Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 66:14
And when ye see [this], your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the LORD shall be known toward his servants, and [his] indignation toward his enemies.
14. R.V. And ye shall see (it) and your heart &c.; recalling ch. Isa 60:5. your bones shall flourish like the tender grass (R.V.)] i.e. shall be fresh and full of sap (cf. Job 21:24; Pro 15:30). So when the strength is exhausted by sickness, the bones are said to be consumed or burn (Psa 31:10; Psa 32:3; Psa 102:3; Lam 1:13).
and his indignation ] Strictly: and he will have indignation (as R.V.). A.V. would be a better construction if we might supply the suffix for “his” (so Duhm).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And when ye see this – This great accession to the church from the Gentile world.
Your bones shall flourish like an herb – This is an image which is often employed in the Scriptures. When the vigor of the body fails, or when it is much afflicted, the bones are said to be feeble or weakened, or to be dried Psa 6:2; Psa 51:8; Psa 22:14, Psa 22:17; Psa 38:3; Lam 1:13; Pro 14:30; Pro 17:22. like manner, prosperity, health, vigor, are denoted by making the bones fat (see the notes at Isa 58:11; Pro 15:20), or by imparting health, marrow, or strength to them Pro 3:8; Pro 16:24. The sense here is, that their vigor would be greatly increased.
The hand of the Lord shall be known – That is, it shall be seen that he is powerful to defend his people, and to punish their enemies.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Isa 66:14
The hand of the Lord shall be known toward His servants
The Lords hand revealed
I.
SOME OF THE WAYS THE HAND OF THE LORD MAKES ITSELF KNOWN TOWARDS HIS SERVANTS.
1. In the character they bear.
2. In the work they do.
3. In the sufferings they endure.
4. In all the triumphs of their faith and patience.
II. THE CONDITION OF THIS VISIBLE DISPLAY OF GODS POWER. Simply to let it operate upon us and through us. We can, and often do, prevent His hand from being known. There must be humble recptiveness, believing prayer.
III. THE EFFECTS OF THIS MANIFESTATION OF THE LORDS HAND.
1. It encourages the Lords servants.
2. It rebukes the unbelief of the ungodly. Conclusion: Unconverted sinner I the Lord desires to show forth the power of His grace in you. Will you not allow Him to work upon you this miracle of His saving power? (W. Guthrie, M. A.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
The peace and tranquillity of the church, and the propagation of the kingdom of Christ, is always the cause of a heart-rejoicing to such as fear God, Psa 105:3; the reason is, because it is the greatest object of their desires, which are then satisfied, and their thoughts are then at rest; and besides they are members of the same body, so as their own bones, which before are dry and withered, Eze 37:1,2, and the sinews, and the flesh, come again upon them, and the skin covers them above, so as they
flourish like an herb in the spring, all whose verdure and beauty in the winter was concealed in the root hid in the earth.
And the hand of the Lord shall be known toward his servants; and in this the power, protection, and influence of God for, of, and upon such as truly serve and obey him shall be made manifest and known.
And his indignation toward his enemies; but the wicked shall be under a quite contrary dispensation, Psa 1:4. As they have had a day which hath been to you the power of darkness, so you shall have a day which shall be to them the power of darkness; as Gods hand shall be upon and towards such as fear me, to cover, and bless, and influence them, so his indignation shall in that day be showed towards those of your nation who have declared themselves the enemies of the Lord.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
14. boneswhich once were”dried up” by the “fire” of God’s wrath (La1:13), shall live again (Pro 3:8;Pro 15:30; Eze 37:1,&c.).
flourish . . . herb(Ro 11:15-24).
