Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 24:5
The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.
5. The earth also is defiled (literally, profaned) under the inhabitants thereof ] That the land of Israel is profaned by the sins of its people, is a prominent idea in the O.T.; the conception is here extended to the whole earth. The condition of the world resembles that which preceded the Deluge (Gen 6:11).
changed the ordinance ] Rather, disregarded (lit. “passed by”) the ordinance.
the everlasting covenant ] The expression is taken from Gen 9:16, and refers to the covenant made after the flood with Noah and his family as representatives of the human race. The sin of the world lies in the violation of these fundamental dictates of morality, especially the law against murder, which is the principal stipulation of the Noachic covenant (Gen 9:5-6). The conception is probably a late one.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof – The statements in this verse are given as a reason why the curse had been pronounced against them, and why these calamities had come upon them, Isa 24:6. The first reason is, that the very earth become polluted by their crimes. This phrase may denote that injustice and cruelty prevailed to such an extent that the very earth was stained with gore, and covered with blood under the guilty population. So the phrase is used in Num 33:33; Psa 106:38. Or it may mean in general that the wickedness of the people was great, and was accumulating, and the very earth under them was polluted by sustaining such a population. But the former is probably the correct interpretation.
Changed the ordinance – Or, the statute ( choq). This word, from chaqaq, to engrave, and then to make or institute a law or an ordinance, is usually applied to the positive statutes appointed by Moses. The word statute accurately expresses the idea. These they had changed by introducing new statutes, and had in fact, if not in form, repealed the laws of Moses, and introduced others.
Broken the everlasting covenant – The word covenant here is evidently used, as it is often, in the sense of law. By the term everlasting covenant, Vitringa correctly supposes is denoted the laws of nature, the immutable laws of justice and right, which are engraven on the conscience, and which are inflexible and perpetual.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Isa 24:5
The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof
The earth polluted by sin
The inhabitants of the earth pollute it by their sins: the children of Israel defiled Gods land by filling His inheritance with the carcasses of their abominable things, with their idolatries, with their wicked inventions and corrupt ways.
(R. Macculloch.)
Transgression
They have transgressed the laws of nature, of conscience, and of nations–the ceremonial, judicial, and moral laws, delivered to them by Jehovah Himself. These laws, stamped by the sacred authority of the one great Lawgiver, which they ought to have religiously observed, they presumptuously transgressed, omitting to do what He required and committing what He had forbidden. (R. Macculloch.)
The earth cursed for mans sake
The Bible gives no support to the theory that matter itself is evil. God created all things; and God saw everything that He had made; and, behold, it was very good. When, therefore, we read in the Bible that the earth is cursed, we read that it is cursed for mans sake; when we read of its desolation, it is as the effect of mans crime. (G. A. Smith, D. D.)
The everlasting covenant
The covenant is that with Noah, and the law that against bloodshed (Gen 9:5-6). (A. B. Davidson, LL. D.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 5. The laws – “The law”] torah, singular: so read the Septuagint, Syriac, and Chaldee.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The earth also, Heb. And the land; or, this land; for here is an emphatical article in the Hebrew text.
Is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; by the wickedness of its people; of which see Lev 18:25,27; Num 35:33, &c. The laws; the laws of God revealed to them, and pressed upon them in a singular manner, called simply the laws, as the word of God is ofttimes called the word, by way of eminency.
The ordinance; Gods ordinances concerning his worship and service; the singular being put collectively for the plural.
