Commentaire sur Isaïe 28:20

For the bed is too short for one to stretch When I bring the enemy upon you, he shall press you so that you will not be able to supply his work. When he spreads out his bed upon you, it will be too short for the one who lies on it to stretch.

המצע The mattress,²⁹A. V., The bed. which is underneath in the bed.

to stretch (מֵהִשְׂתָּרֵעַ) to lengthen one’s limbs, estandejlejjr in O.F.

מהשתרע than that a man can stretch himself on it. Comp. שרוע superfluous too long (Lev. 22:23).

and the ruler it shall be narrow (וְהַמַּסֵּכָה) The prince who will rule over you - your place will be cramped for him when he enters it. Our Rabbis, however, expounded it as referring to the idol that Manasseh brought into the heichal, (the Temple proper) (II Chron. 33:7). This bed is too short מֵהִשְׂתָּרֵעַ, for two friends to rule over it. I explained it according to its simple meaning, and in this manner Jonathan rendered it. The Midrashic interpretation of our Rabbis, however, can be reconciled with the context. I.e., why do I bring this retribution upon you? Because the bed is too narrow for Me alone to stretch out on it, as it is said (I Kings 8:27): “Behold the heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You.” Surely, when you bring in a molten image with Me, so to speak, the place is too narrow for us.

המכסה═המסכה The covering.

בהתכנס It is Infinitive of כנס to assemble; comp. כנוס gather together (Est. 4:16); and means When many gather together under it.³⁰A. V., Than that he can wrap himself in it. The figure refers to the people and its rulers.³¹Both the people and its rulers fail to give each other comfort and protection.