Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 49:22
Thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in [their] arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon [their] shoulders.
22, 23. The first of the three short oracles describes the restoration of the exiles as a spontaneous act of homage on the part of the Gentiles. The conception is intermediate between that of ch. Isa 45:14 ff., where the nations acknowledge the divinity of Jehovah and the religious supremacy of Israel, and that of ch. Isa 60:4; Isa 60:8, Isa 66:20; cf. ch. Isa 11:11-12. For Gentiles read nations, and for people, peoples, as R.V.
set up my standard ] as a signal; see on ch. Isa 5:26.
they shall bring thy sons in the bosom ] of the garment ( sinus) where little children were carried (Num 11:12). The word belongs to late Hebrew (Neh 5:13 [E.V. lap]; Psa 129:7).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles – To lift up the hand is a sign of beckoning to, or inviting; and the idea here is, that God would call the Gentiles to partake of the blessings of the true religion, and to embrace the Messiah (see the notes at Isa 11:11).
And set up my standard to the people – To the people of other lands; the word here being synonymous with the word Gentiles. A standard, or an ensign was erected in times of war to rally the forces of a nation around it; and the sense here is, that God would erect an ensign high in the sight of all the nations, and would call them to himself, as a military leader musters his forces for battle; that is, he would call the nations to embrace the true religion. See this phrase explained in the the note at Isa 11:12.
They shall bring thy sons in their arms – Margin, Bosom. Jerome renders it, In ulnis – In their arms. The Septuagint, En kolpo – In the bosom. Aquila, Symmachus, and Theodotion, Agkalas – In their arms. If it means bosom, as Gesenius renders it, it refers to the bosom of a garment in which things are carried. But it more probably means in the arms, as children are borne; and the idea is, that the distant nations would come and bear with them those who were the children of Zion, that is, those who would become the true friends and worshippers of God.
And thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders – Referring, doubtless, to the manner in which children were carried. In Isa 66:12, the same idea is expressed by their being carried upon the sides, referring to the custom still prevalent in the East, of placing a child when it is nursed astride on the side of the mother. The following quotation will more fully explain the customs here alluded to. It is a custom in many parts of the East, to carry their children astride upon the hip, with the arm around the body. In the kingdom of Algiers, where the slaves take the Children out, the boys ride upon their shoulders; and in a religious procession, which Symes had an opportunity of seeing at Ava, the capital of the Burman empire, the first personages of rank that passed by were three children borne astride, on peoples shoulders. It is evident, from these facts, that the Oriental children are carried sometimes the one way, sometimes the other.
Nor was the custom, in reality, different in Judea, though the prophet expresses himself in these terms: They shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders; for, according to Dr. Russel, the children able to support themselves are usually carried astride on the shoulders; but in infancy they are carried in the arms, or awkwardly on one haunch. Dandini tells us that, on horseback, the Asiatics carry their children upon their shoulders with great dexterity. These children hold by the head of him who carries them, whether he be on horseback or on foot, and do not hinder him from walking or doing what he pleases. This augments the import of the passage in Isaiah, who speaks of the Gentiles bringing children thus; so that distance is no objection to this mode of conveyance, since they may thus be brought on horseback from among the people, however remote. (Paxton) Children of both sexes are carried on the shoulders.
Thus may be seen the father carrying his son, the little fellow being astride on the shoulder, having, with his hands, hold of his fathers head. Girls, however, sit on the shoulder, as if on a chair, their legs banging in front, while they also, with their hands, lay hold of the head. In going to, or returning from pagan festivals, thousands of parents and their children may be thus seen marching along with joy. (Roberts) The sense is, that converts should come from every land – that the nations should flock to the standard of the Messiah. And why may it not be regarded as a legitimate interpretation of this passage, that those who come should bring their children, their sons and their daughters, with them? That they were borne upon the arm, or upon the shoulder, is indicative of their being young children; and that is no forced interpretation of this passage which regards it as teaching, that the parents who should be converted among the Gentiles should bring their offspring to the Redeemer, and present them publicly to God.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 22. Thus saith the Lord God – Adonai Yehovah. Adonai is wanting in one MS., in the Alexandrine copy of the Septuagint, and in the Arabic.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
I will lift up mine hand; I will call them to me, and command them to do this work, as men commonly signify their calls and commands by this gesture.
