Commentary on Isaiah Part 13 (No. F023xiii)

Chapter 51

¹"Hearken to me, you who pursue deliverance, you who seek the LORD; look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were digged. ²Look to Abraham your father and to Sarah who bore you; for when he was but one I called him, and I blessed him and made him many. ³For the LORD will comfort Zion; he will comfort all her waste places, and will make her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song. ⁴"Listen to me, my people, and give ear to me, my nation; for a law will go forth from me, and my justice for a light to the peoples. ⁵My deliverance draws near speedily, my salvation has gone forth, and my arms will rule the peoples; the coastlands wait for me, and for my arm they hope. ⁶Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and they who dwell in it will die like gnats; but my salvation will be for ever, and my deliverance will never be ended. ⁷"Hearken to me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear not the reproach of men, and be not dismayed at their revilings. ⁸For the moth will eat them up like a garment, and the worm will eat them like wool; but my deliverance will be for ever, and my salvation to all generations." ⁹Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in days of old, the generations of long ago. Was it not thou that didst cut Rahab in pieces, that didst pierce the dragon? ¹⁰Was it not thou that didst dry up the sea, the waters of the great deep; that didst make the depths of the sea a way for the redeemed to pass over? ¹¹And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. ¹²"I, I am he that comforts you; who are you that you are afraid of man who dies, of the son of man who is made like grass, ¹³and have forgotten the LORD, your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth, and fear continually all the day because of the fury of the oppressor, when he sets himself to destroy? And where is the fury of the oppressor? ¹⁴He who is bowed down shall speedily be released; he shall not die and go down to the Pit, neither shall his bread fail. ¹⁵For I am the LORD your God, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar--the LORD of hosts is his name. ¹⁶And I have put my words in your mouth, and hid you in the shadow of my hand, stretching out the heavens and laying the foundations of the earth, and saying to Zion, 'You are my people.'" ¹⁷Rouse yourself, rouse yourself, stand up, O Jerusalem, you who have drunk at the hand of the LORD the cup of his wrath, who have drunk to the dregs the bowl of staggering. ¹⁸There is none to guide her among all the sons she has borne; there is none to take her by the hand among all the sons she has brought up. ¹⁹These two things have befallen you--who will condole with you? --devastation and destruction, famine and sword; who will comfort you? ²⁰Your sons have fainted, they lie at the head of every street like an antelope in a net; they are full of the wrath of the LORD, the rebuke of your God. ²¹Therefore hear this, you who are afflicted, who are drunk, but not with wine: ²²Thus says your Lord, the LORD, your God who pleads the cause of his people: "Behold, I have taken from your hand the cup of staggering; the bowl of my wrath you shall drink no more; ²³and I will put it into the hand of your tormentors, who have said to you, 'Bow down, that we may pass over'; and you have made your back like the ground and like the street for them to pass over."

Intent of Chapters 51-54 and the Third Section of Isaiah (Chs. 51-66).

This section of the texts refers to the salvation of the children of Abraham and the restoration of his lands as they were in Eden. Jerusalem will be restored as the centre of the nations. Ch. 51 deals with the removal of the affliction of God's people and the affliction of the nations. This text deals with the redeemed of all Israel as the ransomed of the Lord that shall return to Zion with singing in everlasting joy. Sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Chapters 47-50 (Part 12 F023xii) completed the Second Section of Isaiah 40-50 and the promise of the Restoration of the Nations under the Messiah as the Elohim of Israel (48:20-22) (see Pss. 45; 110; Heb. 1:8-9). This sequence commences the Third Section of Isaiah from Chs. 51 to the end at Ch. 66. This third text covers a massive period from the captivity of Israel in 722 BCE to the Assyrians and then the Babylonian captivity and the restoration in preparation for the Messiah, and the entire structure of 2700 odd years through to the end of the Forty Jubilees in the Wilderness in 2027. It develops the story to the Messiah as the Suffering Servant of 30 CE, (after establishing the church as the Body of Christ in 27 CE) (see Nos. 159; 159A); from Chs. 52-53 and the complete restoration after the wars of the end (No. 141C) and the Witnesses (No. 141D) before the Restoration by Messiah at his return (No. 141E; 141E_2).

