin of the vines of Sibmah because they are
most particularly affected by it. For neither the
desert, whither the vines "wander," nor the re-
gion west of the Dead Sea can be so concerned
about the destruction of the grape culture in the
central point Sibmah, as the neighboring Jazer.
The Prophet will moisten with his tears the fields
fields (ver. 8) may well stand in need of such
of Heshbon and Elealeh (xv. 4). These withered
moistening, for on the fruit and grain harvests
there has fallen the shout (see Text. and Gram.)
of the harvesters or rather of the wine-treaders,
an expression that can only be chosen in bitter
irony. For it is the devastating feet of the enemy
that have so trampled the fruitful meadows and

b) The later prophecy: more exact determination of the period of its fulfilment. CHAPTER XVI. 13, 14.

This is the word that the LORD hath spoken concerning Moab since that time.

14 'But now the LORD hath spoken, saying,

Within three years, as the years of an hireling,
And the glory of Moab shall be contemned,
With all that great multitude;

And the remnant shall be very small and 'feeble.

TEXTUAL AND GRAMMATICAL. Ver. 14. before is construed by some as designative of the part in which Moab suffers diminution, by others as the of association. The former construction does not answer because it restricts the

diminution of Moab to a falling off of the dense population solely. Therefore I prefer with DELITZSCH the second explanation according to which it is affirmed that Moab's glory, i. e., power and riches together with the

TEXTUAL AND GRAMMATICAL.

only to coincide with a fact which bore with it in | pentance, for He seeks not the death of the sinner principle the fall of Moab, to assure the relative (Ezek. xviii. 32). Thus it was still a season for fulfilment of the prophecy, for to the absolute repentance. For had the Moabites once again fulfilment belongs of course the entire time fol- used hospitality, then again had mercy been exlowing. It is quite possible that the Prophet tended to them."-CRAMER. received the prompting to the first prophecy against Moab (xv. 1-xvi. 12) from the event of the Moabites occupying the east Jordan territory of Gad and Reuben which was depopulated by Pul and Tiglath-Fileser (1 Chr. v. 6, 26; 2 Kings IV. 29), although in our chapters there occurs no express reference to such an act of enmity against Israel (comp. VAIHINGER in HERZ. R. Encycl. IX. p. 662). Isaiah published this prophecy later when the first act of the judgment was in prospect, that was to make a definitive end of the state of Moab. But we are not able to say wherein this first act consisted. Yet that it was only a first act, appears from the fact that more than a hundred years later, Jeremiah once again prophesied the judgment of destruction against Moab (Jer. xlviii.). - -In three years, that should be reckoned like the years of an hireling, i. e., close, without abbreviation to his advantage, and without extension to his hurt (the expression occurs again xxi. 16), in three years, therefore, Moab's glory was to be made insignificant (iii. 5).

7. On xvi. 5. "Light arises to the pious in the darkness from the Gracious, Merciful and Just One. His heart is of good courage and fears not, till he sees his desire on his enemies (Ps. cxii. 4, 8). And as it went well with Jerusalem, while it went ill with the Moabites, thus shall Christ's kingdom stand, and the enemies go down. For it is an everlasting kingdom, and the set up tabernacle of David shall surely remain (Am. ix. 11.)"-CRAMER.

DOCTRINAL AND ETHICAL.

1. On xv. 1. "Although the Prophets belonged to the Jewish people, and were sent especially for the sake of the Jewish people, yet as God would that all men should come to repentance and the knowledge of the truth, therefore at times also the Prophets were called on to go out of these limits, and preach to other nations for a sign against them, that they might have nothing whereby to excuse themselves."-Cramer. 2. On xv. 2 sqq. "Against the wrath of God, neither much money and land, nor a well equipped nation, nor great and strong cities, nor flight from one place to another avail anything, but true repentance (Ps. xxxiii. 16 sq.). Whoever forsakes God in good days, He will forsake again in misfortune, and then they can find nowhere rest or refuge (Prov. i. 24 sqq.).-STARKE. 3. On xv. 7. "What a man unjustly makes, that another unjustly takes."-STARKE. 4. On xv. 8 sq. "God is wont, in His judgments, to proceed by degrees, to begin with lesser punishments, and proceed to the sorer (Lev. Ixvi. 18, 21, 24, 28). Although the godless escape one misfortune yet they soon fall into another."-STARKE.