The everlasting covenant; the covenant made between God and Abraham, and all his posterity, renewed with the Israelites at Sinai, which was everlasting, both on Gods part, who, upon the conditions therein expressed, engaged himself to be a God to them and to their seed for ever; and on Israels part, who were obliged thereby to constant and perpetual obedience through all generations. All these clauses clearly prove that the earth or land which this prophecy concerns, is no other than the land of Israel and Judah.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
5. earthrather, “theland.”
defiled under . . .inhabitantsnamely, with innocent blood (Gen 4:11;Num 35:33; Psa 106:38).
laws . . . ordinance . . .everlasting covenantThe moral laws, positivestatutes, and national covenant designed to be for everbetween God and them.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants of it,…. Or, “and the earth”; or, “for the earth is defiled” q; and so it is a reason why it is emptied and spoiled, because polluted and corrupted with the fornication of the whore of Rome, with her idolatries and superstitions, with which the inhabitants of the earth are defiled; or with her rapine and violence, cruelties, bloodshed, and murders; for blood defiles a land, Nu 35:33 all which are committed by the inhabitants of the earth, subject to the see of Rome, by reason of which it may be said to be corrupted or defiled; so the phrase may be interpreted “for”, or “because of the inhabitants of it”: thus Jarchi and Kimchi, because of their wickedness and impieties; see
Re 11:18 or, “the earth is deceitful” r, or plays the hypocrite; promising and showing as if it would bring forth fruit, and brings forth none, but is barren and unfruitful, because of the sins of the inhabitants of it; see Re 18:14:
because they have transgressed the laws; of God and man, as antichrist and his followers have done; who is that wicked , that “lawless one”, that sets up himself above laws, and takes upon him to dispense with the laws of God and man, 2Th 2:4 and in innumerable instances has transgressed both, casting all contempt upon them, and bidding all defiance to them, as being not at all bound and obliged by them:
changed the ordinance; or “ordinances”; the singular for the plural, a collective word; the ordinances of divine revelation, of the Gospel dispensation, those of baptism, and the Lord’s supper; the former of these is changed, both as to subjects and mode, from adult baptism to infant baptism, from immersion to aspersion; and the latter, in it the bread and wine are pretended to be changed into the very body and blood of Christ, and is only given in one kind to the laity, and made a real sacrifice of, when its end and use are only to commemorate the one sacrifice already offered up; moreover, by the “ordinance” may be meant the Scriptures, which are the , “the rule of judgment”; which antichrist has most miserably perverted, and has changed and altered the sense of them; taking upon him to be the infallible interpreter of them, and judge of all controversies, forbidding the reading of them to the people, and setting up his own decrees, definitions, and determinations, above them; and is “that throne of iniquity, that frameth mischief, by a law”, or ordinance, of his own making, and which he puts in the room of the divine law or ordinance,
Ps 94:20 where the same word is used as here; and he is that little horn, that thought to change times and laws, Da 7:25:
broken the everlasting covenant; not the eternal law of nature, nor the everlasting covenant of circumcision, or that made with Israel on mount Sinai; but the new covenant, or the administration of the covenant of grace under the Gospel dispensation, which is to last to the end of time, and lies in the ministration of the word, and administration of ordinances; which antichrist has done all that in his power lies to break, make null and void, by corrupting the word, and changing the ordinances, and setting up his own institutions above them, and against them.
q “et terra”, V. L. “nam terra”, Piscator. r “hypocrita est”, Montanus, Tigurine version.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
5. And the earth was deceitful. (123) Others render it “defiled” or “polluted,” because כנף ( chānăph) means “to be wicked.” Both renderings may be appropriate; but the next verse appears to demand that we explain it to mean false; for he appears to illustrate and exhibit it more fully immediately afterwards, when he says that “the earth has been consumed by a curse.”
Under its inhabitants. Whether תהת ( tăhăth) be translated “ Under its inhabitants,” or, “ On account of its inhabitants,” is of little importance. There is a kind of mutual bargain between the land and the husbandmen, that it gives back with usury what it has received: if it does not, it deceives those who cultivate it. But he assigns a reason, imputing blame to them, that they render it barren by their wickedness. It is owing to our fault that it does not nourish us or bring forth fruit, as God appointed to be done by the regular order of nature; for he wished that it should hold the place of a mother to us, to supply us with food; and if it change its nature and order, or lose its fertility, we ought to attribute it to our sins, since we ourselves have reversed the order which God had appointed; otherwise the earth would never deceive us, but would perform her duty.
