Isaiah 56:1-8. Removal of the religious Disabilities of Eunuchs and Proselytes (1) The passage opens with a general exhortation to righteous conduct and a correct religious attitude, to be manifested by a strict regard for the sanctity of the Sabbath (Isaiah 56:1). (2) The main subject of the oracl... [ Continue Reading ]
The exhortation to righteousness is based on the nearness of Jehovah's salvation (cf. Isaiah 46:13; Isaiah 55:6). _justice_should be RIGHTEOUSNESS (as in R.V.), the same word as in the last line of the verse, but in a different sense. In the first case righteousness means conformity to the law of Go... [ Continue Reading ]
The blessing attached to Isaiah 56:1 extends to mankind in general (note the expressions _man_and _son of man_), i.e. to all who comply with the conditions of membership in the Jewish community. _that layeth hold on it_ Better as R.V. THAT HOLDETH FAST BY IT (and so Isaiah 56:4 and Isaiah 56:6). _t... [ Continue Reading ]
_the son of the stranger_means simply the individual foreigner (R.V. THE STRANGER), not one whose father was a foreigner. _The Lord hath utterly separated_ Render with R.V., WILL SURELY SEPARATE. The case supposed is that of a foreigner who has _joined himself to the Lord_, i.e. has become a prosely... [ Continue Reading ]
In spite of his disability the God-fearing eunuch shall be recognised as a worthy member of the congregation of Jehovah, and his name shall be had in everlasting honour in the new Israel. _that keep my sabbaths_ For the expression, cf. Leviticus 19:3; Leviticus 19:30; Leviticus 26:2, &c. HOLD FAST... [ Continue Reading ]
_a place_ A MONUMENT; lit., "a hand." There seems no reason to doubt that the promise is to be understood literally. An illustration of what is meant is found in 2 Samuel 18:18, where we read that Absalom, in the prospect of dying childless, erected the pillar to his own memory which was known as "A... [ Continue Reading ]
The answer to the misgivings of proselytes (Isaiah 56:3). _to serve him_ Better as R.V. TO MINISTER UNTO HIM. The verb is used of honourable personal service (Genesis 39:4; Genesis 40:4), and especially of the priestly service of God at the sanctuary. It is found again in ch. Isaiah 60:7; Isaiah 60... [ Continue Reading ]
Foreigners who fulfil these conditions have full access to the sanctuary. _make them joyful_ "cause them to rejoice." THE PHRASE IS FORMED from a common Deuteronomic expression for taking part in the Temple ritual: to "rejoice before Jehovah" (Deuteronomy 12:7; Deuteronomy 12:12; Deuteronomy 12:18,... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord God … saith_ SAITH THE LORD JEHOVAH &c. The formula usually _follows_the sentence to which it refers; here it introduces it, as ch. Isaiah 1:24; Zechariah 12:1; Psalms 110:1. _which gathereth the_ DISPERSED _of Israel_ Cf. ch. Isaiah 11:12; Psalms 147:2. _Yet will I gather_others &c. Lit.... [ Continue Reading ]
The apostrophe to the wild beasts is suggested by the following comparison of the people to an ill-guarded and therefore defenceless flock. That a new chastisement at the hands of the heathen is actually contemplated need not be assumed. A close parallel is found in Jeremiah 12:9; cf. Ezekiel 34:5;... [ Continue Reading ]
Isaiah 56:9 to Isaiah 57:21. A Protest against the Unworthy Shepherds of God's Flock, and the arrogant Heathenism by which it is threatened; followed by a Message of Consolation to True Israelites This sombre and impassioned discourse is composed of three parts: i. ch. Isaiah 56:9 to Isaiah 57:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
The delinquencies of the rulers. The _watchmen_are the spiritual leaders of the community, who in the earlier post-exilic period were the priests and the prophets (see Nehemiah 6:10-14). Elsewhere the word is used metaphorically only of the prophets (Jeremiah 6:17; Ezekiel 3:17; Ezekiel 33:2 ff.) an... [ Continue Reading ]
The first line reads, AND THE DOGS ARE GREEDY (lit. "strong of soul," i.e. appetite), THEY KNOW NOT HOW TO BE SATISFIED. The charge of cupidity and of selling oracles for gain is one frequently brought against the false prophets (Micah 3:5; Micah 3:11; Jeremiah 6:13; Ezekiel 13:19; Ezekiel 22:25); a... [ Continue Reading ]
As an illustration of their highest idea of enjoyment, one of these watchmen is introduced inviting his fellows to a prolonged carousal. Cf. ch. Isaiah 5:11 f., Isaiah 5:22; Isaiah 28:1; Isaiah 28:7 f.; Micah 2:11. _we will fill ourselves &c._ a coarse bacchanalian expression: "we will swill strong... [ Continue Reading ]