Intent of Chapter 51

51:1-6 Promise of Comfort of the Lord

51:1-3 This salvation was as God's promise to Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3). God will fulfil His promised salvation to Zion (49:20-21).

v. 1 Rock, quarry Abraham the solid Rock to whom God gave the Covenant based on the Law of God (L1).

v. 2 The only reference to Sarah in the OT outside of Genesis.

v. 3 Eden, Garden of the Lord The millennial system under Messiah (Rev. 20:4-6) will restore the entire system as it was in Eden, as the Garden of God for the entire world (see Ezek. 36:35; 47:1-12) (see No. 300).

51:4-6 The Law (1:10) and Justice (42:4) will go forth from Zion (1:21; 5:7) under the Messiah as the arm of the Lord God (40:10). (v. 6 (Mat. 24:35).

51:7-8 God’s Deliverance will be forever and His Salvation to all nations.

51:9-16 The call to Messiah as the Arm of God in Israel who took the redeemed out of Egypt through the sea as dry land for the redeemed to pass over. Again the ransomed of the Lord shall return to Zion with singing. They shall obtain joy and gladness. Sorrow and sighing shall flee away (9-11) (see the pattern at v. 1-8, 9-16, comp. 26:8-14; 16-21; 49:14-23, 24-26; Jer. 15:10, 15-21) (also OARSV n.). This was a reference to God’s intervention in the Hebrew referring to the combat in Egypt (rahab 30:7; dragon (Heb. Tannin) 27:1; Ezek. 29:3; Sea (Heb. Yam) Job. 38:8; deep (Heb. Tehom), Ezek. 26:19; Job 38:16).

51:12-16 It is the One True God, the Lord of Hosts, that comforts all. In this text. Eloah stretched out the heavens and laid the foundation of the earth (Job 38:4-7; Prov. 30:4-5).

12-14 Mortal man cannot compete with the omnipotent and eternal God (Ps. 90:5)

bowed down as a prisoner,

Pit Sheol (14:9-11).

51:15-16 Your God ...my people re-emphasises the covenant relationship (see 40:1).

v. 15 (Jer. 31:35). Here the Lord God is the Lord of Hosts. He has put His words in the mouths of His people which will operate from Zion under Messiah.

51:17-52:12 God’s Kingship and Protection of Israel

51:17:20 In this sequence Jerusalem has drunk deeply and repeatedly of the Cup of God's Wrath (see also Jer. 25:15:31; See also The Sign of Jonah ...( No. 013). The last phase lies before us, over the final years before the Return of the Messiah.

51:21-23 Now her oppressors will drink of it (41:1–42:4; 45:20-25).

Chapter 52

¹Awake, awake, put on your strength, O Zion; put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city; for there shall no more come into you the uncircumcised and the unclean. ²Shake yourself from the dust, arise, O captive Jerusalem; loose the bonds from your neck, O captive daughter of Zion. ³For thus says the LORD: "You were sold for nothing, and you shall be redeemed without money. ⁴For thus says the Lord GOD: My people went down at the first into Egypt to sojourn there, and the Assyrian oppressed them for nothing. ⁵Now therefore what have I here, says the LORD, seeing that my people are taken away for nothing? Their rulers wail, says the LORD, and continually all the day my name is despised. ⁶Therefore my people shall know my name; therefore in that day they shall know that it is I who speak; here am I." ⁷How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good tidings, who publishes peace, who brings good tidings of good, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns." ⁸Hark, your watchmen lift up their voice, together they sing for joy; for eye to eye they see the return of the LORD to Zion. ⁹Break forth together into singing, you waste places of Jerusalem; for the LORD has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem. ¹⁰The LORD has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. ¹¹Depart, depart, go out thence, touch no unclean thing; go out from the midst of her, purify yourselves, you who bear the vessels of the LORD. ¹²For you shall not go out in haste, and you shall not go in flight, for the LORD will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard. ¹³Behold, my servant shall prosper, he shall be exalted and lifted up, and shall be very high. ¹⁴As many were astonished at him--his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the sons of men-- ¹⁵so shall he startle many nations; kings shall shut their mouths because of him; for that which has not been told them they shall see, and that which they have not heard they shall understand.

