Bible Commentary (1871–1879 Edition)
God Praised for His JudymenU, etc. ISAIAH XXVI. IsraeTt Song of Praise for Resloration.
—(Ch. 9.6.) cownsels of old—(Ch. 42.9; 46. 10.) Purposes planned long ago; here, as to the deliverance of His protector ; on " hand" in this sense, cf. Ezra 7. 6, 28. 3Ioab —whilst Israel is being protected, the foe is destroyed; Moab is tlie representative of all the foes of God's people, under him—Rather, in his own place or country (Exodus people. trutU—Hebrew, Amen ; covenant-keeping, faithful to promises ; the peculiar characteristic of Jesus (Reve-
10.23; 16.29). for tlie dunghill-Rather, in the water of the dung-heap, in which straw was trodden to make it manure (Psalm 83. 10). Horsley translates eitlier, " in tlie waters of Madmenah," viz., for the malcing of bricks; or as LXX., "as the threshing-floor is trampled by the cornclrag" (see Margin, Micah 4. 11-13). 11. he Jehovah shall spread His hands to strike the foe on this .side and on that, with as little effort as a swimmer spreads forth his arms to cleave a passage through tlie water. [C.'Vlvin.] (Zechariah 5.3.) Lowth takes "he" as Moab, who, in danger of sinking, shall strain every nerve to save himlation 3.11). a. a city . . . lieap—Babylon, type of the seat of Antichrist, to be destroyed in the last days (cf. Jeremiah 51. 37, with Revelation 18., followed, as here, by the song of the saints' thanlisgiving in Revelation 19). "Heaps" is a grapliic picture of Babylon and Nineveh as they now are. palace—Babylon regarded, on account of Its splendour, as a vast palace. But Maurkr translates, a citadel, of strangers—foreigners, whose capital pre-eminently Bal)ylon was, the metropolis of the pagan world. "Aliens from tlie commonwealth of Israel, strangers from the covenants of promise" (ch. 29.5; Ephesians 2.12; see self; but Jehovah (and "he") shall cause him to sink ("bring down the pride" of Moab, clr. 16.6). witl» the spoils of . . . hands lit., the craftily-acquired spoils of his (Moab's) hands. [Barnes.] Moab's pride, as well as t}ie sudden gripe of his hands (viz., whereby he tries to save himself from drowning). [Lowth.] "Together with t?ie joints of Iris hands," i. e., though Moab struggle against Jehovah hand and foot. [Maurer.] 12. fortress— the strongholds of Moab, the representative of the foes of God's people. [Barnes.] Babylon. [Maurek.] The society of infidels represented as a city (Revelation 11. 8). in contrast, Joel 3. 17). never be touilt—(Ch. 13. 19, 20, &c.)
3. strong people—This cannot apply to the Jews; but otlier nations on which Babylon had exercised its cruelty (ch. II. 12) shall worship Jehovah, awed by the judgment inflicted on Babylon (cli. 23. 18). city—not Babylon, which shall then be destroyed, but collectively for tlie cities of the surrounding nations. 4. tlie poor . . . needy—the Jews, exiles from their country (ch. 26.6; 41.17). lieat— calamity (cli/ 4. 6; 32. 2). blast i. e.,un-ath. storm a tempest of rain, a winter flood, rushing against and overthrowing the wall of a house. 5. Translate, "As the heat in a dry land [is brought down by the shadow of a cloud, CHAPTER XXVI. so] thou slialt bring down the tumult [the shout of triumpJi over their enemies] of strangers (foreigners); and Ver. 1-21. Connected with Chapters 24., 25. Sons of Praise of Israel after being Restored to their OWN Land. As the overthrow of the apostate faction as the heat by tlie shadow of the cloud [is brought low], so the branch (the offspring) of the terrible ones shall be brought low." ParkHukst translates the Hebrew for "branch," the exulting song. Jerome translates the last is described in ch. 25., so the peace of the faithful is here described under the image of a well-fortified city. clause, "And as when the heat burns under a cloud, thou
1. strong city — Jerusalem, strong in Jehovah's protection : type of the new Jerusalem (Psalm 48. 1-3), contrasted with the overthrow of the ungodly foe (v. 4-7, 12-14 ; Revelation 22. 2, 10-12, &.C.). salvation . . . walls— (Ch. 60. 18; Jeremiah 3.23; Zechariah 2.5). Maurer translates, " Jeliovah makes His help serve as walls," &c. (ch. 3.3. 20, Shalt make the branch of the terrible ones to wither;" the branch withering even under the friendly shade of a cloud typilies the wicked brought to ruin, not for want of natural means of prosperity, but by the immediate act of God. 6. in tliis monntain—Zion : Messiah's kingdom was to begin, and is to have its central seat hereafter, at Jerusalem, as the common country of "all nations" (ch.
