Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Although the Hebrew word Chazon which the Prophet useth be derived of seeing, and doth properly signify vision: yet notwithstanding for the most part it imports as much as Revelation. For as oft as the Scripture makes mention of special visions which appeared to the Prophets, whereby the Lord meant the better to confirm them when he would have some excellent thing come to light, it useth the word Mareah, which properly signifies vision. But to the end I heap not up many testimonies, in the third chapter of the first book of Samuel (where mention is made in general of prophesies) the author of that book saith,¹ that the word of the Lord was precious in those days, because there was no manifest vision (where he useth the word Chazon) and a little after, the vision by which God manifesteth himself to Samuel, is expressed by the word Mareah. Also in the twelfth chapter of the book of Numbers,² where Moses distinguisheth the two ordinary means of Revelation, he there with dreams conjoineth vision as the special. And yet by the ninth chapter of the same book of Samuel, ³it appears that the name of Seer was imposed in old time upon the Prophets: but by way of excellency; because God discovered his counsel familiarly unto them.

ALthough the Hebrew word Chazon which the Prophet vseth be deriued of seeing, and doth properly signifie vision: yet notwithstanding for the most part it imports asmuch as Reuelation. For as oft as the Scripture makes mention of speciall visions which appeared to the Prophets, whereby the Lord meant the better to confirme them when hee would haue some excellent thing come to light, it vseth the word Mareah, which properly signifies vision. But to the end I heape not vp many testimonies, in the third chapter of the first booke of Samuel (where mention is made in generall of prophesies) the author of that booke saith,¹ that the word of the Lord was precious in those dayes, because there was no manifest vision (where he vseth the word Chazon) and a little after, the vision by which God manifesteth himselfe to Samuel, is expressed by the word Mareah. Also in the twelfth chapter of the booke of Numbers,