Set up my standard, as generals do to gather their forces together. See Poole “Isa 11:12“. To the people; unto thee, or to thy church and people. Shall bring thy sons; those which shall be thine, if not by natural generation, yet by adoption, that shall own God for their Father, and Jerusalem for their mother.
In their arms; with great care and tenderness, as nurses carry young infants. The sense is, Even the heathen shall contribute to the increase and preservation of those children which shall be begotten to thee.
Thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders; as sick or infirm persons used to be carried.. See Mar 2:3; Luk 15:5.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
22. lift . . . handthat is,beckon to (see on Isa 13:2).
standard (Isa11:12).
bring . . . sons in . . .armsThe Gentiles shall aid in restoring Israel to its own land(Isa 60:4; Isa 66:20).Children able to support themselves are carried on the shoulders inthe East; but infants, in the arms, or astride on one haunch (Isa60:12). “Thy sons” must be distinct from “theGentiles,” who carry them; and therefore cannot primarilyrefer to converts among the Gentiles.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Thus saith the Lord God,…. In answer to the questions, where had these children been? and from whence did they come? who begot them, and brought them up? and by what means was all this done, or would be done?
I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles; beckoning them to come unto him, directing and ordering them what to do; or rather exerting the power of his grace in the conversion of them. The Targum is,
“I will reveal my power among the Gentiles;”
his efficacious grace attending the ministry of the word, whereby it becomes “the power of God unto salvation”; for when that hand is lifted up or exerted, the “word” comes “not in word only”, “but in power, and in the Holy Ghost”, and is effectual to saving purposes:
and set up my standard to the people; meaning Christ, “the ensign of the people”; who, in the ministration of the Gospel, is set up as a standard, to gather persons to him, as an ensign or standard is set up by a general of an army to collect soldiers to him, to come and enlist, and fight under his banners; see Isa 11:10:
and they shall bring thy sons in their arms; or, “bosom” s; such as are regenerated by the Spirit and grace of God, under the word, are to be tenderly dealt with by the ministers of the Gospel, as they are by Christ, Isa 40:11 and to be encouraged to come and join themselves to the church, and be directed and assisted by them in that service:
and thy daughters shall be carried on their shoulders; meaning the same as before, only perhaps weaker converts, dealing with them according to their infirmities; carrying them with as much ease, care, and tenderness, as young children are carried on the shoulders of their parents or others. It may be these expressions are designed to show how assisting and encouraging the Christian Gentiles will be to the Jews, when converted in their several countries, both to admit them into Gospel churches, and bring them into their own land; see Isa 66:19.
s , Sept. “in gremio”, Tigurine version; “in sinu”, Munster, Montanus. But Ben Melech interprets it “the arm”.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
The prophecy now takes a step backward in the domain of the future, and describes the manner in which the children of Zion get back to their home. “Thus saith the Lord Jehovah, Behold, I lift up my hand to nations, and set up my standard to peoples: and they bring thy sons in their bosom; and thy daughters, upon shoulders are they carried.” The setting up of a standard (Isa 5:26; Isa 11:12; Isa 18:3, cf., Isa 62:10) is a favourite figure with Isaiah, as well as swaying the hand. Jehovah gives a sign to the heathen nations with His hand, and points out to them the mark that they are to keep in view, with a signal pole which is set up. They understand it, and carry out His instructions, and bring Zion’s sons and daughters thither, and that as a foster-father ( ‘omen ) carries an infant in the bosom of his dress ( chotsen , as in Neh 5:13; Arabic as in Psa 129:7, hidn , from hadana , to embrace, to press tenderly to one’s self; vid., Num 11:12), or upon his arms, so that it reclines upon his shoulder ( al – katheph ; cf., al – tsad , Isa 60:4; Isa 66:12).
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
22. Thus saith the Lord Jehovah. Isaiah confirms what he had said a little before, that the Lord would cause his Church, though for a very long time she had been “barren” and “bereaved,” to have an exceedingly numerous offspring, and to be constrained to wonder at her own fruitfulness; and he does so, in order to remove all doubt which might have found its way into their hearts.