21, &c.). bulwarks—the trench with the antemural eartbworlvs exterior to the wall. 2. Address of the returning people to the gates of Jerusalem (type of the heavenly
2.2, &c.). all people—(Ch. 56.7; Daniel 7.14; Luke 2.10.) feast—image of felicity (P.salm 22.26, 27; Matthew 8.11; Luke 14, 15; Revelation 19.9; cf. Psalm 86.8; 87). fat city, Hebrews 12. 22); (Psalm 24. 7, 9; 118. 19). Antitypi cally (Revelation 22. 14 ; 21. 25, 27). righteous nation-that had not apostatized during the captivity. Horsley transtilings— delicacies; the rich mercies of God in Christ (ch. .5.5.2; Jeremiah 31.14; Job 36.16). wines on the lees —wine which has been long kept on the lees; i.e., the oldest and most generous wine (Jeremiah 48. 11). marrow —the choicest dainties (Psalm 6.3. 5). well refined—cleared lates, "Tlie nation of the Just One," viz., the Jews. 3. mind, . . stayed—(Psalm 112. 7, 8.) Jesus can create " perfect peace" within th.y mind, though storms of trial rage without (ch. 57. 19; Mark 4. 39); as a city kept securely by a strong garrison within, though besieged without (so Philippians4. 7). " Keep," irt., guard as with a garrison. Horsley translates,(Go(i's) workmanship (the Hebrew does not probably mean " mind," but " a thing/wmcd," Ephesians of all dregs. 7. face of . . . covering—image from mourning, in which it was usual to coveithe face witli a veil (2 Samuel 15. 30). " Face of covering," i. e., the covering itself; as Job 41. 13, "the face of his garment," the garment itself. The covering or veil is tlie mist of ignorance as to a future
2. 10), so constantly " suppoi-ted ;" or else "formed and supported (by thee) thou shalt preserve (it, viz., the righteous nation) in perpetual peace." *. Lord Jehovali— Hebrew, Jah, Jehovah. The union of the two names expresses in the higliest degree God's unchanging love and power (cf. Psalm 68. 4). This passage, and ch. 12. 2 ; Exodus state, and the way to eternal life, which enveloped the nations (Ephesia>ns 4.18) and the unbelieving Jew (2 Corinthians 3. 15). The Jew, however, is first to be converted before the conversion of "all nations;" for it is "in this mountain," viz., Zion, that the latter are to have the veil taken oir (Psalm 102.13, 15, 16, 21, 22; Romans 11.12). 8. Quoted in 1 Corintliiaus 15.54, in support of the resur-
6. 3; Psalm 83. 18, are the four in which the JSnglish Version retains the Jehovah of the original. Maurer translates, "For Jah (the eternal unchangeable One, Exodus 3. 14) is Jehovah, the rock of ages" (cf. ch. 45. 17; Deuteronomy rection, swallow up ... In victory—completely and permanently "abolish" (2 Timothy 1.10; Revelation 20.
