Commentary onIsaiah Part 12 (No. F023xii)

Chapter 47

¹Come down and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon; sit on the ground without a throne, O daughter of the Chalde'ans! For you shall no more be called tender and delicate. ²Take the millstones and grind meal, put off your veil, strip off your robe, uncover your legs, pass through the rivers. ³Your nakedness shall be uncovered, and your shame shall be seen. I will take vengeance, and I will spare no man. ⁴Our Redeemer--the LORD of hosts is his name--is the Holy One of Israel. ⁵Sit in silence, and go into darkness, O daughter of the Chalde'ans; for you shall no more be called the mistress of kingdoms. ⁶I was angry with my people, I profaned my heritage; I gave them into your hand, you showed them no mercy; on the aged you made your yoke exceedingly heavy. ⁷You said, "I shall be mistress for ever," so that you did not lay these things to heart or remember their end. ⁸Now therefore hear this, you lover of pleasures, who sit securely, who say in your heart, "I am, and there is no one besides me; I shall not sit as a widow or know the loss of children": ⁹These two things shall come to you in a moment, in one day; the loss of children and widowhood shall come upon you in full measure, in spite of your many sorceries and the great power of your enchantments. ¹⁰You felt secure in your wickedness, you said, "No one sees me"; your wisdom and your knowledge led you astray, and you said in your heart, "I am, and there is no one besides me."¹¹But evil shall come upon you, for which you cannot atone; disaster shall fall upon you, which you will not be able to expiate; and ruin shall come on you suddenly, of which you know nothing. ¹²Stand fast in your enchantments and your many sorceries, with which you have labored from your youth; perhaps you may be able to succeed, perhaps you may inspire terror. ¹³You are wearied with your many counsels; let them stand forth and save you, those who divide the heavens, who gaze at the stars, who at the new moons predict what shall befall you. ¹⁴Behold, they are like stubble, the fire consumes them; they cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame. No coal for warming oneself is this, no fire to sit before! ¹⁵Such to you are those with whom you have labored, who have trafficked with you from your youth; they wander about each in his own direction; there is no one to save you.

Intent of Chapter 47

47:1-15 Lamentation over Babylon

47:1-4 God strips Babylon of her royalty.

v. 1 Virgin daughter – Unconquered, used of Jerusalem in 37:22; Israel Jer. 31:4; Egypt Jer. 46:1.

v. 2 grind meal – do the work of slaves.

v. 3 Hos. 2:9-12; Jer. 13:20-27; Nah. 3:5.

47:5-7 Babylon’s pride is condemned as she wrongly attributed her success to her own strength when it actually came from God (Jer. 27:6-7; 25:12-14). God used Babylon as a tool in retribution and then used Cyrus as we saw previously to assume control over Babylon and its systems to restore Judah (see Isa. Chs. 44-45 F023xi).

47:8-9 Babylon’s sense of strength and security is an illusion.

v. 8. I am.... used as an arrogant presumption of divinity (42:8; 44:6).

v. 9 Jer. 10:17-22; 15:5-9; Rev. 18:8.

47:10-11 Wisdom and knowledge (their divination, astrology and magic (from the Magi) (v. 12-13) failed to reveal her approaching fall. She will be consumed, and both vassals and allies will desert her (Jer. 2:33-37; 4:29-31). Daniel had told Nebuchadnezzar of the progressive changes in that system of the Sun and Mystery Cults yet they became arrogant and dismissed, or disregarded, the prophecies (see Dan. Ch. 2 F027ii). See also F027xiii for the timeline and charts).