5. On xvi. 1 sqq. "God can quickly bring it about that the people that once gave us shelter ing entertainment must in turn, look to us for entertainment and a lurking place. For in the famine, Naomi and her husband and sons were pilgrims in the land of Moab (Ruth i. 1). David procured a refuge for his parents among the Moabites (1 Sam. xxii. 3). Now their affairs are in so bad a case that they, who were able to af ford shelter to others, must themselves go wandering among others; for human fortune is un

80

stable."-CRAMER.

6. On xvi. 4. "God therefore threatens the Moabites, at the same time winning them to re

8. On xvi. 6 sqq. "Moab was a haughty nation, for it was rich and had everything abundant. For it commonly goes thus, that where one is full, there the heart is lifted up, and the legs must be strong that can bear good days."— CRAMER. 9. On xvi. 9 sqq.. "Such must be the disposi tion of teachers and preachers, that for the sake of their office, they should and must castigate injustice for God's sake, but with those that suffer the punishment they must be pitiful in heart. And therefore they must be the sin's enemy, and the persons' friend. Example: Micah announces the punishment to Jerusalem yet howls over it, testifies also his innermost condolence by change of clothing (Mic. i. 8). Samuel announces destruction to Saul and has sorrow for him (1 Sam. xv. 26; xvi. 1). Likewise Christ announces every sort of evil to the Jews, and yet weeps bitterly (Luke xix. 41). Paul preaches the frightful rejection of the Jews, and yet wishes it were possible to purchase their salvation by His eternal hurt (Rom. ix. 3)."-CRAMER.

10. On xvi. 14. "Exceeding, and very great is the grace and friendliness of God, that in the midst of the punishments that He directs against the Moabites, He yet thinks on His mercy. For the LORD is good unto all and has compassion on all His works (Ps. cxlv. 9)."-CRAMER.

11. On xvi. 12. Hypocritae, ubi, etc. "Hypocrites, whose souls are filled with impious notions of God, are much more vehement in their exercises than the truly pious in the true worship of God. And this is the first retribution of the impious, that they are wasted by their own labor which they undertake of their own accord. Another is that those exercises are vain in time of need and profit nothing. Therefore their evils are born with the greatest uneasiness, nor do they see any hope of aid. On the contrary true piety, because it knows that it is the servant of Christ, suffers indeed externally, yet conquers the cross by the confidence which it has in Christ."— LUTHER.

12. On xvi. GENUINENESS. [BARNES in loc. forcibly presents the argument for the genuineness of these prophecies afforded by the numer ous mention of localities and the prediction of the desolations that would overtake them. In doing so he quotes also the language of Prof. SHEDD (Bib. Repos. Vol. VII., pp. 108 sq.). BARNES says: "That evidence is found in the particularity with which places are mentioned; and in the fact that impostors would not specify places, any further than was unavoidable. Mistakes, we all

know, are liable to be made by those who attempt to describe the geography of places which they have not seen. Yet here is a description of a land and its numerous towns, made nearly three thousand years ago, and in its particulars it is sustained by all the travellers of modern times. The ruins of the same towns are still seen; their places in general can be designated; and there is a moral certainty, therefore, that this prophecy was made by one who knew the locality of those places, and that, therefore, the prophecy is ancient and genuine."-“Every successive traveller who visits Moab, Idumea or Palestine, does something to confirm the accuracy of Isaiah. Towns bearing the same name, or the ruins of towns, are located in the same relative position in which he said they were, and the ruins of once splendid cities, broken columns, dilapidated walls, trodden down vineyards, and half demolished temples proclaim to the world that those cities are what he said they would be, and that he was under the inspiration of God." See KEITH on Prophecy, whose whole book is but the amplification of this argument. The modern traveller, who explores those regions with Isaiah in one hand and RoBINSON'S Researches or MURRAY's Guide in the other, has a demonstration that Isaiah was as surely written with the accurate knowledge of

those regions in their day of prosperity and populous cities, as that the accounts of ROBINSON, TRISTRAM or MURRAY's Guide were written by those who only had a knowledge of their ruins and desolations.-TR.].

HOMILETICAL HINTS.