14 ; 21. 4 ; cf. Genesis 2. 17 ; 3. 22). rebuke—(Cf. Jlark 8. 38
Hebrews 11. 26.) 9. "After death has been swallowed up for ever, the people of God, who had been delivered from the hand of death, shall say to the Lord, Lo, this is our God, whom unbelievers regarded as only a man." [JbBOME.] "The words are go moulded as to point us specially to the person of the Son of God, who 'saves' us; as He vouchsafed lo Israel temporal saving, so to His elect He appears for the purpose 'of conferring eternal salva-
32. 15; 1 Samuel 2. 2). 5. lofty city—Babylon ; representative of the stronghold of the foes of God's people in all ages (ch. 25. 2, 12; 13. 14). 6. poor— (ch. 25. 4), the onceafflicted Jewish captives. " Foot shall tread," is fig. for exulting in the fall of God's enemies (Revelation 18. 20). 7. uprightness—rather, is direct, i.e., is directed by God to a, prosperous issue, however many be their afflictions in the mean time (as in the case of the Jewish exiles); the context requires this sense (Psalm 34. 19; Proverbs 3. 6; tion." [ViTRiNOA.] The Jews, however, have a special share in tlie words. This is our God (Note, v. 6). "In day
11.5), [Maurer]: thus "way" means God's di(dinyswithth« righteous (Psalm 37. 23). most upriglit—(D(!Uteronomy 32, . . . glad . . . rejoice," cf. Psalm 118.21, which refers to the second cominti of Jesus (cf. Psalm 118. 26, with Luke
dost weiglk—(1 Samuel 2. 3; Proverbs 5. 21.) Rather, iiiou aosi make plain and level [Maurkr], removing all obstacles (ch. 10. 3, 4). 8. way of ll»y Judgments—we bavti
13.35). "Waited" Is characteristic of God's people in all ages (Genesis 49. 18; Titus 2. 13). 10. rest—as il&pcrmanenl 458
P/atse to Godfor His Favour. ISAIAH XXVII. ITie Cart of God over His VineyonL waited for thy proceeding to punish the enemy (d. 9, 10). [Maukek.] Horsley translates v. 7, 8, "The path of the ritual Israelites) also being raised (1 Corinthians 15. 20-23). awake—(Ephesiaiis 5. 14), spiritually, in dust—prostrate and dead, spiritually and nationally; also literally (ctl.
Just One is perfectly even ; an even road tliou wilt level
25. 12; 47. 1). dew—wliich falls copiously in the East and supplies somewliat the want of rain (Hosea 14. 5). cast out for the Just One, even the path of thy laws, O Jeliovah. We have expected tliee." name . . . remembrance — the . . . dead— t. e., shall bring tliem forth to life again, ao, enter . . . chambers—Wlien God is al)OUt to talce vengeance on the ungodly, the saints shall be sliut in by Him in a place of safety, as Noah and his family were in the days of tlie flood (Genesis 7. 16), and as Israel was commanded not to go out of doors on the niglit of the slaying of tiie Egyptian first-born (Exodus 12. 22, 23; Psalm 31. 20; nianil'esteil character of God by which He would be remembered (ch. (14. 3 ; Exodus 3. 15). 9. With . . . soul . . . I— lit., T . . . my soul, in apposition; the faithful Jews here
B])t'ak imlividiuilly. The overthrow of the foe, and the restoration of the Jews, are to follow upon prayer on the part of the latter and of all God's people (ch. 02. 1-1, 6, 7
Psalm 102. ia-17). In tUe iilglit—(Psalm 63. 6 ; Song of Solomon 3. 1.) world . . . learn . . . rlglifeousness — the remnant left after judgments (Psalm 58. 10, 11; Zechariah
83. 3). The saints are calmly and confidently to await the issue (Exodus 14. 13, 14). 31. (Micah 1. 3 ; Judel l.) disclose
14. 16). 10. uprlglitness—rather, as in v. 7, prosperity, answering to "favour" in the parallelism, and in autitliesis. . . blood—{Genesis 4. 10, 11; Job 16. 18; Ezekiel 24. 7, 8.) All the innocent blood shed, and all other wrongs done, so long seemingly with impunity, shall then be avenged (Revelation 16. 6). to "judgments in tlie eartli" (i'. 9); where prosperity at Unds tlie wicked as well as the just, "he will not learn righteousness," therefore judgments must be sent that he may " learn" it. [Maubkk.] 11. lifted up—to punish tlie foes of God's people. Tliey wlio icill not see sIkiU be made to "see" to tiieir cost (cli. 5. 12). tUeir envy at tl»e (i.e., CHAPTEE XXVII.