I will lift up my hand to the Gentiles. He declares that he will give children to the Church, not only from among the Jews, as formerly, but likewise from among “the Gentiles.” And yet he indirectly asserts that this generation shall be spiritual through the grace of adoption; for the metaphor of a banner was intended to lead believers to expect a new kind of generation, and different from that which is seen in the ordinary course of nature. The Lord must therefore set up a sign, and display his secret power through the Gospel, (11) that, out of nations who differed so widely from each other both in customs and in language, he might bring children to the Church, who should be united in the same faith, as brethren meet in their mother’s bosom.
Those who think that, by the figurative terms Hand and Banner, nothing more than the preaching of the Gospel is meant, and who set aside the power of the Spirit, are mistaken; for both ought to be united, and the efficacy of the Spirit ought not to be separated from the preaching of the Gospel, as Paul clearly shews. (2Co 3:6.) To this “hand” of God, therefore, to this “banner” we must betake ourselves, when we see that the Church is oppressed by the tyranny of wicked men. Though every effort be made to overthrow and destroy it, the “hand” of God is higher, and in vain do men oppose him. He will at length subdue and crush their obstinacy, that the Church may obtain some repose in spite of all their exertions.
When he promises that the sons of the Church shall be brought in her arms and on her shoulders, the language is metaphorical, and means that God will find no difficulty, when he shall wish to gather the Church out of her dispersion; for all the Gentiles will assist him. Although this refers, in the first instance, to the Jews who had been banished and scattered, yet it undoubtedly ought to be extended to all the elect of God, who have become partakers of the same grace.
(11) “ Par la predication de l’Evangile.” “By the preaching of the Gospel.”
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
d. DELIVERED SOCIETY
TEXT: Isa. 49:22-26
22
Thus saith the Lord Jehovah, Behold, I will lift up my hand to the nations, and set up my ensign to the peoples; and they shall bring thy sons in their bosom, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders.
23
And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their faces to the earth, and lick the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am Jehovah; and they that wait for. me shall not be put to shame.
24
Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captives be delivered?
25
But thus saith Jehovah, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered; for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.
26
And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I Jehovah, am thy Saviour, and thy Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.
QUERIES
a.
Why put up a signal for the nations?
b.
How does God contend with those who contend with Zion?
c.
When did Jehovah take the prey away from the mighty?
PARAPHRASE
Now this is what the Lord Jehovah says, Look! I will give directions to the Gentiles and point out to them the sign I have set among the covenant people of My presence among men and they shall bring Zions sons and daughters to her in gentle safety. Gentile kings and queens will be like foster-fathers and foster-mothers to you. They will humiliate themselves to Zion and serve her like slaves. Then you will acknowledge that I am Jehovah and realize that trusting in Me with faith and patience will result in victory. Now you are despondent, saying, It is utterly impossible for us to be rescued from mighty Babylonthe righteous usually do not escape from the unrighteous. But Jehovah replies, Quite to the contrary, and as incredible as it may seem, I will do as I have promised and rescue my people from the giant. They shall be the prey of the tyrant no longer. I, Jehovah, will make war against those who make war upon you. I will make your enemies feed upon one anotherthey will make war upon one another, until they stagger and reel with defeat like drunken men. When all this comes to pass then all mankind will have evidence to know that I am the One Sovereign Lord who saved His people and sets them free. This will be the revelation to all the world that I am the Mighty One of Jacob.
COMMENTS
Isa. 49:22-23 SIGNAL: Two different Hebrew words are used to denominate the recipients of Jehovahs ensigngoim (Gentiles, or nations) and ammim (peoples). Girdlestone says, . . . the word goim primarily signifies those nations which lived in the immediate neighborhood of the Jewish people; they were regarded as enemies, as ignorant of the truth, and sometimes as tyrants . . . If goi denotes a nation regarded from without, am signified a people as viewed by one of themselves. Sometimes it (am) is used in the familiar and domestic way in which we speak of folk . . . It is often brought into direct . . . contrast with goi. Thus Moses, speaking to God concerning Israel, says, This nation (goi) is thy people (am), Exo. 33:13. Am is used by Isaiah (and other prophets) to distinguish Israel as Gods people, and to mark them off from the heathen goim. Often Isaiah predicts that the goim who had not been ammim should become the people of God through the messianic redemption. Psa. 18:43; for example, reads, Thou hast made me the head of the heathen (goim); a people (am) whom I have not known shall serve me. This will come to pass when Jehovah shall be acknowledged as holding rule as King of the goim (Jer. 10:7; Hos. 1:9-10; Hos. 2:23).
