Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

I take the Hebrew word Ci, for surely: for this signification agrees best, because it breaks off the exhortation which he had begun; and now speaks to God. Also when he again calls them the house of Jacob, it is added for the greater vehemency of speech, which men in a matter of great importance are wont to do: as if he should say, This holy nation which God hath chosen, is now left and forsaken.

I take the Hebrew word Ci, for surely: for this signification agrees best, because it breakes off the exhortation which he had begun; and now speakes to God. Also when he againe calles them the house of Iacob, it is added for the greater vehemencie of speech, which men in a matter of great importance are wont to doe: as if he should say, This holie nation which God hath chosen, is now left and forsaken.

For they are filled.] Because the word Kedem signifies sometime the East, and sometime antiquity, we may interpret it, that they were filled with the manners of the ancient, because they had brought the superstitions in use wherewithal the land of Canaan was in times past infected. For we know that the Prophets did often reproach the children of Israel, that they were liker to the Canaanites, then to Abraham, and the other holy Patriarchs. And questionless it was a double unthankfulness not to change their perverse manners, seeing the old inhabitants being driven out, they were brought in to possess this land, to the end it being purged from all their filthiness, it might afterwards be dedicated to holiness. Yet because the other sense is more received, I had rather hold that; although the expositors themselves do not here agree: For some take the letter Mem comparatively; as if the Prophet should say, Before, or, Rather then them of the East: others take it more simple, and better also in mine opinion; in saying, that they were full of the East: that is to say, of the vices which they had drawn from thence; imitation being a marvellous contagion: so as nothing is more usual then to see corruptions glide from one land to another a far off.

For they are filled.] Because the word Kedem signifies sometime the East, and sometime antiquitie, we may interpret it, that they were filled with the manners of the ancient, because they had brought the superstitions in vse wherewithall the land of Canaan was in times past infected. For wee know that the Prophets did often reproch the children of Israel, that they were liker to the Cananites, then to Abraham, and the other holy Patriarkes. And questionlesse it was a double vnthankfulnes not to change their peruerse manners, seeing the old inhabitants being driuen out, they were brought in to possesse this land, to the end it being purged from all their filthines, it might afterwards be dedicated to holines. Yet because the other sense is more receiued, I had rather hold that; although the expositors themselues doe not here agree: For some take the letter Mem comparatiuely; as if the Prophet should say, Before, or, Rather then them of the East: others take it more simple, and better also in mine opinion; in saying, that they were full of the East: that is to say, of the vices which they had drawne from thence; imitation being a merueilous contagion: so as nothing is more vsual then to see corruptions glide from one land to another a farre off.