1.This appears to be another discourse, in which Isaiah threatens the city of Jerusalem. He calls it “Altar,” (251) because the chief defense of the city was in the “Altar;” (252) for although the citizens relied on other bulwarks, of which they had great abundance, still they placed more reliance o... [ Continue Reading ]
2._But I will bring Ariel into distress_. I think that ו (_vau_) should here be taken for a disjunctive conjunction: “And yet I will execute my judgments and take vengeance, though, by delaying them for a time, it may seem as if I had forgiven.” He next threatens that he will give them _grief _and _... [ Continue Reading ]
3._And I will camp against thee round about. _By the word כדור (_kāddūr_) (257) he alludes to the roundness of a ball; and the expression corresponds to one commonly used, (“Je l’environneray,”) “I shall surround it.” Thus he shews that all means of escape will be cut off. _And will lay siege agains... [ Continue Reading ]
4._Then shalt thou be laid low. _He describes scornfully that arrogance which led the Jews to despise all threatenings and admonitions, so long as they enjoyed prosperity, as is customary with all hypocrites. He says therefore, that, when their pride has been laid aside, they will afterwards be more... [ Continue Reading ]
5._And as the small dust. _(260) I shall first state the opinions of others, and afterwards I shall bring forward what I consider to be more probable. Almost all the commentators think that this expression denotes the enemies of the Jews; for they consider “foreigners” to mean “enemies,” and allege... [ Continue Reading ]
6._From Jehovah of hosts shalt thou be visited. _He next assigns the reason why all this multitude of garrisons shall be “like chaff;” and he expresses this by an opposite metaphor, for with those soldiers he contrasts the anger and “visitation of the Lord.” What is “chaff” to the flame of “a devour... [ Continue Reading ]
7._As a dream of a night-vision. _This verse also I interpret differently from others; for they think that the Prophet intended to bring consolation to the godly. There is undoubtedly great plausibility in this view, and it contains an excellent doctrine, namely, that the enemies of the Church resem... [ Continue Reading ]
8._It shall be therefore as when a hungry man dreameth. _He compares the Jews to “hungry men,” who are indeed asleep, but whose empty stomach craves for food; for it is natural for men to dream about food and entertainments when they are in want of them. Thus, while the Jews watched, they were like... [ Continue Reading ]
9._Tarry and wonder. _Isaiah follows out the same subject, and attacks more keenly the gross stupidity of the people. Instead of “tarry,” some render the term, “Be amazed;” but the view which I prefer may be thus expressed: “Though they dwell much and long on this thought, yet it will end in nothing... [ Continue Reading ]
10._Because Jehovah hath overpowered you with the spirit of slumber. _For the purpose of shewing more clearly the source of this blindness, he attributes it to the judgment of God, who determined to punish in this manner the wickedness of the people. As it belongs to him to give eyes to see, and to... [ Continue Reading ]
11._Therefore every vision hath become to you. _The Prophet expresses still more clearly what he had formerly said, that the blindness of the Jews will be so great that, though the Lord enlightens them by the clearest light of his word, they will understand nothing. Nor does he mean that this will h... [ Continue Reading ]
13._Therefore the Lord saith. _The Prophet shews that the Lord, in acting with such severity towards his people, will proceed on the most righteous grounds; though it was a severe and dreadful chastisement that their minds should be stupefied by the hand of God. (270) Now, since men are so fool-hard... [ Continue Reading ]
14._Therefore, behold, I add to do. _(274) He threatens that he will punish by blinding not only the ignorant or the ordinary ranks, but those wise men who were held in admiration by the people. From this vengeance we may easily learn how hateful a vice hypocrisy is, and how greatly it is abhorred b... [ Continue Reading ]
15._Woe to them that conceal themselves from Jehovah. _The Prophet again exclaims against those wicked and profane despisers of God, whom he formerly called לצים, (_lētzīm_,) “scorners,” who think that they have no other way of being wise than to be skilful in mocking God. They regard religion as fo... [ Continue Reading ]
16._Is your turning reckoned like potter’s clay! _There are various ways of explaining this verse, and, indeed, there is some difficulty on account of the two particles, אם (ĭ_m_) and כי (_kī_). אם (ĭ_m_) is often used in putting a question, and sometimes in making an affirmation; and therefore some... [ Continue Reading ]
17._Is it not yet a little while? _The Lord now declares that he will make those wicked men to know who they are; as if he had said, “You are now asleep in your pride, but I shall speedily awake you.” Men indulge themselves, till they feel the powerful hand of God; and therefore the Prophet threaten... [ Continue Reading ]
18._And in that day shall the deaf hear. _He promises that the Church of God, as we have said, shall still be preserved amidst those calamities. Though the world be shaken by innumerable tempests, and tossed up and down, and though heaven and earth shall mingle, yet the Lord will preserve the multit... [ Continue Reading ]
19._Then shall the humble again take joy in Jehovah. _Such is my translation of this passage, while others render it, “They shall add,” or “continue to rejoice;” for the Prophet describes not a “joy” which is continued but rather a “joy” which is new. As if he had said, “Though they are now distress... [ Continue Reading ]
20._For the violent man is brought to nought. _He states more clearly what we have already mentioned in the former verse, namely, that the restoration of the Church consists in this, that the Lord raises up those who are cast down, and has compassion on the poor. But that purification of the Church,... [ Continue Reading ]
21._That make a man an offender for a word. _We have formerly stated who were the persons with whom the Prophet had to do, namely, with hypocrites and profane scorners, who set at nought all the reproofs and threatenings of the Prophets, and who wished to frame a God according to their own fancy. Su... [ Continue Reading ]
22._Therefore thus saith Jehovah. _This is the conclusion of the former statement; for he comforts the people, that they may not despair in that wretched and miserable condition to which they shall be reduced. We ought to observe the time to which those things must relate, that is, when the people h... [ Continue Reading ]
23._Because, when he shall see his children. _The particle כי (_kī_) is here used in its natural and original meaning of _for _or _because_. The Prophet assigns the reason why the disgrace of Israel shall be taken away. It is, because he will have children, and those who were thought to have perishe... [ Continue Reading ]
24._Then shall the erring in spirit learn wisdom. _He again repeats that promise which he formerly noticed briefly; for so long as the understandings of men shall be struck with ignorance and blindness, even though they enjoy abundance of every kind of blessings, yet they are always surrounded and b... [ Continue Reading ]