Intent of Chapter 52

52:1-2 The text refers to the Holy City under Messiah at the end of the Age. She is freed from captivity and oppression and bidden to arise (see 51:17).

uncircumcised and unclean refers to those not of the elect as the Body of Christ and occupiers (see also 33:19) (Nos. 001; 052). Zion will be the Headquarters of the World systems and no one will be admitted to the Temple and its environs who is unclean and not keeping the Law and the Testimony (8:20).

52:3-6 Here God promises in prose. Israel went into Egypt to sojourn there (in the drought) and the Assyrians oppressed them. Seeing they were taken away for nothing God will redeem them for nothing. God's name is despised therefore the people will all know His Name and that it is He who speaks (emphasising Ex. 20:7). Thus upholding His Name in the face of those who oppressed His people (Egypt (Ezek. 29:9); Assyria (10:7-11); Babylon (Jer. 50:29)).

52:7-8 Here the coming of the Messiah is introduced in anticipation of the text of Ch. 53. He publishes peace and brings good news of Salvation and says to Zion, “your God reigns” (see Ps. 125:2; 2Sam. 18:25-27; Nah. 1:15; Rom. 10:15).

The watchmen refers to the voice of 40:3-5 declaring the Glory of God.

52:11-12 The Messiah and the elect of the Body will return to Zion in peace under Messiah (see also Ex. 13:21-22; and Chs. 65-66).

52:13-53:12 The Fourth Servant Song (see 42:1-4 n.).

52:13-15 Here God speaks of His servant the Messiah of Israel. It cannot refer to Israel as the nation (e.g. OARSV n.). He was marred and his form damaged but he will be raised and the kings of the earth will see, and what they have not been told they shall see, and that which they have not heard they shall understand (49:7, 23 in F023xii). The text then moves on to the suffering servant in Ch. 53 as the Messiah, as a man that was to suffer and die for the sins of many. This can only have been a man while the Temple stood and for which Judah was finally condemned under the Sign of Jonah … (No. 013) which ended in 70 CE with the destruction of the Temple (No. 298). Messiah could not fulfil the prophecies after 70 CE.

v. 15 Rom. 15:21 (see No. 152).

Chapter 53

¹Who has believed what we have heard? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? ²For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or comeliness that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. ³He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. ⁴Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. ⁵But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes we are healed. ⁶All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. ⁷He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth. ⁸By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? ⁹And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. ¹⁰Yet it was the will of the LORD to bruise him; he has put him to grief; when he makes himself an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring, he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand; ¹¹he shall see the fruit of the travail of his soul and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous; and he shall bear their iniquities. ¹²Therefore I will divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he poured out his soul to death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Intent of Chapter 53

53:1-3 A Lament (40:12; 50:8-10). The Servant’s background and appearance was marred (as in 52:14). He was described as an average person of no attractive presence and this text is applied to the Christ of 27-30 CE as the man of sorrows. He was rejected.

v. 1 Jn. 12:38.

v. 2 young plant comp. 11:1;

root 11:10 comp. Jer. 23:5. These are Messianic allusions and applied to the Christ.

v. 3 He suffers rejection by the community (Job 19:13-19).

53:4-6 By the Servant’s suffering (wounded for our transgressions) he vicariously restored all mankind to God (Mat. 8:17; 1Pet. 2:24-25) (contrary to Greek philosophical objections).

Whole restored to God in general wellbeing (“peace” 48:18). Unlike Jeremiah (11:18-12:6) or Job, the Servant suffers silently. From the Gospels we see he is unjustly condemned (Lk. 22:37) executed and ignominiously buried (Mat. 27:57-60 see also Acts 8:32-33).

9b some emend to read and His tomb with evil doers (others read with demons (satyrs) (see also OARSV n.). The rich man was Joseph ben Mattat of Arimathea, his (Christ’s) great uncle, brother of Heli, to whom Pilate gave his body) (see Lk. 3 (F042). God declared the human lineage of the Messiah as Suffering Servant through the prophet Zechariah (12:10-14). He was to be of the lineage of David through Nathan (to Heli Lk. 3) and Levi through Shimei (John the Baptist and Heli's wife (Miriam's Mother). Zechariah shows he was to be pierced by spear or sword, as was Christ in 30 CE.