Ver. 1-13. Continuation of Chapters 24., 25., 26. At the time wlien Israel shall be delivered, and tlie ungodly nations punished, God shall punish also the great enemy of the Cliurch. 1. sore rather, fiard, well-tempered, leviatlian lit., in Arabic, the twisted animal, applicable to every great tenant of the waters, sea-serpents, crocodiles, &c. In Ezekiel 29. 3; 32. 2; Daniel 7. I, &c.; Revelation 12, thy) people—LoWTH translates, " They sliall see with confusion thy zeal fryr thy people." fire of enemies i. e., the fire to wliicli tliiue enemies are doomed (cli. 9. IS). Vi. peace God's favour, including all blessings, temporal and spiritual, opposed to their previous trials (Psalm 13S. 8). 13. ot Uer lords—temporal ; heathen kings (2 Chronicles 12. 8; 3, &o., potentates hostile to Israel are similarly described; antitypically and ultimately Satan is intended (Revelation 20. 10). piercing—rigid. [LowTH.] Flying. [Maukeh and LXX.] Long, extended, viz., as the crocodile which cannot readily bend back its body. [IIoubigant.] crooked—winding, dragon Hebrew, tenin ; tlie croco-
28. 5. 6), Nebuchadnezzar, &c. Spiritual also, idols and lusts (Romans 6. 16-18). by tliee only it is due to thee alone, lliat we again worship tliee as our Lord. [Maureu.] " (We are) thine only, we will celebrate thy name." [Horsi.ey.] Tlie sanctifying effect of affliction (Psalm71. 16; ll'J. 67, 71). 14. Tliey—The "other lords" or tyrants (v. 13). shall not live viz., again, deceased — Hebrew, Repliaim; powerdile, sea—the Euphrates, or the expansion of it near Babylon. 3. In that day when leviathan shall be destroyed, the vineyard (Psalm 80. 8), the Church of God, purged of its blemishes, sliall be lovely in God-'s eyes; to bring out this sense the better, Lowth, by changing a Hebrew letter, reads pleasant, lovely, for "red wine." sing —a responsive song. [LowTH.j unto Iter—rather, concerning her (Note, ch. 5. 1) ; viz., the Jewish state. [Maurer.] 3. lest any hurt it—aUack it. [Maureb.] Lest aught be wanting in her. [Horsley.] 4. Kury is not in me i. e., I entertain no longer anger towards m)j vine, who would set ... in battle i. e., would that > Xad the briers, &c. (the wicked foe ; ch. 9. 18; 10. 17; 2 Samuvl 23. 6), before me! " I would go through," or rather, ''against them." 5. Or— less, in the land of shades (ch. 14. 9, 10). therefore i. e., inasmuch as. Cf. " tlierel'ore" (Genesis 18. 5; 19.8). 15. hast prophietical preterite (cli. 9. 3). hast removed . . . far . . . ends of . . . earth—rather, "Thou hast extended far all the Ijorders of the land." [Vitkinga.] 1G. visited — sought—poured out (Psalm 62. 8), as a vessel emptying out all its contents, prayer— a whispered prayer. Margin, a secret sighing to God for help (cf. Jeremiah 13. 17; Deuteronomy 8. 16). 17. An image of anguish accompanied with expectation, to be followed by joy that will cause the anguish utterly to be forgotten. Zion, looking for deliverance, seemingly in vain, but really about to be gloriously saved (Micali 4. 9, 10.-13 ; 5. 1-3; John 16. 21, 22). 