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"shall be no more thence an infant of "days (p), nor an old man that hath not "filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner "being an hundred years old shall be "accursed. 21. And they shall build "houses, and inhabit them; and they "shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit "of them. 22. They shall not build (q), "and another inhabit; they shall not "plant, and another eat: for as the days "of a tree, are the days of my people, "and mine elect shall long enjoy the "work of their hands. 23. They shall "not labour in vain, nor bring forth for "trouble for they are (r) the seed of "the blessed of the LORD, and their

(p) v. 20. "An infant of days," or "a "short-lived infant;" and in the latter part of the verse, Bp. Lowth reads, " and he "that dieth at 100 years, shall die a child; "and the sinner that dieth at a hundred "years, shall be deemed accursed;" meaning probably, that the ordinary time of life should be so far prolonged, that he who died at 100 should be deemed a child, and cut off by God's judgment. The Sept. may be rendered," for one of a hundred years "shall be young, and he who dieth at a "hundred years shall be a sinner and ac"cursed."

(q) v. 22. "Not build, &c." This was one of the denunciations for disobedience, (Deuter. xxviii. 30.) " Thou shalt build an "house, and thou shalt not dwell therein; "thou shalt plant a vineyard, and shalt not "gather the grapes thereof."

(r) v. 23. "For they are, &c." or "they "shall be a seed blessed, &c. Bp. Lowth." (s) v. 24. "Before they call, &c." such will be God's readiness to meet their wishes. So ante, Is. Ixiv. 5.

(t) v. 25. "The wolf, &c." figuratively, "all fierceness and virulence shall be sup"pressed." See ante, 633. note on Is. xi.6.

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(u) "Dust, &c." "Satan, the great adver

sary of man, the inciter to sin, shall be put "down: the curse upon him, (Gen. iii. 14.) "Dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy "life,' shall be accomplished."

(x)" They shall not hurt or destroy," i. e. "there shall be no molestation or de"struction."

(y)" In all my holy mountain," i. e. (perhaps)" amongst the members of my "church" in the places where my religion is established.

(z) Of the inefficacy of local and cere

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CHAP. LXVI. (2)

THUS saith the LORD, "The hea"ven (a) is my throne, and the earth "is my footstool where (b) is the "house (c) that ye build unto me? "and where (b) is the place of my.

monial worship, and the merit of that which is spiritual; of the success God shall vouchsafe to the true religion, the protection he shall extend to his followers, and the vengeance he shall take upon its opponents. The chapter looks forward to the times of the Messiah, and its date is about 698 years before the birth of Christ.

(a) v. 1. "The heaven, &c." It was matter of confidence and spiritual pride amongst the Jews that the only temple for the worship of the true God was at Jerusalem; and the object here probably was to check this notion; to intimate, that in the times to which the prophet was looking, that God, to whom the whole heaven was merely a throne, and the whole earth a footstool, might be worshipped in any and every place. Agreeably to what our Saviour told the woman of Samaria, "The "hour cometh, when ye shall neither in "this mountain (Gerizim), nor yet at Jeru"salem, worship the Father; but the hour "cometh, and now is, when the true wor"shippers shall worship the Father in spirit "and in truth; John iv. 21. 23." (without regard to place or ceremonial institutions.)

(b) "Where," or rather "what," of what value? Sept. and it is so cited, Acts vii. 49. "what house will ye build me? or, "what is the place of my rest?" and then the beginning of verse 2. contains the

answer.

(c) "Where is the house, &c." When Solomon had completed the temple, his observation was, "Will God in"deed dwell on the earth? Behold, the "heaven, and heaven of heavens cannot "contain thee, how much less this house "that I have builded? 1 Kings viii. 27."

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"rest? 2. For all those things hath "mine hand made (d), and all those "things have been (e), saith the Lord': "but to this man (g) will I look, even "to him that is poor and of a contrite

spirit, and trembleth at my word. "3. He (h) that killeth (i) an ox, is as if "he slew (k) a man; he that sacrificeth 66 a lamb, as if he cut (k) off a dog's "neck(): he that offereth an oblation, "as if he offered swine's blood (); "he that burneth incense as if he "blessed an idol: yea, they have "chosen their own ways, and their "soul delighteth in their abominations. "4. I also will choose their delu"sions (m), and will bring their fears 66 upon them; because when I called "none did answer; when I spake they "did not hear: but they did evil before

(d) v. 2. "Hath mine hand made;" so that I supply the materials. So in speaking of the second temple, (Haggai ii. 8.) "The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, "saith the Lord of Hosts."

