The appearance of the Conqueror Cyrus, a proof that Jehovah presides over the destinies of all nations The prophet here touches the soil of contemporary history. Although he is more of a theologian than earlier prophets, he is nevertheless like them an interpreter to Israel of the signs of the time... [ Continue Reading ]
Jehovah calls the heathen nations to a disputation concerning the appearance of Cyrus. _Keep silence before me_ A pregnant constr. in the Heb. = LISTEN IN SILENCE UNTO ME. On _islands_, see on ch. Isaiah 40:15. _renew_their _strength_ The words are somewhat suspicious, as they are repeated from ch... [ Continue Reading ]
_Who_ HATH STIRRED _up … foot_ A much-disputed clause. Two points may be regarded as settled; (1) that the abstract noun _çédeq_cannot be rendered "righteous man" (A.V. following Vulg.); and (2) that it is not to be treated as obj. to "stirred up" (A.V., LXX., Vulg.), but belongs to the second membe... [ Continue Reading ]
The marvellous career of Cyrus is vividly described in highly poetical language. That the reference is to Cyrus (who is first named in ch. Isaiah 44:28) is unquestionable; although the Jewish exegetes (with the exception of Aben Ezra), and even Calvin, follow the Targ. in applying the verses to Abra... [ Continue Reading ]
_by the way … feet_ The easiest and most acceptable rendering is: THE PATH WITH HIS FEET HE DOES NOT TREAD, a picture of the celerity of his movements. Other interpretations, such as: "by a path which he had not gone (before) with his feet," or, "disdaining made roads," or "not returning on his trac... [ Continue Reading ]
The answer. _calling the generations from the beginning_ i.e. guiding the destinies of the nations from the origins of human history. The clause should be connected with what follows: it belongs to the answer, not to the question ("He that calleth"). _I_am _he_ Cf. ch. Isaiah 43:10; Isaiah 43:13; I... [ Continue Reading ]
At the end of the verse LXX. seems to have read "and came together to judgment" (in accordance with Isaiah 41:1).... [ Continue Reading ]
The alarm of the nations leads to the production of fresh images. The view that Isaiah 41:6 form part of ch. Isaiah 40:18-20 has already been mentioned. With regard to the suitability of the verses in their present connexion, opinions differ. While some consider the scene an appropriate sequel to Is... [ Continue Reading ]
_they helped_ i.e. the nations. But if the verse stood originally after Isaiah 40:19, "they" refers to the two classes of workmen there mentioned. EACH HELPS THE OTHER, AND SAYS TO HIS FELLOW, CHEER UP!... [ Continue Reading ]
_the carpenter_ stands here for the same word as WORKMAN in Isaiah 40:19: it denotes an "artificer" either in metal or wood or stone. _he that smootheth_with _the hammer_ probably the man who fits on the golden covering (Isaiah 40:19). The translation _anvil_is doubtful, the Targ. has "him that str... [ Continue Reading ]
Israel is bidden "Fear not," because of its peculiar relation to Jehovah. _But thou, Israel_ In opposition to the other peoples (Isaiah 41:1). Omit "art" with R.V. _my servant_ Cf. Jeremiah 30:10 f., Jeremiah 46:27 f.; Ezekiel 28:25; Ezekiel 37:25, the only older passages (if those in Jeremiah be r... [ Continue Reading ]
_taken_(better, as R.V., TAKEN HOLD OF) _from the ends of the earth_ It is disputed whether the reference is to the call of Abraham, or to the Exodus. It is a little difficult to suppose that Egypt could be described as the "ends of the earth" by a Jew; for although the writer may have lived in Baby... [ Continue Reading ]
_be not dismayed_ lit. "look not round" in terror. _I will strengthen_ The perf. tense used in the original expresses the unalterable determination of the speaker's will; Driver, Tenses, § 13. _the right hand of my righteousness_ Either "my righteous right hand," or, "my right hand of righteousnes... [ Continue Reading ]
Humanly speaking Israel has cause for fear, being surrounded by opponents; but they shall be put to utter confusion. 11F. _incensed_ lit. "inflamed," as in ch. Isaiah 45:24; Song of Solomon 1:6. The precise form occurs only in these passages. _they that strive … them that_ CONTEND … _they that war... [ Continue Reading ]
_will hold … will help_ DO HOLD … DO HELP. For _saying_render: I WHO SAY.... [ Continue Reading ]
Israel itself, in the might of Jehovah, shall be the means of crushing and scattering its foes. The idea, however, is not that of warlike conquest on the part of the Israelites, it is simply that in the contest Israel is as the threshing instrument to the corn, it is armed with an irresistible stren... [ Continue Reading ]
