is full of reminiscences of earlier prophecies, chiefly from ch. 40 ff. Although there is no external mark of transition, there is no reason to doubt that it is the continuation of ch. 34, and that the brilliant contrast is designed.... [ Continue Reading ]
_solitary place_ PARCHED LAND (R.V. marg.). The words _for them_should be omitted; what looks like a pronominal suffix in the Hebr. being produced by an assimilation of the verbal ending to the following consonant (so already Aben Ezra). _the rose_is probably the AUTUMN CROCUS (R.V. marg.). Song o... [ Continue Reading ]
Joy in the desert, now transformed into a fertile and luxuriant plain. Cf. ch. Isaiah 41:18 f.... [ Continue Reading ]
_the glory of Lebanon … Carmel and Sharon_ Cf. ch. Isaiah 33:9; Isaiah 29:17 (Isaiah 32:15). _they_(lit. THESE) _shall see the glory of the Lord_ ch. Isaiah 40:5.... [ Continue Reading ]
An exhortation to the despondent. For the figures of Isaiah 35:3 see Job 4:3-4.... [ Continue Reading ]
Cf. Isaiah 40:9-10. _them that are of a fearful heart_ Lit. "the hasty of heart." The phrase occurs with a different sense in ch. Isaiah 32:4. _behold, your God … recompence_ Better (as R.V. marg.): BEHOLD YOUR GOD! VENGEANCE COMETH, THE RECOMPENCE OF GOD; HE HIMSELF, &c. 5, 6 A. The removal of bo... [ Continue Reading ]
_the parched ground_ The Hebr. word (_shârâb_, only again in Isaiah 49:10) is generally thought to be identical with _Serâb_, the Arabic name for THE MIRAGE (so R.V. marg.). Allusions to this remarkable optical phenomenon, by which even experienced travellers are often deceived, are, as might be exp... [ Continue Reading ]
The words _and a way_are superfluous, and may have originated through dittography. _but it_shall be _for those_ Better (with an emendation of the text): BUT IT SHALL BE FOR HIS PEOPLE. It is probable also that the next words should be joined to this clause, "it shall be for His people when it walks... [ Continue Reading ]
The highway in the desert. The image is founded on ch. Isaiah 40:3; Isaiah 43:19; Isaiah 49:11 (Isaiah 11:16).... [ Continue Reading ]
_the redeemed_ cf. ch. Isaiah 51:10; Isaiah 62:12; Isaiah 63:4.... [ Continue Reading ]
The verse is found verbatim in ch. Isaiah 51:11. Cf. also Isaiah 51:3; Isaiah 61:7. _everlasting joy_ SHALL BE _upon their heads_ See ch. Isaiah 61:3 "a garland for ashes" (R.V.).... [ Continue Reading ]