Bible Commentary

Therefore hear now this, [thou that art] given to pleasures, that dwellest carelessly, that sayest in thine heart, I [am], and none else beside me; I shall not sit [as] a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children: Therefore hear now this – The prophet proceeds, in this verse and the following, to … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 47:8”

And thou saidst, I shall be a lady forever: [so] that thou didst not lay these [things] to thy heart, neither didst remember the latter end of it. 7. Such inconsiderate cruelty can only be explained by the delusion that her supremacy was eternal, that no day of reckoning could ever come to her. And … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 47:7”

I was wroth with my people, I have polluted mine inheritance, and given them into thine hand: thou didst show them no mercy; upon the ancient hast thou very heavily laid thy yoke. 6. Jehovah speaks, charging Babylon with pitiless inhumanity towards His people when they were delivered to her for chastisement (for the thought … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 47:6”

Sit thou silent, and get thee into darkness, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called, The lady of kingdoms. 5. get thee into darkness ] Darkness may be a symbol either of imprisonment (ch. Isa 42:7) or, more generally, of misery; Lam 3:2. lady of kingdoms ] Lit. “mistress” (Isa … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 47:5”

[As for] our redeemer, the LORD of hosts [is] his name, the Holy One of Israel. 4. The verse as it stands interrupts the continuity of the poem, especially in the view of those who hold that the speaker is throughout Jehovah. Lowth and others regard it as the response of a chorus of Israelites … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 47:4”

Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, yea, thy shame shall be seen: I will take vengeance, and I will not meet [thee as] a man. 3. Thy nakedness seen ] These words, which undoubtedly spoil the rhythm of the verse, are deleted by Duhm as a gloss suggested by the latter part of Isa 47:2. and … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 47:3”

Take the millstones, and grind meal: uncover thy locks, make bare the leg, uncover the thigh, pass over the rivers. 2. Take the millstones &c. ] The luxurious lady must betake herself to the occupation of the meanest female slaves in the household: Exo 11:5; Job 31:10. uncover thy locks ] Rather: take off thy … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 47:2”

Come down, and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon, sit on the ground: [there is] no throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called tender and delicate. 1. virgin daughter of Babylon ] i.e. “virgin daughter, Babylon”; see on Isa 1:8, cf. Isa 37:22. The parallel phrase … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 47:1”

I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory. 13. for Israel my glory ] Cf. Isa 49:3. But another possible translation is “I will give my glory unto Israel” (R.V. marg.). The two verses express … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 46:13”

Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that [are] far from righteousness: 12, 13. A call to repentance based on the nearness of deliverance. ye stouthearted ] The phrase means in Psa 76:5 “courageous”; here it is rather akin to “stiff-hearted” in Eze 2:4. The LXX. reads “ye that have lost heart” ( for ), and this … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 46:12”