Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 11:16
And there shall be a highway for the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria; like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.
16. a highway ] through river and desert. This miraculous “highway” is a frequent feature in prophetic descriptions of the return from exile. Cf. ch. Isa 35:8, Isa 40:3-4, Isa 42:16, Isa 49:11, &c.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And there shall be an highway – All obstructions shall be removed, and they shall be permitted to return without hinderance (compare the note at Isa 35:8).
For the remnant of his people from Assyria – See note at Isa 11:11.
Like as it was to Israel… – That is, God will remove all obstructions as he did at the Red Sea; he will subdue all their enemies; he will provide for their needs; and he will interpose by the manifest marks of his presence and protection, as their God and their friend. The general view of the chapter is, therefore, that it, refers to the triumph of the Messiahs kingdom; that it is not yet fully accomplished; and that the time is coming when the scattered Jews shall be regathered to God – not returned to their own land, but brought again under his dominion under the administration of the Messiah; and that this event shall be attended with a sudden removal of the obstructions to the gospel, and to its rapid spread everywhere among the nations. Comparing this with the present state of the Jews, we may remark, in regard to this prospect:
(1) That they are now, and will continue to be, scattered in all nations. They have been driven to all parts of the earth – wanderers without a home – yet continuing their customs, rites, and special opinions; and continuing to live, notwithstanding all the efforts of the nations to crush and destroy them.
(2) They speak nearly all the languages of the world. They are acquainted with all the customs, prejudices, and opinions of the nations of the earth. They would, therefore, be under no necessity of engaging in the laborious work of learning language – which now occupies so much of the time, and consumes so much of the strength of the modern missionary.
(3) The law of God is thus in all nations. It is in every synagogue; and it has been well said, that the law there is like extinguished candles, and that all that is needful to illuminate the world, is to light those candles. Let the Jew everywhere be brought to see the true meaning of his law; let the light of evangelical truth shine into his synagogue, and the world would be at once illuminated. The truth would go with the rapidity of the sunbeams from place to place, until the whole earth would be enlightened with the knowledge of the Redeemer.
(4) The Jews, when converted, make the best missionaries. There is a freshness in their views of the Messiah when they are converted, which Gentile converts seldom feel. The apostles were all Jews; and the zeal of Paul shows what converted Jews will do when they become engaged in making known the true Messiah. If it has been a characteristic of their nation that they would compass sea and land to make one proselyte, what will their more than three million accomplish when they become converted to the true faith of the Redeemer? We have every reason, therefore, to expect that God intends to make great use yet of the Jews, whom he has preserved scattered everywhere – though they be but a remnant – in converting the world to his Son. And we should most fervently pray, that they may be imbued with love to their long-rejected Messiah, and that they may everywhere become the missionaries of the cross.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
From Assyria; as there was another highway from Egypt in the former verse. So the sense is, that all impediments shall be removed, and a way made for the return of Gods Israel from all parts of the world. He mentions Assyria, because thither the ten tribes were carried, 2Ki 17:23; whose case seemed to be most desperate.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
16. highwaya highway clear ofobstructions (Isa 19:23; Isa 35:8).
like as . . . Israel . . .Egypt (Isa 51:10; Isa 51:11;Isa 63:12; Isa 63:13).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And there shall be a highway for the remnant of his people,…. That is, through the river; that being dried up, and all hindrances and obstacles being removed, the way will be clear for multitudes to walk in without interruption, like a large common, highway, or causeway; so the Mahometan, Pagan, and Papal kingdoms being destroyed, and with them each of their religions, the way of truth, righteousness, and holiness, will be manifest to the remnant of the Lord’s people; who will be at this time in those parts, in which they will be directed to walk, and will walk, and not err, see Isa 35:8:
which shall be left from Assyria; the Septuagint and Arabic versions read, “which is left in Egypt”; and designs the remnant, according to the election of grace, that shall be in any of the antichristian countries, either Mahometan or Papal; rather the former seems intended, who shall at this time be brought to the knowledge of Christ, and to walk in his ways:
like as it was to Israel in that day that he came up out of the land of Egypt; that is, as there was a highway made through the Red Sea, in which Israel passed, as on dry land, when they came out of Egypt, and went through the wilderness to Canaan’s land.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
16. And there shall be a path. (192) This verse contains nothing new, but explains the former verse. The people would perceive the same power of God in the deliverance from Babylon as they had perceived in the deliverance from Egypt. He had opened up a way through seas, (Exo 14:29; Psa 77:19,) through untrodden deserts, (Deu 8:2,) and through Jordan; (Jos 3:16.) In like manner, Isaiah says, that by an unexpected and astonishing method he will again open up a way for his people to go out. Accordingly, what the Lord has once performed let us also expect for the future; and for that purpose let us ponder the ancient histories. This ought also to direct our thoughts to the final deliverance of the Church, by which we shall all be delivered from all troubles and distresses; so that, though what we are told about a resurrection and immortal life may appear to be incredible, and the means of accomplishing them are not seen by us, still the Lord will easily find a way.
