is applied by the Apostle Paul, 1Co 3:19: and this may likewise respect wicked princes and potentates, with their counsellors and wise politicians, who in former, as well as in later times, have formed designs against their neighbours, and to the hurt of the interest of true religion particularly; but have been baffled and confounded by Divine Providence, of which, as there were many instances in Israel of old, so in our British Isles of late:so that their hands cannot perform [their] enterprise; what their heads have contrived, what they have resolved and determined upon, and what they have began to effect, but could not go on with; or, "bring it soundly to pass", as Mr.
Broughton renders it; that is, could not complete it, or bring it to perfection; and indeed not able to do "any thing" , as some translate the word, not anything of what they devised and contrived: it signifies "that which is", which has a being and substance, and solidity in it , but nothing of this kind could be done; it is sometimes rendered "wisdom", and "sound wisdom", Pr 2:7; and so it is here by some , and may signify, that though their counsels were deeply laid, and wisely formed, according to the best rules of wisdom and prudence, they yet are not able to bring them to pass; which shows the infinitely superior wisdom of God, and his overruling providence, and which therefore must be a great encouragement to seek unto him, and leave every cause and case with him.
Aben Ezra, Jarchi, & R. Simeon Bar Tzemach. hyvt "quicquam", Pagninus, Vatablus, Drusius, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "quicquam rei", Cocceius, Michaelis; so Kimchi in Sepher Shorash, rad. vy. "Consistentiam", Montanus; "nihil solidi", Tigurine version.
"Sapientiam", Schmidt; so Aben Ezra & Syr. ver.