II. (1) THE WORD THAT ISAIAH THE SON OF AMOZ SAW. — On the relation of this chapter to Isaiah 1, see _Introduction._ The moral and social state described in it points to an earlier date than the reformation of Hezekiah. The sins of the people are more flagrant; but there is not as yet with them the... [ Continue Reading ]
It shall come to pass in the last days. — The three verses that follow are found in almost identical form in Micah 4:1, with the addition of a verse (Micah 4:4) which describes the prosperity of Judah — every man sitting “under his vine and his fig-tree,” as in the days of Solomon. Whether (1) Isaia... [ Continue Reading ]
MANY PEOPLE SHALL GO AND SAY... — What was precious to the prophet’s heart was the thought that these pilgrims from afar would not come as with a formal worship like that of Isaiah 1:10, but, like the queen of Sheba (1 Kings 10:1), as seekers after truth, desiring to be taught. (Comp. Isaiah 60:3.)... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SHALL JUDGE AMONG THE NATIONS. — For “rebuke” read _decide_ or _arbitrate._ The ideal Divine King is to be all, and more than all, that Solomon had been (1 Kings 10:24). In reliance on His wisdom and equity, nations would refer their disputes to His decision instead of the arbitrament of war. Her... [ Continue Reading ]
O HOUSE OF JACOB... — The ideal of the future has been brought before Israel; but it is still far off, and the people must learn repentance, must themselves “walk in the light of the Lord,” before they can be as light-bearers to other nations. (Comp. the lines of thought in Romans 11:11.)... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE THOU HAST FORSAKEN THY PEOPLE... — Better, _For Thou hast..._ This was the sad, dark present, in contrast with the bright future. Jehovah “went not forth” with the armies of Judah (Psalms 68:7); and the Syrians, Edomites, and Philistines, possibly the Assyrians also (2 Kings 16:9; 2 Chroni... [ Continue Reading ]
THEIR LAND ALSO IS FULL OF SILVER AND GOLD. — The long and prosperous reign of Uzziah, especially his trade with Ophir, had reproduced the wealth of the days of Solomon. Tribute came from the Arabians and Ammonites (2 Chronicles 26:8). The words point to an earlier date than that at which Ahaz was l... [ Continue Reading ]
THEIR LAND ALSO IS FULL OF IDOLS. — The word which Isaiah chooses for “idols” (_elîlîm_ — _i.e.,_ vain, false, gods) seems intentionally contrasted with _elîm_ (gods, or mighty ones), and may fairly be rendered by _no-gods._ The reign of Ahaz was conspicuous from the first for this _cultus_ (2 Chron... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE MEAN MAN BOWETH DOWN. — The English gives adequately the significance of the two words for “man” — in Hebrew, _adam_ and _îsh._ The Authorised Version applies the words to the prostrations of the worshippers of idols, whether of low or high degree; others refer them to the punishment of that... [ Continue Reading ]
ENTER INTO THE ROCK. — The limestone caverns of Palestine were natural asylums in times of terror and dismay (Judges 6:2; Judges 15:8; 1 Samuel 13:6; 1 Samuel 14:11; 1 Samuel 24:3; 1 Kings 18:4). Here, as in Micah 1:4, we may probably trace the impression left by the earthquake under Uzziah (Amos 1:... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LOFTY LOOKS OF MAN... — Better, _the lofty looks of the mean man_... _the haughtiness of the great man._ The self-assertion which is the essential element of pride may be found at the opposite extremes of social life. THE LORD ALONE SHALL BE EXALTED... — The verb, as in Psalms 46:7; Psalms 46:1... [ Continue Reading ]
THE DAY OF THE LORD OF HOSTS SHALL BE... — Literally, _the Lord of hosts hath a day_... As generally in the prophets, any time of special judgment or special mercy is as “a day of Jehovah.” Man feels himself in the presence of a higher power, working in this way or in that for righteousness. The phr... [ Continue Reading ]
UPON ALL THE CEDARS OF LEBANON... — The words find a striking parallel in the passage from Herodotus just referred to. In that storm which is about to burst over the land, the cedars and the oaks, and, we may add, those who were as the cedars and the oaks, in their pride and glory, should all alike... [ Continue Reading ]
(14)AND UPON ALL THE HIGH MOUNTAINS. — Possibly the prophet may have had in his mind the thunderstorm of Psalms 29:5 — “the Lord breaketh the cedars of Lebanon.” The oaks of Bashan were, like the cedars of Lebanon, proverbially types of forest greatness (Isaiah 33:9). Literally, the words must have... [ Continue Reading ]
UPON EVERY HIGH TOWER. — Generic as the words are, they have a special reference to the fortifications which were the glory of Uzziah’s reign, and were continued by his successors (2 Chronicles 26:9; 2 Chronicles 27:3; Hosea 8:14; Micah 5:11; comp. also Isaiah 22:8; Psalms 48:13).... [ Continue Reading ]
AND UPON ALL THE SHIPS OF TARSHISH. — The words point to the commerce in the Red Sea carried on by the fleets of Uzziah and Jotham (1 Kings 22:48); perhaps also to that in the Mediterranean with Tarshish, or Tartessus (Spain), as in Jonah 1:3. The “ships of Tarshish” had come to be used generically... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE LOFTINESS OF MAN SHALL BE BOWED DOWN. — Iteration is used as the most solemn form of emphasis. That was the burden of the prophet’s song.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE IDOLS. — Better, _The no-gods shall pass away._ The seven words of the English answer to three in the Hebrew. As with a profound sense, conscious or unconscious, of the power of rhythm, the prophet first condenses the judgment that is coming on the _no-gods,_ and then expands it.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY SHALL GO INTO THE HOLES OF THE ROCKS. — The imagery of the earthquake in Uzziah’s reign (see Note on Isaiah 2:10) is still present to Isaiah’s thoughts. (See Revelation 6:15.) WHEN HE ARISETH TO SHAKE TERRIBLY THE EARTH. — The Hebrew verb and noun have the emphasis of a paronomasia which c... [ Continue Reading ]
A MAN SHALL CAST HIS IDOLS OF SILVER... — The picture of the earthquake is still continued. The men who have taken refuge in the caves fling away the idols, that they have found powerless to help them, to the moles and bats which had their dwelling there. It is perhaps significant that the animals t... [ Continue Reading ]
TO GO INTO THE CLEFTS OF THE ROCKS... — Comp. for the phrase, Exodus 33:22. The picture of Isaiah 2:19 is reproduced, with some noticeable variations. As men feel shock after shock of the earthquake, and see the flashing fires, and hear the crash of the thunder, they leave the larger caverns in whic... [ Continue Reading ]
CEASE YE FROM MAN... — The verse is wanting in some MSS. of the LXX. version, and is rejected by some critics, as of the nature of a marginal comment, and as not in harmony with the context. The first fact is the most weighty argument against it, but is not decisive. The other objection does not cou... [ Continue Reading ]