FOR - This is a continuation of the previous chapter. The same
prophecy is continued, and the force of the argument of the prophet
will not be seen unless the chapters are read together; see the
Analysis prefixed to Isaiah 2. In the close of the second chapter
Isaiah 2:22, the prophet had cautioned... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MIGHTY MAN - The hero, The idea expressed is not simply that of
personal strength and prowess, but the higher one of military eminence
or heroism. “Prof. Alexander.” This was fully accomplished in the
time of Nebuchadnezzar; 2 Kings 24:14.
AND THE PRUDENT - This word in the original - קסם _qosē... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CAPTAIN OF FIFTY - By this was probably denoted an officer in the
army. The idea is, that the commanders of the various divisions of the
army should be taken away.
THE HONOURABLE MAN - Hebrew פנים נשׂוּא _nes'û'_
_pânı̂ym_. “The man of elevated countenance.” That is, the man
high in office. H... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I WILL GIVE CHILDREN - Not children in respect to age so much as
in regard to talent for governing. I will commit the land to the
government of weak and imbecile princes. This would naturally occur
when the wise and great were removed; compare Ecclesiastes 10:16 :
‘Wo to thee, O land, when thy k... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE PEOPLE SHALL BE OPPRESSED - This describes the state of
anarchy and confusion which would exist under the reign of children
and babes Isaiah 3:4, when all law would be powerless, and all rights
violated, and when the feeble would be oppressed and borne down by the
strong. The word used here,... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN A MAN SHALL TAKE HOLD ... - In this verse, and the following
verses, the prophet continues to describe the calamitous and ruined
state that would come upon the Jews; when there would be such a want
of wealth and people, that they would seize upon anyone that they
thought able to defend them. Th... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THAT DAY SHALL HE SWEAR - Hebrew, ישׁא _yı̂shā'_ ‘Shall
he lift up’ - that is, the voice, or the hand. To lift up the hand
was one of the modes of taking an oath. Perhaps it means only that he
should lift up “the voice” - that is, “should answer;” compare
Numbers 14:1. The Vulgate, the Septuagin... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR JERUSALEM ... - The prophet proceeds to show the cause of this
state of things. ‘These are the words of the prophet, and not of him
who was chosen leader.’ - “Jerome.”
IS RUINED - It would be so ruined, and the prospect of preserving it
would be so completely taken away, that no one could be in... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SHOW OF THEIR COUNTENANCE - The word rendered “the show” is
probably derived from a word signifying “to know,” or “to
recognize,” and here denotes “impudence” or “pride.”
Septuagint, ‘The shame of their face.’
DOTH WITNESS AGAINST THEM - “Answers” to them; or “responds”
to them (ענתה _‛__ân__e... [ Continue Reading ]
SAY YE TO THE RIGHTEOUS - The meaning of this verse and the following
is sufficiently plain, though expositors have given some variety of
interpretation. They declare a great principle of the divine
administration similar to what is stated in Isaiah 1:19. Lowth reads
it, ‘Pronounce ye a blessing on... [ Continue Reading ]
WO UNTO THE WICKED - To all the wicked - but here having particular
reference to the Jews whom Isaiah was addressing.
IT SHALL BE ILL WITH HIM - The word “ill” is the only word here in
the original. It is an emphatic mode of speaking - expressing deep
abhorrence and suddenness of denunciation. ‘Woe... [ Continue Reading ]
AS FOR MY PEOPLE, CHILDREN ARE THEIR OPPRESSORS - This refers,
doubtless, to their civil rulers. They who “ought” to have been
their “protectors,” oppressed them by grievous taxes and burdens.
But whether this means that the rulers of the people were
“literally” minors, or that they were so in “disp... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD STANDETH UP - To “stand up” may mean the same as to
“arise.” God would not sit in silence and see their wicked
conduct; but he would come forth to inflict on them exemplary and
deserved chastisement.
