FOR - This is a continuation of the previous chapter. The same prophecy is continued, and the force of the argument of the prophet will not be seen unless the chapters are read together; see the Analysis prefixed to Isaiah 2. In the close of the second chapter Isaiah 2:22, the prophet had cautioned... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MIGHTY MAN - The hero, The idea expressed is not simply that of personal strength and prowess, but the higher one of military eminence or heroism. “Prof. Alexander.” This was fully accomplished in the time of Nebuchadnezzar; 2 Kings 24:14. AND THE PRUDENT - This word in the original - קסם _qosē... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CAPTAIN OF FIFTY - By this was probably denoted an officer in the army. The idea is, that the commanders of the various divisions of the army should be taken away. THE HONOURABLE MAN - Hebrew פנים נשׂוּא _nes'û'_ _pânı̂ym_. “The man of elevated countenance.” That is, the man high in office. H... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I WILL GIVE CHILDREN - Not children in respect to age so much as in regard to talent for governing. I will commit the land to the government of weak and imbecile princes. This would naturally occur when the wise and great were removed; compare Ecclesiastes 10:16 : ‘Wo to thee, O land, when thy k... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE PEOPLE SHALL BE OPPRESSED - This describes the state of anarchy and confusion which would exist under the reign of children and babes Isaiah 3:4, when all law would be powerless, and all rights violated, and when the feeble would be oppressed and borne down by the strong. The word used here,... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN A MAN SHALL TAKE HOLD ... - In this verse, and the following verses, the prophet continues to describe the calamitous and ruined state that would come upon the Jews; when there would be such a want of wealth and people, that they would seize upon anyone that they thought able to defend them. Th... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THAT DAY SHALL HE SWEAR - Hebrew, ישׁא _yı̂shā'_ ‘Shall he lift up’ - that is, the voice, or the hand. To lift up the hand was one of the modes of taking an oath. Perhaps it means only that he should lift up “the voice” - that is, “should answer;” compare Numbers 14:1. The Vulgate, the Septuagin... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR JERUSALEM ... - The prophet proceeds to show the cause of this state of things. ‘These are the words of the prophet, and not of him who was chosen leader.’ - “Jerome.” IS RUINED - It would be so ruined, and the prospect of preserving it would be so completely taken away, that no one could be in... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SHOW OF THEIR COUNTENANCE - The word rendered “the show” is probably derived from a word signifying “to know,” or “to recognize,” and here denotes “impudence” or “pride.” Septuagint, ‘The shame of their face.’ DOTH WITNESS AGAINST THEM - “Answers” to them; or “responds” to them (ענתה _‛__ân__e... [ Continue Reading ]
SAY YE TO THE RIGHTEOUS - The meaning of this verse and the following is sufficiently plain, though expositors have given some variety of interpretation. They declare a great principle of the divine administration similar to what is stated in Isaiah 1:19. Lowth reads it, ‘Pronounce ye a blessing on... [ Continue Reading ]
WO UNTO THE WICKED - To all the wicked - but here having particular reference to the Jews whom Isaiah was addressing. IT SHALL BE ILL WITH HIM - The word “ill” is the only word here in the original. It is an emphatic mode of speaking - expressing deep abhorrence and suddenness of denunciation. ‘Woe... [ Continue Reading ]
AS FOR MY PEOPLE, CHILDREN ARE THEIR OPPRESSORS - This refers, doubtless, to their civil rulers. They who “ought” to have been their “protectors,” oppressed them by grievous taxes and burdens. But whether this means that the rulers of the people were “literally” minors, or that they were so in “disp... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD STANDETH UP - To “stand up” may mean the same as to “arise.” God would not sit in silence and see their wicked conduct; but he would come forth to inflict on them exemplary and deserved chastisement. TO PLEAD - To “litigate,” to contend with, that is, to condemn, to inflict punishment.... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH THE ANCIENTS ... - With the old men, the counselors. YE HAVE EATEN UP THE VINEYARD - Hebrew ‘Ye have burnt up’ - that is, you have oonsumed or destroyed it. By the vineyard is represented the Jewish republic or people; Psalms 80:9; compare the notes at Isaiah 5:1. The princes and rulers had, b... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT MEAN YE - What is your object? Or, What advantage is it to you? Or, By what right or pretence do you do this? BEAT MY PEOPLE TO PIECES - That is, that you trample on them; or cruelly oppress them; Psalms 94:5. AND GRIND THE FACES OF THE POOR - This is an expression also denoting great oppressi... [ Continue Reading ]
MOREOVER, THE LORD SAITH - In the previous parts of this prophecy, the prophet had rebuked the princes, magistrates, and the people generally. In the remainder of this chapter, he reproves with great severity the pride, luxury, and effeminacy of the female part of the Jewish community. Some interpre... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE THE LORD WILL SMITE WITH A SCAB - There is some diversity of rendering to this expression. The Septuagint reads it: ‘The Lord will humble the principal daughters of Zion’ - those who belong to the court, or to the families of the princes. The Chaldee, ‘The Lord will prostrate the glory of... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THAT DAY - That is, in the time when he would inflict this exemplary punishment on them - probably the calamitous times of the Babylonian captivity. THE LORD WILL TAKE AWAY - By the agents that he shall choose to employ in this work. - The prophet proceeds to specify the various ornaments that c... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CHAINS - Margin, “sweet balls.” The word used here is derived from the verb נטף _nâṭaph_, to drop, to fall in drops, or to distil,” as juice from a plant. Hence, it means that which “resembles drops” - as pearls, or precious stones, used as ornaments for the neck or ears. We retain a similar w... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BONNETS - The “tiara, head-dress, or turban.” The word comes from the verb “to adorn.” The “turban” is almost universally worn in the East. It was worn by the priests, Exodus 39:28; by the bridegroom, Isaiah 61:10; Ezekiel 24:17; and by women. Its form is well known. AND THE ORNAMENTS FOR THE LE... [ Continue Reading ]
THE RINGS - Usually worn on the fingers. AND NOSE-JEWELS - The custom of wearing jewels in the “nose” has generally prevailed in savage tribes, and was common, and is still, in Eastern nations - among the Arabians, Persians, etc. Sir John Chardin says, ‘It is the custom in almost all the East for t... [ Continue Reading ]
The articles which are mentioned in the remaining part of this description, are entire articles of apparel; those which had preceded were chiefly single ornaments. THE CHANGEABLE SUITS OF APPAREL - The word which is used here in the original comes from a verb signifying “to pull of” as a shoe; to u... [ Continue Reading ]
THE GLASSES - There is a great variety of opinion about the expression used here. That ancient Jews had “looking-glasses,” or mirrors, is manifest from the account in Exodus 38:8. These “mirrors” were made of polished plates of brass. The Vulgate and Chaldee understand this of “mirrors.” The Septuag... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS - The prophet proceeds to denounce the “judgment” or “punishment” that would come upon them for their pride and vanity. In the calamities that would befall the nation, all their ornaments of pride and vainglory would be stripped off; and instead of them, they would exhibit... [ Continue Reading ]
THY MEN - This is an address to Jerusalem itself, by a change not uncommon in the writings of Isaiah. In the calamities coming on them, their strong men should be overcome, and fall in battle.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HER GATES - Cities were surrounded with walls, and were entered through gates opening into the principal streets. Those gates became, of course, the places of chief confluence and of business; and the expression here means, that in all the places of confluence, or amidst the assembled people, th... [ Continue Reading ]