(e) "Have been," i. e. (probably) "are "perishable; come to an end." Sept. reads," are mine."

(g)" This man," i. e. (indefinitely) "any "man of a poor and contrite spirit: with "such a one will I dwell, rather than in "any temple you can make." So Is. lvii. 15. ante, 667. There are other passages in the New Testament, where the Christian converts are called "the temple of God." 1 Cor. iii. 16, 17.-2 Cor. vi. 16.

(h) v. 3." He that killeth, &c." i. e. "the ceremonious acts of the wicked, "their sacrifices, &c. are as offensive to me "as their sins." Agreeably to Prov. xv. 8. "The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomin"ation unto the Lord;" and Isaiah i. 13. "Incense is an abomination unto me, it is "iniquity, even your solemn meeting."

(2)" Killeth," i. e. " for sacrifice." (k)" Is as if he slew," " as if he cut, "&c." i. e. (perhaps) has sins as bad these would be," "would not scruple

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"to commit such sins."

(1) "Cut off a dog's neck," and "of"fered swine's blood,” both abominations. (m) v. 4. "Their delusions," i. e. “ what "shall delude them, and bring them into "trouble."

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❝ mine eyes,

and chose that in which I "delighted not. 5. Hear the word of "the LORD, ye that tremble at (n) his "word; your brethren (0) that hated 66 you, that cast you out for my name's "sake (p), said "Let (q) the LORD be "glorified:" but he shall appear (r) to

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your joy, and they shall be ashamed. "6. A voice of noise from the city, a "voice from the temple, a voice of the "LORD that rendereth recompence 66 to his enemies. 7. Before she tra "vailed she brought forth (s): before "her pain came she was delivered of a 66 man child. 8. Who hath heard such "a thing? who hath seen such things? "shall the earth be made to bring "forth in one day, or shall a nation be "born at once? for as soon as Zion "travailed, she brought forth her chil

(o)"Your brethren, &c." a prediction (the past tense for the future) that it should be by their brethren they should be hated and cast out: our Saviour made & like intimation: "The brother shall de"liver up the brother to death, and the "father the child. Matt. x. 21.— Mark "xiii. 9." And it was by the unbelieving Jews that the earliest persecutions were carried on against their brethren, the Jewish converts.

(p) "For my name's sake,” i. e. “ for "your attachment to my religion." This accords with our Saviour's predictions,

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'ye shall be hated of all men for my "name's sake. Matt. x. 22. — xxiv. 9. "Luke xxi. 12. 17."

(q) "Let, &c." insultingly, like the scoffers, 2 Peter iii. 4. "where is the pro"mise of his coming?"

(r)" He shall appear, &c." and at the destruction of Jerusalem, 40 years after the crucifixion, this prediction was sig nally verified.

(s) v. 7." She brought forth:" this and the next verse probably refer to the rapid progress of the Gospel, as much be yond human expectation, as if a woman were to bring forth before she was in labour; as if the earth should yield ripe produce the very day it was sown; or, as if a nation were in a state of perfection the very moment it was founded. The reason is assigned in verse 9. " because it "is God's work."

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"dren. 9. "Shall I bring (t) to the "birth, and not cause to bring forth ?""saith the LORD: "shall I cause to "bring forth, and shut the womb ?" saith "thy God. 10. Rejoice (u) ye with "Jerusalem (x), and be glad with her, "all ye that love her: rejoice for joy "with her, all ye that mourn for her:

"11. That ye may suck (y) and be "satisfied with the breasts of her con

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(t) v. 9. "Shall I bring, &c." i. e. "shall not I accomplish what I have be"gun? It is my work, shall I not be able "to bring it to perfection?" See ante, 602. 2 Kings xix. 3.

(u) v. 10. " Rejoice, &c." This and the four following verses (perhaps) refer to the future conversion of the Jews, when they also shall participate in the blessings of Christ's coming. See ante, 633. note on Isaiah xi. 11.

(x)" Jerusalem," i. e. (perhaps) "Jews."

"the

(y) v. 11, 12. "Suck, &c." i. e. "be "treated as children."