18. brought forth wind—MicHAELis explains this of tlie disease empneumnlosis. Ratlier, "wind" is a figure for that which proves an abortive effort. Tlie "we" is in antithesis to " thy," "my" {v. 19), what we vainly attempt, God will accomplish, not wrought . . . deliverance in . , . earth —lit., the land (Judea) is not made security, i.e., is not become a place of security fi'om our enemies, nor . . . world . . . fallen—tlie " world" at large, is in antitliesis to " tlie earth," i.e., Judea. The world at enmity with the city of God has not been suljdued. But Maukeb explains "fallen," according to Arabic idiom, of the birth of a child, which is said to /aW w lien being bcfe-n; "inhabitants of the world (Israel, ch. 24. 4; not the world in general) are not yet born ;" i. e., the country as yet lies desolate, and is not yet populated. 19. In antithesis to v. 14, "They (Israel's foes) shall not live;" "thy (Jehovah's) dead men (the Jews) shall live," t. e., primarily, be restored, spiritually (ch. 54. 1-3), civilly and nationally (v. 15); whereas thy foes
Else; the only alternative, if Israel's enemies wish to escape being "burnt together." strengtli—rather, the refuge which I afford. [Mauber.] "Take liold," refers to the horns of the altar which fugitives often laid hold of as an asylum (1 Kings 1. 50; 2. 28). Jesus is God's "strength" or "refuge" which sinners must repair to and take hold of, if they are to have "peace" with God (ch. 45. 24; Romans 5. 1 ; Ephesians 2. 14 ; cf. Job 22. 21). 6. He—Jehovah. Here the song of the Lord as to His vineyard (i'. 2-5) ends; and the prophet confirms the sentiment in the song, under the same Image of a vine (cf. Psalm 92. 13-15; Hosea
14. 5, 6). Israel . . . tUl . . . world—(Romans 11. 12.) 7. him . . . those—Xsraei Israel's enemies. Has God punished His people as severely as He has those enemies whom he employed to chastise Israel ? No I Far from It. Israel, after trials. He will restore; Israel's enemies He will utterly destroy at last, the slaughter of them that are slain'by him—ratlier, "Is Israel slain according to the slaughter of the enemy slain f" the slaughter wherewith the enemy is slain. [Mauber.] 8. In measure—Not beyond measure; in moderation (Job 23.6; Psalm 6.1; Jeremiah 10. 24; 30. 11; 46. 28). when It shooteth—imago from the vine; rather, passing from the image to the thing itself, "when sending her away {viz., Israel to exile; ch. 50. 1, God only putting the adulteress away wlien he might justly have put her to death) thou didst punish her." [Gesenius.] stayetli—rather, as Margin, "when He removeth it by His rough wind in the day," &c.. east wind —especially violent in the East (Job 27. 21 ; Jeremiah 18.
Sh.all not; ultimately, and in the fullest scope of the prophecy, restored to life literally (Ezekiel 37. 1-14 ; Daniel 12.
2). togetlier with my dead body—rather, my dead body, or bodies (the Jewish nation personified, which had been spiritually and civilly dead; or the nation, as a parent, speaking of the bodies of her children individually, Note, ». 9, "I," "My"): Jehovah's "dead" and "my dead" are one and the same. [Hoksley.] However, as Jesus is the antitype to Israel (Matthew 2. 15), English Version gives a true sense, and one ultimately contemplated in the prophecy : Clirist's dead body being raised again is the source Of Jehovah s people {all, and especially believers, the spi-
17). 9. By this—Exile of Israel (the "sending away," c, 8). purged—expiated. [Horsley.] all the fruit—this ia