1._Behold, Jehovah maketh the earth empty. _This prophecy, so far as I can judge, is the conclusion of all the descriptions that have been given from the thirteenth chapter downwards, in which Isaiah foretold destruction not only to the Jews and to Israel, but to the Moabites, Assyrians, Egyptians,... [ Continue Reading ]
2._And it shall be. _By these words he means the utmost desolation, in which there will be no longer any distinction of ranks or any appearance of a commonwealth; for so long as there is a tolerably regular form of government, some distinction continues to be maintained between “the people” and “the... [ Continue Reading ]
3._By emptying shall the earth be emptied. _He confirms what he had already said, and declares that those changes will not be accidental, but that they are the work of God. In the first verse, he had expressly stated that God is making preparations for emptying the earth: he now asserts that it will... [ Continue Reading ]
4._The earth hath lamented. _Isaiah proceeds with his subject; for all this tends to explain the desolation of the whole world, that is, of the world which was known to the Jews. According to his custom, he illustrates the judgment of God more clearly by figures, which are fitted to produce an effec... [ Continue Reading ]
5._And the earth was deceitful. _(123) Others render it “defiled” or “polluted,” because כנף (_chānăph_) means “to be wicked.” Both renderings may be appropriate; but the next verse appears to demand that we explain it to mean _false_; for he appears to illustrate and exhibit it more fully immediate... [ Continue Reading ]
6._Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth. _Some render it _perjury_, (124) but as אלה (ā_lāh_) signifies also a “curse,” I have no doubt that here he employs it to denote a “curse,” and alludes to those curses which Moses in the law threatens against wicked men and transgressors of the law, (L... [ Continue Reading ]
7._The wine hath failed. _The same subject is continued, and the Prophet threatens chiefly against the Jews the desolation of the land. He gives a long description in order to affect them more deeply, and impress them with a conviction of the judgment of God. Their luxury, intemperance, and feasting... [ Continue Reading ]
9._They shall not drink wine with a song. _To drink wine is not in itself evil, because God has appointed it for the use of man; but here the Prophet describes the banquets of drunkards, which were full of licentiousness, songs, and insolence. Again, because they abused their enjoyment of plenty, he... [ Continue Reading ]
10._The city of _(126) _vanity is broken down. _I do not object to viewing this as relating especially to the desolation of Jerusalem. Yet it may be gathered from the context that it applies also to other cities; for shortly afterwards he uses the plural number in summoning the nations to appear bef... [ Continue Reading ]
11._There is a cry about wine. _He means, that there will be a scarcity of wine; for where want or hunger is found, it is accompanied by unceasing complaints, not only in private, but “in the streets” and public places. He therefore points out those doleful sounds and complaints, but, at the same ti... [ Continue Reading ]
12._In the city is left desolation. _By an elegant mode of expression he describes the desolation of Jerusalem or of many other cities. The ornament and perfection of cities consists of men; and therefore, when their inhabitants have been removed, cities are said to be deserted. The Prophet says iro... [ Continue Reading ]
13._For it shall be in the midst of the land. _As this statement is inserted between the threatenings and the consolation, the Prophet appears to address the chosen people, and not all the nations indiscriminately; if we do not rather say that he describes the dispersion, by which the Jews were divi... [ Continue Reading ]
14._They shall lift up their voice. _He follows out and increases the consolations which he had briefly sketched; for, having formerly (Isaiah 10:19) said that, out of that vast multitude, a few drops would be left, which would nevertheless overflow the whole world, in like manner he now says, that... [ Continue Reading ]
15._Wherefore glorify Jehovah in the valleys. _(127) God’s benefits ought to excite us to gratitude, and we testify it by singing his praises. “What return shall we make,” as David says, “for all the benefits which he has bestowed on us, but to take the cup of thanksgiving for salvation, and call on... [ Continue Reading ]
16._From the uttermost part _(128) _of the earth. _This verse contains two statements which have some appearance of being at variance with each other. It begins with a joyful description of the praises of God, and next passes on to complaints and lamentations, in which he bewails the treachery of tr... [ Continue Reading ]
17_Fear, and the pit, and the snare. _The Prophet here discourses against the sins of the people. Formerly he declared that not only one nation, but very many and very distant nations, would have abundant grounds of thanksgiving. He now passes to another doctrine; for I think that these words ought... [ Continue Reading ]
19._By breaking down is the earth broken down. _He heightens his description of punishments by using various modes of expression. A little afterwards he will point out the cause of this “shaking,” which is, that men by their sins had drawn down on themselves such destruction. He now declares that th... [ Continue Reading ]
20._And shall be removed like a tent. _This does not mean that any change will take place in the position of the earth; but these words, as we have already said, must be referred to men; as if he had said, that there would be no kingly power and no regular government. In short, he intended to descri... [ Continue Reading ]
21._And it shall come to pass. _This passage has tortured the minds of many commentators, and various interpretations have been offered by various writers. Some think that this relates to the sun and the stars, and others, that it relates to the devils, who will be punished along with the wicked. Ot... [ Continue Reading ]
22._And they shall be gathered together, and shall be shut up in prison. _He continues his subject in the beginning of the verse. The mode of expression is metaphorical; for they were not all captives, but God reduced them to servitude, as if a man held in his hand the enemies whom he subdued. He th... [ Continue Reading ]
23._The moon shall be confounded. _Many commentators think that the Prophet waxes still more wroth against the Jews, so far as to say, that the sun and moon and stars are ashamed of their unbelief, and that not only men, but creatures devoid of speech, will abhor them; but this appears to be far rem... [ Continue Reading ]