Bible Commentary

For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose [the things] that please me, and take hold of my covenant; 4, 5. In spite of his disability the God-fearing eunuch shall be recognised as a worthy member of the congregation of Jehovah, and his name shall be had in everlasting … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 56:4”

Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I [am] a dry tree. 3. the son of the stranger means simply the individual foreigner (R.V. the stranger), not one whose father was … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 56:3”

Blessed [is] the man [that] doeth this, and the son of man [that] layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil. 2. The blessing attached to Isa 56:1 extends to mankind in general (note the expressions man and son of man), i.e. to all … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 56:2”

Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation [is] near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed. 1, 2. The exhortation to righteousness is based on the nearness of Jehovah’s salvation (cf. Isa 46:13, Isa 55:6). justice should be righteousness (as in R.V.), the same word as in the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 56:1”

Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign [that] shall not be cut off. 13. The word for thorn occurs again only in ch. Isa 7:19. That for … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 55:13”

For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap [their] hands. 12, 13. The joyful exodus from Babylon; this is the “thing whereto Jehovah has sent” His word. and be … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 55:12”

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper [in the thing] whereto I sent it. 11. return void ] empty, having achieved nothing, as 2Sa 1:22. but it shall accomplish ] without … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 55:11”

For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 10, 11. This purpose of salvation is embodied in the word which goes forth from Jehovah’s … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 55:10”

For [as] the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the heavens … – This verse is designed merely to illustrate the idea in the former. There is as great a difference between the plans of God and those of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 55:9”

For my thoughts [are] not your thoughts, neither [are] your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 8, 9. Jehovah’s thoughts transcend those of man as much as the heaven is higher than the earth. The point of the contrast is not the moral quality of the Divine thoughts as opposed to those of the “wicked”; … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 55:8”