53:10-12 Here we see the Servant’s suffering manifest God's Judgment of Sin and His Mercy upon mankind in sin. Here Messiah is to see his offspring in Israel and Messiah prolongs his days and sees the fruit of his labour. By his knowledge the Righteous one, God's Servant, makes many to be accounted righteous and he bore their iniquities. He poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors and bore the sins of many and made intercession for the transgressors. He was thus mediator for mankind. For that reason God gave him a portion with the great and he is to divide the spoil with the strong.

This was the purpose of God's Covenant People. (No. 152).

Chapter 54

¹"Sing, O barren one, who did not bear; break forth into singing and cry aloud, you who have not been in travail! For the children of the desolate one will be more than the children of her that is married, says the LORD. ²Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; hold not back, lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes. ³For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left, and your descendants will possess the nations and will people the desolate cities. ⁴"Fear not, for you will not be ashamed; be not confounded, for you will not be put to shame; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more. ⁵For your Maker is your husband, the LORD of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called. ⁶For the LORD has called you like a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit, like a wife of youth when she is cast off, says your God. ⁷For a brief moment I forsook you, but with great compassion I will gather you. ⁸In overflowing wrath for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you, says the LORD, your Redeemer. ⁹"For this is like the days of Noah to me: as I swore that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth, so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you and will not rebuke you. ¹⁰For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the LORD, who has compassion on you. ¹¹"O afflicted one, storm-tossed, and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in antimony, and lay your foundations with sapphires. ¹²I will make your pinnacles of agate, your gates of carbuncles, and all your wall of precious stones. ¹³All your sons shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the prosperity of your sons. ¹⁴In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you. ¹⁵If any one stirs up strife, it is not from me; whoever stirs up strife with you shall fall because of you. ¹⁶Behold, I have created the smith who blows the fire of coals, and produces a weapon for its purpose. I have also created the ravager to destroy; ¹⁷no weapon that is fashioned against you shall prosper, and you shall confute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD and their vindication from me, says the LORD."

Intent of Chapter 54

54:1-17 Song of Assurance to Israel

Here the desolate one, Israel, will be blessed following on from the Redemption of the Messiah as the Suffering Servant of Ch. 53.

54:1-3 49:14-21

v. 1: Barren Exilic Zion left by her husband (Ezek. Ch. 16).

Married pre-exilic Zion (62:4; Gal. 4:27).

54:4-8 God as faithful husband

v. 4. Shame ...youth Pre-exilic infidelity,

Widowhood, The Exile – including the Forty Jubilees in the wilderness under the Sign of Jonah... (No. 013) (F032).

v. 5. God the Lord of Hosts is creator and Husband of Israel and God of the Whole Earth.

v. 6. God will restore His wife (Ch. 53; Hos. 2:19; 11:8-9).

v. 8. God declares His everlasting love for Israel (43:4; Jer. 31:3). He declares a parent's love (49:14-16; Jer. 31:20), a husband’s love (Jer. 2:2) Ezek. 16:8) is held to be unmerited and always faithful.

54:9-10 This text refers to the everlasting Covenant (Jer. 32:40 F024viii).

v. 9 Gen. 8:21-22; 9:11-17

v. 10 Jer. 31:35-36; Mk. 13:31;

Covenant of Peace (48:18); Ezek. 34:25).

54:11-14 The Establishment of New Jerusalem under Messiah for the Millennial System.

The afflicted one is restored (comp. 51:21) as paradise restored (Ezek. 28:13-19; Jn. 6:45; Rev. 21:19 F066v).

54:15 The text further develops v. 14 and states that any future strife in the Messianic or millennial system is not of God.

54:16-17 God has created the workers of weapons and the ravages of destruction. No weapon that is fashioned against Israel under Messiah shall prosper and every tongue that rises against her in judgment shall be confuted and that is the heritage of the Lord and their vindication from God.

