For precept [must be] upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, [and] there a little:
Ver. 10. For precept must be upon precept.] Children are of weak understanding and of short memories, and, Hebraei dicunt hisce verbis infantilitatem signifieari, they must also have short words and sentences prescribed unto them (such as are kau and flau) and inculcated upon them, that something at least may stick. So must most of our hearers, or little good will be done. Deu 6:7 Thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children. Heb., ‘Thou shalt whet, or repeat them by often going over the same thing,' as the knife goeth over the whetstone till it be sharp. But very many of our common hearers are not only unteachable, but untameable, deriding sound doctrine, and making a mocking stock of their godliest ministers. And so some very good expositors - haec ειρωνικως et μιμητικως a propheta dici tradunt - make these words here recited to be the scoffs and taunts of those profane mockers, Isaiah 28:14 ; Isa 28:22 which they put upon the prophet; q.d., We have nothing but rule upon rule, precept upon precept, &c. Zau lazau, kau lakau; the very sound of the words carrieth a jeer, like as scornful people by the tone of their voice and rhyming words scorn at such as they despise. Thus this good prophet became the drunkard's song. Any man may be witty in a biting way, and those that have the dullest brains have commonly the sharpest teeth to that purpose. Rightly said the comedian:
“ Homine imperito nunquam quicquam iniustius;
Qui, nisi quod ipse fecit, nihil rectum putat. ”
- Terent.