Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

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