1. STAY AND THE STAFF] A prophecy of famine: cp. Isaiah 3:7, as the clause following explains. But if the latter clause is a gloss then 'stay and staff' would refer to the classes upon which the stability of the life of the community depends. 'Staff' in the Heb. is the fern, form of 'stay.'... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PRUDENT] RV 'the diviner,' at this time in high estimation (Isaiah 2:6). THE ANCIENT] RM 'the elder,' who held offices in villages and towns (Ruth 4:2; Ruth 4:4; 2 Kings 10:1).... [ Continue Reading ]
ARTIFICER] cp. Jeremiah 24:1 but RM 'charmer.' ELOQUENT ORATOR] 'skilful enchanter.'... [ Continue Reading ]
CHILDREN.. BABES] in character rather than in years. 6, 7. The meaning is, the state of society shall be such that a man who apparently has the bare necessaries of life shall be invited to be dictator, but in vain.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SHEW OF THEIR COUNTENANCE] i.e. their expression; the meaning being that their character may be read in their face. But RM has, 'Their respecting of persons doth witness,' etc.... [ Continue Reading ]
Cp. Isaiah 3:4. THEY WHICH LEAD THEE] lit. 'they that set thee right,' i.e. they that should set thee aright. The reference is to king Ahaz and his counsellors, amongst whom the queen-mother was prominent.... [ Continue Reading ]
PEOPLE] RV 'peoples.'... [ Continue Reading ]
ANCIENTS] see Isaiah 3:2. FOR YE] the pronoun is emphatic: RV 'It is ye that have eaten up.' 16F. A protest against prevalent luxury as evidenced in the extravagant toilette of the ladies of Jerusalem.... [ Continue Reading ]
TINKLING] caused by silver bells on the ankles.... [ Continue Reading ]
CAULS] RM 'networks.' ROUND TIRES LIKE THE MOON] RV 'crescents'; mentioned as Midianitish ornaments (Judges 8:21; Judges 8:26).... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAINS] RV 'pendants,' or 'eardrops'; mentioned as Midianitish ornaments (Judges 8:26).... [ Continue Reading ]
BONNETS] RV 'headtires.' The same word is used of a bridegroom's headdress (Isaiah 61:10). ORNAMENTS OF THE LEGS] RV 'ankle-chains.' HEADBANDS] RV 'sashes,' such as were worn by brides (Isaiah 49:18; Jeremiah 2:32). TABLETS] RV 'perfume boxes.' EARRINGS] RV 'amulets.'... [ Continue Reading ]
NOSE JEWELS] fastened to the nostril: see Genesis 24:22.... [ Continue Reading ]
CHANGEABLE SUITS OF APPAREL] RV 'festival robes.' WIMPLES] RV 'shawls.' CRISPING PINS] RV 'satchels.'... [ Continue Reading ]
GLASSES] RV 'hand mirrors.' HOODS] RV 'turbans.'... [ Continue Reading ]
INSTEAD OF, etc.] RV 'instead of sweet spices there shall be rottenness.' RENT] RV 'rope,' i.e. binding the captive. BURNING] RV 'branding.' i.e. of a slave.... [ Continue Reading ]
26. THY, HER] the pronouns refer to. Zion.... [ Continue Reading ]
SIT UPON THE GROUND] a posture of mourning: cp. Lamentations 1:1. ISAIAH'S PREACHING EARLY IN THE REIGN OF AHAZ Isaiah 2-4 are closely connected, and Isaiah 5 is generally thought to belong to the same period, though it probably represents discourses delivered rather later. There are two points whi... [ Continue Reading ]