Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Wast] Word for word it is, desolation. And thus Isaiah prosecutes that more largely, and more clearly, which he had said before figuratively touching the wounds: To wit, that the land was afflicted with an horrible wast. For I had rather refer the sentences to the time past: because the Prophet rather recounts how many calamities have formerly happened, before he denounceth the vengeance of God. For he casts their dotage and benumbedness of hart in their teeth, in that they continued so besotted in their miseries. As the overthrow of strangers. This is added for amplification sake. For their sense is too narrow and constrained, who would have the Hebrew word zarim, which signifieth destruction (which word the Prophet also here useth) to be put in the stead of zerem, which signifies an overflowing of waters. True it is that the word may be applied to enemies: but it is better to take it in his proper signification, for strangers. For the calamity is then much more grievous when men unknown, and those that come from a far country do make war in a kingdom; because they are lightly far more cruel, and do more hurt then the neighbour enemies. For they race the cities: they burn up houses, buildings, and villages; destroying all things; and sparing nothing. In a word, they rush in with barbarous inhumanity, seeking nothing but to kill, sack, and burn: yea, they study rather to do hurt, than to get their booty. But the neighbour enemies because they are able to hold that which they have won, use to leave garrisons there; and as soon as any revolt is intended, or any trouble moved, they forthwith send succours: and therefore are not so cruel, neither do they spoil the country out of which they may fitly reap any commodity. He therefore describes no ordinary destruction, but rather so bloody and fierce an one, as exceeded all the rest.