Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

1. *Or, crowning.
2. *Or, whose factors.

The Prophet adorns this City with this title, who enriched many; as we may easily gather from the drift of the text. For when he calls her Merchants Kings, he sufficiently shows, that by the word crowning, under a similitude he means the magnificence of Kings. And thus their opinion is refuted, who refer this prophecy to other Cities. The sum is, that Tyre enriched her Citizens, as if she created every one of them Kings and Princes. Some think this verse is to be added thus; as if the Prophet should represent the person of a man astonished with the destruction of Tyre, to make others afraid: as if he should say; Is it possible that Tyre should be so soon brought low, where there is such abundance of riches, such might, means, munitions; yea where there is so great glory and majesty? And that he should then at an instant pause a while, as men are wont to do in things unlooked for. But it is better to join the verse following to this, which takes away all difficulty; seeing the Prophet himself forthwith answers this question, by which he meant to stir up his auditors to the better attention. For he might plainly have said; These things are done by the counsel of the Lord: but in regard we are drowsy, secure, and senseless hearts would easily have overslipped this without observation: therefore he awakens their spirits by this interrogation; to the end all might know that he speaks of no common thing, that therewithal they might take the matter the more to heart. And indeed, by how much the more the judgements of God are above the reach of common sense, so much the more are they worthy to be admired.