(192) An highway. — Eng. Ver.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(16) And there shall be an highway for the remnant . . .The highway is, as in Isa. 19:23; Isa. 49:11, and elsewhere, the raised embanked road, made by Eastern kings for the march of their armies. Such a road the prophet sees in his vision (here as in Isa. 40:3), stretching across the great plains of Mesopotamia for the return of Israel. It was to be for that second time of restoration what the passage of the Red Sea had been for the first time of the Exodus, for the exiles in Assyria what another passage of the Egyptian sea was to be for those in Egypt.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
REFLECTIONS
PRECIOUS Jesus! was the prophet commissioned to bring the Church acquainted with thy nature, according to the flesh? Didst thou indeed come forth as rod out of the stem of Jesse, and as branch out of his roots? Then art thou of my own nature; bone of my bone, and flesh of my flesh. Oh! thou Plant of renown! its thy person, work, righteousness, in the whole of thy redemption, thou art the Lord our God; thou; even thou, hast wrought our salvation for us, and salvation in us: surely, blessed Jesus, thou art all thy people need, and all they can enjoy, in life, in death, in time, and to all eternity! Oh! for a portion of that Spirit which rested upon thee, and which thou impartest to thy people, according to the measure of the gift of Christ! For this will induce all those blessed effects of thy gracious gospel, when the corrupt passions of men shall be brought under the sweet influences of grace and nothing shall then hurt or destroy, in all thine holy mountain!, Blessed Lord! hasten thy glorious purposes concerning thy kingdom! Oh! when shall the hour dawn upon a sinful, dark, and degenerate world, when the Lord will set his hand the second time, to recover the remnant of his people? When wilt the time come, that men shall break their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks? Hasten, blessed Lord, the triumphs of thy kingdom! Cut short thy work, in righteousness, thou that art mighty to save: and let that precious promise be fulfilled; when Israel shall be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land. Oh! Lord of hosts, bless, as thou hast said, saying; Blessed be Egypt, my people, and Assyria, the work of mine hands, and Israel, mine inheritance?
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Isa 11:16 And there shall be an highway for the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria; like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.
Ver. 16. And there shall be an highway. ] Agger, via strata, a causeway. Isa 7:3
In the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
highway. See note on Isa 7:3.
like as it was. Reference to Pentateuch (Exo 14:22). App-92.
in the day = when. See note on Gen 2:17, and App-18.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
And there shall: Isa 11:11, Isa 19:23, Isa 27:13, Isa 35:8-10, Isa 40:3, Isa 40:4, Isa 49:12, Isa 57:14
like as it was: Isa 42:15, Isa 42:16, Isa 48:20, Isa 48:21, Isa 51:10, Isa 63:12, Isa 63:13, Exo 14:26-29
Reciprocal: Jos 4:22 – General Psa 74:13 – divide Psa 74:15 – flood Psa 114:1 – Israel Isa 10:26 – his rod Isa 12:1 – And in that Isa 28:5 – residue Isa 43:2 – passest Isa 43:16 – maketh Isa 44:27 – Be dry Isa 49:11 – General Isa 65:16 – because Hos 9:3 – but Joe 2:32 – and in Mic 7:12 – also Mic 7:15 – General Hab 3:10 – the overflowing Zec 10:11 – he shall Heb 11:29 – General