_A.M. 3244. B.C. 760._ This chapter, containing the prophet's third discourse, appears to stand single and alone, unconnected with the preceding and following. Its subject is nearly the same with that of the first chapter, namely, a general reproof of the Jews for their wickedness; “but it exceeds... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now will I sing_, &c. Bishop Lowth translates this clause, “Let me sing now a song to my beloved; a song of loves concerning his vineyard.” This is the exordium, a kind of title placed before the song; which song he records, as Moses did his, that it might be a witness for God, and against Israel.... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he fenced it_ In this verse the prophet, carrying on the allegory, proceeds to express, in parabolical language, the singular favours which God had bestowed on the Jewish nation, and the peculiar care which he had taken of them. He separated them from other nations, took them into covenant with... [ Continue Reading ]
_And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem_, &c. God is here introduced as calling upon the guilty themselves to pass sentence, or judgment, in the case, and leaving it to them; because, without downright madness, they could do no other than condemn themselves; who, when they had received so many benefits... [ Continue Reading ]
_And now I will tell you_, &c. He graciously warns them beforehand, that they may have space and encouragement to repent, and so to prevent the threatened miseries. _I will take away the hedge thereof_, &c. I will withdraw my presence and protection from you, and give you up into the hands of your e... [ Continue Reading ]
_For the vineyard_, &c. Or rather, _Now the vineyard_, as Dr. Waterland renders it: here we have the interpretation of the preceding parable in general. In the subsequent verses the prophet enters into particulars. This general interpretation is fully verified by the history of the Jewish people, es... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wo unto them_, &c. The unfolding of the parable, after the general key in the preceding verse, comprehends two things, according to the argument of the parable; the crimes of this ungrateful people, and the punishment decreed to their crimes. _That join house to house_ That add new purchases of hou... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wo unto them, that rise up early_, &c. Here we find another vice reproved, namely, that of luxury, or intemperance; whose companion and daughter is Inattention to the works of God, whose child, also, is Ignorance; see Isaiah 5:13; _that rise up early to follow strong drink_ As husbandmen and trades... [ Continue Reading ]
_Therefore the people are gone into captivity_ The prophet may refer to those carried captive in the time of Ahaz: see on Isaiah 2:20. Or his words may be rendered, _the people go into_, &c.; that is, shall certainly and shortly go, speaking of the approaching judgments as if they were already come.... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the mean man_, &c. All of them, both high and low, shall be brought to destruction. _But the Lord shall be exalted in judgment_ By the execution of his just judgment upon his incorrigible enemies. _And God that is holy shall be sanctified_ Shall appear to be a holy God; _in righteousness_ That... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wo unto them that draw iniquity_ That are not only drawn to sin by the allurements of the world, or by the persuasions of wicked men, but are active and industrious in drawing sin to themselves, or themselves to sin: _with cords of vanity_ Or, _of lying_, as the word שׁוא frequently signifies; that... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wo unto them that call evil good, and good evil_ That endeavour to confound both the names and the natures of virtue and vice, of piety and impiety; commend and applaud what is evil, and disparage and discountenance what is good; _that put darkness for light, and light for darkness_, &c. Ignorance... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wo unto them that are wise in their own eyes_ Who, being puffed up with a high opinion of their own wisdom, despise the counsels and instructions of Jehovah by his prophets, and prefer their own vain imaginations before the decisions of infinite wisdom.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Therefore as the fire_, &c. “The latter part of the parabolic song, contained in Isaiah 5:6, begins here to be more fully explained; and, to the end of the chapter, we have an account of that total destruction of the republic, which was to be brought upon it by a people most skilful in war, and com... [ Continue Reading ]
_Therefore is the anger of the Lord kindled_ This implies that, before the time of that final vengeance, concerning which the prophecy principally treats, God had afflicted, or, rather, would afflict and chastise this rebellious people, with the most grievous calamities: that those calamities should... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he will lift up an ensign to the nations_ To call them together for his service. Here that decree of the divine severity, which had been spoken of in general terms in Isaiah 5:24, is explained. God is shown to be the supreme general or leader of the people, which were to come from far to execut... [ Continue Reading ]
_None_, &c. In these verses the prophet describes the quality of the forces which should come against Jerusalem; their vigour, activity, and diligence, Isaiah 5:27; their military expedition, readiness, skilfulness, and apparatus, Isaiah 5:28; their fortitude and undaunted courage, Isaiah 5:29; for... [ Continue Reading ]
_And in that day_, &c. “Here Isaiah closes this prophecy, with a strong and eloquent description of the consequences of this calamity; setting forth, in the most emphatical terms, the utter confusion, blackness, and desperation of the miserable Jews.” See Isaiah 8:22. _They shall roar against them l... [ Continue Reading ]