Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 5. And justice shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.

Vers. 5. And iustice shall be the girdle of his loines, and faithfulnes the girdle of his reines.

Other translate girdle: but because the Prophet sets Christ before us decked as it were with his royal ornaments, I have rather translated it sword-girdle, or hangers: for this also is a kingly ornament as was the sceptre which was given him heretofore.¹ And Job minding to show that God will strip kings of their honour, saith, that he will unloose or unbuckle their girdle. Job. 12.18. Wherefore to be girt with a sword-girdle is nothing else but to be placed in royal dignity, as we also shall see hereafter in another place,² Chap. 22.21. Now the Prophet here describes two sorts of girdles, to wit, justice, and faithfulness: unless any had rather say that the word faithfulness being a substantive, should be put in the place of an adjective, as if he should say, that Christ shall be girt with faithful justice. For faithfulness is not added here as a divers thing from justice; but to declare what this justice is wherewith Christ is girded. Some think he speaks here of that justice which Christ communicateth unto us, so as it should not only be in him, but in his members also. By faith or verity they understand that faith whereby we embrace the salvation which is offered unto us.

OTher translate girdle: but because the Prophet sets Christ before vs decked as it were with his royall ornaments, I haue rather translated it sword-girdle, or hangers: for this also is a kinglie ornament as was the scepter which was giuen him heretofore.¹ And Iob minding to shew that God will strip kings of their honour, saith, that he will vnloose or vnbuckle their girdle.