(z) v. 12. Extend, &c." i. e. (probably) "she shall be blessed with peace and the glory of the Gentiles as land is blessed by a river and flowing stream."

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(a)" Peace," and "the glory of the "Gentiles," i. e. (probably)" the bless"ings of Christianity."

(b) v. 15. "The Lord will come, &c." This and the following verse refer either to the destruction of Jerusalem, or to some judgment not yet inflicted.

(c) v. 17. "They that sanctify them"selves, &c." i. e. " the apostates and dis"obedient of after times:" describing

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servants, and his indignation toward "his enemies. 15. For behold, the "LORD will come (b) with fire, and "with his chariots like a whirlwind, to "render his anger with fury, and his "rebuke with flames of fire. 16. For "by fire and by his sword, will the "LORD plead with all flesh and the "slain of the LORD shall be many. "17. They that sanctify themselves (c) "and purify themselves in the gar"dens (d), behind one tree in the "midst, eating swine's flesh (e), and "the abomination, and the mouse; "shall be consumed together, saith "the LORD. 18. For I know their "works, and their thoughts: it shall "come, that I will gather all nations "and tongues, and they shall come "and see my glory. 19. And I will "set a sign (g) among them, and I will "send those that escape of them unto "the nations, to Tarshish (h) Pul and "Lud that draw the bow, to Tubal "and Javan, to the isles afar off that "have not heard my fame (i), neither

them by what were then the marks of apostacy and disobedience.

(d)" In the gardens;" which was forbidden.

(e) “Swine's flesh," and "the mouse," contrary to the injunctions, Levit. xi. 7.

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(g) v. 19. "A sign." Our Saviour gave his followers a sign to warn them to escape from Jerusalem before its destruction. "When ye shall see Jerusalem compassed "with armies, then know that the deso"lation thereof is nigh: then let them "which are in Judea flee to the mountains, "&c. Luke xxi. 20, 21." And see Matt. xxiv. 15, 16. — Mark xiii. 14. The Christian converts availed themselves of this intimation, and it is supposed that not one of them perished at the destruction of Jerusalem. See Mede, 891. The giving that sign might be a fulfilment of this prophecy, unless the prophecy refers to times not yet arrived.

(h)" To Tarshish, Pul, &c." i. e. "to "all parts and quarters." The places named were at different distances, and in different directions from Jerusalem. ()" Fame," or "name." x x 2

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"have seen my glory: and they shall "declare my glory (k) among the gen"tiles. 20. And they shall bring all your brethren (1) for an offering (m) 66 unto the LORD out of all nations, "upon horses and in chariots (n), and "in litters, and upon mules, and upon "swift beasts, to my holy mountain Je"rusalem (o), saith the LORD, as the "children of Israel bring an offering "in a clean vessel into the house of "the LORD. 21. And I will also take "of them for priests and for Levites, "saith the LORD. 22. For as the new "heavens and the new earth (p) which

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CHAP. V.

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JEREMIAH (†).

RUN ye to and fro through the

"streets of Jerusalem, and see now,

(k)" They shall declare my glory, &c." The departure of the Christian converts from Jerusalem before its destruction, would enable them to circulate in the places to which they went an account of the Christian dispensation; and their indefatigable exertions were a full completion of this prophecy, as far as it referred to that period.

(l) v. 20. "Your brethren," i. e. (probably) "the Jews;" perhaps looking forward to times not yet come.

(m) "For an offering," i. e. "pure and "without blemish, as the Jewish offerings "were to be."

(n) "Upon horses, and in chariots, &c." "In all ways," to intimate their numbers and their various ranks.

(o)" To my holy mountain, Jerusalem," i. e. (probably) not to the place, but "to "the true faith and worship God pre"scribed to the Christian church :" signifying the true religion of after times, by referring to that place in which alone, in Isaiah's time, the true religion was prac

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"and know, and seek in the broad "places thereof, if ye can find a man, "if there be any that executeth judg

Christians, by reference to those which were fixed amongst the Jews.

(r)" All flesh." Without distinction of nation or people.