known towardmanifestedin behalf of.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And when ye see this,…. All the above things prophesied of come to pass; the conversion of the Jews; the peaceable and prosperous condition of the church of Christ; and perceive, feel, and enjoy the comforts of God in an experimental manner:
your heart shall rejoice; for nothing can be matter of greater joy than these; these cause an inward, hearty, and sincere joy, and not mere outward expressions of it:
and your bones shall flourish like an herb; in a well watered garden, or on which the dew lies; which revives, lifts up its head, and is green and flourishing: so the hearts of God’s people are comforted and filled with joy, it renews their spiritual strength; the bones that were dried up with sorrow become fat and flourishing and like a garden of herbs, whose springs fail not; see Pr 17:22. The people of the Jews, in their present state, are like dry hones; but these dry bones shall live at the word of God, and through the power of his grace, and stand upon their feet, and which will cause great joy to others, and be is life from the dead. This passage Abarbinel and other Jewish writers interpret of the resurrection of the dead; for they believe the same body will rise, and the same bones revive. They have indeed a fabulous notion of the bone “luz”, which they say is never consumed, and from which the rest will be restored; but, letting this pass, it may be observed that they use these words with others at the funeral of their dead, and when they return from the grave, thereby expressing their faith in this article. The ceremony used by them is this,
“as they return from the grave, everyone of them plucks up grass from off the ground twice or thrice, and casts it over his head behind him, saying those words of the psalmist, “and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth”,
Ps 72:16 and this they do, to signify their hopes of the resurrection of the dead, who shall flourish as the grass, as the prophet says, “your bones shall flourish as the herb” b,”
or tender grass; as that springs up after it is cut down, so will the bones of the dead revive again, after they have been reduced to dust in the grave; and if that experiment is fact, said to be made by chemists, that herbs may be caused to grow up out of their ashes, it will serve very much to illustrate the words taken in this sense; which is done in the following manner,
“they take a rose, gillyflower, or any other plant, in the spring, in its full consistence, and beat the whole of it in a mortar to a paste, and extract a kind of ashes or salt out of it, which they put up in glasses, stopped and sealed; and, by applying a candle or a soft fire to them, the herbs or plants are perceived, by little and little, to rise up again out of their salt or ashes, in their several proper forms, as they did in the field c.”
And the hand of the Lord shall be known towards his servants: in making them thus joyful, prosperous, and fruitful; in protecting and preserving them, and, in supplying all their wants; his hand of power, which is not shortened that he cannot save; and his hand of grace, which is opened to distribute to the necessities of his people:
and his indignation towards his enemies; the worshipper, of the beast, the followers of antichrist, who will drink deep of the wine of the wrath of God, poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation, he will put into their hands; whose indignation is such as is intolerable, there is no standing before it, or sustaining it, or abiding under it; see Re 14:9. Kimchi says this will be fulfilled in the war of Gog and Magog.
b Vid. Buxtorf. Jud. Synagog. c. 49. p. 702, 703. Leo Modena, History of the Rites, &c. of the present Jews, part 5. c. 8. sect. 6. p. 237, 238. c See Gregory’s Notes and Observations, &c. c. 26. p. 122, 123. and his Posthumua, p. 70. (This sounds like a wild fable to me. Editor.)
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Wherever they look, joy now meets their eye. “And ye will see, and your heart will be joyful, and your bones will flourish like young herbage; and thus does the hand of Jehovah make itself known in His servants, and fiercely does He treat His enemies.” They will see, and their heart will rejoice, i.e., (cf., Isa 53:11; Isa 60:5) they will enjoy a heart-cheering prospect, and revive again with such smiling scenery all around. The body is like a tree The bones are its branches. These will move and extend themselves in the fulness of rejuvenated strength (compare Isa 58:11, et ossa tua expedita faciet ); and thus will the hand of Jehovah practically become known ( v e nwd e ah , perf. cons.) in His servants – that hand under whose gracious touch all vernal life awakens, whether in body or in mind. And thus is it with the surviving remnant of Israel, whereas Jehovah is fiercely angry with His foes. The first is used in a prepositional sense, as in Psa 67:2, viz., “in His servants, so that they come to be acquainted with it”; the second in an accusative sense, for za’am is either connected with , or as in Zec 1:12; Mal 1:4, with the accusative of the object. It is quite contrary to the usage of the language to take both according to the phrase ( ) ( ) .
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
14. And ye shall see. By the word “see,” he expresses undoubted experience, that believers may not doubt as to the result, but, embracing this prediction with full belief, may patiently endure for a time the barrenness of the Church.
And your bones shall flourish as grass. He illustrates his former statement by a metaphor, saying that “their bones” shall regain their former vigor, as faded “grass” becomes fresh and green again. He mentions the “bones,” which are commonly dried up by a melancholy spirit, (Pro 17:22,) and, on the other hand, are replenished and invigorated by a happy and cheerful disposition. Thus he describes an ardent and invaluable joy, and seems to allude to the sadness by which believers had been almost dried up during the captivity, and had become like dead men. The Lord therefore comforts them, and promises that the Church shall flourish, and shall abound in everything that is desirable; as if bones, that wanted moisture, should regain their former vigor, or as grass, which appears to be dead during the winter, recovers its freshness every year.
