Commentary on Isaiah Part 15 (No. F023xv)

Chapter 59

¹Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; ²but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you so that he does not hear. ³For your hands are defiled with blood and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue mutters wickedness. ⁴No one enters suit justly, no one goes to law honestly; they rely on empty pleas, they speak lies, they conceive mischief and bring forth iniquity. ⁵They hatch adders' eggs, they weave the spider's web; he who eats their eggs dies, and from one which is crushed a viper is hatched. ⁶Their webs will not serve as clothing; men will not cover themselves with what they make. Their works are works of iniquity, and deeds of violence are in their hands. ⁷Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood; their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity, desolation and destruction are in their highways. ⁸The way of peace they know not, and there is no justice in their paths; they have made their roads crooked, no one who goes in them knows peace. ⁹Therefore justice is far from us, and righteousness does not overtake us; we look for light, and behold, darkness, and for brightness, but we walk in gloom. ¹⁰We grope for the wall like the blind, we grope like those who have no eyes; we stumble at noon as in the twilight, among those in full vigor we are like dead men. ¹¹We all growl like bears, we moan and moan like doves; we look for justice, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far from us. ¹²For our transgressions are multiplied before thee, and our sins testify against us; for our transgressions are with us, and we know our iniquities: ¹³transgressing, and denying the LORD, and turning away from following our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart lying words. ¹⁴Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands afar off; for truth has fallen in the public squares, and uprightness cannot enter. ¹⁵Truth is lacking, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. The LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice. ¹⁶He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intervene; then his own arm brought him victory, and his righteousness upheld him. ¹⁷He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation upon his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in fury as a mantle. ¹⁸According to their deeds, so will he repay, wrath to his adversaries, requital to his enemies; to the coastlands he will render requital. ¹⁹So they shall fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun; for he will come like a rushing stream, which the wind of the LORD drives. ²⁰"And he will come to Zion as Redeemer, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression, says the LORD. ²¹"And as for me, this is my covenant with them, says the LORD: my spirit which is upon you, and my words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your children, or out of the mouth of your children's children, says the LORD, from this time forth and for evermore."

Intent of Chapter 59

59:1-21 Call to National Repentance

Following on from the injunctions in Ch. 58 F023xiv concerning fasting, God then proceeds to have Isaiah call for national repentance. The situation as it was in the days of Isaiah did not change in spite of the fact that Israel was sent into captivity in 722 BCE and Judah in 597 BCE and then again permanently in 70 CE under the Sign of Jonah ...(No. 013). It is the same or worse to this day and soon it will be brought to an end under Messiah and the Second Exodus of Chs. 65-66.

59:1-4 God is Omnipotent and Omniscient. Both Israel and Judah have broken the Covenant (50:1-2). The people are totally given over to wickedness. Injustice and dishonesty are rampant (Rom. 3:10-18; quoting Pss. 14:1-2; 53:1-2; 5:9; 140:3; 10:7; Isa. 59:7-8; Ps. 36:1). The law only succeeds in making men aware of their spiritual condition. The purpose of these texts in Isaiah is to explain what God plans to achieve through Messiah in the Last Days in the millennial system, on the Restoration.

59:5-8 The verses take verses 3-4 on with vivid descriptions of the social disintegration and contamination (Mat. 23:13-36). There are synonyms of ways in vv. 7-8 (Rom. 3:15-17). They describe the blind alleys down which Judah is going and also all of Israel.

59:9-11 Consequently the nations grope in the darkness of social and spiritual depravity (13:10; 50:10-11) and fear and foreboding (38:14).

59:12-15b The text is a public confession of the magnitude of its offences and rebellion in trespassing against the Laws of God and their faithlessness in denying God and His Law, in turning away in disobedience. The integrity of its people is entirely corrupted.

59:15c-17 The nation was bereft of an individual to intervene. Thus God himself intervened using all means (42:13); Comp. Eph. 6:14-17).

59:18-20 God enforces judgment with the power of His Omnipotence (30:27-28). He thus redeems a repentant Jerusalem in the last days (Rom. 11:26-27) when Messiah comes from and returns to Zion (over 2000 years) and God removes their sin.

