(3, 4) Order ye the buckler and shield . . .--The poem opens with a summons to the hosts of Nebuchadnezzar to prepare for their victory. First the foot-soldiers are called, then the horse, lastly the light-armed troops.
Put on the brigandines.--The history of the word is not without interest. Light-armed skirmishers were known in Italian as "brigands" (briganti--literally, "quarrellers"); the light coat of mail worn by them was accordingly known as a "brigandine." When the Italian word became synonymous with robbers by land or sea, the ship used by them was called a brigantino, and from this is derived our English "brig" (W. A. Wright: Bible Word Book). The word "brigandine" is accordingly used by writers of the sixteenth century in both senses: by Spenser, for a ship--
"Like as a warlike brigandine applied
To fight;"
and by Milton--
"Then put on all thy gorgeous arms, thy helmet
And brigandine or brass"
(Sams. Agonist., 1120)--in the same sense as here and in Jeremiah 51:3.
Verse 3. - Order ye, etc. The leaders of the Egyptians are heard summoning their men to make ready their armour, and set themselves in array (comp. ver. 9). The buckler (Hebrew, magen) is the small shield; the shield (Hebrew, cinnah) is the large one (scutum), which covered the whole body (comp. 2 Chronicles 9:15, 16).
46:1-12 The whole word of God is against those who obey not the gospel of Christ; but it is for those, even of the Gentiles, who turn to Him. The prophecy begins with Egypt. Let them strengthen themselves with all the art and interest they have, yet it shall be all in vain. The wounds God inflicts on his enemies, cannot be healed by medicines. Power and prosperity soon pass from one to another in this changing world.
Order ye the buckler and shield,.... Both signify one and the same sort of armour, only of a different form, the one being lesser and lighter than the other. Jarchi makes the difference to be, that the former was made of skin, the latter of wood; they were both used to defend the body in war. To order them is not only to prepare them, and get them ready; but to fit them to the body, and to put them on, that they might be in a readiness to engage in battle. The exhortation is made either to the Chaldean army, to prepare to fight against the Egyptians; or to the army of Pharaohnecho, to defend themselves against the king of Babylon, who was coming against them, as Kimchi and Abarbinel, who seem to be in doubt which it should be; but the latter is most probable: and it is either a direction of Pharaoh to his army, to be in readiness; or rather of God, speaking ironically to them, suggesting, that let them do what they would, and make ever such preparations for battle, all would come to nothing, victory would be on the other side;
and draw near to battle; engage the enemy briskly, and with the greatest courage, and use all your military skill; and, when ye have done, it will all be in vain.
Put on the brigandines.--The history of the word is not without interest. Light-armed skirmishers were known in Italian as "brigands" (briganti--literally, "quarrellers"); the light coat of mail worn by them was accordingly known as a "brigandine." When the Italian word became synonymous with robbers by land or sea, the ship used by them was called a brigantino, and from this is derived our English "brig" (W. A. Wright: Bible Word Book). The word "brigandine" is accordingly used by writers of the sixteenth century in both senses: by Spenser, for a ship--
"Like as a warlike brigandine applied
To fight;"
and by Milton--
"Then put on all thy gorgeous arms, thy helmet
And brigandine or brass"
(Sams. Agonist., 1120)--in the same sense as here and in Jeremiah 51:3.
and draw near to battle; engage the enemy briskly, and with the greatest courage, and use all your military skill; and, when ye have done, it will all be in vain.