Isaiah 3:5 And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbor… It is here threatened that God would send an evil spirit among them (Judges 9:23), which would make them — 1. Injurious and unneighbourly one towards another. "The people shall be oppressed everyone by his neighbour," and their princes, being children, take no care to restrain the oppressors, or relieve the oppressed. Nor is it to any purpose to appeal to them. 2. Insolent and disorderly towards their superiors. It is as ill an omen to a people as can be, when the rising generation among them is generally untractable, rude, and ungovernable, when "the child behaves himself proudly against the ancient"; whereas he should "rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man" (Leviticus 19:32). When young people are conceited and pert, and carry it scornfully towards their superiors, it is not only a reproach to themselves, but of ill consequence to the public; it slackens the reins of government, and weakens the hands that hold them. It is likewise ill with a people when persons of honour cannot support their authority, but are affronted by the base and beggarly; when judges are insulted by the mob, and their power set at defiance. ( M. Henry.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbour: the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honourable. |
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