59:21. A prose reminder of the Covenant of God and the words He has given to them, and the Holy Spirit God has given them (44:3-5).

Chapter 60

¹Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. ²For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. ³And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. ⁴Lift up your eyes round about, and see; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far, and your daughters shall be carried in the arms. ⁵Then you shall see and be radiant, your heart shall thrill and rejoice; because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. ⁶A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Mid'ian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the LORD. ⁷All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered to you, the rams of Nebai'oth shall minister to you; they shall come up with acceptance on my altar, and I will glorify my glorious house. ⁸Who are these that fly like a cloud, and like doves to their windows? ⁹For the coastlands shall wait for me, the ships of Tarshish first, to bring your sons from far, their silver and gold with them, for the name of the LORD your God, and for the Holy One of Israel, because he has glorified you. ¹⁰Foreigners shall build up your walls, and their kings shall minister to you; for in my wrath I smote you, but in my favor I have had mercy on you. ¹¹Your gates shall be open continually; day and night they shall not be shut; that men may bring to you the wealth of the nations, with their kings led in procession. ¹²For the nation and kingdom that will not serve you shall perish; those nations shall be utterly laid waste. ¹³The glory of Lebanon shall come to you, the cypress, the plane, and the pine, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious. ¹⁴The sons of those who oppressed you shall come bending low to you; and all who despised you shall bow down at your feet; they shall call you the City of the LORD, the Zion of the Holy One of Israel. ¹⁵Whereas you have been forsaken and hated, with no one passing through, I will make you majestic for ever, a joy from age to age. ¹⁶You shall suck the milk of nations, you shall suck the breast of kings; and you shall know that I, the LORD, am your Savior and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob. ¹⁷Instead of bronze I will bring gold, and instead of iron I will bring silver; instead of wood, bronze, instead of stones, iron. I will make your overseers peace and your taskmasters righteousness. ¹⁸Violence shall no more be heard in your land, devastation or destruction within your borders; you shall call your walls Salvation, and your gates Praise. ¹⁹The sun shall be no more your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you by night; but the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. ²⁰Your sun shall no more go down, nor your moon withdraw itself; for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning shall be ended. ²¹Your people shall all be righteous; they shall possess the land for ever, the shoot of my planting, the work of my hands, that I might be glorified. ²²The least one shall become a clan, and the smallest one a mighty nation; I am the LORD; in its time I will hasten it.

60:1-62:12 Oracles on the Glory of Jerusalem and God's People

The texts recapitulate Chs. 40-55.

Intent of Chapter 60

60:1-22 Jerusalem's Glorious Restoration

60:1-3 Fallen Zion is commanded to arise, shine

(42:6-7). It is to reflect the Glory of the Lord (6:3; Ezek. 1:4-28; 10:4). In that way it will attract all nations to its light (66:18).

60:4-5 Risen Zion welcomes her children home (49:18ab; 22de) and her poverty is replaced by wealth (45:14; 61:6).

vv. 6-12 Kedar (21:16) is a tribe of Ishmael. Isaiah 60:7 indicates that Kedar will find a place of ministry in the House of God at the advent of Messiah in the restoration. It must therefore be concluded that the Arab nation is to serve as part of the true faith, at that time.

6-7 Arabia's riches are brought by camel caravan. Midian (see Ex. 2:15 n.).

Ephah Arab tribes east of the Gulf of Aqabah; Sheba (Gen. 10:7);

Nebaioth An Arab tribe (Gen. 25:13).

This final conversion of the nations covers all people. Here from the texts we see that the entire world is meant. They are bonded to Israel under Messiah (see 5:1-7; Nos 001B and 001C).

60:8-9 Here we see the returning exiles arrive by ships (v. 8).

Tarshish (see Jer. 10:9 n.). This is the beginning of the Second Exodus of Israel and Judah (Chs. 65-66). This final restoration is also covered in Habakkuk (F035) and Haggai (F037).