Chapter 48

¹Hear this, O house of Jacob, who are called by the name of Israel, and who came forth from the loins of Judah; who swear by the name of the LORD, and confess the God of Israel, but not in truth or right. ²For they call themselves after the holy city, and stay themselves on the God of Israel; the LORD of hosts is his name. ³"The former things I declared of old, they went forth from my mouth and I made them known; then suddenly I did them and they came to pass. ⁴Because I know that you are obstinate, and your neck is an iron sinew and your forehead brass, ⁵I declared them to you from of old, before they came to pass I announced them to you, lest you should say, 'My idol did them, my graven image and my molten image commanded them.' ⁶"You have heard; now see all this; and will you not declare it? From this time forth I make you hear new things, hidden things which you have not known. ⁷They are created now, not long ago; before today you have never heard of them, lest you should say, 'Behold, I knew them.' ⁸You have never heard, you have never known, from of old your ear has not been opened. For I knew that you would deal very treacherously, and that from birth you were called a rebel. ⁹"For my name's sake I defer my anger, for the sake of my praise I restrain it for you, that I may not cut you off. ¹⁰Behold, I have refined you, but not like silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction. ¹¹For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another. ¹²"Hearken to me, O Jacob, and Israel, whom I called! I am He, I am the first, and I am the last. ¹³My hand laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens; when I call to them, they stand forth together. ¹⁴"Assemble, all of you, and hear! Who among them has declared these things? The LORD loves him; he shall perform his purpose on Babylon, and his arm shall be against the Chalde'ans. ¹⁵I, even I, have spoken and called him, I have brought him, and he will prosper in his way. ¹⁶Draw near to me, hear this: from the beginning I have not spoken in secret, from the time it came to be I have been there." And now the Lord GOD has sent me and his Spirit. ¹⁷Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go. ¹⁸O that you had hearkened to my commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea; ¹⁹your offspring would have been like the sand, and your descendants like its grains; their name would never be cut off or destroyed from before me." ²⁰Go forth from Babylon, flee from Chalde'a, declare this with a shout of joy, proclaim it, send it forth to the end of the earth; say, "The LORD has redeemed his servant Jacob!" ²¹They thirsted not when he led them through the deserts; he made water flow for them from the rock; he cleft the rock and the water gushed out. ²²"There is no peace," says the LORD, "for the wicked."

Intent of Chapter 48

48:1-22 Call to all of Jacob, both Israel and Judah

This chapter summarises the early part of this section of Isaiah from Chapter 40-48. The Revisionists use this to confirm their views of the division they refer to as Second Isaiah, and which some use as a conclusion to that division.

The text emphasises God's control over world events and His actions within them.

48:1-2 The text narrows the people involved as Jacob called Israel, but here narrowed to those who came from the loins of Judah and who confess the God of Israel but not in truth or right. They call themselves after the Holy City and stay themselves on the God of Israel, the Lord of Hosts.

48:3-5 God foretold the future events through the prophets, ages in advance, so that none could say “my idol did them” or their molten or graven images did them. This is the case when those reject the prophecies as a posteriori event rather than by false images. The result is the same. Isaiah covers the entire Age to the Return of Messiah and the millennial system.

Former things 41:22-29; 43:9-12; 45:21. Israel has been obstinate over time (Ex. 12:9; Deut. 9:13; Jer. 5:5; 7:26).

48:6-8 In this text God declares the future long yet in the future.

new things The text then deals with Israel's future deliverance by Cyrus and the destruction of Babylon (43:18-19).

God is faithful and He renews His goodness daily. However, Israel is continually faithless and rebellious (Ezek. 2:6-8; Deut. 32:5).

48:9-10. Israel is kept for God's purpose in the Plan of Salvation (No. 001A). This was for the salvation of the nations (Ezek. 20:22). It was for God's own purpose and so that His Name should not be profaned.

Furnace Exile and captivity also used to refer to the Egyptian bondage (Deut. 4:20; Jer. 11:4).

From 48:12-13 we are hearing the text from the Creator God of Psalm 45 (F019_2). He is the God Most High and the God of the Elohim of Israel.

The First and the Last Here we see God declare His Uniqueness and Eternity (43:10; 44:6; 1Tim. 6:16; Rev. 1:17; 2:8; 22:13).