The _threshing instrument_(_môrâg_) is a heavy sledge studded on its under surface with sharp stones or knives, drawn by oxen over the floor. See the Note in Driver's _Joel and Amos_, pp. 227 f. It is not a different implement from the _ḥârûç_of ch. Isaiah 28:27. Indeed this word _ḥârûç_is the one h... [ Continue Reading ]
With great pathos the prophet recalls to mind the miserable condition of Israel in the present, and adapts his glorious promise to their sense of need. He is thus led to a glowing description of the marvels of the desert journey, in which, however, a spiritual meaning is not lost sight of. When _th... [ Continue Reading ]
Cf. ch. Isaiah 30:25. _in high places_ R.V. ON THE BARE HEIGHTS. The word occurs only in ch. Isaiah 49:9 and in Jeremiah (Isaiah 3:2 &c.). In Numbers 23:3 the text is doubtful.... [ Continue Reading ]
The desert itself shall be transformed into a grove of stately and beautiful trees. _I will plant_ Better: I WILL PLACE. The _shittah tree_is the acacia. The _myrtle_is only mentioned in exilic and post-exilic writings; ch. Isaiah 55:13; Zechariah 1:8; Zechariah 1:10 f.; Nehemiah 8:15. _the oil tre... [ Continue Reading ]
The ultimate object of this miracle is the demonstration of the creative power of the true God; see ch. Isaiah 40:5; Isaiah 55:13. The verse seems to shew that the previous description is not _merely_figurative, but that an actual physical transformation of the desert is contemplated. _That they_(m... [ Continue Reading ]
_your strong_reasons] Lit. "your strengths," a military metaphor transferred to controversy; cf. Job 13:12. The related word _-iṣma_is used in the same way in Arabic. _the King of Jacob_ (Cf. ch. Isaiah 43:15; Isaiah 44:6), referring back, perhaps, to Isaiah 41:8 f., the King whose "servant" Jacob... [ Continue Reading ]
The argument of Isaiah 41:1 is resumed, but now the idols (Isaiah 41:23), not their worshippers, are addressed. Foreknowledge is the test of divinity. Can the idols produce any instance whatever of their power to predict, or indeed any proof of life and activity at all?... [ Continue Reading ]
_bring_them _forth and shew_ It is assumed that the "strong arguments" must be predictions. _the former_things] i.e. "things past" (from the standpoint of the speaker) as opposed to things still future (_things to come_). The expression (_hâ-rî"shônôth_) occurs with great frequency in the first par... [ Continue Reading ]
_do good, or do evil_ i.e. "do anything whatever, good or bad" (Jeremiah 10:5; Zephaniah 1:12), give any sign of vitality or intelligence. _that we may be dismayed_ Rather: THAT WE MAY STARE (in astonishment). (The same word in Isaiah 41:10.)... [ Continue Reading ]
The silence of the idols settles the controversy. _of nothing … of nought_ See on ch. Isaiah 40:17. The word _"épha-_here is probably a copyist's error for _"épheṣ_. he that _chooseth you_ your worshipper.... [ Continue Reading ]
_raised up_ Strictly: STIRRED UP (as in Isaiah 41:2) i.e. "impelled into activity" (Driver). _from the north … from the rising of the sun_(cf. Isaiah 41:2)] Scarcely: "from Media (in the north)" and "from Elam (in the east)." The terms are poetic; the north is the region of mystery, and the east th... [ Continue Reading ]
The general argument is now brought to bear on the particular case of the raising up of Cyrus.... [ Continue Reading ]
He is _righteous_ HE IS IN THE RIGHT (cf. Exodus 9:27); or, simply, RIGHT! (cf. ch. Isaiah 43:9), although the adj. is always used of persons, except in Deuteronomy 4:8 (of the divine ordinances).... [ Continue Reading ]
_The first … behold them_ A very perplexing sentence: lit. "A first one to Zion, Behold, behold them!" We may render (nearly as R.V.) (I) FIRST (HAVE SAID) TO ZION, BEHOLD, etc. Or we may supply the verb from the following line, thus: "I first will give to Zion (one saying) Behold," etc.; or "I will... [ Continue Reading ]
_For I beheld, and_there was] Rather as R.V. AND WHEN I LOOK, THERE IS. Cf. Isaiah 50:2 _even amongst them_ Better: AND AMONG THESE, viz., the idols; the previous clause referring to their worshippers. _no counseller_ None who can advise in the present crisis.... [ Continue Reading ]
The last word of the argument. ALL OF THEM (R.V.)] idols and worshippers together. _their works_ are the images of the gods, "the work of men's hands" (parallel to "molten images" below). _confusion_ "nothingness" chaos (see ch. Isaiah 40:17).... [ Continue Reading ]