Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 65:7
Your iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together, saith the LORD, which have burned incense upon the mountains, and blasphemed me upon the hills: therefore will I measure their former work into their bosom.
7. Your iniquities your fathers ] The change from 3rd to 2nd pers. is extremely awkward, unless the verse could be detached from the preceding and regarded (down to “hills”) as an exclamation. This is far from natural; the better construction is that of the E.V. which makes “iniquities” the obj. to “recompense.” It is probably necessary (with the LXX.) to read “their” in both cases. The iniquities of the fathers are indicated in the following words.
which have burnt incense ( have sacrificed, see on Isa 1:13) upon the mountains ] The reference is obviously to the illegal worship of the “high places” or local sanctuaries, which is denounced in similar terms in Hos 4:13; Eze 6:13; cf. Eze 18:6 (if the text be right, see Davidson on the passage in Camb. Bible for Schools). That this form of idolatry was also practised by those here spoken of is in every way probable (see ch. Isa 57:7); on the other hand their ancestors, the pre-exilic Israelites, could not be charged with the more heinous offences described in Isa 65:3-5. These last, however, were the outcome of the same idolatrous tendency which formerly shewed itself in the worship at the high places, and the judgement now about to descend on the children is called forth both by their own guilt and by that of their fathers.
therefore will I measure their former work ] Rather: and I will first measure their reward. The word for “former” ( r’shnh) if an adj., ought to have the art., and moreover the thought expressed by this translation would be unsuitable, since it passes by in silence the recompense due to the sins of the children themselves. It must therefore be rendered as an adverb, as in Jer 16:18 (“and first I will recompense their iniquity” &c.). So R.V.
into their bosom ] as Isa 65:6.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Your iniquities – Their idolatry and their forsaking God, and their arts of necromancy.
And the iniquities of your fathers together – The consequences of your own sins, and of the long defection of the nation from virtue and pure religion, shall come rushing upon you like accumulated floods. This is in accordance with the Scripture doctrine everywhere, that the consequences of the sins of ancestors pass over and visit their posterity (see Exo 20:5; Exo 34:7; Num 14:18; Job 21:19; Luk 11:50-51; the notes at Rom 5:19). The case here was, that the nation had been characteristically prone to wander from God, and to fall into idolatry. Crime had thus been accumulating, like pent-up waters, for ages, and now it swept away every barrier. So crime often accumulates in a nation. Age after age rolls on, and it is unpunished, until it breaks over every obstacle, and all that is valuable and happy is swept suddenly away.
Which have burnt incense upon the mountains – (See the notes at Isa 65:3).
And blasphemed me upon the hills – That is, they have dishonored me by worshipping idols, and by denying me in that public manner. Idols were usually worshipped on high places.
Will I measure their former work – I will recompense them; I will pour the reward of their work or of their doings into their bosom.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 7. Your iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers – “Their iniquities, and the iniquities of their fathers”] For the pronoun affixed of the second person chem, your, twice, read hem, their, in the third person; with the Septuagint and Houbigant. – L.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Yea, and when I reckon with them, I will punish them, not only for their personal sins, but for the sins of their parents, which they have testified their approbation of by continuing in them, and so made them their own, by an apish, sinful imitation.
Which have burnt incense upon the mountains: their fathers burnt incense upon the mountains, there performing to idols that homage which I obliged them to pay unto me; or if any of them pretend it was to me, though before an image, yet it was in a way which I directed them not, who had appointed them the place where I would be worshipped.
And blasphemed me upon the hills; so as that, instead of blessing, they indeed blasphemed me upon the hills; instead of speaking well, they spake ill of my name, worshipping me in a way which I had not appointed, and for which they only took their copy from idolaters.
Therefore will I measure their former work into their bosom; therefore I will punish them, and that justly, as he that rendereth another his due by
measure, giving measure for measure, and weight for weight; only they must expect that I should not only punish the late sins that have committed of this nature, but the former sins of this kind which those in this nation, that went before this present generation, did commit, and the present age hath continued in the guilt of.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
7. Their sin had beenaccumulating from age to age until God at last repaid it in full.
mountains (Isa 57:7;Eze 18:6; Eze 20:27;Eze 20:28; Hos 4:13).
their“Your”had preceded. From speaking to, He speaks of them; thisimplies growing alienation from them and greater distance.
workthe fullrecompense of their work (so Isa49:4).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Your iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together (saith the Lord),…. That is, the punishment both of the one and of the other; these being alike, and continued from father to son, and approved of, and committed by one generation after another, till the measure was filled up; and then the recompence of reward is given for all of them together at once: which have burnt incense upon the mountains, and blasphemed me upon the hills; where they offered incense and other sacrifices to idols, which was interpreted by the Lord as a blaspheming and reproaching of him; see Isa 57:7:
therefore will I measure their former work into their bosom; punish them for their former sins as well as their latter ones, and both together.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
7. Your iniquities and the iniquities of your fathers together. Isaiah enlarges on that, which he had expressed briefly in the preceding verse; for he shews that the Jews are not now, for the first time, guilty of this treason, but that there is the ancient example of the fathers, in whose footsteps they closely follow. In like manner the Lord formerly complained that he had borne long with that people, and was at length wearied with them. He therefore describes the aggravated heinousness of the offense, by saying that the Jews follow the example of their fathers; as if he had said, “They are very bad eggs of bad crows;” for the more frequently and the more earnestly that men have been warned, so much the more must they be condemned for obstinacy, if they do not repent. Thus he shews that they disregarded warnings and threatenings, and persevered for many years in their baseness and impiety; that they may no longer bring forward any excuse or pretense, but, on the contrary, may know that they deserve severe punishment.