Bullinger’s Notes on Chs. 51-54 (for KJV)

Chapter 51

Verse 1

Hearken. Note the call to hear. See Structure, above.

are = were.

hole of the pit = the hollow of the quarry.

Verse 2

Look = Look well: as in Isaiah 51:1 . Figure of speech Hermeneia , by which Isaiah 51:2 interprets Isaiah 51:1 .

Abraham . . . Sarah. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 12:0 , &c.; Genesis 24:36 ).

alone. Compare Ezekiel 33:24 .Malachi 2:15 .

Verse 3

waste places. Compare Isaiah 40:1 ; Isaiah 49:13 .

like Eden. Reference to Pentateuch, (Genesis 2:0 and Genesis 3:0 ). App-92 . Elsewhere, only here; Joel 2:3 ; and six times in Ezekiel.

like the garden of the LORD. This is a quotation from Genesis 13:10 . App-92 .

melody = music or Psalmody.

Verse 4

law: i.e. the law of Moses, which was Jehovah's revealed instruction. Compare Ma Isaiah 1:4 , Isaiah 1:4 ,

make . . . to rest = establish.

the people = peoples.

Verse 5

isles = maritime countries. See note on Isaiah 11:11 .

wait. Compare Isaiah 42:4 ; Isaiah 60:9 .

trust = hope. Hebrew. yahal. App-69 . Not the same word as in Isaiah 50:10 .

Verse 6

shall = will have.

in like manner = so. There is no ancient authority for "as a gnat", as some render it.

Verse 7

know = take note of.

men = mortal men.

Verse 9

Awake. Same word as in Isaiah 52:1 . Not the same as in Isaiah 51:17 . Note the Figure of speech Epizeuxis (for emphasis).

arm . Figure of speech Anthropopatheia.

Bahab = Egypt. Compare Psalms 87:4 ; Psalms 89:10 .

dragon = crocodile.

Verse 10

dried the sea. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 14:29 ). ransomed = redeemed (by price, or blood). Hebrew. ga'al. Compare Exodus 6:6 .

Verse 11

redeemed = redeemed (by power). Hebrew. padah. See note on Exodus 13:13 .

come with singing. Compare Isaiah 35:10 .

mourning = sighing. See notes on Isaiah 21:2 .

Verse 12

man. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .

Verse 13

stretched forth the heavens. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 1:0 and Genesis 2:0 ).

as if he were. A special reading called Sevir ( App-34 ), with some codices, two early printed editions, and Syriac, read "who was": referring doubtless to the Antichrist's effort in "the great tribulation".

Verse 15

divided the sea. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 14:21 ).

The LORD of hosts. See note on 1 Samuel 1:3 .

Verse 16

put My words in thy mouth. See note on Isaiah 50:4 ("that I should know"). Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 18:18 ). App-92 .

that: i.e. in order that.

Verse 17

Awake = Rouse thee. Not the same form as in Isaiah 51:9 with Isaiah 52:1 .

Verse 20

Thy sons have fainted. Note the Alternation in this verse. Thus: "fainted at the head", &c, and "they lie as a wild bull", &c.

Verse 21

wine. Hebrew. yayin. App-27 .

Verse 22

thy LORD the LORD = thy Adonim Jehovah. See App-4 .

Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos.

no more drink it again. All this refers therefore to the final restoration of Israel.

Verse 23

thy soul = thee. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .

Chapter 52

Verse 1

Awake. Same form as in Isaiah 51:9 ; not the same as in Isaiah 51:17 . Figure of speech Epizeuxis. App-6 .

the holy city. Hebrew "the city of the Sanctuary". See note on Exodus 3:5 .

Verse 2

Shake. See note on Isaiah 33:9 .

sit: i.e. sit as queen. Compare Revelation 18:7 , for usage.

Verse 3

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

redeemed. Hebrew. ga'al. See note on Exodus 6:6 .

without money = not with silver. Compare 1 Peter 1:18 .

