Jesaja 57:9

9 En gij trekt met olie tot den koning, en gij vermenigvuldigt uw welriekende zalven; en gij zendt uw gezanten verre weg, en vernedert u tot de hel toe.

Jesaja 57:9 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 57:9

And thou wentest to the king with ointment
To the kings of the earth, the singular for the plural, with whom the whore of Rome has committed fornication or idolatry, in allusion to harlots, who, in order to render themselves the more agreeable to their lovers, anointed themselves with ointment: this may respect the grace of the Spirit of God, which the church of Rome pretends to give by administration of the sacraments, which it is said confer grace "ex opere operato"; and the extreme unction given as a meetness for heaven, in the last moments of life: and didst increase thy perfumes;
after the manner of harlots, who, to ingratiate themselves with men, use much perfumes: this may signify the many ways the whore of Rome takes to make herself regarded by the kings and nations of the earth; pretending to antiquity, infallibility, power of working miracles, works of supererogation, primacy and superiority over all other churches; using great pomp and splendour in places of worship, and in all religious services: and didst send thy messengers far off;
not only into neighbouring kingdoms and states, into all the nations of Europe; but even into the most distant parts of the world, into both the Indies, in order to make proselytes, spread the religion of the see of Rome, and increase its power. The pope's "nuncios" and "legates a latere", may be here pointed at, as well as the Jesuits his emissaries, sent into all parts to promote his interest. Jarchi's note is,

``to exact tribute of the kings of the nations;''

which has been the business of the pope's legates: and didst debase thyself even unto hell;
or lay thyself low; prostitute thyself as harlots do to every lover; or didst feign thyself very lowly and humble, as the pope does when he calls himself "servus servorum"; or rather, "thou didst depress", or "bring low, even unto hell" ^F20; that is, multitudes of men and women, who are brought down to hell by the false doctrine and worship of the church of Rome; and the followers of the man of sin say, that if he brings down thousands into hell, none ought to say, what dost thou? Cocceius thinks it may have respect to his pretended power over hell, to send as many there as do not please him; arrogating to himself the keys of heaven and hell; or over purgatory, a figment of his brain, where he pretends the souls of men are for a time, and from whence, for a sum of money, he delivers them. The Targum is,

``thou hast depressed the strength of the people; or, as some copies, the strong of the people unto hell.''

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FOOTNOTES:

F20 (lwav de ylypvtz) "et demisti usque ad infernum", Cocceius.

Jesaja 57:9 In-Context

7 Gij stelt uw leger op een hogen en verhevenen berg; ook klimt gij derwaarts op, om slachtoffer te offeren.

8 En achter de deur en posten zet gij uw gedenkteken; want van Mij wijkende ontdekt gij u, en klimt op; gij maakt uw leger wijd, en maakt u een verbond met enigen uit dezelve, gij hebt hun leger lief in elke plaats, die gij ziet.

9 En gij trekt met olie tot den koning, en gij vermenigvuldigt uw welriekende zalven; en gij zendt uw gezanten verre weg, en vernedert u tot de hel toe.

10 Gij zijt vermoeid door uw grote reis, maar gij zegt niet: Het is buiten hoop; gij hebt het leven uwer hand gevonden, daarom wordt gij niet ziek.

11 Maar voor wien hebt gij geschroomd of gevreesd? Want gij hebt gelogen, en zijt Mijner niet gedachtig geweest, gij hebt Mij op uw hart niet gelegd; is het niet, om dat Ik zwijg, en dat van ouds af, en gij vreest Mij niet?