Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 32:7
The instruments also of the churl [are] evil: he deviseth wicked devices to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaketh right.
7. The instruments ] i.e. the weapons or methods, of the knave. The word is chosen because of its close similarity to that for “knave” ( klai klv). On these machinations of the knave, see ch. Isa 29:21.
even when the needy speaketh right ] in a forensic sense (= “speaks with right on his side”).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The instruments also – In the Hebrew here there is a paronomasia which cannot be imitated in a translation. The word instruments here denotes evidently the means by which the churl accomplishes his object; whether it be by words, by judicial decisions, or by crafty devices. This is also a kind of proverbial expression, and is given as a further reason why such a person would not be employed by a wise and virtuous prince.
Are evil – He will make use of any unprincipled means, any wicked plan or device, to accomplish his purpose. With lying words. With false representations; or with deceitful promises and assurances. His aim would be particularly directed to the poor and humble, as more easily deprived of their rights than the rich and powerful. It was also of greater importance to defend the rights of the poor, and therefore the prophet says that such a person should not be in the employ of a just and virtuous ruler.
Even when the needy speaketh right – That is, although the cause of the needy is one of truth and equity. When this would be manifest, the unprincipled man in power would deprive him of his rights, and, therefore, under a wise and virtuous administration, such a person should not be employed.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 7. The instruments also of the churl are evil – “As for the niggard, his instruments are evil”] His machinations, his designs. The paronomasia, which the prophet frequently deals in, suggested this expression vechelai kelaiv. The first word is expressed with some variety in the MSS. Seven MSS. read vekili, one vechol, another vecoli.
To destroy the poor with lying words – “To defeat the assertions of the poor in judgment”] A word seems to have been lost here, and two others to have suffered a small alteration, which has made the sentence very obscure. The Septuagint have happily retained the rendering of the lost word, and restored the sentence in all its parts: ulehapher dibrey ebyon bemishpat, “And disperse the words of the poor in judgment.” They frequently render the verb haphar by , A MS. reads uledabber, which gives authority for the preposition lamed, to, necessary to the sense, and the Septuagint, Syriac, and Chaldee read bemishpat, IN judgment.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The instruments also of the churl are evil, Heb. The vessels, &c., which is a word of a very general signification among the Hebrews, and signifies any person or thing which is employed in a mans use and service. I say person, for the name of vessel is given to such persons as are instrumental to another, as to the Babylonians, who were Gods instruments in executing his vengeance, Isa 13:5 to Gods ministers, Act 9:15; 2Co 4:5; and to useful Christians, 2Ti 2:20; and to wives, 1Pe 3:7. And so it may be here noted, that such covetous or wicked princes most willingly choose and employ wicked men in their affairs, because such men will, without any regard to conscience or justice, serve all their exorbitant desires or lusts. But withal, it seems to include his counsels, and practices, and arts, which are here declared to be generally evil. But this verse is and may be otherwise rendered, as the former was; And (repeat, he shall be called) a churl (as indeed he is one) whose instruments are evil, and who deviseth, &c.; which agrees with the order of the words in the Hebrew text, and with the order of the foregoing verses: for as he speaks of the vile person, and of the churl, Isa 32:6; so he gives a description of the vile person, Isa 32:6, and then of the churl, in this verse.
He deviseth wicked devices; he useth all his wit and art to do injury to others, without any inconvenience to himself.
With lying words; with false and unrighteous decrees.
When the needy speaketh right; when their cause is just and good.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
7. churl“thefraudulent”; this verse refers to the last clause of Isa32:5; as Isa 32:6 referredto its first clause.
speaketh rightpleadetha just cause (Isa 29:21);spiritually, “the poor man’s cause” is the divine doctrine,his rule of faith and practice.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
The instruments also of the churl [are] evil,…. Not his [vessels] or measures he sells by, which are small and deficient, as Kimchi and Ben Melech interpret it; nor his servants, his tools in doing his wickedness, which are fit for his purpose, wicked men; but rather these are much the same with “the instruments of the foolish shepherd”, Zec 11:15 and may signify the evil ways and methods which covetous pastors or shepherds take to fleece the flock, and to increase their own gain:
he deviseth wicked devices to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaketh right; he consults, contrives, and forms schemes with all craft and cunning, on purpose, to corrupt, as the word h signifies, the poor and meek, humble and afflicted souls, with false doctrines; even when these poor and needy ones, who want to have sound and comfortable doctrine delivered to them, speak and ask for that which is right and just, agreeably to the oracles of God, and the analogy of faith, but can not have it; wherefore such a man is unfit to be a ruler in the house of God.
h “ad corrumpendum afflictos in eloquiis falsitaits”, Montanus.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
7. The instruments of the covetous man are evil. We must always keep by the future tense; for he does not inquire what wicked men are, but declares that they shall be revealed under the reign of Christ, that they may no longer deceive or impose upon any one. He speaks of the heavenly light which would arise, as we have already said, to expose hidden wickedness. Christ therefore shews what covetous men are, and how destructive are the means which they employ. If it be thought better that כלי ( kĕlē) should be translated “measures,” I have no objection; but the word “instrument” is more appropriate and extensive, for it includes “instruments” of every description. It means therefore every kind of means, tricks, and cunning devices, by which “covetous men” put simple persons off their guard, and draw them into their nets.