Verse 4

My People went down aforetime. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 46:6 ). See App-92 .

the Assyrian. This was "another king" (Acts 7:18 ), the first of a new dynasty, the "new king" of Exodus 1:8 , who (of course) "knew not Joseph". See notes on the above passages.

oppressed them . This refers to Exodus 1:0 , and has nothing to do with the later Assyrian carrying away.

without cause = for nothing, groundlessly. This is a Divine comment. See John 15:25 . Hebrew. 'ephes. See note on Isaiah 5:8 .

Verse 5

what have I here . . . ? = what do I here? What He did in the circumstances of Isaiah 52:4 we know. What He will do in these new circumstances we are about to be told.

is = hath been.

My name, &c. Quoted in Romans 2:24 .

Verse 7

How beautiful, &c. Quoted in Romans 10:15 .

the feet. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part), for the whole person of the messenger, that we may not think of him, but of his coming as sent by Jehovah (compare Nahum 1:15 ). Fulfilled partially in John and Christ, both of whom were rejected and slain. There will be other messengers of the future coming, even Elijah and others (Malachi 4:5 ).

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

Verse 8

sing = shout.

see eye to eye = see face to face, and will be face to face with the coming heralds of the King, yea, with the King Himself. This oft misapplied expression ha? nothing whatever to do with agreement in opinion.

Verse 9

comforted. Compare Isaiah 40:1 .

Verse 10

holy. See note on Exodus 3:5 .

arm. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), for the wonders wrought by it. Also Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .

eyes, &c. = sight, or view. Compare Isaiah 40:5 ; Isaiah 49:26 .

Verse 11

Depart ye. Note the Figure of speech Epizeuxis . Compare Revelation 18:4 . Quoted (in application for us to-day) in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 .

Verse 12

ye shall not go out with haste. Reference to Pentateuch, where it was otherwise (only here, Exodus 12:33 , Exodus 12:39 , and Deuteronomy 16:3 ).

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

rereward = rear-guard. Compare Isaiah 58:8 .

Verse 13

My Servant. The Messiah. See note on Isaiah 37:35 .

humbled .

exalted. extrolled. be very high. Figure of speech Anabasis , for great emphasis = riseth. is lifted up. becometh very high (compare Philippians 1:2 , Philippians 1:9-11 ).

deal prudently = prosper. Compare 1 Samuel 18:14 .

Verse 14

As = According as. This corresponds with the "so" of Isaiah 52:15 (not with the "so" in the next clause, which is parenthetic).

astonied: corresponding with the word rendered "sprinkle" in Isaiah 52:15 . From Old English estonner . Nine times so spelled, from Wycliff and Geneva Bible. Chaucer spells it "astoned"; Spenser, "astownd".

so marred: pointing to the depth of the humiliation, as set forth in detail in Isaiah 53:4-10 . Compare Matthew 26:67 , Matthew 26:68 ; Matthew 27:27-30 .

any man. Hebrew. 'ish . Compare Psalms 22:6 , "I am a worm, and no man".

men. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .

Verse 15

SO. Corresponding with the "As" of Isaiah 52:14 .

sprinkle = cause to leap or spring up for joy. Hebrew. nazah . When used of liquids it means to spurt out, as in Isaiah 63:3 , the only other occurrence in Isaiah, and that in judgment (compare 2 Kings 9:33 ). The usual word for ceremonial sprinkling is zrak , not nazah . The astonishment and the joy of many nations is set in contrast with the astonishment of the many people of Isaiah 52:14 . The Septuagint reads "shall admire". Moreover, the verb is in the Hiphil conjugation, and we can say "cause to leap up for joy", but not "cause to sprinkle". With this, Gesenius, Fuerst, Lowth, Parkhurst, and others agree.

shut their mouths: i.e. be dumb with the astonishment.

that which had, &c. = they to whom it had been told shall see.

that which they, &c. = they which had not heard shall consider. Quoted in Romans 15:21 .

Chapter 53

Verse 1

Who. ? Figure of speech Erotesis . The questions are asked by the prophet, and the answer is "no one" or few. Quoted in John 12:38 and Romans 10:16 .

hath believed = put faith in. Hebrew ' aman . App-69 . The tenses are Past (the prophetic Perfect).

report = hearing. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), for the subject-matter, which was heard.

arm. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), for what was wrought by it. Compare Isaiah 51:9 ; Isaiah 52:10 .

the Lord. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

revealed = made bare: i.e. revealed.