This by-play upon the words goim and ammim in Isa. 49:22 seems to indicate the delivered society referred to, although it may begin with deliverance from exile by Cyrus, has its ultimate goal as the messianic society (the church). The setting up of an ensign (a battle standard upon a pole; a rallying flag) is one of Isaiahs favorite pictures of the coming Messiah (Isa. 11:12; Isa. 18:3; Isa. 62:10). When God sends His Messiah to the world, the pagan nations are going to deliver up (by the preaching of the gospel) all whom God in His omniscience knows are His (both Jew and Gentile). The Lord once told Paul I have many people in this city . . . That city was Corinth (Act. 18:9-11). Nursing fathers is from the Hebrew word omenayik (root word is man) which means foster-father and its root meaning is to stay, to support. The Hebrew word yanak (nursing mothers) means literally to suckle and therefore may be translated foster-mother. The whole idea is that kings and queens of the goim (heads of state of heathen nations) will one day become, as it were, parents or supporters of Zion! And the once haughty, domineering goim will come to Zion in all humility to serve as slaves of Zion and her King. This is the only way anyone can join Zionhumility and service. When Jehovah begins the great work He is predicting here then many will begin to acknowledge Him as Sovereign and look forward in faith to the completion of it all in the messianic kingdom (just when the completion is to come they will not know, cf. 1Pe. 1:10-12). Those who thus wait in patient faith upon Jehovahs promises, even though they do not live to see them accomplished, (Heb. 11:13-16), will not be put to shame but will stand at their allotted place at the end of the days . . . (Dan. 12:13).
Isa. 49:24-26 SPECTACLE: Zion is not yet convinced. If Zion is taken captive by the mighty (gibbor) one (Babylon) how is it possible that she shall ever see kings and queens coming to her in humble service? The lawful captives are, in Hebrew, the tsadiyk or righteous captives. They are righteous compared to Babylon. The righteous are Jews essentially non-warlike as compared to unrighteous Babylon. It was historically unheard of that a nation taken from its homeland into exile by such self-serving empires as Babylon should ever reappear again in its own homeland. Jehovah predicts that Zion shall not only be returned to her homeland but her enemies shall serve her. Incredible as it may seem, Zion is going to be delivered from her mighty and terrible enemy. These verses apply to the return of the Jews from Babylonian exile at the decree of Cyrus the Persian. This is a prelude to the signal to the goim of Isa. 49:22-23 and their becoming foster-parents to Zion (the church). Zion needs first to believe that Jehovah will deliver her from Babylonian captivity. This is the first obstacle in the way to the formation of a remnant which will in turn perpetuate the true Zion through the centuries until the King of Zion appears. So God says, I will make war upon those who contend with Zion. This is one of the fundamental warnings of the Bible; Leave Gods people alonedo not harm themfor He is jealous for them. Whoever would attack the people of God attacks God! God even holds the world responsible for standing aloof when His people are being set upon (cf. our comments, Obadiah, Isa. 49:10-14, Minor Prophets, Butler, College Press). All God has to do is give pagan empires up to their own paganism and they turn on one another and bite and devour one another (cf. Rom. 1:24-32). The history of the unbelieving world of human governments is one long tale of war, tyranny, destruction and politico-socio cannibalism. Man, in his perverse rebellion against God, goes on devouring himself! It is a matter of history that when Cyrus took up the conquest of Babylon some of the satrapies of the Babylonian empire revolted and fought with the Persians against their former rulers. Isaiahs prediction came to pass specifically and generally.
QUIZ
1.
Who are the nations and peoples?
2.
Who is the ensign?
3.
How will kings and queens become nurses?
4.
How will those who wait upon Jehovah not be put to shame?
5.
Why does Zion still think they may not be delivered from captivity?
6.
How does Jehovah feed oppressors with their own flesh?
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
(22) The Gentiles . . . the people . . .Both words are used of the heathen. They are summoned by the uplifted signal of Jehovah to do their work as nursing fathers, carrying the children in their bosom (Num. 11:12).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
22. Thus saith the Lord God In answer to the inquiry just put. Alexander renders the Lord’s reply as follows: “Behold, I will lift up to the nations my hand, and I will set up to the peoples my standard, (or, signal,) and they will bring thy sons in the bosom, (or, arms,) and thy daughters on the shoulders shall be carried.” The figures here are much the same as in chapter Isa 13:2, namely, raising and waving or shaking the hand to the nations far off and near, raising a pole as a signal, summoning to help in Zion’s cause. The gospel is inscribed upon said signal. The nations understand; they rush to it; they bring back Zion’s children, not merely backslidden Israel, but multitudes of wanderers besides.