And the hand of Jehovah shall be known toward his servants. That they may cherish confidence, he nexts bids them rise to God, who will then reveal his assistance. It follows from this, that the hand of God has not always been known, but has sometimes remained concealed, as if he had no care about his people. At first sight, he appeared to have cast them off; for Daniel, and other good men, (Dan 1:6,) not less than Zedekiah, (Jer 52:9,) were carried into captivity. He says, that when the fine weather shall smile upon them, there shall be such a distinction between the good and the bad, as to make manifest this hand, which formerly was in some measure hidden; because he will no longer conceal himself, or permit the wicked to ravage without control, but will openly shew how great is his solicitude about his people. If therefore for a time the enemies have the superiority, and pursue their lawless course without being punished, if we appear to be overlooked and destitute of all assistance, let us not despair; for the time will come when the Lord will reveal himself, and will rescue us from their assaults and tyranny.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
THE LORDS HAND REVEALED
Isa. 66:14. The hand of the LORD shall be known toward His servants.
I. Some of the ways the hand of the Lord makes itself known toward His servants.
1. In the character they bear.
2. In the work they do.
3. In the sufferings they endure.
4. In all the triumphs of their faith and patience.
II. The condition of this visible display of Gods power. Simply to let it operate upon us and through us. We can, and often do, prevent His hand from being known. There must be humble receptiveness, believing prayer.
III. The effects of this manifestation of the Lords hand.
1. It encourages the Lords servants.
2. It rebukes the unbelief of the ungodly. Conclusion. Unconverted sinner, the Lord desires to show forth the power of His grace in you. Will you not allow Him to work upon you His miracle of saving power? (See outlines on Isa. 1:2; Isa. 59:1).W. Guthrie, M.A.
Isa. 66:18-24. The ultimate issue of Gods judgments. I. The revelation of the Divine glory in the sight of all nations. II. The universal proclamation of truth. III. The enlargement and perpetuation of the Church. IV. The constant and universal celebration of the Divine praise. V. The everlasting shame and misery of the wicked.
Isa. 66:23. I. God is the only true object of worship. Spiritual. Regular. II. His worship shall become universal. III. Shall be constantly perpetuated. What a great work the Church has before it!
Isa. 66:24. I. The wickedness of the wicked. II. Its punishment. Certain. Terrible. Without alleviation or hope. III. The perpetuation of its moral lessons. (See also Gatherings from a Ministry: John Milne, pp. 229236).Dr. Lyth.
Fuente: The Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary Edited by Joseph S. Exell
(14) Your bones shall flourish . . .Heart and bones stand respectively as symbols of the inner and outer life. The bones, the branches, so to speak, of the body, which had been dry and sere, should revive as with the sap of a new life, and be as the succulent herbage. His hand, i.e., His manifested power, will show itself in love to His people, in indignation to their enemies.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
While The Righteous Will Flourish God Will Finally Judge The Unrighteous ( Isa 66:14-16 ).
Isa 66:14-16
‘And you will see and your heart will rejoice,
And your bones will flourish like the tender grass,
And the hand of Yahweh will be known towards his servants,
And he will have indignation against his enemies.
For behold Yahweh will come with fire,
And his chariots will be like the whirlwind,
To render his anger with fury,
And his rebuke with flames of fire.
For by fire will Yahweh plead,
And by his sword, with all flesh,
And the slain of Yahweh will be many.’
A similar judgment to that on Edom (Isa 63:1-6) is now threatened against all Yahweh’s enemies. His own people who look to the new Jerusalem will see all that is happening, and their hearts will rejoice, and they will flourish like grass that is springing up. And as His servants they will experience Yahweh’s hand, His personal action on their behalf. They will be part of His Jerusalem. But His enemies will experience His wrath. ‘Heart’ and ‘bones’ here represent the whole man.
For He will come with fire, the fire of His holiness and uniqueness, and with a force of chariots coming in like a whirlwind (compare Isa 5:28), expressing his powerful action, in order to reveal His wrath and His fury with flames of fire. He will judge all flesh by fire and sword (compare Gen 3:24 where these kept men from the tree of life). And His slain will be many. But note also that it is man slaying man. God’s judgment paradoxically is carried out by the very men on whom His judgment is coming. This description includes the final judgment, but may also include judgments through the ages which are foretastes of it. Yahweh’s hand will continually deliver His servants and He Himself will slay the unrighteous.