60:10-11 Having been destroyed by foreigners the New Jerusalem will be built by and aided by foreigners (Jer. 52:13-16; see Rev. 21:24-27). It will take over from all other religious sites.

60:13-14 As it was with David and Solomon (1Kgs. 5:8-10), wood will come from Lebanon (41:19) and wealth and resources from the nations will build the Temple and Holy City (35:1-10; 49:26).

60:15-16 Once forsaken (54:6-7) Zion will be exalted as the City of God. (1:24; Ezek. 16:1-63).

60:17-18 God will bless the nations in bringing superior materials such as gold for bronze and silver for iron. It will be ruled by peace and righteousness. There will be no devastation or destruction and the walls of Zion will be called Salvation and the gates Praise. New Jerusalem will surpass Solomon's City and Temple.

60:19-20 God's Glory will perpetually illumine the city of Righteousness (35:10; Rev. 21:4).

60:21-22 In the divinely restored city God will be glorified. The least of the families shall become clans and the smallest a mighty nation and the One True God will bring it about in its time with the Messiah and the Elect (No. 001) at its head (Zech 12:8).

Chapter 61

¹The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good tidings to the afflicted; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; ²to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; ³to grant to those who mourn in Zion--to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified. ⁴They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. ⁵Aliens shall stand and feed your flocks, foreigners shall be your plowmen and vinedressers; ⁶but you shall be called the priests of the LORD, men shall speak of you as the ministers of our God; you shall eat the wealth of the nations, and in their riches you shall glory. ⁷Instead of your shame you shall have a double portion, instead of dishonor you shall rejoice in your lot; therefore in your land you shall possess a double portion; yours shall be everlasting joy. ⁸For I the LORD love justice, I hate robbery and wrong; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. ⁹Their descendants shall be known among the nations, and their offspring in the midst of the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge them, that they are a people whom the LORD has blessed. ¹⁰I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. ¹¹For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.

Intent of Chapter 61

61:1-11 Mission to and for Zion.

This poem reinforces the Servant Songs of Chs. 42-53 and esp. 50:4-11 (F023xii).

61:1-3 Lk. 4:13-21; comp. Mat.11:5; Lk. 7:22. God sends the prophets to bring encouragement to the exiled and oppressed; the encouragement makes them mighty oaks (60:21; Jer. 17:8).

Spirit The Spirit of the Lord God is upon the Messiah, as prophesied here, and fulfilled in part, in 27-30 CE, and then finally in the Last Days at the Return and the Final Restoration (Chs. 65-66). (see also 42:1; 59:21; Ezek. 2:2).

61:1-2 “Messiah had returned to Galilee from his forty days in the wilderness and in Nazareth had fulfilled this prophecy of God through Isaiah. The text is found in Isaiah 61:1-2 and also a compound from Isaiah 58:6.” (No. 250)

2. Vengeance, better rescue (OARSV n.)

61:4-5 60:10-11.

61:6-7 Priests (Ex. 19:6).

Double Portion for double punishment (40:2).

61:8-9 In Israel, in the Restoration to Zion, all nations will see God's faithfulness and His blessings.

Justice 5:7,16.

Everlasting Covenant 54:9-10.

61:10-11 The prophet rejoices in the salvation of God in Zion, in righteousness (comp. v. 1-3). The Salvation of God springing before all the nations is as certain as its vegetation.

The Seven Days of the Feast (No. 049)

Isaiah 61:11 For as the earth brings forth her bud, and as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so (SHD 3069 changed to Adonai by the Sopherim) Yahovih will cause RIGHTEOUSNESS (SHD 6666) and PRAISE (SHD 8416) to spring forth before all the nations.

“As we are faithful and are blessed so shall Yahovih, the Eternal God, cause righteousness and praise to spring forth. Thus, what we do is critical to the ongoing calling and salvation of the Earth.”