To deceive the simple by lying words. He now assigns the reason. It is, because they do not cease to contrive some injury. (335) It is certain that this is a description of the practices of bad men, who think of nothing but their own convenience and gain, and are always bent on cheating and “deceiving.” Christ brings to light those persons, and their tricks and contrivances.
To speak against the poor in judgment. (336) Various circumstances are brought forward, to present in a more striking light the shamefulness of this wickedness. First, “to deceive the simple,” who cannot take care of themselves, is more shameful and flagrant than to deceive sharpers and veterans in crime. It is shameful, secondly, to make use of deceitful blandishments under the pretense of friendship; thirdly, to deceive “the poor,” whose poverty we ought rather to have relieved; fourthly, to lay snares in the very court of justice. This is more highly criminal than if a man were attacked by open violence; for the court of justice ought to be a refuge for the poor, and what shall become of them, if it be a den of robbers or thieves? If the roads are beset by robbers, and if snares are laid, there may be some way of avoiding them; but there is no possibility of guarding against the frauds committed in courts of justice. These circumstances, therefore, ought to be carefully remarked.
(335) Bogus footnote
(336) Bogus footnote
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(7) To destroy the poor with lying words . . .The words, though perfectly generic in their form, are probably not without an implied reference to those who had thus acted towards Isaiah himself, making even him an offender for a word (Isa. 29:21).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Isa 32:7 The instruments also of the churl [are] evil: he deviseth wicked devices to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaketh right.
Ver. 7. The instruments also of the churl are evil. ] There is an elegance in the original, Cuius lepos in vertendo perit. a By his instruments or vessels are meant, say some, his evil arts and deceits of all sorts; or, as others hold, his subordinate officers and teasers.
Even when the needy speaketh right.
a Scalig.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
instruments also of the churl. Note the Figure of speech Paronomasia. Hebrew. vekelay kelayv. English chattels of the churl.
evil. Hebrew. ra’a’. App-44.
deviseth = counselleth.
wicked. Hebrew. rasha. App-44.
devices = plans.
poor = wretched. Hebrew. anah. See note on Pro 6:11.
needy = helpless, weak in will and wealth. Hebrew. ebyon. See note on Pro 6:11.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
instruments: Isa 1:23, Isa 5:23, Jer 5:26-28, Mic 2:11, Mic 7:3, Mat 26:14-16, Mat 26:59, Mat 26:60
deviseth: Psa 10:7-10, Psa 64:4-6, Psa 82:2-5, Jer 18:18, Mic 7:2, Mat 26:4
lying: Isa 59:3, Isa 59:4, 1Ki 21:10-14, Act 6:11-13
the needy speaketh right: or, he speaketh against the poor in judgment
Reciprocal: 1Sa 25:10 – Who is David 2Ki 1:11 – O man Psa 10:9 – when Pro 6:14 – he deviseth Pro 11:17 – merciful Pro 14:17 – a man Pro 14:22 – err Pro 24:8 – General Pro 30:14 – to devour Isa 9:17 – every mouth Jer 11:19 – and I Dan 12:10 – but the wicked Amo 8:4 – swallow
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Isa 32:7-8. The instruments also of the churl are evil Hebrew, , the vessels. It is a word of a very general signification among the Hebrews, and signifies any person or thing which is employed in a mans service. The sense is, that such covetous or wicked princes most willingly choose and employ wicked men in their affairs, because such men will, without any regard to conscience or justice: serve all their exorbitant desires. It includes, however, his counsels, practices, and arts, which are here declared to be generally evil. He deviseth wicked devices He uses all his understanding and art to do injuries to others; to destroy the poor with lying words With false and unrighteous decrees. When the needy speaketh right When their cause is just and good. But the liberal deviseth liberal things He who is truly liberal and virtuous, will show it by designing and practising liberal or virtuous actions. And by liberal things shall he stand He who does so will not destroy himself thereby, as wicked men falsely suppose, but establish and advance himself. The Christian reader need not be told how exactly the particulars, expressed in these verses, belong to Christs kingdom, who is a hiding-place from the storm of sin and the world, Joh 16:33; whose kingdom is a kingdom of light, of faith, of love; all whose subjects are enlightened by the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Jesus Christ; who gave eyes to the blind, ears to the deaf, tongues to the dumb, and, by his divine grace, changed the most churlish and illiberal dispositions into generosity and love. Vitringa.