THE BIB LE FOR HOME A ND S CHOO L

S H AI L E R M ATH E W S GENE RAL ED ITO R

O O -

PR FE SS R OF H I ST O RI CA L A ND C OM PA
R AT IV E TH E OLOGY
T HE UNIV E RS I TY O F CH I CAG O

T HE BO O K O F THE

PRO PH E C IE S O F IS A IA H

JO H N EDG A R M c FAD Y E N
THE BIB LE FO R HO ME A ND S C HO O L

THE BOO K O F THE

PRO PHECIES O F ISAIAH

JO H N E D G A R M c FA D Y E N , D D
. .

PR O F ESS O R O F O L D T ESTA M E NT LAN GUAG E L IT ER TU R E

,
A ,

AND T HEO LOGY

U N I TE D F REE C H U R C H C O LLEGE , GL AS OW
G

Nam g m
TH E M A C M I L L A N CO M PA NY
 Cow mc m ’

, r g xo,

B Y TH E A
M C MI L L AN CO M P ANY .

Se t u p and e le ctro t yp d e . Pu bl ishe d Nove mbe r , 19m .

Th e re fe re nces i n the foo t

'

-
m ar k ed
no tes S . V
a re to th e A m e ri can S t anda r d
.

Edi ti on of th e R e vi sed Bibl e . y

Cop r i g h t , r oo t , by Tho m as Ne lso n So ns .

BY n u rssro u o n m a P us u smms .

Norman!) M
J S Cu shi ng Co
. . . Be r wi c k 65 S m i h Co t .

Nor wood , m ,USA . . .

 TO M Y F R I EN D

R EV . PR O FE SS O R w. G .
JO RD AN ,
D D
. .

2 3 5 413
 G E NE R A L I NT R O D U C T I O N

T H E BIB LE FO R H OME S C H O O L i s i nte nd e d to pl ac e

A ND

th e r e su lts of th e b e st mod e rn b i b l i c a l scho larsh i p at t he

d i spo sal of th e g en e r al r e ad e r It do es not se e k to du pli
.

c ate othe r c ommentar i e s to wh i c h th e stud e nt must turn .

I ts c h i e f c h ar a c te r i sti c s ar e (a ) i ts r ig i d e xc lu si on of all
p r oc e sses , b oth c r i t i c al and e x e g e t i c a l, from i t s not e s ;
( )
5 i ts pr e s u ppo s i t i on a nd i t s u se of t h e ass ur e d r esu l ts

of h i stor i c al i nve stig ati on and c r i ti c i sm wh e r eve r su c h

r esults throw l ig ht on th e b i b li c al te x t ; ( 5) i ts runn in g
an a lys i s b oth i n te x t and c omm e nt ; ( a i s b r i e f e x pl an a
)
'
t
tory note s ad apte d to th e ra pi d r e ad e r ; (e) i ts thoroug h
b u t b r i e f Introdu c t ion s ; (f ) i ts use O f th e R e vi se d V e r s i on
Of 1 8 8 1 , su ppl e me nte d w ith a l l i m portant r e nd e r i n g s i n

oth e r ve r si on s .

B ib li c al sc i e n c e h as prog r e sse d r api d ly dur i ng th e past

fe w ye ar s b ut th e r ead e r sti l l lac k s a b r i e f c om p r eh e n si ve
, ,

commentary th at sh all e xtend to h i m i n usab le form m ate

r i al now at th e d i spo siti on of the stud ent It i s hope d .

th at i n th is se r i e s th e n e e d s of i nte ll ig e nt S und ay S chool

teac h e r s h ave b ee n m e t as we ll as those of c le rgyme n
,

and lay r e ad e r s ,
and th at i n sc o pe pur po se ,
and l oyal ty
,

to th e S c r i pture s as a found ati on O f Chri sti an thought and

l i f e i ts vo l um e s w ill st i mul ate th e i nte l lig e nt u se of th e
,

B i b le i n th e home and th e schoo l .

 P R E FA C E

T HE te xtual c r i ti c al and h i stor i c al prob le ms of the b ook

, ,

of I sai ah ar e ve ry num e rous ; and th i s vo lume wh i c h h as ,

b ee n ob lig e d to c on su lt b r e vi ty at e ve ry po i nt h as b e e n ,

ab le to do li ttle more th an r e c ord r e su lts w ithout th e

p ro c ess e s wh i c h ju s t i fy th e m Fr e qu e
. nt ly th e d at a a r e

so s le nd e r and c a ab le O f so va r i ou s i nte r r e tat i on s th at

p p
those r e sul ts ar e ve ry far from c e rtai n Wh e r e — as not .

i nfre que nt ly i n I sa i ah — two s c ho lars ado pt i ng th e same,

c r iti c al me thod s d iffe r by h alf a m illenn i um in th e i r esti

,

mate o f th e d ate of a passag e we ar e c le ar ly yet a long

,

way from un an i m i ty .

But i n f ac e of th i s r egr ettab le un c e rta inty two th i ng s

,
.
,

h ave to b e sai d Fi r st th e r e i s mu c h th at i s pr ac ti c al ly
.
,

c e rta i n : fe w tod ay for e xample doubt th e e xi li c or ig in of

, ,

c h apte rs 4 0 —55 And se cond ly on a ny vi e w of th e or ig i n

.
,

of the book it i s lite r atur e and i t i s re l ig i on W ith in th e

, .

l i m i ts pre sc r i be d by th e e d itor of th e se r i e s I h ave e n ,

d e avo r e d to do ju st i c e to b oth th e se a spe c ts of it Thoug h .

th e subj e c t of H e b re w m e tr e sw arms w ith un so lve d prob

lem s i t se e me d worth wh i le fo llow i ng r e c e nt scho l ar s
, , ,

to attempt a m etr i c al a rr an g em ent O f th e b ook Th e re .

c an b e l ittl e doubt th at th i s en c our a e s a n appr e c i ati on

g
O f i ts li te r a ry qu a li ty and h e lp s us to f e e l th at mu c h of

H ebr ew pro ph e cy i s po eti c not on ly i n spi r i t and sub

st an c e b u t i n form as w e l l
, N atur ally th e te r se n ess and
.

symme try Of 8 H eb r ew ve r se are som e ti m e s r ave ly o b sc ur e d

.
g
 C
P RE FA E

by th e En g li sh tr an sl ati on , wh i c h may r end e r two H e b r e w

words by e le ve n ( c f 6 1 or even by th i rteen ( c f 5 2 )
. .

En g l i sh word s It i s furth e r o bsc ur ed by an o cc asi on al

.

om iss i on ( c f 3 7 . or more freque ntly i nte rpo lati on of

word s ( c f 7 1 8 h) or e ve n of li n es ( c f 2 2 : 9—1 1 ; 59 : 1 8 C)
. . .

Wh en howeve r allo wan c e i s m ad e for th ese i ntrusi on s

, , ,

wh i c h ar e someti me s p la in e nough in the metr i c ally ar

r ang ed te x t and ar e u su ally note d i n th e c omm entary we
, ,

c annot b ut re c ogn iz e th at i n the book of I sai ah poetry

no less th an pro phecy h as atta i n e d some of i ts noblest
fl ig hts.

But the supr eme inte r e st of the B ible must eve r be the
re l ig i ous i nte re st ; and any worthy study of the book of
I saiah ought to c arry u s not on ly i nto the h i story of those
far O ff d ays b u t i nto th e sou l of th e pro phe t h i mse l f and
-
,

of tho se oth e r s — g r e at too though less maj esti c th an he

, ,

whose words ar e embod ie d i n h i s book Th is i s wh at in .

,

b r i e f c om pas s I h ave tr i e d to do — to show how for th e se

,

m e n the wor sh i p of Go d i nvo lve d the se rvi ce of man and ,

how th e i r he a rts we re ke pt ste ady and ho pe fu l i n the f ac e

of d isappo intment and d i sas te r by th e i r f ai th i n God and
h is ete rna l purp ose .

JO H N E . MC FADYEN .

A E
L K or B ar s,
O NTA R IO , 5th Aug ust , 1 9 10 .
 C O N T E NT S

INT R O D U CT IO N
1
. O R IG I N A N D A RRAN G E M E NT O F T HE B OO K O F I S A I A H
II T HE PO LI T I CA L CO N D I T I O N S O F I SA I A H S TI M E
.
’

III MO RA L AN D SO CI AL CO N D IT IO N S O F I SA I A H S T I M E
.
’

IV I SA I A H T HE MAN
.

V I SA I A H As A W R I T E R
.

VI L IT E RA RY P RO B L EM S O F T HE B OO K O F I SA I A H
.

VII A NA LY S I S
.

VIII C H RO N O LOGY
.

I! . B I B L I OG RAP H Y
TE! T A N D CO MM ENTA RY O N C H APT ER S 1 39 -

T HE E! I LES BOO K O F CO N SO LAT I O N ( C H APT E R S 4 55)

’
0-

I H I ST O R I CA L BA C KG R O U N D AN D O R I G I N O E T HE P RO PHECY
.

II THE PRO HET S M ESSA G E

. P
’

III T HE S E R ANT O F JEH OV AH

. V

IV T HE STY L E O F D EUTERo I SA I AH
.
-

V ANA LY S I S
.

TEx T A N D C O MM E NTA R Y O N C H A P TE R S 40 55 -

TRITo I S A I A H ( C H APT E R S 56—66 )

-

I T HE BA C KGROU N D O F T HE PR OP HE CY
.

II T HE P R O PHET S M ESSAG E
.
’

III T HE STY L E O F TRI TO I S A IA H

.
-

IV AN ALY S I S
.

TE! T AN D CO MM ENTA RY O N C HAPT ER S 56 66 -

IN DE!
 T HE BO O K O F THE
PR O P H E C IE S O F IS A I A H

J N
O H E D GA R M C FA D Y E N
 I NTR OD U CTI ON

I , O RI GIN AND ARRAN GE ME N T OF THE B OO K OF I SAI AH

mi ddle of t he b ook of I sai ah as i t has c om e down

I N the ,

V to u s o ccurs a purely n arrati ve and hi stori cal se cti on

, ,

con si sti ng of four chapt e rs (36 39) wri tt e n for the mo st

-

p a rt i n pro se d e a li n g w i th I sa i a h s c ondu c t duri n g t h e

’

blo ckad e of Je ru sa lem by t he A ssyri an s and wi th hi s

r elat i on s to Ki ng Heze ki ah and h avi ng all t he appearan ce
,

of bein g an excerp t from a bi og r aphy of t he proph et .

Thi s si mp le f ac t furni sh es to beg i n wi th thr ee gr eat di

, ,

vi si on s O f t he book : Chap s 1 3 5 ; Ch ap s 36 39 ; Ch ap s
—
.
—
. .

—
40 66 Wi th the thi rd di vi si on whi c h readily lend s i t
.
,

self to subdi vi si on we shall deal m o re ex p li cit ly l at er

,
.

It s ea sy to Show that t e first di vi si on (Chap s 1 3 5)

i h —
.

ul ti m ately rest s upon smalle r g roup s at least some of whi ch ,

mu st have been ci rc ulate d i ndepe ndently Thi s sup er .

s c ri pti on t he v i si on or word or ora cl e of I sai alz the

!
, , ,

son of Am oz o cc ur s at t he begi nning of Ch aps 1 2 and .

, ,

13 Su c h a repet i ti on woul d hav e be en unn ece ssary and

.

unna tur al had all the p ropheci es ori gi n ally app eare d to
,

g e th e r as o ne who l e noth i n g wou l d i n that c a s e hav e b e e n

nec essary but the sup e rsc ri pti on at the begi nni ng of the
book Th erefor e we ar e ju sti fi ed i n r eg a rdi ng Chaps 1
. .

(or 2 ) 1 2 as a g roup by i tself

—
.

It i s n atural to take as t he sec ond group Ch ap s 1 3 2 3 .

-
.

Th ese ch apt e rs in addi ti on to th ei r sp e ci a l sup ersc ri pti on

, ,

are h el d tog e th e r i n two way s : ( I ) by t he fa c t that a lmo st

e very ora cle in t he e nti re g rou p de al s wi th for ei n p eo les

g p ,

for ex ample B abylon Mo ab Eg ypt Tyr e and ( 2 ) by the

, , , ,

word bu r den (or ra the r or acle utter ance) whi c h h ead s most ,

of the se ora cles (c f Ch ap s 1 3 1 5 1 7 1 9

. .
, , , ,

B I
 INT R O D U C TION

Anoth er g roup is const i tut ed by Chap s 2 8 33 in whi ch .

—
,

all } fli é chapter s but one b egi n wi th Woe and i t i s no

‘ 1
,

a cci dent that these chapt er s d eal wi th a si n gle pe ri od

( 7 4 7 0 1 B C ) and in the m ain wi th a Si ngle th eme the
0 -
.
, , ,

proj ect e d assault of the Assyri an s upon J udah and J udah s ,

’

e ndeavor to n eg oti at e a n E g ypti an a lli an c e The r emai n .

ing ora cles on b oth Si des of thi s g roup furth er c on sti tute two
g roup s} y
b th e m se l v e s : Ch ap s 2 4
—
2 7 a g r e at p i
. c tur e of ,

t he c onvul si on of t he world fo llowi ng not i n ap p ropri at ely ,

t he ora cles upon t he he a t he n nati ons ; and Chap s 34 and .

35 ,
d esc ribi n g t h e d e stru c t i on of Edom and of a ll t h e nat i ons
opposed to J udah wi th the great golden age whi ch should
,

foll ow .

The first half th en of the book of Isai ah di vi d es i t se lf

, ,

naturall y as fo ll ows
— .
—
Chaps 1 1 2 ; Chaps 1 3 2 3 ; Chaps 2 4 2 7 Chaps 2 8 . .
-
.

Ch p Ch 6—
33 ; a s 3 4 35 ; ,
a s
p 3 39
The hi story of t he ul tim at e ori gin of th ese groups and
of thei r subsequ ent asso ci ati on into a c onnect ed whole
must i n t he natur e of t he case be l argely c onj e ctur al
, ,
.

Wha t is c er tai n is that the figure of the great prophet and

hi s g enui ne ora cles beg an to g athe r upon th em se lves not ,

long afte r hi s de ath t he eag er and reve rent att enti on of

,

his countrym en who i n lat e r ages i n c orpora te d in hi s

, , ,

book the work of othe r hands som et im es i nfe ri or but oft en ,

ak in i n spi ri t and li te rary power to I saiah s own Thi s

, ,
’
.

p ro ces s of ampli fi cati on w ent on t ill at least th e fourth

cent u ry ( Chaps 2 4 B ut . th e or i gi na l or a c l es

of Isai ah are undoub tedly to be found mo st of all in t he

— — —
first and fourth group s Chaps 1 1 2 and 2 8 33 . .

THE PO LITI CAL CONDITI ON S I SAIAH S TIME

’
II . OF

Throughout the who le of I sai ah s caree r , and i ndeed

’

for nearly a h undred years after , theba ckground of Hebrew

hi sto ry was Assyri a The presen ce of that mi ghty empir e
.

Chap 3 : beg ins wi th behold , which is not

. unlike woe in the Hebrew .

2
 INT RO D U C T ION
Assyri a Indi vi duall y th ey were helpless ag ai nst the
.
,

mi ghty powe r whi ch dealt wi th w eak er p eoples li k e a boy

harryi ng a bird s nest ( Isa 10 : 1 4) th ei r only hope lay
’
.

in c ombi n at i on and the defec ti on of so i mportant a stat e

as J udah Si tu a ted mi dway be tw ee n Syri a and I sra el on
,

t he north and P hi li sti a on t he south woul d have been f a ta l ,

.

Thrown i nto c on sternati on by t he i nvasi on Aha z c ontrary , ,

to the advi ce of I sai ah ( 7 took the fata l step of appe al

i ng for help to Assyr i a ( 2 Ki n g s 1 6 Thi s g ave Ti g lath
Pilese r j ust t he opportuni ty he want e d He came west .
,

ravage d t he di stri c ts of nor the rn I srael ( 7 34 B C 2 K in g s . .

,

15 and took D am asc us t he ca pi tal of Aram i n 7 3 2 , ,

D C . J udah for t he mome nt was deli vered from her di s

.

tr es s but t he p ri ce she pai d was a heavy one : She too

,

be cam e h en c e forth a tri butary and va ssa l of As syri a .

This i s the pe ri od whi c h form s th e ba ckground of Chap s .

7 and 8 .

Th edeath of the Assyri an monar ch was always the Signal

for a revo lt i n t he west and on the death of Tig lath Pil ese r
i n 7 2 7 Ho sea ki ng of I srael and vassal of A ssyri a trusti ng
, , ,

to Egypt — th at ot her gr eat powe r whi ch vi vidl y im ,

pre sse d t he i magi na ti on and rai sed the hopes of the Hebrews
of those days threw o fi t he yoke of A ssyri a In 7 2 4 .

Sha lmanese r I V t he new mon ar ch appe ar ed i n the w est

, , ,

a nd beg an the sie g e of I sra el s cap i ta l Samari a whi ch

’
, , ,

howeve r was onl y tak en aft er three years by Shalm aneser s

,
’

g e n e ra l a nd su cc essor S ar g on i n 7 2 1
,
B C O v e r of ,
. .

her people we re ca rri ed i nto ca p ti vi ty and po li ti cally , , ,

I srael was e xt ing ui shed Isa i ah s proph eti c words we re

.
’

j usti fied He had ant i ci pat ed t he fall of Samari a ( 2 8 1 4 )

.
—

as of D amasc u s fi Cf .
,
.

The n ex t i n ci dent of i mportan ce that m ee ts us on the

p ages of I sai ah i s the si ege and captur e of Ashdod by the
Assyri ans in 7 1 1 B C ( C hap . Phili sti a (to whi c h
. .

Ashdod belonged) and other weste rn states taki ng ad

, ,

vantage of diffi c ulti es in whi ch Sargon was at thi s ti me

be i n g i nvo lved in t he far east r evol te d J udah is m en ,
.

4
 IN T RO D U C TION
ti one d among the rebels but probably she ul ti mat ely
as ,

wi thdr ew from the conf edera cy At any rat e and thi s .

was no doub t due to th e i nflu en ce of I sai ah s e arn est warn

’

i n gs J udah for thi rty year s (from 7 3 5 k ep t from an

open rupture wi th A ssyri a thoug h th ere mu st alway s have ,

been a woul d b e patri ot i c party in favor of su ch a p oli cy

-
.

The d eath of Sarg on i n 7 0 5 howev er li k e the dea th of , ,

hi s pre decessor s was the si g n al for a g en er al revo l t through

,

out the west and thi s t i m e J udah was t empte d to joi n

,
.

N eg oti a ti on s we re set on foot wi th Egypt the c ountry ,

of larg e promi se and Slende r p erforman ce (30 : 5 7 ; 3 1 : ,

I If ) and t he hop e s of t he west w e r e hi g h

,
B ut they had .

re ckon ed wi thout th ei r ho st The te rri ble Sargon was .

su cc ee de d by t he mor e t e rri ble Se nn a c h e rib ( P 1 4 :

who af te r ex t i ngui shn the flame of i n surrec t i on in the

,

e ast turn e d hi s st ep s toward s t he r eb elli ou s st at e s i n the

,

w est in 7 0 1 Mo st of Phoe ni ci a i n the north was swi ft ly

.

re du ced ; th en ce Senna c h e ri b pa sse d to Phili sti a i n the

south d e fe at e d at E lt ek eh n e ar E kron a for c e of E g ypt i an s
,

and Arab s and besi ege d and took E kron o ne O f the

, ,

Phi li st i n e ci ti es He was now free to begi n hi s assaul t upon

.

J udah .

We have the gr eat g ood fortune to po ssess a tolerably

d etailed acc ount of thi s c amp aig n b oth from Hebrew and
A ssyri an sour c es The Heb rew a cc ount i s cont ai n ed in
.

I sai ah Chaps 36 and 3 7 whi ch c orr espond s wi th sli ght

, .
,

v r ati on s to 2 Ki ng s 1 8 1 3 1 7 1 9 3 7 the latt er a cc ount

a i —
, ,

bei ng pr ec ede d by the ve ry v al u able fragm ent 1 8 : 1 4 1 6 —

.

The vi vi d word s of Senn ac h e rib r eve al t he t horoug hn ess

wi th whi ch t he deva st ati ng c ampaig n was pro se c ute d in
J udah Heze ki ah O f J ud ah who had not submi tte d to
.
!
,

my yok e I be si eged forty—Six of hi s stron g ci t i es fortre sses

, , ,

and sm all p la c es in thei r n ei ghborhood and took th em .

Two hundr e d thou sand o ne hundre d and fifty m en and

women horses mules asses camels o x en and Sh eep wi th
, , , , ,

out numbe r I carri ed O fl from th em and c ount ed as Spoil

,
.

Hi m sel f I shut up li ke a bi rd in a cag e in J erusalem

5
 INT R O D U C TION
hi s royal c i ty B ut thoug h J udah sufl ered SO t erribly
.

and Jerusalem was blo ckaded so closely that her ki ng coul d

be c omp ar ed to a bi rd i n a ca g e t he ci ty i tse lf was not
,

captur ed Addi c ted as t he A ssyri an monarchs are to

.

boasti n g y et Se nn ach e ri b do es not e ven claim to have

,

taken the ci ty and we m ay be very sur e that t he ci ty was

,

not take n Thus by a mi ra c ulous Provi d en c e I sai ah s

.
’

g r eat pro ph e c y was vi ndi c at e d that J ehov a h of H o sts

woul d defend the ci ty whose t emple was hi s eart hly hom e .

III . M ORAL AND SOCIAL CONDITI ON S OF I S AIAH S

’
TIME

AS I sa iah was ca lled to t he p rophe ti c in the y ear

o fli ce
O f U zzi ah s d ea th ( 7 4 0 B C , C ha p 6) non e of hi s or ac les
’
. . .

c omes from t he pe ri od of U zzi ah ; b ut somethi ng of the

sp le ndor of tha t monar ch s long and b rilli ant r ei g n i s re
’

fl ect ed from t he ear li e r prophe c i es of I sai ah J udah was

.

still strong , w ell forti fied ( 2 and abundant ly equi pped

wi th t he resour ce s of war ( 2 : By the captur e of t he
port of Elath ( 2 Ki n g s U zzi ah had c arri ed th e
trade of J udah to t he Red Sea, and , by m ean s of hi s shi ps
(I sa . no doubt far beyond i ts northern shor es .

Thi s trad e b rought S ilv er and g o ld i n abundan ce to J ud ah

( 2 : t h e w ea lt h i n turn d e v e l o pe d a sp i ri t of pr i d e

( 2 : 1 2 II ) and mate ria lism , and created in tho se who

.

possessed i t a c ru el and un sc ru pulous tempe r The poor .

were g ro und to t he dust thei r prop erty was

g radu all y appropr i at e d b y t he ri c h ,
who add e d fi e l d to fi e l d
and ho use to house Among the uppe r classes
dr unk enn ess and revel ry bec am e the ord er of the day
f, . Th ey were a jubil ant p eople
jubil ant even in a d esperate crisis to the po i nt of an almo st
blasph emous fri vo li ty ( 2 2 2 , 1 2 The women had cas t
ofI the res trai nts wi th whi ch O ri enta l wom en we re wont to
h edge th e mse lves about , and wi th h aughty h ead and
l eeri ng eyes and t i nkli ng fee t they walked the fashi onable
stree ts of Je rusa le m (3 16 4 -

6 .
 IN T R O D U C TION .

L i ttle wonder that in a so ci ety lik e thi s moral di sti nc

ti on s had lost thei r m eani ng and the moral order was ,

fl o u t ed . Good was evil and evil g ood ( 5 The r eli

g i o u s l e ad e r s so far
,
from s t e mm i n g t hi s ti d e of c orru p t i on ,

w er e t hem selves the foremo st in d epravi ty Wi thi n th e .

v ery p re ci n c t s of the t emple th e proph et s and pri est s woul d

,

be c om e b rutally i nto x i c at ed and sc en es we r e ena c t e d i n

,

d esc ri bably di sg u sti n g ( 2 8 7 Th ese m en who mo st ,

of all Shoul d have lent an i nte lli gent and sym path eti c ear
to the solemn warni ng s of I sai ah de ri de d hi m and hi s ,

m essa ge in a drunk en p arody ( 2 8 9 Wi th the ex cep

ti on of a few fai thf ul soul s li k e the di sci ples whom I sai ah
g ath er e d ab out hi m the p eop le and th ei r l eade r
a li k e had ab andon e d all f ai th i n the spi ri tu al powe r that
g ov e rn s t h e wor l d T h ei
. r motto w as D on t b oth
,
e r !
us ’

wi th your holy O ne of I sra el (30 : ”

Ava ri c e and de
bau chery sc epti ci sm ( 5 1 9) and mo c ke ry w ere t he pr ev
, ,

al ent t emp er s of t he day a mon g tho se who shou l d hav e

been le ad e r s bu t who as I sai ah sa y s we r e r ea ll y mi s

, , ,

l ea d e r s Th ey we r e in r eali ty r ebel s ag ai n st t he
Go d of I sr ael and hi s holy law ( 1
B ut to u s t he str ange thi ng i s th at these were r eli gi ou s
m en desti tute i ndeed of t he elem ent s of morali ty y e t ,

p assi onat ely reli gi ou s U nli k e t he proph et s reli gi on

.
’
,

howeve r thei rs was not onl y exp ressed but ex hau st ed

, , ,

i n ri tu al . Th ey dr ew n ea r to God not wi th th ei r h ea rt s , ,

bu t only wi th th ei r li ps ( 2 9 And y et not wi th th ei r

li p s on ly bu t wi th elabor at e and c o st ly ri tu al se rvi c e as
,

well Z ealou sly they throng ed hi s c ourt s at the g re at

.

fest i v als and thoug h th ei r h and s w ere stai n e d wi th blood

,

th ey we re not empty R am s b ullo cks lamb s .

, , ,

g o a t s a ll th ese w e r e O fl e r e d w i th e nthu si asm and d e

v o t i on ( I 11 ff ) whi ch m ay h ave som eti m es bee n b orn

,

of despai r ; but the spoi l of t he poor was i n t he hou ses

1

from whi ch the y c ame to the worshi p of thei r God (3

and thei r bloody h and s as t he p rophet r emi nds th em, ,

t
I f Chap . 1 c o m es, as t he bulk of i t may , fro m Sennacherib
’
s v
in asi o n.
 IN T R O D U C TION
woul d the refore b e stret che d out to hi m i n vai n ( 1
For i t was not th ei r cattle bu t thei r li ves t hat h e want ed
,

worshi p whi ch came out of pur e and hum ble he art s

( 9 3
2 1 ) and wh i c h e xp r esse d i t se lf i n a n honorab l e ci vi c
life in so ci al ju st i ce and in p ra cti cal pi ty for t he defen c e
, ,

l ess and t he p oor ( 1 Theirs was a God who l ooke d

not for holo cau sts but for j ust i ce ; for se rvi ce i ndeed but
, ,

for moral and so ci al r athe r than ri tual se rvi ce He l ooke d .

!

for j usti ce b ut behol d oppressi on ; for ri ghteousness but

, , , ,

beho ld a c ry
,

IV . I S AI AH THE M AN

Wheth er we regard i t on i ts po li ti cal or on i t s so ci al si de ,

t he task whi c h I sa i ah had to fa ce was as h ard as ev er f ell

to t he lot of morta l Grave po li ti c al pro blems had ari se n
.

wi t h t he intru si on of Assyri a whil e t he soc i al lif e of J udah ,

a s we have see n was hon ey c ombe d wi t h p ri de supe r

, ,

st i t i o n 8 : m ate ri ali sm and fri voli ty Yet ,

.

thro ug hout i t all t he soul of I sai ah remain ed se ren e and

,

st eady , be cau se hi s eyes had see n the Ki n g J ehovah of ,

ho sts ( 6 :
The fine c on si st e n cy of hi s po li cy and the qui e t confi
d en ce wi th whi ch be c onfronted even t he most desperat e
c ri ses ar e e xp lained by t he gr eat vi si on wi th whi ch he was
l aun ch e d u pon hi s proph e ti c c aree r ( Chap Th en i t .

was gi ven hi m to see t h e glori ou s Lord upon hi s thron e ,

hi gh and li fte d up ; and from that day to the e nd he b ore ,

t he vi si on on hi s h e a r t Wha tever else he mi ght see he

.
,

also saw t he Lord e ve n i n d ark d ay s wh en no oth e r ey es

,

in J udah c ould see hi m Hi s glori ous p resen c e and hi s

.

i nvi n ci ble purpo se w ere to I sa i ah t he mo st r eal thi ngs i n

th e worl d .In thi s se nse he i s pre emi n ently the proph et
of fai th In i ndi vi dua l li fe in nati onal hi story God i f
.
, ,

th e mo st pot ent f ac tor i n the l ast an alysi s the on ly

, ,

ot ent fa ctor how ev e r c om ple t ely he m ig ht be i g nor ed or

p , ,

in pra c ti ce deni e d by sch emi n g poli ti ci an s and t hei r

,

8
 IN T RO D U C TION
fri volous p eople The deep est foll y i n a mili tary c ri si s
.

i s to l ook onl y to the armory and i gnore God ( 2 2 8

Wh en i n the i nva si on of J udah by the confederat e for ces
,

of Aram and I sra el the h eart s of t he ki ng and hi s people

,

were shaken li k e t he forest trees be fore the wi nd ( 7

I sai ah s h eart i s calm
’
t he onl y st e ady h e art i n J udah
b e cause hi s eyes had seen th e Ki n g B ehi nd all the per
.

p l e x i ti e s and c onfu s i on s hi s f ai th pi e r c e d to th e gr e at i m

movable Reali ty the su bli m e spi ri tu al P resen ce who se

,

g l ory fi ll s t h e un i v e r se to th a t m i g hty P urpo se

whi ch embra ces th e whole world and whi c h no hum an ,

power can ul ti mately thwart or annul ( 1 4 : 2 6 Po li

ti ci ans mi g ht thi nk th e mselves v e ry a stut e b ut he also ,

i s wi se as I sai ah tre n chant ly say s

,
H e has hi s
g r e a t wor l d p l an
-

; and wh a t e v
,
e r e l se m i sc arri e s tha t i s
,

tri umphant .

I t i s thi s c lear and ste ady vi si on of God thi s un shaken ,

f ai th in hi s abi di ng pr esen ce and in t he tri umph of hi s pur

p o s e
, th a t e xp l a i n s t he po li t i c a l c ondu c t of Isa i ah and ,

ju st i fies i t s seemi n g i n c on si st en cy In hi s e arli er mi ni stry

.

h e had p assi onat ely sou g ht to di ssuade J udah from form

ing an a lli an ce wi th A ssyri a ( 7 towards t he clo se of
hi s c ar ee r h e i s e qua lly insi st t that that alli an ce be
mai nt ain ed and that no attempt be mad e to n eg oti ate
,

wi th Egypt f ; . In b oth ca ses hi s advi ce

mu st have see me d m adn ess to t he worldl y wi se po li ti ci ans -
.

I t i s small wonde r that Ah az m en ace d by t he c onf ederat e

,

troop s of t he two nati on s to the north of hi m Shoul d h ave ,

sou g ht to se c ur e hi s saf e ty b t h e h e l of t h e m i g hty A S

y p
syri an s ; or th at thi rty ye ar s afterwards t he patri oti c
, ,

po li ti ci ans ea ger to take advant age of the diffi cul ti es of

,

A ssyri a shoul d have sought t he ai d O f Egypt Signi fi

, .

cant ly e noug h th ese are the two o cc asi ons on whi ch

,

I sai ah see ms to have been move d to p ec uli ar i ndi gnati on

by th e r ej e c ti on of hi s po li cy Ah az s r epu di at i on of hi s
’
.

”
advi ce to keep qui et and f ear not ( 7 : 4 ) he d es c ri bes
!

in passi onat e words as a r ej e c ti on and a provo cati on of

9
 IN T R O D U C T ION
God hi m self ( 7 1 3) and on the poli ti cal sch emers who
tri ed to n eg oti ate a sec r et alli an ce wi th Egyp t he denoun c es
a Woe (30 : 1 3 1 Gu the h as sa i d that a poli ti ci an
of our day wo ul d have r eg arded hi s advi ce to Ah a z as at
on ce i dle and ri di c ul ous and on t he b asi s of i t some h ave , ,

mai ntai n ed that though I sai ah m ay have been a mi ghty

,

man of fai th he was i n no sense a statesm an B ut as a

,
.
,

m atter of fa c t e ven from a p ur ely po li ti ca l poi nt of vi ew

, ,

I sai ah s judg ment was the tru est wi sdom after all Ar am
’
.

and I srael had they be en even more powe rful than th ey

,

w ere,
I sai ah c onte mptuously c alls th em t he tails of
smoki ng fir e b r ands
” - — woul d in any ca se eve n ,

wi thout t he appea l of Ahaz ve ry soon have bee n c ru she d ,

by A ssyri a who for g ood rea son s of he r own woul d not

, , ,

have tole rated the ri se of a powe rfu l c onfe de ra cy i n the

we st ; and as for Egypt t he fo lly of relyi n g upon he r had
,

bee n d emon strat ed ove r and ov er a ga in Al ways re ady .

to promi se seldom willi ng or a ble to pe rform

, su c h was

he r re put a ti on far be yond he r own borde r s ; eve n t he

A ssyri an Sargon i n 7 1 1 i n ci den ta lly alludes to Pharaoh
, , ,

ki n g of Egypt as a pri n c e who c oul d no t save

,
! ”
.

I sai ah s fa i th i n God turn ed out to be t he tru est poli ti c al

’

wi sdom O n hi s vi ew of the world God alone was worthy

.
,

of fear ( 8 1 3 ) not Aram or I sra el not Egyp t or A ssyri a , ,

no for ce i n the un i ve rse b ut God hi m se lf For as t he .

world i s resplendent wi th hi s g lory (6 3) and t he arena of

hi s purpo se so hi sto ry i s nothi ng b ut the g radua l e v ol u
,

t i on of th at purpo se and eve ry earthl y powe r i s bu t hi s

,

too l whi ch wi lli ng ly or unwi lli ngly mu st be come con

, ,

t ri but o ry to i t s a cc omp li shm ent The A ssyri an m ay .

proudly work hi s c ru el and t e rri ble will upon t he w eak er

nati ons of t he world ( 1 0 7 fl ) but in reali ty he i s nothi ng
.

but a too l i n Jehovah s hand an i n strum ent wi th whi c h

’
,

his holy omni pot ent will i s done and he too ,

when he has played hi s predete rmi n e d part will one day , ,

for hi s p ri de and c ruelty be Shattered by t he Arm that i s

,

i nfini t ely mi ghti er th an hi s own ( 1 0 : 33 D oubt less

 I NT R O D U C T ION

ci ty woul d be purg ed of her dr o ss and becom e i ndeed the

C i ty of ri ghteousness the fai thful Town ( 1 : 2 5
,
”
R i ght
e ou sness and fai th ju st and noble ci vi c li f e and qui et c on
,

i t was to c reat e th ese thi ng s

'

fidence i n th e un seen God —

,

amon g m en that I sai ah devot ed hi s long and sple ndi d

mini stry O th er s had i n si ste d on ri ghteousn ess b ut more
.
,

than any other i s he t he prophe t of fai th and hi s message

i s summ ed up i n th ese three i mmorta l words :
If ye will not beli eve sur ely y e shall not be established
,

( 7 9)
He t h at beli eveth Shall not gi v e way (2 8
In qui etn e ss and i n confiden ce sha ll be your strength
(30
V I SAIAH As A WRITER
.

Th e r eg al soul of I sa i ah i s r efle c ted i n t he m aj esty of hi s

style . He i s a r are m ast e r i n t he a rt of nob le spee ch :
al w a y s i n c i si ve , n e v er d iffu se ; c lea r , c lean c ut , full -

ton ed , y et g ove rn ed eve rywh ere by a fine r estraint Hi s .

supe r b i m agi nat i on i s e vi den ced ali k e i n Si m ple fi g ur e s,

su ch as the c ompari son of J ehovah to the li on th at fa ces

the Sh ephe rd s, d efiant and un afrai d (3 1 and i n lon g e r

and mor e su stai n ed p assag es , su c h as hi s de sc ri pt i on of

the day of Jehovah , or of t he te rri ble A ssyri an army An .

i llustrat i on or two will be more effe ct i ve than a c h ap ter of

c ri t i ci sm
.

Here , for ex am ple , i s the day of Jehovah , as i t ap pear ed

to t he propheti c eyes of Isa i ah :
For a day of J ehovah i s comi ng
Upon al l that i s haughty and pr oud ,
f
Upon all that i s lo ty and hi gh :
Upon cedar s of Lebanon all ,
And oaks of B ashan al l ;
Upon all the gr eat mou ntai ns
And all the hi gh hills ;
Em end ed t t
ex . R V has ma ke haste SV be i n haste , Gr be
, . asha med .

I 2
 INT R O D U CTI O N

Upon al l the pr oud tower s

And al l the str ong walls
And all gall ant shi ps .

M an s haughti ness shall be br ought down,

’

And man s l ofti ness shall be laid l ow,

’

And i n that gr eat day

S hall J ehovah al one be ex alted .

Get ye i nto the caves of the r ocks

And the holes of the earth,
Fr om befor e the dr ead pr esence of God,
When he r i ses u p to smi te ear th wi th hi s ter r or
(2 if ) 12 .

The r e ar e few thi n g s in li t erature to surp a ss i n vi vi dn ess

and si mple vi g or I sai ah s desc ri pti on of the Assyri an army
’

S ee ! hasti ly, swiftly they come,

None wear y, none stu mbli ng among them .

The band of thei r loi ns never l oosed ,

The thong of thei r shoes never tor n .

Thei r arr ows ar e sharpened ,

Thei r bows ar e all bent .

The hoofs of thei r hor ses ar e cou nted as fli nt,

And thei r wheels as the whi r lwi nd .

Thei r r oar i s li ke that of the li oness ,

And li ke the you ng li ons they r oar ,
Thu nd er i ng , sei z i ng the pr ey,
And bear i ng i t ofi to a place of secu r i ty
(5 26

LITE RARY PRO B LE MS O F THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

Thi s i s not the p l a ce to di sc u ss t he li t erary proble ms of

t he b ook of I sa i ah bu t they ha pp en to be of unu sual i m
portan ce i n formi ng a tru e esti m ate of what t he proph et s ’

m essa ge really was, and th ei r natur e may be b ri efly in

di cat ed by one or two ill u strati on s .

Tak e, for ex ample , Ch ap 2 9. The fir st four v e rs es an

.

13
 INT R O D U C T ION
noun ce in the mo st unmi stakable t erm s a t e rrible Siege of
, ,

J erusalem wh en there wi ll be mourni ng and l ament ati on

,

and the c i ty S hall be redu ced to the mo st abj e c t humi li ati on .

Th e fifth ve r se however start s off i n a wholl y di fl er ent

, ,

stra i n .Here i t i s announ ced that the enemy sha ll be come

li ke sm all dust and li k e t he chaff that p asseth away
,
In .

vs 6 J e rusa le m i s to be vi si t ed of Jehovah wi th thunder

! ”
.
,

and earthquake whi rlwi nd and t em pest and fir e The

, ,
.

natur al i mpressi on made by thi s ver se if i t stood alone , ,

or if i t i mm edi at ely follow ed v ss 1 4 woul d be th at for .

-

J erusalem t he vi sit ati on i s to be one of terror : J ehovah

will c ome i n j udg ment and b ri n g t he awful power s of
,

n ature as i n v ss 1 4 he i s to b ri n g t he Assyri an s to bear

,
—
.
,

u pon t he g uil ty ci ty B ut foll owi n g vs 5 we must sup

. .
,

po se though thi s does not see m ve ry na tural that for

, , ,

Je rusa le m t he vi si tati on i s a g ra ci ous vi si ta ti on and t he

, ,

te rrors anno un ce d are for t he en emy SO i n vs 7 t he . .

be leag ue rin g foes are to pa ss li k e a dr eam and in v s 8 ,

.

th ei r disappointment i s c ompared to th at of a dream er

when he wakes .

U nqu esti onably t he effec t of thi s announ ce m en t of t he

sur e and utt e r destru ct i on of t he en emy i s to bl unt t he

e dge of t he t e rri ble proph e cy agai nst J e ru sa le m whi ch had

ju st gon e be fore and i t i s not on ly fai r bu t n e cessary to

ask wh e th e r t he sa m e pro ph e t e spe c i ally wh en that

p roph et i s so c on sum m ate a n or a tor a s Is a i ah c ou l d a t

the same ti me h av e deli ve red two m essa ges o ne of whi ch ,

must h ave gon e ve ry far to obli te rat e from the mi nd of

hi s audi en ce t he te rror produ ced by t he other It i s not .

ab so l ut ely inc on cei vable espe c i ally if t h e se c ond m essa ge

,

were spoke n among hi s i nti m at e di sciples but i t doe s not ,

seem probable .

O r take a si mi l ar c ase in I sai ah has just been

denoun ci ng (v ss 1 3) the Egypt i an alli an ce and declari ng
.
-

that bo t h he that h elpeth shall stumble and he that i s

!
,
”
h elp ed sh all fall and th ey all shall be c on sum ed toge ther
,
.

Th en i n a si mil e O f splendi d power he g oes on

14
 IN T R O D U C T ION
Fo r thu s sai th Jehovah unto m e AS the li on and t he ,

young li on g row li ng ove r hi s prey if a mul ti tude of ,

sh eph erds be ca lle d forth a g ai nst hi m wi ll not b e di s ,

mayed at th ei r voi c e nor daunt ed at th e noi se of

,

them : so will Jehovah of ho st s come down to fight

”
upon Mount Zi on and upon t he hi ll ther eof (vs
, .

The poi nt i s ob sc ur e d , or rath er obli t e r at e d , by the t r ansla

”
ti on upon mount Z i on i n st ead of agai nst (whi c h i s read
i n the margi n ) 1
B ut comi ng as i t doe s after th e thr eat
.

that all Sh all be c on sum ed toge th e r , agai nst i s ce rtai nl y

! ”

mu ch mor e natural and almo st ce rtai n ly c orr ec t I n that .

ca se , J ehovah i s t he li on , mig hty and un afr ai d , and Zi on i s

hi s pr ey . Ve ry di ffe r e nt , how eve r , i ndee d , qui t e the
rev er se , i s t he i mpr essi on made by t he foll owi n g verse ( 5)
As bi rd s hove ri ng so wi ll Jehovah of ho st s pr otect
,

Je ru sa lem he will p rot ect and deli ver i t he will pass ,

”
over and pr ese rve i t .

The tran si ti on from t he f earless li on to the flutte ri n g bi rds ,

thoug h not ab solutely i nde fen si ble ce rt ai n ly seem s ve ry

,

i mprob able ; and to say noth i n g of t he awkw ardn ess of

t he se nt e n ce i n Heb rew t he thre at of de stru c t i on in vs 4
,
.
,

whi ch I s also supported by the p revi ou s c ont ex t i s si mply ,

n egat e d by the promi se of pre ser vati on i n vs 5 And . .

ag ai n we must r ai se t he qu esti on : I s i t probable that

I sai ah or any oth e r sp eake r would h ave pre se nt e d to hi s
audi en ce a m essage who se c ompone nt p art s we re so con
fl i cti ng as to c an cel ea ch othe r ? T hat we re p e rp lexi ty
i nde ed.

The alt e rnat i v e i s to suppo se that the ori gi nal words

of I sai ah whi ch in th ese passages (as beyond any qu e sti on
, , ,

in 2 2 1 1 4 ) we re probably word s of thr eat and doom we r e

—
,

su ppl em e nt ed by l at e r wri t e r s who h ad i n vi ew t h e u n

,

doub t e d hi stori c fa c t O f the preserv at i on of the ci ty besi des ,

o ther words of I sa i ah whi ch had defini tel y fore tol d that

1
t t
The Hebr ew p r epo si io n ca n m ean e i h er u pon or ag ai ns t.
 INT R O D U C TION
pre se rvati on (c f 3 7 2 9 ; c f vs Th e re was all t he more
. . .

li k eli hood of thi s as l at er ag e s whi ch were fond of ideali z

, ,

ing Je ru salem l ooke d forward wi th i magi nat i on and hope

,

to the gr eat day of Jehovah wh en t he g odl ess nati on s in , ,

vai n a ssaul t upon t he holy ci ty woul d be S hattered and , ,

the ci ty prese rv e d i nvi ol ate Nothi ng woul d be more .

natural to late r sc ri bes who se i deas of li terary property ,

were ve ry di ff erent from our own than to proj ec t thi s ,

t houg ht bac k upon the p rophe c i es O f I sai ah t he more so ,

as i t had been e n c our ag ed and e xpresse d b y oth e r words

of hi s B ut i n that case i t b ec om es a duty

. thou gh fre
quentl y a ta sk of g r ea t c ompl ex i ty to di senta ng le from
our p r ese nt tex t the or i g i na l word s of I sai ah It i s only .

th e n when the t ex t i s stri pped of the c omments a nd hope s

,

of l ater a ges th a t we ca n unde r s ta nd th e p ro ph e t s r ea l

,
’

m essa g e and the chang i ng phases i t assumed Thus .

,

for e xample if the arg ument i s c orr ec t I sa i ah s m essa ge

, ,
’

at th at mom ent (in Chap s 2 9 and 3 1 ) was one of unmi ti .

g at e d doom and t he g r ea t,
pro p h e t str i k e s a far st e rn e r
note than our present tex t wo uld lead us to suppose .

Thi s i s of c ourse by no m ean s to say that h e was a

, ,

proph et of doom We know that he announ ced the .

mi ra cu lous prese rvati on of the ci ty we know that he was

!
a prophet of hope and that he be li eved that a re mn ant ,

woul d return ”
B ut the re was also a ve ry st e rn si d e to
.

hi s c hara ct er and m essa g e ( c f 5 1 7 7 1 7 fl 2 2 1 . .

whi c h the present t ex t of some passa ges whose terror is Shot ,

through wi th promi se too ea si ly lead s u S to forge t and ,

i gnore ; and i t i s t he deli c at e ta sk of li te ra ry c ri t i ci sm to

re cover so far as i t can the proph et s g en uin e and origi n al ’

words .

I CHAPTER SAN ALYS S OF 1

PROPHE CIES CONCERN IN G J DAH AND I S AE L (Ch p U R a s . 1- 1 2 )

I . J u l m h p nt in nd p ni hm nt h f t
er sa e : er rese s a u s e er u ure r ed emp ti on and

g lo y r

( ) Th p ph t l m nt v th unf thf lness of the people

’
1 e ro e s a e o er e aI u
to thei G d ( —
9) r o 1 : 1
 IN T RO D U C T ION
f t ty
The u ili
( 2) yc
of a m er el er em oni al wo rshi p ( 1 10
t t tv
The g r ea al erna i es ( I 1 8
( 3)
Z (4 )
’
t f t y
i on s pr esen sham e and u ur e g lor ( 1 2 1
t c t
Th e hea h en ul and i ts doo m ( 1 2 9
( 5)
c t
Jerusal em the en re of blessi ng to the world ( 2 1
(6)
2 Judg m t en u p o n t h e t
w e a l h a nd p rid e o f J u d ah ( 2 : 6—
4
v j t
.

( 1 ) Jeho ah s udgm en day ( 2 : 6

’

c y
( 2 ) A rei n of anar h (3 1
(3) Tg h e 001 11 o f t h e hty
aug h w om en (3 1 6 —
4
Z y
(4 ) ion s final g lor 4 2
’

v y t
Th e ine ard wi h t he wil g r apes ( hap c .

v y
( 1 ) The so ng of the i ne ard ( 5 1
( 2 ) Woe ! ( s 8
f y c
( 3 ) A o’r ei g n arm IS omi ng ( 5 2 5
.

t c c
Th e pro phe s all ( h ap .

c
The ri si s o f 7 3 5 B C ( 7 1 —9
t t fi
.

( 1 ) Th e p ro phe s wo rd to t he erri ed ki ng (7 1
’

t f
( 2 ) Th e rea r e u sal and t he Si g n ( 7 1 0
h v
( 3 ) Ju da wi l l al so b e r a ag ed ( 7 1 7
f c
( 4 Th e all of D amas u s and Sam ar i a ( 8 1
) f vt ty
( 5 Th e in asi on o f Ju dah ( 8 5
t f
(6) The u i li of O ppo si i on t o Judah ( 8 9 )
f v
.

( 7 ) N one i’s to be eared bu t Jeho ah ( 8 1 1

t t
( 8 ) I sai ah s p a i en ho (8 1 6
t v
( 9) T he awful li g h 0 unbe li e ing Judah (8 : 1 9
t
( 1 0) The g rea eli ver anoe and the g lorio us ki ng (9 1
Th e doo m o f I sr ael (9 8
y
The doo m of the Ass rian ( 1 0 5
I ) T he t wo p lans — v
Assy na s and Jeho ah s ( 1 0 5
’ ’

( ft
2 ) The a e o f Assy r i a and Judah ( 10 : 1 6

c t Z y f (
0

(3 ) Th e onsola i on o f i on : Ass ria will ass all 10 : 24

8 . tt y c
Th e bli ss o f I srael i n th e la er da s ( haps 1 1 and 1 2
c
( I ) The M essi ani ki ng and king do m
t t
( 2 ) Th e r i ump hal re urn ( 1 1 1 0
t v c
(3) The song o f hanksgi i ng ( hap .

PROPHE CIES CO NCE RNI N G FORE I GN N ATI ON S (Ch ps 3 — 3) a . 2

1 . P ph c y c nc ni ng B by l n ( 3
ro e o er 4 a o 1 1— 1

( ) T h d m f B b y l n (c h p
I e oo o a o a

( ) S ng f t i m ph v th f ll f B by l n ki ng
.

’
2 o o r u o er e a o a o s

Jh h invi nci bl w ld p l n ( 4
’
e ova s e 4 or a 1 2
W ni ng t Phi li ti ( 4 8
ar o s a I 2
L m nt v M b (ch p
a e o er 5 nd
oa a s 1 a
nd n th n I
.

P ph cy c nc ni ng D m c
ro e o er al ( 7 as u s a or er srae 1 1

( ) Th d t ucti n f D m cu ( 7
1 e es r o o a as s 1 1

( ) Th d m f I
2 e ool ( 7 4 o srae 1 :
6 . The p dy d m f t h A sy i n
s ee oo o 8 7) e s r a s
-
1 z
dd n d t cti n ( 7
.

( ) Th i
1 e r su e es ru o 1 12

( ) I i h n w t t h Et hi pi n mb d ( chap
’
2 sa a s a s er o e o a a assa ors .

Th d ti ny f Eg y p t ( ch p
e es o a
t f Eg y p t ( 9
.

( ) Th c nv i n f Eg y pt
( Th di
I e sas er s o 1 1
2 e o er s o o

c 17
 INT RO D U C TION
Warning ag ai ns t th f lly f e o o an al li an e c wi th Egy pt ( chap
by l n ( c h p
.

The Fall of Ba o a .

( 1 ) I t s conseq uences for Judah ( 2 1 : 1

( 2 ) I ts conseq uences for th e tradi ng tribes of the desert ( 2 1 11
Judah s unpardonable Si n (2 2
’
1
t t
P e rsonal hr ea s and promi ses ( 2 2 1 5
( 1 ) The doom of Shebna 2 2 : 1 5
( 2 ) The e al a i on of E x tt ( 22 19
f
) The down all of Eli akim s amil ( 2 2
’
f y f)
8
: 24 .

Th e to o f Phoeni i a ( hap c c
y
.