Chapter 62

¹For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until her vindication goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a burning torch. ²The nations shall see your vindication, and all the kings your glory; and you shall be called by a new name which the mouth of the LORD will give. ³You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. ⁴You shall no more be termed Forsaken, and your land shall no more be termed Desolate; but you shall be called My delight is in her, and your land Married; for the LORD delights in you, and your land shall be married. ⁵For as a young man marries a virgin, so shall your sons marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you. ⁶Upon your walls, O Jerusalem, I have set watchmen; all the day and all the night they shall never be silent. You who put the LORD in remembrance, take no rest, ⁷and give him no rest until he establishes Jerusalem and makes it a praise in the earth. ⁸The LORD has sworn by his right hand and by his mighty arm: "I will not again give your grain to be food for your enemies, and foreigners shall not drink your wine for which you have labored; ⁹but those who garner it shall eat it and praise the LORD, and those who gather it shall drink it in the courts of my sanctuary." ¹⁰Go through, go through the gates, prepare the way for the people; build up, build up the highway, clear it of stones, lift up an ensign over the peoples. ¹¹Behold, the LORD has proclaimed to the end of the earth: Say to the daughter of Zion, "Behold, your salvation comes; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him." ¹²And they shall be called The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD; and you shall be called Sought out, a city not forsaken.

Intent of Chapter 62

62:1-12 The Glory of God's People

62:1-3 The prophet continues to utter oracles re the glory of God's people and Zion's vindication. New Name denotes a change in status (1:26; Jer. 33:16; Ezek. 48:35; Note changes in name denote an elevated status in the servants of God (e. g. Abram (exalted father) to Abraham (father of a multitude) (Gen 17:5). The change in status meant an increase in the number and standing of his progeny.

Crown of beauty (28:1-6).

62:4-5 New status – new names and also a new future for the posterity and the relationship with God is established forever.

62:6-9 Watchmen - prophets of 52:8; Ezek. Ch. 33 but in the body of Christ in the Temple. This will be in the restoration at the end of this age now upon us. The certainty of it is underscored by the Lord's oath (vv. 8-9).

Right hand (Ex. 15:6,12).

Mighty arm (40:10; Deut. 7:19).

Foreigners, as the Babylonians, and encroachers, as the Edomites (Ob. 13).

The Seven Days of the Feast (No. 049)

“Isaiah 62:9 requires us to gather the tithes and to PRAISE THE LORD together in the courts of His Holiness.

But they that have gathered it shall eat it and praise the Lord; and they that have brought it together (i.e. extracted it or “brought it out”) shall drink it in the courts of my sanctuary or holiness.

The Companion Bible notes to this verse refer to the Pentateuch in Deuteronomy 14:23,26; 16:11,14 and 12:12. There is a requirement to share the Feast with each other and eat together in the place of pilgrimage. The consumption of alcohol is clearly required at the place of the Feast and is to be shared by all those who are there.”

62:10-12 This text refers to the eschatological hopes of Israel in the Messiah (Chs. 60-62).

10b (49:22).

11b (40:10). Their salvation comes and his reward is with him. He brought the Holy Spirit (No. 117) with him in 30 CE and the Final Restoration we will see in the final section (F023xvi).

Bullinger’s Notes on Chs. 59-62 (for KJV)

Chapter 59

Verse 1

Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos.

hand. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia.

not shortened. Reference to Pentateuch (Numbers 11:23 ). Compare Isaiah 50:2 . The phrase occurs nowhere else in the O.T.

Verse 2

iniquities. Hebrew. 'avah. App-44 . Same word as in verses: Isaiah 59:3 , Isaiah 59:12 . Not the same as in verses: Isaiah 59:6 , Isaiah 59:7 .

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

sins. Hebrew. chata'. App-44 .

have hid His face. Compare Isaiah 45:15 ; Isaiah 54:8 ; Isaiah 57:17 .

Verse 3

defiled. Hebrew. ga'al, to redeem, put for ga'al, to pollute, here, and Ezra 2:62 .Nehemiah 7:64 .Lamentations 4:14 .Daniel 1:8 , Daniel 1:8 . Zephaniah 3:1 .Malachi 1:7 , Malachi 1:12 .

