Matthew Poole and continuators on Isaiah 46:2

2. They stoop, they bow down together , they could not deliver the burden , but themselves are gone into captivity.

Either, 1. The Idols, of whom these words are used, ver. 1. Or, 2. The Babylonians, who are sufficiently implied in that expression, their idols, ver. 1.

Either, 1. one as well as another; Or 2. the Babylonians and their Idols together; neither could help the other.

Either 1. the Idols could not deliver themselves, who were now a burden to the Beasts, and carried away by them; Or 2. the Babylonians could not deliver their Idols, which he now had called burdens. And this Sence seems most probable from the following Clause, which clearly speaks of the same persons or things; but themselves, &c. Heb. their Souls: For although the Soul is here put for the Person, as it commonly is, yet that Title is never given to any Idol or lifeless thing, but onely to such Creatures as have or had Souls within their Bodies. So the meaning of this and the foregoing Verse, is this, That neither the Babylonians, nor their Idols, could Save either themselves or one another; but both are bowed down, and gone into Captivity together.

Marginal references: Heb. their soul.