Analysis of Isaiah 2, Isaiah 3, and Isaiah 4 The prophecy in this and the two following chapters, constitutes one continued discourse. At what time it was delivered is not known, and cannot be ascertained by the prophecy itself. Dr. Lowth supposes it was in the time of Jotham, or Uzziah, and this op... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WORD - This indicates that this is the commencement of a new prophecy. It has no immediate connection with the preceding. It was delivered doubtless at a different time, and with reference to a different class of events. In the previous chapter the term “vision” is used Isaiah 2:1, but the meani... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE LAST DAYS - הימים באחרית _b__e__'achărı̂yth_ _hāyâmı̂ym_. In the “after” days; in the “futurity” of days; that is, in the time to come. This is an expression that often occurs in the Old Testament. It does not of itself refer to any “particular” period, and especially not, as our translati... [ Continue Reading ]
AND MANY PEOPLE SHALL GO - This denotes a prevalent “desire” to turn to the true God, and embrace the true religion. It is remarkable that it speaks of an inclination among them to “seek” God, as if they were satisfied of the folly and danger of their ways, and felt the necessity of obtaining a bett... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SHALL JUDGE - Or he shall exercise the office of a judge, or umpire. This “literally” refers to the God of Jacob Isaiah 2:3, though it is clear that the meaning is, that he will do it by the Messiah, or under his reign. One office of a judge is to decide controversies; to put an end to litiga... [ Continue Reading ]
O HOUSE OF JACOB - This is a direct address, or exhortation, of the prophet to the Jews. It is made in view of the fact that God had gracious purposes toward them. He intended to distinguish them by making them the source of blessings to all nations. As this was to be their high destiny, he exhorts... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE - The prophet proceeds in this and the following verses, to state the reasons of their calamities, and of the judgments that had come upon them. Those judgments he traces to the crimes which he enumerates - crimes growing chiefly out of great commercial prosperity, producing pride, luxury,... [ Continue Reading ]
THEIR LAND ALSO IS FULL OF SILVER AND GOLD - This “gold” was brought chiefly from Ophir. Solomon imported vast quantities of silver and gold from foreign places; 2Ch 8:18; 2 Chronicles 9:10; 1 Chronicles 29:4; compare Job 28:16; 1 Kings 10:21, 1Ki 10:27; 2 Chronicles 9:20. ‘And the king made silver... [ Continue Reading ]
THEIR LAND ALSO IS FULL OF IDOLS - compare Hosea 8:4; Hosea 10:1. Vitringa supposes that Isaiah here refers to idols that were kept in private houses, as Uzziah and Jotham were worshippers of the true God, and in their reign idolatry was not publicly practiced. It is certain, however, that though Uz... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE MEAN MAN - That is, the man in humble life, the poor, the low in rank - for this is all that the Hebrew word here - אדם _'âdâm_ - implies. The distinction between the two words here used - אדם _'âdâm_ as denoting a man of humble rank, and אישׁ _'ı̂ysh_ as denoting one of elevated rank -... [ Continue Reading ]
ENTER INTO THE ROCK - That is, into the “holes or caverns” in the rocks, as a place of refuge and safety; compare Isaiah 2:19, and Revelation 6:15. In times of invasion by an enemy, it was natural to flee to the fastnesses or to the caverns of rocks for refuge. This expression is highly figurative a... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LOFTY LOOKS - Hebrew ‘The eyes of pride,’ that is, the proud eyes or looks. Pride commonly evinces itself in a lofty carriage and supercilious aspect; Psalms 18:27. SHALL BE HUMBLED - By the calamities that shall sweep over the land. This does not mean that he shall be brought “to be” humble, o... [ Continue Reading ]
THE DAY ... - This expression evidently denotes that the Lord would inflict severe punishment upon every one that was lofty. Such a severe infliction is called “the day of the Lord of hosts,” because it would be a time when “he” would particularly manifest himself, and when “he” would be recognized... [ Continue Reading ]
AND UPON ALL THE CEDARS OF LEBANON - This is a beautiful specimen of the poetic manner of writing, so common among the Hebrews, where spiritual and moral subjects are represented by grand or beautiful imagery taken from objects of nature. Mount Lebanon bounded Palestine on the north. It was formerly... [ Continue Reading ]
AND UPON ALL THE HIGH MOUNTAINS - Judea abounded in lofty mountains, which added much to the grandeur of its natural scenery. Lowth supposes that by mountains and hills are meant here, ‘kingdoms, republics, states, cities;’ but there are probably no parallel places where they have this meaning. The... [ Continue Reading ]
EVERY HIGH TOWER - Towers, or fortresses, were erected for defense and protection. They were made on the walls of cities, for places of observation (compare the note at Isaiah 21:5), or in places of strength, to be a refuge for an army, and to be a point from which they might sally out to attack the... [ Continue Reading ]
AND UPON ALL THE SHIPS OF TARSHISH - Ships of Tarshish are often mentioned in the Old Testament, but the meaning of the expression is not quite obvious; see 1Ki 10:22; 2 Chronicles 9:21; 2 Chronicles 20:36; Psalms 48:7, ... It is evident that “Tarshish” was some distant land from which was imported... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE LOFTINESS ... - see the note at Isaiah 2:11. The repetition of this makes it strongly emphatic.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE IDOLS - Note, Isaiah 2:8. ABOLISH - Hebrew, ‘Cause to pass away or disappear.’ He shall entirely cause their worship to cease. This prediction was most remarkably fulfilled. Before the captivity at Babylon, the Jews were exceedingly prone to idolatry. It is a remarkable fact that no such pr... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY SHALL GO - That is, the worshippers of idols. INTO THE HOLES OF THE ROCKS - Judea was a mountainous country, and the mountains abounded with caves that offered a safe retreat for those who were in danger. Many of those caverns were very spacious. At En-gedi, in particular, a cave is mention... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THAT DAY - That is, in the time when God would come forth to inflict punishment. Probably the day to which the prophet refers here was the time of the captivity at Babylon. A MAN SHALL CAST ... - That is, “all” who have idols, or who have been trusting in them. Valuable as they may be - made of... [ Continue Reading ]
TO GO - That is, that he may go. CLEFTS OF THE ROCKS - see the note at Isaiah 2:19. INTO THE TOPS ... - The tops of such rocks were not easily accessible, and were, therefore, deemed places of safety. We may remark here, how vain were the refuges to which they would resort - as if they were safe fr... [ Continue Reading ]
CEASE YE FROM MAN - That is, cease to confide in or trust in him. The prophet had just said Isaiah 2:11, Isaiah 2:17 that the proud and lofty people would be brought low; that is, the kings, princes, and nobles would be humbled. They in whom the people had been accustomed to confide should show thei... [ Continue Reading ]