Because the signification of the Hebrew particle is ambiguous, the expositors bring many interpretations. Some take it exclusively, as in many other texts of the scripture, even as if he should say, They shall only fall among the prisoners and slain, because they shall be led captive, or put to death. Others translate, Without me: and if this reading agree, the Prophet shows what the cause of their destruction is, to wit, they are revolted from God: and this is the cause indeed of all evils, namely, to leave the fountain of life, of salvation, and so consequently, of all good things. And thus he toucheth the sottishness of the wicked to the quick, who thought themselves jolly fellows when they had forsaken the Lord; even as if there could not have befallen them a more desirable and pleasant thing, then to be separate far enough from him: and thus it should be a kind of bitter reproach in regard their calamity should proceed from no other cause then from the absence of God, whereof they fondly rejoiced. Others think this should be a broken or an abrupt manner of speech, to wit, that they should have no refuge but in hiding themselves under them that were fallen and slain. And also it may be a form of an oath. Now this sense will agree well, that God should swear with indignation that he would not pardon one of them, but would deliver some over to their enemies, who should cut their throats; and would cause others §1to be led into captivity. This sentence then showeth what destruction shall befall all §2those who being admonished by the word of God, repent not. We also gather from the text following, that the Prophet threatens them with a fearful destruction; for he repeats that which he hath said already, to wit, that the wrath of God is not yet appeased, and that he will find out greater chastisements then the former, to avenge himself upon them. This teacheth us, that there is nothing better then to be touched with true repentance, and in good earnest to acknowledge our faults betimes, to the end the Lord may show us mercy.
BEcause the signification of the Hebrew particle is ambiguous, the expositors bring many interpretations. Some take it exclusiuely, as in many other texts of the scripture, euen as if he should say, They shall only fall among the prisoners and slaine, because they shall be led captiue, or put to death. Others translate, Without me: and if this reading agree, the Prophet shewes what the cause of their destruction is, to wit, they are reuolted from God: and this is the cause indeed of all euils, namely, to leaue the fountaine of life, of saluation, and so consequently, of all good things. And thus he toucheth the sottishnes of the wicked to the quick, who thought themselues iolly fellowes when they had forsaken the Lord; euen as if there could not haue befalne them a more desireable and pleasant thing, then to be separate farre enough from him: and thus it should be a kind of bitter reproch in regard their calamitie should proceed from no other cause then from the absence of God, whereof they fondlie reioyced. Others thinke this should be a broken or an abrupt maner of speech, to wit, that they should haue no refuge but in hiding themselues vnder them that were fallen and slaine. And also it may be a forme of an oth. Now this sense will agree well, that God should sweare with indignation that he would not pardon one of them, but would deliuer some ouer to their enemies, who should cut their throtes; and would cause others §1to be led into captiuitie. This sentence then sheweth what destruction shall befall all §2those who being admonished by the word of God, repent not. We also gather from the text following, that the Prophet threatens them with a fearefull destruction; for he repeates that which he hath said alreadie, to wit, that the wrath of God is not yet appeased, and that he will finde out greater chastisements then the former, to auenge himselfe vpon them. This teacheth vs, that there is nothing better then to be touched with true repentance, and in good earnest to acknowledge our faults betimes, to the end the Lord may shew vs mercie.
