Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

The Prophet having spoken of the prescience and power of God,¹ now applies his general speech to a particular use, for he means to comfort the Jews: to wit, that they were not in such perpetual slavery under the Babylonians, as that no hope were left them touching their deliverance. He now comes to a specialty then, and promiseth that Cyrus ²shall come with haste, howsoever it seem impossible in the eyes of flesh and blood. Where I have translated the word Aait, thought, almost all the Interpreters translate Bird, which is the true signification of the word: but because we may gather out of the second of Daniel, verse 14. that it is sometimes taken for counsel, or thought, I had rather follow this interpretation, which is also approved by certain Hebrews: yet it may be, the Prophet therein alludes to a bird; as if he should say, It shall be a swift thought or counsel; neither do I deny but he notes the swiftness of Cyrus his voyage.

THe Prophet hauing spoken of the prescience and power of God,¹ now applies his generall speech to a particular vse, for he meanes to comfort the Iewes: to wit, that they were not in such perpetuall slauerie vnder ye Babylonians, as that no hope were left them touching their deliuerance. He now comes to a specialtie then, and promiseth that Cyrus ²shall come with haste, howsoeuer it seeme impossible in the eies of flesh and blood. Where I haue translated the word Aait, thought, almost all the Interpreters translate Bird, which is the true signification of the word: but because we may gather out of the second of Daniel, verse 14. that it is sometimes taken for counsell, or thought, I had rather follow this interpretation, which is also approued by certaine Hebrues: yet it may be, the Prophet therein alludes to a bird; as if he should say, It shall be a swift thought or counsel; neither do I denie but he notes the swiftnes of Cyrus his voyage.

1. 1An application of the general doctrine to a particular use.