From 48:14-16 we see that the Elohim of Israel speaks who we see in v. 16 is the Angel of the Presence given Israel as his inheritance and who was with them in the wilderness (Deut. 32:8-9). He is the subordinate elohim of Ps. 45. Here he declares that the Lord God sent him and with His Spirit.

48:14-15 You - Israel; them Idols/demons;

him - Cyrus.

48:16 He has been there from the creation and recreation as an elohim (Job. 1:6; 2:1; 38:4-7; Gen. 1:2ff).

48:17 Teaches and leads. The relationship of the Elohim of Israel in his direct relationship with them (55:12; Ex. 13:18; Deut. 29:5; Ps. 27:11).

48:18-19 Ps. 81:13-16.

Peace – The state of physical and spiritual wellbeing under the covenant relationship with God (No. 152).

Sand Gen. 22:17.

48:20-22 This text refers to the role of the Elohim of Israel as the Angel of the Presence in leading Israel in the wilderness (Ex. 17:1-7; Jer. 31:10). He spoke for God and gave them the Law and protection (Acts 7:30-53) and water from the Rock and that rock was Christ (1Cor. 10:1-4).

v. 22 57:21.

Chapter 49

¹Listen to me, O coastlands, and hearken, you peoples from afar. The LORD called me from the womb, from the body of my mother he named my name. ²He made my mouth like a sharp sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me away. ³And he said to me, "You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified." ⁴But I said, "I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my right is with the LORD, and my recompense with my God." ⁵And now the LORD says, who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him, and that Israel might be gathered to him, for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD, and my God has become my strength--⁶he says: "It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved of Israel; I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth." ⁷Thus says the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One, to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nations, the servant of rulers: "Kings shall see and arise; princes, and they shall prostrate themselves; because of the LORD, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you." ⁸Thus says the LORD: "In a time of favor I have answered you, in a day of salvation I have helped you; I have kept you and given you as a covenant to the people, to establish the land, to apportion the desolate heritages; ⁹saying to the prisoners, 'Come forth,' to those who are in darkness, 'Appear.' They shall feed along the ways, on all bare heights shall be their pasture; ¹⁰they shall not hunger or thirst, neither scorching wind nor sun shall smite them, for he who has pity on them will lead them, and by springs of water will guide them. ¹¹And I will make all my mountains a way, and my highways shall be raised up. ¹²Lo, these shall come from afar, and lo, these from the north and from the west, and these from the land of Syene." ¹³Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the LORD has comforted his people, and will have compassion on his afflicted. ¹⁴But Zion said, "The LORD has forsaken me, my Lord has forgotten me." ¹⁵"Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. ¹⁶Behold, I have graven you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me. ¹⁷Your builders outstrip your destroyers, and those who laid you waste go forth from you. ¹⁸Lift up your eyesround about and see; they all gather, they come to you. As I live, says the LORD, you shall put them all on as an ornament, you shall bind them on as a bride does. ¹⁹"Surely your waste and your desolate places and your devastated land--surely now you will be too narrow for your inhabitants, and those who swallowed you up will be far away. ²⁰The children born in the time of your bereavement will yet say in your ears: 'The place is too narrow for me; make room for me to dwell in.' ²¹Then you will say in your heart: 'Who has borne me these? I was bereaved and barren, exiled and put away, but who has brought up these? Behold, I was left alone; whence then have these come?'" ²²Thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, I will lift up my hand to the nations, and raise my signal to the peoples; and they shall bring your sons in their bosom, and your daughters shall be carried on their shoulders. ²³Kings shall be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. With their faces to the ground they shall bow down to you, and lick the dust of your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who wait for me shall not be put to shame." ²⁴Can the prey be taken from the mighty, or the captives of a tyrant be rescued? ²⁵Surely, thus says the LORD: "Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken, and the prey of the tyrant be rescued, for I will contend with those who contend with you, and I will save your children. ²⁶I will make your oppressors eat their own flesh, and they shall be drunk with their own blood as with wine. Then all flesh shall know that I am the LORD your Savior, and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob."

