1._And Jehovah said to me. _(117) This prophecy contains nothing new, but is a confirmation of the preceding one, in which Isaiah predicted the approaching desolation of the kingdom of Israel and Syria. He had foretold that both countries would be deprived of their kings, before the children who sho... [ Continue Reading ]
2._And I took into me witnesses. _The noun עדים, (_gnedim_,) and the verb אעיד, (_agnid_,) which the Prophet employs, are derived from the same root, and the allusion is elegant, as if we were to say, “I have called-to-witness witnesses.” (121) As this was a matter of great importance, he therefore... [ Continue Reading ]
3._And I approached to the prophetess. _What follows happened to the Prophet, I have no doubt, by a vision, for the purpose of sealing the former prediction. The vision given to Isaiah was, that he had a child by his wife, and was enjoined to give him this name. There would, indeed, be no absurdity... [ Continue Reading ]
4._Truly before the child have knowledge to cry. _This is an interpretation both of the dark saying and of the vision which was added to it; for although God did not intend to speak in direct language, still it was proper that obscurity should be removed. I interpret הנער, (_hannagnar_,) _the child_... [ Continue Reading ]
6._Because this people hath despised (or, disdained _(124)) _the waters of Shiloah _That Ahaz may not slumber in unfounded expectation, the Prophet all at once breaks off his discourse about the general safety of the godly, and next threatens punishment on unbelievers. Some think that he speaks agai... [ Continue Reading ]
7._Therefore, behold. _He speaks in the present tense, that all may attend more closely: _Behold, the _Lord_bringeth violent waters_. We must attend to the metaphors which the Prophet employs, for the style is much more elegant than if it had been naked and unadorned. “It is as if he had said, Becau... [ Continue Reading ]
8._And crossing over into Judah _The verb חלפ, (_chalaph_,) which sometimes signifies _to pass through_, here means to _attack _and _cut off_: that is, it will not only water Judea, but will overflow it, so as utterly to drown it; for it will spread far and wide on every part. He adds — _Even to th... [ Continue Reading ]
9._Associate yourselves. _The verb רעו, (_rognu_,) whether it be derived from רוע (_ruang_) or from רעה, (_ragnah_,) signifies _to bruise_. But as רעה (_ragnah_) signifies _to associate_, some prefer taking it in this sense, which certainly agrees better with the scope and argument of the Prophet. S... [ Continue Reading ]
10._Take counsel. _After having spoken of the forces of the enemies, he now comes to their _counsels_; as if he had said, “Although the enemies may abound not only in armor and in strength, but, in _counsel _and wisdom, still they will accomplish nothing.” And this warning was very necessary; for it... [ Continue Reading ]
11._For thus Jehovah spake to me. _Here the Prophet contends against another kind of temptations, that is, against the unbelief of the people; and in order to make that more manifest, it ought to be observed that there were two remarkable temptations, the one external, and the other internal. The ex... [ Continue Reading ]
12._Say not, a conspiracy. _First, we must consider what was the condition of that people, for they saw that they were not provided with numerous forces, and were not able to contend in battle against such powerful enemies. They longed for outward assistance, and eagerly desired to obtain it, for th... [ Continue Reading ]
13._Sanctify Jehovah of hosts himself. _We have said that the reason why dangers lead to immoderate alarm is, that wretched men do not raise their eyes and minds to heaven. The Prophet now, therefore, proposes a suitable remedy for allaying terrors, that they who dread the evils which threaten them... [ Continue Reading ]
14._And he shall be for a sanctuary. _He promises that the true worshippers of God will enjoy tranquillity of mind, because the Lord, covering them, as it were, under his wings, will quickly dispel all their fears. There is an allusion to the word _sanctify _which he had lately used; for the word מק... [ Continue Reading ]
15._And many among them shall stumble. _He goes on to threaten the ungodly, as he had formerly begun, and declares that those who refuse to trust in God will not escape without being punished. The threatening runs thus: “when they have _stumbled_, they will then _fall_, and afterwards they will _be... [ Continue Reading ]
16._Bind up the testimony. _The Lord now turns his discourse to the Prophet, and encourages him, while he must contend against apostates and rebels, to discharge his office with boldness and perseverance. This was highly necessary, for Isaiah had met with great obstinacy in the people; so that if he... [ Continue Reading ]
17._Therefore I will wait for the Lord. _(132) I have chosen to render the particle ו (_vau_) by _therefore_; for the Prophet recovers himself, after having received from the Lord the consolation which we have just now seen. “Seeing that the Lord is pleased to have disciples to whom his doctrine is... [ Continue Reading ]
18._Behold, I. _Here the Prophet not only testifies that he will wait patiently, but also gives an evidence of courage, by appearing in public along with the disciples whom he had gained to God, and who still remained. As if he had said, “Though others may withdraw, yet I am ready to obey thee, and... [ Continue Reading ]
19._And when they shall say to you. _Isaiah continues the former subject, which is, that all the godly should not only use the authority of God as a shield, but should fortify themselves with it as a brazen wall, to contend against all ungodliness. He therefore entreats them to resist courageously i... [ Continue Reading ]
20._To the law and testimony. _There are indeed various ways of explaining this passage. Some think that it is the form of an oath, as if the Prophet were swearing _by the law _that they were apostates, and would entice others to a similar apostasy. But I take a different view of it, which is, that... [ Continue Reading ]
21._Then they shall pass through that land. _Not to permit believers to be ensnared by the common errors, he adds how dreadful is the punishment which awaits the ungodly when they have revolted from God, and have labored to induce others to join in the same revolt. The passage is somewhat obscure; b... [ Continue Reading ]
22._And when they shall look to the earth. _The meaning will then be, that the Jews will be converted to God, because they will be deprived of every assistance on _the earth_, and will see nothing but frightful calamities, to whatever side they turn their eyes. _Behold, trouble and darkness. _These... [ Continue Reading ]