Bible Commentary

And thou shalt be brought down, [and] shalt speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall be low out of the dust, and thy voice shall be, as of one that hath a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and thy speech shall whisper out of the dust. And shalt speak out of the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 29:4”

And I will camp against thee round about, and will lay siege against thee with a mount, and I will raise forts against thee. 3. I will camp against thee round about ] see Isa 29:1. LXX. carries the parallel still further by reading “I will encamp like David,” a reading which would be plausible … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 29:3”

Yet I will distress Ariel, and there shall be heaviness and sorrow: and it shall be unto me as Ariel. 2. there shall be heaviness and sorrow ] Better: “mourning and lamentation” (R.V.), but still better (as reproducing the assonance of the original): moaning and bemoaning (Cheyne). The expression recurs in Lam 2:5. it shall … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 29:2”

Woe to Ariel, to Ariel, the city [where] David dwelt! add ye year to year; let them kill sacrifices. 1. Jerusalem’s time of joyous security shall speedily come to an end. Ho Ariel, Ariel, city where David encamped! (R.V.). Of the word “Ariel” two explanations (both ancient) are given. ( a) That which renders it … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 29:1”

This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts, [which] is wonderful in counsel, [and] excellent in working. 29. To Isaiah there is something very impressive in the peasant’s subtle yet unpretentious knowledge of his craft; he is like a part of nature, and his wisdom seems a direct emanation from the infinite Wisdom to … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 28:29”

Bread [corn] is bruised; because he will not ever be threshing it, nor break [it with] the wheel of his cart, nor bruise it [with] his horsemen. 28. Transl. Is bread ( corn) crushed? Nay, he does not keep threshing it perpetually, &c. If the text be right, the sentence continues “and rolling his wagon-wheels … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 28:28”

For the fitches are not threshed with a threshing instrument, neither is a cart wheel turned about upon the cummin; but the fitches are beaten out with a staff, and the cummin with a rod. 27. with a threshing instrument] the sledge ( r). a cart wheel ] the wheel of a threshing wagon ( … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 28:27”

For his God doth instruct him to discretion, [and] doth teach him. 26. All this is done in obedience to an inherited, almost instinctive, wisdom, which rests ultimately on Divine inspiration. See Isa 28:29; and Sir 7:15 (“husbandry which the Most High hath ordained”). Verg. Georg. I. 147. to discretion ] to right, i.e. “right, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 28:26”

When he hath made plain the face thereof, doth he not cast abroad the fitches, and scatter the cummin, and cast in the principal wheat and the appointed barley and the rye in their place? 25. fitches (R.V. marg. black cummin [ Nigella sativa ]) and cummin [ Cuminum sativum ] are both mentioned only … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 28:25”

Doth the plowman plow all day to sow? doth he open and break the clods of his ground? 24. all day ] i.e. continually (R.V.), “uninterruptedly.” The emphasis of the question lies on this word. to sow is an awkward addition and may be a gloss. If genuine the sense must be paraphrased “seeing he … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 28:24”