‘The eighteenth chapter of Isaiah,’ says bishop Horsley, ‘is one of the most obscure passages of the ancient prophets. It has been considered as such by the whole succession of interpreters from Jerome to Dr. Lowth.’ ‘The object of it,’ says Dr. Lowth, ‘the end and design of it; the people to whom i... [ Continue Reading ]
WOE TO THE LAND - (הוי _hôy_). This word, as has been already remarked (the note at Isaiah 17:12), may be a mere interjection or salutation, and would be appropriately rendered by ‘Ho!’ Or it may be a word denouncing judgment, or wrath, as it is often used in this prophecy (the note at Isaiah 5:8).... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT SENDETH AMBASSADORS - That is, “accustomed” to send messengers. What was the design of their thus sending ambassadors does not appear. The prophet simply intimates the fact; a fact by which they were well known. It may have been for purposes of commerce, or to seek protection. Bochart renders t... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL YE INHABITANTS OF THE WORLD - These are to be regarded as the words of the prophet summoning all nations to attend to that which was about to occur. Grotius, however, and some others, suppose that they are the words of the Ethiopians. The meaning is, that the events which are here predicted woul... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR SO THE LORD SAID UNTO ME - So Yahweh has revealed his purpose, that is, to execute punishment on the people who have been described in the previous verses. Their state as there described is that of a fierce people making ready for war, and probably designing an alliance with the enemies of Judea... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR AFORE THE HARVEST - This verse is evidently figurative, and the image is drawn from that which is commenced in the previous verse. There, God is represented as calmly regarding the plans of the people here referred to - as the sun shines serenely on the herb, or the dew falls on the grass. “That... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY SHALL BE LEFT TOGETHER - The figure here is dropped, and the literal narration is resumed. The sense is, that the army shall be slain and left unburied. Perhaps the “branches and twigs” in the previous verse denoted military leaders, and the captains of the armies, which are now represented as... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THAT TIME - When shall thus be disconcerted, and their armies be overthrown. SHALL THE PRESENT BE BROUGHT... - The word ‘present’ (שׁי _shay_) denotes a gift, and is found only in the phrase ‘to bring gifts,’ or ‘presents’ Psalms 68:30; Psalms 76:11. It means here evidently a tribute, or an offe... [ Continue Reading ]