()
I Th e e leg ( 2 3 1
2 The revwal of Ty r e ( 2 3 : 1 5

THE GRE AT WORLD JUDGME NT (Chaps 2 4- 2 7 )

j t
The udg men : th e r eb els puni shed ( h ap c
v v t ct ct
.

'

So ng of ing o er th e des r u i on of so m e pro ud i y ( 2 5 : 1

t
The banq ue o the na i ons on M oun t i on ( 2 5 6 tZ
v tc t
So ng o er the an i i pa ed des ru ion of M oab ( 2 5 : 9 t ct
tt
Song of gra i ude and hope ( 2 6 1
erusal em se u r e : t h e pr o u d i c
des ro ed ( 2 6 1 c ty t y
Jt t
i s well wi h t he rig h eous ill wi h the wi k ed ( 2 6 7 t , t c
t t ct
Th e u t er des r u i on of the e ne m ( 2 6 1 1 y
A y et more glori o us day ( 2 6 1 5
se uri c ty t
in the g r ea wor ld udg men ( 2 6 2 0— 2 7 j t
v y
So ng o f the i ne ard ( 2 7 2
v
Jeh o ah s m er
’
cy I
to srael ( 2 7 7
Gathered home I) .

WARN IN GS AND PR OMIS ES To JER U SALEM ( Ch aps . 2 8- 33 )

Woe to Sa mar ia
The soofl e rs of er usal em hr ea ened ( 2 8 7
J t t
( I ) I saiah S solemn warni ng to t he dr unk en prI ests and prophets
z
Th t ll
-
13 )
th e Eg y p i an alli an e ( 2 8 1 4
of t c
(2 ) e o y
t c
Th e pa i en e and oonsi der ateness of t he di ine p ur po se ( 2 8 2 3 v
c c
Th e hara t er and a e o f Jer usalem ( 2 9 1 ft
ft
( 1 ) The a e o f Jer usal em ( 2 9 : 1
( 2 ) Th e spi ri tu l o rpo r and reli gi ous ormali t of the peopl e f ty
t
( 9 9 15
2 -
g v I f tt
Do ub ers rebuked by a isi on of srael s wel are in the la er day s
’

—2
( 9
2 : 1 6 4)
y t
The Eg p i an allian e a rui nous poli c
0 : 1 cy
to Eg p 30 : 1 y t(
li on and rum (3 0 8
The
( ) 1F or g i e ness an d p v
rosp e r i (3 0 : 1 8—2 6) ty
The g lo r io us ri ump h (3 0 : 2 7 t
(
2
of t he Eg p ian alli a n e ( 3 1 y t
1 c
y
The enem s down all ( 3 1 5
’
f
R u lers and peop le in t he comi ng da s (3 2 1 y
Wa rni ng to t he wo men (3 2 : 9
18
 INTR OD U CTI ON
—
54 9 54 6 Conquest of M edi a and Lydi a by Cyru s
. .

( ab out ) Deut ero I sai ah (Chaps 40

’

5 4 0 .
-
.

5 3 8 Conqu
. es t of B ab y l on b y Cyru s .

End of th e B abyloni an and establi shm ent of th e

Pe r si an empi re .

53 7 J ewi sh exiles r e turn to P alesti n e

. .

5 2 0 —
5 1 6 B u i l di
. n g of t h e se c ond t e m l
pe .

4 6 0 ( a b out ) T ri to—I sa i ah
.
( Chaps 56 M ala chi . .

44 5 N . e h e m i ah arr i v es a t J e ru sa l e m ,
r eb uil ds t h e wa ll s,

and reorgani z es t he communi ty .

B I B LI OG RAP HY
The li t eratur eon I sai ah i s ve ry ext ensi ve Espe ci ally .

num erou s are G e rm an monog rap hs dealin g wi th part i cul ar

c ri ti cal or hi stori ca l problems The followi ng b ri ef li st .
,

havi ng in vi ew t he n eed s of the ave rage Engli sh or Am e ri

ca n r ead e r una cqua i nt e d wi th H eb re w and not d ee ply
i nt erest ed i n c ri ti ca l p roblem s i s deli be rat ely c onfin ed to ,

Engli sh books of a sc ho lar ly but unt e c hni ca l natur e .

Co m m anm s

T . K C HE YNE. . The Pro phec i es of Isaiah ,

2 v o ls . Very
th ug h o ro and able ; the wr i t er has si nce m od i fied m any o f hi s
co nc lusio ns .

J SKI NN E R Isai ah 2 vols i n The Cambr id ge Bi bl e for S chools a nd

. .
,
.

Colleges Scholarly and j udi ci al espe ci all y good o n the theo

.

lo gi cal side .

0 C e. E rIo uss
. Isai ah 2 vols i n The Century B ible C aref ul
.
,
. .

and i ndepe ndent espe ci ally stro ng o n t he hi s t or i ca l si d e .

H G M ITCHE LL
. . I sa iah A st udy o f C aps I 2
h I — . .

A B D AVIDSO N Isai ah (in the Temple Bi ble )

.
,

. . . .

TR AN S L ATI O NS

T K . . C HE YNE . The B oo k o f t he Prophe I sai ah , in S acr ed B ooks of t

the Old Testa me nl The p ro phe c i es ar e arr ang e d , so far as po s
.

t
si bl e , i n c hro nolo g i cal or der , wi h e xp lana o ry no es and p i c o ri al t t t
t t
il l u s ra i ons .
 I N TR O D U CTI O N

G . H B ox . The B oo k o f I sai ah
. Th i s tr ansla i on g i es sp ecial . t v
tt t
a en i o n to th e m e tri ca l s r u c ur e o f the boo k t t .

C . F KE NT
. I saiah i s r ansla ed in the hi r d olum e o f The S tud ent s
.
’
t t t v
Old Testa ment, en i tled The Ser m o ns, Epi s l es, and Ap o calyp ses t t
o f I sr ael s P rop h e s
’ ”
Wi th a hi s o ri cal introdu c io n and car e ul t . t t f
a tt t
en io n to m e ri cal s ru c ur e t t t .

M I SCE LL ANE OU S

A F KI R KP ATRI CK The D o c ri ne o f the Pr ophets t .

V
. . .

S R D RI E R
. I sa i ah , hi s Li e and Ti m es
. . f .

W R S TH
M I . h
T e P r o p
. h e s o f I sr ae l , pp
19
. 1 —
373 t . .

G A SMI TH The B ook o f I sa iah , in The E x posi tor s B i ble Illumi

. . .
’
.

na i ng , el o ue n , and s i m u la i ng t q t t t .

J eru salem , vo l II , pp 1 3 2 — 1 80 . . .

Ar i cle o n I sa i ah in Hasti ngs Di cti onary of the Bi ble

"
t .

C F KE NT and F K SANDE R S
. . I sai ah i s d eal wi h in ols I and II
. . . t t v .

o f the M essages of the B i bl e se r i es A g oo d E ngli sh paraphrase .

wi t h bri e hi s o ri cal i n ro d u c io ns f t t t .

W . G
J O RD AN P rophe i c Idea s and Ideal s, pp 55 1 08
. . t .
-
.

Hr sr o RIE s

C F KE NT
. The D i i ded Ki ng do m
. . v .

H P SMI TH
. O ld Tes am en Hi s o ry
. . t t t .

. . C
J F M C U RDY Hi s ory , Pro phe cy , and t he . t M onuments .

G W WADE Old Tes am en Hi s o ry

. . . t t t .

C H APTE R S 40 - 66

t
I n addi i on to the abo e li s , the o llo wing boo ks Sho uld be added v t f
fo r the s udy o f h ap s 40 66 t C -

V
. .

A B D A I DSO N The Exi le and the R es or a io n

. . . t t .

O ld Te s am en P ro phe cy (pp 36 7 t t .

A S PE AKE The Pro ble m o f Suff eri ng i n the O ld Tes ament,

. . . t
— 2
pp 34 7 ; 1 72 1 93
-
.

G . C . WO RKMAN
Th e Ser an o f J eho ah . v t v .

T K HE YNE
. . C
Jewi sh Religi o us Li e a er the Exile, pp . f ft . 1 - 1 2 5.
C F KE NT
. A H i s ory o f the Jewi sh People
. . t .
 TH E BO O K O F T H E PRO PH ET

IS A IA H

PROPHE CI E S C ONC ER NI NG JU D A H AND

I SRAEL ( Ch aps 1 1 2 )
—
.

JE RU SALE M : HE R PRE S E NT SIN AND P UNI SHME NT : HE R

FUTUR E R E DE MP TI O N AND GLO R Y ( 1 1 —
2 5)

) The S u per scr i pti on (I 1

1 . The vi si on of I sai ah th e so n of Am o z wh i c h ,

h e saw c on ce rn i ng J uda h and J eru sa l em i n t he ,

d ay s of U zzi ah Jotham Aha z and Hez ek i ah k i ng s , , , ,

of J udah .

Th e i n t er es t f o t he O p e ni ng se c t ion
bo o k o f I sa i ah of t he
( 1 : 1 2 : 5) g a
—
r t he s
r o u nd t h e o r u ne s o f J e r u sal e m f t T h e o ne i s . t
f v
o n t h e wh o l e so r r o w u l a nd se e re ; b u t t he p er ad i ng g l oo m g i e s v v
v
p l ace i n o ccasi o nal erses, and esp e c i a ll y o war d s t he e nd ( 2 2 to t
br i lli a n tv t t
i si o ns o f t he u l i m a e r e d e m p i o n a nd g l o r y o f t h e no w t
f
si n u l c i y t t
T h u s , wh e h e r i t s se er al p a r a g r a p h s al l c o m e r om
. v f
t h e h and o f I sa i ah o r no t , t h e se c i o n, a s we no w h a e i t , c o ns i u es t v tt t
t t
a n ar i s i c a nd i m p r e ssi e u ni y v t .

t
A p r o ph e i s a see r a m a n O f vi si on ; and wha h e d e ,
t
t
c lar es i s wha h e saw T h e i le i n v s I , whi c h c o n nes t he
. tt . fi
p r o p h e c i es t o J u d a h a nd J e r u sa l e m ,
c l e a r l y c a n n o a p p l y t o t h e t
wh o l e bo o k hap. 13, C fo r e x a m p le , d ea ls wi h B aby l o n;
. t
p r o b abl y i t a p p li e s o nl y t o h a ps 1 1 2 —
C
I sai ah r e c e i ed hi s
. . v
t
p r o p he i c c al l i n t h e y e ar h a Ki ng t t
zzi ah d i e d ( c 6 : I ) , t e 7 4 0 U f . . .

B C , a nd hi s c a r e e r e x e nd e d a t a ny r a e
. . t h r o u g h o r y y e ar s t t f t
t o 7 0 1 B C , t h e y e a r o f Se nna c h e r i b s a m o u s c a m p ai g n ag ai ns
. .
’
f t
J er u sal em , i n t he r ei g n o f H e z eki ah .

—
1 : 2 9 . f
T h e o r l o r n c o nd i i o n o f J er u sal e m ( v s t t he h a o c . v
t
wro ug h i n J ud ah ( vs a nd t h e ac. ha f tt tt
hi s h avo c i s wr o u g h t
23
 TH E B OOK OF I SAIAH

P r ophet s I ndi gnant Lament

’
over the Un fai thful ness
—
the P eople to thei r God 9)

Hear , O heaven s, and gi ve e ar , 0 earth ,

LO RD hat h spoken ;
For t he
I have nouri she d and brought up chil dren ,

And they have rebelle d ag ai n st m e .

The o x knoweth hi s own e r ,

And the ass hi s master s c rib ; ’

B u t I srae l doth not know ,

t
by s r a ng e r s ( v s t
see m t o p o i n t o t h e i n a si o n o f t h e c o u n r y
. v t
by S e nna c he ri b a nd t h e Ass r i a ns i n 7 0 1 B C I n h a c a se , h i s . t t t
v
wo u l d be o ne o f t he e ry a e s o f I sa i ah s p r o p he c i es , a nd t he t t ’

t v
c ha p er wo uld se r e , as i t were , t he p urp ose o f a r on i spi e ce t o f t
t he boo k .

2 . Th e boo k g r a ndl y o p e ns wi h a fe w br i e , sa d wor d s o f t f

J v f
e ho a h hi m se l , i n wh i c h h e la m en s h i s p eo pl e s i g no r a nc e , t ’

mg r a t i t u d e a n d i n fi,d e l i t y
— 4
wo r d s o f su c h hi g h a nd ser i o us i m
p o r tt t
h a t h e p ro p h e c a l l s u p o n t t
h e h ea ve ns t o h e ar and t he earth ,

v
t o h e ar k e n : fo r hea e n a nd e a r h a re si l e n wi ne sses O f t h e g r eat t t t
h u m a n d r a m a a nd a r e h e r e p oe i ca lly c o nc e i e d as c ap a ble o f
,
t v
v
be i ng m o e d by t he si g h a nd t he s o ry o f I sr ae l s g ui l t ’
ta w ul t f
t
wi nesses o f a n a w ul c ri m e f .

J eh ovah hath spok en : a nd t he ui c ke ne d c o nsc i e nc e o f t he q

t t
p r o p h e , a s h e wa c he d a nd p o nd e re d t h e c o nd u c o f hi s si n ul t f
p e o p l e , h ear d t h e w o r d s p l a i n l y e n o u g h .

S ons have I r ear ed , a nd lifted to ho nor ;

B ut as for the m , they ar e r ebel s aga i nst me .

v v
T he lo e O f J e h o ah for h i s c hi l d r e n h ad b e en si g nall y m ani e s e d f t
f
i n t he e x o d u s ( c H os 1 1 I ; 9 : I O ) , b u t ha lo e had o ll o we d
. . t t v f
t t C
he m i n o a naa n, and ha d h e r e ex alted h e m b y gi i ng h e m vi c t t v t
t o r y i n war , a h i g h p l a c e a m o ng t h e na i o ns , h ea l h u l i ns i t u i o ns , t t f t t
t tt t
i n p ar i c ul ar , t he i ns i u i o ns O f r eli g i o n ( c D e u 4 : B ut f . t .

t
they ( e m p h a i c i n t he H e b r e w) — ho se t
e r y c h il d r e n wh o m h e v
t
h a d h u s r ear ed a nd ho nore d ha e pl ay e d t he r e bel , i nway s v
t t
whi c h ar e ill u s ra e d b ut t oo i i dly by t h e su b se u e n er ses o f vv q tv
t he c hap er ( c t
v ss 1 5 f
c hi e fly by i ola i on o f t he spiri of
. . v t t
ust i e and m er cy whi c h ar e t he esse nc e of r u e reli gi o n ( cf M i c t
gf
. .

8
3 I n a ho u se h o l d , t h e d o m e s i c ani m al s k no w h ei r m as e r ;
. t t t
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

My p eople doth not c on si der .

Ah si nful nati on ,

A p eople l aden wi th ini qui ty ,

A see d of e vil do e rs -

Chil dr en th at deal c orruptly

Th ey have for sak e n the L OR D ,

Th ey hav e d esp i se d the H oly O ne of I srael ,

Th ey ar e e strang e d and gone ba ckward .

Why wi ll ye b e still stri ck en ,

Th at ye r evol t more and mor e ?

The whole h ead i s si c k ,

And the whole heart fai nt .

From th e so le of the foot e ve n unto the h ead

The r e i s no so u ndn ess i n i t ;
B ut wound s and b rui ses ,

And f este ri ng sores

1

AV putr if i ng y sor es . m SV fresh str i pes

. .

h o w m u c h m or e t h e c hi ld r e n h e i r a h e r ! B u t I sr a e l , h o u g h t f t t
f
m y pe opl e , a a m i ly o f so ns fo r who m J eh o a h h a d d o ne so m u c h v
(vs . d o es no t k no w; t
h e y ar e m o r e s u p i d h a n t h e o x o r a ss t t .

I g nor ance o f Go d a nd o f t h e r u e na u r e o f h i s d e m a nd s a s m o r al t t
a nd no t c er e m o ni al ( c v ss f
1 1 — 1 7 ) wa s r esp o nsibl e for t h e d e p lo
. .

t
r ab l e c o nd i i o n O f I sr a el ( c Hos 4 : I ) f . . .

4 T h e c al m S p ee c h o f J e h o ah i s o ll o we d by t h e m o r e p a ssi o n
. v f
at e u tt
e r a nc e o f hi s p r o p h e ( v ss 4 w h o nt o w a dd r e s ses
. t h e

p peo l e d i r e c l y ( t h e t
r e e k er s i G
o n r e a d s , y e v
h a e o r sa k e n t h e v f
v
L o r d and p r o o k e d t h e H o ly O ne o f I sr a e l ) i n t h e l a ng u ag e o f
”

t
i nd i g nan r e p r o a c h , a s a br ood of m al efactor s , wh o d esp i se
!
the
H ol y O ne o f I sr a el , I sai ah s a o ri e epi h e fo r J eh o ah
” ’
f v t So m e t t v .

t hi ng O f wh a tt
h i s h ol i ne ss m ean m a y b e g a h ere d r o m I sai ah s t ’
t f
i na u g u r al i si o n ( 6 : v
5 a T h e p r e c i se m eani ng o f t h e r s cl a u se i s no t absol u tely
. fi t
t t t
c er ai n I i s ei h er a h al p a h e i c , h al i ndi g nan r ep r o a c h o f
. f -
t t f -
t
f t t t
th ei r oll y fo r h ei r p er si s e n d ep r a i y , Wh y Will y e sti ll b e vt
smi tt e n ? o r t h e wo r d s m ay m ea n h a t h e b o d y h a s al r ea d y b ee n t t
so t
h or o ug hly ba er e d a nd b r ui se d h a tt h er e i s no p l a c e l e for t tt ft
f
a u r th e r b l o w : On what spot ca n ye sti ll be s m i tten ?
f q t
5b , 6 H er e , as r e u e n l y i n t h e O l d Te s a m en ( c E z ek
. t t f . .

25
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

They have not been clo sed n ei ther bound up , ,

Nei th er m olli fied wi th oil .

Your count ry i s deso lat e

Your ci ties ar e b urn ed wi th fir e
Your l and strang ers d evour i t i n your presen ce
, ,

And it i s desolate as ove rthrown by strange rs ,

.

And t he daught er of Zi on i s left

1 AV oi ntment .

t h e na i o n i s t i s br ui se d a nd wo u nd e d ,
r e g ar d e d a s a p e rso n . It
f t
si c k , a nd a i n ; t h e head a nd hea r t a r e sp e c i a ll y m e n i o ne d a s t he t
m os tvt
i al m e m b e r s Th ey have no t b ee n cl ose d : t h e m ea ni ng is
.

t t
p ro ba bl y ha t he m a er h as no t be e n pr essed o u t o f t h e wo u nd s tt .

v
J e ho ah i s t he g rea p hy si c i an who alo ne can heal he m B ut t t .

t he y ha e r e be lle d ( v s v a nd r e o l e d ( v s so he y re m ai n
. v t . t
u nh eal e d T he se e r se s m i g h
. v
b e a d e sc r i p i o n o f t h e c o r r u p t t t
t t
s a e o f t he b o d y po li i c ; t
b u t a e r t he r e e r e nc e t o t he u r he r ft f f t
t
s r o kes i n p r o sp e c ( a t t he beg i nni ng o f vs t he y a r e m o r e . t
t
na u r a lly e x p la i ned , i n a cc o r d a nc e wi h vs 7 , a s a d e sc r i p i o n o f t . t
ff t
t he e e c o f t he Assy r i a n i n asi o n o f J u d a h I was hi s ha had v . t t t t
b u i se d a nd wo u nd e d t he c o un r y , a nd le i t i n a s a e o f u nhe al e d
r t ft t t
m i ser y .

7 . A g ra phi c t
de sc r i p i o n, a p pare n l y , o f t h e d e so l a i o n wr o u g h t t t
i n J u d ah by Se nna c h e ri b a nd t he Assy r i a ns i n 7 0 1 B C I n hi s .

t
i nsc ri p i o n, Se nna c he ri b c lai m s t o ha e ak e n o r y si x o f t h e c i i e s v t f t -
t
o f J udah T he strang e rs wh o d e s r o y t h e l a nd , i e t he cu lti
. .
t . .

val ed l a nd , ar e t he Assy r i a ns ; a nd t h e d eso l a i o n h ey h a e wr o u h

g t t v t
i n J u da h i s c o m pa rabl e o nly t o t he o e r h r o w o f S odo m ,
”
as v t
we sho uld p r o bab ly r ea d ( ra he r ha n str ang e rs ) a t t he e nd o f t he t t
v er se t
T he s o r y o f t he a e o f So d o m ( Ge n 1 9 ) le
.
f t
a n i nd e li bl e . ft
I m p r e ssi o n u p o n t he H e b r e w m i nd a nd was o e n u se d b y t h e ,
ft
t t
p r o p he s t o he i g h e n t he er ro r o f a hr ea o r a d esc r i p i o n t ( t t t . Cf .

Am o s 4 : I t
T he l as sen e nc e i s r eg a r d ed b y so m e r e c e n sc h o l t t
ar s as a g lo ss .

. v
8 I n t he i n asi o n o f 7 0 1 B C J e r usal e m wa s i n t he m o s .
,
t
f
wo nd e r ul way a nd a g a i ns all p ro bab i li y , p re se r ed , as I sai a h t t v
f
ha d o re o l d ( c 3 7 : t f
B u t Se nna c h e ri b c lai m s i n h i s i nsc ri p
.
,

t i o n t o h a e sh u u p H ez e ki a h
, v t
li k e a bi r d i n a ca g e , a nd t h e
”

t
p o si i o n o f J e r u sal e m m u s ha e b e e n d e sp er a e e no u g h t
T hr o u g h v t .

t v
t h e i m a g e r y o f hi s e rse we g e t a g li m p se o f her o r l o rn a nd h e] f
l ess ca se Th e daug hter o f i o n, i e
. i o n o r J er u sal e m h er se , Z . . Z lf
26
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

f
Futi li ty o W a p ( I 10 1 7 )
mer ely Cer emoni al or shi -

Hear the word of the L ORD ,

Ye ruler s of Sodom ;
Gi ve ear unto the law of our God
Ye p eop le of Gomorrah .

To what purp o se i s the mul ti tude O f your sa c ri

fices unto m e ?
Sai th th e L O RD .

I am full of the b urnt ofieri ngs of rams ,

And t he fat of fe d be ast s

And I deli ght not in the bl ood of b ullo cks ,

Or of lambs or of he goats ,
-
.

to th em t
i t was a r i u al h i ng , t o hi m a m o r al t Thi s g r e a se c i o n . t t
t
sh o ws h o w c o m p le e l y t h e p r o p he s d e sp i se d a r e l i g i o n whi c h was t
t t
e x h a u s e d i n r i u al , a nd h o w e a r ne s ly h e y c ha m p i o ne d m o r ali y t t t
a s t he s u p r e m e e x p r essi o n o f r e li g i o n .

10 . tv
T h r o u g h t h e i m p er a i e h e ar we g e t a g li m p se o f a g r ea a nd t
e ag e r c r o wd o f wo r sh i p p e r s g a h e r e d i n t h e t
e m p le c o u r s T he t t .

p r o p he a tdd re sse s t h e w o r sh i pp e r s l ea d e r s a n d p e o p l e a li ke
t
a s c i i z e ns o f S o d o m a nd o m o r r ah G
T he i d ea i s no t so m u c h .

t t f t
h a t h e a e o f J e r u sal e m will b e li k e he i r s, as h a h e r g u i l i s t t t t
t t
l i k e h ei rs, as ho ug h t he t wo r eall y g o o g e he r l i k e i n g u il , a nd t t t
l i k e i n d es i ny t
T hi s i s, o f c o ur se , t he l a ng u ag e o f p r o p he i c
. t
t f t
h y p e r b ol e ; i n p o i n o f a c , t he si ns o f wh i c h J e r u sal e m was g ui l y , t
t
as e nu m er a e d , e g , i n vs 1 7 , we r e no t so
. . e r r i bl e as t h e si ns o f
. t
f
S o d o m ( c Ge n 1 3 I 3 I 9 5 ti )
. . B u t t h e s r o ng l a ng u ag e sh o ws
. t
tt
h o w u e r l y ab o m i na ble t o t h e so ul o f a p r o p h e i s a r c l i i o n wh i c h t
v t t
c ar es e e r y hi ng fo r r i ual , a nd no hi ng fo r m o r als t
e law of .

o ur Go d h a s h e r e no hi ng t o d o wi h a ny wr i t e n l a w, s u c h a s we t tt
find i n t h e Pe n a e u c h t t
L a w i s i nstr ucti o n, a nd i s he re , a s t h e
.

t
p ar all e l i sm sh o ws, id e n i c al wi h th e wor d of J e h ovah , h a i s, t h e t t t
wo r d whi c h he spe a ks h r o ug h hi s pr o p h e I sa i a h t p r a c i c a ll y t t
i t i s t he c h a ll e ng e whi c h o l l o ws i n v ss 1 1 — I 7 f . .

I I T h e p e o pl e a dd r esse d b y I sa i a h ar e a z e al o u s p eo pl e , who
.

o fl e r a m ul ti tu d e o f sa c r i c e s :
'

fi
p r o b ab ly h e i r z e al was at hi s t t
t
p er i o d h e i g h e ne d b y t h e e ar o f Assy r i a f
T he sacri ce i s her e a . fi
g e ner al wo r d for t h e o fi e r i ng o f a sl a i n ani m al ; i t m i g h be o e r e d t
t
t o t he d e i y i n wh ol e , a s a b urnt ofi er i ng e n i r e l y c o nsu m e d u p o n t
t t
t h e al ar , o r i n p a r , as t h e fat a nd t h e bl ood B e as s o f se e r al . t v
v
ki nd s we r e o fl e r e d , J e h o a h i s sa ted wi t h the m b u t wh a i s i t all t
28
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

Wh en y e c om e to app ear b efor e m e ,

Who hath r equi r ed thi s at your hand ,

t o hi m ? t
T h a i s no t wh a h e d e si r e s o r del i g hts i n t
I n h ei r . t
t
c o nc e p i o n o f r eli g i o n, t he g r e a p r o p he s a p p ear t o h a e g i en t t v v
p r a c ti c a l l y n o p l a c e wh a e e t v
r t o a ni m al sa c r i c e , whi c h b u l k e d so fi
l ar g e l y i n t h e p o p u l ar c o nc e p i o n ; t o h e m t h e sa c r i c e o f t h e t t fi
wi l l wa s p ar a m o u n ( P S 4 0 : 6 t
Am o s ( 5 : 2 5) and J e r e m i a h
.

t t t
( 7 : 2 2 ) m a i n a i n h a a ni m a l sa c r i c e h a d o r m e d no p a r o f t h e fi f t
v
d i i ne d e m a nd i n t h e d a y s o f t h e E x o d u s h e n a nd no w a nd t
v
e e r , wh a t q
G o d r e u i r e s o f m a n i s a m o r al se r i c e ( M i c a h 6 6 v
m e r c y , a nd no t sa c r i c e ( H o s 6 I fi
i s no t su r p r i si ng h a h i s. t t tt
wo r d o f H o se a s, whi c h so a p ly c r y s a l li z e s t h e p r o p h e i c c o nc e p
’
t t t
t i o n o f r e li g i o n , wa s sp e c i a l l y d ear t o o u r L o r d ( M a t 9 : I 3 ; 1 2 .

1 2 , 1 3a t
M e r i c al a nd o h er c o nsi d e r a i o ns see m t o su g g e s
. t t t
t t t
h a t h e l a s c l a u se o f v s 1 2 sh o u l d be a k e n wi h v s 1 3 . T he t t . .

t t
r ea d i ng o f t h e c o u r s c o u l d no t i n a ny c a se b e r e u i r e d o f t h e q
hand s We sh o ul d p r o b abl y h er e o r e r a nsl a e :
. t f t t
When y e come to behold m y fa ce ,

Who hath r eq u i r ed thi s at you r hands ?

Tr a m pl e m y co ur ts no m or e,
B r i ng ofi er i ngs ( no mor e) .

Va i n i s the s m o ke of sacr ifice ,

I t i s a n a bo mi nati on to me .

t t t
The p re se n H e br e w e x i s p o i n e d , ag ai ns t h e g ra m m ar , t o t t
m ea n : wh e n y e c o m e t o a ppear , o r s how yo u r selves , b e o r e m e ”
f .

t
Th er e can b e no d o u b , h o we er , ha t h e H e b r e w wo r d s o r i g i v t t
t
nal l y m e a n a nd we r e i n e nd e d t o m e a n : t
whe n y e c om e to see
m y fa ce a p h r a se whi c h c a r r i e s o ne b a c k t o a i m e wh e n G o d t
v
was c o nc e i e d a s a m a n, a nd m o r al s we r e su pp o se d t o sp e a k t o t
f f
h i m , a nd se e hi m a c e t o a c e , ho u g h i n I sai a h s i m e t he p h r ase
’
t t
v
c a n h a e m ea n l i t tt
l e m or e ha n u r ni ng t he a c e i n t h e d i r e c i o n t t f t
o f t h e i nne r sh r i ne o f t h e sa nc u ar y , wh e r e t h e p r e se nc e o f J e h o a h t v
was su pp o se d u ni u e l y t o be q
E e n S O , h o we e r , t he a n hr o p o . v v t
v
m o r p hi c fl a or o f t h e p hr ase was o b e c i o nab l e t o t h e a u s ere j t t
t t t
heo l o g i a ns o f a l a er d a e , a nd t he wor d wa s p o i n e d as a p a ssi e , t v
t
o r r a h er m i dd l e , no t a c i e , so a s t o su g g e s tv
h a the peopl e ap tt t
e a r e d or sh o we d t v
he m sel e s , a nd h u s t o el i mi na e t h e id ea o f t t
e h o l di ng t h e d i i ne ac e v f
Si m i l ar li b e r i e s ar e no t i n r e u ent l y
. t f q
t t
a k e n wi h t he or i g i nal t t
e x , so m e i m e s b y t h e l a e r J e ws wh o t t
t t t t
p o i n e d t h e c o nso nan al e x , so m e i m es m u c h e ar li er s i l l by t h e t t
G r e e k sp e a ki ng
-
t t
r a nsl a o r s, wh o , fo r e x a m p l e , i n E x o d .

tr a ns o r mf t
h e y sa w t h e G o d o f I sr a el in o h e y saw the pl ace t t
wher e the God of I sr a el stood ”

q fi
.

Wh o hath r e uir e d thi s h a i s, su c h sa c r i c es a s ar e m e n t t

29
I It THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

To t ramp le my c ourts ?
B ring no more vai n oblati on s .

In cense i s an ab omi n ati on unto me

New moon and sabb a th , t he calli ng of a ssembli es ,

I cannot away wi th
Ini qui ty and the solemn meet in g
1
.

Your new moon s and your appoi nted feasts

1 Gr fasti ng
. .

ti o ne d i n t h e p r e e di ng c your h and ? v e r seAs a m a e r o f

— at tt
f ct t
a ,
c
h e r e was a n a n i e n l a w wh i h d id r e u i re h a no wo r t c q t t
shi pp e r sh o ul d a ppe a r e m p y h a nd e d ( E o d 2 3 : 1 5 ; 3 4 : t -
Th e x .

p r o p he itc c c t o n e p i o n o f r el i g i o n , ho we e r , as we h a e se e n, was v v
f
d i f e re nt .

It ffi c t
i s di ul c
t o de i d e be wee n B r i ng no m or e a va i n afi er i ng t
the s mo ke of sacr ific e i s a n a bo m i na ti o n to me , and B r i ng no m or e
ofi er i ngs : vai n i s the s moke of sacr ifice , i t i s a n a bom i nati on to me .

tt tc
The l a e r i s m o re d r a s i a nd i s p r o b a bl y t o be p r e err e d O fi er f .

c v
i ng he r e i s a g e ne r al wo r d o e r i ng a ni m al sa r i e , ho ug h i n t he c fic t
t t c
l a e r l a w t he er m wa s o n ne d t o t h e bl o o dl e ss sa r i e fi c fic .

I 3b , 1 4 N o t o nl y a r e t he sa r i es d e es a bl e , b u t t h e e ry
. c fic t t v
t v
h ol y d ay s h e m se l e s , o f whi h t he new moo n and t he sa bbath c
f q t
( r e u e n ly m e n i o ne d o g e h e r , t t
m o s 8 : 5 , Ho s t cf A
ar e
. .

c
sp e i a l l y si ng l e d o u t T he new m oo n m u s h a e b e e n a
. ery t v v
an i e nc t f tv es i a l , a nd g oe s ba k t o sr a e l s no m ad i
’
c
d a y s : t he I c
t t
sab b a h , a p p a r e n l y o f B a b y l o ni a n o r i g i n, wa s p r o babl y rs fi t
tc t
d o m es i a e d a m o ng t he H e b r e ws a nd , i n t h e p r o ess, r a ns c t ~

f or m ed i n t h e a g ri u l ur al pe ri o d h a c t o l l o wed h e i r e n r an e t tf t t c
in o t C a na a n We c a n h a r d ly su p po se h a t h e h o l y day s ar e
. t t
ob e j ct t v
i o na bl e i n he msel es, b u t si m p l y as a f o r di ng o ppo r u ni y f t t
v t
for t h e con oca i on o f t h e i m m o r al wo r shi p p e r s er canno . Aft I t
er h a p s t h e wo r d b ear sh o ul d b e s u
pp l i e d ( h e r e i s no e ui al e n t q v t
r away wt
i h i n t h e He b re w) : N ew m oon a nd sabbath, sol e mn
co nvocati on, I ca nno t bear T h e l a s t wo He b r e w wo r d s o f
. t
t t
v s 1 3 m i g h b e r a nsl a e d wi c ked ness a nd war s hi
. t p ( l i t i ni q ui t y and .

s acr ed assem bl y ) , a nd wo u l d g i e a fi ne e p i g r a m m a i p v
o i n t o t he tc t
v er se For
.
”
q t
i ni u i y , h o we e r , t he r ee k v
e r si o n r ead s fasti ng , G v
t
and hi s i s po ssi bl y o r r e c ct tc
P a r i i p a i o n i n t h e a c t o f wo r shi p o r
. t
c t
o m m u ni o n wi h t he d e i y wa s o t
e n p r e e d ed b y p r epar a o ry ft c t
f t
as i ng , so t t
h a t h e t wo wo r d s o g e h er m i g h i ndi a e a e r a i n t t t c t c t
c
s r u p ul o u s p i e y t
T hi s ki nd o f p i e y , h o we er , o er e d b y wo r
. t v ff
30
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

My soul hat eth

Th ey ar e a trouble unto m e
I am w eary to bear th em .

And wh en y e spread forth your h ands ,

I wi ll hi de mi n e eyes from you

Ye a wh e n ye mak e m any praye rs
, ,

I wi ll not h ear :
Your h ands are full of blood .

Wash you mak e you cl ean ,

P ut away t he evi l of your do in g s

From b e for e mi n e eyes ;
C ease to do evi l
L earn to do well
Seek judge m ent ,

sh i pp e r s wi t h h a nd s bl o o d ( v s f ullm y sou l hateth

of T he . .

f f tv
appoi nte d e asts a r e t h e e s i a l s d e e r m i ne d b y t h e seaso n o f t h e t
y ea r ( G e n . T h e s a c r e d s e a so ns a n d s a c r i c e s li e u pon fi
v
J eh o a h li k e a bu r den wh i c h we ar i es h i m ; hi s p a i enc e i s e x h au s ed t t
and h e wi l l b e a r i t no m o r e .

15 P r ay e r i s a h i g h e r e x p r essi o n o f r eli g i o n h a n a ni m al sa c r i
. t
t
fice ; b u t h e i r p r a y e r s , p a ssi o na e l y o f e r e d wi h ou tstr etched t f t
t t t
hands , a r e a s d e e s a b l e a s h ei r sa c r i c e s, b e c a u se i n t h ei r so c i al fi
t t
r el a i o ns h e y s h o w ne i h e r m e r c y no r t
u s i c e ( v ss 1 6 , Je j t .

v
h o ah will no t h e a r t h e p r a y e r s o f s u c h m e n , h o we e r m a ny o r v
t t
p a ssi o na e h e y b e : h e wi ll h i d e h i s e y es as a m a n d o es, wh o t e
f t
u ses t o g r a n a r e u e s ( P r o 28 : q t v .

16 . t
T h e l as c l a u se o f v s 1 5 sh o u l d g o wi h vs 1 6 . t .

Yo u r ha nds ar e f ull of bl ood ,

Wa sh, cl ea nse yo u r s el ves .

t t
T h e bl ood whi c h s a i ne d h ei r h a nd s i i d l y su g g es s t h e i ol e nc e vv t v
t
wh i c h h o se u nsc r u p u l o u s h y p o c r i e s d i d no t h e si a e t o u se , i n t t t
o r d e r t o c o m p ass t
h e i r ne a r i o u s e nd s f
T h e h a nd s o u s r e c h e d . tt t
i n p r a y er a r e r e d H a nd s a nd h e a r s so r el y nee d t o b e c l e a nse d
. t .

t
T h e G o d wh o m h e y wo r shi p p e d was no t b li nd t o t h e i m m o r ali y t
t
o f h e i r so c i a l li e :
”
p u t a wa f
y t h e e i l o f y o u r d o i ng s fr o m befor e v
mi ne ey es .

17 Th e . v
ag u e p h r ase s , c e ase to d o evil , l e arn to d o w el l
t t
wh e h er p a r o f t h e o r i g i nal e x o r no t —
t t
r e c e i e a t a ny r a e v t
t fi t
m u c h m o r e c o nc r e e a nd d e ni e e x p r e ssi o n i n t h e o u r foll o wm g f
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

Reli eve t he
oppressed ,

J udge the fatherless ,

Plead for the wi dow

The Gr eat Alter nati ves ) (1 —

1 8 20

C om e now and let ,

us reason togeth er ,

Sai th the L O RD ;
Thoug h your sin s be as scarlet ,

Th ey sh all be as whi t e as snow

p h r ases, whi h S h o w ha wha c t t

sai a h m ea ns b y good i s u s i e a nd tI j tc
c
m e r y a s a p pl i e d t o so i al re l a i o ns, se e k j usti c e
”
c
P r o b a bl y t .

t r v
i ns e a d o f eli e e th e opp e sse d , we sh o ul d r a nsl a e r estr ai n r t t
c
( o r , b y t h e h a ng e o f a l e e r , chasti se) the m a n of vi ol ence T he tt .

f t
a h e r l ess a nd t he w i do , h a i ng no na u r al d e e nd e r s, wo ul d all w v t f f
a n e asy p r e y t o t h e u ns r u p u lo u s ; b u t c
sr a e l s G o d i s o n t he si d e
’
I
o f t h e we a k , a nd h o se who wo r s hi p h i m t
r ul y ar e l i k e hi m i n h e i r t t
r e g ar d fo r t he d e e n e l ess f c
Tr u e r el i g i o n, a o r d i ng t o sai a h ,
‘

cc I
fic
.

c t
o nsi s s no t i n o fl e r i ng a ni m al sa ri e, b u t i n d e e nd i ng t h e r i g h s
'

c f t
o f t h e we ak , esp e i a l ly wh e n c
h ey wer e assa il e d by a ar i e a nd t v c
i m e r ill e d b y u n u s l eg al p r o e sse s
p j t
T he r u es e p ressi o n o f c . t t x
r el i g i o n i s j tc
u s i e a nd p i y i n o u r r e l a i o ns wi h o ur t
ell o w m e n t t f -

( c f JS. . 1
1 : 1 8- 2 0 v ta t i o n i g i v n b y J h v h t o t h e p o p l t o
. An i n i s e e o a e e

com e be f co u t s i t w i n whi c h e c h p t y m y
o re a r g ue , a er e , a ar a ar

hi s c se I n p i nt f f c t i t i s nl y J ho v h wh o p e k ; he l ay s
a . o o a ,
o e a s a s

d wn t h t m o f cc e p t anc
o e er nd j c t i n t e m s whi c h the co n
s a e a re e o r

sc i nc e f t h p e p l e m t a d m i t t be
e o e a so n b le
o us o re a .

18 Th oug h yo ur sins ( su c h as a r e d e s c r i be d o r i m pl i e d i n v ss
. .

1 5— 1 7 , 2 1 , e t c ) b e as s car l et , e tc
. T hi s l o o k s lik e a p r o mi se o f .

f o r g i e nessv t he r ed si n ( c v s I 5) wi ll b e wash e d whi e ( ho ug h , f . . t t

i n vs I 6 t h e wash i ng was t o b e d o ne by he m sel es)
.
, I m us be t v . t t
ad m i tt
e d , h o we e r , v t t
h a , c o nsi d e ri ng t he d r e a d ul s a e o f J er u f t t
sal e m a s di sc l o se d al i k e b y t h e p r e c e di ng a nd t h e o l l o wi ng e r se s f v
(2 1 t
so e m p h a i c an ass u r a nc e o f fo r g i ve ne ss, e sp e ci all y a t t h e e r y v
v
b e gi nni ng o f J e h o a h s ar g u m ent, c o m es as an ab r u p su r pr i se
’
t
so ft e ne d i nd ee d so m e wh a , b y r e a d i ng b a c k i n o v s I S t h e c o nd i
,
t t .

t i o ns l ai d d o wn i n v ss 1 9 a nd 2 0 Thi s di fii c u l t y ha s l e d so m e
. .

t
sc ho l ar s t o a k e t h e se c o nd c l au se s as s i ngi ng and i nd i g nan u es t tq
t i ons : t
ho u g h y o u r si ns b e as s c a rl e , shal l they be whi te as sno w? t
s hall they be as wool ? wi h t h e i m pli e d answer , Na y , t
v e ri ly
”
R e d si ns c a nno be so easil y wash e d o u t a s a ri o l o u s
. t f v
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

Though th ey be red lik e c ri mson

They shall b e as wool .

I f ye be willi n g and ob edi ent ,

Ye shall eat t he g ood of the l and

B ut i f ye r efu se and rebel ,

Ye shall be devour ed wi th t he sword .

For the mouth of t he L O RD h ath spoken

Zi on
’
s P r esent S hame an d Futur e Glor y (1 —
2 1 28 )
How i s the fai thful ci ty
B ecom e an harlot
She that was full of judge men t !

p e o p l e m a y i m a g i ne ( c f Ho s
. . 6 : 1 T he co m m on in te rpre a t
ti o n of t he v v
m a y , h o we e r , p e r h ap s b e r e a i ne d , fo r t h e ne xt
e r se t
v v t t
t wo e r ses m a k e i t e r y p l ai n h a t h e o r g i e ne ss i s no t u nc o ndi f v
t i o nall y o fl e r e d C
r i m so n, t h e H e b r e w wo r d d e no e s p r i m a r il y t h e
. t
tf
i nse c ro m whi c h t h e c o l o r was o b ai ne d t .

19 f t ft
N o e h o w, a s so o e n i n t h e O l d T es a m e n , p e ni e nc e a nd
. t t t
t
O b e d i e nc e a r e r e p r ese n e d a s b e i ng r e wa r d e d by m a e r i al p ro s t
peri ty th e g oo d o f th e l and and di so be di e nc e by d i sa s er , h e r e t
t
t he d i sas er o f wa r y e sh all b e m a d e t o as e t h e swor d , m e a ni ng
”
t t
t h e swo r d sh a ll d e o u r y o u
”
v
App ar e n l y , whe n he se er ses
. t t v
w v
er e S p o k e n, a n i n asi o n was i m p e ndi ng a nd t he p r o p h e se i z e s t
t t
t h e o pp o r u ni y t o l ea d t h e p e o p l e t o r e p e n a nc e t .

1 : 2 1— 2 8 tt
T h i s li l e p o e m i n H e b r e w e l eg i a c m e r e ( g e ner all y
. t
t t t fi t
wi h h r ee a cc e n s i n t h e r s li ne a nd t wo i n t he se c o nd , h u s : t
H awi s the fai thfu l ci ty
B ecome a har l ot !)
r ep ea s t t t
i n m o r e p a h e i c wor d s t h e c h a r g e s al r ea d y m ad e a g ai nst
t t
J er u sal e m , a nd c o n r a s s he r p r ese n sh a m e wi h t h e g l o r y h a t t t t
wi ll b e h er s wh e n sh e i s r e d ee m e d r o m h e r si n f .

21 . t tf
T h e p r o p h e l o o k s wi s u ll y b a c k t o t h e e ar l y d ay s o f
t t
J er u sal e m s hi s o r y , t he i m es o f D a i d and So lo m o n, wh en she
’
v
f t f t f t f
wa s a a i h ul c i y , ai h ul t o t h e p r i nc i p l e s o f r i ght a nd j u sti ce,
t v
wi h wh i c h J e ho a h i s p e cu li ar l y i d e n i e d ( v ss 1 6 , no w S h e tfi .

t t f t f
i s a h arl ot , h a i s u n ai h ul t o h o se p ri nc i p l e s
, Sh e m a y b e t
fi
.

f t f
ai h ul e no u g h i n o fl er i ng h e r a ni m al sa c ri c e s ( v ss 1 1 fl
) b ut . .

tt t t
i t i s h e r a i u d e t o wh a i s so ci all y u st and ri g ht that is t he r eal j
t t
es o f h er fi
d eli y t o her Go d t .

D 33
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

Ri g hteousn ess lodge d i n her ,

now murderer s But .

22 Thy si lve r i s b ec om e dr o ss
.
,

Thy wi n e mi x e d wi th wat er .

2 3 Thy pri n c es ar e r ebelli ou s

.
,

And c ompani on s of thi eves

E ve ry one love th g ift s ,

And followe th afte r rewards :

Th ey judg e not t he f a th erless ,

Nei th er doth t he cause of t he wi dow come unto th em .

2 4 Th er efore sa i th t he Lord t he L O RD of ho st s
.
, ,

The Mi g hty One of I sra el ,

Ah I wi ll ea se m e of mi n e adversari es
, ,

And avenge m e of m in e ene mi es

2 5 And I will turn my h and upon th ee
.
,

And thorough ly purge aw ay thy dross

And will take away all thy t i n ‘

22 . T he c o nt r ast
be wee n then a nd now i s p i i u l t T he n i t was tf .

v
si l e r , no w i t i s d r oss ; he n p u r e wi ne no w a d ul e r a e d t T he , t t .

silve r a nd t he wi ne p r o b a bl y r e e r t o t he us i c e a nd ri g h
”
f j t t
o f vs 2 1 . t
c o r r u p ed no w by t he e nal p r a c i c es o f t he ud g e s v t j .

23 v v
Thi s er se g i es a c o nc r e e p i c u re o f t he d e eri o r a i o n,
. t t t t
t
wh i c h c o nsi s s a s i n v s 1 7 , i n t h e u nbl ushi ng d i sreg a r d o f us i c e
,
. j t
a nd m e r c y T he prince s r e p re se n o fli ci a ld o m : i n t he He br e w
. t
t
se n e nc e , t
he r e i s, a s o e n ( c H o s 9 : ft
a p l a y u p o n wor d s f . .

t hy r u l e r s a r e u nr ul y ( h e y ne ) , t hy r ul e r s a r e r eb els T he y C .

t
wer e r e sp o nsi bl e i n p a r fo r t he a d m i ni s r a i o n o f us i c e , b u t
, ,
t t j t
t
i ns ead o f su pp r essi ng c ri m e he y a c u a ll y a b e e d i t b y acc e p i ng t t tt t
t
br i bes a nd so m a d e he m se l es t he co nfeder ates o f c o n e m p ib le
, v t t
thi eves t t
Wo rs o f al l , h ey i g no r e t he ri g h s o f t he d e enc el ess
. t f
o r p h a n a nd wi d o w ( vs I 7 ) . .

24 T her e ca n be no h o p e fo r a c i y wi h o fi c i al s li k e h ese ;
. t t f t
e ne m i e s o f ri g h , t t
he y a r e e ne m i e s o f G o d , a nd h e m u s g e t r i d o f t
t he m He i s I sr ae l s str o ng one , wh o will u se hi s s r e ng h t o a k e
.
’
t t t
vengea nce u p o n he m t .

25 T he p r o c e ss b y wh i c h t he c i y i s t o b e p u r i e d i s c o m p ar e d
. t fi
t
t o t h e sm el i ng o f i m p u r e o r e J e h o ah tur ns hi s m i g h y ha nd i n . v t
j t
ud g m e n a g ai ns t h e c i y t t
I will purg e th y dross as wi th ly e .

a v t
e g e abl e al k ali , wh i c h was u se d t o h el p t he p ro c ess o f sm e l i ng t
34
 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH

The Heathen Cult and I ts Doom -

3 1 )
For they shall be asham ed of the oak s whi ch ye have
1

desi red ,

And ye shall be c onfounded for the g ardens that ye

have chosen .

For y e sh all b e as an oak who se leaf f a deth ,

And as a g ard en th at hath no water .

And t he strong shall be as tow and hi s work as a sp ark ,

And they shall b oth b urn togeth er and non e sh all ,

quen ch them .

Jer usal em , the Centr e of B lessi ng to the Wor ld ( 2 1 —

5)

2 . The word that I sa i ah the son of Amo z saw c on cem

i ng Judah and Je rusa lem .

1 So me Hebrew M SS . rea d ye . Gr . reads the y th ro ug ho u t in vss . 29 —31 .

29 . T he c hang e in p e r so n t o t h e se o nd
vs . 29 f ro m t he t hi rd c
t
i s s r a ng e and d i fli c ul t t o e pl a i n na u r al ly : a p p ar e n ly we m u s x t t t
rea d h r o ug ho ut t ct
t he se i o n e i he r t h e h i r d p e r so n o r t he se o nd , t t c
Y e sh a ll be a sha m e d o f t he o a k s whi h y e h a e d e si r e d , a nd y e c v
sh al l b e c
o n o u nd e d ,
”
f
e tc T he i r h e a he ni sh wo r sh i p wo u l d l ead
. t
t
t o no h i ng b u t d i sa p po i n m e n t t .

t v
30 T he wi he r e d lea e s o f t h e r ee a nd t he a ni she d wa e r s o f
. t v t
t he sp r i ng wer e p r oo f s of t h e i m po e n e t c of t he d e i i e s t who we r e
su p p o se d t o ha u n t th em, a nd sy m bo l s o f t he f ta e o f t h o se wh o
wo r shi ppe d t here I n P al e s i ne , fo r t he m o s p ar , t h e p r e se nc e
. t t t
o f a sp ri ng o r a c a a c i o us c i s er n wa s esse n i al t o t he e x i s e nc e
p ,
,
t t t
o f a g ar d e n t
( Ha s i ng s , Di et of the B i ble , i i , he nc e t h e .

t
p a ho s o f t h e g ar d e n th at h ath no water .

t
3 1 T he se i d o l a e r s , str ong i n h e i r o wn e y e s as t he o ak s ( c
.
t f .

t
Am o s 2 : 9) whi c h hey wo rshi p , a r e d oo m e d , wi h all hei r wo r ks t t
v v
a nd d e i c es , t o i rr e o c a bl e d es r u c i o n — p i c u r e d h e r e as a ud g t t t j
t
m en o f fir e .