Verse 4

calleth for justice = sueth in righteousness.

for truth = in truth.

trust = confide. Hebrew. b a t a h . App-69 .

vanity = confusion. Hebrew. tohu, as in Genesis 1:2 ("without form"). See note on Isaiah 24:10 .

lies = vanity.

iniquity. Hebrew. 'aven. App-44 . Same word as in verses: Isa 59:59 , Isaiah 59:6 , Isaiah 59:7 . Not the same as in verses: Isaiah 59:2 , Isaiah 59:3 , Isaiah 59:12 .

Verse 5

cockatrice = adders', or vipers'. See note on Isaiah 11:8 .

eggs . . . web. Note the Alternation in verses: Isaiah 5:6 .

weave. See note on Isaiah 19:9 .

viper. Occurs in Isaiah only here, and in the "former" portion (Isaiah 30:6 ). See App-79 .

Verse 7

Their feet = They. Feet being put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part), for the whole person. Quoted in Romans 3:15 , Romans 3:16 .

evil. Hebrew. ra'a'. App-44 .

innocent blood. Reference to Pentateuch. Only here in Isaiah; five times in Deuteronomy (Isaiah 19:10 , Isaiah 19:13 ; Isaiah 19:21 , Isaiah 19:8 , Isaiah 19:9 ).

paths = highways. See note on Isaiah 7:3 .

Verse 8

The way, &c. See Romans 3:17 .

Judgment = righteousness.

Verse 9

justice = righteousness. Same as "judgment", Isaiah 59:8 .

Verse 10

We grope, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 28:29 ). Idea the same, but word different. The word in Deuteronomy is the same as in Genesis 27:12 , Genesis 27:22 ; Genesis 31:34 , Genesis 31:37 . Exodus 10:21 .Job 5:14 ; Job 12:25 . The word in Isaiah occurs nowhere else. App-92 .

night. Hebrew. nesheph. A Homonym, with two meanings: (1) darkness, as here; Job 24:15 .Proverbs 7:9 . 2Ki 7:5 , 2 Kings 7:7 . 2Ki 5:11 ; 2 Kings 21:4 .Jeremiah 13:16 ; (2) daylight, 1 Samuel 30:17 . Job 7:4 .Psalms 119:147 .

Verse 12

transgressions. Hebrew. pasha'. App-44 .

sins. Hebrew. chata'. App-44 . Note that these three words occur together in Leviticus 16:21 .

Verse 15

truth faileth = the truth is found missing,

maketh himself a prey: i.e. is liable to be despoiled, or outlawed. Rashi says, "is considered mad", as Authorized Version margin

Verse 16

arm. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia ( App-6 ). Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), for the power put forth by it.

Verse 17

He put on. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia . Note that all the armour is for defense.

breastplate = a coat of mail.

of vengeance for clothing = of avenging for clothing. Compare Isaiah 61:2 ; Isaiah 63:4 . The Oxf. Gesenius explains it as "of Jehovah as champion of Israel" (p. 528 b).

zeal = jealousy.

Verse 18

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

Verse 19

enemy. Hebrew. tzar, as in Isaiah 59:18 .

like a flood = like the flood: the Nile in its overflow.

Spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .

lift up. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia .

standard: or, banner. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 17:15 ). Hebrew. nasas . App-92 .

Verse 20

the. Redeemer = a Redeemer: i.e. the Messiah. Quoted in Romans 11:26 , Romans 11:27 , showing that the fullness of the Gentiles must be the fullness of the Gentile times.

to = for: i.e. on behalf of. See note on Romans 11:26 .

Verse 21

for ever. This coming deliverance for Israel will be final, and cannot therefore as yet have taken place.

Chapter 60

Verse 1

Arise. Compare Isaiah 51:9 , Isaiah 51:17 , "awake"; Isaiah 52:2 , "awake"; Isaiah 60:1 , "arise"; and contrast the cry to Babylon (Isaiah 47:1 ), "come down, sit in the dust". See App-82 . This refers to the future.

shine. Compare 2 Samuel 23:4 .

thy light: i.e. Israel's glory.

the glory of the LORD. Hebrew. kabod. See Isaiah 4:2 , Isaiah 4:5 ; Isaiah 6:3 ; Isaiah 35:2 ; Isaiah 40:5 ; Isaiah 58:8 ; and Isaiah 60:2 here. Compare Psalms 106:20 . Jeremiah 2:11 .Haggai 2:3 , Haggai 2:7 , Haggai 2:9 .

