Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

His name shall be.] Although the verb be of the active signification, yet notwithstanding because it is taken indefinitely, I have been bold to render it in the neuter gender: for it is as much as if the Prophet should have said in the plural number, They shall call. This manner of speech is in use amongst us Frenchmen, saying,^* They shall call. For whereas the Jews refer this unto God, and read it thus, Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The eternal father, and Prince of peace, shall give him his name; we see easily that they do this of set purpose, and with an affectation of darkening the glory of Christ: for were they not so obstinate as to desire to spoil him of his Deity, the text would run exceeding well as our men have turned it. Besides, what need was there to adorn God with these epithets, if the Prophet had only meant to say that he should give the name to Messiah? For the epithets which are wont to be given to God are either perpetual, or applied to the matter which shall be handled, which we see is not so in this place. Furthermore, it were a perverting of order, to put the name of God in the middest of divers epithets, but it should rather be put before the verb Shall call, to wit, The mighty God shall call, &c. Moreover, I see not how the name of Counsellor, can simply agree unto God: for it must be referred to those which are assistants or counsellors to kings, or some others. If any caviller will yet rest himself too obstinately in this wrangling of the Rabbins, he shall do nothing else but manifest his impudency. Let us follow that which is plain and clear.

His name shall be.] Although the verbe be of the actiue signification, yet notwithstanding because it is taken indefinitlie, I haue been bold to render it in the neuter gender: for it is as much as if the Prophet should haue said in the plurall number, They shall call. This maner of speech is in vse amongst vs Frenchmen, saying,^* They shall call. For whereas the Iewes referre this vnto God, and reade it thus, Wonderfull, Counseller, The mightie God, The eternal father, and Prince of peace, shall giue him his name; wee see easily that they do this of set purpose, and with an affectation of darkning the glorie of Christ: for were they not so obstinate as to desire to spoile him of his Deitie, the text would run exceeding well as our men haue turned it. Besides, what need was there to adorne God with these epithites, if the Prophet had only meant to say that he should giue the name to Messiah? For the epithites which are wont to be giuen to God are either perpetuall, or applied to the matter which shall be handled, which we see is not so in this place. Furthermore, it were a peruerting of order, to put the name of God in the middest of diuers epithites, but it should rather be put before the verb Shall call, to wit, The mightie God shall call, &c. Moreouer, I see not how the name of Counseller, can simplie agree vnto God: for it must be referred to those which are assistants or counsellers to kings, or some others. If any cauiller will yet rest himselfe too obstinately in this wrangling of the Rabbins, he shall do nothing else but manifest his impudencie. Let vs follow that which is plaine and cleare.