Intent of Chapter 49

49:1-6 The Second Servant Song (see 42:1-4 n.).

49:1-3 The servant Israel speaks.

v. 1 41:1 Called... My name Jer. 1:5; Gal. 1:15.

v. 2 Sharp sword Eph. 6:17; Heb. 4:12.

49:3-4 Israel is glorified by service to and for God. Although Israel saw no benefit or result in the service, their right and recompense was with God (1Kgs. 19:4-18; Jer. 15:15-21 F024iv).

49:5-6 Here God reinforces that the purpose of Israel is to be restored and redeemed as a servant of God so that it will be a light (see 42:6) to the nations and the source of the salvation of the Gentiles. Comp. 5:1-7; Acts 13:47; 26:23 (see ##001, 001A, 001B; 001C).

v. 7 is the logical conclusion of vv. 1-6. i.e. Thus says the Lord.

49:7-26 Return and Restoration of Israel.

The Servant of the Nations will be ultimately served by them under the Messiah in all honour as we see in the Restoration in Chs. 65-66; Zech. 14:16-21 and in the texts of Ezekiel Chs. 39-48.

God's faithfulness is Israel's assurance.

49:8-9b Though in bondage, as in Egypt (48:10), they will be released and restored (see Chs. 45-46; 2Cor. 6:2 where the Day of Salvation is the church under the Messiah).

49:9c-11 The image of Israel under the Exodus (48:20-22) is combined with that of Israel's deliverance (40:3-4,11).

49:12 The RSV has the word as Syene as the land from which they came. That is not correct the land is listed as Sinim. It is used only here. Bullinger says it is probably China (Comp. Bible n.). The Soncino renders the text as Sinim. In the n. they say “some render 'the land of the Chinese' (Biberfeld). Alternatives proposed are:

'a southern land (so the Targum).

'the land of Sin' i.e. Pelusium on the Egyptian border (Ibn Ezra).”

(see also SHD 5515; cf. SHD 5512)

Strong renders it a distant oriental region.

49:13 Hymn praising God as Comforter (44:23).

49:14-16 God declares His Love for Israel (Hos. 2:14-23; Jer. 31:20).

Graven you (as a carving) on the palms of God's hands.

v. 17 The destroyers go forth from Israel and her builders outstrip their destruction.

v. 18 Ruined Jerusalem will be repopulated.

v. 19 The land will be well populated.

49:20-21 Zion who had no hope of inhabitants will have more than room for them (Jer. 31:15-17).

Children Those borne in the exile and the persecutions.

49:22-23 A signal fire (30:17; Jer. 6:1). God signals to the nations and the nations will commence the restoration of Israel of Chs. 65 and 66 (comp. 11:10,12; 62:10). The nations will all acknowledge Israel and its role and where necessary serve them.

v. 23 The text is carried over to Rev. 3:9 where the nations and pseudo-Jews will be made to acknowledge the Churches of God under Messiah in the last days, who are acknowledged as the authorities on the Calendar of God which is restored under Messiah.

49:24-26 The nations will be made to restore Israel and those that oppress Israel will be made to suffer, even to eating their own flesh and drunk on their own blood, as with wine. Then all flesh shall know that God is the Lord their saviour and the Mighty One of Jacob. This is not Judah but of all Israel. Anti-Semitism will be stamped from the face of the earth. All the earth will acknowledge Israel's God (1:24; 60:16).