Because they have transgressed the laws. He immediately assigns the reason why the earth is unfaithful, and deceives her inhabitants. It is because those who refuse to honor God their Father and supporter, will justly be deprived of food and nourishment. Here he peculiarly holds up to shame the revolt of his nation, because it was baser and less excusable than all the transgressions of those who had never been taught in the school of God. The word תורה ( tōrāh) is applied to “the Law,” because it denotes instruction; but here, in the plural number, תורת ( tōrōth,) it denotes all the instruction that is contained in the “Law.” But as the “Law” contains both commandments and promises, he adds two parts for the purpose of explanation.
They have changed the ordinance. The Hebrew word חק ( chōk) means “an ordinance,” and on that account some think that it denotes ceremonies, and others that it denotes morals. We may render it “commandments;” and I understand it to mean not only ceremonies, but everything that belongs to the rule of a holy life.
They have broken the everlasting covenant. The third term employed by him is, ברית, ( bērīth,) by which he means a covenant and contract. This word is limited to those “contracts” by which the Lord, who adopted his people, promised that he would be their God. (Exo 19:6; Lev 26:12.) He therefore charges them with ingratitude, because, when the Lord revealed himself by all these methods, and gave proofs of his love, they were disobedient and rebellious, “transgressed the laws,” and “broke the holy covenant.”
But why does he address himself to the Jews? Because he knew that he had been appointed to be their Prophet, that he might especially give instructions to them. Hence we may infer what is the rule of a holy life. It is contained in that law which we ought to follow if we wish that God should approve of our life; if we turn aside from it, we must be wicked and abandoned. We ought also to remark, that it is the will of God that in his word we should consider not only his commandments and laws, but also his covenant; for the chief part of the word consists of promises, by which he adopts and receives us as his own people. Besides, the Prophet unquestionably intended to use a variety of terms in order to express his meaning more strongly; as if he had said, “There is nothing about us that is sound and pure; everything is polluted and corrupted.”
He calls it “the covenant of eternity,” or “the everlasting covenant,” because it ought to be perpetual and inviolable, and to be in force in every age. It was to be transmitted, in uninterrupted succession, from father to son, that it might never be effaced from the memory of man, but might be kept pure and entire. He therefore represents in strong terms their treachery and wickedness, because they dared to violate that covenant which God had made with them, and to overthrow what the Lord intended to be firm and permanent. This was monstrous; and therefore we ought not to wonder that the earth takes vengeance for this wickedness, and refuses to give food to men.
(123) Bogus footnote
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(5) The earth also is defiled.The verb is used of blood-guiltiness in Num. 35:33, of impurity in Jer. 3:1-2; Jer. 3:9. It includes, therefore, all the sins that, in modern phrase, desecrate humanity. Taking the word in its wider range, each form of evil was a transgression of the everlasting covenant of Gen. 9:16.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
5. The earth is defiled The land consecrated to Jehovah is profaned by practices of the people.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Isa 24:5. The earth also is defiled, &c. This verse describes, as in a parenthesis, the causes of the divine judgment upon the land, and shews us the true scene of the prophesy: the principal cause is the shedding of innocent blood, as well of their brethren, as of the professors of the true religion, against all laws human and divine, and the common rights of nature and nations; for this is the import of the expression, The earth is foully polluted under the inhabitants thereof. See Num 35:33 and ch. Isa 26:21. This was remarkably the case in the period referred to. See 1Ma 1:15 and 2Ma 8:2-4.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Isa 24:5 The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.
Ver. 5. The earth also is defiled, ] a viz., With sin, and therefore so decayed; yea, the very visible heavens are defiled with man’s sin, and shall therefore be purged by the fire of the last day; like as the vessels that held the sin-offering was to pass the fire.
