The same general subject is pursued in this chapter which has been presented in the chapters which have gone before. The scope of the chapter is consolatory, and the design is to furnish such assurances of the divine favor toward the afflicted people of God, as would uphold and comfort them in their... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR ZION’S SAKE - (See the notes at Isaiah 1:8). On account of Zion; that is, on account of the people of God. I WILL NOT HOLD MY PEACE - There have been very various opinions in regard to the person referred to here by the word ‘I.’ Calvin and Gesenius suppose that the speaker here is the prophet,... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE GENTILES SHALL SEE - (see Isaiah 11:10 :÷ come a up I father me say Isaiah 49:22; Isaiah 60:3, Isaiah 60:5, Isaiah 60:16). AND ALL KINGS THY GLORY - (See the notes at Isaiah 49:7, Isaiah 49:23; Isaiah 52:15;... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU SHALT ALSO BE A CROWN OF GLORY - On the application of the word ‘crown’ to a place, see the notes at Isaiah 28:1, where it is applied to Samaria. Some difficulty has been felt by expositors in explaining this, from the fact that a crown or diadem was worn on the head and not held in the hand, a... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU SHALT NO MORE BE TERMED FORSAKEN - That is, thou shalt be no more so forsaken as to make such an I appellation proper. This refers to the new name which the prophet says Isaiah 62:2 will be conferred on her. NEITHER SHALL THY LAND - Thy country shall no more be so wasted that the term desolati... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR AS A YOUNG MAN MARRIETH A VIRGIN - Roberts remarks on this, ‘In general no youth marries a widow. Such a thing I scarcely ever heard of (in India), nor will it ever be except under some very extraordinary circumstances, as in the case of a queen, princess, or great heiress. Even widowers also, i... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE SET WATCHMEN UPON THY WALLS - (See the notes at Isaiah 21:6). The speaker here is undoubtedly Yahweh; and by watchmen he means those whom he had appointed to be the instructors of his people - the ministers of religion. The name ‘watchmen’ is often given to them (Ezekiel 3:17; Ezekiel 33:7; s... [ Continue Reading ]
AND GIVE HIM NO REST - Margin, ‘Silence.’ In Hebrew the same word (דמי _dŏmiy_) as in Isaiah 62:6. The idea is, ‘Keep not silence yourselves, nor let him rest in silence. Pray without ceasing; and do not intermit your efforts until the desires of your hearts shall be granted, and Zion shall be esta... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD HATH SWORN BY HIS RIGHT HAND - An oath was taken in various forms among the ancients. It was usually done by lifting up the hand toward beaten and appealing to God. As God could swear by no greater Hebrews 6:13, he is represented as swearing by himself (see the notes at Isaiah 45:23). Here... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THEY THAT HAVE GATHERED IT SHALL EAT IT - There shall be a state of security, so that every man may enjoy the avails of his own labor. Nothing is a more certain indication of liberty and prosperity than this - that every man may securely enjoy the avails of his own labor. Nothing more certainly... [ Continue Reading ]
GO THROUGH, GO THROUGH THE GATES - The connection of this with what goes before is not very apparent, and there has been a great diversity of opinion in regard to it among interpreters. Grotius supposes that it refers to the priests and Levites who are referred to also in the previous verses, and th... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD THE LORD HATH PROCLAIMED - Proclamation is made to all nations that Yahweh is about to come and rescue his people. SAY YE TO THE DAUGHTER OF ZION - To Jerusalem (see the notes at Isaiah 1:8). THY SALVATION COMETH - Lowth renders this, ‘Lo!, thy Saviour cometh.’ So the Vulgate, the Septuagin... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY SHALL CALL THEM - It shall be the honorable and just name by which they shall be known, that they are a holy people, and that they are the redeemed of Yahweh. No name is so honorable as that; no one conveys so much that is elevated and ennobling as to say of one, ‘he is one whom Yahweh has... [ Continue Reading ]