1. ROD OUT OF THE STEM] RV 'shoot out of the stock,' implying that the tree has been cut down. The Assyrians have been compared in the vv. preceding to cedars, which when felled throw out no fresh suckers; now the house of David is likened to an oak whose life remains in it after it has been cut dow... [ Continue Reading ]
Leaving the figure Isaiah here indicates the character of the future Ruler. The gifts of the divine Spirit bestowed upon Him are arranged in three pairs, the first pair indicating perfection of intellectual endowment, the second pair full possession of a ruler's practical qualities, and the third re... [ Continue Reading ]
MAKE HIM OF QUICK UNDERSTANDING] RV 'his delight shall be in the fear of Jehovah,' i.e. when He sees it in others. NOT JUDGE, etc.] i.e. by appearances or hearsay.... [ Continue Reading ]
The ideal Ruler combines mercy and judgment (Psalms 101:1). WITH THE ROD OF HIS MOUTH] The power ascribed to the word of Messiah is a striking feature (Isaiah 49:2; Zechariah 9:10), and suggests a superhuman personality (Hosea 6:5).... [ Continue Reading ]
THE GIRDLE] stands for readiness for action—He shall be always ready for righteousness and faithfulness.... [ Continue Reading ]
From the person and character of the Ruler Isaiah now passes on to the effects of His rule. Evil having been eradicated from human society, there will be a corresponding regeneration of the rest of creation (Isaiah 65:25; Romans 8:19.).... [ Continue Reading ]
COCKATRICE] RV 'basilisk,' or 'adder' (RM): probably the great yellow viper common in Palestine.... [ Continue Reading ]
MY HOLY MOUNTAIN] i.e. Zion wonderfully transformed according to the prophecy in Isaiah 2:2 (Zechariah 14:10).... [ Continue Reading ]
RV 'And it shall come to pass in that day, that the root of Jesse, which standeth for an ensign of the people, unto him shall the nations seek.' ROOT OF JESSE] the same as the shoot growing from the root (Isaiah 11:1). The great scion of the house of David is not only to be king of Israel, but the n... [ Continue Reading ]
Next the prophet speaks of the restoration of the dispersed Israelites from their exile in the various kingdoms by which Judah was surrounded. THE SECOND TIME] The first time was at the Mosaic exodus. Recover] RM 'purchase': cp. Exodus 15:16. PATHROS] upper, or southern, Egypt. CUSH] Ethiopia, still... [ Continue Reading ]
A further feature of Messiah's sign. The bitter feeling between the N. kingdom and Judah (Isaiah 9:21) shall cease. THE ADVERSARIES OF] RV 'they that vex.'... [ Continue Reading ]
The reunited people will be victorious over their old enemies, the tribes immediately surrounding Palestine. SHOULDERS] 'shoulder,' i.e. side or border, as in Joshua 15:8; Joshua 15:10; Joshua 15:11. THEM OF THE EAST] lit. 'the children of the east,' i.e. the Bedouin Arabs: Judges 6:8; 2 Chronicles... [ Continue Reading ]
16. Isaiah pictures a miraculous deliverance of the exiles parallel to the former deliverance from Egypt. THE TONGUE, etc.] i.e. the Gulf of Akaba. TONGUE is used for an arm of the sea as in Joshua 15:2; Joshua 18:19. THE RIVER] i.e. Euphrates. IN THE SEVEN] RV 'into seven.' AN HIGHWAY] i.e. a rais... [ Continue Reading ]