Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 1. Ah^* altar, altar of the City that David dwelt in: add year unto year: let them kill lambs.

Vers. 1. Ah^* altar, altar of the Citie that Dauid dwelt in: adde yeere vnto yeere: let them kill lambs.

1. *Or, Ariel, Ariel, or woe be to, &c.

IT seems this should be another Sermon: in which Isaiah threatens Jerusalem. He calls it Ariel, that is to say, the Altar of God; because the whole strength of the City depended upon the Altar. For howsoever the Citizens trusted in other means whereof they had great store; yet they chiefly relied upon the Temple and the altar, more then upon any other defences. They thought themselves invincible indeed, by reason of their power and forces: but above all, they held themselves in a fort utterly impregnable, in regard that the Lord covered them under his wings. Now they imagined that God was with them as long as they retained the Altar, and the sacrifices. Some think that the Temple is here called Ariel, because it was proportioned like a lion; to wit, broad before, and narrow behind: but I had rather understand it simply of the Altar; and the rather, for that Ezekiel also gives it this name, Chap. 43.15. This prophecy doubtless was directed to the whole City; but we must note the Prophets drift,¹ which is to pluck away from the Jews this fond trust, because they thought God would surely help them, as long as the Altar and sacrifices lasted. For they bragged of them, as those who untruly persuaded themselves that they had served God to the full, albeit their lives were vile and wicked.

IT seems this should be another Sermon: in which Isaiah threatens Ierusalem. Hee calles it Ariel, that is to say, the Altar of God; because the whole strēgth of the Citie depended vpon the Altar. For howsoeuer the Citizens trusted in other meanes whereof they had great store; yet they chiefly relied vpon the Temple and the altar, more then vpon anie other defences. They thought themselues inuincible indeed, by reason of their power and forces: but aboue all, they held themselues in a fort vtterly impregnable, in regard that the Lord couered them vnder his wings. Now they imagined that God was with them as long as they retained the Altar, and the sacrifices. Some thinke that the Temple is here called Ariel, because it was proportioned like a lion; to wit, broad before, and narrow behind: but I had rather vnderstand it simply of the Altar; and the rather, for that Ezechiel also giues it this name, Chap. 43.15. This prophecy doubtlesse was directed to the whole Citie; but we must note the Prophets drift,