LXII. (1) FOR ZION’S SAKE... — Opinions again differ as to the speaker. Is he the prophet, or the Servant of Jehovah, or Jehovah Himself ? On the whole, the second view seems to be most in harmony with what follows. The true Servant will carry on what in the language of later theology may be called... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU SHALT BE CALLED BY A NEW NAME... — So in Jeremiah 33:16, the name of the restored city is to be “Jehovah our Righteousness.” The root-thought is that the altered state is to be embodied, as in the case of Abraham and Israel, in a new name. Here, however, the effect of the promise is heightened,... [ Continue Reading ]
A CROWN OF GLORY... — The “crown” as distinctively kingly; the “diadem” implies a “tiara,” like the mitre of the High Priest (Exodus 28:4; Zechariah 3:5). The two “hands” are expressed by different words in the Hebrew, the second having the sense of the open _palm_ of the hand. The “new crown,” _i.e... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU SHALT NO MORE BE TERMED FORSAKEN... — The change of name is here partially indicated, and probably finds its starting-point in the marriage of Hezekiah with Hephzi-bah (2 Kings 21:1), which, on the assumption of Isaiah’s authorship of these Chapter s, would be fresh in the prophet’s memory. It... [ Continue Reading ]
SO SHALL THY SONS MARRY THEE... — The image of the bride is presented under another aspect. The people of a country are, in their collective unity, as the bridegroom, and the country is as the bride. They are bound, as the husband is to the wife, to cherish and protect it, to be ready to live and di... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE SET WATCHMEN UPON THY WALLS... — The “watchmen” have been differently interpreted as (1) angelic guardians and (2) prophets. Zechariah 1:12, and Daniel 10:16 may be alleged in favour of (1), but on the whole, (2) seems preferable. The prophets of the return from exile, Zechariah, Haggai, Mala... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD HATH SWORN... — The principle of the Epistle to the Hebrews (Hebrews 6:13) is recognised here. Jehovah can swear by nothing less than that which is the symbol of His own greatness, identified with Himself. I WILL NO MORE GIVE THY CORN... — The words throw us back upon the early history of I... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE COURTS OF MY HOLINESS. — Better, _of my sanctuary._ The harvest and the vintage festivals are to be kept, as of old, without interruption, the master of the house, with his family and the Levites and the poor (Deuteronomy 14:22), eating of the first- fruits “before the Lord.”... [ Continue Reading ]
GO THROUGH... — Here, probably, we have the cry of the prophet himself (but, possibly, also that of the Servant of Jehovah) addressed to the heralds, who are to go forth and summon the exiles to return to the restored city. On the special phrases, see Notes on Isaiah 40:3; Isaiah 57:14. LIFT UP A S... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD HATH PROCLAIMED... — A partial fulfilment of the words is found in the decree of Cyrus (Ezra 1:1); but they have also a wider range, and take in all the events by which history becomes as the voice of God, proclaiming His will. THE END OF THE WORLD has been restricted by some commentators... [ Continue Reading ]
THE REDEEMED OF THE LORD. — Literally, _ransomed,_ as in Isaiah 35:10; Isaiah 51:10. SOUGHT OUT..._ — i.e.,_ a city which men would seek after to honour, and promote its welfare. (Comp. the opposite, “Zion, which no man seeketh after,” in Jeremiah 30:17.) A CITY NOT FORSAKEN. — With special refere... [ Continue Reading ]