Here we see that the corruption which has flowed from the fathers is so far from being an excuse to the children, (as is alleged by ignorant persons, who commonly make use of this shield,) that, on the contrary, they draw down on themselves severer judgment. He adds יחדו, ( yachdcav,) together. As if the Lord had said, that he gathers together, and, as it were, forms into a bundle, the crimes of the fathers and of the children, that he may at length punish them. Not that
“
the son bears the iniquity of the father,” (Eze 18:20,)
and endures the punishment which the father deserved, but that, since they carry on the crimes of their fathers, they must be included and condemned in the same judgment, while obstinacy shews that their diseases are incurable.
Because they have offered incense on the mountains. He glances at one kind of sin, under which, by a figure of speech in which a part is taken for the whole, he describes also the rest of their sins; for he means by it the whole of the revolt by which the people withdrew from the true worship, and devoted and gave themselves up to strange gods. This is the utmost verge of iniquities; for, when the fear of God has been taken away, we can have nothing sound or healthy in us. Thus he points out the source of all evils, which ought to be the more diligently observed, because men are highly pleased with themselves, and think that they deserve great praise, when they worship God according to their own fancy, and do not understand that nothing is more abominable in the sight of God than pretended worship, which proceeds from human contrivance. Beyond all doubt, the people desired to be acceptable to God by “offering incense on the mountains;” but it is not from the purpose of their mind, and from their intention, as they call it, that we must judge of their work. In preference to all men, we must listen to the voice of the Lord, who testifies that he is greatly dishonored, that we may not endeavor to defend ourselves by pleading our intention, which will render us doubly guilty before God.
Therefore I will measure back their ancient work. The word ראשנה ( rishonah) may be explained in various ways, either “I will measure back with their antiquity,” or, “in the first place,” or “formerly,” or, “from the beginning.” But we must take into account the connection of the passage, from which the Prophet’s meaning will be clearly seen. Having spoken a little before about the works of the fathers, he undoubtedly ridicules those who made them a bulwark. It is a slight and useless defense, and indeed it is idle to plead before God the practices of the fathers, that is, their long-continued corruption; for in this way we bring down on ourselves a heavier judgment. And yet many men are so intoxicated by this pretense, that they think that no objection can be brought against it, and even refuse to listen to anything else. (205) Antiquity, indeed, is highly venerable; but no man ought to value it so highly as to make the smallest diminution of the honor of God. This is a remarkable passage for convincing those who uphold superstitions by length of years, as if old established error ought to be accounted a law.
(205) “ Et ne veulent ouir autre chanson.” “And do not wish to hear any other song.”
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(7) Which have burned incense upon the mountains . . .The old inveterate sin of the worship of high places (comp. Isa. 57:7; Hos. 4:13; Eze. 6:13; 2Ki. 15:4; 2Ki. 15:35). The worship paid there to other gods, or nominally to Jehovah in a way which He had forbidden, was practically a blasphemy or reproach against Him.
Their former work.Better, I will measure their work first into their bosoms. That was, as it were, the primary duty of the Supreme Ruler.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Isa 65:7 Your iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together, saith the LORD, which have burned incense upon the mountains, and blasphemed me upon the hills: therefore will I measure their former work into their bosom.
Ver. 7. Your iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together. ] Your “vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers,” 1Pe 1:18 whom you have striven to out sin. Gen 15:16 Mat 23:32 ; Mat 23:35-36 ; Mat 27:25 1Th 2:15-16
And blasphemed me upon the hills.
Therefore will I measure into their bosom.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
iniquities. Hebrew. ‘avah. App-44.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Your iniquities: Exo 20:5, Lev 26:39, Num 32:14, Psa 106:6, Psa 106:7, Dan 9:8, Mat 23:31-36
burned: Isa 57:7, 1Ki 22:43, 2Ki 12:3, 2Ki 14:4, 2Ki 15:35, 2Ki 16:4, Eze 18:6
blasphemed: Eze 20:27, Eze 20:28
therefore: Isa 65:6, Jer 5:9, Jer 5:29, Jer 7:19, Jer 7:20, Jer 13:25, Mat 23:32, 1Th 2:16
Reciprocal: Psa 50:3 – keep Jer 13:27 – abominations Jer 18:15 – burned Hos 11:2 – burned
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Isa 65:7. Your iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together Yea, and when I reckon with them, I will punish them, not only for their personal sins, but for the sins of their parents, which they have made their own, by imitation. Which have burned incense upon the mountains There performing to idols that homage which I commanded them to pay unto me; or, if any of them pretend it was to me they performed that service, though before an image, yet it was in a way and place in which I expressly forbid them to worship me, having appointed the place where, and the manner how, I would be worshipped. And blasphemed me upon the hills Dishonoured instead of glorifying me, by worshipping me in a way which I had not appointed, and which they learned only from idolaters. Therefore will I measure their former work, &c. I will not only punish the late sins that they have committed, but the former sins of this kind, which those that went before did practise, and they have continued in.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
65:7 Your iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers {l} together, saith the LORD, who have burned incense upon the mountains, and blasphemed me upon the hills: therefore will I measure their former work into their bosom.
(l) Will be both punished together: and this declares how the children are punished for their fathers faults, that is, when the same faults or like are found in them.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Repayment would be for the sins of all His people, since dependence on cultic righteousness had long been their sin. They had heaped up guilt from generation to generation, and failure to break with the past resulted in their having to accept the inheritance of the past. They had worshipped Yahweh at mountain shrines for a long time, and this amounted to scorning, not worshipping, the Lord. He would, therefore, pay them back in measure for their sins.
"If they gave a little more attention to the real character of their religion, they might be less hasty in begging him to split the heavens and come down." [Note: Oswalt, The Book . . . 40-66, p. 641.]
The Israelites had prayed for God to deliver them, but He explained that if He did respond it would be with punishment rather than deliverance.