Bible Commentary

All nations before him [are] as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity. 17. less than nothing ] Better: of nought; “belonging to the category of nothingness” (Cheyne). vanity ] The Hebr. is th, a word which means primarily “a waste,” and is applied in Gen 1:2 to the primeval … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 40:17”

And Lebanon [is] not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering. 16. So infinitely great is Jehovah that the forests of Lebanon would not yield fuel enough, nor its wild animals victims enough, for a holocaust worthy of Him. Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges And Lebanon – … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 40:16”

Behold, the nations [are] as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing. 15 17. The insignificance of collective humanity before Jehovah. The meditation passes from Nature to History, with the same design of encouraging those who … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 40:15”

With whom took he counsel, and [who] instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and showed to him the way of understanding? 14. and who instructed ] Or, so that he instructed. path of judgment ] path of right ( mishp). See ch. Isa 28:26, where the word … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 40:14”

Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or [being] his counselor hath taught him? 13. From the power of Jehovah, the writer passes to expatiate on His perfect and self-sufficing wisdom. Who hath directed ] The verb is the same as “meted out” in the previous verse, and the transition from the literal to … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 40:13”

Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance? 12. Who can vie with Jehovah in power? The point of these questions lies in … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 40:12”

He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry [them] in his bosom, [and] shall gently lead those that are with young. 11. Jehovah as the Good Shepherd: an ideal picture of the homeward journey of the exiles, hardly of the permanent relations of Jehovah to … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 40:11”

Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong [hand], and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward [is] with him, and his work before him. 10. with strong hand] R.V. as a mighty one; lit., “in (the capacity of) a strong one” ( Bth essentiae). The chief ancient versions vocalised the word as … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 40:10”

O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift [it] up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! 9 11. The prophet announces the triumphal approach of Jehovah to Zion. O Zion tidings … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 40:9”

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand forever. 8. the word of our God ] is the word spoken by the prophets to Israel, the announcement of Jehovah’s immutable purpose in the world; this is the one permanent factor in human history. It is a mistake to limit … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 40:8”