Verse 2

Him: i.e. Jehovah.

tender plant = a sapling.

a root = a root-sprout.

dry ground. The "root" (David) of which He was the offspring was well nigh extinct.

we: i.e. the people who saw Him. The interpretation is for the Jews of our Lord's day. The application is for us. The nation will yet say it in their confession and weeping.

Verse 3

despised and rejected. Fulfilled in John 1:10 , John 1:11 ; John 8:48 ; John 10:20 .

men. Hebrew, plural of 'ish. App-14 . = the chief men. Compare John 7:48 , John 7:49 .

man. Hebrew. 'ish . App-14 .

we hid. Compare Isaiah 50:6 . Psalms 22:6 , Psalms 22:7 ; and John 8:48 ; Mark 3:21 , Mark 3:30 . John 18:40 .

Verse 4

He [and no one else]. Emphatic. Quoted in Matthew 8:17 .

borne . . . carried = borne the punishment for. See note on Ezekiel 4:4 .Matthew 8:17 . Compare verses: Isaiah 53:11 , Isaiah 53:12

griefs . . . sorrows. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), for the judgment which was brought about by their sins.

of = by. Genitive of Agent. App-17 .

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

afflicted = humbled.

Verse 5

wounded = pierced.

transgressions . Hebrew. pasha'.

of = which procured. Genitive of Cause. App-17 .

with, &c. Quoted in 1 Peter 2:24 .

Verse 6

All . . . all. Note the Figure of speech Epanadiplosis ( App-6 ), by which the statement is emphasized as containing the essence of the whole chapter. More noticeable in Hebrew. killdnu . . . killanu. Quoted in 1 Peter 2:22 .

Verse 7

oppressed: or, hard pressed.

opened not His mouth. Idiom for silence and submission. Compare 1 Peter 2:22 , 1 Peter 2:23 .

He is brought. Quoted in Acts 8:32 , Acts 8:33 .

a lamb. Compare John 1:36 .

Verse 8

from prison and from judgment, &c. = by constraint and by sentence He was taken away.

who shall declare His generation? = as to the men of His age [i.e. His contemporaries!, who ponders, or considers as to this seed, seeing He is to be "cut off"? Compare Isaiah 53:10 .

cutoff. Compare Daniel 9:26 . Thus the climax of this prophecy is reached: (1) a hint (Isaiah 42:4 ); (2) open lament (Isaiah 49:4 ); (3) personal suffering (Isaiah 50:6 ); now (4) a violent death (Isaiah 53:8 ).

Verse 9

He made, &c. = one [or they] appointed, or assigned [His grave]; or, it [His grave] was appointed.

made. Hebrew Nathan (to give) is rendered "appoint" in Exodus 30:16 . Numbers 35:6 . Joshua 20:7 . 2 Kings 8:6 , &c. Even where it is rendered "to make", it has the force of "appoint" (Genesis 9:12 .Numbers 14:4 , &c.)

grave. Hebrew. keber .

the wicked = the criminals (plural) These have a separate part assigned in all Jewish cemeteries.

the rich = a rich [man] (singular) Compare Matthew 27:59 , Matthew 27:60 . Mark 15:43 , Mark 15:46 . Luke 23:53 , John 19:40-42 .

in His death = when He was dead. Compare Mark 15:42-47 . John 19:38 , John 19:39 .

He had done, &c. Quoted in 1 Peter 2:22 .

Verse 10

it pleased the LORD = Jehovah purposed. when thou shalt make, &c. This introduces the break in the Dispensations, which is the subject of the rest of the chapter: the "glory which shall follow" the sufferings. See App-71 and App-72 .

His soul = Himself. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 = life. Compare John 10:11 , John 10:15 , John 10:17 , John 10:18 .

an offering for sin. Hebrew. 'aham = the trespass offering. See App-43 and App-44 . Ref to Pentateuch, for this is a peculiarly Levitical word (Leviticus 14:12 , Leviticus 14:21 ), and cannot be understood apart from it. In Psalms 40:0 it is the aspect of the whole burnt offering.