Chapter 50

¹Thus says the LORD: "Where is your mother's bill of divorce, with which I put her away? Or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities you were sold, and for your transgressions your mother was put away. ²Why, when I came, was there no man? When I called, was there no one to answer? Is my hand shortened, that it cannot redeem? Or have I no power to deliver? Behold, by my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a desert; their fish stink for lack of water, and die of thirst. ³I clothe the heavens with blackness, and make sackcloth their covering." ⁴The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him that is weary. Morning by morning he wakens, he wakens my ear to hear as those who are taught. ⁵The Lord GOD has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I turned not backward. ⁶I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I hid not my face from shame and spitting. ⁷For the Lord GOD helps me; therefore I have not been confounded; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; ⁸he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who is my adversary? Let him come near to me. ⁹Behold, the Lord GOD helps me; who will declare me guilty? Behold, all of them will wear out like a garment; the moth will eat them up. ¹⁰Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the voice of his servant, who walks in darkness and has no light, yet trusts in the name of the LORD and relies upon his God? ¹¹Behold, all you who kindle a fire, who set brands alight! Walk by the light of your fire, and by the brands which you have kindled! This shall you have from my hand: you shall lie down in torment.

Intent of Chapter 50

50:1-3 Israel's Covenant, Faithfulness and Judgment

Exiled Israel is not divorced, but she was separated for adultery (Deut. 24:1-4); nor was she sold to slavery (52:3; Ex. 21:7). However, she is punished for her unfaithfulness (Hos. 2:4-9; Jer. Ch. 3; Ezek. Ch. 16).

vv. 2-3 Why was it that when God called, through His Acts and through the prophets, no one responded?

50:4-11 The Third Servant Song (see 42:1-4 n.).

Taught by God, the Servant knows how to speak to the weary of his fellow Israelites despite them treating him despicably (52:13-53:12). God's servants and prophets appear to have always been treated badly (see also Rev. 12:17; 14:12; paper Nos. 122, 122C; 122D; 170).

50:7-9 Faced with accusations everywhere he relies totally on God who vindicates him (Jer. 1:18-19; 17:17-18; Ezek. 3:7-11; Rom. 8:33).

50:10-11 Those who reject the guidance given by the prophets and saints and walk by their own counsel will lie down in torment as punishment.

Bullinger’s Notes on Chs. 47-50 (for KJV)

Chapter 47

Verse 1

ground = earth. Hebrew. 'arez.

there is no throne = throneless.

Verse 2

grind meal: the work of slaves (Exodus 11:5 .Matthew 24:41; Matthew 24:41 ). meal. Put by Figure of speech, for the corn from which meal is ground.

uncover thy locks = remove thy veil.

make bare the leg = lift up thy skirts or train.

Verse 3

not meet thee as a man = not accept or regard any man.

Verse 5

lady of kingdoms = mistress of the kingdoms. The king of Babylon called himself "the King Vicar" Compare Ezekiel 26:7 . Daniel 2:37 . So the popes name themselves, and are so addressed when crowned. Compare Revelation 18:7 .

Verse 6

no mercy. Compare 2 Kings 25:5 , 2Ki 25:6 , 2 Kings 25:26 . Jeremiah 50:17 , &c.

ancient = elder. Compare Lamentations 4:16 .

Verse 7

the latter end of it = the issue thereof: but some codices, with one early printed edition (Rabbinic, Mar 1517), and Vulgate, read "thy latter end". Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 32:29 ). App-92 .

Verse 8

carelessly = confidently.

none else beside me. Babylon and Rome claim the Divine attributes, as used in these chapters. Compare Isaiah 45:6 , Isaiah 45:14 ; Isaiah 46:9 .

none. See note on Isaiah 5:8 .

children = sons.

Verse 9

perfection = full measure.

Verse 10

trusted = confided. Hebrew. batah. App-69 .

Verse 11

evil = calamity. Hebrew. ra'a'.

mischief = ruin; especially as prepared for others. Not the same word as in Isaiah 59:4 . Only here and Ezekiel 7:26 .

put it off = expiate it, or charm it away.

Verse 12

Stand now with = Persist in.

prevail = strike terror.

Verse 13

astrologers. The scientists of Babylon were divided into three classes: writers of (1) charms to be placed on afflicted persons or houses; (2) formulae of incantations; (3) records of observations which mixed up astronomy with astrology, and resulted, in the case of any two successive or concurrent events, in the conclusion that one was the cause of the other; and, the further conclusion was reached by reasoning from the "particular" to the "general".

the monthly prognosticators = they who make known the future by observing new moons. See the fifth "creation tablet" (British Museum).

