The overthrow of the world-power is followed by the establishment of the Messiah's Kingdom. In this chapter, however, we have two Messianic pictures so distinct in character that it is necessary to consider them separately. (i) Isaiah 11:1 contain a prophecy of the advent of the Messiah (Isaiah 11:... [ Continue Reading ]
The advent of the Messiah. Idea and figure correspond to those of ch. Isaiah 6:13; as a new Israel will spring up from the "stump" of the old, so the Messianic King will arise from the decayed family of David. Some commentators find in the image an intentional contrast to that of ch. Isaiah 10:34; w... [ Continue Reading ]
Isaiah 11:1-9. The Messiah and His Kingdom It is interesting to compare this passage with ch. Isaiah 9:1-7. There the delineation of the Messianic age starts from its broadest and most general features the light breaking on the land, the universally diffused joy of the redeemed nation and only at t... [ Continue Reading ]
His supernatural endowment through the spirit of Jehovah with the qualities of a perfect ruler. The "charismata" are grouped in three pairs; when we add the separate mention of the spirit of Jehovah at the head of the list we may perhaps find here the first suggestion of the "seven spirits" of God ... [ Continue Reading ]
_and shall make him … Lord_ The best translation is that of R.V. AND HIS DELIGHT SHALL BE IN THE FEAR OF JEHOVAH, lit. "his scent shall be in, &c." The Messiah shall not only possess true religion himself, but shall be quick to recognise its presence in others and shall take delight in it wherever h... [ Continue Reading ]
Thus equipped with all the personal qualities needful for his high office, the ideal King will exercise a perfectly just and equitable government over his subjects. The Hebrew conception of kingship includes two functions, leadership in war and the administration of justice in time of peace (1 Samue... [ Continue Reading ]
The special objects of his care are the defenceless and down-trodden classes (cf. ch. Isaiah 1:23; Isaiah 10:2). Observe that the sporadic outbreak of injustice and violence does not appear to be excluded from Isaiah's conception of the Messianic age; only, the transgressors are at once discovered a... [ Continue Reading ]
"Righteousness" and "faithfulness" are the strength of the Messiah's government (ch. Isaiah 9:7). The girdle is the symbol of resolute and vigorous action. Comp. the "girdle of truth" in Ephesians 6:14.... [ Continue Reading ]
This remarkable prophecy of the idyllic state of the brute creation is imitated in the Sibylline Oracles (3:766 ff.) and more faintly echoed in the Fourth and Fifth Eclogues of Vergil. Similarly, an Arabic poet (_Ibn Onein_, quoted by Ges.) speaks of "a righteousness, through which the hungry wolf b... [ Continue Reading ]
Cf. Isaiah 65:25. _shall feed_ Better, SHALL GRAZE, unless we are to supply "alike" as in Isaiah 65:25. Some critics prefer to read "shall associate together," with a small alteration of the text.... [ Continue Reading ]
The most startling contrast of all, the innocent babe playing with the deadly serpent. _asp_ Heb. _pethen_, rendered "adder" in Psalms 58:4; Psalms 91:13, elsewhere as here. The species has not been identified. The _cockatrice_(_çiph -ônî_, rendered "adder" in Proverbs 23:32) is usually identified... [ Continue Reading ]
It is questionable if the subject here is still the wild beasts (as in Isaiah 65:25). The second half of the verse is rather against this, and it is better to translate the first half: NONE SHALL DO EVIL OR ACT CORRUPTLY IN ALL, &c. _my holy mountain_ Most naturally "Zion," but some commentators un... [ Continue Reading ]
This verse occupies a position somewhat detached from those that follow, as is shewn by the repetition of the introductory formula in Isaiah 11:11. The thought also is distinct and complete. It is a prophecy of the attractive influence of the true religion over the nations of the world; and resemble... [ Continue Reading ]
_the Lord shall set his hand again_ Or, THE LORD SHALL AGAIN ( LIFT UP) HIS HAND. The verb has to be supplied from the context. _the second time_ If the standpoint (actual or ideal) of the prophecy be post-exilic, the most probable reference would be to the first return from exile under Cyrus. Othe... [ Continue Reading ]
The gathering of the "dispersed of Israel." It is of course impossible to disprove that in Isaiah's time scattered Israelites were to be found in all the countries mentioned at the end of Isaiah 11:11. Some might have been included among the captives whom Sargon settled in Elam, Babylonia and Hamath... [ Continue Reading ]
11:(10) Isaiah 11:11-16. A Prophecy of the Return from Exile... [ Continue Reading ]
The meaning of the "signal" here is explained by ch. Isaiah 49:22; it is a signal to the _nations_to release or even to bring back the _exiles_. _the dispersed of Judah_ The participle in Hebr. is fem. This may be "a short way of expressing that both sexes will be included" (Cheyne). Giesebrecht, h... [ Continue Reading ]
The parallelism seems to demand that the _adversaries of Judah_be explained as gen. of the subject (those in Judah that are adversaries to Ephraim). This is not very natural, but it is certainly better than to take _envy of Ephraim_as gen. of obj. (envy felt by Judah towards Ephraim). _shall not ve... [ Continue Reading ]
The healing of the breach between the Northern and Southern kingdoms, and their joint conquest of the neighbouring peoples.... [ Continue Reading ]
_they shall fly_ or SWOOP, as a bird of prey (Habakkuk 1:8). The country of the Philistines is compared to a _shoulder_falling down towards the sea (cf. Numbers 34:11; Joshua 15:11; Joshua 18:12). _them of the east_ lit. THE CHILDREN OF THE EAST (as R.V.), a name for the Arabs of the Eastern desert... [ Continue Reading ]
Cf. Zechariah 10:10 f. _shall utterly destroy_ lit. "lay under the ban." But the reading of several ancient versions (_heḥěrîb_for _heḥěrîm_) gives a better sense: DRY UP; cf. ch. Isaiah 50:2. _the tongue of the Egyptian sea_is the Gulf of Suez (cf. Joshua 15:2; Joshua 15:5; Joshua 18:19). _with his... [ Continue Reading ]
A miraculous passage prepared for the return of the exiles. The allusions to the Exodus are palpable and extend to the next chapter.... [ Continue Reading ]
_a highway_ through river and desert. This miraculous "highway" is a frequent feature in prophetic descriptions of the return from exile. Cf. ch. Isaiah 35:8; Isaiah 40:3-4; Isaiah 42:16; Isaiah 49:11, &c.... [ Continue Reading ]