—
2 : 1 5 tf
T hi s b ea u i u l p i c ure o f J e r u sal e m i n t h e i ssu e o f t he
.
!
t
d ay s, wh e n t h e who l e wo r l d wo ul d r e c o i z e h er uni u e r eli g i o u s
”
q
su p r e m a c y , and fl oc k t o her t o ha e di c ul cases se l ed b y t he v t tt
36
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

2 . And hall come to pa ss in the l att er day s

it s ,

That the mountai n of the LO RD S house shall be

’

establi she d
1
I n the t op of th e mountai n s ,

E And s h al l b e e x a l t e d ab ov e t h e hi ll s

Gr . a d ds a nd the house f God

o .

ar bi r a t ti h e r Go d a nd h i s l a ws, o r m s a e r y e fi e c t i v e c o n r as
on of f v t t
t
t o t h e p i c u r e o f t h e si n u l c i y wi h whi c h f
h ap 1 O p e ne d , a nd o f t t C .

t
t h e d esc r i p i o n o f t h e i d o l a r i es wi h wh i c h i t c l o se d t
I n Sp i e of t . t
t h e ne w su p e r sc r i p i o n ( vs 1 ; c t
whi c h sh o ws h a t he . f . t t
t t
c h ap e r s i n r o d u c ed b y i t ( p r o b abl y haps 2 4 ) o nc e o r m e d a n
—
C . f
t
i nd e p e nd e n g r o u p a nd c i r c ul a e d s e p a r a e l y , t h e p r ese n se i ng t t t tt
t
o f t h e p assag e s r o ng l y s u gg e s s h a i t wa s o r i g i nal l y i n e nd e d as a t t t t
f t
o il t o t h e d esc r i p i o ns o f t h e r e a l J e r u sa l e m i n h ap 1 , lik e t he C .

c o r r esp o ndi ng p assag e i n M i c ah 4 : 4 ; i t wo u l d c e r ai nl y o r m a

1 —
t f
h a p py c o nc l u si o n t o t h e r s g r o u p o f p r o p h e c i e s ( 1 1 2 —
fi t
t
I i s di fli c u l t t o sa y wh a t h e c o nne c i o n i s b e wee n hi s p a ssag e t t t t
a nd t h e si m i l a r p a ssa g e i n M i c a h 4 1—4 E i h e r I sa i a h b o rr o we d . t
f r o m M i c ah , o r M i c a h r o m I sa i a h , o r b o h f
r o m a n o l d er p r o p h t f
t
e cy , o r i n b o h c ase s t h e p a ssa g e i s a l a e r i nse r i o n Fo r se e r al t t . v
r e a so ns t h e l a s t
su p p o si i o n se e m s, o n t h e wh o l e , t h e m o st p r ob t
a bl e .

1 . Cf .

In th e l atte r d ays T he tr u e p r o p h e t l o o k s f r ankl y a t t h e pres

2 . .

e nt ( c f C h ap b u t h i s e y es a r e no l ess fi x e d u p o n t h e f u t u r e
. . .

B e y o nd thes e d a y s h e se e s t h e d a y s t h a t c o m e after a nd t h e p h r ase

,

the d a y s,
a ft
t h e se u el or
er -
”
i ssu e o f t h e d a y s, q
na u r al l y
!
t
q
c a m e t o a c ui r e a n al m o s e c h ni c al m e a ni ng , a nd was u se d t o t t
t t
i nd i c a e wh a we c o m m o nl y sp e a k o f a s t h e M e ssi a ni c ag e , t h e
t
h appy , r i g h eo u s e r a whi c h wo u l d su cc e e d t h e wr e c h e d a nd S i n ul t f
t t
a g e h a no w i s t t
I n hi s s r i ki ng p a ssa g e , i t i s r e g a r d e d a s a n ag e
.

i n whi c h wa r sh al l b e no m o r e ( c 9 : 5 ) and t h e d i sp u es o f t h e f .
t
t
na i o ns wil l be se l e d b y a r bi r a i o n tt t t .

T he r ee k G v
e r si o n a nd t h e p ar al l eli sm i n v s 3 su g g es ha t he . tt t
t t
o r i g i nal e x r an h u s : t
The m ou nt of J ehova h s hall be fir ml y esta bl i shed ,
And the hou se of o u r God on the chi ef of the mo u ntai ns .

f
T h e r e er e nc e i s t o t h e e m pl e a nd t h e e m pl e hill J e r u sal e m t t .

t
i s t h e r el i g i o u s c ap i al o f t h e wo r l d , t h e e m pl e t h e m o s sa c re d t t ’

t hi ng i n J e r u sal e m , the hou se of ou r God , a nd t h e e m p l e hi l l t he t

f t
c hi e m o u n ai n i n t he wo r l d , the head of the mountai ns T hi s i s .

37
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

And all nati on s shall flow unto i t ,

And m any pe oples shall go and say ,

Com e e
y , and l et us go up to t he mountai n
LO RD t he ,

To the hou se of t he God of J a c ob ;

And he will t e a c h u s of hi s ways ,

And we will walk in hi s paths

For out of Z i on sh all go forth t he law ,

And t he word of t he LO RD from Jeru sal em .

And he shall judge be tween t he n at i ons ,

And sh all reprove m any peoples ,

And they shall b eat th eir swords i nto plowsha r es ,

t he vi si on of a t ri t t
Th e r a nsl a i o n i n t h e e x o f S V , on t he
pa o . t t t
t o p o f t he m o u a , nt i ns
i s t o o g r o e s u e t o be p r o b a bl e ; t q
at t he
t op o r h ead ( S V m ) i s m o r e li k e l y , e sp e c i all y as l a e r wr i er s d o t t
t v t
a c u all y a pp ear t o ha e a n i c i p a e d a p h y si c al el e a i o n o f t
i o n, v t Z
whi c h , a cc o r di ng t o E z ek for e x a m p l e , i s a
. er y hi g h v
mo n a n
u t i — t
i t i s t o o we r a bo e t h e o her hi ll s v
I n a ny c a se t .

ho we e r , t he r eal g r ea ne ss o f i o n i n h i s p assag e i s h e r sp i r i u al
v t Z t t
v t
e le a i o n ; i n k no wle d g e o f t h e r i g h i n ap pr e c i a i o n o f the t ,
t
v t v
d i i ne wi ll , sh e o we rs a bo e al l o h e r na i o ns o f t h e wo r l d , wh o t t
v
h a e t o c o m e ( t o str ea m) t o h e r fo r i ns r u c i o n t t .

t t
3 T he na i o ns ar e r e p r e se n e d as r e c o g ni z i ng t h e r el i g i o u s su
.

p re m ac y o f J e r u sal e m : sh e h as wh a he y ha e no t a di i ne t t v v
t t t
word , a law, ha i s, i ns r u c i o n ( c 1 1 0 ) i n t he wa i n whi c h h et f
th
.

wo ul d h a e h e m walk v t T h e r e o r e t o J e r u sal e m
. ey g o
!
fthat
h e m a y ea c h t t t
he m h r o u g h t h e m e d i u m o f p ri e s o r p r o p h e t t
4 T hi s
. v
e r se e x p l ai ns t h e p i l g r i m ag e o f t h e na i o ns t o ion t Z .

t t
The y g o fo r t he a r b i r a i o n o f d i fi c u l c ases, whi c h h e y wo u l d f t t
t
o h er wi se ha e se v tt
le d b y war T h e p il g ri m s ar e m e n a mi li ar wi h
. f t
t h e u se o f swor d a nd spear ; b u t t he d e ci si o n wh i c h he y r e c ei e t v
Z j t t f t
i n i o n i s so u s a nd sa i s a c o r y ha h e y d es ro y he i r we ap o ns, t tt t t
t
fo r wh i c h h e y h a e no w no m o r e u se v O r r a he r he y d o not . t t
t t t t f
d es r o y he m , he y r a ns o r m h e m i n o u se u l i m pl e m en s o f t t f t
a g ri c ul u r e t H e r e we g e t a g li m p se o f I srael s l o e fo r t h e c o u n
.
’
v
f
t ry l i e ; i n t h e g o l d e n a g e , p l o u g hsha r e s and p r u ni ng h oo ks wi ll -

v
ha e a c o nsp i c uo u s p la c e Ag a i n we se e t he pr o p he s ho r r or o f
.
’
t
war tt
i n t he b e er wo r l d t o b e , t he na i o ns shall l ear n war no t
mor e ( c f 9 . :
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

And th ei r spe ar s i nto prun i ng hook s -

Nati on sh all not li ft up sword ag ai n st n ati on ,

Nei ther shall they learn war any more .

0 hou se of Ja c ob c om e y e and let u s w alk , , i n t he

li g ht of t he L O R D .

JUD GME NT UP O N TH E WE ALTH AN D P R I DE OF JUDAH

(2 6 4 -
6)

J ehovah s J udgment Day (2 )

’
6 —
22

Fo r 1
thou hast for sak e n thy p eople
The hou se of Jacob ,

1 Gr he has forsaken his people

. .

5 . t
A e nde r a p p e al t o I sr a e l h e r sel t o walk i n t h e l i g h o f t h e f t
v t t
r e e l a i o n wi h whi c h sh e h a s b e e n so c o nsp i c u o u sl y b l esse d .

T hi s r e m ar k a bl e p a ssa g e ( v ss 2 — 5) sh o ws h o w p r a c i c al , a s we ll
. t
t
as i d eali s i c , we r e t h e h i nk er s o f I sr ael t I c o n a i ns i n g e r m t h e . t t
t
so l u i o n o f t h e p ea c e p r o bl e m W a r will b e no m o r e wh e n t h e .

t
na i o ns , no w a r m e d t o t h e e e h , a r e wi ll i ng t o s u b m i t t he ir di s tt
t t t Z
p u e s t o t h e a r bi r a i o n o f i o n ; i n o h er wo r d s, wh e n h e y a r e t t
v t
willi ng t o h a e he m d e c i d e d b y h o se p r i nc i p l e s o f u s i c e whi c h t j t
v t
we r e ne e r m o r e e ar nes l y o r e l o u e n l y p r o c l a i m e d h a n b y t h e q t t
t
H e b r e w p r o p h e s, a nd whi c h a r e i de n i e d wi h J e r u sa l e m a s tfi t
t t
wi h no o h e r c i y i n t he wo r l d t T h e p assa g e p r esu pp o ses na i o ns
. t
wh i c h wi ll b e r easo na b l e e no u g h t o se e k fo r a r b i r a i o n r o m a t t f
t t t t
c o u r whi c h hey c an r u s , and c o n e n t o a bi d e by t he d e c i si o n t t
wh e n i t i s p r o no u nc e d .

2 : 6—4 : 6 t
Th i s g r o u p m u s b e a m o ng t h e e r y e ar li es o f all
. v t
t
I sai ah s p r o p h e c i e s P ar o f i t ’ all s i n t he b r i e r e i g n o f J o h a m
’
. f f t
(74 73
0 — 6 s o . ft U
) so o n a e r zz i ah ’s d e a h ( c 6 : t h e b r i l l i a nc e , t f .

e ner g y , a nd e n e r p r i se o f t U
zz i ah s hi g hl y p r o sp er o u s r ei g n ar e el f t
t t
hr o u g h t h e p r o p h e s so l e m n war ni ng s o f d o o m
’
P ar o f t h e . t
v
p r op h e c y m a y c o m e , h o we er , r o m t h e b e g i nni ng o f t h e r e i g n o f f
Ah az 3 1 2 , fo r e x a m ple , see m s t o b e an u nm i s a k able all u si o n t o t
t t
h a i r r e so l u e ki ng t
W e c a nno g o fa r wr o ng i n assi g ni ng a t l e as
. t t
C h ap s 2 a nd 3 t o t h e y ear s 7 4 0 — 7 3 6 o r 7 3 5 B C
. . .

2 : 6—2 2 T h e p r o sp er o u s e n er p r i se o f t h e r e i g n o f
. t
zz i a h has U
t
b r o u g h t o J u d ah t h e l u x u r y a nd t h e su p e r s i i o n o f t h e E a s , a nd tt t
e ng e nd er e d i n h er a t
e m p e r o f wo r l d l i ness a nd p r i d e Fo r al l .

39
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

B ecause th ey be fill ed wi th customs from the east ,

And ar e sooths ayers li ke the Phi li sti n es ,

And they strik e hands wi th t he chil dr en of strangers .

7 . Th ei r land also i s full of sil ve r and g ol d ,

Nei th er i s th ere any end of thei r treasur es

t he se t hi ng j
d ay o f u d g m e n i s c o m i ng ; a nd t h e u d g m e n ,
s a t j t
whi c h i s d esc ri b e d i n a p o e m o f spl e nd i d p o we r , i s c o l o r e d by
I sai a h s e x p e r i e nce o f t he erri ble ear h u a k e whi c h o cc u rr ed i n
’
t t q
t he r e i g n o f U f
zzi ah ( c Am o s 1 I ) , a nd whi c h r e m ai ned a na i onal
. t
m e m o r y fo r c e n u ri e s ( e c h 1 4 : t Z .

6 Th e p oe m ca n h a r dl y h a e b eg u n wi h for
. I h as been v t . t
t
ap l y c o n e c u r e d ha j t t tt
hi s er se m ay o r i g i nal l y ha e b e e n p r e v v
f
c ede d b y t he r e r ai n whi c h no w appe a r s i n d i ff er e n o r m s , i n v ss tf .

10, 19, 2 I t
E n er t he r o c k y ca e r ns a nd hi d e h e e i n t h e d u s ,
. v t t
e t c , for he ha th for sa ke n hi s peopl e
.
”
( 3d p e r so n ; so t he r ee k G
v e r si o n) .

fi t t
T he r s c o u n i n t he i nd i c m e n ag a i ns J u d a h i s h er su perst i t t t
t ion As t he H e b r e w wo r d for soothsay er , er y li k e t h e wo r d fo r
. v
v f
east, a pp ear s t o ha e all e n o u t , we sho ul d p r o ba b l y r ead

They ar e full 0 di vi ner s fr o m the east ,

And of soot ayer s l i ke the P hil i sti nes .

The fi ttrs er m is u se d o f o b ai ni ng a n o a t
b y d r awi ng l o s, t he r c le t
se c o nd i s q t
ui e o b sc ure ; i t m a y s u g g e s d i i na i o n b y wa c hi ng t v t t
t h e c l o u d s, o r i t m ay i nd i ca e t h e m o no o no us cr oo n o f t h e soo h t t t
say er , o r t he g l a nc e o f t he e i l e y e Th ese a nd o her or m s o f v . t f
tt
su pe r s i i o n ar e se e r e l y v
c o nd e m ned and o r bi dd e n i n D e u f t .

1 8 : 10 fl I nd ul g e nc e’ i n su c h su pe r s i i o u s p r a c i c es was g r eatl y
. tt t
e nc o u r ag e d by I sra e l s i n er c o u r se , t
h r o ug h r ad e a nd i n o h e r t t t
t
wa y s, wi h fo r ei gner s ; t he soo h sa y er s a r e fr om the east, t he ne ar t
eas t f t
( c B a l aa m ) , a nd s i ll more t h e d i s a n B ab y l o ni a , wh ose
. t t
v
di i ners wer e t he r e c o g ni ze d e x pe r s o f t h e a nc i e n worl d Fo r t t .

v t
P hi l i sti ne d i i na i o n c 1 S a m 6 : 2 ; 2 Ki ngs I 2 f . zz i ah s wa r s
’
. . U
t
wi h t h e P hi li s i ne s ( 2 t C
hr o n 2 6 : 6 f ) wo ul d h a e b r o u g h h i s . . v t
t
p eo pl e i n o spe c i al c o n ac wi h he m t t t t .

Th ey str i k e h ands , e t c Any so r o f c o n r a c wi h for ei . cr s t t t t

v v
a l way s i n o l e d a m e na c e t o t he p ur er r e li g i o n o f I sr ael , an wa s
t f t
h e r e o r e de p r e c a e d by t he p ro p h e s ( c H o s 7 8 N u m 2 3 t f . . .

t t
I has be e n su gg e s e d , ho we er , wi h so m e p r o babi li y , ha hi s v t t t tt
wor d ha s d i spla c e d an o r i gi nal wo r d o f so m e wh a si m il ar so u nd , t
m eani ng t
he y ) r ac t i se so r c e ry
”

l
.

7 U v
zzi a h hac r e c o e r ed E la h , t he p or t o n t he no r he as er l y
. t t t
arm o f t h e R e d S e a ( 2 Ki ng s I 4 : 2 2 ) t h e silver and g ol d a r e t h e

40
 TH E B OO K OF I SAIAH

Th ei r l and o i s full of horse s al s ,

Nei the r i s there any end of th ei r chari ot s .

Th ei r land a l so i s full of i dols

Th ey wor shi p th e work of th ei r own hand s ,

That whi c h th ei r own fin ge r s have made .

And the m ean man i s b owe d down and the ,

m an i s b roug ht lo w
Th er efor e forgi ve th e m not .

E nt e r i nto t he ro c k ,

An d hi d e thee in the du st ,

From b efore t he t e rror of the L O RD

And from the glory of hi s maj esty 1
.

1 Gr here p roperl
. y in t ser s, when he ar i ses to shake the ea r th
'

(cf . vss . 19,

r e su l t of f or eig n t r ad e , t h e h o se sr a nd ch ari ots wo u l d b e ne ce s

sa r y U
i n zz i ah s wa r s ( 2
’
hr o n 2 6 : 6 C . All alik e wo u l d b eg e t
fi t
a c o n d e n c e i n m a e r i al r e so u r c es , a nd d i e r J u d a h r o m ai h v t f f t
i n h er u nsee n Go d .

8 S up er s i i o n ( v s
. tt we al h ( v s i d ola r y ( v s
. tT he . t .

t t
i d o l a r y g o e s na u r al l y wi h t h e su p e r s i i o n t
T h e p r o p h e h as tt . t
t
no h i ng b u t sc o r n ( c f
4 0 : 1 9 , 2 0 ) fo r wo r sh i p p e r s wh o b o w d o wn
.

f t
b e o r e t h e c r e a i o ns o f h e i r o wn h a nd s t
S u c h h a nd m a d e g o d s .
-

a r e no g o d s m e r e nothi ngs , a s t he H e b r e w wo r d su g g es s t .

f q t tt
T h e r e u e n r e p e i i o n o f t h e wor d fu ll i n v ss 6 —8 i s er y . v
v f
i m p r e ssi e ; J u d a h i s u ll o f p r a c i c e s , i nfl u e nc e s, p o ssessi o ns, t
v f
whi c h d r i e h e r r o m h er Go d a nd c o m p el hi m t o r e e c h er j t .

t
9 I d o e s no t se e m na u r al t o e x p l a i n t h e b e i ng b owe d down
. t
a nd b rou g h t l o w o f t h e p e o p l e b e i ng s u nk i n s u p e r s i i o n It i s tt .

m o r e p r o b abl e , esp e c i a ll y i n V i e w o f v s 1 0 , wh i c h u r g e s t h e p eo pl e .

f f
t o h i d e r o m t h e a w ul p r e se nc e o f J e h o a h , h a t h e d o o m i s h er e v t t
p r o no u nc e d fo r t h e rs ime fi t t
T h e l a ng u a g e , h o u g h b r i e er ,
. t f
t
s r o ng l y r e se m b l e s v ss 1 1, 1 7 , a nd s i l l m o r e .
p er h a p s t
o r i gi nall y r a n t h e m e a n m a n s hall be b o we d d o wn, et c T he .

t v
l as c l a u se o f t h e er se i s p r o b a bl y c or r u p ; i t i s di c u l t o a ssi g n t ffi t
t f t
a r e all y sa i s a c o r y m e a ni ng t o i t T h e l as c l a u se o f t h e c o r r e . t
sp o nd i ng er se , 5 v
1 5 , i s m o r e sa i s a c o r y t f t .

10 v vt
I n i e w o f t h e i ne i ab l e d o o m , t h e p r o p h e b i d s t h e p eo p l e
. t
f t v
fl e e r o m t h e e r r i bl e a e ng i ng J e h o ah , t o t h e c a e s i n t h e li m e v v
t
s o ne r o c k s , i n wh i c h m e n we r e wo n t o se e k sa e y ro m h ei r t f t f t
e ne m i e s ( 1 S a m .
I I THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

11 . The l ofty looks of m en shall be b rought low ,

And th e haught i n ess of m en shall be bowed down ,

And t he LO RD al one shal l b e ex al t ed in that day .

th ere shall be a day of the LO RD of ho sts

Fo r
Upon all th at i s proud and hau ghty ,

And upon all t h at i s lifted up 1

and i t shall be brought
low
And upon all t he cedars of Lebanon that ar e hi gh and ,

li ft ed up ,

And upon all the o aks of B ashan

And upon all th e hi gh mountai ns ,

And u pon all the hil ls that ar e lif ted up ;

And upon e very lofty towe r ,

And upon every fen ced wall

1 C r and hi gh
. .

11 f
Th at day i s t he d a y o f jud m e n , t he g r ea day 0 J eho va h, t t
fl
.

f
d e sc r i b e d so p o we r u ll y i n t h e o l o wi ng e r se s To e pe o pl e , v . t
t j
i t me a n t h e d ay o f u d g m e n u p o n I sr a e l s e ne m i e s ( c
’
t Am o s f .

5: I8 t
t o t he e ar l y p r o p he s , wi h h e i r m or al c o nc e p i o n o f t t t
v
J e ho ah ( c I : f t
i t m e a n t he d ay o f u dg m e n u p o n I sr ael
. j t
h e r se l f
Th e r e i s no o ne i n a ll t he u ni er se ha i s r e all y e x al e d
. v t t t
v t t
b u t J e ho ah ( 6 : I ) ; a ll ha see m s o r p r e e nd s t o b e e x al e d t t
t
wh e her p e r so ns or hi ng s — m u s t
he re o r e b e hr o wn re m o r se t t f t
l e ssly d o wn i n t t
ha d ay , whi c h i s c o m i ng u p o n all h a is p r o u d
”
t t
a nd ha u g h y , a nd u po n a l l t ha i s hi gh a nd l ifted a t t”
( so Gr ) .

T he p as sag e fi t t
nel y i ll us r a e s I sa i a h s c o nc e p i o n o
’
t he l o nel y t
j t
m a es y a nd e x al a i o n o f God t t .

13 16 -
Aga i n ( a s i n vss 6—8 , wi h h ei r i m p ressi e r epe i i o n o f
. . t t v tt
f ul l ) t he s wi ng a nd c a d e nc e o f t he po e m ca n b e di s i nc ly el t t f t
t t t
h ro u g h t he E ng li sh r ansl a i o n ; u p o n t he c e d a r s , u p o n t h e m o u n
t ai ns , u p o n t h e t
o we r s, u p o n t he sh i p s , t he u dg m e n sh all all j t f .

t t
The s or m , whi c h l ay s h ese l o y hi ng s l o w, beg i ns, a s i n P8 2 9 , ft t .

t t
i n t he no r h : i t s weep s h r o u g h t he o res s, p r o s r a i ng t he m i g h t i f t t t
e st t
r e e s ; a c r o ss t h e c i i e s , le e lli ng t v
he i r o wer s a nd wall s ; o er t t v
t h e sea s , wr e c ki ng t h e g i a n shi ps t
T hese al l u si o ns ha e p er h aps a
. v
sp e ci al as well a s a g e ne ra l p o i n : t he c e d a r s a nd o ak s wo ul dt
t t
c o n r i b u e t o t he l u x ur y o f t he pala i al ho m es of J ud ah , t he o wer s t t
42
 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH

and hi s i dols of g ol d whi ch they made for hi m to ,

worshi p to the moles and to the bats ;

,

To go i nto t he cave rn s of the roc k s ,

And i nto t he cleft s of the ragged ro cks ,

From befor e t h e t e rror of t he L ORD ,

An d from t he g lory of hi s maj esty ,

Wh en he ari seth to shake mi ghti ly the earth

'

1
Cease ye from m an who se b reath i s in hi s nostrils ; ,

for wh erein is he to be a ccounted of ?

A Rei gn f
o Anar chy (3 1
-
15 )
3 . For , behold , the Lord , the LO RD of hosts ,
D oth tak e away from Je rusa l em and from J ud ah
Stay and sta fl , t he whole st ay of b re ad , and the who le
'

l This vs . is no t i n Gr .

22 . v
Thi s e r se , whi c h i s no t i n t he r ee k e rsi o n, i s a c o nc l u si o n G v
f v
d r a wn r o m t he p r e i o us d esc ri p i o n o f t he m a es i c o m ni po e nc e t j t t
o f Go d e ase
. C
t h e r e a d e r s a r e r e m i nd e d — ro m r u s i ng i n f t t
f
m a n : hi s l i e i s b u t a b r e a h ( c Ge n 2 t
a nd h e i s o f no a cc o u n f . . t
wha e e rt v Thi s i s t he c o m me n
. h a r i ses na u ra ll y t o t h e m i nd tt t t
f f
o f a ny r e a d e r r e s h r o m t he d es c r i p i o n o f t he d e a s a i ng s o r m t v t t t .

—1 A l d i n h w h n C t h m w v t
h
5 r ea .
y , a p 2 ,
e a e se e e s o r s e
. e
v
a c r o ss Ju da h , a nd we ha e a l so se e n so m e hi ng o f t he si n wh i c t
m a de i t s c o m i ng i ne i a ble In vt
h ap 3 t he d o o m i s a g ai n p r o
. C .

c la i m ed , a nd t he si ns — h er e i n us i c e r a he r ha n su per s i i o n j t t t tt
a nd p r i d e ag a i n e nu m e ra e d , t
ho ug h t he o r d er o f t he si n a nd t
t
d o o m i n h i s c ha p e r i s r e e r se d t v
T he d o o m i s h e r e d escri b e d .

( v s s 1
.
—
7 ) as so ci a l a nd p o li i c a l c h ao s , ho u g h wh e he r ha i s t o t t t t t
f t t
b e e fie c t e d ro m wi ho u , as , fo r e x a m pl e , by a n i n a si o n o f t h e v
f t
Assy r i a ns, o r r o m wi hi n, by r e o l u i o n, i s no t c l e ar ly s a ed v t t t
ft
i nd e ed t he o ne o e n g a e o pp o r u ni y fo r t he o her v Th e p a s t t t .

sag e c o m e s no d o u b tf
r o m t he r e i g n o f Ah a z , a nd h a r e i g n h ad no t t t
v
a d a nc e d fa r t
ill I sai ah h a d wi ne ssed i n t he no r he r n ki ng d o m t t
t he v f
e r y c o n usi o n h e he r e d e sc r i b e s ( 2 Ki ng s I 5) — i n asi o n a nd v
v t t q
r e o l u i o n, wi h c o nse ue n c o n u si o n a nd a nar c h y , we n h a nd i n t f t
f
h a nd ; a nd I sa i a h o re sees he r e for J ud a h a a e si m i l ar t o ha o f f t t t
t
h er si s e r t o t he no r h t
T he g ui l whi c h u s i e s t he d oo m i s
. t j tfi
d esc r i b e d i n vss 8—1 5 . .
 THE B OO K OF I SAI AH

sta d of wat er t he mi ghty man and the man of , ,

war ;
Th e judge and the proph et and the di vi n er and t he
, , ,
1
an ci ent
The c apta i n of fifty and the hon ourable m an and the , ,

c oun sell or ,

And the c unni n g art ificer and the skilful en ch ant er

2 3
, .

And I will gi ve chi l dr en to be thei r p ri n c e s ,

1 m . elder .
2 SV ex pert .
3 In . cha r mer .

1 T he d oo m i s t o b e e x e c u e d b y J e ho a h as So e r ei g n, th e
. t v v
t f
Lor d ; a nd i t i s t o a k e t he o r m o f t he r e m o al o f al l t h e p i ll a r s v
o f t he s a e t t t
m i li ar y , a d m i ni s r a i e , p o li i c a l , r e l i g i o u s Ho w t tv t .

t v
h e y a r e t o b e r e m o e d we a r e no t o l d , p e r h a p s b y a ssa ssi na i o n, t t
tvt t t
p er h a p s b y t he c a p i i y h a wo u l d na u r a ll y o llo w a o r e i g n t f f
v
i n a si o n o f t h e l a nd ; b u t , h o we e r h a m i g h b e , h e i r r e m o al v t t t t v
wo u l d m e a n t he c o l l a p se o f t he wh o l e so c i al a br i c S tay and stafi f .

t
no t u na p l y r e nd e r t h e H e b r e w, whi c h r e p ea s i t s wo r d wi c e , t t
fi t rs i n t he m asc uli ne and he n i n t he e m i ni ne , to i ndi c a e t he t f t
t
c o m ple e ness o f t he d o o m T he s a y a nd t he s a h are . t t '

t h o se o n wh o m t he c o u n r y l ea ns su c h o fi c i a ls t
as ar e f
t
e nu m e r a e d i n t he t wo o ll o wi ng e r ses ; f
he r e ca n h e r e o r e b e v t t f
tt
li l e d o u b ha tt t t
s a y of br ea d a nd st a fl of water ,
”
wi h i t s so m e t
t v t t
wh a i r r e le a n o u l o o k o u a m i ne a nd d r o ug h , i s a l a e r a nd f t t
t t t
r a h e r i na pp r o p ri a e a ddi i o n , s u g g e s e d , p e r h a p s, b y su c h p as t
sag es a s P s 1 0 5 1 6 ; L ev 2 6
. 26 I n I sa i a h s o wn wo r d s ( c o n r a s
’
. . t t
t h e o p e ni ng v
e r se , 1 : 1 ) J e r u sa l e m a l wa y s p r e c e d es J u d a h ; t he
t t t t
c a p i al c i y i ll u s r a es o n a br illi a n sc al e t he si ns ha s ai ned t he t t t t
wh o l e l a nd .

2, 3 t
I n t h e e nu m er a i o n o f t h e o f c i al s no o r d er i s o b se r ab l e ,
. fi v
t h o u g h i t i s si g ni c a n fi tt t
h a t h e m i l i a r y m e n c o m e r s , a nd h a t fi t t t
t v
t he p r o p h e a nd d i i ne r o r so o h sa y e r ( c o nd e m ne d , b y i m p li c a i o n, t t
i n t he r e s o r e d e x o f t t t
sooths a y er s ro m t h e e as
”
) ar e f t
t
m e n i o ne d o g e h er t t
Th e p r o p h e s a s a wh o l e a r e u nwo r h y m e n
. t t
f
(c 2 8 : 7
. t
wi h wh o m s u c h m e n as I sai a h a nd Am o s ( 7 : 1 4 )
c a n h a e li v tt
le i n c o m m o n T h e a b se nc e o f t h e p r i es. ro m hi s tf t
t t
l i s i s c u r i o u s, a nd t h e m e n i o n o f the wi se m a gi ci a n ( as we sh o u l d
t
p e r h ap s r a nsl a e i ns e a d o f
!
t t
th e c u nni ng ar tifi cer a nd o f
th e skilful e nchanter as a m o ng t h e s u ppor ts o f t h e s a e i s cer ai nl y t t t
v e r y o m i no u s ( c 2 f .

t
4 , 5 Th e wi hdr a wa l o f t h e o f c i a l s , a m o ng who m we r e el der s
. fi
45
 THE B OO K OF I SAI AH

And babes shall rul e over them .

And the p eople shall be oppr essed every o ne by anoth er , ,

And eve ry one by hi s nei ghbour :

The chi l d shall b ehave hi m self proudl y a gai nst t he
1
an ci ent ,

And t he b a se ag ai n st t he honourable .

6 . Wh en a man sha ll tak e hol d of hi s broth er

In t he hou se of hi s father sayi ng , ,

Thou ha st cl othi n g ,

B e thou our ru ler ,

And let thi s rui n be

U nde r thy hand
In th at day shall he li ft up hi s voi ce sayi ng , ,

I wi ll not be an h ealer
!

For i n my hou se i s n ei th e r bread nor cl othi n g :

”
Ye sha ll not m ak e m e rule r of the people .

m . elder .

( vs . th ro ws t he r e i ns o f ve
i n o t h e h and s o f yo u ng
go r nm e n t t
m e n, i ne x pe ri e nc e d , c a p ri c i o u s, a nd i nsol e n ; capr i ce sh al l r ul e t
v
o er t t
h e m , i e y o u h s wh o se whi m i s h e i r l a w, a nd wh o c ar e
”
. . t
t
no hi ng fo r us i c e j t
I nde ed , t he y r a nny a nd i nsol e nc e b e c o m e
. t
g e ne r al t
a g e a nd h o no r c o u n fo r no hi ng i n t h e g e ne r al c o n u si o n t f
t
a nd di sso l u i o n o f so c i e y t .

t t
6 I n t he wel e r , h i ng s c o m e t o su c h a p a ss h a no o ne will
. t t
a cc e p t
o fli ce , e e n wh e n i t i s v h r u s u po n hi m t
T he c o u n r y i s t . t
t
no h ing b u a t
h ea p o f r ui ns a nd t h e e r se se e m s t o i m p l y ha v t t
t t
t h e pe o pl e , r e c o g ni z i ng ha su c h a s a e o f a na r c hy c a n no l o ng e r t t
t
c o n i nu e , o fl er t h e le ad e r shi p t o a m e m be r , ap par e n l y , o f o ne o f t
f
t h e no b l e h o use s r e e r re d t o i n v ss 2 , 3 t o o ne wh o p o ssesse s a .

t
r o b e o ofii ce , i f M a r i s p la u sib l e e m e nd a i o n (
”
t f t
ft
thy a h er fOr
’ !

hi s a he r t
a nd i n e r p r e a i o n b e a cc e p e d : t t t
When one takes hold of hi s br other -
z )
ci ti en
ffi ce
,

Sayi ng , ’
I n thy father s ho use i s a r obe o f O

Co m e, d o
”
tha n be o ur l ead er , etc .

7 B u t no t
. all th ei r vig o r a nd vi olen e c ( vs 6) . ca n i nd u ce h i m t o
a cc e p o fii cet . H e l ifts u p ( hi s voi ce ) in pr o t est . Ho w ca n he
46
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

8 . For Jeru salem i s rui n ed ,

And Judah i s fall en

B ec au se thei r tong u e and th ei r doing s ar e agai n st the
L ORD ,

To provoke t he ey es of hi s gl ory .

1
Th e sh e w of th ei r c ount en an c e
D o th wi tn ess ag ai n st th e m
And th ey declare thei r sin as Sodom ,

Th ey hi d e i t nOt .

Woe unto th ei r soul

Fo r they h ave r ewarded e vil unto th em selv es .

Say y e of the ri ght eou s th at i t shall be w ell wi th hi m : ,

Fo r th ey sh all eat t he frui t of th ei r doi ng s .

Woe unto t he wi ck ed ! i t shal l be i ll wi th hi m .

1 m . thei r respecti ng o f per sons .

wh o , a s a r esu l t of ha s no r eso u r c es o f h i s o wn, h el p a

t he a nar ch y ,
f
c o n u se d and r e so u r c eless p e O pl e ? H e c anno h eal ( li t bi nd u p, t .

sa m e wo r d a s i n 1 6) t h e wo u nd s o f a c o u n r y so o r n : ye sha ll t t
not m a ke m e l eader .

8 J e ru sal em i s rui ne d ( c
. vs f
no t y e t i n r e ali y , b u t t o
. . t
t h e c l ear e y e s o f t h e p r o ph e , sh e i s a s g o o d a s r u i ne d t a p o l i i c al t
q
c h ao s ( 1— 7 ) i n c o nse u e nc e o f h er h a i ng b e c o m e a m o r al c h ao s, o r , v
t
a s I sai a h p u s i t , b e c a u se h e r wo r d s a nd d ee d s a r e a g a i ns J e h o a h t v .

H er p e o p l e o r g e f tt t
h a the eyes of hi s gl or y , wh i c h p i er c e b e ne a h t
f t
t h e S h o w a nd s u r a c e o f hi ng s , a r e u p o n h e m wa c hi ng a l i k e t t
t t
t h e c r u el y p r a c i se d u p o n t h e p o o r , a nd t h e su p er fl u o u s ne r y fi
t
wi h whi c h t h e p r o u d a nd h a u g h y d a m e s o f J e r u sa l e m walk u p t
a nd d o wn h er s r ee s t t
S u c h si g h s pr ovo k e h o se g l o ri o u s e y e s
. t t .

t
9 T h e g r e a si n h e r e , as so o e n i n I sa i a h ( c 1
. ft
is the m is f .

j t
c ar ri ag e o f u s i c e I n t h e p r esenc e o f t h e g r ea J u d g e , wh o i n
. t
t t t
v s 1 3 se s u p hi s r ib u nal , h e se e a r hl y m i ni s er s o f u s i c e s a nd
. t t j t t
f
sel c o nd e m ne d :
-
thei r par ti ali ty ( li t r espect of per sons , r a h e r . t
t ha n th e Sh ow o f th e i r co unt e nance ) wi ne sses a g ai ns h e m ; h e y t tt t
t
p l a y i n o t h e h and s o f t h e r i c h a nd e x p l o i t h e p o o r B e or e t h e t . f
v t
b a r o f t he d i i ne J u d g e , h e y i n h i s wa y anno u nce thei r si n u ndi s t
t
g u i sedl y , a nd h u s br i ng evi l u pon themsel ves .

10, 1 1 T h ese
. v
e r se s so u nd we a k i n so p o we r u l a c o n e x f t t .

t t t
B e si d e s, h e y m a k e a di s i nc i o n b e wee n t h e d e sti ni e s o f t h e g o o d t
47
 THE B OOK OF I SAI AH

reward Of hi s hands sh all be gi ven him

For the .

As for my people chil dren are th ei r oppressors , ,

And women rule over th em

1
.

0 my peopl e th ey whi ch lea d th ee c aus e thee to err

, ,

And d estroy the way of thy pat hs .

The L O RD standeth up to plead ,

Gr wtortxo ners
'

l . e .

a nd t he ba d , whi c h i s no t re c o g ni z e d i n t h e p r e c edi ng v erses ,

whe r e
t he e vil s o f a na r c hy f al l u p o n all a l i k e . T he G r ee k t r a nsl a o r s t
f el t v
di fli c u l t y o f t he e r se s, and e nde a o r e d t o c o nne c
t he he m v tt
fi t
m o r e d e ni el y wi h t he c o n e x t t t
T he y ar e i n all p r o b ab i li y a . t
t t v
l a er a d d i i o n, a nd e e n t h e e x d o e s no t a p pea r t o h a e b ee n t t v
v
well p rese r e d T he o ri gi nal m ay ha e r un :
. v
Ha ppy i s the r i g hteo u s ! for i t i s well wi th hi m
Woe to the wi cked t for i t i s i ll wi th hi m , etc .

12 v t
T he d i i ne p i y fo r t h e c r u she d a nd m i sg u i de d p e o pl e nd s
. fi
f o r c i bl e e x p re ssi o n i n t he t
wi c e r epe a e d m y pe opl e a t t h e b eg i n t
ni ng a nd t he mi d d l e o f t he er se v
The r s l i ne i s u su all y r e nd er e d
. fi t
t
c hi ld r e n ar e hei r o pp r esso r s ( o r a c hil d i s hei r t
a nd wo m e n r ule o e r he m ( i e t v
h e p p ;
e o tl e o r hi m — t he . .

c hi ld ki ng ) The c hi ld — whe he r i n y e ar s or i n c hara c er

-
. t t
t f
i s a ke n t o re e r t o Ahaz , who was y o u ng wh e n h e asc e nde d t h e
t hr o ne ( 2 i ng s K a nd t he wo m e n wo ul d b e h ose o f t he t
h are m , o r pe r ha p s t he uee n m o h er q hil d , ho we e r , i s no t
” -
t . C v
t
u s uall y r e pr e se n e d b y t he H e b r e w wo r d o u nd her e wh i c h i s t he
,
f
t
par i ci pl e o f a e r b m ea ni ng v t o d eal se erel y wi h ,
”
a nd , a s v t
t t
M ar i po i n s o u t , t he wo rd s m ay e u all y m ea n thei r r ul er s deal q
har shl y wi th the m , a nd i n t he ne x cl a u se t he wo r d re nd e r e d t
wo
m en q
m a y e u all y well be r e nd er e d by u su r er s , o p p r e sso r s ( c f .

vs . a nd was so a k e n b y t he t
re e k r a nsl a o r s G t
I i s a pi y t . t t
t t
ha t he m ea ni ng o f so i m po r a n a e r se sho ul d be a m b i g u o u s t t v .

v
O n t he c o m mo n i e w, t he p assag e c o ul d b e sa el y assi g ne d t o a f
v
pe r i od er y ea r l y i n t he r eig n o f Ahaz ; b u t o n any i e w i t c o m es v
al m o s t f
c er ta i nl y r o m hi s r ei g n The di sas r o us e fe c s o f hi s . t f t
v t
we a k a nd a c ill a i ng po li c y a re a pp ar e n t .

O my peopl e , those who s ho uld lead thee str ai ght , le ad thee astr a y .

t v
Th e l e a d e r s had he m se l es c o n u sed t he p a h s, so h a t he p eo pl e f t t t
di d no t k no w ho w t o walk o r whe r e t o ur n I i s i n er es i ng t o t . t t t
t t
no e ho w t h e p r o phe s h ol d th e l ea d e rs i n l ar g e m e asu r e r e sp o n
t
si bl e fo r t h e m o r al c o ndi i o n o f t he peo pl e ; l ead e rs sh o u l d l ea d .

1 3, 14 v j t
T h e di i ne u dg m e n , hi n e d a t i n vs 9 , i s h er e e x p l i ci tl y
. t .

48
 THE B OO K OF I SAI AH

And standeth to judge t he p eoples 1

,

The L ORD will enter i nto judg em ent

Wi th t he eld ers of hi s p eople and the pri n ces thereof ,

I t i s ye that have e at en up the vi n eyard ;

The spoil of the poor i s in your houses
What m ean ye that ye c ru sh my p eop le ,
”
And g ri nd the fa c e of the poor ?
Sai th the Lord the L O RD of hos ts ,
.

se t f th
or —
J ehova h ta kes hi s stand fo r t he ri al , t o u d g e ( no t p er
,
t j
t t
h ap s pe opl es , b u t r a h er , wi h Gr ) hi s peopl e I n p ar t i c u l ar h h e . .

t t j t t
e n er s i n o u d g m e n wi h t h e l eadi ng m e n, i n h e i r t wo r e p r e se n a t t
tv
i e c l asse s th e e l d e r s , wh o r e p r e se n e d t h e r a d i i o nal o r d er o f t t t
t f
hi ng s, a nd th e pri nc e s , t h e o fi c i al r e p r ese n a i es o f t he m o nar c hi t tv
v
c al g o e r nm e n t t t
I was h e i r b u si ne ss t o p r o e c t he p eo pl e , h ere
. t t
c o m p ar ed t o a i ney ar d ( c v
hap f C
r o m d ep r e d a i o n
. i ns ea d. f t t
t t v
o f h a , as for yo u ( e r y e m p h a i c ; y o u , i t s d i i nel y c o ns i u e d t v tt t
f
d e e nd er s) , yo u ha ve yo u r sel ves devo u r ed i t, i n t h e se nse e x pl a i ned i n
v
t h e r e m a i ni ng c l a u se o f t h e er se a nd v s 1 5 , b y c r u e ll y p l u nd e ri ng .

v t v t
h e p oo r ; t h e e i d e nc e i s i nc o n r o er i b le , fo r the spoi l i s i n you r
t o uses .

15 . What do you m ea n, t he p r o p h e i nd i g na n l y ask s i n t h e t t

na m e o f hi s G o d , by cr u shi ng m y peopl e , a nd by gr i ndi ng , a s b e wee n t
t
t h e u p p er a nd t he ne h e r m ill s o ne , the face of the poor ? t
Ag ai n
t t
t h e p r o p h e i c i n e r es i n t h e p o o r t
T h e e r c e i g or o f t h e l a ng u ag e
. fi v
h er e r e c all s t h e si m i l ar p assag e s i n Am o s ( 4 : 1 ) a nd , s i l l m o r e , t
M i c ah 3 : 2 , 3 .

T hi s p a ssag e ( v ss 1 — 1 5) i s a er y g rap h i c d esc r i p i o n o f t h e

. v t
t t v v
m i ser y o f a s a e g i e n o er t o a nar c hy , a nd i t i s si g ni c a n ha fi tt t
ft
h e r e , a s so o e n, t h e c r i m e , o f whi c h s u c h a nar c hy i s t h e a w ul f
t t
c h as i se m e n , i s si m pl y so ci al i n u s i c e W h e n t h e a c es o f t he j t . f
v
p o o r ar e b e i ng g r o u nd , r e o l u i o n a nd ana r c h y a r e no t far O ff t .

t
T h e m o r al i nsi g h o f t h e p a ssag e i s a s k ee n a s i t s d e sc r i p i e p o we r tv
15 g r ea t .

3 1 —
6 4 : 1 . Wi t h hi s c u st o m ar y
i nsi g h , I sai a h , l ik e Am o s ( 4 : t
t t
see s h a for t h e m o r al d e r a i
p vt
y o f a p e o pl e t h e wo m e n m u s b ear t
v
a h e a y sh a r e o f r e sp o nsib i l i
y t
Ap p r op r i a el y e no u g h he h er e . t
t u r ns t o t t
h e m a nd , i n e r m s sc ar c e l y l e ss sc a h i ng h an h o se of t t t
t t t
Am o s, he sa i ri z e s he i r h a u g h i ne ss and c o nc ei , as i t i s e x p r essed t
q tt
i n t h ei r st y li sh d r e ss a nd c o u e i sh m anner , a nd p r o no u nc e s u p o n
t t
h e m hi s er ri bl e wo r d o f d o o m
E
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

The Doom o f the Haughty Women (3 16—

4 1 )
Moreove r the L O RD sai d ,

B e cau se the daughte rs of Zi on are haughty ,

And walk wi th stret ched forth ne c ks

An d wanton eyes ,

Walki ng and mi n ci n g as t hey go ,

And maki ng a ti nkli ng wi th their fee t

Therefore the L O RD will smi t e wi th a sca b the c rown
of the h ead of the daughters of Z i on ,

And the LO RD will lay bare thei r sec re t part s .

In that day the Lord will take away t he b rave ry of

thei r ankle ts and the cauls and the c resc ent s : the
’

, ,

p e nd a nt s and t he b r a c,
e l e ts and t h e muffl e rs ; t he ,

head ti res and t he ankle chai n s and t he sashes and

, , ,

the perfume bo x es and t he amul ets ; t he rin gs and t he , ,

no se j ewels ; the fe st i val robes and the mantles and ,

t he S ha w ls and t he sa t ch els ; th e h and mi rrors and

2
, ,

t he fine lin en and t he turban s and t he veil s , ,

.

l m networks
. . Gr trans par ent dresses
. .

1 6, I 7 . Zi o n, o n t e m ple we e b uil t
whi c h t he r o y al p al a ce a nd r ,

w ul d be s D h m
o .
y t h f ashi o n b l e q
a u t e I t i t h ef re
sa s, e a u ar r . s er o

th e daug h ters o f Z io n t h fine l di s wh m t h p o p h t h ere ,

e a e ,
o e r e
la shes wi t h hi s c o n Th y a e h s g h t y ( li t hi g h)
r . nd s th y
e r au .
, a ,
a e
st u t
r l o ng wi t h o u t t t c h d ne c k
a ,
nd t i nkli ng a nkl t
s re t e ,
a e s o

a tt c t tt nt i o n nd y co u e t t i hly t u ned p n t h p se
ra a e , a e es s r u o e as rs ~

b y t h y f rg e t
,
e if v o t hey n w t he t t h whi c h i n C h p 2
e er e ru a .

th e p p h t ha d p o c l i m e d wi t h su c h t e ri bl
ro e r a n st n
a t ha t r e e r e e ss ,

a d y a f J h v ah i c o m i ng u p o n ll t h t i s p o u d nd h
o e o s ghty a a r a au

(2 : nd t h n aed uc d by th e ex i g e nc i s f w
,
r b y t he
e e e o ar or

r e v il i na n c hy t d e t i t ti n h
a ar will sm i t wi t h d i a
,
o s u o ,
e e se se

t he c b t h e h
s a d s t ha t w nc e so f ai
ea a nd x p e t h nc er e o r, e os e o e

ha ug h t y d am es t t h e l i c nt i i n ul t s o f t h
o b bl e ous s e ra e .

8 3 I t i s n w g e ne all y
1— 2 . c g ni ed t h t t hi p o i c i nv ent r y
o r re o z a s r sa o

of aHeb e w w m n r t i cl e o f dr s nd t o il t i nt e p ti ng
o a
’
s ar s e s a e ,
rr u as

i t d oes t h e t e r e a nd l m n p o t y n b t h si d e o f i t i s f m
s so e me e r o o s ,
ro so

50
4 2 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

We will eat our own bread ,

And wear our own apparel

Onl y let u s be ca ll ed by thy name ;
Tak e thou away our rep roa ch ”
.

6)
’
Zi on s Fi nal Glor y -

2 . In that day
Shall t he b ran c h of t he LO RD be b eau tiful and gl ori ou s ,

And the frui t of t he land shall be excellent and com ely

For th em that are es cape d of I sra el .

4 : 2 -
. t
T hi s d e sc ri p i o n o f t h e g o l d e n ag e , i n whi c h J e r u sal e m
6
j v
wi ll en o y t he i si bl e p r e se nc e o f J e h o a h , a t o nc e p ro e c e d a nd v t t
fi f
g l o ri e d b y i t , i s a o i l t o t he p r e c e d i ng c h a p er s ( 2 a nd 3 ) wi h h ei r t t t
t
m e la nc ho ly s o r y o f J u d a h s i d o l a r y , p r i d e , a nd i n u s i c e
’
E er y t j t v .

o ne ca n se e h a t tt
he re i s no r eal i nne r c o nne c i o n be we e n t he t wo t t
d esc ri p o ns i t The p r o sp e c a nno u nc e d i n vss 2 6 was h ar dl y
.
— t .

l i k e l y t o b e r e a l i ze d i n that d ay t he d a y o f a na r c h y a nd ca la mi y t
d esc r i b ed i n ha p 3 C
That d a y i s i n r e ali y t h e g o l d e n ag e t o
. . t
t
whi c h e sp e c i all y t he l a e r wr i e r s l oo k o r wa r d , a nd t h e p assa g e t f
i s an i nd e p e nd e n p i e c e t
T hi s p i c u r e o f t he i deal J e r u sal e m o f t he
. t
tt
l a e r d a y s i s se t v e r e fl e c t i v el y , a nd no d o u b d e l i b e r a e l y , be t t
t
si d e t he p i c u re o i t e r e a l J e r u sal e m wi h i t s h e nal u d g es , i t s t v j
c r ushe d poo r , i ts p r o u d m e n, i t s ha ug h y wo m e n ; a nd li ke t he t
si m i l a r p assag e i n 2 : 1 —5 , i t o r ms a f
er y a p p r o p ri a e c o nc l usi o n v t
t o t he g r o u p ( 2 6- 4 : T he da u g h e r s o f i o n ( vs 4 ) o r m t Z . f
t t t t t
!

t he c o nne c i ng l i nk be wee n hi s se c i o n a nd t he l as
f t
M a ny ea u r es o f t he passa g e t he h o li ne ss o f t he o pl e o f

J e r usale m t he r e m i ni sc e nc e o f t he M o sa i c ag e i n t he d e i ne a t i o n
,

o f t he i d e al , e t c se e m t o ) i nt t o a po s e x i l i c d a e T h e l a er t t t
t t hi
-
. .

v
ag e l o e d t o s u p pl e m e n s st e m ness o f a n a nci e n p ro phe s
’
t t
m essag e by wo r d s o f h o pe a nd c o nso l a i o n t .

