Bible Commentary

Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people. 4. Hearken unto me ] Better as R.V. Attend unto me, the verb being different from that used in Isa 51:1 … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 51:4”

For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody. 3. shall comfort will comfort will make ] lit. as R.V. hath … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 51:3”

Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah [that] bore you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him. 2. The explanation of the figure. I called him alone ] lit. “as one,” i.e. a single individual. blessed him, and increased him ] Cf. Gen 12:2-3; Gen 22:17. The strict rendering of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 51:2”

Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock [whence] ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit [whence] ye are digged. 1. ye that follow after (lit. “pursue”) righteousness ] “Righteousness” here means, not “salvation” (as in Isa 51:5-6 ; Isa 51:8), but righteousness … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 51:1”

Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass [yourselves] about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks [that] ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow. 11. that compass yourselves about with sparks ] Lit. as R.V., that gird yourselves … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 50:11”

Who [is] among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh [in] darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God. 10. Those who fear the Lord are exhorted to imitate the Servant’s trust in God. that obeyeth the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 50:10”

Behold, the Lord GOD will help me; who [is] he [that] shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up. 9. who is he that shall condemn me?] Comp. Rom 8:33 f. wax old (better, be worn out) as a garment; the moth &c. ] Common … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 50:9”

[He is] near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who [is] mine adversary? let him come near to me. 8. He is near that justifieth me ] Cf. ch. Isa 49:4 (“my judgement is with Jehovah”); Isa 51:5. To “justify” is, as nearly always, to declare in the right; … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 50:8”

For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. 7. The verse is better rendered thus: But the Lord Jehovah helps me, therefore I was not ashamed (i.e. felt no shame); therefore I … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 50:7”

I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. 6. That persecutions were to be incurred in the performance of his work is already indicated in the last words of Isa 50:5; now the speaker declares his voluntary … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 50:6”