And [they of] Ephraim shall be like a mighty [man], and their heart shall rejoice as through wine: yea, their children shall see [it], and be glad; their heart shall rejoice in the LORD.
Ver. 7. And they of Ephraim shall be as a mighty man] The same again, and in the same words, for more assurance; because the return of the ten tribes might seem a thing more incredible, Erant enim quasi putridum cadaver, saith Calvin here: they were as rotten carcases, and they had obiter in passing only heard of these promises; as if some grain of seed should be dropped by the highwayside: for they were now as aliens from the commonwealth of Israel.
And their heart shall rejoice as through wine] Which naturally exhilarateth, Psalms 104:15, and is called by Plato one of the mitigators. (μαλακτικα) of human misery. See Proverbs 31:6. See Trapp on " Pro 31:6 " Some nations use to drink wine freely before they enter the battle, to make them undaunted. Some think here may be an allusion to such a custom. I should rather understand it of that generous wine of the Spirit, Ephesians 5:18 .
Yea, their children shall see it] Therefore they were not to antedate the promises, but to wait the accomplishment which should certainly be, if not to them, yet to theirs after them, even a full restoration in due season.