2 . I n a pr o p he c y o f t he M essi a ni c ag e , i t i s r o m a m o d e r n p o i n f t
ofv i e w su r p ri si ng t o find t he i ni i al e m p h asi s hr o wn u p o n t h e t t
f t t
e r ili y o f t h e l a nd , fo r here ca n be no d o u b t
h a t h e p h r ase th e tt t
fr uit o f th e land i s t o b e i n e rp re e d li er all y t t
I i s o nl y t o t he t t .

p h r ase th e branch of J eh ovah ha d o u b c an a a c h t t

T hi s h a s t tt .

o ft t
e n b ee n i n e rp r e e d p e rso nall y t
o f t he M essi ah , a nd t h e p e r
so nal use o i t h e wo r d br a nch i n Je r 33 : 1 5 ; ec h . Z .

t
6 : 1 2 , l e nd s a c er ai n pl a u si b ili y t o hi s i n er p r e a i o n t
B u t t he t t t t .

t t
c o n e x , i n whi c h t he a m bi g u o us p hr ase i s p ar all el t o t he u nam
t
bi g uo us fr ui t of the l a nd , p r a c i c all y p u s t he l i er al i n er p r e a i o n t t t t t
52
 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH

And i tsha ll com e to pa ss that he that i s left i n Zi on , ,

And he that remai n eth in Jerusal em shall be call ed ,

holy ,

E ven ev ery one tha t i s wri tt en among th e li vi ng in

1

Je rusalem
Wh en th e Lord sh all h ave washe d away the fil th of
the daught er s of Z i on ,

And sha ll have p urged the blood of Je rusal em from the

mi d st th er eof ,

By the spi ri t of judgement and by the spi ri t of burn

2 2
,

ing .

1 m . u nto life .
2 In . blast
.

t
b ey o nd all d o u b , a nd that whi ch J ehova h ca u ses to spr ou t ( as t h e
t
wo r d s li er al l y m e a n) wi ll b e t h e wi l d eg e a i o n, fo r whi c h m a n v t t
t
d o es no hi ng ( P S 1 0 4 : as o p p o se d t o t h e c ul i a e d
. rui s of tv t f t
t h e l a nd ( D e u 8 :t . T he r e wi ll b e su p e r natu r al e r i li y i n t h e f t t
tt
l a e r d ay s for th e m that ar e e scape d of Isr ael , ha i s , for tho se t t
fi
wh o e sc ap e t h e nal u d g m e n ( J o el 2 j t
3 T h o se wh o a r e l e
. ft
i n J e r u sal e m sh a ll b e call e d ( be c a u se h e y t
sh a ll be ; t h e na m e i s a r eal i nd e t o t h e h i ng ) h oly x
p ro b a bl y i n t
t t
t h e e c h ni c al sa c e r d o al se nse a s well as i n t h e m oral T o l a er . t
t
h o p e a nd i m ag i na i o n, t h e p eo pl e o f J e r u sal e m a pp e a r e d as Je
’
t
h o v a h s p r i e s s for t h e wh ol e wo r l d ( 6 1 T h e y ar e hi s h o ly
p eo p l e (62 : 1 2 ) no t i nd ee d al l o f h e m , b u t ever y one who i s t
r eg i ster ed u nto l ife T he i d ea o f t h e
. b o o k o f li e ( P s 69 2 8 , c
”
f . f .

E x o d 3 2 : 3 2 f ; M al 3 : 1 6 ; D a n 1 2 : I ) , i n wh i c h we r e r e c o r d e d
. . .

fi
.

t h e na m e s o f a ll who wo ul d li e ,
”
h a i s , su r i e t he na l u dg v t t vv j
t
m e n , was su g g e ste d b y t he r e gi s er i n whi c h t h e na m e s o f c i i z e ns t t
wer e r e c o r de d ( c N e h 7 : f . I n P s 8 7 6 , t h e c i i c a nd S p i r i
. . v t
u al id e a s ar e sug g es i el y bl e nd ed tv .

v
4 Thi s er se g o e s wi h v s 3
. t
T h e g o l de n ag e will c o m e , when
. .

the L or d shal l have was hed away the i mpu r i ty , etc M en a nd wo .

m e n wer e g u il y al i k e t — t h e m en o f bl oo d y c r i m es
”
( E z ek .

7 : e sp e c i all y a g ai ns t he p oor ( Jer t T h ey a r e t o b e .

c l e ansed by t he m i g hty bl ast ( or spi ri t — t h e sp i r i bei ng co n t

c ei v e d as t he m e di u m or a e n ) of u d m e nt wh i c h i s a bl ast o
g g ,
t f j
ex ter m i nati on ( r a h er h a n b urni nt g) t
h a i s, i t i s a u d g m e nt wh i c h t t j
t
p u s a wa y t
( D eu 1 3 5 , sa m e wo r d as he r e) t he e i l r o m t h e
. v f
t
mi d s o f t h e c o ng r eg a i o n t .
4 5 THE B OO K O F I SAI AH

And will c reat e over the W hole habi tati on

t he LORD
of Mount Zi on ,

And ove r her assembli es a cloud and smoke by day , ,

And t he shi ni n g of a fl ami n g fir e by n i g ht

Fo r over all t he glory shall be spr ead a canopy .

6 . And th ere shall be a pavil i on for a shadow i n the day

tim e from t he heat ,

And for a refuge and for a covert from storm and from

THE VI NE YARD WI TH rm: WILD GRAP E S (5 —

1 30 )
The S ong
f the V (5 1 7 )
o i neyar d —

Let m e sin g 2
for my well beloved a song
O f my be love d tou c hi n g hi s vi n eyard .

Gr . co me . Or o f .

t
5 I ns ea d o f cr eate we sh o u l d p r o b a b ly r e a d , wi h t he
. r eek , t G
co me b y t h e o m i ssi o n o f a si ng l e l e
, er A nd J ehova h wi l l co m e tt .

a nd h i s p r e se nc e wi ll r es t
u po n the whol e si te of M o u nt Zi on a nd
u po n her h o l y co nvo cati o ns a s ( o r i n) a cl o ud by d a y , a nd as s m o ke
a nd the s hi ni ng of a fla mi ng fir e by ni ght T he su bl i m es ea ure . tf t
t
o f h o se f t
u u r e g o l d e n d a y s wo ul d be t he i si bl e p r ese nc e o f Je v
v f t
ho ah h i m se l wi h hi s p e o pl e , a nd h a i n a o r m whi c h re c al l ed t t f
v
t h e h i g h p r i ileg e o f t h e M o sa i c a g e ( E x o d T ha . t
p rese nc e wo u l d b e t o t he p e o p l e a t o nc e p r o e c i o n a nd g l o r y t t .

t t v
6 Wi h hi s er se sh o u l d be a ke n p e r h ap s t he l as cl a u se o f
. t t
t
v s 5 , fo r over all t he h o l y c i y and m o u n a i n the gl or y o f J e h o ah
. t v
t t
( h a i s, t he c lo u d a nd t he fl a m e o f fir e) wi l l be ca nopy a nd cover
i ng ( li t pavili on) , — a s had e fr o m the heat , a r ef u ge a nd s hel ter fr om
.

stor m a nd r a i n t
T he s o r m a nd r ai n yp i y fl oo d s o f d i sas er o r
. t f t
o p p re ssi o n ( c 25 : f .P r o b abl y , wi h t h e r ee k , i n the d a yti me t G
sh o uld b e o m i ed tt .

t t tt
T her e i s m u c h h a i s a r ac i e i n hi s i si o n o f t h e u u r e tv t v f t .

T r u e , i t e m b r a c e s t h e e rti li y o f t h e l a ndf — t
a c e r ai n h e a l h y t t
t tf
m a eri ali sm i s se l d o m a bse n ro m t h e O l d T es am e n c o nc e p i o n t t t
o f bl esse d ness t t
b u t i t s i nh abi a n s ar e a p eo pl e wh o se si ns ha e v
b ee n wash e d a wa y , and wh ose li e i s o e r sh a d o we d b y t h e p r e s f v
e nc e o f he i r Go d t .

5 : 1 — 0
3 T h e p r o p h e c i e s o f whi c h
. ha p 5 i s c o m p o se d , h a i ng C . v
54
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

My wellb elove d had a vi n eyard

In a v ery fr ui tful hi ll
And he made a tren ch about i t and g at hered ,

the ston e s th e reof ,

And pl ant ed i t wi th t he cho i cest vi n e ,

And bui lt a towe r in t he mi dst of i t ,

no c o nne c t i o n ei t h e r wi t h Ch ap .
4 or Ch ap . 6, a p p e ar to f or m
t
i nd e p e nd e n g r o u p , a nd p r o b a bl y b el o ng , l i k e h a p s 2 a nd 3 , C .

t o I sai a h s e a r li er p er i o d ; b u t , e a r l y a s h e y a r e , h e y a l r ea d y sh o w
’
t t
t
l i e r a r y p o we r a nd m o r a l i nsi g h o f t h e m o s sp l e ndi d k i nd tIn t .

t
I sai ah t he p o e was no le ss g r e a han t h e p r o p he tt t .

5 : 1 —
7 W e a r e t o s u p p o se t h e p r o p he
. a p p e a ri ng p r o b ab ly t
t
i n t h e e m p l e o n t h e o cc a si o n o f so m e e s i al b e or e a g r e a f tv f t
t f
g a h e r i ng d r a wn r o m t he c a p i al a nd t h e c o u n ry o wns o f J u d a h t t t
( vs . f tt t t
H e ski l u ll y a r a c s h ei r a e n i o n b y p r o p o si ng t o tt t
si ng a so ng wh o se h e m e 1s t h e t v
i ne y a r d o f a r i e nd o f h i s As t h e f .

so ng a d a nc e s , t h e bi v er tt t t
r u h g r a d u all y d i s c l o se s i sel T he t f .

f r i e nd i s J e h o a h , t h e v v
i ne y ar d i s J u d a h , wh i c h , b e c a u se o f t h e
f t
m i ser a b l e r u i sh e h as p r o d u c e d , wil l b e l ai d u e r l y was e tt t .

1, 2 v v
T h e se e r ses h a e b e e n a d m i r a b l y r e nd er e d b y P r o e ssor
. f
C h ey ne :
A song wi l l I si ng of m y fr i end ,
A l ove s o ng tou chi ng hi s vi ney ar d
-
.

A vi ney ar d bel ongs to m y fr i end ,

O n a hi l l tha t i s fr u i tfu l a nd s u nny ;
H e d i gged i t , a nd cl ear ed i t of sto nes ,
A nd pl a nted ther e vi nes tha t ar e choi ce;
A tower he bu i lt i n the m i dst,
And hewed also ther ei n a wi ne vat -

And he l ooked to find gr a pes tha t ar e good ,

Al as ! i t bor e gr a pes that ar e wi l d .

A t ti t t
l ik e hi s, wi h r h y h m a n d r e al poe i c fl a o r , h el p s
r a nsl a on t t v
f
u s t o e el h o w li tt j t
l e u s i c e i s d o ne t h e p o e r y o f t h e g r e a p r o p h e s t t t
v
b y t h e a er ag e p r ose r a nsl a i o n t t .

v
Th e i ne y ar d wa s o n a ver y fr u i tfu l hi l l ( l i t a hor n, the son of .

oi l ) v t t
E e r y hi ng was h e r e o r e i n i t s a o r r o m t h e b e g i nni ng ;
. f f v f
t t f t
i n ad di i o n, t h e m o s a f e c i o na e e f o r h a d b ee n sp e n u p o n i t t f t t .

t t
A su b s a n i al tower ( a nd no t m e r el y a h u t , c 1 8 ) h ad b e e n b u i l f . t
t
fo r t h e wa c h m e n, a nd a wi ne v a t h a d b e e n h e wn o u t i n t h e r o c k ,-

t j
i n o wh i c h t h e u i c e fl o wed r o m t h e wi ne —p r e ss ab o e ; f T h e r i end v f
t
h a d na u r all y se t h i g h h o p e s u po n a i ne y a r d so c ar e ull y e nd e d , v f t
b u t t h e g r ap es i t p r o d u c e d wer e p o o r ( li t e il sm el li ng) . v -
.

55
5 33 THE B OO K . DE I SAIAH

And al so hewed out a wi n epress th erein 1

And he l ooked t hat i t shoul d b ri n g forth grapes ,

And i t brough t forth wil d g rapes .

And now O i nh abi tant s of Jerusal em ,

,

And m e n of J udah ,

J udge I pray you betwi xt m e

, ,

And my vi neyard .

What c ould hav e been don e more to my vi n eyard ,

Tha t I h ave not don e in i t ?

Wh e refore wh en I look ed that i t shoul d
,

fo rth grapes ,

B rough t i t forth wil d gr apes ?

And now go to I will t ell you
What I will do to my vin eyard
I wi ll tak e away the he dge t h e reof ,

And i t sha ll be eat en up

I will b reak down the fe n ce th e reof ,

And i t shall be trodd en down

And I will lay i t wast e
I t shall not be prun ed nor hoed ;
B ut th ere sha ll c om e up b ri e rs and thorns
I will also c o m m and the clouds
That th ey ra in no r ain upon i t .

im . SV wi nemt .

3, 4 T he ) t o ph e t no w i n t he r6 1e o f t h e
d , a p p eal s t o t he f i
r en

d
.
,

cr o wd H a he no t a h t t o e xp ec t he b es o f hi s i ney ar d ?
. t t v
H ad he no t d o ne fo r i t t t
ha co ul d b e d o ne ? H e l ea e s i t t o v
j t t
t h e i r sense o f u s i c e t o d e cla re wha su c h a i ne y ar d d eserv es v .

v
5 , 6 As i n t he er y si m i la r p ar abl e o f o u r L o r d , t he m e n ap
.

p ea l t
ed t o ar e si l en ( L uk e 2 0 : 1 5 a nd t h e o wner h i m sel g oes f
f t
on t o d esc ri be i t s a e , u si ng i m pe r so nal e r b s whi c h r e nd er t h e v
v vv tt t
Hebr e w wor ds er y i i d , ca lli ng a e n i o n, a s h e y d o , si m pl y t o t
56
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

7 . For the vi neyard of the LO RD of ho st s i s the house

of I srael ,

And the men of Judah hi s pleasant p lant

And he look ed for judgem ent b u t behol d oppressi on ; ,

For ri ght eou sn ess bu t beho l d a c ry , .

Woe ! ( 5 —
8 2 4)

8 . Woe unto th em that joi n house to hous e ,

That lay fi el d to fi el d ,

t h e a w ul fact f t he r em ova l o f t he p r o e i ng h e d g e , t h e d emoli t ct

c c
ti on o f t h e e n i r l i ng wal l , so h a t h e o n e l o e l y h e i g h i s no w t t c v t
x
e p ose d t o t h e t
r a m p l i ng o f b ea s s And no w i t wi ll b e as d e t .

ct f
l i b er a t el y neg l e e d a s o r m e r l y i t was ar e d fo r , a nd fo r t h e u u r e , c f t
t
i t s d e so l a i o n wil l b e g u ar a n ee d , fo r no r ai n wi ll all u po n i t t f .

f
N o w J ehova h i s c l e a rly t h e r i e nd , as h e al o ne i s l o r d o f t he r ai n .

7 T h e g r i m m e a ni ng o f t h e so ng whi c h b e g a n so e nd e r l y i s
. t
v
no w o b i o u s e no u g h , b u t I sa i ah s a e s i t i n p l ai n e r m s i n a c l i m a x t t t
o f g r e a p o wer t Th e m e n b e o r e hi m ar e t h e i ne y a r d , a nd hei r
. f v t
Go d i s t he di sa pp o i n ed Fri e nd t
H i s d i sa pp o i n m e n i s e x p r esse d . t t
i n a pl ay u p o n wo r d s wh i c h i t i s i m p o ssi b l e t o r e p r o d u c e i n E ng li sh
G t
H B o x su gg e s s fo r t h e l as p ai r r i g ht a nd r i ot b u t t h e t wo
. . t
wor d s o f ea c h g r o u p , so u nd i ng al m o s e x a c ly al i k e , a nd d i fl e r i ng t t
o nl y b y a si ng l e H e b r e w l e e r ( e g mi s hpat a nd mi spach) , m u s tt . . t
v tt v
h a e wri e n t h e m se l es i nd el i b l y u p o n t he m e m o r i es o f h o se wh o t
h e ar d h e m t H e l oo ked fo r g o o d g r ap es , a nd h e o u nd wi l d o ne s ;
. f
h o w li k e , y e t h o w u nl i k e H e l o o k e d fo r u sti ce ( mi shpat) and
. j
b e h o l d ! so m e h i ng h a t t t
di fl er e d li l e ( mi spach) y e t di ff e r e d tt
i nfini t el y — p e r h a p s bl o o d sh e d ; fo r r i g hteou sness , a nd b e ho l d !
v
( a e r y si m il a r wo r d) a cr y , t h e cr y o f h o se u nr i ghteou sl y o pp r e sse d t .

f t t f
T h e e f e c o f hi s ski l u l p ar a bl e m u s h a e b ee n s a r li ng , a nd t v t t
was no d o u b i r r i a i ng t t t
Go d o r bi d ! ( L u k e 2 0 :
. f
5 : 8—2 . t
4 W ha t h e wil d g r a p es o f t h e p a r a b l e r eall y m e a n i s
t
i ll u str a e d i n t h e g r o u p o f wo e s wh i c h o l l o ws, se en p e r h ap s o ri g i f v
t j
nall y , h o u g h , u d gi ng b y t h e b r e i y o f so m e o f h e m , l o ng er o r vt t
sh o r er t f t
r ag m e n s a p p ear t o h a e b ee n o cc asi o nall y l o s T hi s v t .

t t
a r i s i c and p o wer u l se c i o n g i e s u s a f t
i i d g l i m p se o f c o n v vv
t t
e m p o r ar y so c i e y i n J u d ah , a nd o f t h e i c e s wh i c h c o r r u p te d i t v .

Fi r st woe ( 5 8— 1 0 ) u p o n t h e weal h y l a nd o wne r s t -

.

t t t
8 T h e e naci y wi h whi c h t h e H ebr e w p easa n c l u ng t o hi s
. t
p o ssessi o ns i s a d m i r abl y i l l u s r a ed b y t he s or y o f Nab o th ( 1 t t t
Ki ng s B u t t h e e x i g enc i es o f p o er ty , d ue so m e i m es t o wa r , v t
57
5 9 THE B OO K OF I SAI AH

Till
there be no room and ye be made to dwell ,

Alon e i n the mi dst of the l and !

1
In mi n e ears sai th the LO RD of ho st s ,

Of a truth m any ho uses shall be d eso lat e ,

Even g reat and fai r wi thout i nhabi tant , .

For t en a c res of vi n eyard shall yi el d o ne b ath ,

And a hom er of seed shall yi eld but an ephah .

Woe unto the m tha t ri se up early in t he morni ng ,

That th ey may foll ow strong dri nk ;

That tarry lat e i nto t he ni ght ,

Till wi n e i nfla me th e m
And th e harp and the lut e the tab ret and the pi p e, ,

And wi ne ar e i n thei r feasts ,

1 C r these thi ngs have been heard i n the

. ears o f the Lord o f hosts .

wo ul d c o m pel h i m to c e de hi s p r ope r t y t o
m en o f weal t h , wh o wo ul d
t v
ak e ad a nta g e o f t h e si u a ti o n t o t
oi n h ou s e to h ou se a nd l ay j
fi el d to fi el d t
i ll t he p oo r be i ng r e d u c e d t o t h e p o si i o n o f d e
, , t
p e n d e n s o r st
l a es v , t
h er e was no mor e r oo m fo r any b u t h e m se l e s , t v
a nd t
hey wer e settl ed al one i n the la nd M i c ah si m i l ar l y .

d e no unc es t he u nsc r up ulo u sne ss o f m e n o f we al h and p o we r t .

9 , 1 0 T he c all o u s l a nd o wne r s hi nk h e y m ay c o n i nu e su c h
.
-
t t t
t t t t
c o nd uc wi h i m pu ni y ; he y ar e t o o d ull t o he ar t he di i ne wo r d v
o f d oo m p ro no u nc e d u p o n i t B u t t he sh ar p ea r s o f I sa i a h h ea r
.

it . Je ho va h h a s
—
p e r h a p s we s h o uld a dd r eveal ed hi ms elf ( c f .

2 2 : 1 4) o r w
s or n
— i h mi ne ear s , h a t h e e nd o f h ese hi ng s i s t t t t
t
d eso la i o n, fo r t he l a nd will b e c u r se d wi h b ar r e nness a t
ho mer y i el di ng o nl y an epha h i e o ne e n h p ar o f t h e se e d so wn,
. .
-
t t t .

q
T he bat h wa s a l i u i d m easu r e e u al t o t h e e p h a h , a b o u ei g h o r q t t
t t t
ni ne g a ll o ns ; a nd h i s was al l ha wo ul d b e y i e l d e d b y t en acr e s ,
t he wo r d r e nd ere d acr e m ea ni ng t h e l a nd h a t wo o x e n c o u l d t t
p l o ug h i n a d a y T he p u ni sh m e n i s i n k i nd : t h e ar m l a nd s
. t f
j t
un u s l y se i z e d p r o e p r o fit l ess v .

S econd woe ( 5 1 1— 1 3 ) u po n t he d e o e es o f d ri nk a nd pl eas v t

ur e .

11, 12 D r i nki ng i n t h e m o rni ng was er y u nu sual a nd sp e ci all y

. v
di sg r ac e ul ( c f f
E cc l 1 0 : 1 6 f ; Ac t s
. T h e c ar o u sal s ar e
. .

a cco m p ani e d b y m u si c a s i n Am o s s c o m p a ni o n p i c u r e ( 6 : 5
’
,
t
a nd h a d t he e f e c f t
o f d r o wni ng t h e m o r al and spi ri ual se nse t .

58
5 THE B O OK OF I SAIAH

And m ean man i s bowed down and t he great man

t he ,

i s humbled ,

And the eyes of t he l ofty are humbled

B ut t he L O RD of ho sts i s ex al t ed in judgem ent ,

And God the H oly O ne i s san c t ifi e d i n ri g ht eou sn ess .

Then shall the lam bs f e ed as i n th ei r pastur e ,

And the wast e p la ces of the fat on es sha ll wande rers

1

eat .

Woe unto them tha t draw i n i qui ty

Wi th cords of van i ty ,

And si n as i t w ere wi th a cart rope

That mak e speed let hi m hast en
say ,
!
Let hi m ,

Hi s work that we may see i t ,

And let t he c oun se l of t he Ho ly O ne of I srael draw n igh

And c om e th at we m ay know i t ,

Woe unto them that ca ll evil good ,

And g ood evil

1 C r lambs
. .

1 5, 16 . v
T he se e r se s e sp e c i all y 1 5 , ar e p r o b abl y a l a e r i nse r i o n
, t t .

V s 1 5 wea k e ns t he e fl e c t o f t he p r e c e d i ng
. e r se , a cc o r d i ng t o v
wh i c h t he p eo p l e a r e al re a d y p l u ng e d i n o S heo l , b e si de s b e i ng a t
r e m i ni sc e nc e o f 2 : 1 1 17 The hol y God sho ws hi m self hol y i n
,
.

r i g hteo u sness , i e b y hi s r i g hteo us a c t o f u d g m e n u p o n t he wi c k e d

. . j t
ci yt .

Fo ur th wo e ( 5 1 8 , 1 9 ) u p o n t he sc e p i c s t .

18, 19 t
Wi h t h e si n i s i n i m a el y bo u nd u p t he pe nal y ; a nd
. t t t
t t t f
hi s , h o u g h he y o nd l y i m ag i ne i t wi ll ne e r c o m e ( v s hey v . t
t
a r e a c ua ll y d r a gg i ng o n p ul l i ng i t o war d s h e m , as i t we r e wi h
,
t t , t
r o pe s t
Th e y a r e sc e p i c s who wi ll no t be l i e e i n t h e u d g m e n
.
,
v j t
u n il t they s ee i t ; a nd h ei r sc e p i c i sm i s p assi ng i n o sc o r n : t t t
t
l et God m a ke haste ! I i s p ossi b l e ha t h e c o nc l usi o n o f hi s wo e t t t
a nd o f t h e ne x t
t wo ( ther efor e, e t c ) h a s b e e n l o s . t .

Fifth woe ( 5 2 0 ) u p o n h ose wh o su b e r t h e m o r al o r d e r t v t .

20 t
To h ese m e n g o o d a nd e i l h a e no ab so l u e m e a ni ng
. v v t .

t
Th a i s g o o d whi c h i s g o o d i e p r o a bl e fo r he m , ho ug h i t m ay ,
. . fit t t
t t
be a b sol u el y b a d , e g h e i r r u hl ess a b so r p i o n o f t he p r o p e r y o f
. . t t t
t h e po o r ( vs .
’
G
o o d ne ss , i n I sai a h s se nse o f so c i al us i c e j t
60
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

That put darkness for light ,

And li ght for darkn ess ;

Th at p ut bi tt e r for sw ee t ,

And sweet for bi tt e r

Woe unto th em th at are wi se in thei r own eyes ,

And p rudent i n thei r own sight

Wo e unto the m th at are mi g hty to dri nk wi n e ,

And m e n of stre ngth to mi n gle strong dri nk

Wh i ch ju sti fy the wi ck e d for a reward ,

And t ake away t he ri ght eou sness O f t he ri ght eous

from hi m
Th e r efor e as the tongu e of fire d evouret h t he stubble ,

And as t he dry g ra ss sinketh down i n t he flame ,

So th ei r root sh all be as rott e nn e ss ,

And th ei r blo ssom sh all g o up as du st

B e c au se th ey h ave rej e c t e d t he law of t he L O R D of ho sts,
And de spi sed the word of the Ho ly One of I srael .

m eans s weetness and li g ht; in j u ti ce

s i s bi tte r ness and
d a r k ness .

S i x th woe ( 5 2 1 ) u p o n t h e m e n o f c o nc e i e d i n el l i g e nc e t t .

21 . Th ese were p r o b a bly p o l i ti c i a ns, wh o u r ne d a d ea e ar t o t f

t t t
t h e p r o p h e i c r u h s o n whi c h su c h m e n a s I sai a h i nsi s e d t .

S eventh woe ( 5 2 2 — 2 4 ) up o n c or r up u dg es tj .

22 . t t
T h e sen i m e n o f v s 2 2 h a s o cc u r r e d al r ea d y ( v s
. .

t t
a nd t h e c o nne c i o n b e ween d r u nk e nness a nd t h e m al a d m i ni st r a
t j t t t t
i o n o f u s i c e , ho ug h h o r o u g hl y i n e lli gi bl e , ail s t o c o nc e n r a e f t t
a tt t
e n i o n u p o n t h e si ng l e si n, as t h e o h er wo es d o ; t h e p l a c e o ft
vs . 2 2 h as t
he r e o r e b e e nf u e s i o ne d q t
Th e m e n wer e mi gh ty , .

her o es , a t t h e wi ne b o wl (Am o s 6 : -
h e y c o u l d spi c e t h e wi ne t
a nd d r i nk i t v
ali a n l y t .

23 . t t
J u s i c e was b o u g h and sol d o ne o f t he r o o e i ls of -
t v -

t
O ri e n al so c i e y ( 1 : 2t Fo r a b r i b e h e y a c ui e d t h e g u il y t q tt t
( t h e m an who wa s i n t h e wr ong) a nd c ond e m ne d t h e i nno c e nt
( t h e m a n wh o was i n t h e r i ght) .

24 . t
T hi s a nno u nc e m e n o f d o o m se r es fo r t h e c o nc l u si o n no t v
o nl y o f t h e l a s t
wo e , b u t o f t h e wh ol e g r o u p T h e si nne r s sh all .

t
p er i sh as q u i ckl y as s u bble i n t h e fl a m e , t h e c r a c kli ng o f whi c h
o ne ca n h e a r i n t h e H e br e w wo r d s wi h h ei r m ul t i pli e d sh t t
Th e g
.

61
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

A For ei gn Ar my i s Comi ng ( 5 25 30 )
Therefor e i s the anger of t he L O RD ki ndl ed agai nst hi s
eO l
p p , e

And hath stre t ch ed fort h hi s hand ag ai nst them

he ,

and h a th smi tt en th em ,

And the hi ll s di d tremble and th ei r car cases were ,

As refu se i n t he m i dst of the str ee ts .

Fo r all thi s hi s ang e r i s not turn e d away ,

B ut hi s hand is stret ch ed out still .

me t a pho r wh i c h d e sc r ib es ho w br a nc h, th ey p e r i sh , r oot a nd
t
c ha ng es i n t he ne x c la use The c l a use because they r ejected , e t c , . .

v
wh i c h se e m s e r y g e ne ral fo r so c o nc re e a c o n ex , m ay b e i h t t t
t v
,

e nd e d a s a c o m p r e he nsi e s u m m a r y o f a l l t he si ns d e no u nc e d ;
t
th e l awof J eh ovah wi ll he n b e t h e p r o p h e i c i ns r u c i o n ( c 1 t t t f .

T hi s g r o u p o f woes wh i c h i s e r y ski l u ll y c o m p o se d , sho ws h o w

, v f
t
s r i k i ng l y t he v
i c es o f o ne ci i li z a i o n r e se m b le hose o f a no he r v t t t .

q t
The l a nd ue s i o n and t h e dr i nk u es i o n bel o ng a s r uly t o o u r q t t
wo r ld a s t o I sa i a h s
’
The pa ra g r ap h i s h a u n e d , t o o , by a se nse
. t
o f ne m e si s : t he l a nd u n u s l y a c ui r e d wo u ld b e c ur se d wi h j t q t
b rr e nness, a nd t he e nd o f t he wi ne d r i nke r s wo ul d b e h ung er a nd
ta
-

l i rst .

5 : 2 5 3 0 T hi s p i e c e , b e g i nni ng wi h ther efo r e ca n h ar dl y be

— . t
t
t h e c o n i nu a i o n o f t he l as t er se , whi c h b eg a n si m il ar ly ( c v ss tv f . .

13, As t he e nd o f v s 2 5 .

For all thi s hi s a nger i s not t u r ned away ,

'

B u t hi s ha nd i s str etched o ut sti l l ,

f o r ms t h e e f r a i n f t h g e t p o m ( 9 8 — 4 ; c f 9
r o e7 r a e : 10 : . : 12, 1 ,

i t h s bee n c nj c t u r d wi t h m u c h p b bili t y t h t i t eall y b

a o e e ro a a r e
l ng s t t h t p oe m t o whi c h i nd d wi t h i t d fi ni t e nno nc
o o a , ee ,
s e a u e
m nt o f t h i nv i o n o f J u d h by a f
e e i g n a m y i t w u ld f m
as a o re r ,
o or a
v y p w rf ul c ncl usi o n E v n so t h p i t i n o f t he se c t i n
er o e o . e e os o o

5 : 2 5 3
— h we v 0, i t c a m e t o be wh
o i t n w i i by no m n
er e re o s, s ea s
i n p p o p ri t
a r I t h o w ho w t he w
a e nno u nc d i n t h e
s vi o us
s oe s a e re
c t i o n e t o be x e c u t d a nd fi ll t h m wi t h v y t r i b m ean
.

se ar e e ,
s e a er e r e
mg .

t t
B e hi nd hi s p i c u r e o f d e s r u c i o n m ay l i e I sai ah s ex peri
25 . t t ’

e nc e o f t he e ar h u a k e ( Am o s 1 t T h e h i lls se e m e d t o o p pl e t
v
o er , a nd wh e n t
e l i i ng r e c o e r e d r o m t h e sho c k v h e r e l ay t h e v f t
f ( A S m i h , I sa i a , t t t G t
fi
d ea d , fl u ng li k e r e u se a b o u t h e s r e e s . .

Vol I , p . B u t t he h a nd i s s i ll u p li e d t o s ri k e a y e t m o e
. t ft t
62
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

And he wi ll li ft up an en si gn to t he nati on s from far ,

And will hi ss for th em from the end of t he earth

And behold th ey sha ll c om e wi t h sp eed swi ftly
, ,

Non e shall be weary nor stumble amon g th em : ,

Non e shall slumber nor sleep -

N ei th er shall t he gi rdle of th ei r loin s be loo se d ,

Nor t he lat ch et of thei r shoe s be b rok en

Who se arrows ar e sh arp ,

And all th ei r bows be nt

Th ei r hor ses hoof s sh all be c ount e d li k e fli nt
’

And th ei r wh eels lik e a whi rlwind

Th ei r ro ari n g sha ll be lik e a li on ,

Th ey sh all ro a r lik e young li on s ye a th ey sha ll roar , ,

And lay hol d of the pr ey and carry i t aw ay safe , ,

And the re sh all be non e to d eli ve r .

And they shall ro ar ag ai n st the m in th at day lik e the

ro a ri n g of t he sea
And if one look unto th e land behol d darkn ess and ,

di stress ,

1
And t he light i s dark en ed i n t he cloud s th ereof .

1 Gr . 0 111 . a nd the l i g ht i s da r kened , an d r ea ds sim p l yi n thei r perpl ex i t y .

t bl o w ; wh a
er r i bl e t t t
h a wil l b e b e c o m es c l e a r i n t h e sp l e nd i d
t
d e sc r i p i o n o f t h e Assy r i a n ar m y h a o ll o ws I sai a h d o es no t t t f .

t
i nd e e d na m e h e m h e r e any m o r e h a n Am o s d o e s i n 6 : 1 4 , b u t t
t h e r e i s no m o r e d o u b h e r e h a n h e r e t t t .

2 6 —2 9 v
J e h o a h wi ll r ai se a m ili a r y si g nal , a s a r e nd e z o u s, t o a
. t v
f
nati on r om afar , i e t h e Assy r i a ns, a nd hi ss t o h e m , as a b e e
. . t
tt
k e e p er t o a r a c hi s b e e s ( c 7 t f .

t t
And b e h ol d ! W i h hi s ap p e al t h e m a g ni c e n d e sc r i p i o n o f fi t t
t h e Assy ri a n h o s c o m m e nc es t t
h e i r r a p i di y o f m o e m e n , h e i r t v t t
t
u n we ar i e d p e r si s e nc e , t h e e xc e l l e nc e o f h ei r d ea d l y we ap o ns, t
v t
t h e i n i nc ibl e r u sh o f h e i r h or se s a nd c h a r i o s , h e i r h u nd er o u s t t t
t
ro ar as h e y l e a p u p o n h e i r p r e y t .

v t t
3 0 T h i s e r se h e i g h e ns t h e e r r o r o f I sr a el s d o o m , d e sc r i b e d
.
’

i n vs 2 9 . f t
no t o nl y d e ea , b u t d i s r ess a nd d ar k ne ss As t h e t .

63
 THE B O OK OF I SAIAH

CALL ( Ch ap 6)
THE P ROP HE r
’
s .

6 . In the year that Ki ng U zzi ah di ed I saw the Lord

si tti ng upon a throne hi g h and li ft ed up and hi s tr ai n , ,

tex t ,
h o we ve r, a p p e ar s to be so m e wha t c o nf u se d ( c f . t he G r e ek
v i ers o n ) ,
a nd t he ve t
r se s r o ng l y r ese m bl e s
i t ha s b e e n su p 8 : 22,

p o se d b y so m e t t
t o b e a l a e r i nse r i o n, c o nsol a o r y t o I sr a e l , d e t
c
s r ibi ng t he a f t e o f t h e A ssy r i a n
!
O e r hi m h e r e s ha ll b e a . v t
r o a ri ng , e t c . t
Fo r a p oe i c a l r a nsl a i o n o f hi s p a ssag e , seet t t
I t
n r o d u i o n, p 1 3 ct . .

C ha 6 Th e r e a r e fe w h i ng s m o r e i m p r e ssi e i n l i e r a u r e t v t t
t p cc
. .

t han t
i s a o u n o f t he i na u g u r a l i si o n o f sai ah I n fe w a nd v I .

si m pl e wo r d s he l ea d s u s i n o t h e a u g us p r e se n e o f t h e L o r d wh o se t t c
g l o r y l l s t hfie w h o l e ea r h ,
h e l e s u s h ea r t h e m u si o f t t
h e h o i r of t c c
c
t he se ra hi m , he a rr i e s u s, so fa r as h u m a n wo r d s m a y , i n o t h e t
c t
se r e 0 hi s a ll a nd c c c t
o nse r a i o n, a nd t h e m y s e r i o u s a m o sp h e r e t t
t
o f t h e s u p e r na ur a l li es a b o u t he wh o l e wo nd e r u l s e ne t f c .

x ct
We sho ul d e pe t he s o r y of t he all , whi h a m e a t t h e be t c c c
t
g i nni ng o i hi s m i ni s ry , t o ap p ea r a t t he b eg i nni ng o f hi s bo o k .

v
T he r e i s ho we e r as we ha e se e n, a e r a i n p r o p ri e y i n h a p 1
, , v c t t C .

f t c
a s a r o n i s p i e e ; be si d e s , i t i s p l a i n ha t h e s o r y o f t h e a l l wa s t t t c
tt
wri e n so m e i m e a e r hi s e p e ri e n e o f i t t ft
E e n i f i t be t o o x c . v
c
m u h t o say h a vss 9 t t
ar e b es e p l ai ne d as a r e r osp e f i e t x t ct v
fi t
. .

c tv
g l a n e at a r e la i e l y u ns u ess u l m i ni s r y , t h e e r y rs se n e n e , cc f t v t c
I n the year that Ki ng U z i ah di ed , see m s t o l oo k b a k u p o n h a z c t t
e env tf r o m a l a er d a y t
The ha p e r was p r o b abl y i n e nd e d t o
. c t t
t c
i n r o d u e t he g o u p o f p r o p he i es i n 7 1 9 : 7 whi h g a h er r o u nd
r — c c t
A z ha a nd t he o m i no us e e n s o f 7 3 5 B C v t . .

1 In th e y e ar h a Ki ng
. t t
i ah di e d ( 7 4 0 Uzz
T he k i ng wh o ,
c
i n t he o u r se o f hi s l o ng , b r ill i a n , a nd s u e ss u l r e i g n, h ad d o ne t cc f
c
so m u h fo r t he s e u r i y a nd p r o sp e ri y o f c
ud ah ( 2 thr o n t J C .

d i ed J
B u t e ho a h d i d no t di e ; i n h a
. v e r y y e ar , sai a h sa w hi m t tv I
a s th e Lo r d , si i ng u po n a h o ne tt t r
T h e i nvi si b l e Ki ng si s u p o n a n . t
v
e e r l a s i ng h r o net t
sa i a h d oe s no t a I
e m p t o d es r i b e h i m
. He tt t c .

d oe s no t see h i m , fo r hi s e y es a r e h u m b l y as d o wn h e sees c t
t
no h i ng b u t t h e swee p o f h i s g ar m e n s T he i si o n ak es p l a e t . v t c
i n th e t empl e T he wo r d , whi h m a y b e r a nsl a e d pal ace, h a s
. c t t
f
b ee n re er r e d t o t h e h e a e nl y e m pl e ( Ps 1 1 v
b ut i t i s m o re t cf . .

t f
na u r al t o r e e r i t t o t h e e m pl e a t er u sa l e m t
T h e y o u ng p r o p h e , J . t
t t
m e di ta i ng i n t h e e m pl e u po n hi s o u n r y s u u r e a nd hi s o wn,
’
c t f t
m ay well h a e r e e i ed hi s r e e la i o n h er ev c vI n a ny ase , t h e v t t . c
v i si o n i s col o r e d b y h i s e p er i e n e o f t he e m pl e wo rsh i p x T he c t .

m ajes t and ex al tati on o f t he Lo r d h a e al re a dy be e n p o wer ull y v f

t r ea t t
i n 2 : 1 0 —1 9 ; hi s i s o ne o f t h e l eadi ng ho ug h s o f sai a h t t I .

64
 THE B O OK OF I SAIAH

2 . filled t he t emple Ab ove hi m stood the seraphi m

.

e a c h o ne had six wi n g s wi th t wai n he c ov e r ed hi s fa ce ,

and wi th twai n h e c ove r e d hi s f eet and wi th twai n h e ,

did fly And o ne c ri e d to anothe r and sai d

.
, ,

Ho ly ho l y holy i s th e L O RD of ho st s
!
, , ,
”
The whole ea rth i s ful l of hi s g l ory .

And the foundati on s of t he thr esholds were moved

2 T h e L o r d i s si tti ng , a nd hi s m i ni s e r s, t h e ser a p h i m , ar e
. t
standi ng , t f t
h e r e o r e h e y a p p e a r ab ove hi m T h e seraphi m ar e .

no t a ng e l s T h e sa m e wo r d 15 u s e d o f t h e ser pents b y whi c h t h e

.

t
I sr aeli es we r e p l ag u e d i n t he wi l d er ness ( Nu m 2 1 : 6 a nd .

t t
wh e n we c o nsi d e r h a i n a n i u i y se r p e n s we r e c o nsi d er e d t o tq t t
t t
g u a r d t h e h r esh o l d s o f e m p l es, a nd h a a t h i s e r y i m e h er e t t t v t t
t t
was a b r a z e n ser pe n i n t h e e m p l e a t J e r u sa l e m ( 2 K i ng s 1 8 it
t t t
i s na u r al t o s u p p o se h a t he se r a p hi m o f t h e i si o n we r e i n h i s v t
t
wa y s u g g es e d t o t he i m ag i na i o n o f t he p r o p h e t
T h e y wer e , t .

v v f t
h o we er , er y d i f e r e n i n a pp ea r a nc e r o m o r d i na r y se r p e n s , a s f t
t he y h a d wi ng s v t
t wo t o c o e r h e i r a c es, fo r h e y m u s no t l o o k f t t
u p o n t h e L or d any m o r e t
h a n m a n m a y ( v s 5 ; 1 K i ng s 1 9 : .

v t t
t wo t o c o e r t h e ne h e r p o r i o ns o f h e i r b o d y , whi c h wo ul d h a e t v
t
b ee n o h e r wi se e x p o se d , a nd t wo wi h whi c h he y c o ul d fl y i n t h e t t
v t
se r i c e o f h e i r L o r d ( c vs f . .

3 T.h e i r so ng w as p r o b a b l y r esp o nsi e one wo ul d call to v

a nother fi t
t h e r s li ne ( H ol y b e i ng a ns wer e d by t h e se c o nd
( the whol e ear th T h e wo r d h oly a pp e a r s p r i m ar i l y t o h a e v
v v
i n o l e d t h e i dea o f se p ar a i o n, a nd wa s h u s a d m i ra bl y t ed , t fitt
t t t
a s a n e p i h e o f D e i y , t o e x p r e ss t h e di s a nc e h a se p a r a e s Go d t t t t
f r o m m an t f
H e i s se p a r a e d r o m , a nd ele a e d ab o e , t h e li m i
. v t v
t t
t a t i o ns o f h a whi c h i s h u m a n B u t h o u g h t h e wo r d had o r i g i
. t
nall y no m o r al c o nno a i o n , i t t t v
e r y na u r a l l y a c u i r e d o ne i n t q
t
c o u r se o f i m e H u m a n we ak ness e x p r esses i se l c o nspi c uo u sl y
. t f
f t
i n si n, a nd r o m hi s, t o o , Go d i s se p ar a e d T h a t h e wo r d h e r e t . t
v v
i n o l es a m o r al i d e a i s sh o wn b y I sa i a h s h o r r o r a t t h e c o nsc i o u s
’

t
ne ss o f hi s g u il 1n s u c h a hol y p r ese nc e As a c o nse u e nc e o f hi s . q
h o l i ne ss ( i n b o h se nse s t j t
m a es y a nd p u r i y ) hi s g l o r y l l s t h e t ,
fi
wh o l e wo r l d , h e I S L o r d al i k e o f na u r e a nd o f t h e m o r al o r d e r t .

T h e se r a p hi c so ng i s m o r e h a n a p r ay er : !
t
H all o we d b e T h y
na m e , T h y Ki ng d o m c o m e T h e e y e s o f h o se m y s e r i o u s ser
. t t
v ta n s se e b e y o nd all t h e si ns a nd c o n u si o ns o f h i s o r
y , b e y o nd t he f t
wi c k e d k i ng d o m a nd t he d ea d k i ng , t o h a e e r nal wo r l d wh er e t t t
G o d s na m e i s al r e a d y h all o wed a nd hi s ki ng d o m al r e a d
’

y co me .

f
4 T h e so ng i s o l l o we d b y a m y s e r i o u s sh a k i ng , a nd t h e e m p l e
. t t
F 65
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

Rev
. 15 : 8 at t he voi ce of hi m that cri ed and the house was filled ,

5 w i
. th s mok e T h e n sai d I .
,

Woe i s m e I for I am undon e ;

!

B ec ause I am a man of un clean li ps ,

And I dwell in the mi dst of a p eople of un cl ean

mi n e eyes have see n the Ki ng the L O RD of

For ,
”
host s .

6 . Th en fl ew one of the se raph i m unto m e havi n g a ,

1
li ve c oa l in hi s hand whi c h he had t ak en wi th t he ,

tongs from o fl t he al tar : and he tou che d my mouth

wi th it and sai d , ,

Lo thi s h ath to uche d thy li p s

!
,

And thi ne inq ui t y i s take n away and thy si n ,

2 ”
pur g ed .

8 . And I h eard t he voi ce of the Lord sayi ng ,

1 m hot stone
. . m . ex pia ted .

bega n to fil l wi h sm o ke t whe her ro m t h e al a r fir e ( v s or ,t f t .

a s D u h m h a s sug g es e d , t f
r o m t he m o u h o f t he se r a p hi m ( c t f .

E z ek 1 1 3 . t
i n e i h e r c ase , p e r ha p s a we i r d sy m b o l o f t h e di
v i ne d i spl e asu r e wi h t he t
m a n o f u ncl e a n l i p s
”
.

5 The sh aki ng , t h e so ng t h e sm o k e , a b o e all t he ho l y p r es

.
,
v ~

e nc e , t
h ro w I sa i a h i n o e r r o r t t
Acc o r di ng t o a n a nc i en i d e a , t h e
. t
si g h t
o f G od b ri ng s d ea h ( c t
Ju d 1 3 : 2 2 , E x o d 1 9 : f esp e
. . .

c i al l y d oe s t he u ncl ea n I sa i a h ee l h a he m u s p e r i sh f
B e si d es t t t .

t t
h i s o wn si n, t he ai n o f h i s e n i r o nm e n i s u p o n hi m v
h e d we ll s t
in th e mi dst of a peopl e of uncl e an li ps .

t t
6 , 7 H i s si n i s c o nc e n r a e d , as i t we r e , u p o n hi s l i p s, wh i c h ,
.

t o t h e p r o p he t
o r p r e a c h e r , c o ns i u e t h e g r ea i ns r u m e n o f tt t t t t
v
se r i c e f v
B e o r e se r i c e i s p o ssibl e , t h e si n m u s b e b ur ne d o fl
. t
t h ese t
So , wi h a hot stone , su c h a s wa s u se d i n r a ns err i ng h e a ,
. t f t
v t
o ne o f t he se r a p hi c se r a n s, who ne e d s no b i dd i ng r o m h i s L o r d , f
t f t
o u c h e d t he si n u l li p s , b ur n u p t he si n u p o n h e m , an d so l e m nl y t
t t
p r o no u nc es h a i t i s no w pu rg e d , r e m o e d , cover ed I i s i n er es v . t t t
t fi
i ng a nd o f g r ea si g ni c a nc e ha , al h o u g h t h e sc e ne o f hi s for t t t t
t
g i v e ne ss i s t h e e m p l e , i t i s e fl ec t e d wi h o u sa c r i c e t t fi .

t t
8 I i s t h e c o nse c ra e d m a n wh o h e ar s t h e di i ne o i c e , and t h e
. v v
66
 TH E B OOK OF I SAIAH

Then ai d I s ,

Lord how long ? !

,

And he an swer ed ,

U ntil ci t i es be wast e wi thou t i nhabi tant

!
,

And houses wi thout man ,

And the l and be come utt erly wa st e

1
,

And the L O RD h ave removed m en far away ,

And t he forsaken pl a ces be many in the mi d st

t he land .

And if th er e be y et a t enth in i t ,

It shall ag ai n be eat en up
2

As a t erebinth and as an oak , ,

Whose stoc k rem ain eth whe n they are felled

”
1
So t he ho ly see d is th e sto c k the reof .

‘Gr . be td t . m bur nt
. . Gr . om .

a ma n as I sai ah f ro m c he ri shi ng t o o sang u i ne h o pes as t o t he

su cc ess o f hi s mi nist ry .

11, 12 t
The ea r nes p r ea c hi ng a nd t he c all o us r e c ep i o n o f i t
. t
t t
wo ul d c o n i nue u n i l t he l a nd wa s r e d u c e d t o a desol ati on T he .

ki ng d o m o f Go d c a nno c o m e u n il hi s ob d u r a e g e ner a i o n i st t t t t
wi pe d o u t ; war a nd e x i l e wi l l d o t h e wo r k .

13 The wo r k will be we ll d o ne ; sh o ul d i t h a p p e n h a any

. t t
f t
r a c i o n o f t he p eo p l e su r i e s , vv
ha t oo wi l l , i n i t s u r n, be d e t t t
t
s ro y e d , us a s a er a j t ft
r e e h a s b e e n e l l e d , t he s u m
, t
p i s b ur ne d f t .

v t t
T hi s e r g r a p hi c s a e m e n o f t h e c o m pl e e ne ss o f t h e d est r u c
y t t
t i o n h as i t s p o i n tq t
ui e b l u n e d b y t h e l a s c l a u se , th e h oly see d i st t
f
th e stock th er eo , wh i c h i s cl ea r ly i n e nde d t o m i i g a e t he p r e t t t
j
c edi ng u dg me n ( c 2 : 1’—4 ; 4 : 2 t f I i s har dly p o ssi bl e ha
. t t t
t he v
er se c a n be I sa i a h s I n a nswe r t o t h e asse r i o n h a i t . t t t
r e se m bles h i s d o c ri ne o f t h e r e m na n t ha i s t o b e sa ed a nd t t t v
fo r m t h e nu cl e u s o f t h e ne w c o m m u ni y a nd so m a y b e I sai a h s
’
t
t t
o wn, i t m a y b e sa i d ha , b esi d es b e i ng i n c o n r a d i c i o n wi h v s 1 1 t t t .

t t t
a nd wi h t he e rr i bl e p i c ur e h a i m m e di a el y p r e c e d es i t ( v s t t t .

t he wo r d s a r e no t o u nd i n t he ree k f
e r si o n T hi s wo ul d sug g es G v . t
t t t
ha t h e a ddi i o n i s p e r hap s as l a e a s t h e se c o nd c e n ur y D C t t . .

v
I sai ah be li e es i n t he so e r ei g n y o f Go d a nd hi s c o n r ol of v t t
t
hi s o r y He b eg an hi s p r O p h e t i c wo r k wi h t he i si o n o f t he L o r d
. t v
t
u p o n hi s h r o ne ; a nd a mi d all t h e di sa p p oi n m en s, c ha ng es, and t t
68
 THE B OO K OF I SAI AH

—
THE CRrsrs or 7 35 B C . .
(7 1 9 z 7)

The P r ophet s
’
Wor d to the Ter r ified Ki ng ( 7 1 —
9)

7 . And i t c am e to pa ss in the days of Aha z th e son of

J oth am t he son of U zzi ah k i ng of J udah th at R ezin
, , ,

th e k i n g of Syr i a and Pe kah t he so n of R e mal i ah , ,

c o nf u si o ns of t he f o r t y d u r i ng wh i c h h e se r e d h i s Go d and
y e a r s v
f
hi s wil u l p e o p l e , h a t tv
i si o n s u s ai ne d hi m , i m p ar i ng t o h i s l o ng t t
t
c ar ee r so m e hi ng o f t he ser e ni y a nd m a e s y o f t he G o d who m hi s t j t
y o u ng e y es h a d se e n a t t h e b e g i nni ng , i n hi s i na u g u r al i si o n v .

7 : 1 9 : 6 T h i s g r o u p o f p r o p h e c i e s i n r o d u c es u s t o a g r ea
—
. t t
t
c r i si s i n t he h i s o r y o f J u d ah , and sho ws u s ho w d i f e r e n ly ha f t t t
c r i si s was m e t b y t h e p r o p h e ( I sai a h) and t he Ki ng (Ah az ) t .

