That thou mayest be bound up - Others put a stop after "cause," and translate, For binding thy wound, healing plaster thou hast none.

There is none to plead thy cause - All thy friends and allies have forsaken thee.

There is none to plead thy cause, that thou mayest be bound up,.... None that will give themselves the trouble to look into their wound to judge of it; to consult, and reason, and debate about the nature of it; and what methods are most advisable to take for the healing and binding of it up: or, as others, "for the compression" (w) of it; the squeezing out the corrupt matter, in order to bring it to a cure:

thou hast no healing medicines; either of thine own, or of others, preparing for thee: the design of all these expressions is to show the helpless and hopeless state of the people of Israel, before their call, conversion, and restoration; by which it will appear to be the Lord's work, and his only; and since he was able to do it, and would do it, therefore Jacob and Israel had no reason to be afraid and dismayed, though their case might seem desperate.

(w) "compressioni", Junius & Tremellius; "ad compressionem", Gataker.

There is none to plead thy cause, that thou mayest be bound up: thou hast no healing medicines.

30:13 No medicine - The prophet's design was to convince them, that there was no present remedy, but patience, though their false prophets might promise a cure.

that...: Heb. for binding up, or, pressing

13. none to plead-a new image from a court of justice.

bound up-namely, with the bandages applied to tie up a wound.

no healing medicines-literally, "medicines of healing," or else applications, (literally, "ascensions") of medicaments.

30:12-17 When God is against a people, who will be for them? Who can be for them, so as to do them any kindness? Incurable griefs are owing to incurable lusts. Yet, though the captives suffered justly, and could not help themselves, the Lord intended to appear for them, and to punish their oppressors; and he will still do so. But every effort to heal ourselves must prove fruitless, so long as we neglect the heavenly Advocate and sanctifying Spirit. The dealings of His grace with every true convert, and every returning backslider, are the same in effect as his proceedings to the Jews.