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

Verse 2

behold. Figure of speech Asterismos , to call attention to the condition of the nations just before Israel's future glory shines forth.

people = peoples.

Verse 3

the Gentiles = nations.

Verse 4

all they, &c. This is still future.

sons . . . daughters. These are not Gentiles therefore, but true Israelites (Jeremiah 31:10 ). Compare Ezekiel 34:11-15 .

nursed, &c. Carried on the shoulders. So Chaldee and Septuagint. See note on Isaiah 49:22 .

Verse 5

flow together: or, according to the Targum and Syriac, "shall be lightened", as in Psalms 34:5 .

fear = praise. Hebrew. pahad. A Homonym, with two meanings: (1) to fear, as in Deuteronomy 28:66 . Job 23:15 ; but (2) to rejoice, here and Hosea 3:5 = praise. See note there.

be enlarged = opened as with joy.

of the sea = of the rich seafaring peoples, for which "sea" is put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct).

converted = turned.

forces = fullness, riches, wealth, or resources. This prophecy looks far beyond the return under Ezra-Nehemiah. See verses: Isaiah 60:12 , Isaiah 60:15 , &c.

Verse 6

The multitude = A stream.

Sheba. Compare Psalms 72:10 . Both descended from Abraham and Keturah.

Verse 7

Kedar. See Isaiah 21:16 , Isaiah 21:17 ; Isaiah 42:11 .

together = out.

the. Some codices, with one early printed edition, Septuagint, and Syriac, read "and the".

Nebaioth. A tribe allied to Kedar, descended from Ishmael (Genesis 25:13 ).

glorify = beautify.

house of My glory = My beautiful house.

Verse 8

Who are these . . . ? Referring probably to the ships whose sails are compared to wings, developed in next verse.

Verse 9

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

shall wait. Compare Isaiah 42:4 ; Isaiah 51:5 .

ships of Tarshish. See note on Isaiah 2:16 .

shall wait. Compare Isaiah 42:4 ; Isaiah 51:5 .

first = in the first place, or rank.

from far. This looks beyond Babylon.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

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

Verse 10

the sons of strangers. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 12:43 .Leviticus 22:25; Leviticus 22:25 ). These were expressly excluded.

strangers = foreigners.

in My wrath. Compare Isaiah 54:8 . Zechariah 1:15 .

Verse 11

thy gates shall be open. Hebrew they shall keep thy gates open. The word "they" is impersonal: i.e. they who are continually bringing the exiles with their riches. Compare the same idiom in Luke 12:20 , "they demand thy soul".

not be shut. These coming times are already being foreshadowed, for this has already been the case for the past few years. This looks beyond the Ezra- Nehemiah period, for see Nehemiah 13:19 .

Verse 12

the nation. shall perish. This is still future.

Verse 13

the. Some codices, with one early printed edition, Septuagint, and Vulgate, read "and the".

the place of My feet: i.e. the Temple. Compare Isaiah 35:2 .Psalms 99:5 ; Psalms 132:7 . Figure of speech Periphrasis .

feet. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia .

Verse 14

afflicted = oppressed. See Isaiah 1:7 , Isaiah 1:8 ; Isaiah 6:12 ; Isaiah 7:16 .

shall come, &c. Not fulfilled yet. Matthew 8:11 refers to this. Compare Malachi 1:11 .

Verse 15

forsaken. The type of the forsaken wife is changed to that of the forsaken Land. See note on Isaiah 1:4 . eternal. This cannot refer to the prosperity of any past period of Israel's history.

of many generations = of generation after generation.

Verse 16

thou shalt know, &c. Reference to Pentateuch. See notes on Isaiah 1:24 ; Isaiah 41:14 , &c.

the LORD am thy Saviour. This constitutes another Jehovah title. Hebrew = Jehovah moshi'ek.

