Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Now Isaiah sets down the conclusion of the promise here, which he had touched; namely, that the Egyptians and the Assyrians shall be blessed as well as Israel. For before, the grace of God was shut up as it were in Israel, in regard the Lord had made a covenant with this people only, and had spread out his cord upon Jacob; as Moses speaks Deut. 32.9. And David saith, God hath not dealt so with every nation, neither had they known his judgements: Psal. 147.20. To be short, the blessing of God abode in Judea only: but here he saith, that it shall be communicated to the Egyptians and Assyrians: under which two names he comprehends all nations besides. They are not named here by way of honour; but in regard they had been the perpetual enemies of God, they seemed so much the further estranged from him, and to have less hope of favour then any others. Wherefore howsoever he adopted to himself the children of Abraham only, yet now he is content to be called the father of all nations, indifferently. Some translate, Israel shall be the third; which I approve not: for in as much as the noun is of the feminine gender, it should be joined with the word erahah: and this word blessing, is as much to say, as example, or mirror of blessing.