Isaiah 16

Isaiah 16:2

To perish - To faint; for such need a cordial.

Isaiah 16:4

The dumb - For such as cannot speak in their own cause, either through ignorance, or because of the dread of their more potent adversaries. Destruction - Who, without such succour from the judges, are like to be utterly ruined.

Isaiah 16:6

A virtuous woman - Here he lays down several qualifications of an excellent wife, which are delivered in alphabetical order, each verse beginning with a several letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

Isaiah 16:7

No need - He shall have no need to use indirect courses to get wealth.

Isaiah 16:9

Flax - That she may find employment for her servants. Worketh - She encourages them to work by her example; which was a common practice among princesses in those first ages. Not that it is the duty of kings and queens to use manual operations, but it is the duty of all persons, the greatest not excepted, to improve all their talents, and particularly their time, which is one of the noblest of them, to the service of that God to whom they must give an account, and to the good of that community to which they are related.

Isaiah 16:10

From afar - By the sale of her home - spun commodities she purchases the choicest goods which come from far countries.

Isaiah 16:11

Giveth - Distributes all necessary provisions.

Isaiah 16:12

Considereth - Whether it be fit for her use. The fruit - With the effects of her diligence. Planteth - She improves the land to the best advantage.

Isaiah 16:13

Girdeth - She uses great diligence and expedition in her employment; for which end, men in those times used to gird up their long and loose garments about their loins. Strengtheneth - Puts forth her utmost strength in her business.

Isaiah 16:14

Perceiveth - She finds great comfort in her labours. Her candle - Which is not to be taken strictly, but only signifies her unwearied care and industry.