Redeemer. Compare Isaiah 41:14 ; Isaiah 43:14 ; Isaiah 44:6 , Isaiah 44:24 , &c. (ten times in all, in Isaiah. Compare Proverbs 23:11 .

the mighty One of Jacob. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 49:24 ). Compare Isaiah 49:26 . Psalms 132:2-5 . Including the whole natural seed, as well as the spiritual seed of Israel. See notes on Genesis 32:28 ; Genesis 43:6 ; Genesis 45:26 , Gen 45:30 .

Verse 17

For brass. Note the correspondence (by contrast)of this verse with Isaiah 3:24 . Compare also Isaiah 1:23-26 .

thine exactors = thy tax-gatherers. See Luke 3:13 .

righteousness = righteous. The very opposite to what they have been. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), for righteous.

Verse 18

Violence shall, &c. Compare Genesis 6:11 , Genesis 6:13 . Some codices, with three early printed editions, Septuagint, and Syriac, read "So shall violence", &c.

walls. Compare Isaiah 26:1 .

Salvation: or, Victory.

Verse 20

Thy sun . . . go down. These prophecies

mourning. See note on Isaiah 3:26 . yet await

Verse 21

Thy People . . . all righteous. fulfilment.

for ever. This settles the whole question as to any fulfilment in the past.

My planting. Hebrew text has "His planting", but "My plantings" in the margin, with some codices, four early printed editions, Aramaean, Syriac, and Vulgate.

glorified = get Myself glory.

Verse 23

A little one = The little one: i.e. he who has no sons, or few.

his = its. might be glorified.

Chapter 61

Verse 1

The Spirit, &c. Quoted in Luke 4:18 , Luke 4:19 . The speaker id therefore the Messiah.

Spirit. Hebrew ruach. App-9 .

the Lord. Hebrew Adonai Jehovah. See App-4 . Some codices, with two early printed editions, Septuagint, and Vulgate, omit "Adonai".

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

anointed. Matthew 3:17 , with the Divine formula of consecration, "This is My Son", for the office of Prophet; Matthew 17:5 for the office of Priest; Psalms 2:7 and Hebrews 1:5 , for the office of King.

meek = oppressed, or lowly ones.

bind up. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia .

the opening of the prison = an opening of the understanding or heart, instead of prison doors. Occurs only here. Heb, pekah-koah , referring to the opening of the vision.

Verse 2

the acceptable year = the year of acceptance, or jubilee year (Leviticus 25:9 , Leviticus 25:10 ). We may render: - A year of good-pleasure for Jehovah, [But] A day of vengeance for our God.

and the day of vengeance. Compare Isaiah 59:17 ; Isaiah 63:4 . This is a notable example of how to rightly divide "the Word of truth", when we observe that the Messiah, in quoting this prophecy concerning Himself in Luke 4:18 , Luke 4:19 , "closed the book", and did not go on to quote further in Isa 61:20 , because the former part of the prophecy referred to the then present time, and not to the future Dispensation of judgment. The Heb, accent separates these two clauses, indicated by "[But]", above. Note that the vengeance is assigned to a "day", in contrast with "year".

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

mourn. See note on Isaiah 3:26 , and compare Matthew 5:4 .

Verse 3

To appoint = to set (as a permanent, irrevocable thing).

beauty. ashes. Note the emphasis put on this by the Figure of speech Paronomasia . pe'er. 'epher .

beauty = an ornament, or nuptial tiara.

ashes: as put on the head, as a sign of mourning (2 Samuel 13:19 ).

spirit of heaviness = heavy spirit. Hebrew. ruach . App-9 .

trees of righteousness. Reference to Isaiah 60:21 .

He. All is for Jehovah's glory.

Verse 4

build = rebuild. Compare Amos 9:11 , Amos 9:12 .Acts 15:16 .

wastes = deserted (cities).

desolations = places of silence. See note on Isaiah 1:7 .

Verse 5

strangers = foreigners.

the alien = an unknown people.

