Commentary on Isaiah (Super Isaiam)

In anno quo. Here is set down the time of the destruction; and it is divided into three parts: first is set down a certain designating thing, namely the prophetic deed; second, what is signified by the deed, "and he said"; third, he shows the effect of the thing signified, "and they shall fear."

Concerning the first, three things. First is set down the time of the prophecy, "in the year." Azotus, a city of the Philistines. Amos 1: "where also Gaza, Geth, Accaron, Ascalon, Azotus." Sargon, who is also Sennacherib, according to Jerome, because he had six names, which are Sargon, Senach, Phua, Salmanasar, Teglathphalasar, Asarad. "By the hand," that is, in a deed agreeing with words. Hosea 12: "By the hands of the prophets I have been made like." Second, he sets down the divine command, "Go," and "loose." Ezechiel 24: "Ezechiel shall be for a portent." Third, the fulfillment of the command, "and he did so"; below, 50: "But I..." etc.

"And the Lord said." Here is set down what is signified by the aforesaid deed. And first, as to the time during which the persecution lasted — three years, through the three days in which he went naked — signified, Ezechiel 4: "I have given thee a day for a year." Second, as to the author of the destruction, "so shall the king threaten." Ezechiel 30: "In that day messengers shall go forth from my presence in triremes, to crush the confidence of Ethiopia." Third, as to the condition of the destruction: in universality, "young and old"; in vileness, "naked" — namely, the captivity. Jeremiah 46: "There is no health for thee."

"And they shall fear." Here he sets down the effect upon the Jews: first, fear, "and they shall fear"; second, confusion, "and they shall be confounded"; third, the expression of both, "and the inhabitant of the island shall say" — that is, Jerusalem, which was ceaselessly battered by the waves of persecution, as an island by the waves of the sea — "is this it?", in which is confusion, "and how?", in which is fear. Below, 30: "the strength of Pharaoh shall be unto you for confusion."