Isaiah 46
The Idols of Babylon
God's Promise Of Salvation and the Future Glory of Israel1
Bel bows down.Nebo stoops.Their idols are carried by animals,and on the livestock.The things that you carried around are heavy loads,a burden for the weary.
2
They stoop and they bow down together.They could not deliver the burden,but they have gone into captivity.
3
"Listen to me, house of Jacob,and all the remnant of the house of Israel,that have been carried from their birth,that have been carried from the womb.
4
Even to old age I am he,and even to gray hairs I will carry you.I have made, and I will bear.Yes, I will carry, and will deliver.
5
"To whom will you compare me, and consider my equal,and compare me, as if we were the same?
6
Some pour out gold from the bag,and weigh silver in the balance.They hire a goldsmith,and he makes it a god.They fall down-yes, they worship.
7
They bear it on their shoulder.They carry it, and set it in its place, and it stands there.It cannot move from its place.Yes, one may cry to it, yet it can not answer.It cannot save him out of his trouble.
8
"Remember this, and show yourselves men.Bring it to mind again, you transgressors.
9
Remember the former things of old:for I am God, and there is no other.I am God, and there is none like me.
10
I declare the end from the beginning,and from ancient times things that are not yet done.I say: My counsel will stand,and I will do all that I please.
11
I call a ravenous bird from the east,the man of my counsel from a far country.Yes, I have spoken.I will also bring it to pass.I have planned.I will also do it.
12
Listen to me, you stubborn-hearted,who are far from righteousness!
13
I bring my righteousness near.It is not far off,and my salvation will not wait.I will grant salvation to Zion,my glory to Israel.
Isa 46:1-13. BABYLON'S IDOLS COULD NOT SAVE THEMSELVES, MUCH LESS HER. BUT GOD CAN AND WILL SAVE ISRAEL: CYRUS IS HIS INSTRUMENT.
1. Bel--the same as the Phœnician Baal, that is, lord, the chief god of Babylon; to it was dedicated the celebrated tower of Babylon, in the center of one of the two parts into which the city was divided, the palace being in the center of the other. Identical with the sun, worshipped on turrets, housetops, and other high places, so as to be nearer the heavenly hosts (Saba) (Jer 19:13; 32:29; Zep 1:5). GESENIUS identifies Bel with the planet Jupiter, which, with the planet Venus (under the name Astarte or Astaroth), was worshipped in the East as the god of fortune, the most propitious star to be born under (see on Isa 65:11). According to the Apocryphal book, Bel and the Dragon, Bel was cast down by Cyrus.
boweth . . . stoopeth--falleth prostrate (Isa 10:4; 1Sa 5:3, 4; Ps 20:8).
Nebo--the planet Mercury or Hermes, in astrology. The scribe of heaven, answering to the Egyptian Anubis. The extensive worship of it is shown by the many proper names compounded of it: Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuzar-adan, Nabonassar, &c.
were upon--that is, were a burden (supplied from the following clause) upon. It was customary to transport the gods of the vanquished to the land of the conquerors, who thought thereby the more effectually to keep down the subject people (1Sa 5:1, &c.; Jer 48:7; 49:3; Da 11:8).
carriages--in the Old English sense of the things carried, the images borne by you: the lading (Ac 21:15), "carriages," not the vehicles, but the baggage. Or, the images which used to be carried by you formerly in your solemn processions [MAURER].
were heavy loaden--rather, are put as a load on the beasts of burden [MAURER]. HORSLEY translates, "They who should have been your carriers (as Jehovah is to His people, Isa 46:3, 4) are become burdens" (see on Isa 46:4).