Isaiah 46:1

1 Bel is broken, Nebo is all-broken; their simulacra like to wild beasts and work beasts be broken; your burdens with heavy charge till to weariness were rotten, (Bel is broken, Nebo is all-broken; their idols that were worshipped/that were carried in your processions, now be loaded upon work beasts and cattle; now be heavy burdens upon your weary beasts,)

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 Bel is broken, Nebo is all-broken; their simulacra like to wild beasts and work beasts be broken; your burdens with heavy charge till to weariness were rotten, (Bel is broken, Nebo is all-broken; their idols that were worshipped/that were carried in your processions, now be loaded upon work beasts and cattle; now be heavy burdens upon your weary beasts,)

2 and be all-broken together; those might not save the bearer, and the soul of them shall go into captivity. (and be altogether broken; they could not save their bearers-about, and now they themselves shall go into captivity.)

3 The house of Jacob, and all the residue of the house of Israel, hear ye me, which be borne of my womb, which be borne of my womb. (The house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, listen to me, ye who be carried by me from the womb, yea, who be carried by me from the womb, or from thy birth.)

4 Till to eld I myself, and till to hoar hairs, I shall bear; I made, and I shall bear, and I shall save. (Until your old age, yea, until your hoar hairs, I myself shall carry you; for I made you, and I shall carry you, and I shall save you.)

5 To whom have ye likened me, and made even (and made me even to), and have comparisoned me, and have made (me) like?