Bible Commentary

Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but [it is] in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few. 7. Howbeit he meaneth not so ] The charge is not so much that Asshur exceeds his commission (as in Zec 1:15), as that he recognises no commission at … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 10:7”

I will send him against a hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets. 6. I will send him, &c.] Rather: I send him against a profane nation … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 10:6”

O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation. 5. O Assyrian ] Ho Asshur, the name both of the people and its national god. The god being little more than the personified genius of the nation, we might almost venture to suppose that he is here directly … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 10:5”

Without me they shall bow down under the prisoners, and they shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand [is] stretched out still. 4. Without me slain ] This clause is very difficult. The easiest explanation perhaps is to take it as the answer to the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 10:4”

And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation [which] shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory? 3. The unjust lawgivers are reminded that there is a day of revision, when they must answer to the Supreme Judge. And … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 10:3”

To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and [that] they may rob the fatherless! 2. The effect and real purpose of this legislative activity. To turn aside the needy from judgment ] See on ch. Isa 1:23. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 10:2”

Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness [which] they have prescribed; 1. that decree unrighteous decrees, &c. ] Better perhaps, that draw up mischievous ordinances and are continually writing oppression. The magnates are addressed not as judges but as legislators; their offence is that they embody injustice in arbitrary written enactments, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 10:1”

Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh: [and] they together [shall be] against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand [is] stretched out still. 21. Manasseh, Ephraim Manasseh ] Ancient tribal jealousies would naturally be revived in a period of anarchy and civil war. Something of this kind seems to be … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 9:21”

And he shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand, and they shall not be satisfied: they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm: 20. And one snatched on the right hand and was hungry (still) and devoured on the left hand and … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 9:20”

Through the wrath of the LORD of hosts is the land darkened, and the people shall be as the fuel of the fire: no man shall spare his brother. 19. darkened ] Another translation is “made to glow”; the word is not found elsewhere. no man sparing his brother. The clause shews that the fire … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 9:19”