Verse 6

Be shall be named, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 19:6 ).

the Ministers of our God. Reference to the technical phrase, common in the Law. See Exodus 28:35 .Numbers 16:9 . Deuteronomy 10:8 ; Deuteronomy 17:12 , &c.

the Gentile = nations.

Verse 7

shame . . . double. Note the Alternation:

double = "double [honour]". Not as in Isaiah 40:2 . See note there.

confusion = reproach, or disgrace. everlasting joy. See note on Isaiah 44:7 .

Verse 8

judgment = justice.

I hate robbery, &c. Showing that the sacrificial System was in operation at the time when this prophecy was given.

direct their work = make their recompense.

in truth. See note on Isaiah 10:20 .

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

Verse 9

people = peoples.

Verse 10

soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13

with the robe. A special various reading called Sevir ( App-84 ), with some codices, one early printed edition, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate read "and with a robe". This necessitates conformity with the Hebrew text: "With the garments of salvation will He, &c, And with a robe of righteousness will He", &c.

a = the.

decketh himself, &c. = adorneth himself (with a turban such as worn by priests).

Verse 11

the LORD* GOD = Adonai Jehovah. This is one of the 134 places where the Sopherlm changed "Jehovah" of the primitive text to "Adonai"; but both words have been retained instead of the one : namely, Jehovah.

Chapter 62

Verse 1

For Zion's sake, &c. Not fulfilled, therefore, in the Gospel dispensation: for Zion is still trodden down of the Gentiles (Luke 21:24 ).

I . Here we have Messiah's intercession for Israel. See "B", p. 1007.

rest. Compare verses: Isaiah 62:6 , Isaiah 62:7 .

Verse 2

the Gentiles = nations.

called by a new name. As Abraham was (Genesis 17:5 ), and Jacob (Genesis 32:28 ).

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

name = expressly name, or specify.

Verse 3

crown = bridal crown. Hebrew. 'atarah, as in Isaiah 28:5 . 2 Samuel 12:30 . Song of Solomon 3:11 .

glory = beauty.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

Verse 4

Forsaken. Hebrew. Azubah . From azab . See note on Isaiah 1:4 .

Desolate. Hebrew. Shemamah . See note on Isaiah 1:7 .

Hephzi-bah, which synchronized with this prophecy. See note on 2 Kings 21:1 .

Beulah. Hebrew. Be'ulah = married. See note above. Note the Alternation in this verse.

Verse 5

thy sons marry thee. Note the Figure of speech Catachresis ( App-6 ) . See note on marry, below.

marry = own, or possess. Hebrew. ba'al = to become an owner, or husband of a wife. See Isaiah 62:4 .

Verse 6

day nor night. Hebrew all the day and all the night.

ye that make mention of = ye that remind.

Verse 7

rest = silence, as in Isaiah 62:6 .

Verse 8

sworn. Figure of speech Deesis. App-6 .

right hand . . . arm. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .

I will no more give, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 28:30 , Deuteronomy 28:31 , &c). App-92 .

stranger = foreigner.

wine. Hebrew. tirosh. App-27 .

Verse 9

gathered it = gathered it in. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 20:6 ; Deuteronomy 28:30 ). Compare Jeremiah 31:5 . App-92 .

praise the LORD. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 14:23 , Deuteronomy 14:26 ; Deuteronomy 16:11 , Deuteronomy 16:14 ). See note on "shall not" (Isaiah 13:10 ).

brought it together = gathered it out. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 12:12 ). App-92 .

the courts of My holiness = My holy courts.

Verse 10

the People. In Isaiah 40:3 the way is to be "prepared" for Messiah: here, for His People.

cast up, cast up the highway. Compare Figures of speech Epizeuxis and Polyptoton. App-6 . See note on "highway" (Isaiah 7:3 ).

Verse 11

Behold. Figure of speech. Asterismos . App-6 .

world. Hebrew earth. Hebrew. 'eretz.

work = recompense.

Verse 12

holy. See note on Exodus 3:5 .

Sought out. Hebrew. Derushah.

not forsaken. Hebrew. L'o-Ne'ezabah.

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