I n 7 3 5 B C — a nd e a r li e r p e r h a p s a l so , c
. . 2 Ki ng s 1 5 : 3 7 a f .
-

t
c o m bi ne d a ssa u l wa s m ad e u p o n J u d ah b y Ar a m ( Sy r i a ) and I s
r ae l .We a r e no t e x p r e ssly o l d t h e r e aso n o f h i s a ssa u l , b u t t t t
t h er e ca n b e no d o u b h a i t wa s a n a e m p t o o r c e J u d a h t ott t tt t f
j t f
o i n a we s e r n c o n e d e r a c y wh i c h was o r m i ng t o r esi s t h e a gg r es f t
si o ns o f Assy r i a T h r o u g h h e r a m o u s e m p l e a t J e r u sal e m a nd
. f t
v
h er u nb r o k e n D a i di c d y nas y , J u d a h e n o y e d a c e r a i n s r e ng h t j t t t
t t
a nd s a bi l i y , a nd h e r p r ese nc e o r a b se nc e m ea n m uc h t o t he t
f
c o n e d e r a c y J u da h was no t u nna ur all y er r i e d by t he assa ul ;
. t t fi t
t
t h e h ea r o f ki ng a nd p eo p l e sh o o k as sh a k e t h e o r e s r e es b e f tt
f o r e t h e wi nd (I s a nd Ah a z , i n hi s a nx i e y , b e g i ns t o
. t
t t
c h er i sh ho ug h s’ o f c alli ng i n t he p o wer u l ai d o f Assy r i a ( 2 Ki ng s f
I sai ah s a e m p t o di ssu a de hi m wi nesse s as s r o ng l y tt t t t
t t
t o hi s p o l i i c al sa g a c i y a s t o hi s r e l i g i o u s a i h T h e p r o p h e f t . t
t t
sa w h a , i n a ny c ase , t h e Ass ri a n wo u l d i n hi s o wn i n er e s m a r c h
y t t
a g a i ns t t
t h e we s er n na i o ns h a we r e p l a nni ng t o d e y hi m , so t t t f
t t
h a J u d a h , i f o nl y sh e k ep uie (7 h a d i n r e al i y no h t q t t t
f f
i ng t o ear r o m Ar a m a nd I sr a el ; a nd u r h e r , t h e r e u e s o f f t q t
v
Ah az g a e t h e Assy r i a n u s t h e c h a nc e h e wa s o nl y t o o anx i ou s j t
t f
t o e m b r a c e , o f i n e r e r i ng i n t h e p o l i i c s o f J u d a h t .

t
T h e e nse and g r a p hi c sc e nes ( 7 3— 1 7 ) sh o w h o w m u c h I sai ah
v t
c o nc ei e d t o b e a t s a k e i n t h e a i u d e o f Ah az , and h o w hi g hl y tt t
t
wr o u g h i s hi s so ul o er t h e c r i si s v .

C
h ap 7 i s ap pr o p r i a el y p r e c e d e d b y
. h ap 6 t
I sai ah m u s C . . t
v v
h a e h i s i si o n o f t h e L o r d up o n h i s hr o ne b e o r e h e can a c e t h e t f f
Ki ng o f J u d ah .

1 t
Thi s hi s o ri c al i n r o d u c i o n i s p r o b ab l y b or r o we d r o m 2
. t t f
Ki ng s 1 6 : 5 Th e ki ng o f S yri a ( Ar a m ) , al wa y s m e n i o ne d r s
. t fi t
69
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

k in g of I srael went up to J e ru salem to war ag ai n st ,

it bu t c oul d not pr evai l ag ai nst i t And i t was tol d .

th e house of D avi d sayi ng Syri a i s conf ederat e

1 !
2 .
, ,

wi th Ephrai m And hi s h eart was moved and the

2
.
,

h eart of hi s people as t he tr ees of the forest ar e moved

2
,

wi th the wi nd Then sai d t he L O RD unto I sai ah Go .

,

for th now to mee t Aha z thou and Shear j ashub thy , ,

-

so n at the end of t he c ondui t of th e uppe r poo l i n the

, ,

hi ghway of t he full er s fi el d ; and say unto hi m ’

,
‘
Tak e heed and be qui et ;
Fear not nei th er l et thi n e heart be faint , ,

l
Heb . r ests on (perhaps i s enca mped on ) .
2 SV tr emble (d) .

th ro ug ho u t t he p h a e b e e n t he m o r e i m po r t a n
a ssa g e , app e a rs to v t
m e m be r o f t h e c o n e d e r a c y f
Ara m ( k no wn as S yr i a i n t he E ng .

v
l i sh e r si o n) i s r o u g hl y sp e ak i ng , t he c o u n r y no r hea s o f I sr ae l ,
, t t t
wh ose c hi e c i y was D a m asc us f t .

2 . f
I s con e d e rate wi th , li t i s settl i ng down u pon, li k e swar m s o f .

i nse c s ( vs t Th e S y ri ans a r e al r e a dy i n Ephr ai m , i e I sr a el ,

. . .

p p r e a r a o r y t o h e i t
r u ni e d d e sc e n u p o n J u t
d a h w i h t h e r es ult t t t
t t t
h a t he h ea r s o f k i ng , c o ur , a nd p e o p l e a r e s ha ken as shake the t
for est tr ees befor e the wi nd ; nely sy m bo l i c o f t he e a r a nd i nsta fi f
t
bil i ty ( cf v s 9 ) o f h o se who ha e no t , l i k e I sa i a h , se e n t h e L o r d
. . v
u po n hi s t
hr o ne , a nd wh o d o no t l i k e hi m , bel i eve ( v s 9 ) i n a ,
. .

v
so e r ei g n P ro i d e nc e v .

3 I sa i a h s i s t h e o nl y he a r
.
’
ha d o es no t fl u e r He i s di t t t tt .

t
vi nely p r o mp ed to g o o ut t o m ee Aha z , who i s t o b e o und at th e t f
e nd of th e cond ui t , e tc , a p p a r e n l y a t t h e sog ghe a st c o r ner o f t h e. t
t
c i y , t o whi c h he had g o ne p r o babl y t o i nsp e c t h e wa er sup pl y i n t t
v i e w o f t he e p e c e d si eg e x
T he p r o p h e t
a k e s wi h hi m h i s so n . tt t
-
j
S h ear ash ub , who se na m e m ea ns a r e m na nt s ha ll tu r n ( i e t o . .

v
J e ho ah) , and who i s her e o r e i n hi s o wn p e r so n, e ’e n ho ug h no t f v t
wo r d s be sp o k e n, a li i ng e m bo di m e n o f I sai a h s m essa g e o f v t
j u dg m e n t
a nd h o p e fo r a be e r I sr a e l t o b e T he m ee i ng o f tt . t
v
I sai a h and Aha z i s e r y sug g es i e ; t he ai h ul a nd t h e v acill a t tv f t f
i ng , r e p r e se n a i es o f o ppo si e t tv
i e ws o f t h e wo r ld ai h i n t v f t
t h e su p r e ma c y o f Go d a nd a i h i n t h e su p r e m acy o f h u m an sc h e m f t
i ng .

4 Tak e h e e d , and k e e p cal m

. I was well e no ug h for Ah az t o . t
f
l oo k t o hi s d e e nc es, b u t h e r e was no ne e d fo r hi m t o b e fai nt t
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH 7 39

B ecau se of th ese two tai ls of smoki n g fire b r and s -

,

Fo r the fi er ce ang er of R ezi n and Syri a and of t he son ,

of Remali ah .

B ec au se Syri a h ath c oun selled evil ag ai n st thee ,

Ephrai m al so and th e so n of R e m ali ah sayi n g

, , ,

6 . L et u s g o up ag ai n st J ud ah and v ex i t ,

And let u s make a brea c h th er ei n for u s ,

And set up a ki ng i n the mi dst of i t even the son of ,

Tabeel :
Thu s th the Lord GO D
sai ,
‘
It shall not stand n ei th e r shall i t c om e to pass ,
.

8 . For t he h e ad of Syri a i s D am asc u s ,

And the he ad of D ama sc us i s R ezi n

And wi thi n three score and five y ear s
Shall Ephrai m be b rok en i n pi e c e s th a t i t be not a ,

p eople
And the h ead of Ephrai m i s Samari a ,

And the head of Samari a i s R em ali ah s son ’

.

t
hear ted , b e c a u se hi s t wo o p p o ne n s we r e li e r a ll y b u t t h e tail s , o r t
t
s u m p s, o f sm oki ng fir e b r and s , a l r ea d y e x h a u s e d h r o u g h o r m er t t f
t
war s wi h t h e Assy ri a ns a nd i nc a p a b l e no w o f k i nd li ng a bl a z e i n
J u d ah P e k ah th e son of R em ali ah , who assassi na ed hi s p r e
.
,
t
d e c e sso r P e k a hi ah ( 2 Ki ng s IS a u s u rp e r , t o o c o n e m p ibl e t t
v
e e n t o m e n i o n b y na m e t .

6 T h ei r p l a n was t o br ea k i nto J u d a h , a nd t o o er h r o w t h e
. v t
t tt
d y nas y , se i ng u p , i n p l a c e o f Ah a z o ne wh o se na m e t h e so n ,

o f Tab e e l su g g e s s h a t t t
h e wa s a Sy r i a n W i h a S y r i an k i ng , . t
J u d ah wo ul d b e m o r e easi ly c o er c e d i n o t h e c o n e der a c y t f .

7 B u t th e Lo r d J eh ovah h a s hi s p l a ns, a s we l l a s t h e t wo ki ng s ;
.

i n hi s nam e , I sa i a h a nno u nc e s h a h e i r p l an i s d o o m e d t o t tt
2? 1
11
a1 u r e .

t t
8 , 9 T h e r hy h m a nd t h e h o u g h o f h ese e r se s i s i n er r u p e d
. t t v t t
c c
b y t h e se o nd l a u se o f v s 8 , whi h , wi th a d e fini t e ne ss u nu su al ,
. c
c
i f no t u np a r a l l el e d i n p r o p h e y p r o p er , anno u n e s t h e d e s r u i o n c t ct
of I t
sr ae l s na i o nal e i s e n e wi h i n si
’
x t c t
y fiv e y ear s ( i e ab o u xt -
. . t
670 B . c
Th e p assag e a p p ea r s t o b e a l a e i nser i o n, h a i ng l n
. t t v
v t ct f
i e w t h e i n r o d u i o n o f o r e i g n o l o ni s s t o S a m ar i a b y E sar c t
h a d d o n ( 6 8 1— 66 8 B C ; E z r 4 : o r p o ssi bl y
. . hi s su e sso r
. cc
71
 THE B OO K OF I SAI AH

If y e wi ll not beli eve ,

Surely ye shall not be establi shed .

The Gr eat Refusal and the S i gn ( 7 —

10 1 6 )
10 , 1 1 And the L O RD spak e ag ai n unto Aha z saying Ask
.
, ,

th ee a si gn of the L O RD thy God ; ask i t ei th er in the

Ass ur bani pal ( Ez r .

4 : Wh e n t hi cl s a u se is r em o v ed ,
we ar e
le ft wi t h fo u r r hy t hmi c li nes, whi c h E wal d p r o p o se d t o c o m pl e t e
by addi ng :
B u t the head of J ud ah i s J er usal e m ,
A nd the head of J er usal em i s J ehova h .

t
T hi s i s a t a ny r a e t h e se nse o f t h e p assa g e Why sh o ul d J u dah .

f t
b e a r aid o f t wo c i i e s who se k i ng s we r e b u t t h e s u m p s o f sm o ki n t
fir e b r and s , wh i le he r Ki ng was J e h o a h o f Ho s s, a nd h er c ap i a v t t
t
wa s t he c i y o f t he g r ea Ki ng ( Ps 4 8 : t .

If y e wi ll not b eli eve , sur e ly y e sh all no t b e establi sh e d I is a . t

p i t t t
y h a t h e b r e i y a n d t h vt
e a sso n a n c e ( c 5 : 7 ) o f t h e H e b re w f .

wo r d s a r e so di fli cul t t o r ep r o d u c e T he g e ne r al e fl e c t m i g h b e . t
g i v e n h u st: N a f a i t h ,
no fi x i ty T h i s i s o n e o f t h e g re a
. e s w o r d s t t
i n t h e B ible t
T he se c re o f s a bili y i s r u s i n t he i n i sibl e
. t t t t v
Ki ng t
Ahaz has no t hi s r us , h er e o r e he i nspe c s h i s wa er
. t t t f t t
su ppl y wi h ear a nd t f t
r e m bli ng , b e hi nk s h i m o f a c o ali i o n wi h t t t
t
t h e Assy ri a ns , a nd h i s he a r sh ak es l i k e t he l ea es o n t h e o r e s v f t
t r e es ; he i s d i sestabl i shed I sai ah le ans u p o n hi s Go d , ”sees hi m
.

as t he g r ea t C t
o n r o ll er o f hi s o r y , a nd h e i s ui e , t s r o ng , q t t
establ i s hed t
Fai h i s t he se c r e o f fix i t y , s ab i l i y , r m ness
. t He t t fi .

v v
who r ea ll y be li e es i n t h e o e rr ul i ng P r o id e nc e o f Go d wi ll al way s v
t
be e s abl i she d .

A nd c h ovab s ak e sh o u ld p r o b abl y b e And I spake

1 0, 1 1 .
p .

I sai a h se e s t he e si t a t i o n o f Ah az , hi s i nab il i y t o ri se t o t h e ai h t f t
t o whi c h he wo u l d l i hi m ft
D e sp e r a el y i n ea r ne s , h e o fl ers t t
fi tt
.

hi m a si g n fr om J eh ovah thy G o d — a e nd e r p hr ase ed t o t

t v
wa k e d o r m a n c o e na n m e m o ri es i n t he m i nd o f Aha z t I t he . f
t v t
ki ng c a nno beli e e wh a h e d oe s no t se e , p e r h ap s he wi l l at l east
v t
b eli e e wha h e se es ; a nd hi s ai h , i m p e r e c as i t i s, m ay h el p t f t f t
hi m t o t he o h er t .

Fo r ask i t i n th e d epth , etc , we sh o uld p r o b abl y r ea d : m ake i t .

deep to S heol or hi gh to the hei ght I sai ah i s r e ady t o o er Ahaz a . ff

f
si g n r o m t h e u nd e r wo r ld o r t h e u pp er wor l d p’ r a c i c al l y a n y t
si g n h e m ay d e m a nd C
o nsi d e ri ng t h e p ro p h e s r ep u d i a i o n o f
. t t
ne c r o m a nc y ( 8 : i t i s no t li k e l y h a b y a si g n r o m S h e ol h e t t f
mea ns t he r ai si ng o f a s ha d e r o m t h e d e ad , as i n 1 S am 2 8 f In . .
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

depth or i n the h ei ght ab ove B ut Aha z sai d I wi ll .

,

not ask n ei ther will I t emp t the L ORD

,
”
And he sai d .
,

Hear ye now 0 hou se of D avi d : i s i t a small thi ng for

!
,

you to we ary m en that y e will weary my God also ? ,

Th er e for e t he Lord hi m sel f shall gi ve you a si g n ;

B ehol d a vi rgi n shall con cei v e and bear a son
, , M at . 1 : 23

a ny c ase t hi s v o l u nt ar y o ff er
, of I sai a h t o gi v Ah z
e a a si g n is a
spl e nd i d t t
i l l u s r a i o n o f t h e p r o p h e s e ar l e ss a H e k no ws t f
’
f ith .

t t v
h a h i s Go d will no t l e a e h i m i n t h e l u r c h , b u t wi ll i n e r p o se t o t
f t
h el p a we a k e r ai h t o c o n d e nc e i n hi m se l fi
I h a s b ee n c y ni c ally f . t
su g g e s e d t t t f t
h a i t was o r u na e fo r I sa i ah h a h i s c h all e ng e was t t t
no t a cc e p e d b y Ah a z t I i s c l ear , h o we e r , h a I sai a h h as no
. t v t t
t
d o u b i n hi s o wn m i nd h a t h e m i r a c l e h e o ff e r s c o u ld b e p e r t t
f or m ed ; t
b u t wh a i s m o r e t o t h e p o i n i s h a Ah az t o o h a s no t t t
d o ub t t t
H e i s su r e h a , if h e r e u e s e d i t , t h e m i r a c l e wo ul d b e
. q t
f
p er o r m e d ; h a i s wh y h e r e u ses i t t t I woul d l ea e hi m pr a e f . t v
t t t
i c al l y wi h o u e xc u se , a nd h a h e d oes no t wa n t t t .

12 Aha z d e c l i ne s t he si g n H i s a nswe r i s t h e a nswer o f a m an

. .

t t
wi h a b a d c o nsc i e nc e , h o u g h i t c a r r i e s wi h i t a c e r ai n r e l i g i o u s t t
p l a u si bi li y
—
t
I will not te m pt J e h ovah T h e r e we r e a m ili ar . f
t
hi s or i c al war ni ng s ag a i ns su c h a p r o o c a i o n o f J e h o a h ( E x o d t v t v .

17 : 2, 7 ; c D eu 6 : f t
B u t t he si g n h er e wa s o f e r e d by o ne
. . f
f t t
wh o m Ah a z el i ns i nc i el y t o b e a r u e p r o p h e , a nd h i s r e u sal tv t t f
f
wa s o nl y a r e u sal t o b e l e d i n o t h e l i g h a nd lib e r y o f ai h He t t t f t .

t f
s and s b e o r e u s as a wo r l d li ng wh o e xc u se s hi s o b s i na c y i n t he t
l a ng u a g e o f r e l i g i o u s c a n t .

13 T h e i nd i g na i o n o f I sai a h b l a z es o r h
. t
Ah az h a d no ai h , f t . f t
v
a nd d i d no t wi s h t o h a e a ny ; c o u l d no t se e t h e i n i si b l e wi h hi s v t
f
o wn e y e s a nd r e u se d h a whi c h m i g h h a e h el p e d h i m t o a a i h
,
t t t v f t
in it Ki ng a nd c o u r
. t h e h o u se of D avi d t
wer e i n e c e d b y f t
t h e sa m e sp i r i t
I sai a h ha d o e n ap p r o a c he d h e m b e o r e as a
. ft t f
t
m a n wi h wo r d s o f wi se c o u nse l , b u t h e r e h e i s c o nsc i o us o f be i ng
c o m m i ssi o ne d b y t he m o s hi g h Go d I i s Go d wh o m h ey ar e t . t t
wear yi ng , a nd no t m e r el y h i s h u m a n se r an A hi s m o m en v t . t t t
v
G o d i s i n a e r y sp e c i al se nse b e h i nd hi s p r o p h e ; h e c all s h 1m t
Ah a z s G o d no m o r e ( v s
’
m y Go d .

14 t
Th e i ndi g na n I sai a h no w h r u s s a si g n u p o n t h e r el u c a nt
. t t t
c
a nd i n r e d u l o u s A ha z — a si g n , t o o , whi c h sh a l l h u m b l e h i m , fo r
t t
i t wi ll sh o w h a so m e a m o ng h i s p eo p l e ar e no t so i nc r e d u l o u s
as h e t t
I i s t h e m i g h y Lor d , no t t h e g r ac i o u s J ehovah, wh o g i e s
. v
t h e si g n An e ndl e ss c o n r o e r sy h as g a h e r e d r o u nd hi s si g n,
. t v t t
t
b u t t wo o r h r ee hi ng s a r e p r a c i c al l y c e r ai n t ( a) O ne , i s h a t t . t t
t h e wo r d r e nd er e d vi rgi n wo u l d b e m o r e a d e u a el y r end er ed , as q t
73
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

And shall ca ll his name Immanuel .

15 . B utt er and honey shall he eat ,

When he knowe th to refu se the evil and choose the g ood ,

.

For before the chil d shall know to r efuse the e vil and
'

16 .
,

choo se the g ood ,

i n SV m g , by mai d en; t h e wo r d i m pli es a y o ung wo m a n o f m ar

.

ri ag e abl e a g e , wh e he r she i s m ar ri e d o r no t t
( b) Ag ai n, as i n .

Ge n 1 6 : 1 1 , t he sa m e He b r e w wo r d s a nd c o ns r u c i o n ( B ehold ,
. t t
tho u ar t wi th chi ld a nd s hal t bear a son) a re u se d o f H ag ar wh o i s
t
al r ead y wi h c h i l d , so h a t h e c hi l d all u d e d t o i n h i s t t
er s e m ay b e t v
v
al r ea d y c o nc e i e d ; i n a ny c ase , S y ri a a nd I sr ael ar e t o b e r a ag e d v
i n war wh i l e t h e c hil d t o b e bo r n i s s i l l e r y l i l e ( vs 1 6 ; c 8 t v tt . f .

t t f t t
I i s clear , he r e o r e , ha he m u s be lo ng t o t he i m m ed i a e u ur e , t t f t
t
a nd he r e can b e no a l l u si o n t o t h e bi r h o f t h e M essi ah o er se e n t v v
t ft t
c en uri es a e r hi s d a e Du h m has r e nc h a n ly ar g u ed ha t he t . t t t t
fi
r e al si g ni ca nc e o f t h e si g n li es no t so m u c h i n t h e c hil d a s i n hi s
na m e T hi s na m e doe s no t i m p ly h a t h e c hil d wo ul d b e God
. t t
t
i nc ar na e ; i t i s, li ke so m a ny o her H eb re w na m e s c o m p o u nd ed t
t
wi h Ja h o r E l , a sentence , whi c h e m bo d i es a c o n e ssi o n o f a i h ; f f t
Wi th us (i s) God The wo r d s ar e t he sa m e a s ho se ad d r essed by
. t
Sa m uel t o Sa u l ; God ( i s) wi th thee ( 1 Sa m 1 0 : a nd r e c all t h e .

f
r e r ai n o f P 3 4 6 ( J ehova h of Hosts i s wi th u s)
. T he p o i n i s h a . t t t
f t
t h e d e ea o f Sy r i a a nd I sr ael a t t he h and s o f Assy r i a i s i m m i ne n , t
t
a nd m o h e r s , i nsp i r e d b y h a t tf t
ai h i n G od whi c h t h e i nc r e d ul o u s
Ahaz l a c k s, wi ll c al l he i r c hild r e n I mm a nu el ( Wi h u s i s Go d) t t .

t
W he n di sas er c o m es u p o n ho se t wo l and s, a nd t h e na m e o f t
f
I m m anuel alls u po n t he e ar s o f Ah az , h e n h e wi ll b e r e m i nd ed o f t
t t
h i s m ee i ng wi h I sa i a h , h e wi ll be c o m p e ll ed t o a c k no wl e d g e t he
r ea so na bl e ness o f t h e p r o p h e s d e m a nd fo r
’
a i h , a nd h e will be t f t
sh a m e d b y t he ai h o f hi s o wn s u b e c s f t
T he H e b r e w the m ai d j t .

t
i s p r a c i c all y e ui a l e n t o a m aid q v t
a nd , as D u h m r e m ar k s,
t
si nc e no p a r i c u l a r wo m a n i s na m e d , p r o b a b l y no ar i c ul a r wo t
m a n i s i n e nd e d t
Gr ess m a nn h o we er , has r e c e n y sh o wn i t t o
. v t
t t ft
be p ossi b le h a a e r a ll I sa1a h i s he r e ad ap i ng a n a nc i e n Se
, , t t
t t t
m i i c r ad i i o n o r o r a cl e o f t h e b i r h o f a wo nd e r ul b o y wh o wa s t f
t
t o e m a nc i p a e h i s p e o p l e a nd u she r i n a n e r a o f p r o sp er i y ,
t .

t t t
I sa i ah bo l d l y c la i m s ha hi s anc i en p r o p he c y i s t o be ul ll ed t f fi
no t i n t he r e m o e , b u t i n t he i m m e di a e u u r e t t f t .

1 5 B utt er , i e so u r e d mi l k , a nd wi ld h oney , t h e p o or ar e o f t h e no
. . . f
t
m ad , ar e h ere p r o b a bl y i n e nd e d t o sugg es t he e m p o r ar y de so l a i o n t t t
b y war o f I m m a nu e l s la nd ( J u da h) Th e v s i s u su all y re g ar d ed
’
. .

as a g l o ss, m a d e u p o f e l e m e n s d e r i e d r o m v ss 1 6 and 2 2 t v f . .

16 f t
Fo r b e o r e t wo or h r ee y ea r s h a e p asse d , S y r i a a nd I sr a el ,
. v
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

Wi th a razo r that i s hi red whi ch i s in the parts beyond ,

the Ri ver even wi th the ki ng of Assyri a

, ,

The head and th e hai r of t he feet

And i t shall al so c on sum e the be ard .

And i t shall c om e to pass in that day ,

Tha t a man sha ll nouri sh a youn g c ow and two sh eep ,

And i t sha ll c ome to pas s for th e ab undan ce of milk ,

that th ey sh all gi ve he sha ll eat butt er :

For butt e r and hon ey sha ll eve ry o ne eat that i s l eft i n
t he mi ds t of the l and .

And i t shall c ome to pass i n that day ,

That eve ry pla ce wh e re th ere w ere a t housand vi n es at

a thousand si lve rli ng s ,

Sha ll even be for b ri e rs and thorn s .

Wi th arrows and wi th bow sha ll one c om e thi th er ;

B ecause all t he land sha ll be b ri er and thorns .

And all t he h ills that we re di gg ed wi th t he m attock ,

Thou sha lt not c ome hi th e r for f ea r of b ri e r s and thorn s .

B ut i t sha ll be for t he sendi ng forth of o x en and for the ,

”
treadi ng of sh eep .

hi m ( 2 Ki ng s wo ul d , li k e a r a z o r , sh ave t h e l a nd b ar e
o f c r o p s a nd p eo pl e .

21 22
,
. t
So h o r o ug h wo ul d hi s p ro c ess o f sh a i ng t b e ha v t t
t
no h i ng wo u l d be p o ssi ble b u t t h e m e a g r e l i e o f a p o o r she p h e r d , f
f
who se are was b utt e r ( i e so u r e d m i lk ) a nd wi ld h oney
. .
( The .

fi t f
r s h al o f v s 2 2 i s u su a ll y r eg ar d ed as an i n r us i o n )
. t .

2 3— 2 5 . v
T he i ne c l a d hi ll s wo u l d a lso b e r e d u c e d t o a h o wl i ng
-

t
was e o f th orns a nd hi s l es t t
So hi c k wo ul d be t h e u ng l e h a
. t j t t
t v t
wil d be as s wo ul d h a e heir h o m e h e r e , a nd h u n e r s c o m e wi h t t t
bow a nd ar row, a nd t he o nc e car e u ll y e nd e d i ne y a r d S l o p es f t v
t
wo ul d be r a m p l e d u p o n b y sh ee p a nd o x e n T h e r a a g e d vi ne s . v
t
a r e r e p r ese n e d a s h a i ng bee n v
e r y c os l y
— a sil er sh e k e lv t v
t t
each ( a b o u 60 c e n s : two shi ll ing s and si x pe nc e) .

t
I has been ha ppi ly su’g g es ed by hey ne hat thi s pr oph e c y t C t
v ft
was de li er e d a er Ahaz s app eal for assi s a nc e t o t h e Assyr i a n t
t t v
I sai a h sa w ha , wha t e er i t s i m m edi a e e fe c s m ig h b e , t f t t
76
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

The Fal l D m and S amari a (8 —

1 4)
f
o a ascus

8 . And the L ORD sai d unto m e Tak e thee a great ,

‘
t ablet and wri t e upon i t wi th t he pen of a man For
,
1
,

2 . M ah er shal al ha sh b az ; and I will t ake unto m e

— 2 - -
’

f ai thf ul wi tn esses to r ec ord U ri ah t he p ri est and , ,

Z ech ari ah t he son of Jeb ere chi ah ”

And I w ent unto
,
.

t h e proph et ess ; and she c on cei ve d and ba re a son ,

.

Th en sa i d the L O RD unto m e Call hi s nam e M ah e r ,

1 m i n common cha racter s

. .
2 Gr take . .

th e ul i m a t t e r e su l t of Ass y r i a n in t er v nti e on wo ul d assu r e d l y be

t h e d e so l a ti on of J u d ah ( 1
p r o p h e c y m u st v v t
8 1 — Th i s h a e b e e n d e l i e r e d a b o u t he
: 4 .

sa m e t
i m e as ,
— 1
6 c l ear ly
b e o r e Ah a z s a pp e al t o Assy r i a ,
’
f
aft e r wh i c h i t r e u i r e d no p r o p h e i c e y e t o q o r esee t h e al l o f t f f
D a m asc u s a nd S a m a r i a T h e e a r ne s ne ss a nd ar i e y o f t h e
. t v t
t
p r o p h e c i es o f hi s p e r i o d sh o w h o w p o we r ul l y I sa i ah s m i nd was
’
f
t t
e xc i e d b y t h e s r a i n o f t h e si u a i o n , y e t b e nea h i t all he i s c al m t t t
a nd su r e H e h as see n h i s Go d , h e u nd e r s a nd s hi s p u r p o se , a nd
. t
v
h e k no ws i n a d a nc e t h e i ssue o f t h e c r i si s .

1 As I sai ah h a d a p p e a l e d t o t h e ki ng i n a i n ( 7 :
. h e no w v
a pp eal s, t t
h r o u g h hi s a bl e wi h t h e s r a ng e i nsc r i p i o n, t o t h e t t t t
p eo p l e T h e wo r d s we r e t o b e wri e n wi th th e pe n of a c o m m o n
. tt
m an , i e i n l e er s i n e lli g ibl e t o h i m
. . tt t
M ah er sh al al h ash b az , .
- - -

tt
c r o wd e d , cl ashi ng l e e r s, u ll t o t h e d ull e s e ar s o f r u m o r s o f f t
wa r : S peed spoi l H u r r y pr ey ( -
A S m i h , I sa i a h, V o l I , p
- -
G . . t . .

t t
T h e s r a ng e i nsc r i p i o n, p r e su m abl y h u ng i n so m e c o nsp i c u o u s
p u bl i c p l a c e , wo u l d e xc i e c u r i o si y t t .

2 R e a d , wi h t h e
. r e ek t G
e r si o n , And ta ke u nto m e r el i a bl e v
t
wi ne sse s t
I n t h e na u r e o f t h e c a se , h ese wi ne sse s we r e p r o b
. t t
a b l y no p ar i c u l a r t f
r i e nd s o f I sai a h ; l e a s o f al l if ri ah i s t o b e t U
tfi t
i d e n i e d wi h th e pri e st wh o m t h e i d o l a r o u s Ah a z l a e r co m t t
m i ssi o ne d t o b u i l d a n al a r i n a cc o r d a nc e wi h t h e p a er n h e h a d t t tt
s e e n a t D a m asc u s ( 2 Ki ng s 1 6 : 1 0 O f e ch ari ah , wh o m u st Z
v
h a e b e en a p u bli c m an, we k no w no hi ng t .

. t
3 The m y s eri o u s nam e i s c o n er r e d u p o n I sai ah s ne w b o rn
’
f -

chi l d ; t h e m essag e i t i m pl i es whi c h i s no t e x pl ai ned ill vs 4 t .

t
i s i nc ar na e i n hi m ( c no e o n 7 f
I sai ah s wi e appears t o be
’
. t f
c alled th e proph etess by c o ur esy t .

77
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

4 . sh al a l
ha sh b az Fo r befor e th e chi l d shall have
- -
.

‘
knowledge to c ry My fath er and My mother
‘
, ,
’
,
’

the ri ch es of D ama sc u s and the spo il of Samari a shall

be carri ed away befor e t he ki n g of Ass y ri a
”
.

f The I nvasi on o Jud ah ( 8 5 )

8 —

And the L O RD spake unto m e y et ag ai n sayi n g , ,

Fo rasm uch as thi s peop le hath refused t he wat er s

!

Shi l oah
Th at g o softly ,

And rejoi ce in Re zin ,

And Rem alia h s so n ’

4 . f
Be o r e t he c hi ld was t wo y e a r s o f a g e ( c 7 : D a m asc u s f .

t
and Sa m a r i a , t he c a pi a l c i i es o f S y r i a a nd I sr ae l , wo u l d b e t
s po i le d by Assy ri a T he two p ar s o f t he eni g m a i c na m e r e e r
. t t f
t o t he two ki ng d o m s, who se spo i l i s h u r r i e d o ff t o Assy r i a No w .

t he m ea ni ng i s c l e ar T he m essa g e o f d e li e r anc e fo r J u d ah i s
. v
t
e sse n i al l y t he sa m e a s I sa i a h ha d al r ea d y g i e n t o t h e k i ng ( 7 v
tt f t
As a m a er o f ac , D a ma sc u s ell i n 7 3 2 , a nd al h o ug h S a m ari a f t
f t
di d no t all i ll 7 2 1 B C , t he esse nce o f t he p r o p he c y was u l ll ed
. . f fi
v t t
i n t he d e a s a i o n wr o ug h o n no r he r n I sr ae l i n 7 3 4 B C t (2 t .

Ki ng s 1 5 : T he p r e c i si o n wi h whi c h I sa i a h o r e o l d t h e t f t
f t t
a e o f hese c o u n r i es i n t he t
e r y ne a r u ur e i s er y r e m ar k abl e v f t v .

T h r o u g ho u tt
hi s c r i si s he m us ha e b ee n i n r e m ar k abl y i n i m a e t v t t
c o m m u ni o n wi h hi s Go d ( c v s t f . .

8 : 5—8 He r e , as i n 7 : 1 7 fl , i s a p r o p he c y o f ud g m e n o l l o w
. . j tf
v
i ng o ne o f d e li e r anc e : Assy r i a wi l l c o m e l i k e a fl o o d a nd d e l u g e
t he la nd . j t
T he r e e c i o n o f the wat ers of S hil oah ( vs 6 ) a p p ea rs .

o i m ply Aha z s a p e a l t o Assy ri a , a nd i s

’
he r e o re l a e r h an t f t t
g 1— 4 .
p

6 Thi s peopl e — J u d a h
. A unnel r an r o m iho n ( no w t he
. t f G
t
V i rg i n s S p r i ng ) , o n t he eas si de o f J e r u sale m , t o t he r e se r o i r at
’
v
t t
t h e so u h e a s a ng l e o f t h e ci y ; a nd t he wa e r s h a r a n, o r r a h e r t t t t t
t
went softl y l e i s u re l y , hr o ug h hi s c o nd ui r o m S p r i ng t o p o o l
, t t f
(cf . we r e th e wate rs of th e S hil oah T h e p e o p l e ar e as .

v
u nb e li e i ng as t h e ki ng ; he y r ejected the water s of S hi l oa h, o r t
t
r a h e r hi m o f who se u no b r u si e g r a c e hey wer e t he e m bl e m t v t
( Ps 4 6 . t
a nd h e y m el t i e fa i nt as we sho ul d p er h a p s r ea d ,
,
. .

t
i ns ea d o f t h e m e ani ng l e ss a nd [i n He b r e w] u ng r a m m a i ca l t
j f
r e oi ce , be or e R ez i n and P ek a h
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

Now th e refore behol d t he Lord bri n geth up upon t he m

, ,

The wat er s of th e R i v e r stron g and m any , ,

E v en the k i n g of A ssyri a and all hi s glory

And he sh all c ome up ove r all hi s ch annels ,

And g o ove r all hi s bank s

8 . And he shall sweep o nwar d i nto J udah he shall ove r
t hrow and p ass thr oug h :
H e shall r ea c h eve n to the n ec k
And th e str et chi n g out of hi s wi ngs sha ll fill
1

”
The b re adth of thy l and O I mm anu el , .

The Futili ty f
o Opposi ti on to J udah ( 8 9, 10 )
2
Mak e an upro ar ,
O ye p eoples and ye shall be b rok en
,

i n pi e c es ;
And gi ve ear , all y e of the far c ountri es
Gi rd your selves, and y e sh all be b rok en in pi eces ;
Gi rd your selves, and ye sh all be b roken in pi eces .

1 SV i ts .
2 Gr ta ke knowledge
. .

7 f If t v j ct J
h e y h a e r e e e d e ho a h , h e y will h a e
. ssy r i a ; if v t v A
t v j ct t
h ey h a e r e e e d t he g e n l e S hil o a h , h e y wi ll h a e t h e e r ri b le t v t
t c v
E u p h r a e s, whi h wi ll o e r fl o w i t s b a nk s a nd d e l u g e u dah J
v c
sy m b o l o f t h e h a o t o b e wr o u g h b y ssy r i a , a h a o so o m pl e e t A v c c t
t t ’
J
h a o nly u d ah s h e a d wi ll b e a b o e wa er v t .

Th e s r e chi ng o u t of i ts ( S V ) wi ng s , e tc
t t T hi s se n e n e i s . t c
di ffi c ul t If . t he wi ngs ar e Assy r i a i s no w
t he wi ng s of the ri v er ,

r e g ar d ed a s a b i r d o f p r e y , a nd t h e m e a p h o r i s m i x e d P o ssi bl y , t .

v
h o we e r , t h e r e e r e nc e i s t o hi s f J ehova h s) p r o e c i ng wi ng s
’
t t
a t t
h o u g h wh i c h wo u l d m o di y t h e p r e c e d i ng id e a o f u d g m e n ;f j t
f . . t
c 6 : 1 3 c I ns e ad o f thy l and , 0 I m m a nu”el , we sh o u l d p er ”

h ap s r a nsl a e t the l a nd f ot
r w i h u s i s G o d ,
a k i ng t h t
e wo r d s, t
as in vs 10, in h ei r l i er al m ea ni ng
. t t
T h i s c o ncl u d i ng p r o mi se .

of pro ec ion (c t t 2 f
2 — 4 ; 4 : 2 — 6) wo u l d b e i n t h e sp i r i
. o f t h e t wo t
fo ll o wi ng e r se s v .

8 : 9 f v
T h ese er se s ca n h a r dl y h a e b e e n sp o k e n a t t h e sa m e
. v
t i m e as t h e p r e c e d i ng h r e a o f d e as a i o n t t v t t
F o r m al l y a d d r e sse d .

t t
t o t h e na i o ns, h e y a r e r e a ll y wo r d s of e nc o u r a g e m e n t o J u d a h t .
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

10 . Take co unse l tog ether and i t shall be brought to nought

,

Speak the word and , it shall not stand ; for God is

wi t h us .

None i s to be Fear ed but Jehovah (8 11 -

15 )
For the L O RD spake thus to m e wi th a strong hand ,
and i n stru ct ed m e that I shoul d not walk in the way of
t hi s p eople , sayi ng ,
‘
Say y e not , A c onspi ra cy
! 1 ’
.

‘
C on ce rni n g
whe reof thi s people shall say
all ,
A
con spira cy
Nei th er fear ye th ei r f ear ,

Nor be i n dread thereof .

9 , 1 0 T he m ea ni ng i s : r ag e a nd p r e p are y o u r sel e s for t he r ay

. v f
as y e p l ease , y o ur la ns wi ll be r us r a e d , fo r wi th us i s God f t t
p
.

w r
The counsel a n( t h e o d ( v s 1 0) m a y r e e r t o t he i n a si o n o f . f v
J ud a h p ri m ar ily S y r i a a nd
and t he l es
sr ael I
o
p
pe a re .

B e c au se t hese o ul t c
no t b e p ro p e r l y a l l e d di sta nt, i t has
na i o ns c
f t tt
bee n i n e r r e d ha hi s p assag e , wi h i t s hi g h ho pes fo r u d ah , i s a t J
t
l a er i nser i o n t It
m ay , ho we e r , u i e wel l be a d ar i ng g ene r al i
. v q t
t I
z a t i o n, na u r a l t o sai ah i n t he e nse e m o i o n o f h a ri si s E er yt t t tc . v
t
na i o n o p po se d t o u d a h , he i s J
o n d e n , wo ul d p r o e t o be as c fi t v
m o t e nt as Sy ri a a nd sr a el : fo r El , t h e s r o ng God , i s wi h Ju
I t t
éga
8 : 1 1 H o w di ffi c ul t i t was t o ke ep o ne s head c lear a nd
-
15 .
’

o ne s hea r t ca l m i n t he c ri si s c r ea t ed b
y t he c o ali ti o n o f Sy ri a
’

a nd I sr ae l a ai nst J ud ah i s well il l u st r a t e d b
g y th i s se c ti o n : o nl y
o ne s t ea d i e d b
y J e ho v a h s mi g h t y h and wa s e q u al t o i t
’
.

11 I sa i ah has t he se nse o f b ei ng u nd er po wer f ul d i vi ne con

.

t
s r ai n t
master ed by J eho va h s ha nd
, ano h er p r oo o f t h e i n ense
’
t f t
t
e m o i o nal e x e ri e nc e s o f t h e e c ri si s ( c f
33
p p r o h e t d u r i ng t h 7 : 1 . .

v
E e n h e was e m p ed t o wal k t t
th e way of thi s peo pl e , t o e
t
ca ug h by t h e p op ul ar e xci e m en , and d epressed b y t he po p ul ar t t
v
d esp o nde nc y ; b u t t h e d i i ne ha nd k ep h1m s r ai g h t and s ea dy t t .

t .

1 2, 13 t t
T he p r o p he m u s h a e a di fe r e n o u l o o k a nd a d i fl er
. v f t t
e nt v
o c a b ul a r y r o m t h e p eo p l e f
W ha hey c all conspi racy o r . t t
t
co nfed er acy ( hi s wo r d o f AV g i e s t h e sense wel l) , h e a nd hi s v
80
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH I 7

The LORD of ho sts hi m shall ye san ct i fy ,

And let hi m b e your f ear and le t hi m be your dr ead , .

And he shall be for a san ctua ry ; but for a ston e of

stumbli ng

And for a ro c k of off en ce to both the hou ses of I srael ,

For a gi n and for a snare to t he i nhabi tant s of J eru salem .

And m any shall stumble thereon ,

And fall and be brok en , ,

And be snared and be tak en ,

.

I sai ah s P ati ent H ope (8 )

’
—
16 18

16 . B i nd thou up th e t estim ony seal the law among ,

1

17 . my di sci ples And I wi ll wai t for t he L O RD that

.
,

1 m teachi ng
. .

d i sc i p l es ( p l u r ) a r e no t t o c a l l c o n e d e r a c y
. T o a ny o ne wh o . f .

t
u nd er s a nd s t h e p u r p o se o f J e h o a h t h e c o al i i o n o f R e z i n a nd v t
P e k ah i s no hi ng t o b e a r a i d o f t f
B u t co u nt J ehova h of H osts .

the conspi r ator i t i s he a nd no t h e y h a y o u o u g h t o e a r a nd t t t t f

d r ea d H e i s t h e L o r d o f hi s o r y
.
— no t h ey T h e d i ff e r e nc e t t .

t f
be wee n sancti y a nd co u nt hi m the conspi r ator , i s , i n H e b r e w, b u t
f t
t h e r a c i o n o f a c o nso na n ; a nd t h e l a e r wo r d , wi h i t s e c h o o f t tt t
v s 1 2 , b e i ng t h e m o r e d a r i ng a nd or i g i na l , i s t h e m o r e na u r a l i n
. t
so i m passi o ne d a c o n e x t t .

14, 1 5 t
O m i t h e wo r d sanctuar y , whi c h d i s u r b s r hy h m a nd
. t t
con ex t t t t
T h e p a h o f h o se wh o d o no t , l i k e I sai ah , b eli e e i n
. v
v t
J e h o a h , and hi s c o n r ol o f hi s o r y , wo ul d b e bese b y o b s a c le s t t t
a d da g e s m a
n n r n i o l d — s o ne s t o ri pf t
h e m u p , a nd sna r es t o t t
h o l d he m as t f t
T h e i r wa y ( v s 1 1 ) wo u l d b e u nh a p py , u np r o s
. .

p o r o u s ,
d ea d l y ; a t l e a s ,
i t w o u l d b e s o fo r m an y t
N o t ,
h o we e r , . v
fo r all ; no t , fo r e x a m pl e , fo r I sa i a h a nd hi s b a nd H er e we g e t .

t
a no h e r g li m p se o f t h e d o c r i ne o f t h e r e m na n t t .

8 : 1 6— 1 8 T h e p eo p l e t o wh o m I sai a h sp e a k s ar e m o s l y u nb e
. t
l i e v er s ( v s d u ll o f h ear i ng a nd si g h ( 6 9
.
m a ny , m o s , ar e t t
t
s u m b l i ng ( v s H e wi ll d e c l a r e h i s m e ssa g e no m o r e
.
at

t
l e a s fo r a se a so n D i sa p p o i n e d wi h t h e p eo p l e , h e will wa i for
. t t t
t
hi s Go d T h a i s t h e g e ne r al se nse o f 1 6 f , b u t t h e d e ai l i s d i f c u l
. . t fi t .

16 v
T hi s er se l o o k s lik e a c o m m a nd o f J e h o a h t o I sai ah ,
. v
t t t
h o u g h i n h a c ase t h e p h r a se m y di sci pl e s i s s r a ng e B ut i n t .

v s 1 7 t h e sp e ak er i s c l ear l y I sa i a h , a nd v s 1 6 sh o u l d p e r h ap s b e
. .

G 81
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

hi deth hi s fa ce from the house of J a c ob and I will look ,

B ob . 2 : x3 18 . for hi m B ehold I and t he c hil dren whom the LO RD

.
,

hath gi ven m e are for sign s and for wonders in Isra el

from the LO RD of ho st s whi c h dw elleth i n mount Zi on .

The Awful P li ght of Unbel i evi ng J udah (8 19

—
22 )
19 . And wh en they shall say unto you , Seek unto
th em that have fami li ar spi ri ts and unto t he wi zards,

t
po i n ed t o m ea n i ll b ind u p th e te sti m on and s e al th e l aw,
Iw
e tc . Th e law i s sai ah s teachi ng (
’
I 1 1 0) r o ug ho ut t he cf
r es . t
e nt c
ri si s ( 7 : cf t
t he t e s i m ony i s t he sa m e h i ng o u si e r e d
. t c
v
a s e i d e n i al t
T h i s he will wri e , b i nd u p , sea l lik e a l e g al d o u
. t c
t c t
m e n , a nd o m m i t o hi s d i s i p l es , see i ng h a t he p e o p l e a s a c t t
t
wh o le a r e o bd ur a e , a nd u r n a d e a e ar t o h i s m e ssag e t T he f .

p hr ases, bi nd , sea l , m ay ho we e r b e m e ap ho r i al , a nd he ma y b e v t c
v
m e r e l y reso l i ng t o se t h i s m essa g e r ml y i n t he hear o f hi s d i s fi t
c i p le s c v ft
S ho la r s ha e o e n u o e d hi s p assag e a s m ar ki ng q t t
t he
fi t t
.

t c c t C
b i r h o f t he o n e p i o n o f t h e hur ch, t he r s s e p i n t he e m a n i p a c
t t
i o n o f spi r i ual re l i g i o n ro m t h e o r m s o f po li i al li e f (W f tc f .

t
R o b e r so n S mi h , P r ophets of I sr ael , p t t h e na i o n h a d t e . t
je c t e d t he m e ssag e , a ne w o m m u ni y wa s o r m e d i n whi h i t c t f c
c o ul d b e pr e se r e d a nd p e r p e u a e d v n o r u na e ly t t
fo r hi s U f t t t
fi
.

t t t v
i n e r p r e a i o n, h o we e r , t he wo r d di sci pl es i s no t so r m l y e s a b t
li she d i n t he e a s o ne m i g h t xt
wi sh u d g i ng b y t h e t r e e k v er. J G
si o n, t he o ri g i nal rea d i ng m a y h a e b ee n, b i nd t he es i m o ny ,v t t
sea l t h e i ns r u t ct
i o n, te ach i t not i n whi h a se t h e p i ur es u e c c ct q
fi g ur e s o f t h e di s i p les wo ul d d i sa pp ear c O n a ny i e w, ho we er , . v v
v t tfi
t he erse e s i es t o t he d e ep so rr o w o f sa i a h a t t h e p o p ul ar la k I c
o f r esp o nse t o h i s m essa g e ; a nd h e r e c a n be l i t
l e d o u b ha s u h tt tt t c
a m a n as I
sa i a h h a d di s i pl e s c .

17 B u t hi s so rr o w i s no t wi ho u ho p e
. t
T he d i i ne a e i s t . v f c
f t
hid d en r o m t h e p e o pl e , he y a r e t oo bli nd t o see i t ( 6 : 9 but
I sa i a h has see n i t ( 6 : and wi ll l ook for , ho p e i n, hi m
I .

18 . If I
sa i a h c
o u l d no t p rea h , he d i d no t ne ed c
H e a nd hi s .

c v
hi l d r e n we re li i ng se r m o ns , i n a r na e p le dg e s o f t h e u u r e c t f t .

T he i r r v
e y na m e s wer e el o u e n a d p
n r o p h e i q— t
I sa i a h ( Je tc
v v
ho ah sa es) , S hea r jas hub ( 7 3 , a re m na n wi ll u r n) , and M a her
-
t t
s hal al ha sh baz
-
( 8 : 1 4)
‘

p p
r o h e i o f -
m e r y a s w e ll as tc
o f c
j udg m e n t . c
H e o u ld no t l oo k o n he m wi h o u hi nki ng o f t he t t tt
f t
u u r e a nd o f G o d t h e Go d wh o se h o m e was o n m oun i on, tZ
a nd wh ose g l o r y h e h a d se e n h e r e ( 6 : t
82
 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH

22 . And t urn thei r fa ces upward and they shall l ook unto
t he eart h ,

And be hol d di stres s and darkn ess the gl oom of an gui sh ;

, ,

And i nto thi ck darkness they shall be dri ven away .

The Gr eat Del i ver ance and the Gl or i ous Ki ng (9 1 —

7)

9 . B ut th ere shall be no gl oom to her that was in an gui sh .

In t he form er ti m e he brought i nto c ont empt the

l and of Zebul un and the land of Napht ali but in the ,

la tte r ti me hath he mad e i t g l ori ous by the way of ,

the sea be yond J ordan ,

1
Galilee of the nati ons , .

c ursi ng t he ki ng who c a nno t and t h e

God wh o wi ll no t sa e he m v t .

c
I n al l di re i o ns t t
he y wi ll l oo k fo r h el p , u p t o t he h ea en, d o wn t o v
t v
t h e e a r h , b u t e e ry wher e wi ll be d i s r e ss a nd g l oo m t .

t t
9 : 1 7 T he c o n r as be we e n t he jo y o f hi s se c i o n a nd t he
-
. t t t
a ng ui sh o f t h e l as i s ery d r a m a i c t v
T h e d a r k ness i n whi c h i t t .

t
was wr appe d i s i ll u m i na ed by a g r ea li g h , t he di s r ess o f i n a t t t v
v
si o n g i es p l a c e t o t he jo y o f d e l i e r a nc e a nd i c o r y ; a nd t h e v v t
g l a d n e ss o f h ese l a e rtd a y s i s c r o wn ett
d b y t h e bi r h o f a c hil d, t
t
who , p ossesse d wi h no le ss ha n m ar ell o us g i s fo r g o er nm en , t v ft v t
t
i s d es i ne d t o si t u p o n t he hr o ne o f D a i d — a t
hro ne whose v t
t
s a bil i t t t
and pe rpe u i y ar e no w g u ara n ee d t .

