Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 11. Surely the Princes of Zoan are fools: the counsel of the wise counsellors of Pharaoh is become foolish: how say ye unto Pharaoh, I am the son of the wise? I am the son of the ancient kings?

Vers. 11. Surely the Princes of Zoan are fooles: the counsell of the wise counsellers of Pharaoh is become foolish: how say yee vnto Pharaoh, I am the sonne of the wise? I am the sonne of the ancient kings?

HE here joins wisdom and folly together very fitly: for it is unpossible this persuasion should be plucked from men, but they will be wise, yea and so esteemed, although it be in despite of God himself. It is all one then as if he were of their opinion: when he calls them wise, whom by and by after he taxeth with gross folly. The Hebrew particle Ac, is sometimes adversative: but because it seems the Prophet sets himself against the Egyptians, I had rather translate it, surely, or certainly, or, now at the least: because he derides Pharaoh's Counsellors, who of all others were the greatest fools, and yet in the mean while took themselves, and would be reputed for the wisest men. Thus it is a kind of exclamation, as if he should say, Where is this wisdom of Egypt become? What is become of these Counsellors which despised every man? Why defend they not the Kingdom? Now is the time when their wisdom may be manifested. We see then how this serves for a confirmation and ratification of this present prophecy, for as much as it appears that the Prophet speaks not of things unknown, but hath the certainty of Egypts destruction apparent as it were before his eyes. Being fully persuaded then that he was authorized from God, he is bold to proclaim that all these Princes are but fools, how wise soever they make themselves. In a word, the Prophet teacheth,¹ that all their glory who attribute to themselves the least dram of wisdom without God, is but folly, because it will be perceived to be so in the end, for when they shall come to trial, they will show themselves no better then children.

HE heere ioines wisdome and follie together very fitlie: for it is vnpossible this perswasion should be plucked from men, but they will be wise, yea and so esteemed, although it be in despight of God himselfe. It is all one then as if he were of their opinion: when he calles them wise, whom by and by after he taxeth with grose follie. The Hebrue particle Ac, is sometimes aduersatiue: but because it seemes the Prophet sets himselfe against the Egyptians, I had rather translate it, surely, or certainly, or, now at the least: because he derides Pharaos Counsellers, who of all others were the greatest fooles, and yet in the meane while tooke thēselues, and would be reputed for the wisest men. Thus it is a kinde of exclamation, as if he should say, Where is this wisdome of Egypt become? What is become of these Counsellers which despised euery man? Why defend they not the Kingdome? Now is the time when their wisdome may be manifested. Wee see then how this serues for a confirmation and ratification of this present prophesie, for as much as it appeares that the Prophet speakes not of things vnknowne, but hath the certentie of Egypts destruction apparent as it were before his eyes. Being fullie perswaded then that he was authorized from God, he is bold to proclaime that all these Princes are but fooles, how wise soeuer they make themselues. In a word, the Prophet teacheth,