He shall see His seed: "see" "see" in Isaiah 52:15 , i.e. the result, issue, and reward of His sufferings. Compare Psalms 22:30 ; Psalms 24:6 ; Psalms 25:13 . The Chaldee Targum reads, "they (His seed) shall see the kingdom of their Messiah".

pleasure = purpose.

Verse 11

satisfied. Not disappointed. We have not an impotent Father, or a disappointed Christ, or a defeated Holy Spirit, as is so commonly preached; but an omnipotent Father, an all-victorious Christ, and an almighty Holy Spirit, able to break the hardest heart and subdue the stoutest will.

by His knowledge, &c. Punctuate: "Satisfied by His knowledge, My righteous Servant shall justify many, for He shall bear", &c.

Verse 12

divide = apportion, or assign.

with = among.

poured out. Only here (in the "latter" portion); and Isaiah 32:15 (the "former" portion). App-79 .

an He was numbered. Quoted in Mark 15:28 . Luke 22:37 . App-79 .

bare the sin. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 10:17 . Numbers 9:13 ; Numbers 18:32 ). Compare verses: Isaiah 53:4 , Isaiah 53:11 . See App-92 .

sin. Not the same word as in Isaiah 53:10 . Hebrew. chata .

made intercession = interposed.

Chapter 54

Verse 1

Sing = Shout in triumph (Isaiah 52:8 , Isaiah 52:9 . Zephaniah 3:14 ). Quoted in Galatians 1:4 , Gal 1:27 .

barren. Refers to Sarah.

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

children = sons.

desolate. See note on Isaiah 1:7 .

married wife = the husbanded one.

the Lord. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

Verse 2

stakes = tent-pegs.

Verse 3

Gentiles = nations.

Verse 4

Fear not. ashamed. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 26:6 ). Compare Isaiah 44:16 , Isaiah 44:17 .

the shame of thy youth. Reference to Israel's days of idolatry. Compare Jeremiah 3:24 , Jeremiah 3:25 .

Verse 5

Maker. Hebrew, plural. Reference to the triune Jehovah.

the LORD of hosts. See note on 1 Samuel 1:3 . thy Redeemer = thy kinsman-Redeemer. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 48:16 . Exodus 6:6 ; Exodus 15:13 ). App-92 .

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

The God of the whole earth. This is-the title connecting Jehovah with universal dominion. Compare "The Lord of the whole earth" in Joshua 3:11 , Joshua 3:13 .Zechariah 6:5 .

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

Verse 6

forsaken. See note on Isaiah 1:4 .

spirit. Hebrew. ruach . App-9 .

Verse 7

gather thee = gather thee out.

Verse 8

a little wrath = in an overflow of wrath.

I hid My face. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 31:17 , Deuteronomy 31:18 ). Compare Isaiah 8:17 ; Isaiah 53:3 ; Isaiah 64:7 . See App-92 .

everlasting kindness. See note on "ancient", Isaiah 44:7 .

Verse 9

the waters of Noah. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis Chapters 6-9). See App-92 .

thee. Supply Ellipsis , "thee [for ever]". Some codices, reading one word instead of two,with Aramaean, Syriac, and Vulgate read "the days of Noah. . . .when [I sware, &c.]".

I have sworn = when I sware. Reference to Pentateuch. (Genesis 8-9). Noah is nowhere else mentioned in the O.T. except in lCh 1:4.Ezekiel 14:14-20 . See App-92 . thee. Supply Ellipsis ( App-6 ), "thee [for ever]".

Verse 12

windows = battlements. borders = boundaries.

Verse 13

all thy children, &c. Quoted in John 6:45 .

of = by. Genitive (of Origin). App-17 .

Verse 14

not. See note on "no" (Isaiah 5:8 ).

Verse 15

they: i.e. the enemies of Israel (Psalms 56:7 ; Psalms 59:4 ).

shall fall = shall be overthrown (Compare Isaiah 8:14 ).

Verse 16

I have created. Compare Isaiah 45:7 , Isaiah 45:8 .

instrument = weapon.

Verse 17

weapon. Same word as instrument (Isaiah 54:16 ).