Verse 14

themselves = their souls. Hebrew. nephesh.

Verse 15

thy merchants. Compare Revelation 18:11-19 . t

hey shall wander = stagger onward.

one. Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .

Chapter 48

Verse 1

waters. Some codices, with three early printed editions, read "days".

swear by the name, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 6:13 ). App-92 .

the Lord. Hebrew. Jehovah.

the God of Israel. See note on Isaiah 29:23 .

in truth. See note on Isaiah 10:20 .

Verse 3

the former things, &c. Such as the birth of Isaac, the Exodus, &c.

Verse 4

thy neck, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 32:9 ).

Verse 6

see = look close into.

Verse 8

transgressor = rebel.

Verse 9

My name's. See note on Psalms 20:1 .

Verse 10

affliction = humiliation, or oppression.

Verse 11

For Mine own sake. Note the Figure of speech Epizeuxis , for great emphasis.

I will not give, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 20:5 ).

Verse 12

Jacob and Israel: i.e. the natural and spiritual seed. Some codices, with two early printed editions, read "Jacob my servant".

the first. the last. Compare Isaiah 41:4 ; Isaiah 44:6 .

Verse 13

spanned = stretched out.

stand up. To listen to my words.

Verse 14

them. Some codices, with two early printed editions, and Syriac, read "you".

him: i.e. Cyrus: Isaiah 45:1 ; Isaiah 46:10 , Isaiah 46:11 .

arm. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), for the judgment inflicted by it. Note also the Figure of speech Anthropopatheia.

Verse 15

I . . . I. Note the Figure of speech Epizeuxis.

Verse 16

not spoken in secret. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 30:11 ). Compare Isaiah 45:19 . App-92 .

and His Spirit, hath sent Me: or, hath sent both Me and His Spirit: i.e. the prophet, and His Spirit the inspirer of the message sent by Isaiah (compare Acts 28:25 ), "well spake the Holy Ghost by Isaiah", &c. Note the great doctrine of the Trinity.

Spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .

Verse 17

the Holy One of Israel. See note on Isaiah 1:4 .

Verse 18

O that thou hadst, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 5:29 ), Compare Psalms 81:13 . Note Figure of speech App-6 and App-92 .

peace = well-being, or prosperity.

a = the.

Verse 19

as the sand. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 22:17 ; Genesis 32:12 ).

Verse 20

His servant. See note on Isaiah 37:35 .

Verse 21

He led them, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 8:2 ).

caused. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 17:6 . Numbers 20:11 ). App-92 .

Verse 22

no peace, &c. Compare Isaiah 57:20 .

the wicked = lawless ones: i.e. the wicked in Israel.

Chapter 49

Verse 1

isles = maritime countries.

people = peoples.

hath called. Fulfilled in Matthew 1:18 . Luke 1:28 .

Me. The Messiah prophesied of in Isaiah 7:14 . Neither Isaiah, nor Israel, nor the Church.

Verse 2

mouth . . . the shadow . . . band. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia.

sword. Compare Revelation 1:16 ; Revelation 2:12 , Revelation 2:16 ; Revelation 19:15 .

polished: or, pointed.

shaft = arrow.

hid Me. Thirty years at Nazareth.

Verse 3

My Servant. See note on Isaiah 37:36 .

Israel = Prince of GOD. Messiah making this use of, and applying the name to Himself. Israel could not "raise up" Israel (Isaiah 49:6 ). Christ is called"Israel" in the same way that He is called "David"; and Psalms 24:6 , "Jacob".