In their arms upon their shoulders Such figures are well understood in oriental life, expressing the tender care lavished on children by parents or by nurses.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Reader! while God’s mercies to the poor Gentile church are thus repeatedly brought to view, do not overlook the sweetness and fulness of them, as they respect yourself. Personal interest gives a relish to every mercy; in nothing more so, than our own interest in Jesus. And when we read these mercies, as promised to the Lord Jesus so many ages before his coming; and now feel and know them to be realized, so many generations after his return to glory; what an accumulation of evidence do they bring with them, to the truth as it is in Jesus! Oh thou precious Lord! both of Jew and Gentile! how fully hast thou confirmed thy promise, in thy one fold, under thyself the one true Shepherd! Joh 10:16 ; Eze 34:23 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Isa 49:22 Thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in [their] arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon [their] shoulders.
Ver. 22. Behold, I will lift up my hand, &c., ] i.e., I will call them by the gospel, which is the power of God to salvation to all believers. Rom 1:16
And they shall bring thy sons in their arms,
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Isa 49:22-23
22Thus says the Lord GOD,
Behold, I will lift up My hand to the nations
And set up My standard to the peoples;
And they will bring your sons in their bosom,
And your daughters will be carried on their shoulders.
23Kings will be your guardians,
And their princesses your nurses.
They will bow down to you with their faces to the earth
And lick the dust of your feet;
And you will know that I am the LORD;
Those who hopefully wait for Me will not be put to shame.
Isa 49:22-23 In Isa 49:7 the leaders of the Gentile nations rejected and rebelled against God’s Messiah (cf. Psalms 2). Now they come repentantly to Jerusalem bringing God’s covenant people, the Jews, with them. This verse is not meant to magnify the Old Covenant, but the covenant-making God! The Gentiles’ reverence for YHWH will be seen in their respect for His people (cf. Isa 45:14).
Isa 49:22 set up My standard to the peoples This is parallel to lift up My hand to the nations. The Servant will be a signal/flag for the nations (i.e., Gentiles) to rally (cf. Isa 11:10; Isa 11:12). The ultimate goal of the covenant people’s restoration is the restoration of all humanity! See Special Topic: Why are End-time Events so Controversial? .
Isa 49:23 And you will know that I am the LORD Israel was meant to be a witness to the nations. Now the nations will be a witness to Israel. As Gentiles trust in YHWH and are converted in large numbers, this is a sign to Israel that God is with them but that they must also have faith (cf. Romans 9-11).
Those who hopefully wait for Me will not be put to shame The concept of wait is found often in Isa 25:9; Isa 26:8; Isa 40:31 (Psa 37:9). This is analogous to those who trust in the Servant!
The phrase put to shame is another theme of the OT (cf. Isa 45:17; Psa 25:3; Joe 2:27). Those who wait/trust will not be shamed/disappointed!
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
the Lord GOD. Hebrew Adonai Jehovah. See App-4.
lift up Mine hand. Idiom for “call”. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia.
Gentiles = nations.
people = peoples.
arms = bosom: the folds of the garment forming a large natural pocket; but children were, and still are, usually carried astride the shoulder as soon as they can sit.
daughters shall be carried. Showing the care they shall receive, for girls are usually left to shift for themselves. See note on Isa 60:4.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Isa 49:22-23
Isa 49:22-23
“Thus saith the Lord Jehovah, Behold, I will lift up my hand to the nations, and set up my ensign to the peoples; and they shall bring thy sons in their bosom, and thy daughters shall be carried on their shoulders. And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their faces to the earth, and lick the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am Jehovah; and they that wait for me shall not be put to shame.”
