This chapter, in its design and structure, is intimately connected with the preceding. That it refers to the Messiah will be shown in the notes at Isaiah 61:1, and the main scope and design of the chapter is to show some of the glorious results of his coming. The chapter may be regarded as divided... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD GOD - Hebrew, The Spirit of the Lord Yahweh.’ The Chaldee renders this, ‘The prophet said, the spirit of prophecy from the presence of Yahweh God is upon me.’ The Syriac, ‘The Spirit of the Lord God.’ The Septuagint, Πνεῦμα Κυρίου _Pneuma_ _Kuriou_ - ‘The Spirit of the Lord,... [ Continue Reading ]
TO PROCLAIM THE ACCEPTABLE YEAR OF THE LORD - (see the notes at Isaiah 49:8). There is probably an allusion here to the year of Jubilee, when the trumpet was blown, and liberty was proclaimed throughout all the land (so Leviticus 25:9). In like manner the Messiah would come to proclaim universal lib... [ Continue Reading ]
TO APPOINT UNTO THEM - Hebrew, ‘To place;’ that is, to place happiness before them; to give them joy arid consolation. THAT MOURN IN ZION - (See the notes at Isaiah 1:8). The mourners in Zion mean those who dwelt in Jerusalem; then all those who are connected with the church of God - his poor and a... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY SHALL BUILD THE OLD WASTES - (See the notes at Isaiah 58:12).... [ Continue Reading ]
AND STRANGERS SHALL STAND - (See the notes at Isaiah 14:1; Isaiah 60:10). AND FEED YOUR FLOCKS - The keeping of flocks constituted a very considerable part of the husbandry of those who dwelt in Palestine. Of course, any considerable prosperity of a spiritual nature would be well represented by an a... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT YE SHALL BE NAMED - The idea here literally is, ‘There will be no need of your engaging in the business of agriculture. All that will be done by others; and you, as ministers of God, may engage wholly in the duties of religion. The world shall be tributary to you, and you shall enjoy the product... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR YOUR SHAME - That is, instead of the reproach and humiliation which you have been called to experience. YOU SHALL HAVE DOUBLE - A double inheritance or reward (see the notes at Isaiah 40:2). AND FOR CONFUSION - The word ‘confusion’ here means the same as a blush of shame, and refers to the sce... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR I THE LORD LOVE JUDGMENT - That is, ‘I shall delight in rendering to my people what is right. It is right that they should enjoy my protection, and be favored with the tokens of my kindness. Loving justice and right, therefore, I will confer on them the privileges and blessings which they ought... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEIR SEED - The figure here is taken from the feelings of a parent who desires his children to be esteemed, and who regards it as an honor that they become so distinguished that their fame extends to distant lands. SHALL BE KNOWN - Shall be distinguished or honored. For this use of the word ‘k... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILT GREATLY REJOICE IN THE LORD - This is the language of the prophet in the name of the church; or, as Vitringa supposes, the language of a chorus introduced here by the prophet. The Chaldee regards it as the language of Jerusalem, and renders it, ‘Jerusalem said, I will surely rejoice in the Lo... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR AS THE EARTH BRINGETH FORTH - This figure is several times used by the prophet (see the notes at Isaiah 45:8; Isaiah 55:10). The idea is an exceedingly beautiful one, that, on the coming of the Messiah, truth and righteousness would spring up and abound like grass and fruits in the vegetable wor... [ Continue Reading ]