Verse 4

I said , or thought: i.e. said to Myself.

strength = strength (to endure). Hebrew. koah. Not the same word as in Isaiah 49:5 .

for nought. Hebrew. tohu . See note on Isaiah 24:10 , "confusion".

judgment = vindication.

work = recompense.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

Verse 5

saith. Some codices, with Septuagint and Syriac, read "thus saith".

not. Hebrew text = l'o = not; but marked in margin to be read lo = to Him, which is confirmed by the list of such readings in the Massorah. If (in "be not gathered"), the negative be read, then the "though" and the "yet" must be retained; but if the preposition with suffix be read, then the rendering of the clause will be "to bring Jacob again to Him, and that Israel unto Him might be gathered, and I be glorious", &c. Probably both readings may be correct, for Israel was not gathered at His first coming (John 1:11 ), but will be at His second coming.

strength = strength (for victory). Not the same word as in Isaiah 49:4

Hebrew. 'azaz.

Verse 6

light = small.

I will also give, &c. Quoted in Luke 2:32 .Acts 13:47; Acts 13:47

Gentiles = nations. Hebrew. goyim. Compare Isaiah 42:6 . Therefore not the secret (or Mystery) of the Epistle to the Ephesians. Compare Genesis 12:3 .Luke 2:29-32 .

Thou. This cannot be Israel, for it is expressly fulfilled in Christ.

Salvation. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Effect), App-6 , for the Saviour Who wrought salvation.

Verse 7

Redeemer = Kinsman Redeemer. Hebrew. go'el . See note on Isaiah 41:14 and Exodus 6:6 .

Whom man despiseth = Whom their (i.e. Israel's) soul (Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 ) despiseth. Compare Isaiah 53:3 .Psalms 42:5 , Psalms 42:6 . Matthew 26:67 . 1 Corinthians 2:14 .

nation. Hebrew. goi : i.e. a heathen nation. So called here for its unbelief and rejection of the Messiah.

a servant of rulers. Compare Psalms 2:2 .Matthew 27:41 .

the Holy One of Israel. See note on Isaiah 1:4 .

Verse 8

an acceptable time = a time of acceptance. Quoted in a 2 Corinthians 6:2 .

heard = answered.

a covenant of the People = the covenant of a People. Compare Isaiah 42:6 , Isaiah 42:7 . Hebrew. am , not goi as in Isaiah 49:7 .

established the earth = raise up the land.

desolate. See note on Isaiah 1:7 .

Verse 9

That Thou mayest say. This cannot be the nation, but the Messiah.

Go forth. Compare Isaiah 42:7 ; Isaiah 61:1 .

to. Some codices, with two early printed editions, Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "and to".

Verse 10

They shall not hunger, &c. Quoted in Revelation 7:16 .

shall He guide them = shall He cause them to rest.

Verse 11

highways. See note on Isaiah 7:3 .

Verse 12

Sinim. Probably = China. Occurs only here.

Verse 13

Sing = Shout in triumph.

break forth into singing. See note on Isaiah 14:7 .

comforted His People. Compare Isaiah 40:1 ; Isaiah 51:3 .

Verse 14

Zion said. Figure of speech Prolepsis . This sets at rest the conflicting interpretations.

forsaken. See note on Isaiah 1:4 .

my LORD*. One of the 134 places where the Sopherim changed "Jehovah of the primitive text to Adonai. App-32 .

Verse 15

Can a woman, &c. Figures of speech Erotesis and Pathopoeia.

will I not forget. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .

Verse 16

graven. Denoting permanence.

the palms, &c. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .

Verse 17

children = sons.

Verse 18

bride. First occurrence in this connection.

Verse 20

which thou shalt have. other = of thy childlessness, or, of whom thou wast bereaved.

Verse 21

Then = And.

Who . . . where? Figure of speech Erotesis.

Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos.

these. Some codices, with Septuagint and Vulgate, read "and these", or "these therefore".

had they been = were they?

Verse 22

the Lord GOD. Hebrew Adonai Jehovah. See App-4 .

lift up Mine hand. Idiom for "call". Figure of speech Anthropopatheia.

Gentiles = nations.

people = peoples.

arms = bosom: the folds of the garment forming a large natural pocket; but children were, and still are, usually carried astride the shoulder as soon as they can sit.

daughters shall be carried. Showing the care they shall receive, for girls are usually left to shift for themselves. See note on Isaiah 60:4 .

