_Wo to the bloody city_ Here God shows the cause of his bringing destruction on Nineveh, and overthrowing the Assyrian empire. And first, it is declared, that Nineveh was a city in which acts of cruelty abounded, and innocent blood was frequently shed; that it was also full of deceit, falsehood, and... [ Continue Reading ]
_The noise of a whip_, &c. These verses are highly poetical; the prophet tells them, that he already hears the sound of the whips driving on the horses, and the rattling of the chariot wheels, &c., of their enemies coming against them. _The horseman lifteth up both the bright sword_, &c. In the Hebr... [ Continue Reading ]
_Because of the multitude_, &c. That is, this judgment is executed upon Nineveh because of _the multitude of her whoredoms_, by which idolatrous rites seem to be meant, for they are generally called whoredoms in the Scripture. Nineveh is called a _well-favoured harlot_, because, by her example and i... [ Continue Reading ]
_Behold, I will discover thy skirts, &c., upon thy face_ Nineveh, as a harlot, had been proud, and appeared beautiful and gay in the gifts of her lovers, but now God would deal with her according to her ways, would send her into captivity naked and bare, exposed to the greatest infamy, or would deal... [ Continue Reading ]
_Art thou better than populous No_ Art thou in a better or safer condition; or hast thou more merit than the famous populous city of No? The Hebrew reads, _No-ammon_, the same city which is spoken of Jeremiah 46:25; and Ezekiel 30:15; where see the notes; and where our version reads, the _multitude... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou also shalt be drunken_ Thou shalt drink deep of the bitter cup of God's displeasure. _Thou shalt be hid_, &c. Thou shalt not dare to appear in the open field. _Thou shalt seek strength because of the enemy_ Thou shalt retire into thy strong holds, or fortified places, for fear of the enemy. _A... [ Continue Reading ]
_Draw thee waters for the siege_ Fill all thy cisterns, and draw the waters into the ditches. _Go into the clay_, &c. Set thy brickmakers on work to prepare store of materials for thy fortifications. _There shall the fire devour thee_ After all that thou canst do, the fire of the enemy shall reach e... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou hast multiplied thy merchants above the stars _ Thou hast drawn more merchants to thee than there are stars in the heavens. This is a hyperbolical expression, to signify the great number of them. _The canker-worm spoileth, and fleeth away_ As the locusts destroy the fruits of the earth, and t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thy shepherds slumber, O king of Assyria_ Thy rulers and counsellors are remiss, heartless, or dead. _Thy nobles_ Or valiant ones, _shall dwell in the dust_ These words are not in the Hebrew, but are supplied by our translators. The strict rendering of the Hebrew would rather be, _Have lain down_,... [ Continue Reading ]