1. On xvi. 5. This text can be used on the Reformation Feast, at Synods, Missionary Anniversaries and similar occasions. THE THRONE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. I. Its Foundation: Grace. II. The Substance of which it is made: Truth. III. The Place where it stands: The Tabernacle of David. IV. The Object, for whose attainment it is set up: Justice and Righteousness.

2. On xvi. 6-14. Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is the people's destruction (Prov. xiv. 34). Therefore the salvation of a people rests on their knowing and serving the LORD. The example of Moab proves this. We learn from it: WHAT A PEOPLE MUST SHUN AND DO THAT SALVATION MAY BE ITS PORTION. I. It must shun. a) pride (ver. 6); b) false and external worship (ver. 12). II. It must serve the LORD, who is a) a true, b) an almighty, c) a holy and just God.

3. AGAINST SYRIA-EPHRAIM AND ETHIOPIA-EGYPT.
CHAPTERS XVII.-XX.

The prophecies contained in xvii.-xx. have this much in common, that they are directed against two double nations. For as here Syria and Ephraim belong together, so there Ethiopia and Egypt. Thus in the north and south the gaze of the Prophet falls on a double nation, and in each case the remoter nation is the more heterogeneous. Then all these prophecies point to the future of Assyria. But they do so in a very different sense. In xvii. Assyria appears as instrument for accomplishing the judgment on the neighboring enemy of Judah, Syria and Israel. But immediately thereafter (xvii. 12-14) destruction is announced against Assyria itself, so that xvii. can conclude with the words: "This is the portion of them that spoil us and the lot of them that rob us." But Assyria threatened not merely Judah and its next neighbors. The terror of it went further: it extended into distant lands. To these belonged also Ethiopia. Therefore on this account the Prophet announces to Ethiopia, too, the impending danger proceeding from Assyria. And this announcement could so much the more find a place here as the Prophet at the same time had to announce the putting aside of this danger by the same overthrow of the Assyrians that (xvii. 12-14) he holds up to view as the delivering event for Judah. Thus the Prophet in so far points away to a future of Assyria which is to it fatal, and on that account for Judah full of comfort. Hence these chapters involve the warning to fear neither Syria-Ephraim nor Assyria. We can say, therefore, that the contents of xvii. correspond to the contents of the first and third part of the prophetic-cycle vii.-xii. For we find

here everything that is set forth in extenso vii. 1 ―ix. 6, and then again x. 5-xi. 16, given compactly in the brief space of one chapter. Regarding the period of their composition, we must ascribe xvii. and xviii. to the same time. For in both Assyria is spoken of in the same sense, i. e., the overthrow of Assyria is held up to view in both, and not the victory as in xix. and xx. But then in both passages this overthrow is spoken of in such a way that one sees the lines of perspective of both pictures of the future meet in the historical event that is described xxxvii. 36 sqq. To this is added what DRECHSLER calls attention to, that chapter xviii. has no superscription, but appears with its 17, "woe," to join on to the "woe" of xvii. 12. DRECHSLER, indeed, urges the unity too strongly (in his Commentary, and Stud. u. Krit., 1847, p. 857 sqq.). Yet one don't see why the Prophet should have set just Ethiopia parallel with Judah. This is only conceivable if chapter xviii. was not conceived ad hoc, but was put here only as a parallel actually existing and, according to the reference of vers. 5, 6, a fitting parallel. But, as already said, the two passages, as regards their origin, belong to one period. And inasmuch as, according to xvii. 1-3, Damascus and Ephraim still stood intact, we must ascribe both chapters xvii. xviii., to the beginning of the reign of Ahaz, the time to which chapters vii. 1-ix. 6 owe their origin. We would then have in our chapters a proof that Isaiah, at that time not only foresaw the significance of Assyria as an instrument of punishment, but also its destruction.

Chapters xix. and xx., also treat of the future

a) Prophecies that give warning not to be afraid either of Syria-Fphraim or Assyria. CHAPTERS XVII., XVIII.

a) DAMASCUS AND EPHRAIM NOW AND IN TIME TO COME.

CHAPTER XVII.

N) The destruction of Damascus and Ephraim.

CHAPTER XVII. 1-3.

THE BURDEN OF DAMASCUS.

Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city,

And it shall be a ruinous heap.

2 The cities of Aroer are forsaken:

They shall be for flocks,

Which shall lie down and none shall make them afraid.