The picture of a final period of fire (Eze 38:19; Joe 2:3; Joe 2:30; Mic 1:4; Nah 1:6; Mal 3:2), whirlwind (Pro 1:27; Hos 8:7; Nah 1:3) and warfare is a popular one with the prophets in one way or another (Isa 29:6). and it signals the end of time. It sums up what unredeemed man is, and what his end is. He brings it on himself. And in the end the earth is to be destroyed by fire which will include the destruction of ungodly men (2Pe 3:7).
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Isa 66:14. And when ye see this, &c. When the true believers, at the time of this distinguished mercy of God to his church, should observe his favour to them, and his punishment of their enemies, full of joy they should triumph in the salvation of Jehovah; their understanding of the divine will, their faith, hope, and all the spiritual dispositions which support their state, here metaphorically called bones, as in other places, (see ch. Isa 57:11. Psa 34:21-22.) should acquire greater strength, and, indued as it were with new life, should put forth the flourishing fruits of piety, love, zeal, and good works; that is to say, should grow green, should germinate, should greatly flourish; which is the force of the original word parach: And the brighter the proofs were of the hand or power of Jehovah, exerted for the advantage of his people, and of his indignation and severity toward their enemies, which this last period of the church should afford, so much the greater cause for rejoicing should the church have at that time: so much the stronger should their faith and hope be found, and their good works abound and flourish. See Vitringa, who reads the last clause, And the hand of the Lord shall be conspicuous with his servants, while he shall handle their enemies severely.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Isa 66:14 And when ye see [this], your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the LORD shall be known toward his servants, and [his] indignation toward his enemies.
Ver. 14. And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice. ] Videbitis, gaudebitis; you shall see that I do not give you good words only, but that I am in good earnest; ye shall know it within yourselves, in the workings of your own hearts. as Heb 10:34
And your bones shall flourish like an herb,
And the hand of the Lord,
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
when ye see this = as soon as ye see this.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
your heart: Zec 10:7, Joh 16:22
your bones: Isa 26:19, Pro 3:8, Pro 17:22, Eze 37:1-14, Hos 14:4-8
the hand: Isa 66:5, Isa 65:12-16, Ezr 7:9, Ezr 8:18, Ezr 8:22, Ezr 8:31, Mal 3:18, Heb 10:27
Reciprocal: Deu 2:15 – the hand of the 1Ki 8:66 – joyful Neh 2:8 – the king Psa 86:4 – Rejoice Psa 107:42 – righteous Psa 126:3 – General Son 5:1 – eat Isa 49:13 – the Lord Isa 60:16 – thou shalt know Isa 61:2 – and Isa 65:13 – my servants shall rejoice Eze 37:12 – I will open Zep 3:19 – I will undo Zec 2:10 – and rejoice Zec 4:10 – for they Zec 12:3 – in that Luk 19:27 – General Act 8:39 – and he Rom 11:22 – therefore 2Co 1:4 – that Rev 8:5 – and filled Rev 19:7 – be glad
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Isa 66:14. And when ye see this To what a happy state the church is restored; your heart shall rejoice The peace of the church, and the extension of the kingdom of Christ, are always causes of real joy to such as fear God. And your bones shall flourish like an herb The bones that were dried and withered, the marrow of them being quite exhausted, shall recover a youthful strength and vigour, and shall flourish like an herb in the spring, whose verdure and beauty in the winter were concealed in the root hid in the earth. In other words, you Jews shall recover your ancient strength and glory, and be renewed in as wonderful a manner as if dry, withered bones should recover their youth and moisture: or, as if the dead bones in a charnel-house should be united with sinews, clothed again with flesh and skin, and should have life and vigour infused into them. Then shall be effected that resurrection of the dry bones spoken of by Eze 37:1, &c., for that vision relates to the restoration of the Jewish nation, after it had lain for many ages in a dead, hopeless condition. In like manner St. Paul calls the receiving of the Jews into the church, life from the dead, Rom 11:15. And the hand of the Lord shall be known toward his servants The power, protection, and influence of God shall be made manifest for, and upon, all such as truly serve and obey him. And his indignation toward his enemies But the wicked shall experience a quite contrary dispensation, Psa 1:4. As Gods hand shall be upon and toward such as fear him, to cover, bless, and influence them, so his indignation shall in that day be showed toward those of your nation who have manifested themselves to be his enemies.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
66:14 And when ye see [this], your heart shall rejoice, and your {p} bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the LORD shall be known toward his servants, and [his] indignation toward his enemies.
(p) You will have new strength and new beauty.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
The result would be that God’s people would see His supernatural work, would rejoice in it, and would receive strength from observing it. His servants, the godly among His people, would appreciate that God Himself had revived Israel. But He would punish His enemies.