This chapter, to Isaiah 56:9, is evidently a continuation of the same general subject which is discussed in the previous chapters, and is closely connected with the great truths communicated in Isaiah 52:13, and Isaiah 53:1, respecting the work of the Messiah. The general design of the prophet seems... [ Continue Reading ]
THUS SAITH THE LORD - That is, in view of the fact that the kingdom of God was to come at no distant period. Yahweh states what was necessary to prepare themselves for it, and what was the character which he demanded of those who were disposed to embrace its offers, and who would be admitted to its... [ Continue Reading ]
BLESSED IS THE MAN - Hebrew, ‘The blessings of the man’ (see Psalms 1:1). The sense is, ‘happy is the man.’ The word here rendered ‘man’ (אנושׁ _'ĕnôsh_) usually denotes a man in humble life or in a subordinate rank, in contradistinction from אישׁ _'ı̂ysh_, a man in elevated rank. As the object of... [ Continue Reading ]
NEITHER LET THE SON OF THE STRANGER - The foreigner who shall become a proselyte to the true religion. THAT HATH JOINED HIMSELF - That has embraced the true faith, and become a worshipper of the true God. It is evidently implied here that there would be such proselytes, and that the true religion w... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THUS SAITH THE LORD UNTO THE EUNUCHS - Even the eunuchs, who have hitherto been excluded from the privileges of the people of God, and who have been regarded as a separated and degraded people, shall be admitted to the same privileges as others. THAT KEEP MY SABBATHS - The word is used here in... [ Continue Reading ]
WILL I GIVE IN MINE HOUSE - That is, they shalt be admitted to all the privileges of entering my house of prayer, and of being regarded as my true worshippers, and this shall be to them a more invaluable privilege than would be any earthly advantages. The word ‘house’ here refers undoubtedly to the... [ Continue Reading ]
ALSO THE SONS OF THE STRANGER - (see the note at Isaiah 56:3). The conditions on which they should be admitted to the same privileges are specified, and are the following: 1. They were to ‘join themselves to the Lord’ (see the note at Isaiah 56:3). 2. This should be with a purpose to ‘serve him.’... [ Continue Reading ]
EVEN THEM WILL I BRING TO MY HOLY MOUNTAIN - (See the notes at Isaiah 2:3). That is, they should be admitted to the fellowship and privileges of his people. AND MAKE THEM JOYFUL - In the participation of the privileges of the true religion, and in the service of God, they shall be made happy. IN M... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD GOD - This verse is a continuation of the promise made in the previous verses, that those of other nations would be united to the ancient people of God. The sense is, that Yahweh would not only gather back to their country those who were scattered abroad in other lands, but would also call... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL YE BEASTS OF THE FIELD - This evidently commences a new subject, and refers to some invasion of the land of Judea. In the previous chapter, the prophet had comforted the people by the assurance of the coming of the Messiah, and by the fact that they should be enlarged by the accession of the Gen... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS WATCHMEN - The prophet proceeds to specify the sins which had thus induced God to send the desolating armies of foreign nations. The first is specified in this verse, the apathy, indifference, and unfaithfulness, which prevailed among those who were appointed to guard their interests and defend... [ Continue Reading ]
YEA, THEY ARE GREEDY DOGS - Margin, ‘Strong of appetite.’ Literally, ‘Strong of soul’ (עזי־נפשׁ _‛__azēy_-_nephesh_. Jerome renders it, _Canes impudentissimi_. So the Septuagint, Κύνες ἀναιδεῖς τῇ ψυχῇ _Kunes_ _anaideis_ _tē_ _psuchē_ - ‘Dogs impudent in soul.’ They were greedy and insatia... [ Continue Reading ]
COME YE, SAY THEY - (compare the notes at Isaiah 22:13). That is, one says to another, ‘I will fetch wine;’ or as we would say, ‘I will take another glass.’ The object is to describe a drinking-bout, or carousal, when the glass is shoved around, and there is drinking to excess. The language denotes... [ Continue Reading ]