1 t t f
T e r a nsi i o n r o m t h e l as se c i o n t o hi s i s m e di a e d b y hi s
. t t t t t
v e r se v
Thi s i s e sp e ci all y o b i o u s, i f we a cc e p t h e ra nsl a i o n o f
. t t t
RV B ut ther e shall be no gl oo m to her that was i n a ng u i sh, etc .

t
AV se ri o usly mi s r ansla e s t he whole er se As, ho we er , t het v . v
t t t t
l a s sec i o n had d eal wi h an i n asi o n o f J ud a h, whi l e t h e di s v
t t v
t r i c t s m e n i o ne d i n h i s e rse as r s h u m b l e d a nd h e n l i e d t o fi t t ft
h o no r b el o ng t o I sr ael , i t h as b ee n no t u nna u r ally su gg es e d h a t t t t
t v
hi s e r se wh i c h , u nlik e t h e p oe m h a o l lo ws, i s wr i e n i n p r o se , t tf tt
t
was a d de d t o c o nne c t he t wo se c i o ns , by o ne who r e err ed t h e t f
t t
d ar k ness o f v s 2 t o t h e d e po r a i o n o f t h e i nh ab i an s o f t h e no r h
. t t t
t t
e r n d i s ri c s o f I sra e l b y t h e Assy ri a n k i ng ( 2 Ki ng s 1 5
Th e sea i s t he se a o f ali l ee G
B eyond th e J or dan, i e east o f i t
. . .

G
il ead G
alil e e , r a h e r the ci c
. r u i t o f th t
e n at i o ns —
p ar o f t
t t t
t h e di s ri c l a er k no wn as ali l ee G
B o h i n Ol d a nd Ne w T es a . t t
tt t
m e n i m e s i t s p o p u l a i o n a pp ears t o ha e b ee n er y h e er o g e neo u s v v t .

84
 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH 9 4
.
O

2 . The people that walk ed i n darkness

Have seen a great li ght
Th ey that dw elt in the l an d of the shadow of de ath
1
,

Upon th em hath the li ght shi n ed .

Thou h ast mul ti p li ed the nati on ,

2
Thou hast i n c r eased th ei r joy
They joy b efor e th ee a cc ording to the joy i n harvest ,
As m en r ejoi ce when th ey di vi de the spo il .

4 . For theyok e of his b urden ,

And the staff of hi s shoul der ,

The rod of hi s oppr essor ,

Thou hast b roke n as in the day of M i di an .

1 m deep da rkness
. .
1 A Hebrew v ar i an t is thou didst no t i ncrease the joy .

2 I t was na t u r al and al m o st i ne v i t able t h at t he li gh t t h a t ar o se

.

u p o n t h e p eo p l e o f G a lil e e sh o u l d b e i nt e r p r e t e d b y J e wi sh C h r i s -

t i a ns as a pr o p h e c y o f th e ap p e ar anc e o f J e su s i n G alil ee at t he
b e g i nni ng o f hi s m i ni s r y ( M a t 4 : 1 2 t
3 T .h e r e ca n b e no d o u b hat R V — t t
Th ou h ast i ncr eas e d
t
th e r joy i s r ig h , a s ag ai ns AV (thou hast not i ncr eased the
i — t
j oy) T h e H e br e w wo r d s fo r not a nd to hi m ( T h o u has i nc r ea se d
. t
t h e jo y to hi m , i e t h e na i o n) so u nd al ik e ( v i z , l o) ; a nd t h e
. . t .

p ar all e l i sm e xcl u d es t h e p o ssi bili y o f t h e neg a i e Th i s sa m e t tv .

v
l a w o f p ar all el i sm , h o we er , su g g e s s t h e hi g h p r o babi l i y o f t h e t '

t
f o ll o wi ng t t t
r a nsl a i o n, whi c h g r e a l y i m p r o e s t he p a rall eli s m , and v
t
r es s u p on a v
e ry si m p l e e m e nd a i o n T h o u h as m ul i pl i e d t t t
the gl ad ness a nd i nc r ea se d t h e jo y T h e jo y i s d e sc r ib e d as t h e
”
.

t
k e e nes k no wn t o H e b r e w e x p e r i e nc e h ar es jo y a nd b at l e v t t
jyo ,
t h e jyo o f t h e r e a p er a nd h a o f t h e i c o r a s h e dit t
i d es t h e v t v
SpOl l

4 T he jo y i s e x p l ai ne d b y t he d e ea of t h e e nem y , i e t h e
. f t . .

Assy r i an T he yok e whi c h bur dened hi m (i e I sr ael , o r r a her

. . . t
t
J u d ah ; see no e o n v s 1 ) a nd t he stafi wi h whi c h t h e oppressor ,
. t
t
o r r a h e r tas km aster , b e a t
hi s sh o ul de r or b a c k , a re b r o k e n i n
v
p i e c es ; i t i s as a d el i er a nc e r o m a se c o nd E g y p i a n b o nd ag e f t .

t
Th e Assy r i ans ar e r o u ed a s c o m l e el y as t h e M i di ani tes wer e i n
p t
t t t
h a g r ea day , i e b a l e d a y , l n t h e o l d e n i m e s, b y
. . tt i deo n t G
( Ju d c h ap s 6
. T h e d i sc o m fit u r e o f t h e e ne m y , a nd i nd e e d all
.

t t t
t h e i nc i d e n s o f hi s se c i o n, t h e r i si ng o f t h e li g h , t h e bir h o f t h e t t
85
9 15 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

5 F
.or
1
all t he
armour of the arm ed man in t he tumul t ,

And the g arm ents rolled in blood ,

Shall even be for burni ng ,

Fo r fuel of fir e .

6 For
. unto us a c hil d i s b orn ,

U nto us a son i s gi v en
And the g overnm ent shall be
Upon hi s should er

1 m . every boot oj the booted war rio r .

child ,
e tc .
, f t
be lo ng to th e u ure ; b ut the y are desc ri bed i n the per fect
t e nse , be c a use t o t he pro phe hey are di i ne c er ai n i es tt v t t .

5 A sple ndi d e r se
. v .

For boot of the booted warr i or that thund er ed

ever y al ong,
A nd gar me nt r oll ed i n bl ood ,
S ha ll be doo med to the bur ni ng ,
F u el for the fir e .

E very t ac e r a cc tof t wa rhea vy war ri or

and i ts o u r em e n s —

boo ts a nd bl o d y c l oak s m ust v a ni h

o s .

6 Asso c i t e d wi t h t hi s d l i v e nc e a nd i ndee d t h m t bl e ssed

. a e ra ,
e os
f ea t u e o f t h h ppy d y s t o whi c h t h p ph t lo ks f r wa d
r e a a e ro e o o r ,

i s t h bi t h t he g ift (
e r h al s c ll i t ) f c hi l d n ne o t h
,
as th ne o a s ,
o a , o er a

t he M essi a ni c k i ng . O n hi s sho ul d er s the gover nment, t he

r ests

i nsi g ni a o f g o e r nm e n v t p er h a p s a r o y a l r o b e i s i n e nd e d t .

The na m e by whi c h he i s c c t o be a ll e d i ndi a e s h o w sp l e nd i d i s t

q
hi s e ui p m e n fo r t he r o y al o fi c e t Pa r i c ula r e m p hasi s i s l ai d f . t
u o n t he t wo m o s e sse n i a l
p u al i i e s,t w t
i sd o m a nd p o wer , q
a nd t
t
h i s r ul e wi ll g u a r a n ee t he peace a nd wel ar e o f hi s c ple T her e f
(hi
.

ca n b e l i tt
l e do u b tt t
h a h i s na m e i s o u r o ld , no t t h AV a nd f f
R V) fiv f
e o l d ; t he rs fi t
t wo wo r d s, W ond e r ul , ounsell or , o u g h f C t
to be a ke nt t t
og e h er , wh e he r we i n e r p r e t
t he H e b r e w as a t t
wond er of a co u nsel l or , o r one whose cou nsel i s wond erful ( p r a c i c all y t
a
wonde rf ul co u nsel l or ) And hi s s r e ng h i s as di i ne as hi s wi s
. t t v
d om T h e p hr a se M i gh ty G o d , ho we er , i s so m e wh a m i sl ea di ng ,
. v t
t
su g g es i ng a s i t d o e s t o E ng l i sh e ar s h a t h e k i ng i s G o d i nc a r na e t t t .

T h e sa m e H e b r e w wo r d s m ay i nde ed b e u sed o f Go d ( c Jer 3 2 f . .

t t
b u t , i n s u c h a c o n e x as h i s, h ei r fl a o r wo ul d b e b e er t t v tt
t
r e p r ese n e d b y so m e su c h t
ra nsl a i o n as War r i or Di vi ne, or H er o t
of S uper hu man M i g ht; t
D e i y i s i n hi m , b u t h e i s no t D ei y Uh t .

86
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

THE D OOM —r o
or I SRAE L z4 )
8 The
. Lord sent a word into J a c ob 1
,

And i t hath ligh ted upon Israel .

Gr death . .

c r u el wi ll di sa pp e ar ( 2
sy mb o l s t h e g re at Ki ng wi ll b e g i ft ed
wi t h s upe r hu m an wi sd o m a nd wi t h a st r e ng t h whi c h h e wi ll use ,

t t
i n t he i n er es s o f p e a c e ; a nd h i s hr o ne r es s se c u r e l y u p o n a m or al t t
a nd r el i gi o us o u nd a i o n f t
H i s e m p i r e i s e s a bl i sh ed and u p he l d
. t
t f t
no t b y br u e o r c e , al ho ug h t he k i ng i s di i nel y s r o ng , b u t by v t
j t t
us i c e a nd r i g h eo u sness , a nd i t wi ll b e as e e r nal a s h e y Sur ely t t .

t
i t i s no t u nna u r al t o see i n h ese g rea wo r d s a n ad u m b r a i o n o f t t t
t he e m pi r e es a bli she d b y t
h ri s C t .

9 : 8— 1 0 : 4 So m e wh a i.n t h e m a nn e r o f A m o s 4t: 6—1 2 I sa i ah

,

h er e , i n a v f
e ry po we r ul a nd ar i s i c al ly c o ns r uc ed p oe m , d e t t t t
sc ri b es t he v
ari o us bl o ws whi c h ar e t o al l o n I sra el — bl o ws f
whi c h , o n t he o ne ha nd , were i n e nd ed as c h as i se m e n , b u t whi c h , t t t
t
o n t he o h e r , wer e d esi g ne d t o b ri ng t h e pe o p l e b a c k t o t he Go d
tt
wh o h a d sm i e n h e m ( v s 1 3 ; c Am os 4 : 6 , 8 , t I n sp i e
. f . t
of t h e t
o ne o f 1 0 : 1 4— and o f t he a g u e ne ss o f t he l a ng u a g e i n
, v
9 : 8 , i t se e ms r ea so na bl y c e r a i n ha hi s m essa g e was a d d resse d t t tt
no t t o I sr ael a nd ud a h o g e he r , b u t t o I sr a el o nl y ( c t vs t f . .

As Syr i a ( Ar a m ) i s os i l e t o I sr ae l ( v s t
t h e p assag e m us h a e . t v
tt f
be e n wri e n be o r e 7 3 5 B C , whe n t h e t wo c o u n ri es u ni ed i n . . t t
t hei r assa ul u po n J u d a h t a nd i s h er e o r e o ne o f t h e t f
t
ear l i e s o f I sa i a h s p r o p h e c i es
’
I i s no t easy t o say wh e her t he t . t
f
pas sa g e r e e r s t o t h e p as , o r t h e u u r e t f t
wh e he r i t i s a d escri p t
t i o n ( a s i n Am o s) o f blo ws h a h a e al r ea d y all e n, t o b e o ll o we d t t v f f
f
b y t h e m o r e a w u l bl o w whi c h wi ll be deal b y t h e erri bl e Assy r t t
i a a m y ( fo r i t i s a l l b u t u ni e r sa lly ag r ee d h a 5 :
n r 2 6 —
30 i s t h e v t t
rea l c l i ma x o f t
hi s p assag e) , or wh e h e r i t i s a pr e di c i o n T he t t .

tt
la er se e m s t he m o r e p ro b able T he p as e nse s p r o e no hi ng ; . tt v t
t
fo r , as i n 9 : 2 —7 , hey m a y we ll be p r o p h e i c Th e a u n y o ne t . j t t
t t
o f v s I O see m s t o sh o w ha t he c a as r o p h es a ll u d e d t o i n v ss 1 2 ,
. t t .

v
1 8 , h a e no t y e t o cc ur r ed B u t so m e o f h e m , e g t he ana r c h y . t . .

a nd ci vil war i n v ss 1 8 2 0 , ar e o nl y t oo pr ob abl e

.
-
.

I sr ael will be assai led i n W ar by her Nei g hbor s ( 9 8—1 2 )

8 . Th e wor d i s t he o ra cl e ha o ll o ws u t e re d by I sai ah It i st tf , t .

al m os t er so ni fie d ( c Ps 1 0 7 : 2 0 ; f . i t has be en sent
.

a nd it s ll li gh t ( li t fall ) wi h d e adl y e f e c up o n Israel , i e no t

. t f t . .

88
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

And p eople shall know

all th e ,

E ven Ephra i m and th e i nhabi tants of Sam ari a ,

That say i n pri de
And i n stoutn ess of heart ,

The b ri ck s are fa llen ,

B ut we will buil d wi th hewn ston e

Th e sy camor es ar e cu t down ,

B ut we will chang e th em i nto cedars .

Th erefor e th e LO RD sh all set up on hig h ag ai nst

the adve rsari es of R e zi n ,

And shall sti r up hi s e ne mi es

The Syri an s be fore and the Phi li st i n es behin d ,

And th ey shall devour I srael wi th op en mouth .

1 Gr God sha ll dash down those that rise

. u p agai ns t mou nt Zi on, a nd shall scatter hi s

the wh o l e p eo pl e b u t t h e nor t he r n k i ng d o m as t h e f ol lo wi ng
, ,

v er se wi t h i t s e x pr ess r ef er enc e t o E phr ai m and t he c ap i t al c i t y

S a mar i a see m s t o sh o w .

9 T h e y sh all know i t b y e x p e ri e nc e ; t h e bl o w will b e su c h as

.
,

t he y shall f eel G r a m m ar a nd m e t r e ali k e sug g est t ha t a wor d

.

h as dr o p p e d o ut ; pe r h ap s :

( For
they boast) i n pr i de
And i n stou tness of hear t, sayi ng .

IOT h e p eo p l e he r e p r a c i c al l y a c k no wl ed g e th a
. h ei r si ua t t t t
t t t
i o n i s no t all h a m i g h b e d esi r e d t
B u t h e y d e a l wi h i t li g ht . t t
t
h ear e dl y ( c H o s 6 : f i g no r a n o f h e i r r eal d e c r e p i u d e ( H o s
. . t t t .

7 : 9 t f f t
h e y a c e t h e u u r e wi h b o u nd l e ss sel co nfid e nce a nd t f -

am bi i on t t
A p al a i al Spl end or wi ll r epl a c e t h e si m pl er hi ng s
. t
t t v
h a ha e b ee n d es r o y e d t .

11, 12 v
I n asi o n will b e t he p enal y o f h ei r a m bi i o u s and i m
. t t t
t t f
p e ni e n l i e t
I ns ea d o f t he adversari es of R e zin, p ar all eli sm
.

t t t
su g g e s s h a we sh o ul d si m pl y r e ad hi s adver s ar y , r e g ar d i ng R e z i n
a s a g l o ss I i s Sy ri a ( v s
. t a nd h er e o r e R e zi n hi m sel , i t s
. t f f
ki ng ( 7 t
th a i s t o b e r ai se d u p T hi s wa s cl ear ly wri en b e o r e . tt f
j f
Sy r i a a nd I sr a el oi ne d o r c e s ( 7 : 1 ii ) , a nd h er e o r e b e or e 7 3 5 t f f
t
An a ta c k u p o n I sr a el o r J u d ah by t he P hili s i nes wa s al t
t
way s a p o ssi bili y ( c fo r a so m e wha l ater d a e , 2 f . hr o n 2 8 t t C .

1 8 ; a nd e ar li er , Am o s 1 6—8)
9 3 13 THE B OO K OF I SAI AH

For all thi s hi s

ange r i s not t u rned away ,

B u t hi s hand i s stre t che d out sti ll .

Yet t he people hath not re turn ed unto hi m that smot e

them ,

Nei the r have they sought the LO RD of hosts .

The refore the LO RD wi ll c ut off from I sra el he ad and

tail ,

Pa lm bran c h and rush in one day

-

, .

The an c i ent and the honour able m an he i s the h ead

1
,

And the prophet tha t te a ch eth li es he i s th e tai l ,

.

For th ey that lead thi s p eop le cause th em to e rr ;

And t hey that ar e led of th e m are destroye d .

Th erefore the Lord sha ll not rejoi ce ove r th ei r y oung

men,

‘m elder
. .

Her e for t he fir t t i m
s e o cc ur s t he re r ai n f whi c h end s eac h
s trop he
For all thi s hi s ang e r i s not tu rne d away ,
B ut h i s hand i s str etch e d ou t still .

It i s a m o st sol e m n a nd i m p r essi e p i c u r e I sa i ah sees i n i m agi v t

fi t
.

t
na i o n t h e r s b l o w l
a ead y
r a l l e n ; b u t e r r i b l e a s i t f
i s — an t
v
i n asi o n be or e and be hi nd f t h e d i i ne H a nd i s s i ll o u str e c h ed v t t t
t o smi e ag ai n t .

I sr ael will sa fier som e ver y Gr i evous Di saster (9 : 1 —

3 17 )
1 3, 1 4 j t
T he o b e c o f t he r s b lo w was no t m er el y puni ti e ;
. fi t v
i t wa s t o l ea d t he pe o p le t o r e pe n a nc e B u t i t a il e d t
8 0 ano h er . f . t
tf
bl o w m u s all , ho u g h wha t
o r m i t wi ll tf
a k e i s no t c l e a r ; i n an t
c ase , lea der and le d will be d es r o y ed t he asp i r i ng pal m branc t -

a nd t he l o wl y r ush , a g u r e fo r hi g h and l o fi
w In o n e d a y p er .

hap s battl e d a y ( c v s -
f . .

1 5, 1 6 V s 1 5 has all t he ap p ea r a nc e o f a g l oss, i n e nd e d t o t

fi
. .

x
e pl ai n t h e g u r es o f v s 1 4 ; and v s 1 6 se e m s t o b e an e c ho o f
. .

3 : 12 .

t t
The m or al si ua i o n i n I sr a el m u s be d esp er ate i ndeed ,
17 . t
v t f
wh en t h e di i ne pi y i s r e u se d e e n t o t he o rp hans and t he wid v
90
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

And one sha ll snat ch on t he ri g ht hand and be hung ry ; ,

And he shall eat on the left hand and th ey shall not ,

be sati sfi e d
Th ey sha ll eat eve ry man th e flesh of hi s own arm ;
1

Manasseh Eph rai m and Ephrai m Mana sseh

, ,

And they toge th er shall be agai n st J udah .

Fo r all thi s hi s ange r i s not turn e d away ,

B ut hi s hand i s stret ched out still .

Woe unto the m that dec ree unri ghteous decrees ,

And to the wr i t ers that wri t e pe rversen ess

2 . To turn asi de t he needy from judgem ent ,

And to take away the right of t he poor of my people ,

That wi dows may be th ei r spo il ,

And that t hey may make the fat herl ess thei r prey l

t he si mil a r fig u r es o f v s . 20 . I nst ea d
fl esh o f hi s own of t he
ar m ,
”
t
we sho ul d no d o u b r ea d , by t he o mi ssi o n o f a si ng l e l e er , tt
t he fl e sh o f hi s ne i g hbor
”
M u c h c an be sa id fo r t he sug est i o n
.

t t t
ha t he l as c l a u se o f v s 1 9 sho u l d i mm edi a el y p re c ed e
. e l ast t t
cla use o f vs 2 0 , h u s :
. t
No m a n shal l spar e hi s br other ,
E ac h shal l eat the fl esh of hi s nei ghbor .

21 I nt ertribal f e u d s will b r e ak o u t o nl y i n t ur n t o be swall o wed

.
,

up by t he c o m m o n h a t re d o f J u d a h I sa i ah s p i c t ur e o f anar c hy ’

fi nds i ts hi st ori cal c o u nterp ar t i n t he c o nf usi o ns r efl ec t ed i n

.

2 Ki ng s 1 5 a nd
passi m i n H ose a Y e t f ea r f ul as t hi s a nar c h y i s
.
, ,

t he di v i ne Hand i s st r e t c hed o u t st ill t o d eal a no t he r bl o w .

I sr a el wi l l be swept by a S tor m fr o m f
a ar ( 10 : 1 -
4)

10 : t
Th e d e ai l i n vss 1 , 2 so l i k e I sai ah s c o m pl ai n s
.
— ’
t
el se wh er e o f J u d a h ( c f
1 : 1 7 , 2 3) a nd so u nl i k e t h e
. ag u er l an v
g u ag e o f t h e p r e c e d i ng s r o hes t c o u pled wi h t he i ntr od u c ory t t
t
Woe, whi c h i r r esi s i bl y r e c a Is t he g r o u p o f Woes i n h ap fi , C . .

v
p r o no u nc e d u p o n J u d ah , h a e l e d so m e sc h ol ar s t o t he c o nc l u si o n
t tt
ha t t
hi s se c i o n d eal s wi h J u d a h , no t wi h I sr a el T hi s c o ncl u t .

92
 THE B OO K OF I SAI AH

And what will ye do in the day of vi si tati on ,

And in the desol ati on whi ch sh all com e from

To whom will ye fl e e for h elp
And where will ye leave your glory ?
Th ey sha ll on ly bow down under t he pri son er s ,

And sh all fall under t he slain .

For all thi s hi s an g e r i s not turn e d away ,

B ut hi s hand i s stret che d out still .

si o n , t h o ug h by
m ea ns i m p o ssi bl e , i s u nne c e ssa r y
no T h e p ag e s .

o f Am o s a nd H o sea sh o w u s h a t h e h i ng h e r e d e no u nc e d wa s a s t t t
c o m m o n i n I sr ael as i n J u d ah T h e H e br ew su gg e s s t he z eal . t
t
wi h whi c h t h e wr i i ng wa s d o ne t
T h e el a b o r a e l eg al o r m ali i es . t f t
r eal l y v t
i ol a ed t h e pl ai n m a n s se nse o f u s i c e , and i nd ee d h a d
’
j t
t h e e fl ec t whi c h , a cc o r di ng t o v s 2 , was i n e n i o nal of . t t
in j u t i c ( c f Am 5
s e . os :

3 Wi t h t a t l i ng b u p t ne
. s r the p
p h e t p u t hi q u st i n t
a r ss ro s s e o o
t he c h a m p i ns f i nj o t i c e B t Wh at W111 y e d o t c ? F r t h e m
o us : u ,
e . o
t here i s c m i ng od y f v i si n wh n t h y m t answe t o t he
a a o re o ,
e e us r

S u pr m J dg e e ( Sk i nne )
u e Th fi g u e c h ng s ; t h e v i si t t i o n
r . e r a e a

wi l l t ak t he f or m f a st m ( a t h
e t h n d e solati on) whi c h sh ll
o or r er a a

come f om f r T hi d k
a ar . ll u i n w r k d o u t wi t h t er r i bl
s ar a s o ,
o e e

f ank ne i n t he c o ncl udi ng t ph e 5 6

r ss i fc u t th
s ro : 2 s o o r se o e

n ti n f m af
”
Assy ri n who i n 5 6 r e d esc r i be d
a s, 2 a as a a o ro ar .

To Wh om will y e fl e e ? T h Heb e w h e e i u b tl c o m bi ni nge r r s s e,

t h e i d ea To wh m wi ll ye fl e ? a nd n wh m
s o n ye l n? G l ory
e o o ca ea

weal t h eso ur c es r
fi
, .

4 T
. h i s v s i n i t
er e ,
s p s nt f or m d e s t n l a t i o
re en It c o u ld ,
e ra s .

no t wi t h o u t v i ol e nc b nd d ( Th y e n d n thi ng) but cr ou h

e re er e e ca o o c

a m ng the p i soner s and f ll b n

o r th th ,
l in i t h i d o m w ul d
a e ea e s a ,
. e . e r o o

be i t he r i m p r i o nm e nt
e sd e t h u p n t h b tt l fi l d or A v ry a o e a e e . e

i ng e ni o u s re rr ang e m nt o f t h c o n o n nt l t x t
a e u g g est e d b y e s a a e ,
s

L ag ar d e , yi eld s t h e m e ani ng : B elti s has s u nk d own, Osi r i s i s

br oken, and u nd er the sl ai n they fal l O si r i s i s a n E g y p i a n D ei y, . t t
t
a nd B el i s, t h e L ady , wo ul d i n hi s c o nne cti o n b e I si s I 15 t . t
t f f
c er ai n r o m H o se a ( c 7 : 1 1 ; 1 2 : 1 ) ha a p ar y i n I sr ael ai m ed
. t t t
t
a t a n E g y p i a n a lli anc e ; a nd I sai ah wo u l d i n h a c ase be h er e t t
f t f t t
o r e elli ng t h e u ili y o f E gy p i a n h el p , t h e i m p o e nc e o f E g t t
t i an g o d s ( c 4 6 : f
T hi s e r y d ar i ng e x u al su g g es i o n c anno
. v e t t t t
r eg a r d e d as i m p r o b abl e , c o nsi d er i ng , o n t h e o ne h a nd , I sr ael s
’

t
l e a ni ng s t o E g y p , a nd , o n t h e o h er , t he e nd e nc y o f l a e r J e wi sh t t t
t t t
e di o r s t o o b l i e r a e t h e un wo r h i e r asp e c s o f I sr ael s ear l y
’
t t
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

THE D OO M OF THE A S SYRI AN ( 10 5 34)

—

The Tw o Pl ans — Assyr i a s ( 1 0 : 5 1 5)

’ ’
and J ehovah s —

5 Ho Assyri an , the rod of m i n e ang e r ,

.

The sta ff in who se h and i s m in e i ndi gn ati on !

6 I will send hi m ag ai n st a profan e nat i on ,
.

And ag ai n st the pe ople of my wrath will I gi v e hi m

a c harge ,

reli g i o n ; i t m ay be h a t o h e m t h e na m es we r e r e all y o b sc ur e
or t t t .

t
T he sug es i o n i s , a t a ny r a e , s u p e r i o r t o o u r p r ese n e x
g t tt t .

v
T he di i ne Ha nd i s s r e c he d o u t s ill , hi s i m e t o d e al t h e l as t t t t t t
a nd d e adli es t
blo w o f al l — for i t i s no w g e ner all y ad m i e d ha tt t t
fi t
th e m a g ni c e n d e sc ri p i o n o f t h e o nwa r d m ar c h o f t he Assy ri a n t
ar m y i n 2 6—30 i s t he r ea l a nd o r i g i nal c l i m a x o f hi s no bl e p oe m t .

ft
A er i t 5 c o m e , t he Ha nd nee d s t o be s r e c he d o ut no m or e t t .

R o ari ng like li o ns, t he Assy ri a ns wi ll c ar r y o ff he i r hel pl e ss p r ey , t

a nd no hi ng will b e let b u t a d eso l a i o n ft t .

Thi s poe m ( 9 : 8—1 0 : 4 ) sh o ws ha I sa i a h was no l ess g r ea as a t t t

tt
poe ha n as a p r o p he t
T he r e i s a si ng ul a rl y wei r d i m p r e ssi e ness
. v
a bo u t tt t
t he o u s r e c h ed Ha nd , d e ali ng i n e a c h su cc essi e s r o he
p v t
t
a ne w a nd err i bl e bl o w, b ri ng i ng u po n u nh ap p y I sr a el i n asi o n, v
war , a na r c hy , d espa i r , a nd o nl y wi hdr a wn when t he i r el ess and t t
i nvi nci ble Assyr i a ns c o m e to ea r I sr ael i n p i e c es t .

—
1 0 5 34 v
A er y p r o o u nd c o nc ep i o n o f hi s or y m ar ks his g r ou’p
. f t t t
o f o r a cl e s t
Hi s o r y i s b u t t h e g r ad ual o u wor k i ng o f J e h o ah s
. t v
t
p u r po se and t o hi s p u rpo se t h e Assy r i ans ar e all u nc o nsci o u sl y
,

m ad e t o c o n ri b u e t t
The p assag e i m p li es t h e all o f S am ari a
. f
( vss .1 1 : 7 2 1 R C ) a nd ar c he mi sh ( vs 9 : 7 1 7 B C ) a nd m u st
. C . . .

t t
t h ere o r e be l a er h a n 7 1 7 HO ; o n t he o h er hand , i t m u s b e t t
ear li er t ha n 7 0 1 D C , whe n Se nna c h e ri b was c o m p ell ed t o ab a ndo n
. .

j t
hi s p r o e c e d assa ul u p o n Je r usal e m t
S o m e i m e b etween ho se . t t
t wo d a e s i t all s t f p r o b a bl y n ea rer ,
b u t no t i m m e di atel y b e ore f
7 0 1 B C , as t h e Assy r i an a d a nc e d i d no t c o m e ( a s pi c u re d i n
. . v t
vss 2 8—3 2 ) r o m t h e no r h
.
f t .

1 0 : 5— 1
5 J e h o a h h a s. hi s p l an a n d v
t h e A s s y r i a ns h a e h e i rs ; v t
t
bu t h e , t h e r ue Lo r d o f hi s o r y , u ses h e m a s hi s i nstr u m e n s t o t t t
wor k o u t hi s o wn pl an, whi le all t he i m e hey i m ag i ne h a h ey t t t tt
ar e wo r ki ng o u t h ei r s t .

5 , 6 T h e . e rse s h o u l d r u n v W o e , A ss yr i a n ! th e r od of m i ne
ang er , a nd the stafi of m i ne i nd i g nati o n T h e Assyr i a ns a r e t he rod .

v
whi ch J eho ah uses t o smi e t he godl ess nati ons J u d a h i n p ar t
94
 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH

ha th performed hi s whole work upon mount Zi on and on

Jerusalem I will puni sh the frui t of the st out heart of
,

t he ki ng of Assyri a and the gl ory of hi s hi gh l ooks

, .

For he hath sai d ,

By the stren g th of my hand I have done i t ,

And by my wisdom for I am prudent

And I have removed t he b ounds of t he peopl es ,

And have robbe d th ei r tre asuri es ,

And I h ave broug ht down as a valiant man

1

Them th at sit on thr ones :

And my hand hath fo und as a n est
The ri ch es of t he pe op les
’

And as o ne gat he ret h egg s that are forsaken ,

Have I g a the red a ll t he ear th

And t he re was non e that moved the win g
O r that open ed th e mouth or c hi rpe d ,
.

Shall the ax e boast i t se lf ag ai nst him that heweth

th e re wi th P
Sha ll the saw ma gni fy i tself ag ai nst hi m th at shake th
it

‘ Gr . l will shahe citi es v i th thei r i nhabita nts .

13 . Assy ri an a tt ri bu t es hi s su ccess t o his o wn mi ght a nd

T he
t he astuteness o f hi s o wn po li c y i n r e m o v i ng na t i o nal bo u nd ari es
( fo r e x a m ple by t r a nsf e r r i ng t he i nhabi t a nt s o f o ne c o u ntr y t o
,

a no th er ); t t
he d oes no t k no w h a he i s b u t a oo l i n J ehova h s t ’

hand ( v ss 5 As a vali ant man o r p e r h a p s li ke a bul l ( a

fi
.

g u r e o f r e f q
u e n o t
cc u r r e n c e i n A ss y ri a n a r t ) h e b r i ng s d o w n
t
t o t he d u s t h e p eo pl es o f t he wo rl d , o r i t m ay b e hei r ki ng s t .

14 . t t
The i rr esi s ibl e mi g h c lai m e d by t h e Assy ri an i n v s 1 3 i s .

r
g p a h i c all y d e sc r i b e d i n v s 1 4 ,
whi c.h c o m p a r es hi s d e p re d a i o ns t
t
t o t he h ar r y i ng o f b i r d s nes s ; as t he eg g s ar e c arri e d r u hl essl y
’
t
v
a way , a nd t h e h el p l ess bi r d s d are no t e e n c hi r p , so t h e na i o ns are t
t t t t
i m p o en when he i r r ea su r es a re s wep a way by t he Assy ri ans t .

15 . Sh all th e ax e bo ast, e tc ? Thi s i s t h e p r o ph e s answer t o

.
’
t
’
t
Assyri a s pro ud bo as Assy ri a was bu t an a x e, a saw, a r od , wi el ded
.

96
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

As if a rod sho ul d shak e th em that lift i t up ,

Or as if a stafi shoul d lif t up hi m that i s not wood .

Assyr i a 3)
The Fate and J udah —2
o f
Ther efor e hall th e Lord the LORD of hosts ,
s ,

Send among hi s fat on e s l ea nn ess

And under hi s glory ther e sh all be kindled
A b urni ng li ke t he b urni n g of fire .

And t he li g ht of I srael sh all be for a fir e ,

And hi s H oly One for a flam e

And i t shall b urn and devo ur hi s thorns
And hi s b ri er s i n one day .

And he sha ll c onsum e t h e gl ory of hi s for est ,

And of hi s frui tful fi eld b oth soul and body ,

And i t sh all be as when a standard be ar er fai nte th

1
.

And t he r emnant of th e trees of hi s forest shall be few ,

That a chi l d may wri t e th em .

And i t shall c ome to pa ss i n that day that the ,

1 m . as when a si ck man pi ne th awa y .

t
b y t h e m i g h y a r m o f J e ho ah , wi h no m o r e r i g h t o b r ag o e r v t t v
t t t
hi m h a n h o se i ns r u m e n s h a e o e r t h e m a n wh o wi el d s h e m t v v t .

Not woo d , i a , m a n .
g re a e r h a n , a nd m a s e r o f, t h e wo o d
. t t t .

—2 . ft
3 A e r t h e b o a s u l sp ee c h o f t h e Assy r i a n ( c tfesp f . .

t
v ss 1 3 , 1 4 ) t he a nno u nc e m e n o f h i s d own a ll c o m e s wi h si ng u l ar
. f t
e fl e ct .

1 6— 1 9 t t
T h e d es r u c i o n i s d esc ri b e d r s a s l eanne ss , o r wasti ng fi t
fi
.

away , a nd t
h e n as a confl agr ati on , h o u g h o nl y t h e l a er g u r e i s t tt
t
el a b o r a e d ; t h e fir e i s ki nd l e d b y t h e h ol y J e h o a h , t h e Li g h t of v
t
Isr ael o r r a h er h e i s t h e fl a m e h a wi ll sp ee di ly c o nsu m e h em t t t .

t t t
T h e p i c u r e i s h a o f a o r e s fir e ( c 9 f t
i n whi c h b u t fe w r e es f . t
vv
su r i e ; i n vs 1 8 t he d e s r u c i o n i s r ep r e se n e d a s ab sol u e
. t t t t
bo dy and soul And i t s hall be as when a si ck m a n pi neth away
.

( V
R m ) — . a r e e r si o n t o t h e v
g u r e o f v s 1 6 T h e c h ang e and fi . .

f t
c o n u si o n o f m e a ph ors i s er y u nli k e I sai ah s, and m ay p oi n t o
’
v t
t f
i n er er e nc e b y a l a e r h and t .

20 23-
For Israel (i e J u d ah) no l ess h an fo r Assyr i a , destr uc
. . . t
97
 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH

remnant of I sra el and they that ar e es caped out of ,

t he house of J a co b sha ll no mor e ag ai n stay upon ,

hi m that smot e th em ; b ut shall stay upon the L O RD ,

the Ho ly One of I sr ael in truth A remnant sha ll , .

return even t he rem nan t of J a cob unto t he m i ghty

, ,

God Fo r though thy pe ople I srael b e as t he sand

.

of t he sea onl y a remnant of th em shall return : a

,

consumpt i on i s dete rmi n ed ove rflowing wi th ri ght ,

eo usness Fo r a c on summati on and th at det e rmi n ed

.
, ,

shall t h e Lord t he LO RD of ho st s mak e in t he mi d st

, ,

of all the earth .

The Consolati on of Zi on : Assyr i a wil l assu r ed ly Fall

( 10 : 2 4 -

34)

24 . Therefore t hu s sai th the Lord , the LORD of ho sts ,

0 my pe ople that dwell est i n Zi on , be not afrai d of
the A ssyri an though he smi t e th ee wi th t he rod , and
lift up hi s sta ff ag ai n st th ee , afte r the m ann e r of Egypt .

2 5 For y et a li tt le while , and the i ndi gna ti on sha ll be

.

a ccompli sh ed , and mi n e an ger , i n th ei r destru c t i on .

2 6 And t he LO R D of ho sts sha ll st i r up a gai n st him a

.

ti o n i s str i ctl ydecr eed , br i n i ng i n ju sti ce l i ke a fl ood ( vs 2 2 .

C h ey ne) ; b u t a r e mnant wi l su r i e , a nd , a u g h b y t he d i i ne vv t t v
j t
u dg m e n u po n Assy r i a , wil l l ea n no mor e ( v s as Ah az h ad .

d o ne ( 2 Ki ng s 1 6 : 7 fl ) u p o n ha p o we r whi c h l a e r , i n t h e r e i g n
. t t t
o f He z e ki a h sm ote J u d ah , b u t w
, i ll u r n t o he i r o wn mi gh ty G od t t
( cl gi bbor v
t h e na m e g i e n i n 9 : 6 t o t h e M essi a ni c ki ng ) a nd
lea n u po n h i m i n tru th , i e si nc e ri y A r e mnant sh all r eturn :
. . t .

t t
hi s i s i n e nd ed t o re c all t he na m e o f I sa i a h s so n
’
S hear j as hub -

(7 t
wh o wa s a so r o f i nc a r na e p r o p h e c y t .

—
24 2 7 . v — j t
I n i e w o f t h e ho p e us e x p resse d ( v ss 2 0 2 3) t he peo p l e .

o f J e r u sa l e m , i n whi c h i s t he sa c r e d e m p l e h i ll o f i on, ar e u r g e d t Z
not to be a r aid of the Assyr i ans , ho u g h he y sm i e as t h e E y p
f t t t
t
ti ans di d i n t h e a nc i en d a y s o f t h e o p p r essi o n ; fo r J e h o a in v
t
hi s a ng er i s d e e r m i ned sp ee di l y t o d e s r o y he m a s c o m pl e ely t t t
as t h e M i di a ni es ( c 9 t4 ) w er e f
d es. r o y e d b y i d e o n ( c J u d 7 t
2 5) G f . .

98
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

very day shall he halt at Nob

Thi s
He shak eth hi s hand at the mount of the 1
daughter of
Zi on ,

The hi ll of J erusal em .

B ehold the Lord t he LORD of hosts ,

, ,

Sha ll l op the boughs wi th t error

And t he hi gh ones of statur e sha ll be hewn down ,

And the lofty sha ll be b roug ht low .

And he shall c ut down the thi ck ets of the forest wi th

i ron ,

And Lebanon shall fall by a mi ghty one .

Wi t h . by a slip . house .

st e rna t i o n The passa g e i s ull o f wo r d p la y ( c i M i c 1 : 1 0 —1 5)

. f -
. .

t
,

i m p o ssi ble t o r e pr o d u c e ; h us, Yell , Gal li m : l i sten, Lai s ha h

a nswer , A nathoth A na ho h , abo u . t t
hr ee m i l es r o m J e r u sal e m , tt f
t
was J e r e m i a h s bi r h p la c e A hal i s ca ll ed at N ob i m m e di a el y
’
. t t
t
t o t he no r h o f J e r u sa l e m , whose d oo m no w se e m s t o b e se al e d ,
as t he Assy r i a n fist i s sha ken i n h er a c e f .

33 3 , 4 . B u t a u i e p a u se o f b r e a h q
l ess a t
nxi e y ( O r el li ), t t
a nd — b eh old ! The c li m a x i s as s u ri si ng as i t i s wo nd e r ul f
{h
.

t
T he foe , m i g h y and ha ug h y ho u g h t t
e y b e , so fa r r o m sm i i ng f t
t v
J er usal e m , are h em se l e s m y s eri o usly smi en by J er usal e m s t
’
tt
mi ghti er Go d The Assy r i a n ar m y i s c o m par e d t o a gr e at ores ,
. f t
lik e Le b ano n a nd c ra sh g o t he g i a n c e d ars, e ll e d by t he i r r esi st
, t f
ibl e ar m o f J e ho ah v .

t f
T he ch a p e r o r m s an i m p ressi e p i c u r e o f t he c l ash be wee n v t t
Assy ri a a nd J ud ah r epr ese n a i es t o I sai ah , r espe’c i ely , o f t he
,
t tv tv
se c ul ar a nd t he d i i ne id e a v
Assy ri a’ i s J eho ah s oo l fo r t he
. v t
t t
c ha s i se me n o f J ud ah , b u t Assyr i a s arr o g anc e m u s al so be t
t v
c ha s i sed ; a nd she re c ei es her m os si gnal c h as i se m en i n t he t t t
ft t
h o u r o f he r l o i es ar ro g a nc e a nd b e o re t h e wall s o f t he e ry c i y f v t
t
sh e was be n o n h u m il i a i ng t
Wi h su c h a p r ospe c , t h e p eo pl e o f
. t t
t
J eru sale m m ig h well fear not ( vs 2 4 ) a gr ea p urp o se o f J eho ah . t v
v v
was i n ol e d i n he r p re se r a i o n ( cf 1 4 : 2 4 v t .

C h ap s 1 1 an d 1 2 I n t h e cl osi ng er se s o f hap 1 0 t h e all o f

. . v C . f
t t
I sr ael s g r ea antag o ni s was po r r ay ed’ , a nd t he gr o u nd i s no w
’
t
t
clear for t he e s a bli sh m e n o f M e ssi ah s ki ng do m To hat hi s t . t t
v t
c ha pter i s d e o ed — vss 1 9 d escr i bi ng t he Ki ng hi mse l , hi s
.
-
f
100
 THE B OOK OF , i sA
I An ,

THE B LI S S or I SRAE L IN THE L ATTE R D AYS ( Chaps .

1 1, 12 )
The M essi ani c Ki ng and Ki ngdom ( 1 1 1 -
9)
11 . And there shall com e forth a shoot out of the sto ck of
J es se ,

And a b ran ch out of hi s root s shall be ar frui t

2 . And the spi ri t of t he LO RD sh all rest upon hi m ,

The Spi ri t of wi sdom and un d e r st an di ng ,

The spir i t of c oun sel and mi g ht ,

Th e sp i ri t of knowle dge and of t he fe ar Of th e LO RD

3 . And hi s deli ght Shall b e i n t he fe ar of th e LORD :
1

And he sh all not judg e aft er the Si ght of hi s eye s ,

N ei the r reprov e after the h eari ng of hi s e ars

2

I
Heb . scent .
3
m . SV decide .

c h ar a c t e r , a nd t he e ff c t
e s of hi s r u l e , v ss . 1 0—1 6 t he t r i u m p h an t
r et u n to t
P al es i ne of H e br e w xi l es f r o m the f o ur c o r ne r s of the
fi
e
e ar t
1 . T he M essi a ni c ki ng will b e of t he sa m e D a id f a m il y a s v
so to sp ea k , a se o nd c Da i d v . T ha tf
a m i l y i s no w l i k e t h e sto ck
t
or s u m p of a t r ee a p h r a se whi c h su gg es s, p e r h ap s, h a t h et t t
d ay s m o nar c h y ar e o e r
of t he v .

2 T h e ki ng will b e sp e c i al l y e u i p p e d fo r hi s h i g h o fi c e by
. q f
th e spiri t of J eh ovah , whi c h will no t si m p l y , a s i n t h e o l d e n i m e s t
( Ju d . t
i nsp i r e hi m i n e r m i e n l y , b u t r e st u pon him p e r tt t
q t
m ane nt l y ; and i t s u al i y wi ll b e se e n i n t h e h r ee d i ff e r e n sp h er e s t t
t t t
o f i n e ll e c , o f p r a c i c al li e , a nd o f r el i g i o n f
I wi l l e u i p h i m . t q
t
wi h a g e ne r al wi sd om and i nsi g ht i n o t h e m e a ni ng a nd c o nd i i o ns t t
f t
o f h i s o f i c e , wi h a penetr ati on wh i c h wi l l e nabl e h i m t o d i sc o e r v
'

wa y s a nd m e a ns t o se c u r e hi s e nd s , a nd a str ength t o c ar r y h e m t
o u t , a nd fi t
nall y wi h a r eal appr eci a ti o n o f a nd r ever ent r eg ar d fo r
v
t h e will o f J e h o a h wh o se ser a n h e i s v t .

3 T. h e r s c l fi t
a u se o f v s 3 i s so m e w h a o b s c u r e ,
.b u t i t a t l eas t t
t t
i m p li e s h a t h e ki ng s wor k i s d o ne i n t h e sp i ri a nd a m o sp h e r e
’
t t
o f r el i g i o n O ne g r ea . tf
u nc i o n o f t h e a nc i e n t
r u l e r was t h e a d t
t t j t
m i ni s r a i o n o f u s i c e ; h e r e t h e M e ssi ani c k i ng , e nd o we d as h e i s
t
b y t h e S pi r i , wi ll b e a m as e r , wi h an u ne r r i ng u d g m e n t h at t j t t
no sp e ci o u s app ear anc es or p l a u si bl e s a e m e n s can d e fl e c t t t t .

I OI
 T HE B OO K OF I SAI AH

4 . B utwi th righ teousn ess sha ll he j udge the poor ,

And rep rove wi th equi ty for the m eek of the earth

1

And he shall smi te the eart h wi th t he rod of hi s mouth ,

s w a g And wi th th e breath of hi s lips Shall he sl ay th e

5 And
. ri g ht eousn ess S ha ll be t h e gi rdl e of hi s loin s,
8 1111 6 : 14
. And fai thfuln ess the girdle Of hi s rei ns .

6 . And t he wolf sha ll dwell wi th t he lamb ,

And the leopard shall li e down wi th the ki d

And t he ca lf and the yo ung li on and t he fat li ng
g eth e r
And a li ttle chi ld shall lead them .

And t he c ow and t he bear shall fee d ;

Th e ir yo u ng ones S ha ll li e down toge ther
And t he li on shal l eat st raw lik e the o x .

8 . And the su ckin g chil d shall p lay on t he ho le of the

SV decide . Gr . adds shall gr aze .

4 . Fo r re ve
deci de
ro ,
As t he c h a m pi o n o f u s i c e , hi s
r e ad . j t
b u si ne ss wi l b e , o n t he o ne ha nd , t o he l p t h e d o wn r o d d e n t o hei r t t
t t
r i g h s , a nd , o n t h e o he r , t o p u t a n e nd t o i o l e nc e H i s m e re wo r d v .

t
wi ll bri ng d e a h to g od less a nd i ol e n m e n, a s P e e r s wo r d v ’
t t
t t
b r o ug h d e a h t o t h e ly i ng Ana ni as a nd S a pp hi r a ( Ac s 5 : 5 , t
Fo r sm i e th e e ar th t r ea d s m i e the vi ol ent m a n t .

5 T h e gi r dl e r
g pa h i c a ll y s u gg e s s t h e ki n g
’
s a c i i y t; h e w i ll b e tvt
fi t
.

r ea d y t o wo r k a nd g h , a n d t h e c a u se t o w hi c h h e v es h i m s e l i s
°

f
ri ghteousne ss a nd ai thful ness f t
t he s r e nu o u s a n c o nsc i e n i o u s t
t
p u r s ui o f us i c e j t t t
O n hi s hi s h ro ne was o u nd e d a nd b y hi s i ts
. f t
t t
s a b i li y was g u ar a n e ed ( c 9 : t f .

6—8 I n i t s p r e se n se i ng
. t tt t tf
hi s be a u i u l p i c u r e of p e ac e i n t h e
,
t
a ni m al wo r l d i s t o b e r e g a r d e d no t o nl y as a n a cc o m p ani m e n o f, t
b u t pe r hap s, i n a m ea su r e , as t he r esul o f t h e r a ns o r m a i o n o f t t f t
t f t
h u m an c h ar a c e r e f e c e d b y t he r i g h e o us r u l e o f t h e M e ssi ah t .

Am o n t he ani m al s, spe c i al e ne mi e s wi ll bec o m e sp e ci al ri e nd s, f

t f
t he wi d a nd t he a m e wi ll b e o u nd g r a z i ng p e ac e ully o g e h er f t t .

I n oh , p er h aps we sh o u l d r e a d t h e c al and t h e y o u ng l i o n s hall f

t ”
t
feed og e her , and i n 7 a , t he co w and t he bear shal l be fr i end s
”
.
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

To recover the remnant of hi s people

Whi ch shall r emai n from A ssyri a and from Egypt , ,

And from Pathr o s and from Cush and from Elam , , ,

and from Shi nar and from Hamath and from , ,

t he i sl ands of t he sea .

And he sha ll set up an en si gn for the nati ons ,

And shall assemble t he out casts of I sra el ,

And gather tog e th er the di spersed of Judah

From t he four corn e rs of the earth .

The e nvy also of Ephr ai m sha ll d ep a rt ,

And th ey that vex J udah shall be c ut o ff

Ephra i m shall not e nvy J udah ,
,

And J udah shall not vex Ephrai m .

And th ey sha ll fly down upon the shoul der of the

Philistines on the west
Toge the r shall they spo il the ch i ldr en of th e east
They sha ll put forth t hei r hand upon E dom and
Moab ;
And t he chi ldren of Ammon shall obey them .

f
i n B ab y l o n, so he wo ul d ag ai n li t u p hi s h and t o r e d ee m h o se o f t
t
hi s peo ple who we r e di sp e rse d hr o ug ho u t h e wor ld , no a bl y i n t t
Assyr ia ( p o ssi bly he re - Sy ri a ) and Egyp T he r e m a i ni ng na m es t .

t
r e p r ese n p a r s o f t t
h ese t wo e m pi r es ( a ) P athr os ( So u h ern E gy p ) , t t
C t
u sh ( E h i o p i a) ; a nd ( b) , El a m ( S usi a na ) , S hi na r ( B a by lo ni a ) ,
t
Ha mat h ( o n t he O ro n es) , a nd t he i sl and s and coasts of the M e di
t e rr a nea n S ea A si nal wo uld be di i nely g i e n t o t he na i o ns
. v v t
t
t o br i ng ba c k t he e x i es bo h m e n and wo m e n ( d i sper sed is
,

t
t o h ei r o wn la nd .

13 . t j
Al l ho se who ar e ealo u s o f E p hr ai m ( i e I srae l ) and h os i l e . . t
t o J ud ah will b e d est r o y e d , no r be we e n hese t wo shall her e b e t t t
a ny su c h j
ea l o u sy o r h os ili y as a ni m a ed t t he m i n p os e x i l i c t t t -

ti m e s ( c f J o hn 4 :
. t
he y shall be a t p ea c e wi h t he wo r l d a nd t
t
wi h o ne ano he r t .

14 . t
Th ei r r e u rn shall be si gnali z e d by a ri u m p h o er al l hei r t v t
ene m i es t t
Phili s i ne s o n t h e we s , Ar ab s o n t h e e ast , e t c T h ey .

sh all s woop down o n t h e sh o uld er o f th e Phil i stines , i e h eir . . t

t t
m o u ntai ns ha sl o pe o wa r d s t h e se a t .

1 04
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

And t he LO RD sha ll utterly destroy 1

t he tong u e of th e
Egypti an se a ;
And wi th hi s s c or chi n g wi nd Shall he shak e hi s 2

hand ove r the Ri ve r ,

And shall smi te i t i nto seve n str eam s ,

And cause m en to mar ch over dry shod -

.

And th ere sha ll be an hi g h way for the remnant of hi s

people ,

Whi ch shall re mai n from Assyri a ; ,

Li k e as th ere was for I srael

In the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt .

