Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 21. But Ziim shall lodge there, and their houses shall be full of Ohim: Ostriches shall dwell there, and the Satires shall dance there.

Vers. 21. But Ziim shall lodge there, and their houses shall be full of Ohim: Ostriches shall dwell there, and the Satyres shall dance there.

HE goes on in describing a desert place, and alludes to that he said before; to wit, that Babylon should be uninhabited. I cannot well tell how this word Ziim should be translated, in regard the opinions of the expositors are so divers; who agree no more in this, then they do about sundry names of beasts and herbs. The use of these things continued not always, and the Jews being ignorant themselves, have not the knowledge of them; although some amongst them are not ashamed to brag of their skill in physic: and yet notwithstanding are ignorant not only of the nature of plants, but of beasts also. Whereas some are of opinion that Ziim, was a wild beast: others, that it should be a bird: and some others a four-footed beast: herein there is no great difference. For mine own part, I make no question but the Prophet meant in this place to speak either of wild beasts which cannot be tamed, or of birds which make their nests in forests far remote from men. And there will be no inconvenience in it, if we expound that which follows of Satires, or Fairies, which the Frenchmen, according to the diversities of regions, in one place call Hobgoblins, Robin good fellows; and Bugbears in an other. For as Satan abuseth men by divers impostures, so also he allots divers names to every one of these.

HE goes on in describing a desert place, and alludes to that he said before; to wit, that Babylon should be vnhabited. I cannot well tell how this word Ziim should be translated, in regard the opinions of the expositours are so diuers; who agree no more in this, then they doe about sundry names of beasts and hearbs. The vse of these things continued not alwaies, and the Iewes being ignorant themselues, haue not the knowledge of them; although some amongst them are not ashamed to brag of their skill in physicke: and yet notwithstanding are ignorant not onely of the nature of plants, but of beasts also. Whereas some are of opinion that Ziim, was a wild beast: others, that it should be a bird: and some others a fourefooted beast: herein there is no great difference. For mine owne part, I make no question but the Prophet meant in this place to speake either of wild beasts which cannot be tamed, or of birds which make their nests in forrests farre remote from men. And there will be no inconuenience in it, if we expound that which followes of Satyres, or Fairies, which the Frenchmen, according to the diuersities of regions, in one place call Hobgoblins, Robin good fellowes; and Bugbeares in an other. For as Satan abuseth men by diuers impostures, so also he allots diuers names to euery one of these.