Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

HE repeats that again which he had said before, to wit, that the Egyptians should have no strength at all. Some think the Prophet alludes to a womanish behaviour, wherewith the Historiographers have taxed the Egyptians: which was this, all order being perverted, women managed the public affairs, and men kept the house, and performed the offices that belonged to women. It may be Isaiah aimed at th•s. But all being well considered, this conjecture cannot be currant, because he threatens a judgement here which should bring men into a wonderful mammering. If he should speak of their accustomed behaviour, it should appertain nothing at all to the matter in hand: neither doth he reprove the Egyptians for their womanish hearts, but rather tells them they shall be so terrified, that they shall become timorous like women. For they not only esteemed of themselves as of a warlike people, able to wage battle, but would take it in hand themselves without any provocation thereunto, and were also helpful unto other nations. For we see that many profane authors tell sundry things of the facts of the Egyptians, and stand much upon their commendation. Howsoever then they were more nice and delicate then any other people, yet they were desirous to be esteemed a valorous and warlike people.

HE repeates that againe which he had said before, to wit, that the Egyptians should haue no strength at all. Some thinke the Prophet alludes to a womanish behauiour, wherewith the Historiographers haue taxed the Egyptians: which was this, all order being peruerted, women managed the publike affaires, and men kept the house, and performed the offices that belonged to women. It may be Isaiah aimed at ths. But all being well considered, this coniecture cannot be currant, because he threatens a iudgement heere which should bring men into a wonderfull mammering. If he should speake of their accustomed behauiour, it should appertaine nothing at all to ye matter in hand: neither doth he reproue the Egyptians for their womanish hearts, but rather tels them they shall be so terrified, that they shall become timerous like women. For they not only esteemed of themselues as of a warlike people, able to wage battaile, but would take it in hand themselues without any prouocation thereunto, and were also helpfull vnto other nations. For wee see that many prophane authors tell sundrie things of the facts of the Egyptians, and stand much vpon their commendation. Howsoeuer then they were more nice and delicate then any other people, yet they were desirous to be esteemed a valarous and warlike people.