Because they have transgressed the laws.
Changed the ordinances.
Broken the everlasting covenant.
a Nempe contactu sceleratorum hominum. – Pisc.
The earth. See last note on p. 959.
transgressed. Hebrew. ‘abar. App-44.
the laws. the everlasting covenant. Reference to Pentateuch. See note on Gen 9:16; and App-92, The Pentateuch was as well known to Isaiah as to the kings in whose reigns he prophesied.
defiled: Gen 3:17, Gen 3:18, Gen 6:11-13, Lev 18:24-28, Lev 20:22, Num 35:33, Num 35:34, 2Ch 33:9, Psa 106:36-39, Jer 3:1, Jer 3:2, Eze 7:20-24, Eze 22:24-31, Mic 2:10, Rom 8:20, Rom 8:21
because: Isa 1:2-5, Isa 50:1, Isa 59:1-3, Isa 59:12-15, Deu 32:15, Deu 32:20, 2Ki 17:7-23, 2Ki 22:13-17, 2Ki 23:26, 2Ki 23:27, Ezr 9:6, Ezr 9:7, Eze 20:13, Eze 20:24, Dan 9:5, Dan 9:10
changed: Jos 24:25, Dan 7:25, Mar 7:7-9, Luk 1:6, Heb 9:1
broken: Psa 55:5, Gen 17:13, Gen 17:14, 2Sa 23:5, Psa 105:10, Jer 50:5, Eze 37:26, Heb 13:20
Reciprocal: Lev 18:25 – the land Lev 26:15 – break Lev 26:35 – General Deu 4:23 – lest ye forget Jos 7:11 – transgressed 2Ch 28:6 – because Psa 106:39 – defiled Isa 26:10 – in the Jer 16:18 – they have defiled Jer 31:32 – which Jer 32:40 – I will make Eze 16:59 – which Eze 36:17 – they defiled Eze 44:7 – broken Hos 4:2 – swearing Hos 6:7 – transgressed Hos 8:1 – transgressed Hos 9:9 – deeply Zep 1:17 – because Mar 7:9 – Full Heb 8:9 – they continued
Isa 24:5-6. The earth also Rather, And the land is defiled under the inhabitants thereof By the wickedness of its people. Here we have the causes of the divine judgment upon the land: because they have transgressed the laws The laws of God revealed to them, and pressed upon them in a singular manner; changed the ordinance Gods ordinances concerning his worship and service; broken the everlasting covenant The covenant made between God and Abraham, and all his posterity, which was everlasting, both on Gods part, who, upon the conditions therein expressed, engaged himself to be a God to them, and to their seed for ever; and on Israels part, who were obliged thereby to constant and perpetual obedience through all generations. Therefore hath the curse The curse of God threatened to transgressors; devoured the earth See this illustrated Zec 5:1. And they that dwell therein are desolate Reduced to poverty, by the spoiling of their goods. The inhabitants are burned Destroyed by fire and sword, or consumed by the wrath of God, which is often compared to fire; and few men left The prophets general meaning is, that the inhabitants of the land should waste away and be consumed, being partly cut off by the sword, partly dispersed by the public calamities, partly destroyed by famine, and partly carried into captivity, so that but few of them should remain, and they only of the poorer sort. And this was the face of things in Judea at the time referred to.
24:5 The earth {c} also is defiled under its inhabitants; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.
(c) That is, does not give her fruit for the sin of the people, whom the earth deceived of their nourishment because they deceived God of his honour.
Sinful humankind has corrupted its environment. Humans refused to live by divine revelation, introduced an innovative morality, and refused to walk in fellowship with God as He specified in the biblical covenants (cf. Gen 2:16-17; Gen 3:1-6; Gen 9:12; Gen 9:16; Lev 24:8; 2Sa 23:5; Psa 105:10; Romans 1-3).
". . . human beings in sin are the supreme environmental threat." [Note: Motyer, p. 197.]
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)