Verse 23

queens = princesses.

lick up, &c. Denoting subjection and submission, as in Genesis 3:14 . Compare Psalms 72:9 and Micah 7:17 .

thou shalt know. Ref to Pentateuch (Exodus 6:7 ). App-92 .

wait for me. Reference to Pentateuch (same word as in Genesis 49:18 ).

Verse 24

the prey. Reference to Pentateuch (Numbers 31:11 , Numbers 31:12 , Numbers 31:26 , Numbers 31:27 , Numbers 31:32 ). Occurs elsewhere only in the next verse and Psalms 22:15 .

mighty = a mighty one (singular) Hebrew. gibbor. App-14 .

Verse 25

captives = captivity. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), for "captives".

terrible = tyrant or ruthless one.

Verse 26

sweet wine. Heb 'asis = new wine, the product of the same year. App-27 .

all flesh shall know. Compare Isaiah 40:5 ; Isaiah 52:10 .

am thy Saviour: or, am saving thee.

the mighty One of Jacob. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 49:24 ): only here and Isaiah 60:16 . Nowhere else except Psalms 132:2 , Psalms 132:5 .

Chapter 50

Verse 1

Thus. Some codices, with two early printed editions, read "For thus". the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

Where . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis.

the bill = this bill.

divorcement. Found only here, and in Jeremiah 3:8 outside the Pentateuch. See Deuteronomy 24:1 , Deuteronomy 24:3 . See App-92 .

whom: or, wherewith.

put away. . . sold. Note the Introversion of these words in this verse.

Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

sold . . . put away. Note the Introversion.

Verse 2

Wherefore . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis.

when I came. Messiah speaks.

no man. See John 1:11 . Compare Jeremiah 5:1 .Acts 13:46 ; Acts 18:6 ; Acts 28:28 .

Is My hand shortened . . . ? Reference to Pentateuch (Numbers 11:23 ). Compare Isaiah 59:1 . See App-92 .

redeem. Hebrew. padah. See note on Exodus 13:13 .

I dry up the sea. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 14:21 ). App-92 .

rivers. Plural of majesty: i.e. the great river, the Jordan. Reference to Pentateuch (Joshua 4:7 , Joshua 4:18 ). App-92 . Compare Psalms 107:33 .

their fish stinketh. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 7:18 , Exodus 7:21 ).

Verse 4

that I should know, &c. He spake none other words than those given Him by the Father. Compare the seven times this was asserted by Messiah (John 7:16 ; John 8:28 , John 8:46 , John 8:47 ; John 12:49 ; John 14:10 , John 14:24 ; John 17:8 ).

wakeneth = [continually] wakeneth.

to hear as the learned = to hearken as do the instructed.

learned = taught.

Verse 5

not rebellious = not perverse or refractory.

Verse 6

I gave, &c. Fulfilled in Matthew 26:67 ; Matthew 27:26 .

Verse 7

set My face like a flint. Note the fulfilment. His death was not an event which happened. He "accomplished" it Himself (Luke 9:31 ), and, after saying this, "He steadfastly set His face", as above, "like a flint". He laid down His life Himself: but not till His hour (the right hour) had come (John 10:15-18 ).

Verse 8

who. ? Figure of speech Erotesis .

who is Mine adversary? = who can convict Me? Literally who owneth My sentence?

Verse 9

condemn Me = prove Me lawless.

Verse 10

Who, &c. These are the words of the prophet in view of Messiah's reception.

trust in = confide in. Hebrew. batah . App-69 .

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

Verse 11

that kindle a fire = that are incendiaries; not the ordinary word for lighting a fire. Only in Deuteronomy 32:2 (the first occurrence). Jeremiah 15:14 ; Jeremiah 17:4 . Jer 64:2 .

compass = gird. See note on Isaiah 8:9 .

sparks = fiery darts.

walk. This is Divine irony ( App-6 ).

your = your own.