(s) v. 24. "They," i. e. perhaps, indefinitely, " men;" whoever shall go forth, shall see, &c. The object of this verse probably is, to intimate that the apostates, those who will not qualify themselves for the blessings of Christianity, shall not merely be cut off, but shall continue in a state of the utmost degradation and misery; as much dishonoured as those who are denied the rites of burial, and as wretched as the stings of conscience, the pains of burning, and the contempt and abhorrence of all mankind can make them. Our Saviour probably refers to this pas sage, Mark ix. 44. 46. 48. where he speaks of hell as a place where the worm of "those who are cast into it dieth not, and "the fire is not quenched."

(t) Jeremiah prophesied from the 18th year of the reign of Josiah king of Judah, through the reigns of Johoahaz (or Shallum), Jehoiakim, and Jeconiah (or Jehoiachin), to the 11th year of Zedekiah, from B. C. 626 to 586, a period of 40 years. It was during this period that the carrying Judah captive into Babylon commenced and was completed. It began in the Sd year of Jehoiakim, 606 years B. C. when the prophet Daniel was taken. There

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66 ment, that seeketh the truth; and I "will pardon it (u). 2. And though "they say, "The LORD liveth (x);" 66 surely they swear falsely. 3. O LORD, are not thine eyes upon the truth? "thou hast stricken them (y), but they "have not grieved; thou hast con"sumed them, but they have refused "to receive correction: they have made "their faces harder than a rock; they "have refused to return. 4. Therefore "I said, "Surely these are poor; they "are foolish; for they know not (2) "the way of the LORD, nor the judg"ment of their God. 5. I will get me unto the great men, and will speak ́ "unto them; for they have (a) known "the way of the LORD, and the judg"ment of their God: but these (b) "have altogether (b) broken the yoke, "and burst the bonds. 6. Wherefore "lion (c) out of the forest shall slay "them, and a wolf of the evenings "shall spoil them, a leopard shall "watch over their cities: every one "that goeth out thence shall be torn in

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was a 2d carrying away upon Jehoiakim's death, B. C. 598, when the prophet Ezekiel is supposed to have been included; and the 3d and last carrying away was in the 11th year of Zedekiah, about B. C. 587. See Dan. i. 1 to 4. — 2 Kings xxiv. 10. 14. 15. and xxv. Jeremiah therefore began to prophesy at least 72 years after Isaiah ceased. The prophecy in this chapter is supposed to have been delivered in the latter end of Josiah's reign, 6 years before the commencement of the captivity, B. C. 612. It notices the corrupt state of the Jewish nation, and denounces against them some impending judgment for their sinfulness.

(u) v. 1. "Pardon it;" so that the fate of a nation may depend upon the goodness even of a single individual. See ante, 512. Gen. xviii. 23 to 33.

(x) v. 2. "The Lord liveth, &c." i. e. "though they invoke the name of the "Lord, they dare to swear what is false;" or, can it be said that God liveth, when "he tolerates such total want of good"ness ?"

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(y) v. 3. "Stricken them," to give them warning. See Isaiah i. 5.

"pieces: because their transgressions "are many, and their backslidings are "increased. 7. How shall I pardon "thee for this? thy children have for"saken me, and sworn (d) by them "that are no gods: when I had fed "them to the full (e), they then com"mitted adultery, and assembled them"selves by troops in the harlots' houses. "8. They were as fed horses in the "morning every one neighed after "his neighbour's wife. 9. Shall I not "visit for these things? saith the LORD: "and shall not my soul be avenged on "such a nation as this? 10. Go ye "up (g) upon her walls, and destroy; "but make not a full end: take away "her battlements; for they are not the "LORD'S. 11. For the house of Israel "and the house of Judah have dealt "very_treacherously against me, saith "the LORD. 12. They have belied "the LORD, and said, "It is not "he (h); neither shall evil come upon 66 us; neither shall we see sword nor "famine: 13. And the prophets shall

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(c) v. 6. "A lion, &c." (figuratively,) "they shall meet with the severest judg"ments; as dreadful as the being torn in pieces by the most savage beasts of prey."

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(d) v. 7. "Sworn, &c." according to Exod. xxiii. 13. they were not even to make mention of the name of other gods.

(e) "Fed them to the full," i. e. "given "them all temporal blessings."

(g) v. 10. "Go ye up, &c." an intimation that this commission would be given to some of God's instruments, as it was within a few years to the Babylonians.

(h) v. 12. "It is not he;" denying that a particular calamity is one of God's judg

ments.

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