This paragraph is a prophecy of the great prosperity throughout history of the holy Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, the New Israel of God, which replaced the Old Israel without any reservation whatever, and which is identified with the True Israel who is Christ, the head (in heaven) of the New Israel (his spiritual body). The kings and queens of the civilized world shall accept Christianity (See Rev 21:14); and that promise about the peoples coming and bowing clown to Israel and licking the dust of their feet probably did nothing more for the Old Blind and Deaf Israel than to feed their arrogant egotism; but what the promise meant was that the bowing down to Israel referred exclusively not to Old Israel at all, but to the world as a whole worshipping the True Israel, Jesus Christ.
Isa 49:22-23 SIGNAL: Two different Hebrew words are used to denominate the recipients of Jehovahs ensign-goim (Gentiles, or nations) and ammim (peoples). Girdlestone says, . . . the word goim primarily signifies those nations which lived in the immediate neighborhood of the Jewish people; they were regarded as enemies, as ignorant of the truth, and sometimes as tyrants . . . If goi denotes a nation regarded from without, am signified a people as viewed by one of themselves. Sometimes it (am) is used in the familiar and domestic way in which we speak of folk . . . It is often brought into direct . . . contrast with goi. Thus Moses, speaking to God concerning Israel, says, This nation (goi) is thy people (am), Exo 33:13. Am is used by Isaiah (and other prophets) to distinguish Israel as Gods people, and to mark them off from the heathen goim. Often Isaiah predicts that the goim who had not been ammim should become the people of God through the messianic redemption. Psa 18:43; for example, reads, Thou hast made me the head of the heathen (goim); a people (am) whom I have not known shall serve me. This will come to pass when Jehovah shall be acknowledged as holding rule as King of the goim (Jer 10:7; Hos 1:9-10; Hos 2:23).
This by-play upon the words goim and ammim in Isa 49:22 seems to indicate the delivered society referred to, although it may begin with deliverance from exile by Cyrus, has its ultimate goal as the messianic society (the church). The setting up of an ensign (a battle standard upon a pole; a rallying flag) is one of Isaiahs favorite pictures of the coming Messiah (Isa 11:12; Isa 18:3; Isa 62:10). When God sends His Messiah to the world, the pagan nations are going to deliver up (by the preaching of the gospel) all whom God in His omniscience knows are His (both Jew and Gentile). The Lord once told Paul I have many people in this city . . . That city was Corinth (Act 18:9-11). Nursing fathers is from the Hebrew word omenayik (root word is man) which means foster-father and its root meaning is to stay, to support. The Hebrew word yanak (nursing mothers) means literally to suckle and therefore may be translated foster-mother. The whole idea is that kings and queens of the goim (heads of state of heathen nations) will one day become, as it were, parents or supporters of Zion! And the once haughty, domineering goim will come to Zion in all humility to serve as slaves of Zion and her King. This is the only way anyone can join Zion-humility and service. When Jehovah begins the great work He is predicting here then many will begin to acknowledge Him as Sovereign and look forward in faith to the completion of it all in the messianic kingdom (just when the completion is to come they will not know, cf. 1Pe 1:10-12). Those who thus wait in patient faith upon Jehovahs promises, even though they do not live to see them accomplished, (Heb 11:13-16), will not be put to shame but will stand at their allotted place at the end of the days . . . (Dan 12:13).
