1._Wo to thee that spoilest. _If these words shall be expounded as relating to the Babylonians, the strain will flow easily enough; for, after having promised freedom to the prisoners, (Isaiah 32:15,) he now appropriately taunts the conquerors. Besides, they needed to be peculiarly confirmed, that t... [ Continue Reading ]
2._O Jehovah, have pity upon us. _This sentiment was added by the Prophet, in order to remind the godly where they ought to go amidst such distresses, even when they shall appear to be deprived of all hope of safety; that they ought to betake themselves to prayer, to supplicate from God the fulfillm... [ Continue Reading ]
3._At the voice of the tumult the peoples fled. _He now returns to the former doctrine, or rather he continues it, after having inserted a short exclamation. He had already shewn that the Assyrians would be defeated, though they appeared to be out of the reach of all danger; and now he bids the Jews... [ Continue Reading ]
4._And your prey shall be gathered. _Here he addresses the Assyrians, if it be not thought preferable to refer it to the Jews, and to take the word “prey” in an active sense. But the former opinion is more_appropriate; _and this sudden turn of direct address imparts great vehemence to the prediction... [ Continue Reading ]
5_Jehovah is exalted. _He explains more fully what we briefly noticed a little before, about the exaltation of God, and follows out the subject which we formerly mentioned, that the destruction of a monarchy so powerful will make it evident how highly God values the salvation of his Church, for whos... [ Continue Reading ]
6._And the stability of thy times shall be. _He promises that the state of the kingdom under the reign of Hezekiah will yet be happy and prosperous, especially when he contrasts it with the wretched, destructive, and ruinous aspect which it exhibited under the reign of Ahaz; for, although the enemy... [ Continue Reading ]
7._Behold, their messengers _(7) _shall cry without. _It is difficult to determine whether Isaiah relates historically the fearful perplexity and imminent danger to which the Jews were reduced, in order to exhibit more strikingly the favor of deliverance, or predicted_a _future calamity, that the he... [ Continue Reading ]
8._The roads are deserted. _He now adds, that “the roads” will be shut up, so that no one shall go in or out; which commonly happens when war has been declared. The Prophet appears to represent the ambassadors as declaring that henceforth there will be no opportunity of carrying on merchandise, and... [ Continue Reading ]
9._The earth hath mourned and languished. _Here he describes more fully how wretched and desperate the Jews would perceive their condition to be, that their confidence might nevertheless come forth out of a deep gulf. The places are also specified by him, _Lebanon, Bashan, _and _Carmel, _which are w... [ Continue Reading ]
10._Now will I rise. _There is great force in the particle _now, _and likewise in the repetition which is added, “I shall be exalted, I shall be lifted up on high.” We ought to observe the time to which these statements relate, that is, when the Church appeared to be utterly ruined; for God declares... [ Continue Reading ]
11.Ye _shall conceive chaff. _He now addresses his discourse to the enemies of the Church, whose insolence, he says, is foolish and to no purpose; for when God shall have brilliantly displayed his power, they shall know that their efforts will be fruitless, and that they will accomplish nothing, eve... [ Continue Reading ]
12._And the peoples shall be the burnings of lime. _He compares them to “the burning of lime,” because their hardness shall be bruised, as fire softens the stones, so that they shall easily be reduced to powder; and, undoubtedly, the more powerfully wicked men are inflamed with a desire to commit in... [ Continue Reading ]
13._Near, ye that are far off. _Isaiah here makes a preface, as if he were about to speak on a very weighty subject; for he bids his hearers be attentive, which is commonly done when any important and remarkable subject is handled. He addresses both _those who are near, _who would be eyewitnesses of... [ Continue Reading ]
14._The sinners in Zion are afraid. _But some one might object that the subject here treated is not so important as to need that lofty preface intended to arouse the whole world. Was it a matter of so great importance that wicked men were struck with fear? But by an attentive examination it will be... [ Continue Reading ]
15._He that walketh in righeousness. _Now, therefore, he explains more fully what we briefly remarked a little before, that they who provoke his anger, and thus drive away from them his forbearance, have no right to complain that God is excessively severe. Thus he convinces them of their guilt and e... [ Continue Reading ]
16._He shall dwell in high places. _That the Jews may know that the chastisements which God had inflicted on them were righteous, and may endeavor to be restored to his favor, he says that his blessing is ready to be bestowed on good and upright men, such as he described in the former verse, and tha... [ Continue Reading ]
17._The king in his beauty. _Although the Prophet changes the person, yet this verse must be connected with the preceding verse; for he addresses the sincere worshippers of God, to whom he promises this additional blessing, _Thou shalt see the king in his beauty _This promise was highly necessary fo... [ Continue Reading ]
18._Thy heart shall meditate terror. _Believers are again informed what calamities are at hand, lest, by being suddenly overtaken with such heavy afflictions, they should sink under them. יהגה _(yehgeh) _is translated by some in the preterite, “meditated,” and by others in the future, “shall meditat... [ Continue Reading ]
19._Thou shaft not see a fierce people. _The word נועז _(nognaz) _is translated by some “strong,” and by others “impudent;” but, undoubtedly, he intends to express the fierceness of the Assyrians, which he afterwards affirms by saying that they would have no intercourse with them, because they spoke... [ Continue Reading ]
20._Behold Zion. _Some read it in the vocative case, “Behold, O Zion;” but it is preferable to read it in the accusative case. He brings forward a promise of the restoration of the Church, which ought to have great weight with all godly persons; for when the Church shakes or falls, there can be no h... [ Continue Reading ]
21._Because there the mighty Jehovah will be to us. _The two particles כי ים (ki im) often serve the place of a double affirmative, but here a reason is assigned, and they might even be appropriately rendered, _For if; _but I willingly retain what is more clear. The Prophet assigns the reason why th... [ Continue Reading ]
22._For Jehovah is our judge. _The Prophet now explains the manner in which God dwells in the Church. It is, that he is there worshipped and acknowledged as _Judege, Lawgiver, _and _King; _for they who obey God and yield subjection to him as their King, shall know by experience that he is the guardi... [ Continue Reading ]
23._Thy cords were loosed. _He directs his discourse to the Assyrians, in whose person he likewise addresses all the enemies of the Church. After having promised to the Church such stability as shall never be disturbed, he rebukes the foolish confidence with which ungodly men are puffed up; as if th... [ Continue Reading ]
24._And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick. _The Prophet again returns to the Church; for the destruction which he threatened against the Assyrians tended also to the consolation of the godly, since the safety of the Church could not be maintained unless the Lord granted his protection against... [ Continue Reading ]