The S ong o f Thanksgi vi ng ( Chap . 12 )

12
A nd in that day thou shalt say ,

I will gi v e thank s unto th ee O L O RD ; ,

1 Gr Tar dry
. . u p . Gr Vg Syr
. . . vi olent .

1 5, 1 6 . To f c i li t t t h
a a e e i r r e u rn t (15 f .
pr e c e d es 1 3 f i n ho u g h )
. t t
th e wo nde r s o f t h e E x o d u s wi ll b e r ep e a t e d : J ehova h wi ll d e stroy
( o r r a t her , wi t h t h e G r e ek v er si o n, dr y u p) t as h e he n di d ( Ex .

by the mi ght ( or t h e gl ow) of hi s br eath, i e b y a . .

mi g h t y wi nd th e tongu e of th e Egypti an (i e
,
. . t h e R ed ) S e a ; a nd
t h e g r e a t r iver E u p h r a t es h e will smi te into seven str eam s so
sh a ll o w t h a t t h e p eo pl e c o uld c r o ss t h e m d ry sh o d i a i n sandal s , ,
. .

a nd a m i r a c u l o u s wa y wo ul d b e m ad e fo r t he p eo p l e a c r o ss t h e

t
e as er n d ese r t (cf 4 . 0 :

T he g r e a e t e x t nt
o f t h e di sp e r si o n i m p l i e d b y h i s p assag e t
( v s 1 1 ) h a r dl y fit s t h e c i r c u m s a nc es o f I sai a h s i m e , wh e n at
.
’
t t
t
m o s t h e p eo p l e o f t h e no r h e r n k i ng d o m h ad b ee n ak e n t o t t
Assy ri a ( 2 Ki ng s 1 5 : 2 9 ; 1 7 T h i s p i c u r e o f t h e r es o r a i o n t t t
tf
c o m e s no d o ub r o m a m u c h l a er i m e , wh en I sr ael was, al m o s t t t
t
li er all y , t o b e o u nd f
i n t he o u r c o r ne r s o f t h e ear h (v sf t .

t
H o w p r e c i o u s i n h o se d a y s was t h e m e m o r y o f a nci e n d eli er t v
ances i s S h o wn b y v ss 1 5 f , an d t h e p o l i i c al a m b i i o ns
. . h at t t t
t t
m ar r e d t h e p ur i y o f h e i r r el i g i o u s h o p es ar e see n i n t h e d esi re
j t
fo r t h e su b u g a i o n o f t h e si s e r p eo p l e s t
O n t h e wh o l e t h e p a ssag e .

t
d oes no t s and u p o n so h i g h a l e el as h a t o wh i c h i t i s a pp e nd e d v t t
t
wi h i t s fine d e sc r i p i o n o f M e ssi a h s r i g h eo u s and
’
t t
1 05
12 THE B OO K OF I SAI AH

For though thou wa st an g ry wi th me,

Thi ne ang er i s turned away ,

And thou comfort edst m e .

2 . B ehold God i s my sal vati on ;,

I will tru st and will not be afrai d ,

Fo r t he LO RD JE HO V AH is my strength and son g ;

1

And he i s be c ome my sal vati on ”

.

The r efore wi th joy S hall ye draw water

O ut of t he w ells of sal vat i on .

And in that day S hall ye say ,

G ive thanks un to the LO RD call upon his name , ,

D e cla re his do in gs a mong the pe op les ,

M ake m ent i on that h i s name i s exal ted .

Heb Jah . Jh e ovah .

v
h a p py r eig n, i n whi c h e e n t he bea s s we r e a t pe ac e wi h m e n a nd t t
t
wi h one a no h er t .

C t
hap 1 2 Wi h s u c h a n o u l o o k as h a o pe ne d u p b y h ap 1 1
. . t t t C .

t he M essi a ni c ki ng d o m a nd t h e r es o ra i o n o f t h e e x il es t o t he t t
h o m e la nd wel l m i g h I sr ae l l i u p he r so ng o f p r ai se t Th e ft .

f t t
a fi ni i es o f hi s so ng wi h t h e so ng o f M o se s ( E x od t
1 5) ar e no t .

u nna t
r al , c o nsi d e ri ng t he all u si o n i n t he p r e c e d i ng er ses ( c v f
u
.

11 15
2 . R d
B ehold the God of my sal va ti o n
ea ,
I wi ll fear l essl y tr ust; .

for J ah ( i e J eho a h) i s my str ength, e t c

. . v Ex 1 5 : 2 I n hi s . Cf . . . t
p assag e , I i s no t I sa i a h , b u t t h e l a e r J e wi sh chur ch t .

3 6 The se v ss i n t he sec o nd p e r so n pl ur al a r e pe r h ap s a no he r
-
. . t
p oe m ( c vs 4 wi h v s f . . t .

v t
The sal a i o n wh i c h s i rr e d I sr ael t o su ch e x ube ran jo y and t t
tt t
g r a i u d e was l ar g er ha n t h e re c e n d el i e r anc e ; i t wa s l ik e a n t v
t
i ne x h a u s i ble well , o r o u n ai n ro m whi c h she c o uld d r a w co nf t f
t
t i nu all y ; a nd t h e s o r y o f hi s d i i ne d el i e r a nc e d e ser es t o b e t v v v
t o l d t o all t h e wo r l d .

t v
T hi s so ng o f h a nk sg i i ng o r ms a ery ap p r o p ri a e c o nc l usi o n f v t
t
no t o nl y t o t h e l as c h a p er , b u t t o t he wh o l e o f t h e fir s g r e a t t t
v
di i si o n o f t h e b oo k o f I sa i ah ( h ap s 1 t o I t s m anne r , C .

v q t
h o we er , i s u i e u nlik e I sai ah s , and i t was p r o b abl y ad d e d b y a
’

t t
l a er ha nd t o c o m pl e e and c o ncl u d e t h e g r o up , h ap s 1 1 2 — Th e C . .

t tt
r ed e m p i o n a nd g r a i u d e o f I sr a el m ak e a n a d m ir abl e o il t o f
1 06
PROPHE C I ES CONC ERNING FORE I GN NATI ONS
( Chap s 1 3 2 3)
—
.

PR O PHE CY C ONCE RNI NG B AB YLO N ( 1 3 —

: 1 14 : 2 3 )
The Doom o f B abylon ( C hap . 13 )
The 1
burd en of B abylon whi ch I sai ah the ,

Amo z di d see .

2 . Set ye up an ensign u pon the b ar e mo untai n ,

Li ft up the vo i ce unto th em ,

1 m . or ad e concer ni ng .

C h ps 3 3 Wi t h t he e xc ep t i n o f 7 3
a . 1 -
2 . whi c h d l o 1 : -
1 1, ea s
wi t h I s ael a nd C h p 2 2 wi t h J er usa l e m all t he pr op h e c i
r , a . f ,
es o
t hi s g r o u p are co nc e ne d wi t h f o ig n pe p les r re o .

3 T hi s m ag ni fi c nt p oe m h as fo r i t t he m e t he
— 1 z 2 e s
4 .

d est c ti o n o f B a b y l n ( 3
ru 9 ) a nd h k i ng
o 1 : 1I t l ws er o
f o m nd t end wi t h p ssi nat e h tr d o f th pp ress and o k s
r e o a o a e e O or, o

f o w rd wi t h g ri m t i f c t io n t o t he d y o f d o m t o be u he d
r a sa s a a o s re

i n by C y us a nd hi s M e d es ( 3
r 7 ) nd Pe si ans 1 : 1 a r .

1B urd en
. t her acle li t e ally l ifti ng p ( o f t he p p h
,
or ra or r ,
u ro

e t s v oi c ) — T he B by lo n h e d n unc e d i s t h e
’
ou B abyl on
e . a er e o

g r ea t m p i e t h a t c nq e d nd su cc eed d t h A sy ri an e m p i e
e r o u re a e e s r

o f I sa i a h g A s
’
s at h d o o m
e i
. s i m m i ne n t teh d t e m u t f ll ,
e a s a

S h o tl y be f o e t h
r c a p t u e f B ab y l o n i n 5 3 8
r e r by C y us
o nd r ,
a
n o d u bt ft o he h d p u t hi m se lf
a er t t he h
a d o f t h M e d i an a ea e
e m pi r ( 3 e T
1 h e : p sa g w o ld t h n c m e li
as k e C h p
e s 4 u e o ,
a . 0

5 5 f,r o m t h e B ab y l o n i n x i l a n d c o u ld n o ta b e l n ge t o I
e, sa i a h o .

T he hea di ng s o f o r a c l es we ft e n add d by l at r h and s re o e e .

—
The Gather i ng of the E ne my for the Attack on B abyl on ( vss 2 4 ) .

U po n a bar e m ountai n
, t h e si g nal fo r t h e su m m o ns w ill b e m o e r
cl ear ly see n They , i e t he M edi ans ( v s
. ar e l o u dl y su m
. . .

t t
m o ned t o e n er t h e g a es o f t he p ri n el y B aby l o ni a ns, i e B a by c . .

1 08
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

Wave the hand that th ey may go

Into the g ates of the nobl es .

I h av e c ommanded
My c on se crat ed ones ,

Yea I h ave c alle d my mi ghty m en for mi n e anger

, ,

E ven my proudl y e x ul ti ng on e s .

The noi se of a mul ti tud e i n t he mountai n s ,

Li k e as of a g r eat p eople
The noi se of a tumul t of t he ki n g dom s
O f th e n at i on s g ath e re d tog e th er
The L O RD of ho st s mu st er e th
The ho st for the ba ttle .

Th ey come from
far c ountry a ,

From the utt e rmo st part of h eaven ,

Ev e n the L O R D and t he w eapon s of hi s i ndi gnati on ,

,

To d estroy t he whole l and .

6 . H ow l y e ; for t he day of t h e L O R D i s at hand ;

As de stru c ti on from the Al mi ghty sha ll i t c om e .

The refore sha ll all hand s

B e f eeble ,

And eve ry h ea rt of man Shall m elt

8 . And they sh all b e di sm aye d
Pa ng s and sorrow s sh all t ak e hol d of them ;
Th ey sha ll be i n pai n as a woman i n travail :

lon i t el f
s x f
T h e se prou dl y e u lti ng o r ei g n wa r r i o r s a r e a c u all y
. t
r e g ar d e d a s cons e cr ate d ( a m o ng t h e S e m i es war i s a sa c r e d hi ng , t t
f
c 1 Sa m. v
t o t h e se r i c e o f J ehova h, t o e x e c u e hi s a ng er
. t
u p o n B ab y l o n And har k ! t h e so u nd o f t h e g a h er i ng h o s s, as
. t t
t t
h e y ar e m u s er e d b y J eh o ah hi m sel v f .

Thei r C omi ng shall str i ke Ter r or i nto B a byl on ( v ss .

—8
5 )
J e ho v ah c o m e s a t t h e h ea d o f t h e ar m y , wh ose warr i or s ar e th e
Weapons of hi s indi gnati on . W el l m ay t h e B ab y l o ni ans b owl
1 09
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

They shall be ama z ed one at anoth er ;

Thei r fa ces sha ll be fa ces of flame .

B eho ld the day of t he LO RD c ometh c ruel

, , ,

Wi th wrath and fi er ce anger ;

To m ak e the land a d eso l at i on ,

And to destroy the si nn e rs th ereof out of i t .

Fo r t he stars of h eav en and t he c on st ellati ons thereof

Sha ll not gi ve th ei r li g ht
The sun sha ll be da rk en ed i n hi s g oi ng forth ,

And t he moon shall not cause her light to shi n e .

And I will puni sh t he worl d for thei r evil . ,

And the wi ck ed for th ei r i niqui ty ;

And I wi ll c ause t he arrog an cy of t he proud to c ease ,

And will lay low the haughti n es s of t he t erri ble .

I wil l make a man more rar e than fine g o ld ,

Even a man t han the pur e go ld of Ophir .

Th e re fore I wil l m ake t he he av ens to tremble ,

1

And t he earth shall be sh ak e n out of her pl a c e ,

1 C r the heavens shal l tremble

. .

( wi t h 6 c J oe l 1 :
vs . a nd f
he i r a c e s he ace s of fl am e , i e
. t f f . .

t t t
fl u she d wi h e xc i e m e n , as hey se e t he o nc o mi ng d ay of J ehova h, t
. .
’
v
i e o f J e ho a h s r i u m p h o e r h e m t v t .

The Desol ati on Wr o ug ht ( vss .

—
9 12)
The j ud g m ent i n whi ch B aby lo n will f ll i s a wor ld j u dg m ent
,
a ,
-

(v s . c f v 9 the a th t h e t ha n th e la nd ) whi c h wi ll anni hi

11 . s .
,
e r ,
ra r
l at e t h g u i l t y esp e c i all y t he prou d a nd v i l nt ( v
e ,
N t o e s . a ure,

t oo wi ll b i nv l v d t he su n m oo n
, e o nd constell ati ons ( li t
e , , ,
a .

Or i n c f J b 9 9 ; 3 8 3 ) b e c o m i ng d k ; and t h e sur vi v or o f
o s, . o : : 1 ar s

t h j d g m nt w ul d b e so fe w t ha t t h e y w u l d b e s r ar e as fine
e u e o o a

g ol d .

The Horr or s o f the J ud gment ( vss . 1 3- 1 6 )

There i s p ani c al i ke i n na ur e a nd a m o ng m e n Th e m er c h an s, t . t
o f wh o m B ab yl o n i s ull , w f
i ll fl e e i n err o r , li k e wand er i ng or t
1 10
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

19 . And B abylon , the glory of ki ng doms,

The beauty of the Cha l deans pri de ,
’

Shall be as when God overthrew

Sodom and Go morrah .

It shall n ever be i nhabi ted ,

Nei the r shall i t be dwel t in from gen erati on to

g e n e ra ti on
Nei the r shall the Arabi an pi t ch th ere
Nei th er sha ll Sh epherds make th ei r flo c ks to li e down
the re .

B ut wi l d beasts of the dese rt shall lie th ere ;

And th ei r houses shall be full of doleful c r eatur es ;
And o st ri ch es sha ll dwell t here ,

And satyrs sha ll dan ce th e re

1
.

1 m li e goats
.
-
.

I t has bee n sug g est e d t ha t t he o ri gi nal m ay h a ve r u n so me wh a t as

f oll o ws ( c f Je r 50 :
. .

B ow a nd spear they hold ,

C
r uel ar e they ,

All the yo u ng me n they smite

And the ma id ens i n pi eces ar e d ashed .
( So M ar t i ) .

19 . At t he hands o f t he M edes ,
t he f te of t h
a e g l o r i o u s B a by l o n
wo ul d be t e rri ble
as as t ha t Sod o m ( G e n
of T he ha l d ea ns,
. C
near t h nor t h
e nd e o f t he P e r sia n G f
ul , b e ca m e i n t he se e n h v t
c ent ur y D C m as t . . e r s o f B a b y lo ni a , so ha t t C
hald e a n i s p r ae
ti call y eq u i v lent t oa B aby l o ni a n .

B abylon a Wi ld Desolatio n ( v ss .
—
20 2 2 )
t t t
The d es r uc i o n o f t he ci y wo ul d b e so h o r o ug h h at i t s si te t t
v
wo ul d be fo r e er t he g loo m y ha u n o f wi ld beas s i ncar na i o ns, t t t
v
as i t wer e , o f e il sp i ri s ( c Rev 1 8 t f . .

t
N o r adi ng Ar abi a n, or B edo ui n, wi h hi s c ar a an, wo ul d p i t ch t v
hi s en t t ther e No sh eph er ds wi h h ei r fl o ck s wo ul d b e he r e ,
. t t t
b u t wi ld cats , a nd cr eatu r es that howl ; t o t h e m u si c o f h ei r h o wl t
i ngs t h e satyrs or wi ld goats ( c Lev 1 7 : 7 ) — f
d e m o ns ( so t h e. .

11 2
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

22 . And wolves shall c ry in th ei r ca st les

1

And ja c kals i n the plea sant pa la ces

And her ti m e i s n ear to c ome ,

And her days Shall not be prolon ged .

S ong o f Tr i u mph the Fall B abylon s Ki ng ( 14

’
—
over f
o 1 2 3)

14 . Fo r theL O RD wi ll h ave c omp assi on on J a c ob and ,

wi ll y et choo se I sra el and set them i n th ei r own land ,

and th e stran g e r sh all jo i n h i m sel f w i th th em and th e y ,

2 . sha ll c leav e to t he h ou se of J a c ob And the p eople s .

sha ll t ak e th e m and b ri n g th em to th ei r p la c e : and

,

th e hou se of I sra el sha ll po sse ss th e m i n t he l and of

th e L O RD for se rv ant s and for h andm ai d s and th ey

shall tak e th em capti ve whose c apti ves they wer e ; ,

and th ey shall rule over th ei r oppressor s .

1 Heb howli ng
. creatures .

G r eek v
) i c
er si o n
n a r na e — w ul
o t
d d a nc e ; a nd so o n i n t he pal ace s
j
wh e r e p l e a su r e r e i g ne d ac kal s wo u l d h o wl t o e a c h o h e r t .

t t
Th e s r ee s a nd h a p p y h all s o f B a by l o n wo u ld b e a g r i m d e so
t t t
l a i o n, wi h su p er na u r al ho r r o r h a ng i ng a b o u he m Su ch t t .

t f t
we r e no t , i n p o i n o f a c , t h e c o nse u e nc e s o f t h e c a p u r e o f q t
t
B ab y l o n ; t h e H e b r e w p o e i s h er e g i i ng e x p r e ssi o n t o hi s p as v
si o na t e h o p e s .

—
23 T hi s song i s e e n m o r e b r i ll i a n
. v
h a n t he l as I t t t . t
t f
d e sc ri b e s wi h wo nd e r u l r e ali sm t h e jo y o f I sr ae l a nd o f t h e wo r l d
f
a t t h e d o wn a ll o f t h e B a b y l o ni a n o p p r esso r , t h e i r o ni c al we l c o m e
v f
h e r e c e i es r o m t h e S h a d e s i n t h e u nd e r wo r l d , a nd t h e i n ni e fi t
t t t
c o n r as b e wee n h i s so ar i ng a m bi i o ns and hi s h u m ili a i ng a e t t f t .

1— 4 a T h e r e a l so ng b eg i ns wi h v s 4 b ; v ss 1 — 4 a ser e t o co n
. t . . v
ne e t t
hi s so ng wi h t h e l a s t t
T h ey b r i ng o u t , i n an i n e nsel y
. t
t f t
na i o nal a nd , i n a c , u ng e ner o u s wa y , t h e si g ni c a nc e o f t h e all fi f
o f B a b y l o n fo r I sr ae l T h e jo y o f t h e r e u r n t o t h e h o m e l and i s
. t -

v t
e r y na u r al , a nd t h e v
i si o n o f t h e str ang er s , o r p r o sel y e s, b ei ng t
joi ned ( i n m ar r i a g e , fo r e x a m p l e ) t o t h e J e ws, i s al o g e h er wo r hy t t t
( c f I s 56 : 3— 7 , e c h 2 :
. .
Z B u t i t i s by t he h ea he n ha
. I sr a el t t t
i s t o be b r o u g h t
t o h e r o wn l a nd ( c 49 : 2 a nd h e r e h e y ar e f . t t
v t t
t o b e t h e ser a n s of h e i r J e wi sh m as e r s, wh o ar e h e m sel e s t o t t v
I 1 13
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

And i t sha ll come to pas s i n t he day that the L O RD

shall gi ve th ee rest from thy sorrow and from thy ,

trouble and from the hard se rvi c e wher ei n thou wast

,

made to se rve that thou sh al t tak e up thi s parable

,

ag ai nst the ki ng of B abylon and sa y , ,

How hath t he oppressor cea se d l

The g ol den ci ty c ea sed
1

Th e L O RD ha th brok en t he staff of the wi cked ,

The s c eptre of th e rul e rs
That smote the peop les i n wrath
Wi th a c onti nual strok e ,

That rule d t he nati on s in an ge r ,

Wi th a pe rsec uti on tha t non e restrained .

The whole e ar th i s at r est a nd i s qui et ,

They break forth i nto si ngi ng .

Yea t he fir trees r ejo i ce at thee

, ,

And t he c edars of L ebanon sayi ng, ,

Sinc e thou art lai d low no feller ,

I s c om e up ag ai n st us
”
.

2
Hell from b eneath i s move d for thee
To m ee t thee at thy c omi n g

1 m . ex act ress .
1 He b Sheol
. .

t t
be sp a re d all ha so rr o w, u nr e s t , a nd t oi l, whi c h i s t he g e ner al l o t
o f m a n ( Ge n 3 : 1 6 ti ; Jo b 1 4 :
. . T he n f o ll o ws t he t
g r e a ta u nt
t t
so ng ( r a h er ha n parabl e ) .

The J oy f
o the Wor ld at the Fall f
o the M i ght y Tyr ant ( v ss .
4
—
b 8 )
R ea d ( i n v s . How i s the oppr essor sti ll ed the stor mi ng —

sti lted
. t
He i s t h e stafi whi c h sm o e t he p e o pl e s , a nd tram pl e d th e
nati ons i n wrath wi th tr amp ( no t pe rs e cuti on) u nr el enti ng Well .

t t
m ay ear h b r e ak i n o a ri ng i ng cr y , and e e n i nani m a e na ur e , v t t
t t
lik e t h e s a el y c e dars of Le b anon, ha ha d b e e n ell ed fo r p ur t t f
poses o i b ui l di ng and i ns r u m e n s o f wart t .
I4 13 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

And thou sai dst in thi n e h eart ,

I will as cend i nto heaven

!
,

I will e xa lt my thron e
Above the stars of God ;
And I will sit upon the mount of con gregati on ,
In the utte rmo st parts of the north :
I wi ll asce nd above the height s of the clouds ;
”
I will be lik e the Mo st Hi gh .

Yet thou sha lt be brou ght down to hell 1

,

To the utt ermo st part s of th e pi t .

Th ey that see thee sh all narrowly l ook upon thee ,

Th ey sha ll c on si de r th ee sayi ng , ,

I s thi s t he man that mad e th e earth to tremble ,

That di d shak e ki n gdoms
That made th e world as a W il de rness ,
And ove rthrew t he ci ti es thereof
That let not loo se hi s pri son ers
To thei r hom e ?
All t he ki n gs of the nati on s all of th em sl eep in glory , , ,

Ev ery o ne i n hi s own house .

B ut thou art c a st fort h away from thy se pul c hr e

Li ke an abomi nable bran ch ,

1
Heb S heol
. .

a su gg e s e d t
c ha nge t he wo r ds m ay m ea n
, ,
no w l yi ng st i fl (a
c or pse ) u po n c orpses .

The m ount of co ngr e g ati on o r assembl y t o , whi c h t h e ki ng as

was i n the t t ly
.

p i r ed , r ecesses o f the m y s e ri o us
nor th, a nd ap pa r en
d e no t t
t he m o u n a i n wher e m y h i
es t c t
al i m a gi na i o n ha d ap par en tl y
s u p po se d t h e g od s t o m ee t .

The Wor ld ’
s Asto ni s hment at the Ki ng of B abyl on s Fate ( v ss ’
.
—
16 1 9)
Those who l o o k u p o n hi s c o rp se ar e s r u c k by t h e c o n r ast t t
t
be we en t he o wer and g l o r y o f hi s li e a nd t he i m p o e nc e and di s f t
g rac e oi hi s ea h t .
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

C loth ed wi th the sl ai n ,

That ar e thru st throug h wi th the sword,

That g o down to t he ston es of the pi t
As a car c a se trodden und er foot .

Thou shalt not be joi n ed

Wi th the m i n b uri al ,

B e cau se thou ha st d estroye d thy land,

Thou ha st slai n thy p eo p le ;
The see d of e vil do er s -

Sh all not be n am e d for e ve r .

P repare y e sl au g ht er for hi s c hil dren

For the i ni qui ty of th ei r fath e r s

t
P r o b abl y t h e l a s cl a u se o f vs . 1 8 sh o ul d be m o v ed to vs . 1 7,
t
a nd t h e wh o l e r ea d h u s

Who l et not hi s pr i soner s go fr ee,

E ach to hi s hou se .

The ki ngs of the nati ons , one and all

R est i n honor .

(i . i n thei r spl e nd i d g r a v es)

e . .

I n c o nt rast ta t he h o no r a b l e b u r i al o f t he o ther k i ng s i s t he a wf ul
f a t e o f B a b yl o n s ki ng I t i s no t u nr easo nable to su ppose , wi t h
’
.

so m e sc h o l ar s , t ha t so m e wor d s i n v s 1 9 ha v e b ee n a cc i d e nt al l y
.

t r a nsp o se d , a nd so m e per hap s o m i tte d T he f o ll o wi ng r est o r at i o n

.

h a s b ee n pr o p o sed :
H ow ar t tho u cast out a mong the sl ai n,
That ar e pi er ced by the swor d ,

Goi ng down to the fl oor of the pi t,

Li ke a cor ps e that i s tr odden on !
How ar t thou cu t of fr om thy gr ave .

Li ke a sci on a bhor r ed /
How dost thou li e i ngl or i ous ,
C
l othed i n s ha me .

Fo r sci on ( he r e ap p a r e n ly = t
= m e m ber o f a fami l y ) ,
a Si mil a r wor d
t t
m e ani ng u n i m el y b i r h h as b ee n p r o p ose d .

Hi s Fa mi l y shall be E x ter mi nated ( vss . 2 0, 21 )

Hi s d oo m S hal l be t h e e xti ncti o n of hi s f a m il y a d oo m us i j t
fie d by hi s tyr anny . Vs . 20 sh o ul d p er h a p s r ead : As for thy
1 17
 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH

That
they ri se not up and po ssess the earth , ,

And fill th e fa ce of the world wi th ci ti es

1
.

And I will ri se up ag ai nst th em sai th t he L ORD of ,

ho st s and c ut o ff from B abylon n am e and remnant

, ,

and son and son s son sai th t he L O RD I wi ll also

’
,
.

make i t a po ssessi on for the por cupi n e and pools of ,

wat er : and I will sweep i t wi th th e besom of dest ru c

ti on sai th t he L O RD of ho sts
, .

JE HO VAH S I N VI NC IB LE WO RLD
’
PLAN —2
7)

The L O RD of hosts hath sworn sayi n g , ,

Surely as I hav e thoug ht so Shall i t c om e to p ass ,

And as I have purpo se d so sha ll i t stand ,

That I will break t he Assyri an i n my land ,

And upon my mounta i n s tread hi m under foot

Th en sha ll hi s yoke d epart from o ff th em ,

And his burden depa r t from ofl th ei r sho ulder .

1 Gr . wars .

father s tho u s hal t not be joi ned wi th the m , e t c

, . a nd the seed the f
o
evi ldoer , e t c A
l so i n v s 2 1 , r ead father fo r
. . f ath ers ; a nd wi th
c i ti es ( a t t he e nd ) sh o ul d p e r ha p s b e d ro p pe d .

v t
T hese er se s , a so r o f e p il o g ue , r e p ea and c o n r m t h e t fi
t t
assu r a nc e ha B ab y l o n wil l b e u e r ly d e s r o y e d ( c 13 tt21 t f .

t C
T hi s po e m , l i k e t he l as ( h ap 1 3 ) was wr i e n be o r e t h e c a
. tt f
t u re o f B a b y l o n i n 5 3 8 D C Th e u se o f t he pe r e c e nse t h r o u g
. . f tt
o u t i n t h e He b r e w i s a
g r a p h i c way o f r e p r ese n i ng t he i m p e ndi ng t
f a ll o f t he ki ng as an alr e ad y ac co m pli shed ac B o h he se poe ms, f t t t .

e spe c i ally t he l a tt
er , are ma r k e d by i n e nse e m o i o nal p o wer , ti id t vv
t
i m agi na i o n, a nd g r ea li e rar y skill t t T he c o n r as s be ween t h e . t t t
q t t v t
ui e u p o n e a r h a nd t he m o e m e n i n S h e o l , b e we e n t h e a m bi i o n t t
f
o f t he ki ng a nd hi s d o wn all , a r e e x e c u e d wi h g r e a t
dr a m a i c t t t
p o wer .

2 4- 2 7 T hi s o racl e b ri ng s u s b ac k t o t he i m es a nd t h e wo r k o f
. t
t f t
I sai a h I sole m nl y o r e e lls t he d e s r uc i o n o f t he Assy ri an
. t t
r o b ab ly S e nna c h e ri b a nd hi s a r m y in m y l and , i e P al es i ne t
F
. .

m th 2 5b c f .T he su bli m e ho ug h i s r ea c he d ha Je t t t t
1 18
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

30 . And the fir st born of the poor Shall feed ,

-

And t he needy Shall li e down in safety

And I will kill thy root wi th fami n e ,

And thy remnant S hall be Slai n .

3 1 . Howl O g ate ,
0 ci ty ; c ry ,

Thou art m el te d aw ay , 0 Phi li sti a , all of th ee ;

For there c om e th a smoke out of th e north ,
1
And none standeth aloof at hi s appo in ted ti m es .

32 . What th en shall one an swe r

The messeng e rs of t he n ati on ?
That t he LO RD hath founde d Zi on ,

And in her shall the afli i cted of hi s people tak e refuge .

1 m SV Mere is
. no str aggler i n his ranhs .

30 . Whi le t
t h e P hi l i s i nes a re d oo m ed , t h e Judx a ns ar e sa e ; f
t
i t i s he y t t t r
ha a r e m ea n b y t he ne e d y a nd th e poo wh o sh all ee d f
on my me ad ows ( a s we sho ul d p r o ba b l y re ad i ns e a d o f th e firstbo rn t
of) . Fo r sh all b e slai n re a d I wi ll sl ay ,
.

3 1 P
. hi li s i a i s cta lle d u p o n t o h o w l cr y a nd m e l t aw a y ( im
z
, ,

, t
pe r ) be c a u se o u t o f t h e no r h ( c 1 0 : 2 8 fl ) c o m es t h e sm ok e o f f . .

v t
wa r , whi c h r e eal s t he r ai l o f t h e Assyri a n ar m y , a nd no str aggl er
i s fo u nd i n hi s r a nks ( c 5 : 2 7 6 ) f .

3 2 Th e m e ss e ng e rs o f th e nati on , i e t he P hi li s i ne e n o y s ,
. . . t v
t t
will c o m e i n he i r e r ro r t o so li ci t he ai d o f J ud a h ; b ut J u d a h s
, , t’

a ns we r , i ns ) i r e d b y I sa i a h will be a r e u sa l J e r usale m i s sa e , f f
d f
.
,

fou nd ed a n de e nd e d a s she i s b y J eho a h hi m se l v f .

C ha p s 1 5 a nd 1 6 W i h t h e e xc ep i o n o f o ne o r t wo
. . t er ses t v
16 : 2 , 13 whi c h are i n t he p ro p h e i c s r ai n, hese t wo t t t
t tt t
c hap e rs ( 1 5 1 6) c o ns i u e a l a m en o e r M oa b , whi c h h as bee n
, t v
v t t
d e as a ed i n so m e i n a si o n v
T he i n ad e r s wh o a r e no t na m e d ,
. v ,

t t
ar e p r o b a bl y e i he r I srael i e s o f t he i m e o f J e r o bo a m II ( 7 8 1—7 4 0 t
v
wh o r e c o er e d m uc h o f I sra el s a nc i e n e r ri o r y ( 2 Ki ng s
’
t t t
14 : 2 5, or p o ssi b l y Ara bi a n ri b es r o m t h e d eser t f t .

ff t
The t wo c hi e o r resse s h a e all e n b e o r e t he i n ad ers ( 1 5 : v f f v
t f
The ne ws o f h ei r al l sp r e ad nor h war ds , b ri ngi ng c o ns erna i o n t t t
v
whe re er i t g oe s The pe o pl e fl ee so u h war d s t o E d o m ; r o m
. t f
t t
her e he y se nd t o J u d a h a pi i ul a pp eal fo r p r o e c i o n tf
The t t .

j t
ap peal i s r e e c e d , a nd t he poe c o n i nues hi s l am enta ti o n fort t
1 20
15 3 5 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

Therefore the arm ed m en of Moab c ry al o d ; u

Hi s so ul tremble th wi thi n hi m .

My h eart c ri e th out for Moab

Her nobles fl ee unto Zoar , to Eglath shelishi yah
1 -

For by the a scent of Luhi th

Wi th weepi ng th ey go up ;
For in t he way of Horona i m
Th ey rai se up a cry of destru cti on .

6 For t he wat e rs of Ni mri m

.

Shall be desol at e
For the g ra ss i s wi th ere d away , the tender grass faileth ,
There i s no g r een thi n g .

7 . Ther efore t he ab undan ce they have g ot ten ,

And that whi ch th ey have l ai d up ,

Sha ll th ey carry away

1
To t he brook of the willows .

1 m SV. over .

Ne bo Hesh bon , El e al eh , a li le nor h

a nd tt
V s 2 sho ul d p er h a ps t . .

r ea d : The d a ug hter - t he e o l
p p ) f e o D i b o n ( c J e r 4 8 : 1 8) i s f . .

g o ne up to the hi gh pl aces (i e t he sanc u a r i e s) to weep . . M oab t .

wai l s u pon ( no t over ) N ebo , e t c E e r y wher e — i n s r ee s, o n

. v t t
f q
r oo s i n s u ar es , a r e t o be h ea r d and se e n a l l t he si g ns o f m o ur ni ng
,
.

Fo r th e arm e d m en, e t c , i n v s 4 , r ead pe r hap s the l oi ns of M oab

. .

q ui ver .

M oabites ( vss —
The Fl i ght o f the .
5 9)

T he pe o pl e fle e so u h wa r ds t Z
o ar i s a t t he so u heas c o r ner o f
. t t
t he D e ad Sea ; Eg lath S h eli shi yah , p er hap s - t he hi r d Eg l a t h , t
t t f
i n di s i nc i o n r o m t wo o he r s ( c Je r 4 8 : t f
Luhi th , b e wee n . . t
Z
Ar and o ar ; Horo nai m , p r o bab l y i n t he nei g hb o r hoo d o f o ar ; Z
t
Ni mrim , be wee n H oro nai m a nd o ar I ts water s beco me desol a Z .

ti ons , t t
h r o u g h bei ng s o p pe d b y t he e ne m y ; fo r hi s a nd t he t
t t
d e s r u c i o n o f t h e r ui u l la nd , c f tf
2 K i ng s T he fl ee i ng f .

t t t
M oabi e s c ar ry he i r p r o pe r y wi h he m o e r th e brook of th e t t v
wi llows , pr o ba bly t he br o o k a t t he so u h e r n e nd o f t he D ead Sea , t
f
whi c h o r ms t he bou nd ar y be wee n M oa b and E d o m tT he wail .
 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH

For th e cry i s g on e round

About th e borders of Moab
The howli n g th er eof unto E gl ai m ,

And th e howli ng th er eof unto B eer eli m

,
-
.

For t he wat e r s of D i mon

Are full of bl ood
For I wi ll b ri n g
Y et mor e up on D i mon ,

A li on upon hi m th at e scape th of Moab,

And upon the r emnant of the l and .

Send y e the l ambs

ruler of the land
Fo r the
From Sel a whi ch i s toward the wil d ern e ss
1
,

U nto t he mount of t he d aug ht e r of Zi on .

For i t Sh all be th a t as w and e ri n g bi rds , ,

As a sca t ter ed n est ,

So shall th e d aug ht e r s of Moab be

At the ford s of Amon .

1 m P etra
. .

i ng r e so u nd s as far a s Egl ai m 1n t he so u h , a nd B ee r eli m , p o ssi bl y t -

i n t h e no r h ( c Num t f
: 1 6 ) a nd t h e r e fo r e = t h r o u g h o u t t he
. .
.

f
l a nd , r o m N t o S , b u t p r o b abl y i n t he so u h , a s a l so app ar e n l y
. t t
Dim on .

t
T h e l as h al o f v s 9 a nd f s ri k e t h e p r o p h e i c no e
. t
I 15 t t .

o f c o u r se J e h o a h , v
a nd t h e li on i s so m e y e t fie r c e r e ne m y ( c f .

14 : r o b abl y t h e Assy r i a n T hi s v s sho u l d p e r h a p s b e

lb
. .

t
di r e c l y fol we d b y whi c h i i d ly c o m p ar e s t h e e fi ec t o f vv
the li on s a pp ear anc e u p o n th e d augh ter s (i e t h e c o m m u ni i e s)
’
. . t
of M o ab t o t he p a ni c a nd fli g h o f al ar m e d bi r d s t .

M oa b s E ar nest Appeal —
for ( 3 5)
’
to J ud ah P r otecti on 16 . 1,

T h e u gi i e s ar e no w i n E d om , and r om se
f tv l a (o r P etr a) , i ts f
t
c api al , they sent (so D u h m ) l am b s as r i b u e (ex a c l y a s t he ki ng t t t
o f M o ab d o e s i n 2 Ki ng s 3 : 4 ) b y way o f th e wil d e rne s s whi c h
t f
se p ar a e s S el a r o m J e r u sal e m to th e m ount of th e daug h te r of,

1 23
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

Gi ve coun sel ,

E x ec ut e judgem ent
Make thy sh adow as the ni gh t
In the mi dst of the noonday
Hi de t h e out cast s
B ewray not t he wanderer .

1
Le t mi n e out ca st s
D well wi th th ee
As for Moab be thou a c ove rt ,

From the fa c e of the spo il er .

Fo r the ex tort i on er i s broug ht to nought ,

Spo ili n g ce ase th ,

The opp ressors are consum ed out of th e land .

And a thron e shall be esta bli shed in mer cy,

And one shall si t the reon in truth ,

In t he t ent of D avi d
J udgi ng and see ki ng j udgem ent
, ,

And swi ft to do ri ght eou sn ess .

We have heard of the pri de of Moab ,

That he i s ve ry proud ;
Even of his arrog an c y and his pri de and hi s wrath , ,

Hi s boastings are nought .

1 m Gr Syr Tar let the

. . . . outcasts o f Moab dwell with thee .

Z i on ; i . e . th e y s u p pl i a e
hel p o f c t
u d a h , sa yi ng , ive
t he G
co unse l , ma ke y o ur deci s i on i n o u r b e hal w e n t he e ne m y de mand f ,

o ur surr end e r ; be t o us as a p r o e c i ng sh a dow ( c 3 2 : Let t t f

.

the o utc asts of M oab d wel l as sojo ur ner s wi th ( a nd h e r e o r e p r o t f

t e c t e d by ) thee e t c When ( r a her h an for ) the oppr essor i s no
, . t t
mor e the n shall the thr one ( app ar e n ly o f J u d ah) be esta b t
l i shed i n l ovi ng ki nd ness a nd ther e shall si t u po n i t
-
,
o ne who
”
j ud ges a nd seeks j us ti ce e t c ,
.

v t
6 The er y e ar ne s a nd fl a eri ng appeal o f M o ab i s re ec ed ,
. tt j t
be ca use J u d a h k no ws t oo well M oa b s pr id e a nd i nsolence and
’

t
basel ess pr ati ngs , i ll us r ate d i n p ar by hi s e r y a pp eal t t v .

1 24
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH
’

For upon thy su mm er frui ts and upon thy harvest

The battle shout i s fall en .

And gladness i s tak en away , and joy

O ut of t he frui tful fiel d
An d i n t he vi n eyards th ere S hall be no Si ngin g ,

Nei th er joyf ul noi se

No tr ead er sh all tread out wi n e in t he presses
I h ave made t he vi ntage shout to cease .

Wh erefore my bowels sound

Li ke an harp for Moab ,

And mi n e i nward parts for Ki r h eres -

.

And i t sha ll c ome to p as s when Moab present eth ,

hi mse lf when he weari e th hi mself upon t he high pl a ce

, ,

and shall come to hi s san ctuary to pray that he shall ,

not preva il .

Thi s i s the word that t he L O RD spake c on cerni n g

Mo ab i n t i me pas t B ut now the LO RD hath spoken .
,

sayin g Wi thi n three y ears as the years of an hi reling

, , ,

and th e glory of Moab shal l be brough t i nto c ontempt ,

wi th all his g r ea t mul ti tude and the remn ant shall be

ve ry small and of no a ccount ”
.

12 . M o ab ’
s ca la m i t y wo u ld d r i v e hi m
C he to pr ay t o hi s g o d
m o sh , b u t hi s p r a y er wo ul d be u i l e Per hap s we sh o ul d si m pl y f t .

re a d : When M oa b wear i es hi mself ( o mi i ng pr esenteth) tt .

13, 1 4 Vs 1 3 r eg ar ds t h e p r e c e d i ng la m e n as a p r o h ecy
. . t
v
gi e n i n ti m e past whi c h a cc o r di ng t o v s 1 4 , wi ll be fu l fi e d
, ,
.

t
d o ub l e ss by t he Assyr i a ns wi thi n th r e e y ears , a hi r eli ng or m er
cenar y sold i er s i me o f se r i c e
’
t v .

t f
Th e we al h o f u n a m i li ar p ro pe r na m e s i n hi s el e g y h as p ar l y t t
o bsc u re d fo r u s i t s r eal p oe i c m eri t
The p oe m i s wr i e n wi h t . tt t
f f
m u c h e e li ng , a nd i n pl a c e s ( c 1 6 : 8—1 0 ) wi h r eal li er a r y p o we r
. t t .

t
T he p assag e h as b e e n u i li z e d i n t he o r a c l e o n M o ab i n Je r .

48 . t v
M o ab m u s h a e p o ssessed a t hi s i m e a r el a i el y hi g h t t tv
t v
ci vili za i o n Si x o r se en o f t he pl ac e na m es here m en i o ned
.
-
t
t t
o cc ur al so o n t he M o a b i e s o ne whi c h was e r e c e d a bo u 8 5 0 B C t t . .
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

PROPHE CY CONCERNI N G D AMASCU S AN D NO RTHE RN I SRAE L

(1 7 —
1 11 )
The D estr u cti on o f Damascus —
3)

The 1
b ur d en of D ama sc u s .

B ehol d ,
from being a ci t y,
D ama scu s i s take n away
And i t Shall b e a rui nou s h eap .

2 .
2
The ci ti es of Aroe r are for sak en ; th ey Shall be for
flo ck s ,

Whi ch shall li e down and non e Sh all m ak e th em afrai d

, .

The fortr ess al so sh all c ease from Ephr ai m ,

And the ki n g dom from D am asc u s and the r emn an t ,

of Syri a
Th ey sh all be as the gl ory of the c hi l dr en of I srael ,
Sai th the LO RD of ho st s .

b y M esh a t he ki ng t o c o m m e m o r a e hi s i c o r i es o e r I sr a el , and t v t v
v
di sc o er e d a m o ng t he r u i ns o f D ib on i n 1 8 6 8 A D .

1 7 : 1— 1 1 T hi s p r o p h e c y d e al s no t o nl y , as t h e su p e r sc r i p ti o n
.

t t
su g g e s s , wi h D a m as c u s, t he c a p i al o f Sy r i a (Ar a m ) , b u t e e n t v
fi t
m or e sp e c i c all y wi h I sr ael , a nno u nc i ng t h e u er d est r u c t i o mo f tt
f
t h e o r m e r ki ng d o m , a nd t h e a l l b u t u e r d es r u c i o n o f t h e l a er tt t t tt .

f t
T he p r o p h e c y all s ab o u 7 3 5 B C , a t a ny r a e b e o r e t h e u ni e d
. . t f t
t
assa ul o f S y ri a a nd I sr ae l u p o n J u d a h a ll u d e d t o i n f .

2 . t
As no hi ng 18 k no wn o f a S y ri a n Aroe r , h o u g h b y t h e c o n t
t t t
e x i t o u g h t o b e a we ll k no wn d i s r i c o r c i y , we m ay a d o p t h e
-
t t t t
sl i g h t t t
c ha ng e o f e x , su p p or e d i n p ar by t he r eek er si on, t t G v
whi c h wo ul d g i e u s : v
A r u i n S h all she be for ever ,
H er ci ti es sh all be fo r fl o c k s .

3 . . . t
Ephr ai m , i e no r h e r n I sr ael , S hall l o se h er fortr ess, i e . .

t t
ei th er S a m ari a , t h e c a p i al c i y , or p ossibl y Sy r i a , whi c h was
t
I sr ael s bul war k ag ai ns t he ad anc e o f Assy ri a T he l as clau ses
’
v . t
sh o ul d p er h ap s r e a d ,

And the r emna nt of S yr i a shall per i sh,

They s hall be as the chi ldr en of I sr ael .

127
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

The D oom f
o I sr ael

And i t shall c ome to p a ss on that day that ,

The glory of J a c ob sh all b e made t hi n ,

And t he fatn ess of hi s fl esh shall wax lean .

And i t Sha ll be as wh en the harvestman g ath ereth the

st andi n g c orn ,

And hi s arm reap eth t he ears

Yea i t S ha ll be as when o ne g leaneth ears
,

In the va ll ey of R ephai m .

6 . Yet th ere sha ll be le ft th e r ei n g leani n g s ,

As t he shaki ng of an o li ve tree
1
,

Two or thr ee be rri es

In the top of t he uppe rmo st bough ,

Four or five
In t he outmost bran ch es of a frui tful tree ,

Sai th t he L O RD t he God of I sr ael,

.

In t hat day S hall a man look unto hi s Mak er ,

And hi s eyes S ha ll have respec t to the Holy One of

I sra el .

8 . And he sha ll not l ook to the alt ar s t he work of hi s ,

hands ,

Nei ther shall he have resp ec t to that whi ch hi s fin ger s

1 m Heb beat i ng
. . .

f t
The po we r ul c i y was d oo m ed t o b e a ui e p as u r e la nd q In t t .

p o i n to f af t
c , D a m a sc u s e ll b e o r f
e t h e Assy r ifa ns , i n 7 3 2 a c .

—6 I sr ael ’s d oo m J acob I sr ael i s se a le d i n th at da t h e d ay

4 .
( ) y
f
whe n D a m asc u s alls, fo r D a m a sc u s was I sr a el s bul wa r k ( v s
’
.

t fi
T he d oo m i s d e sc rib ed i n hr ee g u r e s : ( i ) a s a was i ng a way o f t
t h e bo d y , (i i ) as t he m e a gr e g l ea ni ng s o f c o r n whi c h m i g h be t
t ft v t
g a her ed a er h ar es i n t he pl a i n o f R ephai m , so u h wes o f t t
J e r u sa l e m a nd ( i i i ) a s t h e fe w be rri e s l e
,
'

ft
u p o n a n ol i e r ee a er v t -
ft
i ts b r anch es h a e b ee n b ea e n v I ’
t
sr ael s r ui n wi l l no t b e u
. er , tt
v
li k e Syr i a s , b u t e r y ne ar l y so
’
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

Ther efor ethou pl ant est pl easant pl ants 1

,

And sett est i t wi th strange Slips

2

In th e day of thy planti n g thou hedgest i t in

'

And in t he morni ng thou makest thy seed to blo ssom

B ut the harvest fl eeth away i n the day of g ri ef
And of desp erat e sorrow .

THE SP E E DY D O O M O F THE A S SYRI AN S ( 1 7 12 -

18 z 7)

Thei r S udden D estr ucti on —1

4)

12 . Ah the uproar of many p eoples

, ,

Whi ch roar li ke t he roari n g of t he seas ;

And t he rushi ng of nat i on s ,

That rush li ke the rushi n g of m ighty wate rs

1 m pl a nti ngs of Adoni s

. Gr Vg . . a faithless pla nt .
1 m . vi ne sl i ps o f a str ange god .

Tho ugh tho u pl a ntest Adoni s pl a nts ,

And do set (thy gar den) wi th the sci o ns f a str a nger (i e str a ng e
};
o . .

go
Tho ug h i n the day when tho u pl a ntest, tho u m akest i t g r ow,
A nd i n the mor ni ng whe n tho u sowest tho u dost br i ng i t to bl osso m;
Yet sur el y the har vest s hall va ni sh i n the day of s i c kness ,
A nd sor r ow i nc ur abl e (shal l be thi ne) .

T he strang e g od ( so m ar g i n) i s Ad o ni s who i s no d o ub all ude d t o i n ,

t
t he wo r d pl eas a nt ( v s Th e pl easant pl ants a re t he so cal l e d
.
-

Ado ni s g ar d e ns, whi c h play ed a c o nspi c u o u s p ar i n t he Ad o ni s t

f tv
es i als t
flo we r po s wi h a ll k i nd s o f ar i c i al l y d e e l o e d t tfi v
p lt
a n s , fl o w e rs , e t c , w hi c h wi h e r
. e d as u i c kl y a s h e y t a d q t p
g r o w n , a n d w h i c h w ere h e r e o r e a n a p t sy m b o t
l o f t h e u f
i li y o f f t t
t he Sy ri a n all i a nc e .

—
1 7 : 1 2 18 : 7 . t
I n hese e r ses ar e t wo shor o r ac es vl — 14 t
t
a nd 1 8 : 1— 7 ) c o nne c e d i n he m e , a nd p ro b a bl y p r o d u c e d ab o u t t
t e sa m
h e i me — t t
be we e n 7 0 5 a nd 7 0 1 D C , whe n Se nnac h e ri b . .

and hi s Assyr i a ns we re be c o m i ng a n e e r m o r e o r m i d abl e m e nac e v f

t o J uda h C t
o m m o n t o bo h i s t he se re ni y wi h whi c h I sai ah co n
. t t
t t t
t e mpla tes hei r u m ul u o u s ad a nc e , a nd t he cl ea r ness wi h whi c h v t
f
he oresees and o re ells hei r d oo m f t t .

12 Thi s i s a e r y spi ri ed passag e

. v t
Thro ug h i ts well ch osen .
-

vv
He bre w wo r d s o ne i i dl y h e ar s t he r oar O f t he se a , t o whi c h i s
1 30
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

The nati on s Shall ru sh

Li k e the ru shi ng of m any waters
But he Shall r ebuk e th em ,
And they shall flee far OH, and shall be chased
As t he chaff of t he
mo untai n s b efor e the wi nd ,

And li k e t he whi r ling du st before the s torm .

At eve nti de b ehold t error

And b efor e th e morni n g th ey are not .

Th i s i s t he porti on of th e m th at spoi l us ,

And the lo t of th em that rob u s .

I sai ah s Answer to the E thi opi an Ambassad ors ( C )

’
hap . 18

18 . Ah the l and of the ru st li n g of wi ngs

,
1
,

Whi ch i s beyond the ri v er s of E thi opi a

2 . Th at se nd eth amb a ssador s by the sea ,

E v en i n ve ssel s of papyru s upon the wat e rs ,

sayi ng,

1 Gr . wi nged boats .

c o m p are d t h e t u m ul t o f t he m any a nd mi ghty nati ons ( as we sh o ul d

r ea d i n t h e S e c o nd h al f o f v s 1 2 ) t h a t we nt t o m a k e u p t h e Assy r
.

i an ar m y .

13 f ft
T hr e shi ng fl o o r s we r e o en se t u p o n a h e i g h wh e r e t he
. t
wi nd c o ul d e asi ly b e a r th e ch afl a wa y Te rror i n J er u sal e m b e .

c au se o i t h e Assy ri an ar m y T hese e r ses d esc r i be t he c o m pl e e

. v t
t
ne ss a nd t h e su dd e nne ss wi h wh i c h h e se o r e i g n pl u nder er s a nd t f
r obber s wo ul d b e d e s r o y e d t 3 7 : 36 . Cf . .

1 8 : 1 —7 t
E hi o p i a , t h e l a nd t o t h e so u h o f E g yp , a nd no w h e r
. t t
t t
m i s r e ss, h ad d esp a c h e d an e m b a ssy t o J e r u sal e m , fo r so m e p ur
fi t t t
p ose whi c h i s no t d e ni el y s a e d , b u t whi c h h a d no d o u b t o d o t
t t
wi h a n al l i a nc e ag a i ns t h e c o m m o n e ne m y Assy r i a I sai ah .

t j t t v t
i m pli c i l y r e e c s hei r o e r u r e s b y hi s c o u r eo u s a nd ser e ne t
a ssur a nc e th a t v f
J eho ah hi m sel wo ul d sp eedily seal t h e d o o m o f
t h e Assy ri ans .