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Behold: Isa 49:12, Isa 2:2, Isa 2:3, Isa 11:10, Isa 11:11, Isa 42:1-4, Isa 60:3-11, Isa 66:20, Psa 22:27, Psa 67:4-7, Psa 72:8, Psa 72:17, Psa 86:9, Mal 1:11, Luk 13:29
arms: Heb. bosom
Reciprocal: Gen 49:10 – the gathering Lev 9:22 – his hand Psa 18:43 – made Psa 45:16 – children Psa 60:4 – a banner Psa 66:4 – General Psa 68:22 – Bashan Psa 72:11 – all kings Psa 102:22 – General Isa 19:24 – shall Isa 49:18 – all these Isa 56:8 – Yet Isa 62:10 – lift up Zec 2:11 – many Zec 8:20 – there Zec 9:7 – a governor Luk 24:47 – among Rev 11:15 – The kingdoms
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Isa 49:22-23. I will lift up my hand to the Gentiles I will call them to me; and set up my standard to the people As generals do, to gather their forces together. And they shall bring thy sons Those who shall be thine by adoption, who shall own God for their Father, and Jerusalem for their mother; in their arms With great care and tenderness, as nurses carry young infants: the sense is, Even the heathen shall contribute to the increase and preservation of those children which shall be begotten to thee. And thy daughters shall be carried, &c. As sick or infirm persons used to be carried. And kings shall be thy nursing fathers Kings and queens shall have a sincere affection and tender regard unto thee and thy children. Which was in some sort fulfilled by Cyrus, Ahasuerus, and some few others of the Persian kings or queens; but much more truly and fully by those many kings and emperors of the Gentile world who, after the time of Christ, did both themselves embrace the true religion, and also provide for the reception and establishment of it in their dominions. They shall bow down to thee, &c. They shall highly reverence and honour thee, and shall most humbly and readily submit themselves unto thee. This was not verified in any of the Persian kings, but only in those kings or emperors who were converted to the Christian faith and church. And lick up the dust of thy feet These expressions are borrowed from the manners of the eastern people in their prostrations and adorations, who bowed so low as to touch and kiss the ground. For they shall not be ashamed that wait for me Their expectations shall not be disappointed, but abundantly satisfied.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Isa 49:22 to Isa 50:3. The Promises to Zion Elaborated and Confirmed.At a sign from Yahweh the nations shall with solicitous care bring back the exiles to Zion. Kings and queens shall tend them and do them abject homage (is it too abject for the prophet to have penned Isa 49:23 or Isa 49:26?). So shall His peoples trust in their God be justified. But from such mighty ones can the captives be freed? Yes: for Yahweh will fight His peoples battle, and cause their oppressors to slay one another; all men shall know that He is the deliverer. He has not finally divorced Israelthat would have required a bill of divorcement. Nor has debt compelled Him to sell His children into slavery; He has banished them as a punishment, and so He can bring them back. Why so reluctant to respond? Do they doubt His power, the power of Him who can dry up the sea and veil the heavens in darkness?
Isa 49:22. bosom: the fold of the garment.
Isa 49:24. Read Vulg, and Syr. (mg.).
Isa 50:2. Apparently an appeal to a well-known tradition of Yahwehs exploits at the creation. Read perhaps, Their fish dry up (LXX), because there is no water, and their monsters on the parched land.
Fuente: Peake’s Commentary on the Bible
49:22 Thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I will lift up my hand to the {a} Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in [their] arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon [their] shoulders.
(a) He shows that Christ will not only gather this great number from the Jews but also from the Gentiles.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Sovereign Yahweh further promised that the Gentiles would be responsible for ushering many of the Israelites back into their land. Even Gentile kings and princesses would carry Hebrew children back to their ancestors’ homeland. An amillennial interpretation follows:
"We are not to look for a literal fulfillment of this promise. It rather refers to a conversion of the Gentiles, who as converted bring to Zion [heaven, in his view] the converted sons of Israel." [Note: Young, 3:290.]
God would raise His hand and an ensign (banner, signal), Messiah, to summon the nations to do this (cf. Isa 5:26; Isa 11:10; Isa 11:12; Isa 13:2; Isa 30:17; Isa 62:10). They would show an uncharacteristic concern for the welfare of the Israelites and would even bow down before them in submission. Young interpreted this as follows:
"Even the highest and most powerful rulers of the heathen nations will reverence the Church [the new Israel, in his view] and devote to her all their wealth and power." [Note: Ibid., 3:291.]
Previously the Israelites had to bow before the Gentiles. The "times of the Gentiles," the times of Gentile supremacy over Israel in the world, will have ended (cf. Zec 12:2; Zec 14:2-3; Luk 21:24; Rev 11:2; Rev 19:17-19). The times of Gentile supremacy in the world began when Nebuchadnezzar removed Israel’s sovereignty, in 586 B.C., and will conclude when Jesus Christ returns at His second advent and restores Israel’s sovereignty, in the Millennium. This will prove that Yahweh is the true God since He predicted this reversal of Israel’s fortunes and will bring it to pass. Those who believe His promises will not be embarrassed or disappointed, because He will fulfill them.
"All the nations are flowing to Jerusalem to bow at her feet, yes, to beg mercy for the wrongs done, and yes, to bring back with apology those who had been dragged away, but also to try to learn something of this amazing God who has been able to lift his people from barren widowhood to being the laughing grandmother of nations." [Note: Oswalt, The Book . . . 40-66, p. 310.]
The prophet now turned from emphasizing the children who will return, to the oppressors who will be destroyed.