Matthew Poole and continuators on Isaiah 29:21

21. That make a man an offender for a word , and lay a snare for him that reproveth in the gate , and turn aside the just for a thing of nought .

That condemn and punish a Man, as if he were a great Criminal.

For a verbal Reproof, as appears from the next Clause.

For God's faithful Prophets and Ministers, whose Office it is to reprove ungodly Men, such as these were.

Publickly; which they took for a great Affront and Disgrace, although the Reproof ought to be publick, where the Sin is publick and scandalous. He mentions the gate, because▪ there the People used to Assemble, both upon civil and sacred Accounts, and there Prophets used to deliver their Prophecies; of which, see Ier. 7. 2. and 17. 19.

To wit, from judgment, as this phrase is more fully delivered, Isa. 10. 2. or from his Right; which is elsewhere called the perverting, or overturning, or overthrowing of a man's right or judgment, as Deut. 27. 19. Prov. 17. 23. Lam. 3. 35.

The faithful Prophets and Ministers of God, and among others Christ, who is oft called the just or righteous one, both in the Old and New-Testament.

Not for any great advantage, but for a trifle, which is a great Aggravation of their injustice. Or, with vanity, i. e. with vain and frivolous Pretences, or without any colour of Reason or Justice.

Marginal references: Am. 5. 10▪