Isaiah 46:1

1 The god Bel falls down, god Nebo slumps. The no-god hunks of wood are loaded on mules And have to be hauled off, wearing out the poor mules -

Isaiah 46:1 Meaning and Commentary

Ver. 1 Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth
These are names of theIsaiah 46:2

They stoop, they bow together
Either the beasts under their burdens, or other idols besides those mentioned; or rather the Babylonians themselves, who were obliged to submit to the conquerors: they could not deliver the burdens;
the idols could not save themselves from being laid as burdens upon the beasts, any more than they could save their worshippers: so the Targum understands this and the preceding clause of them;

``they are cut off, and cut to pieces together, they could not deliver those that carried them;''

or else the Babylonians are designed, who could not save their gods from being used in this shameful manner: but themselves are gone into captivity,
or "their souls" ^F13; what were as dear to them as their own souls, their idols; to whom also souls may be ascribed by way of derision, being inanimate as well as irrational; and it is not unusual for idols to be said to be carried captive; hence those words of Tertullian, "manent et simulachra caplira": or rather the Babylonians, who went into captivity themselves, and so could not save their idols: thus they who had led captive the Jews are led captive themselves; and thus it will be with mystical Babylon, ( Revelation 13:10 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F13 (Mvpnw) "et animae eorum", V. L. Munster, Pagninus, Montanus, Cocceius.

Isaiah 46:1 In-Context

1 The god Bel falls down, god Nebo slumps. The no-god hunks of wood are loaded on mules And have to be hauled off, wearing out the poor mules -

2 Dead weight, burdens who can't bear burdens, hauled off to captivity.

3 "Listen to me, family of Jacob, everyone that's left of the family of Israel. I've been carrying you on my back from the day you were born,

4 And I'll keep on carrying you when you're old. I'll be there, bearing you when you're old and gray. I've done it and will keep on doing it, carrying you on my back, saving you.

5 "So to whom will you compare me, the Incomparable? Can you picture me without reducing me?