Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 50:3
I clothe the heavens with blackness, and I make sackcloth their covering.
3. Comp. Exo 10:21 with blackness ] with murky storm-clouds. The word, which occurs only here, denotes (like sackcloth in the next clause) the garb of mourning. Cf. Rev 6:12.
The strophe ends somewhat abruptly, and the thought is perhaps incomplete.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
I clothe the heavens with blackness – With the dark clouds of a tempest – perhaps with an allusion to the remarkable clouds and tempests that encircled the brow of Sinai when he gave the law. Or possibly alluding to the thick darkness which he brought over the land of Egypt (Exo 10:21; Grotius). In the previous verse, he had stated what he did on the earth, and referred to the exhibitions of his great power there. He here refers to the exhibition of his power in the sky; and the argument is, that he who had thus the power to spread darkness over the face of the sky, had power also to deliver his people.
I make sackcloth their covering – Alluding to the clouds. Sackcloth was a coarse and dark cloth which was usually worn as an emblem of mourning (see the note at Isa 3:24). The same image is used in Rev 6:12 : And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair. To say, therefore, that the heavens were clothed with sackcloth, is one of the most striking and impressive figures which can be conceived.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
I clothe the heavens with blackness; or, I will or can clothe &c. What I once did in Egypt, when I drew black curtains before all the heavenly lights, and caused an unparalleled and amazing darkness for three days together, to the great terror of mine enemies, so I can and will do still when it is necessary to save my people. And therefore you have no reason to distrust me.
I make sackcloth their covering; I cover them with thick and dark clouds, black as sackcloth, as is said, Rev 6:12, or as that stuff of which the tents of Kedar were made, Son 1:5. From this and some other expressions it appears that they wore a black sackcloth, which also was most suitable to the state of mourners, by whom it was used.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
3. heavens . . . blacknessanotherof the judgments on Egypt to be repeated hereafter on the last enemyof God’s people (Ex 10:21).
sackcloth (Re6:12).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
I clothe the heavens with blackness,…. With gross and thick darkness; perhaps referring to the three days’ darkness the Egyptians were in, Ex 10:12, or with thick and black clouds, as in tempestuous weather frequently; or by eclipses of the sun; there was an extraordinary instance of great darkness at the time of Christ’s crucifixion, Mt 27:45
and I make sackcloth their covering; that being black, and used in times of mourning; the allusion may be to the tents of Kedar, which were covered with sackcloth, or such like black stuff. The fall of the Pagan empire, through the power of Christ and his Gospel, is signified by the sun becoming black as sackcloth of hair, Re 6:12. Jarchi interprets this parabolically of the princes of the nations, when the Lord shall come to take vengeance upon them; as Kimchi does the sea, and the rivers, in the preceding verse, of the good things of the nations of the world, which they had in great abundance, and should be destroyed.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
3. I clothe the heavens with blackness. He mentions also that thick darkness which was spread over all Egypt during the space of three days. (Exo 10:22.) At that time the heaven was clothed as with a mouming dress; for, as fine weather has a gladdening influence, so blackness and darkness produce melancholy; and therefore he says, that the heavens were covered as with sackcloth or with a mouming dress, as if they had been tokens and expressions of mouming, (15) If any one prefer to view them as general statements, let him enjoy his opinion; but I think it probable that he glances at the history of the deliverance from Egypt, (16) front which it might easily be inferred that God, who had so miraculously assisted the fathers, was prevented by their ingratitude from granting relief to the miseries which now oppressed them.
(15) “This gives a great idea of God’s power. Though the sun shines so bright that no mortal eye can steadily behold its lustre, I can at pleasure send a thick cloud and intercept its rays, and make the heavens appear as if they had put on mourning.” — White.
(16) “ A l’histoire de la deliverance d’Egypte.”
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
3. I clothe the heavens with blackness As at Sinai, but I cause the terror stricken still to live, and lay before them my commands. Should not such a husband, such a father, helper, friend, be worthy of confidence?
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Isa 50:3 I clothe the heavens with blackness, and I make sackcloth their covering.
Ver. 3. I clothe the heavens with blackness. ] I did so in that three days’ darkness in Egypt, Exo 10:21-22 and shall do so again at the time of my passion. I can therefore, doubtless, deliver you, not only from Babylon, but from sin, death, and hell, by giving you an entrance into heaven by the waters of baptism, and by bringing you out of darkness into my marvellous light. 1Pe 2:9
And make sackcloth their covering.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Exo 10:21, Psa 18:11, Psa 18:12, Mat 27:45, Rev 6:12
Reciprocal: Jer 4:28 – the heavens Nah 1:4 – rebuketh Mar 15:33 – darkness
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
50:3 I clothe the heavens with blackness, and I make {f} sackcloth their covering.
(f) As I did in Egypt in token of my displeasure, Exo 10:21 .