Bible Commentaries

Woe. The fifth of the six Woes. The Structure, above, will make this section quite clear, and show that the verses are not "out of place", or "disarranged".

that spoilest = thou plunderer.

dealest treacherously = thou traitor.

arm. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause) for the strength and defense put forth by it.

every morning: i.e. continually.

the people = peoples.

the nations = nations.

caterpiller = locusts.

is = that [is].

Behold. Figure of speech. Asterismos. App-6.

the ambassadors. Note the Figure of speech. Asyndeton (App-6), inIsa .

highways. See note on Isaiah 7:3.

lie waste = are desolate. See note on Isaiah 1:7.

wayfaring man = he that walketh along the path. See note on "path", Isaiah 2:3.

man = mortal. Hebrew. "enosh. App-14

hewn down = withered.

shake off. Hebrew. na"ar. A rare word. Occurs twice in the "former" portion (here, and Isaiah 33:15), and once in the "latter" portion (Isaiah 52:2). App-79.

saith the LORD = may Jehovah say. See note on Isaiah 1:11.

breath, as fire = breath as a fire. Hebrew. ruach.

the people = peoples.

burnings of lime: i.e. fuel for limekilns.

thorns cut up. These are the common fuel used in limekilns in Palestine.

ye: i.e. the heathen.

what I have done: i.e. in the destruction of Sennacherib's army.

fearfulness = trembling. Hebrew. re"adah. Only here in Isaiah; and elsewhere, only in Job 4:14. Psalms 2:11; Psalms 48:6.

surprised = seized.

Who . . . ? who . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. The answer implied being the negative.

among = for.

He, &c. This is not the answer to Isaiah 33:14, but the subject of the Promise in Isaiah 33:16, "He. shall dwell on high". Hence it is emphatic. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 10:17; Deuteronomy 16:19; Deuteronomy 27:25).

hearing of = listening to.

blood = murderers. Figure of speech Metalepsis (of Subject), by which "blood" is first put for bloodshedding, and, secondly, bloodshedding put for those who shed it.

the king. See Isaiah 33:22.

far off = far stretching.

scribe. = the counter.

receiver = the weigher.

he that counted, &c. Referring to Sennacherib's besieging army.

fierce, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 28:49, Deuteronomy 28:50).

stammering = jabbering.

tongue. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), for the language spoken by it.

Look = Gaze.

the city. Figure of speech Polyonymia.

solemnities = festal-days. Reference to Pentateuch, where the word frequently occurs (compare Lev 23. Num 15, &c).

tabernacle = tent. Hebrew. "ohel. App-40.

gallant = mighty, or noble.

the lame take the prey. Referring to the spoil taken from the dead of the Assyrian host. See 2 Kings 19:35.

forgiven their iniquity. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 23:21; Exodus 32:32. Numbers 14:19).