The Pulpit Commentary — Isaiah — Volume 1 — Section 283

EXPOSITION. into Assyria. From Bela. Either Moab 11 CHAPTER XVL regarded as having taken refuge in Edom, Ven. 1-14.-THE BURDEN OP MOAD and is therefore bidden to sen.1 her tribute (ooNTiliUXD). This portion of the "burden" from the Edomite capital, Sela (equivalent t,o "Petra"), or "Sela," here is not a proper is divided into three sections. In section 1 name, but a collective used t.o designate the (from ver. 1 to the end of ver. 5) an offer of rocky parts of Moab, to which she had mercy is ma.de to Moab on certain con- beta.ken herself (as in Jer. xlviii. 28). The ditions, viz. that she return to her allegiance latter supposition is, on the whole, the to the house of David, and show kindness more probable. To the wilderness; literally, tc11demeaawards; i.e. by the way of the to fugitive Iaraelites. In section 2 (vers. wildemess. The enemy being regardfd e.s 6-12) she is supposed to have rejected this in possession of the northern end of the offer, and is threateued (as in eh. xv.) with Dead Bea, Moab is recommended to send severe punishment. In section 3 (which her tribute round the southem end, and so conmts of vel'I!. 13 :and 14) the time is by way of "the wilderness of Jndah," to Jerusalem. 6ud for the main visitation to fall upon her. Ver. 2.-J'or it shall be; rather, and it Ver. 1.-Send ye the lamb to the ruler of ,hall be. The tribute having been paid, the la.n.d; rather, the lamb of the ruler of Moab will regain some confidence. Her tile Zand-the Iamb (or lambs, kar being fluttered population will return, and collect uaed collectively) due to the ruler e.s a mark at the fords of the Arnon, ready to recroSB of eubjection. In the time of Ahab Meeha it. All e. wandering bird oallt out of the had paid a tribute to Iaracl of 11, hundred nest; rather, a, a toandering bird (or, thousand lambs and e. hundred thnuse.nd 'IDQ,idering birds)-"as a soe.ttered nest" (or, re.ma e.nnually (2 Kings iii. 4), The P.ro- •• brood of nestli11gs "). The daughters of phet recommends the.t this, or some sim1le.r, Jllloab. The population of Moab generally, $rihuk should now be po.id to the King of as "the daughter of Zion'' (ver. I) is tilo _Judah in.8tead, l.mi.el he.ving bee11 a.bl!Orbed 1>opulatio~ or Jeruaalem gene111Uy. 1111, :l'VI, 1-14.) THE BOOK or THE PROPHET ISAIAH. 277