Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

From hence we may gather, that the Jews were so lifted up with the prosperous success which their affairs then had, that they foolishly secured themselves, as if they had been utterly exempt from all damage or decay. But Isaiah lets them know, that not only all the region shall be smitten with the rods of God, but that Jerusalem in like manner, which was as it were the invincible fortress of the whole nation, should be smitten also: as if he should say, The wrath of God shall not one- be scattered upon the body; but it shall pierce also even unto the very heart. As touching the words, Mashen and Mashenah, which he hath put in the masculine, and in the feminine gender, I doubt not but by this diversity, he would more certainly express, that all kinds of stays should be broken: and therefore I have translated, strength & say. For I approve not of their expositions who refer this to men: because it is rather to be understood of all helps, of all kinds.

From hence we may gather, that the Iewes were so lifted vp with the prosperous successe which their affaires then had, that they foolishly secured themselues, as if they had been vtterly exempt from all damage or decay. But Isaiah lets them know, that not onely all the region shall bee smitten with the rods of God, but that Ierusalem in like manner, which was as it were the inuincible fortresse of the whole nation, should be smitten also: as if he should say, The wrath of God shall not one- be scattered vpon the bodie; but it shall pearce also euen vnto the very heart. As touching the words, Mashen and Mashenah, which he hath put in the masculin, and in the feminine gender, I doubt not but by this diuersitie, he would more certainlie expresse, that all kinds of staies should bee broken: and therfore I haue translated, strength & say. For I approoue not of their expositions who referre this to men: because it is rather to bee vnderstoode of all helps, of all kinds.

Notwithstanding some doubt whether the Prophet restrains this to victuals, or rather whether he refers it to the other helps and stays which do follow a little after. But it is very likely that under these two words he generally comprehends all things whatsoever, which are necessary for the sustentation of the estate of a city, or people: and also, that by way of explication, he names some specials.