1.
Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: your carriages were heavy loaden; they are a burden to the weary beast.
Bel. Abbreviation of Baal = lord. Here = Zeus, or Jupiter of the Greek and Roman mythology.
Nebo. Answers to the Egyptian Anubis, Greek Hermes, and Roman Mercurius (compare Acts 14:12 ). These gods were indeed brought down.
your carriages = the things ye carried about: i.e. in procession (Amos 5:26 ).
were heavy loaden = are become a burden.
they are a burden = [are even now] loaded on beasts [for exile].
2.
They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity.
they. Aram, and Syriac, with five early printed editions, read "and they". But some codices, with two early printed editions, omit "and".
themselves = their soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .
3.
Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne by me from the belly, which are carried from the womb:
Hearken. Note the two calls to hear: here, and Isaiah 46:12 . See App-82 .
house of Jacob. See note on Isaiah 2:5 .
house of Israel. See note on Isaiah 5:7 .
which = who are borne. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 19:4 .Deuteronomy 1:31 ; Deuteronomy 32:11 ). App-92 .
which. Some codices, with two early printed editions, Aramaean, and Septuagint, read "and who".
4.
And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.
even = yea. Some codices, with three early printed editions, Syriac, and Vulgate, omit "yea".
5.
To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?
6.
They lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, and hire a goldsmith; and he maketh it a god: they fall down, yea, they worship.
god. Hebrew El. App-4 .
7.
They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not remove: yea, one shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.
8.
Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors.
Remember. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 32:7 ). App-92 .
men. Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .
bring it again. The Western reading was "and bring it", &c.
transgressors = rebels. Hebrew. pasha'. App-44 .
9.
Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,
GOD. Hebrew El. App-4 .
God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .
none. See note on Isaiah 5:8 .
10.
Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
11.
Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.
the man that executeth My counsel = the man of My counsel: i.e. Cyrus, a type of Messiah, set apart by God for this special service. See App-57 .
I will also bring it to pass. Reference to Pentateuch (Numbers 23:19 ).
12.
Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness:
13.
I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.
shall not tarry = will not be too late.