TO PLEAD - To “litigate,” to contend with, that is, to condemn, to
inflict punishment.... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH THE ANCIENTS ... - With the old men, the counselors.
YE HAVE EATEN UP THE VINEYARD - Hebrew ‘Ye have burnt up’ - that
is, you have oonsumed or destroyed it. By the vineyard is represented
the Jewish republic or people; Psalms 80:9; compare the notes at
Isaiah 5:1. The princes and rulers had, b... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT MEAN YE - What is your object? Or, What advantage is it to you?
Or, By what right or pretence do you do this?
BEAT MY PEOPLE TO PIECES - That is, that you trample on them; or
cruelly oppress them; Psalms 94:5.
AND GRIND THE FACES OF THE POOR - This is an expression also denoting
great oppressi... [ Continue Reading ]
MOREOVER, THE LORD SAITH - In the previous parts of this prophecy, the
prophet had rebuked the princes, magistrates, and the people
generally. In the remainder of this chapter, he reproves with great
severity the pride, luxury, and effeminacy of the female part of the
Jewish community. Some interpre... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE THE LORD WILL SMITE WITH A SCAB - There is some diversity of
rendering to this expression. The Septuagint reads it: ‘The Lord
will humble the principal daughters of Zion’ - those who belong to
the court, or to the families of the princes. The Chaldee, ‘The Lord
will prostrate the glory of... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THAT DAY - That is, in the time when he would inflict this
exemplary punishment on them - probably the calamitous times of the
Babylonian captivity.
THE LORD WILL TAKE AWAY - By the agents that he shall choose to employ
in this work. - The prophet proceeds to specify the various ornaments
that c... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CHAINS - Margin, “sweet balls.” The word used here is derived
from the verb נטף _nâṭaph_, to drop, to fall in drops, or to
distil,” as juice from a plant. Hence, it means that which
“resembles drops” - as pearls, or precious stones, used as
ornaments for the neck or ears. We retain a similar w... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BONNETS - The “tiara, head-dress, or turban.” The word comes
from the verb “to adorn.” The “turban” is almost universally
worn in the East. It was worn by the priests, Exodus 39:28; by the
bridegroom, Isaiah 61:10; Ezekiel 24:17; and by women. Its form is
well known.
AND THE ORNAMENTS FOR THE LE... [ Continue Reading ]
THE RINGS - Usually worn on the fingers.
AND NOSE-JEWELS - The custom of wearing jewels in the “nose” has
generally prevailed in savage tribes, and was common, and is still, in
Eastern nations - among the Arabians, Persians, etc. Sir John Chardin
says, ‘It is the custom in almost all the East for t... [ Continue Reading ]
The articles which are mentioned in the remaining part of this
description, are entire articles of apparel; those which had preceded
were chiefly single ornaments.
THE CHANGEABLE SUITS OF APPAREL - The word which is used here in the
original comes from a verb signifying “to pull of” as a shoe; to
u... [ Continue Reading ]
THE GLASSES - There is a great variety of opinion about the expression
used here. That ancient Jews had “looking-glasses,” or mirrors, is
manifest from the account in Exodus 38:8. These “mirrors” were
made of polished plates of brass. The Vulgate and Chaldee understand
this of “mirrors.” The Septuag... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS - The prophet proceeds to denounce the
“judgment” or “punishment” that would come upon them for their
pride and vanity. In the calamities that would befall the nation, all
their ornaments of pride and vainglory would be stripped off; and
instead of them, they would exhibit... [ Continue Reading ]
THY MEN - This is an address to Jerusalem itself, by a change not
uncommon in the writings of Isaiah. In the calamities coming on them,
their strong men should be overcome, and fall in battle.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HER GATES - Cities were surrounded with walls, and were entered
through gates opening into the principal streets. Those gates became,
of course, the places of chief confluence and of business; and the
expression here means, that in all the places of confluence, or amidst
the assembled people, th... [ Continue Reading ]