1 t
E hi o p i a ( m o d e r n N u bi a) I S t h e l and of th e rustli ng of i nse c
. t
wi ng s —
p r o b a bl y an all u si o n i n p ar i c u l ar t o t h e se se fl y i n t t t
whi c h t h e Ni l e l and s abo u nd I i s ag u el y d esc ri b e d as b eyond
. t v
th e rive rs of Ethi opi a , i e t h e Whi e and t h e Bl u e Nil e
. . t .

2 v
B y t h e sea t h e r i e r N i l e i s m e a n , a nd d o wn i t s water s t h e
. t
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

Go ,wi ft m es seng er s
ye s ,

To a nati on ta ll and smooth ,

To a pe ople terri ble from th ei r begi nni ng onward

A nati on that m et eth out and treadeth down ,

Whose land t he ri vers di vi de 1

All y e inha bi tants of th e worl d and y e dwelle rs on ,

t he e arth ,

Wh en an en si g n i s li ft ed up on t he mountain s see ye ,

And when the trumpet is blown h ear ye ,

.

4 . For t hu s b a t h th e L O RD sa i d unto m e ,

I will be still and I will behold i n my dwelli ng pla ce

!
,

Li ke c lea r h eat i n sun shin e ,

L i ke a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest

1
.

1
C r Vg Syr day
. . . .

a m bassa d o rs i n switr v a el ft
l i g h b o a s m a de o f p a py r u s t T he t .

wo r d s ayi ng ( R V) , whi c h ha s no He b r e w war r a n , o bsc ur es t he t

t
po i n a nd sho ul d be d e l e e d t
I n r ea l i y , G O i n r o d u c e s t he spee c h
. t t
o f I sa i a h t o t he a m b assa d ors , no w a rr i ed a t J e r u sal e m Th e v .

i a ns a r e d esc ri be d by t he p r o p he i n c o m pli m e n ar y er m s t t t
isp
E t li
a s t‘ t
and sm oo th , o r r a h e r o f pol i s hed b r o nz e li k e sk i n, dr eaded -

near a nd far , a nati o n of str ength a nd vi ctor y , whose l a nd the N il e

str ea ms d i vid e T hey ar e k no wn t o ha e b e e n r e m ar k abl e fo r
. v
t t t t
he i r bea u y a nd s a u r e ( t he o b sc ur e wo r ds o f t h e l as h alf o f t
t
v s 2 se e m be s r e nd e r e d a s abo e )
. v .

t
3 T he a nno u nc e m e n o f J e h o ah s i m e nd i ng ri u m p h c o n
’
v t
di U v
.

c e rns no t o nly E t hi o i a , b u t t he who le worl ni e r sa l a e n i o n tt t

wi ll be c all ed t o i t y t he r i si ng o f a sta nd ar d a nd t he bl a st o f a
t
trum pet wo r d’s t o be ake n not li erall y b u t poe i ca lly , a s sy m t t
v
bol s o f J e ho a h s sud d e n a nd i c o ri o u s i n e r e n i o n v t t v t .

— . t
Vss 4 6 c o n a i n t he r e al m essag e esp e ci all y 5 f
fi
.

j t
4 T h e m a es i c c o n d e nc e wi h wh i c h I sa i a h awai s a nd o r e
. t t f
tells t he i ssu e i s b u t a r e fl e x o f t h e se r e ni y wi h whi c h hi s G o d t t
t t v
c o n e m pl a es i t all J eh o ah loo ks q ui etl y o n, s i ll as th e shi m
. t
m e ri ng h eat i n sunshi ne whe n t he g l o w i s i n ense , o r as th e hi g h t
t
mo i o nl ess d ew cl ou d s i n th e h e at of h arvest
- — t wo i ct u r es
tf tv
be au i u ll y sug g es i e o f t he su bli m e p ea c e o f J e ho a T he v
words Th us J eh ovah sai d to m e appar en ly i ndi c a e ha hi s t t t t t
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

B eh old, the LO RD ri deth upon a swi ft cl oud

~

And c om e th unto Egyp t

And the i dol s of Egypt shal l be mov ed at hi s presen ce ,

And the hear t of Egypt shall mel t in the mi dst

of i t .

2 . And I will sti r up the Egy pt i ans ag ai nst the Egyp ti ans
And th ey shall fight eve ry one ag ai nst hi s broth er ,

And eve ry one ag ai nst hi s nei ghbour ; ci ty ag ai nst

ci ty ,

And ki ng dom ag ai n st ki ngdom .

re pe ti ti is m u c h l a e r h an I sa i ah
o ns o f v s . I n t h e sp i r i o f a
2, t t . t
l a te r a g e , i t c o n e m pl a e s t he l a er d a y s t t
wh e n E hi o pi a tt t
wo uld a c k no wl e d g e I sra el s Go d , a nd c o m e t o J er u sale m , the pl a ce
’

of hi s na me , t o o fe r h i m g i
”
f
s o f h o m ag e ( c ep h Fo r ft f Z . .

of a pe o pl e rea d fr o m a peo ple .

t
T h e ser e ni y o f I sai a h i n a c e o f t he Assy r i a n m e nac e r e call s f
hi s c o m p o sure o n a o r m er o cca si o n, whe n e e r y o he r h ear wa s f v t t
t t t t
hr o wn i n o c o ns e r na i o n at t he p r o e c e d i n a si o n o f J u d ah by j t v
t he o i n j tf
o r c es o f I sr ae l a nd S y ri a ( 7 : 1 I n all su c h c r i ses hi s
f t
ai h es a bl i shes t
hi m ( 7 :
C hap 1 9 The o r ac l e o n E y p t a ppr o p ri a el y su cc e e ds ha
. . t t t
a ddr esse d t o t he E hi o pi a ns ( ap t
Fo r E gy p t h e d o o m i s C . t
anno u nce d o f ci vil war a nd o ppr essi o n at t h e ha nd s o f a h ar d
m as e r Wi h hese p oli i c al cal a mi i es ar e asso c i a e d di sas er s
t . t t t t t t
o f a no he r ki nd t t he d r y i ng u p o f t he Ni le , a nd t he d e cay o f
fi shi ng a nd wea vi and a ll t he a nc i e n a nd a m o u s wi sd o m o f t f
t
Egyp shall be u na b e t o c o pe wi h hi s d i s r e ss whi c h ha s be e n se n t t t ,
t
u po n he r by t he God o f I sr ael ( v ss r i s) I n he i r er r o r , ho w .
-
. t t
v
e er , t he E y p i a ns wil l cr t
y t o hi s Go d , who wi l l r e eal hi m sel t v f
g
t o t he m , a n be , i n c o nse u ence , ho nor e d and wo r shi pp e d o n E g yp q
t i a n so i l The n E gyp and Assy ri a will u ni e i n t he c o m m o n wo r
. t t
v
shi p o i J eho a h ; a tri l e all i ance will be o r m e d b e wee n Eg p t , f t
g
p
A syr a , a nd I sra el , a nd he y sh all all b e J e ho ah s p e o ple v ss t v
g
’

i
.

1 25

Ci vil W ar a nd Opp r essi o n ( v ss . 1- 4)

1 . J e ho v ah ri de s i n P5 1 8 : t o ) t o Eg yp t ,
o n a st o rm cl ou d ( as .

x t
t o e ecu e hi s wi ll u po n he r pe o p l e ; a nd b e or e hi s m i g h y Go d f t t
t he i dol s , o r i mpotent gods of Egypt q ua ke , a nd t h e p e o p l e sha re
t hei r er r o r t .

2, 3 . C
i vil war br ea k s o u t , and t h e p e o p l e so l o se hea d and
1 34
 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH

And t hespi ri t of Egypt shall be made voi d i n the mi dst

of i t
And I will destroy the c oun sel th ereof
And they shall seek unto the i dols and to the charm ers , ,

And to them that hav e famili ar spi ri t s and to the ,

wi z ards .

4 . And I wi ll gi ve over the Egyp ti ans

Into the ha nd of a c ru el l ord
And a fier ce ki ng shall rule over th em ,
Sai th the L ord the L O R D of hos ts , .

5 . And the waters shall fai l from the sea ,

And th e ri ve r shall be wa st ed and b e c ome dry .

6 . And th e ri ve r s sh all sti nk

The str eam s of Egypt shall be mi n i sh ed and dr ie d

The reeds and flags shall wi th er away .

1
The m eadow s by the Nile by the b rink of , t he Nile,
1 Gr . all the gree n reedgr ass r ou nd abou t the ri ver .

h ear ha tt tt t
h e y r esor t o o cc ul m e a ns o f asc e r ai ni ng t h e di i ne t t v
wi ll — t o ch arm e r s , i e mu tter er s o f m ag i c al sp el l s, g hosts and
. .

fa mi li ar spi r i ts ( c 8 : f .

f
4 Fi nall y , a p r e y t o c o n u si o n a nd d esp ai r , E g y p c o m e s u nd e r
. t
t
t h e d o m i na i o n o f a har sh a nd p r o b a b l y o r ei g n m aster Wh o f .

t hi s i s, wi ll d e p e nd u p o n o u r vi e w o f t h e d a e and o r i g i n o f t h e t
r
p p o h e c y a n A ssy r i an r u l e r ,
S a r g o n or S e nn a c h e r i b ,
if t h e p ro p h
e c y b e I sa i a h s
’
.

Weavi ng
-

n
The Dr yi ng up o f the Ni l e and the E x ti cti on o f Fi shi ng and
— 10
( v ss
.
5

5 , 6 B y t h e se a a nd t h e river t h e Ni l e i s m eant
. T h e str e am s , .

l i t Ni l es , i e ar m s or c anal s o f t h e Nil e , become dr y

. . . r eed and
r u sh d ecay .

fi t
7 T h e r s t wo c l a u ses , wh i c h ar e o b sc u r e , m ay h a e r un so m e
. v
t f
wh a as o ll o ws : All wi ther ed ar e the r eeds by the banks of the Ni l e .

1 35
 THE B OO K OF I SAI AH

And all that i s sown by the Nile ,

Sha ll be c om e dry be dri ven away and , ,

be no more .

8 . The fi shers also shall lament ,

And all th ey th at ca st angl e i nto the Nil e shall mourn ,

And th ey th at sp read n e ts
U pon t he wat e rs sha ll l an gui sh .

9 . Moreover th ey that work in c omb ed flax ,

And they that weave whi t e cloth sh all be a sh amed , .

10 . And her pillars shall be b rok en i n pi eces ,

1
All th ey that work for hi re shall be g ri eved i n soul .

11 . Thepri n ces of Zoan are utt erly foo lish ;

The c oun se l of t he wi sest c oun sell ors of Pharaoh is
be c om e b ru ti sh
How say y e unto P ha raoh ,

I am the son of t he wise the son of an ci ent ki ngs

!
,
P

1 Cor . u se 12 . Wh e re th en are thy wi se m en ?

And let th em tell th ee now
1
Gr . all that make beer .

8 f
T he re wa s shi ng fi t
b o h b y ho o k a nd ne t ; b u t wh e n t he Nil e
fi
.

i s d r i e d u p ( v ss 5 , . t he r e ca n be no m o r e shi ng O t h er i n .

d us tr i es also l a ng ui sh
fi t
.

10 T he
. rs c la u se , wi t h i ts di fli c ul t pillars or f o u nd a ti o ns ,
sh o ul d r ha ps re a d

A those who weave it (i . e . t he fl ax ) ar e br oken (i n hea r t) .

The Hel plessness —

o f Egypt ( vss . 11 1 5)
11 f Zoan
.
, a gr e a t a nd a nci e n t ci ty ,
t
o n o ne o f t h e e a s er n b r a n c he s
o f t he T he wi sd o m o r
N il e . l o r e o f t h e m a ny p a s c e n u r i es
!
t t
t t t
wa s c o nc e n r a e d i n t he p ri es ly c l ass t o whi c h no t o nl y t he k i ng s, ,

ffi
b u t th e p ri nc i pal o c e rs o f t he s a e bel o ng e d
”
( h e y ne ) ; b u t t t C
P har ao h s wi sest co u nsel l or s have bee n a sil l y co u nc i l Vs 1 2 i s a n
’
. .

i ro ni cal ad dr ess t o P ha r a o h Fo r
!
l e t he m know rea d
.
!
let t
t he m ma ke known ( so t he re e k er si o n) G v .

1 36
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

Egypt , eve ry one to whom m enti on i s made thereof

sh all be afrai d , b ecause of the purpose of the LORD of
ho sts , whi ch he purpo se th again st i t
'

In that day th ere shall be five ci ti es i n the l and of

Egypt that speak t he l an g u ag e of Canaan and swe ar ,

to the L O R D of hosts ; one shall be c alled The ci ty of

1
destru cti on .

Heb her es
1 . Gr . tsedeq Some Heb . M SS .

ad h
re eres ( =the sun ) .

T hi s s ub mi ssi o n i s app ar e n tl y wh a t i s m eant b y J eho v ah s ’

pur
po se i n vs . 17 .

A se ri es o f bri ef o ra cles f ollo ws ,

ea c h i nt r od u c e d by i n that day .

The Hebr ewReli gi on a nd La ng uage i n Egypt ( vs . 18 )

Ar e t hose fiv e c i t i e s wh i c h are t o spea k th e l anguag e of C anaan
( i e He b r e w) J e wi sh o r E g y p t i an c i t i e s ? Appa r e nt l y J e wi sh ;
. .

fo r , c o nsi d e ri ng t h a t J e ws r es i d e nt i n f o r e i g n c o u nt r i e s d i d no t
al way s t h e m se l v es sp eak Heb r e w ( c f Ac t s 2 : 8, 9 a nd .
,

tha t e v i n Eg y p m os o f he m spo k e
en t r eet t
( t h e Se p u ag i n G t t .

tt t
b e i ng wr i e n t o m e e t he need s o f Eg y p i a n J e ws) , i t wo ul d be t
t
t oo m u c h t o e x p e c t he E g yp i a ns t o spe ak He b re w t
T he c i i e s . t
t f
we r e he r e o r e p r o babl y J e wi sh c o lo ni e s, who se p r e se nc e na ur all y t
b ro u g h t he J te w i sh e l i g i o n
r — t h e wo rsh i p o f J eh ovah of h osts
t t
wi h a ll i t s po ss i bi li i e s , er y c l o se t o t h e E g y p i a nsv t .

t
O ne o f hese c i i es was t o be c al l ed t T he c i y o f her es T h i s, t .

whi c h m ea ns th e c i ty of d estructi o n, wo ul d b e a s r a ng e na m e t o t
t
a p p l y t o su c h a c i y , u nl e ss t he all u si o n b e t o t he d e s r u c i o n o f t t
t
Eg yp i a n i do l a r y T he tr eek . G
e r si o n ca ll s t he c i y v
t he c i y o f t t
tsed eq ,
”
o f r i g h e o u sness ; t
a nd as hi s He b r e w wo r d b ear s li l e t tt
r ese m bla nc e t o he r es t he u e s i o n m ay b e
, q t
ai r l y r ai se d wh e h e r , f t
fo r so m e r ea so n, a c hang e h as no t bee n de li be r a el y m ad e T he t .

s u sp i c i o n t t
ha t he o r i g i nal wo r d was i n so m e wa y elt t o b e u n f
t f t fi
sa i s a c o r y i s c o n r m e d b y t h e e x i s e nc e o f a no he r r ea d i ng , p re t t
su p po se d by so m e a nc i e n wi ne sse s a nd t t
er y c l ose l y r e se m b l i ng v
o ur p r e se n t t t
H e br e w e x , v i z , her es , whi c h wo ul d m e an . t he
t
ci y o f the su n, and r e er no d o ub t o Heli o p oli s ( = O n, Gen 4 1
”
f t .

t
Po ssibl y hi s i s t he o ri gi nal r ea d i ng , al e re d t o r i g hteo us ness t
tv
a nd destr ucti o n r esp e c i el y by ho se who app r o ed or d i sa ppr o e d t v v
t
o f t he e m pl e a t L e o nt o p ol i s, whi c h a pp ear s t o b e al l u d ed t o i n t he
fo llo wi ng e r se v v
As, h o we e r , har i s i s i n Ar abi c a n e pi he o f
. t t
1 38
 THE B OO K OF I SAI AH

I n that day shall there be an al tar to t he L O RD m

the mi dst of th e land of Eg ypt and a pi llar at the ,

border ther eof to t he L O RD And i t shall be for a sign .

'

and for a wi tness unto the L O RD of ho sts in t he land

of Eg ypt : for th ey sh all c ry unto the L O RD bec au se
of the oppressors and he shall send th em a savi our , ,

and a defender and he sh all deli ver th e m And the

,
.

L O RD sh all be known to Eg ypt and the Egypt i an s

1
,

shall know t he L O RD in th at day y e a th ey sha ll wor ,

shi p wi th sa c ri fi c e and obla t i on and sha ll vow a vow ,

unto t he L O RD and sh all pe rform i t And the L ORD

,
.

sha ll smi t e E g ypt smi t i n g and h ealing and th ey sh all

,

r e turn unto t he L O RD and he sha ll be i ntreat ed of ,

th em and shall h eal them

,
.

1 m . ma ke hi mself known .

c j ct
t h e l i o n, i t h as b e e n o n e u r e d wi h so m e pl a u si bi l i y ha e e n
,
t t t t v
t v
i n hi s er se t he all u si o n i s t o L eo nt o p o li s, t he i y o f the l i on
”
ct .

The Wor shi p of J ehovah by the E gypti ans ( v ss . 1 9—2 2 )

19 . An al a t r
T hi s i s b y so m e r e c e n sc ho l ar s r eg ar d e d a s a
. t
f
r e er e nc e t o t h e J e wi sh t
e m p l e a t L eo nt O p o li s , b u i l b y O ni a s IV t
i n 1 60 B C . . t
T he sa c r e d s o ne er e c e d ne ar a sh r i ne wa s c al l e d t
pill ar , li t so m e hi ng set u p
. t W h e h e r h i s i s i n e nd e d h er e , o r
. t t t
o nl y a m e m o r i a l p i l l ar , p er h a p s c o nc ei e d l i k e a n E g y p i a n o be v t
l i sk , i t s p l a c e at th e b or d e r i s si g ni c a n su g g e s i ng t o h ose who fi t ,
t t
t t
c r oss t he li ne ha J e ho ah i s wo r shi p p ed i n E g y pv t .

20 t
Al’ ar a nd p ill a r ar e a sig n and Wi tness ha E g y p i s no w
. t t t
v t t
J eh o ah s la nd , a nd h a he r p e o pl e can c l ai m a nd wi ll r e c ei e hi s v
t t t
p r o e c i o n, lik e a nc i e n I sr ael i n t h e i m e o f t h e J u d g e s ; when they t
cr y t o hi m , h e wi l l se nd t
h e m a savi our , wh o wi ll contend ( r a h er t
t f
h a n a d e e nd e r ) and d eli ve r th em .

21 v v
J e ho ah , b y hi s d eli er a nc e o f he m , wi ll h us m ake hi mself
. t t
t
known t o t he E g y p i ans, wh o i n u r n wi l l a c k no wl e dg e hi m i n t
t
wo r shi p whi c h wi ll a k e t h e o r m o f ri u a l ser vi ce fs acr ifice o f t m

a ni m al s and bl oo dl ess ofi er i ng s a nd ( p e r h ap s N a z i r i t e ) vows .

22 t
Whe n h e smi e s t h e E g y p i ans, i t will be , as wi h anci ent
. t t
I sr ael , fo r p u r po se s o f di sc i pli ne ; hei r p eni en pr ay er wi ll be t t t
answer e d b y r e s o r a i o n t t .
19 23 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH

that day shall th ere be a hi gh way out of Egypt

In
to Assyri a and t he Assyri an shall c om e into Egypt
, ,

and t he Egypti an i nto Assyri a ; and the Egypti an s

sha ll wor shi p wi th t he A ssyri a ns .

I n that day sha ll I srael be t he thi rd wi th Egypt and

wi th Assyri a a blessi n g i n the mi dst of t he earth : ,

for that the L O RD of ho st s hath blesse d the m sayi ng , ,

B lesse d be Egyp t my people and A ssyri a the work of ,

my hands and Israel mi n e i nh e ri tan ce ,

.

—2
The Tr i pl e All i ance ( vss . 23 5)
23 . E g yp t a nd Assy r i a , t h e g r ea t t
h i s o ri c al e ne m i es o f I sr ael ,
ar e no w c o nc ei v ed t i n th
a s u ni e d e c o m m o n ser vi ce o f J eh o a h , v
I sr ae l s Go d ; a nd no
’
a e re w th t th y a t
a t pe a c e , h ei r l a nd s ar e c o n
ne c te d by a c o m m o n hi gh way .

24 f
R ea d : I n the midst o the ear th, whi ch J ehova h of hosts has
.

bl essed t v
I n hese e r ses we a ve o ne o f t he m o s g e ne r o u s i si o ns
. t v
o f t he O l d T es a m e n t t
T he hr ee po we r s, E g y p , Assy ri a , I sr ael
.
‘

t t
t
r e pr ese n i ng p r a c i c al ly t he who le wo r ld t
e a c h p o wer i n i m e t
t
a st fr e u e n l y h o s il e t o t h e o her t wo t
a r e no w u ni e d i n t he t , t
o nds o ace , a nd o f a c o m m o n wo r shi p a nd o e r al l hr ee , v t
t
r e s s t h e b e ssi ng o f J e ho a h I i s us p ossi ble h a e e n h er e a v . t j t t t v
t q
c er ai n u ni u e ne ss i s i m pli ci l y c la i m ed for I sr ael i n t h e wo r d s t
m i ne inh e ri tance ; b u t hi s ca n ha r d ly b e p r e ssed , wh e n we co n t
si d e r t t t
ha Eg y p i s t o be c a lle d m y peo pl e , wh i c h h r o ug h o u t he t t
t t
O ld Te s a m e n i s a a m i li a r desi g na i o n fo r I sr ae l f t .

t
T he d i fl e r e nce be we e n t he t wo ha l e s i n o whi c h hi s c hap e r i s
'

v t t t
v
d i i d ed i s e r y s r i k i ng v t
I afl e c t s bo h s y le and c o n e n s T he . t '

t t t t .

fi trs ha l i s i n f v
erse , a nd i s c o n i nu o u s ; t h e se c o nd i n p r ose , a nd t
so m e wha br o k e n t
T he a i u d e t o t he E g y p i a ns i s m u c h m o r e
. tt t t
f ri e nd l y a nd f v
a o r a ble i n t he se c o nd hal h an i n t h e rs ; t he f t fi t
t
r s a n i c i p a es fo r t t
he m a cr u el l or d ( vs t
t h e se c o nd a sa vi o u r
fi
.

vs . 20 )
v fi t
T he e r y d e ni e r e e r e nc e i n v s 1 8 t o H eb r e w spe a k i ng c i i es f -
t
fi
.

t
i n Egy p , a nd t he spe ci c m e n i o n o f o ne o f he m , wh e her t he t t t
a ll u si o n be t o He li o o li s o r L e o nt o p o l i s, wo u ld see m t o p o i nt
p
t
t o p o s e xi li c d a y s , wh e n her e wer e e x e nsi e J e wi sh c o l o ni es i n
-
t t v
t q
Eg yp , and c o nse u e n l y t o ca rr y u s t o an ag e m u c h la e r han t t t
’
. t
I sai ah s Tha ag e i s pe r haps d e ni ely x ed by vs 1 9 , whi c h fi t fi .

can be v t
e ry na u r a ll y e x pl a i ne d as a n all usi o n t o t he e m pl e a t t
Leo nt o pol i s bui l i n 1 6 0 B C t
A r s , i nd eed , hi s er y er se . . t fi t t v v
1 40
2022 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

ag ai nst Ashdod and took i t ; at th at ti m e the L ORD

spake by I sai ah the son of Amo z sayi ng Go and l oose , , ,

the sa ck cl oth from off thy l o i ns and put thy shoe from ,

o fl thy foot And he di d so walki ng nake d and bare

.
,

foot And the L O RD sai d L i ke as my servant I sai ah

.
,

hath walk ed n ake d and barefoot thr ee years for a sig n

and a wonde r upon Egyp t and upon E th i opi a ; so
sha ll t he k i n g of A ssyr i a l ea d aw ay the c ap t i ves of

Egypt and t he exi les of E thi opi a youn g and ol d

, , ,

nake d and barefoot and w i th b utto ck s un covered to , ,

the sham e of Eg ypt And th ey shall be di smayed and .

c onnec t it t
na u r ally wi t h ho we e r , i t h as
t he l as t ,
wi t h whi c h ,
v
t
no hi ng t o d o c h r o no lo g i ca ll y I sa i a h i nd i c a es he r e i n sy m bol i c
. t
r
p p o he c y
— b y g o i n t
g fo r h r ee y ear s i n t he g ar b o f a c a p i e , tv
t t
wi ho u m an le o r shoes t t he a e o f c a p i i y i n s o r e fo r t h e f t tvt t
t t
E g y p i a ns a nd E h io p ia ns a t t he ha nds o f t he Assy r i a ns Hi s .

j t
ob ec was t o d i ss uad e t he peo pl e o f J u d a h r o m e nta ng li ng h e m f t
v
se l es i h a n Eg y p i a n a lli a nc e t .

1 . t
Rel y i ng u po n E h i o pi a , whi ch wa s he n m i s r ess o f Eg y p , t t t
t t t
Ash dod , an i m po r a n P h i lis i ne c i y , ha d o r m e d , wi h t he nei g h t f t
t t
bo ri ng s a e s, i nc l u di ng J ud ah a lea g ue ag ai ns Assy r i a , T he t .

tt
Tartan ( t he o fli cial i le fo r t he Assy ri a n c o m m ande r i n c hi e ) - -
f
t
bes i eg ed a nd c a p ure d Ashd od i n 7 1 1 B C S arg on wa s t he k i ng o f . .

Assy ri a ( 7 2 2—7 0 5 a c ) who des ro y ed t he po wer o f no r her n

. t t
I srael b t he ca p u re o f Sa ma ri a i n 7 2 1 t .

—
2 4 sa i ah sy m b o l i ca lly wea r s t he g a r b o f a ca ti e
.
g o i ng v ,

f
bar e oot a nd na k e d , i e i n hi s u nd e r g ar m e n o nl y ( c Jn 2 1 :
. . t .

The sack cloth , whi ch he p ut o fl , and whi c h was wo r n as a si g n o f

mo u rni ng ( 1 5 wa s no d o ub t he c oa r se h ai r y m a n le wo r n b o h t t t
i n ea rli e r ( 2 K
i ng s 1 8 ) a nd l a er i mes ( e c h 1 3 4 ) by p ro p he s t t Z . t .

. t t
Fr o m vs 3 we l ea r n ha he had g o ne hu s fo r thr ee years Fo r a t .

t t
m an o f I sa i ah s s a ndi ng h us t o a ppe a r i n t he s r ee s o f J e r u sa l e m
’
t t
t v v tv
m us ha e be e n p r o o c a i e o f m any ues i o ni ng s ; t o whi c h t h e q t
a ns wer was hi s t t t
ha h e d i d i t for a sign and a wond e r ( c f.

and as the ser va nt of J eho vah wh ose c o m mi ssi o n h e was i n h i s ac t

, t
e x e c u i ng t Hi s a p pea r a nc e was sy mbol i c o f t he a e i n s ore for
. f t t
t t
E gy p a nd E hi o p i a a t t he ha nds o f Assy ri a P e r ha p s !
t o the .

sha me o f Eg y p t
sh o u l d b e o m i e d , as a g l oss o n t he wor d tt
tt
b u o ck s .

t
5 , 6 As Eg y p h ad b ee n i m po e n t o sa e Ashdo d r o m Assy ri a ,
. t t v f
14 2
 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH 21 21

asham ed be cause of E thi opi a thei r e x pec tati on and of

, ,

6 . Egy pt thei r glory And the i nhabi tant of thi s coast .

l and shall say i n t hat day B ehol d su ch i s our ex pec , ,

t at i on whi ther we fl ed for h el p to b e del i vere d from

,

the ki n g of As syri a : and we how sha ll we escap e ? ,

THE FAL L OF B AB YL O N —
17 )

The Fal l o f B abyl on : i ts Consequ ences for J ndah ( 21 —

1 10 )
21 . The 1
b urde n of th e wilde rn ess of 2
the sea .

As whi rlwi nds in the South

Sweep through ,

1 m . or acle concer ni ng .
1 Gr . om . o f the sea .

so sh e wo ul d p ro v e i m p o tent
ve th e i nh abi tants of thi s coast to sa
l and i e i n g e ner l P l st i n
, . . I ai ah i s t hi nki ng m e p ar t i cu
a ,
a e e s or
l l y o f J u d h a nd i ndi e c t ly wa ni ng her g ai nst a n ll i a nc wi t h
ar a ,
r r a a e

E g yp t I f u c h i t he f t e f Eg y p t h w h ll w c pe !
. s s a o , o s a e es a
w? e ( m ph t i c ) eTh y o f v 5 a a t h p e p le f t h e c
. st l nd
e s . re e o o oa a
i n vs 6 As i t h pp n d E g y p t d i d n t u ff
. . a at t h i ti me f m
e e ,
o s er s ro

Assy i a t h e f t whi c h I i h h d nti c i p t d f h e ; ne ve t he

r a e sa a a a a e or r r

le ss hi s m e g e was fl t i ve as He z ki h t o o k t h hi nt a nd e
ssa e ec , e a e t

su m e d h i s v l g t A y i assa a e o ss r a .

C hap 2 The i m pend i ng f ll o f B b y lo n m ust ha ve been

. 1 . a a
a w i t e d b y p t i t i c J w wi t h t h m o t i nt e nse e m t i n I n
a a r o e s e s o o .

C hap s 3 nd 4 w h v e n n p t i n nti c i pat i n f i t

. 1 a 1 e a e se o e oe ,
a o o ,

b k
r ea t i nt wil d st i n o f t ri u m p h
ou o T hi p o t a nt i c i pa t e s
ra s . s e
t h e f all f th ci t y i n m o e n u t a l pi i t b t hi s eal f eli ng s
o e a r e r s r ,
u r e

shi ne t h g h hi s ll u i n t I
ro u l i n vs s th p o pl e t h esh d
a s o o sr a e . 10 a e e r e

a nd t o dd n u p o n t h
r fl e T he p s g m st f ll b e t we ne oor . a sa e u a e

C y us s c nq u t f M ed i a i n 549 B C
r
’
o fo M di n ar e i n t he
es o . . r e a s
i nv di ng a m y ( v
a ) a nd hi
r c p t e f B ab y l n i n 53 8 I t
s . 2 s a ur o o .

s ugg e t s t h c on eq nc
s f th e f all f Babyl on for J udah
s ue es o e o ,

E d o m and t h d ese t t i b
, f N t h A bi
e r r es o or ra a .

Fo r th e bur d en, e tc , r e a d Or acl e on the Wi l der ness

1 . Wil d er . .

ne ss, l i k e Ar abi a i n v s 1 3 , i s p r o b a bl y si m pl y a c a c h wo r d ak e n
. t t
fro m the or acl e i sel ( vs t f
a nd t he wo r d r end er ed b y th e se a .

1 43
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

It c ometh from the wil derness ,

From a t errible land .

A g ri evous vi si on
I s de cl ared unto m e ;
The tr ea ch e rou s deal e r deal e th trea cherously ,

And the spoil er spo ileth .

Go up 0 Elam ,

B esi ege 0 M edi a ,

All the si ghi ng thereof

Have I made to c ease .

Th e refore my lo ins are

Fi lled wi th an gui sh
Pangs have take n ho l d upon m e ,

As the pangs of a woman in travail

I am pai ned so t hat I cannot hear ;
I am di s mayed so that I cannot see .

1
My heart pante th ,

H orror hath afl ri ght ed me

'

1 Heb wandereth
. .

t t f
m ay b e a m u ila e d o r m o f t he r s wo r d o f t h e o r a cl e ; p e r h ap s fi t
i t r ages li ke stor ms that s weep on i n the so uthl a nd , i e t he d r y r eg i o n . .

t
t o t he so u h o f J ud a h whe r e t he p r o p h e p o ssibl y h a d h i s h o m e
,
t
f
( c vs . . It, i e t he no i se o f t he a a c k o n B a by lo n, c om e s
. . tt
t
fr om th e wi l d e rne ss l yi ng b e we e n Pal es i ne a nd B a by lo n, whi c h t
i s her e d es c ri be d as t he te rri bl e land .

2 . t
T he e c s a sy h as b e g u n The see r hears so u nds ( v s 1 ) a nd
. .

se e s a v
i si o n o f B a b y l o n assail e d b y r obber s a nd spoi l er s i e t h e ,
. .

so l d i er s o f y r C
u s
’
s a r m y, r o m El a m ( efa s o f t h e l o w e r T i g r i s a tn d
t f
no r h o f t he P e r si a n g ul ) a nd M e di a ( nor h o f E l a m ) T he l as t . t
c lau se o f t he vs , i f g e nui ne , m u s b e c o nc ei ed as spo k en b y Je
. t v
v
ho ah , and t h e si g hi ng wo ul d b e h a o f t he p eo pl e o pp r esse d by t t
B aby l on .

3, 4 T . h e se v ss r
g pa hi
. c a l l y d es c r i b e t h e e xc i e m e n i n o w h i c h t t t
t
t he seer h as be e n h r o wn b y hi s i si o n v
M y h eart (p r a c i c all y. t
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

C onti nually upon the wat ch tow er -

In t he day ti m e -
,

And am set i n my ward

”
Whole ni ghts
And beho l d he re c om eth a troop of men
, ,

Hor sem en i n pai rs .

And he answered and sai d ,

R ev
.
B abylon is fallen i s f allen
!
,

And all the g raven i mages of her g ods

”
Are broken unto the g round .

0
thou my thr eshi ng ,

And t he corn of my floor

1

That whi c h I have hea rd

From t he LO RD of ho sts ,

The God of I srael ,

Have I d ec l ared unto you .

1
S V gr ai n . Heb . son .

r ead : a nd he c ri ed : I s ee . Aft e r l o ng
l e ng h see s ga z i ng ,
he at t
t he wa r ri o rs a nd k no ws ha t t t
he y be o ke n t he fal l of B a byl o n t .

t
T h e o h e r p a r o f t he t v
i si o n, i n whi c h t h e i m ag es o f B ab y l o n s
’

v
o d s wer e shi e re d t o p i ec e s , was no t ul ll e d ; y r us e e n sf fi
po k e o f C v
v
m se lf as ha i ng b ee n c al le d by M a r d u k , t he c hi e g od o f B a b y
'

f
lo n .

10 T hi s v s hi nts a t t he ha p p y c o nse u e nc es fo r t he He b r e w
. . q
e x iles o f t h e f
a ll o f B ab y l o n Wha t he see r has hea r d , i e t he
. t . .

t
s o r y o f h er f
a ll , h e d ecl ar es M y th r e . and th e 8 011 ( c f .

t t
m a r gi n) of m y fl oor i s a pa he i c d esc r i p ti o n 0 J u d a h , whi c h has,
a s i t we r e , be e n hr eshe d a nd t e r c e ly fi
ro d d e n u p o n t he t
h r eshi ng t
fl o o r b y B a by l o n .

t t
Thi s p assa g e i s o f g r e a i m po r a nc e , as g i i ng u s a r ar e a nd we l v
t
c o me gl i m pse i n o t he phe no m e no n o f e c s asy T he seer wi ns hi s t .

v t
i si o n o f wh a i s ha ppe ni ng i n di s an B aby l o n hr o ug h a sor o f t t t t
se c o nd si g h t
He h as, as i t we r e , t wo p erso nali i es, t he nor m al
. t
t t
a nd t he e c s a i c : t he l a er spi es tt
”
t he i si o n and bri ng s ba c k v
wo r d t o th e or m erf .
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH 21 :

The Fal l o f B abylon : i ts Consequences for the Tr adi ng Tr i bes

o f the Deser t (2 1 13 -
17 )
11. Th e burden Of D umah
1
.

One c all e th unto m e out of Sei r ,

Wat c hman wh at of the ni ght ?

2
,
”
Wat c hman what of the ni ght ? ,

12 . The wat chman sa i d ,

The morni n g c om eth

!
,

And also the ni ght

If y e will i nqui r e i nqui r e ye ,
”
3
T urn ye c om e ,
.

13 . The 4
upon Ar abi a
b urde n .

In th e forest in Arabi a sh all y e lodge

5
,

O y e tr av elli n g c omp ani es of D ed ani t es .

3 m or acle concer ni ng
. .
1 In . what hour .
3 m . co me ye agai n .
4 m . oracl e.

Gr Tar Syr Vg i n the

. . . . eveni ng .

11Fo r th e b ur d en o f D um ah read p e r hap s O r acl e on Edo m

. .

T hi s o r a c l e p r o b a bl y c o m e s r o m t he sa m e see r a s t h e l a s ; i t f t
t t
m a k e s a si m i l ar di s i nc i o n b e wee n t he e c s a i c p er so nal i y , h e r e t t t t
c all ed th e watchm an, vs 1 2 ( = spy , vs 6 ; d i fer en H eb r e w . . f t
wor d s) , a nd t he no r m a l per so nali y ( m e, v s As t he u es i o n t . q t
f
c o m es r o m Sei r , i e , E d o m , pr o bably Edam sho uld b e r ea”d fo r
. .

Dumah T he u e s i o n i s ,
. q t
Ho w la e i s i t i n t he ni g h ? i e t t . .

H o w fa r i s t he ni g h spe n t t
t he ni g h , whi c h e nwr a p p e d E d o m , as t
a ll wester n Asi a , o f s u b e c i o n t o t h e B a b y l o ni a ns ? j t
12 T he see r h as a s y e t no c l e ar a ns we r t o o f er
. T he m o r ni ng f .

f
o f ree d o m whi c h h as d a wne d fo r E d o m wi h t h e al l o f B ab y l o n t f
f t
m a y b e o ll o we d b y a no h e r ni g h , h r o u g h t he ri se o f Pe r si a t t
h e 18 no t s u r e ; a nd i n hi s u nc e r ai nt y , h e bid s hi s u es i o ne r c o n t q t
t
s ul hi m ag ai n l a er , wh e n p e r ha ps hi s ti si o n wi ll b e c l e a r e r v .

Fo r th e b u r d e n u pon Arabi a r e ad or acl e

!
13 . i n the steppe .

T he p h r a se i n the steppe , li k e t h e sup ersc ri p i o n i n v s 1 , i s a k e n t . t

f r o m t h e o p e ni ng wo r d s o f t h e o r a c l e T he c ar a ans o f t h e . v
t t
D e dani t e s , a r a di ng r i be o f no r h wes e r n Ar ab i a , wi ll , i n t h e t t
t tt
i nse c uri y a e nd i ng t h e a ll o f B a b y l o n ( c 1 3 : 1 4 f
be e x p ose d f
14 7
 THE B OO K OF I SAI AH

U nto hi m th at was thi rsty 1

Th ey broug ht wat er ;
2
Th e i nh abi tant s of th e l and of Te ma
D i d me et t he fugi ti ves wi th the i r bread .

Fo r th ey fl ed away from t he swords ,

From t he dr awn sword ,

And from t he b ent bow ,

And from t he g ri evou sn ess of war .

Fo r thu s h ath t he L O R D sai d unto m e Wi thi n a ,

year a ccordi n g to t he year s of a n hi reli n g and all th e

, ,

g l ory of K e dar sh all f ai l an d t h e r e si du e O f t he num

be r of t he ar ch e r s t he mi g hty m en of t he chi l dre n ,

of K edar sha ll be few for t he L O RD t he God of I srael

, , ,

hath spoke n i t .

J U NP AR DO NAB LE SI N ( )
’
—
U DAH s 22 : 1 14

22 . The burd en of t he valley of vi si on

3
.

What ai leth th ee now , that thou art wholly

m is thi r st bri ng ye
1 y 1 Gr Tar Sy r Vg ye i nhabi ta nts meet 1 m oracle

Z
. . . . . . .
. .

concer ni ng Gr ion . . .

to t f t
fo r sa e y s sa k e he y wi ll h a e t o l e a e t h e c a r a a n
a ssa u l ,
’
t v v v
t
r o u e s, a nd l odge i n the bu s h, i n the steppe or wi ld e r ne ss ( a s we
t
sh o uld r a nsl a e i ns e ad o f i n Arab ia ) t , t .

14 , 1 5 T he p e o ple o f t he ri be o f Te m a (so u h o f t he D e d a n
. t t
t
i e s) a r e u r g e d t o br i ng water to meet the thi r st car ava ns , a nd t o
y
ofi er to the fu g i t i ves the br ead the y ne ed ( i m pe r a t i e ; so th e r e ek v G
v ersi n) t
hey h a e fl e d t o e sc a p e a n a a c k vR ea d t h e whetted tt
g
.

s wor
These v ss o r ci bly r e ca ll 1 6 : 1 3
1 6, 1 7 . . f
Kedar a pp e ar s he r e f .

t
t o b e a g ene r al d e si g na i o n fo r t he no r h Ar abi a n ri b e s , wh o wer e t t
sk i ll e d i n t h e u se o f t h e bow ( c Ge n 2 1 2 o ) f . . .

—
2 2 : 1 14 v
Thi s e r y s ri ki n o r a c l e , h o ug h a p p ea ri ng i n t h et t
g
.

fo r ei g n g r o u p ( C
ha p s 1 3— 2 7 ) , a s t o d o wi h J er u sal e m
. B e or e t . f
her pe o p l e , wh o ar e for t he mo m e n i n a u m ul o f jo y , I sa i a h t t t
a p pea r s wi h so rr o w i n hi s hea r t a nd o n hi s a c e , a nd so l e m nl y t f
a nno unc e s a c o m i ng d ay o f d oo m fo r h e i r i nc ur abl e i m p e ni e nc e t t
1 48
22 : THE B OO K OF I SAI AH

I will w eep bi tterly ;

Labour not to c omfort m e
For the spo ili ng of the daught er of my peop le .

For i t i s a day of di scomfit ure , and of treadi ng down ,

and of pe rplexi ty ,
From t he Lord , t he L O RD of ho sts,
In the valley of vi si on ; a breakin g down of the walls,
And a c ryi n g to the mounta i ns .

6 . And Elam bare th e qui ver ,

Wi th chari ots of m en and horse men ,

And Ki r un cove red t he shi el d .

And it came to pass th at thy c hoi cest valleys w ere

full of chari ots ,

And the horse men set th em selves in array at the gate .

8 . And he took away the c ove ri ng of J ud ah

And thou di dst l ook in that day to t he armour in the
house of th e fo rest .

And y e saw the brea c h es in the ci ty of D avi d that ,

th ey were ma ny : and y e g athered togethe r t he

He h ea r s i n i m a gi na t i o n t he
w wil d wa r
’
so rr o . e ne m y s -
cr y

reso u ndi ng to th e mountai ns .

The S i ege of J er usal em ( v ss . 6—1 1 )

t
I n hi s p assa g e , I sa i a h l oo k s b a c k t o t he bl o c k a de whi c h ha s
j t
us be e n r a i se d a nd t o t h e c i y s
p
, t
re p a r a i o ns t o m ee i t
’
t t .

6 , 7 El am a nd Ki r ar e c o nt mg e nt s o f t h e Ass r i a n ar m y
.

y .

q v
E la m b o r e t h e u i e r on cha r i ots wi th horses , a nd Ki r uncove r e d
. . f
th e shi e l d , i e r o m i t s lea he r n c ase t
I n v s 7 , o m i i t ca m e to . . t
pass that .

8 . The fi t cl u rs a se , whi c h i s v ery

m ay r e er t o S e nnac h c
o b s ur e , f
c r ib s
’
ca p t u
re o t t
e o h e r ci i es o f J u d a h , wh o se d e e nsi e cove r
f th f v
i ng was r emo ved b y hei r ca p u r e t t
Th e h ou se of th e or e st , i e . f . .

o f L ebano n ( 1 Ki ng s 7 : 2 —c all ed r o m i t s c e d ar
p i ll ars , f
f o rm ed pa r t
o f t he p al a c e a t J eru sa l e m , a nd se r e d i n p ar t he v t
p u rp ose o f an ar m o r y ( 1 Ki ng s 1 0 :
9
—1 1 I i s t
g e ne r all y ag r e e d h a t he d e ta il s o f t he d e e nce
. t t f
1 50
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH 22 2

wat ers of the lowe r pool And y e numbere d .

the hou se s of Jeru sal em and y e b rake down ,

the hou se s to forti fy t he w all Y e m ad e al so .

a reservoi r b etween the two wall s for the wate r

of the o ld poo l
B ut y e look ed not unto him that had don e thi s ,

Nei th er had y e r esp e ct unto hi m that fashi on e d i t

l on g ag o .

And in tha t day di d the Lord the L O RD of ho st s c all , , ,

To w eepi n g and to mourn i n g and to bal dn ess and

, , ,

to gi rdi n g wi th sack cloth

And beho ld joy and gladn ess , ,

Slayi ng o x en and killi n g sheep

E at i n g fl esh and dri nk i n g wi n e
L et u s e at and dri nk for to morrow we shall di e
!
-

, .

f
m easu r e s i n v ss 9 b— 1 1 a a re no t r o m th e h and o f I sa i a h , h o u g h
. t
t t v
h ey m u s h a e b ee n a d d e d b y so m e o ne a m i l i a r wi h H e z e ki a h s ’
f t
a r r a ng e m e n s ( c t f
2 Ki ng s 2 0 : 2 o ; 2 C h r
.
32 2 Th e wa e r . t
s u pp l y o f J e r u sa l e m wa s p o o r , a nd t h e p ro s e c o f a si e g e m ad e hi s
p t t
f tf t
de ec el t
wi h d o u bl e k ee nne ss ( c I sa 7 : f
T h e m at e r i a l o f
. .

t h e d e m o li sh e d h o u ses was u se d t o s r eng he n t h e wall t

Vs r 1 b , t . .

ft
r e ad a er 9 a , i s v
er y s r i ki ng t
Ye l ooked to the ar m or i n the H o use of the For est,
And y e sa w that the br ea ches i n D avi d s ci ty wer e many
’

B u t y e di d not l ook to hi m who was doi ng all thi s ,

And hi m who f ashi oned i t l ong ago, ye saw not .

fi t
The l ook a nd see o f t h e r s c o u pl e , r e p e a e d as h e y ar e i n t he t t t
se c o nd , m a k e a v
er y e f e c i e c o n r a s f tv t t
T h e p eo p l e h a e e y e s . v
t t
fo r t he m a e ri al , b u t no ne fo r t h e sp i r i u al ; h e y d e p e nd u p o n h ei r t t
a r m o r , a nd or g e fh ei r Go d t t
r el y u p o n h ei r o wn p r u d e n t t
t
m e a sur e s a nd m a eri al r e so u r c e s, a nd i g no r e t h e g r ea e s Fa c o r t t t
o f all , t h e L o r d o f h i s o r y , wh o , t t
hr o u g h all h a h ap p ens, i s wo r k t t
t
i ng o u t hi s e e r nal p u r p ose T h i s i s t h e su bl i m e st o f al l o l li e s
. f .

12 f . t t
Th e d esp er a e e x p eri enc e h r o u g h wh i c h t he p eo p l e h a d
j t
u s p asse d wa s i n r eal i y t t
h a d h ey h a d t h e e y es t o see i t ( vs 1 1 ) .

v
a di i ne c al l t o h u m i l i a i o n t
t h e c u s o m s a ll u d e d t o a r e m o u r n t
t
i ng c u s o m s ( c 15 : 2 f . t
I ns ea d o f hi s, h o we er , t h e peo pl e , t v
1 51
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

14 . And the L O RD of host s r evealed hi m self in mi n e ear

1
,

Sur ely thi s i ni qui ty shall not be pur g ed from you till
2

y e di e,
3
Sai th the Lord , th e L ORD of ho sts .

PE R S O NAL THR E ATS AND PR O MI SE S (2 2 15 2 5 -

The Doom o f S hebna ( 2 2 15

—
18 )
15 . Th u s s Lord the L ORD of ho sts
a i th t he , ,

Go ge t thee unto thi s trea sur er ev en unto Sh ebna

,
4
, ,

wh i ch is ov er the hou se and say , ,

1
C r these th i ngs ha ve bee n reveale d i n the ea rs o f the Lord of ho sts 1 m ex pi ated by
t
. . . .

1 G1 o m his line
.
1
.m stewar d . . .

wi t h t hei r
i nc ur able ri o li y , ab a nd o ne d he m se l es t o re e f v t t v v
t
and m e t wi h sc o r n t h e p r o p he s so le m n wo r d s o f war ni ng t ’

us e at and d rink , i f tom orrow, as y o u sa y , we a r e t o di e .

14 Yo u shall d i e
.
”
r e o r s t h e p r o p he T hei r l e i y i s
,
t t t . vt
u npar d o nabl e , i t m u s b e p u ni sh e d wi h d e a h ; and hi s a w u l t t t t f
t t
h r ea o f d oo m i s a d i re c r evel ati o n, whi sp e r e d a s i t wer e i n o t t
I sa i ah s car by Go d hi m sel
’
f .

v
E e n fo r I sa i a h , hi s i s a r e m a r ka bl y g r a p hi c a nd t o wer ful

p a ssa g e ; t h e c i y bl o c k a d e d b y o r e i g n so l t
d i e r y , t h e e sp e r at e f
f
m easur e s o f d e e nc e i n whi ch e e ry hi ng was re m e m ber ed b ut v t
God ; and hen — a t ft
e r p ea c e has be e n p u r c h ase d b y a h ea y v
b r i be t h e r oo s c r o wd e d wi th f
u m ul u o u s m e rr y m a k e r s , a nd t t -

t t
t he p ro p he wi h hi s so r r o w u l a c e a nd hi s e y e s x e d u p o n a c o m i ng f f fi
d ay o f d o o m The u npar d o na ble si n o f J e r u sale m wa s ri o l i y
. f v t
t t t
ha shall o w e m p e r whi c h no h u mili a i o n c o ul d so ber t .

25 A hi g h o fli ci al na m ed S he b na , app ar e n l y a fo r
-
.
,
t
t t
e i g ne r i s hr e a e ne d b y I sa i a h wi h t he d oo m o f e xi l e ( v ss 1 5
, t .

t t f
T h i s h r e a i s o llo we d b y a p r o m i se o f u ni u e a u ho ri y t o be q t t
f
c o n er r ed u p o n Eli ak i m ( vss 1 9 — a p r o m i se t o whi c h i s .

f
a ppe nd e d a o r e c as o f t h e r u i n o f hi s a m i l y ( v ss 2 4 t f .

15 f v
Fo r E e n unto Sh e bna , whi ch i s ove r th e h ou se , r e ad
.

Aga i nst S hebna , the gover nor of the pal ace Thi s i s no d o u b t h e . t
tti l e o f t he o ra c le , a cc i de n al l y ransp osed t o t he e nd o f t he v s t t .

t t
S h e bna i s c o n e m p uo u sly c a ll ed that ofii ci al (stewar d , c m argi n, f .

t t
ra he r h an tr easu re r) I sai ah s s er n wo r d s h a e sug g es e d t o
’
. t v t
1 52
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

And I wil l clot he hi m wi t h thy robe ,

And stren gth en hi m wi th thy gi rdl e ,

And I will c ommi t thy g overnm ent i nto hi s hand

And he shall be a fath er to t he i nha bi tants of Jeru
sa le m and to the house of J udah .

And t he key of the house of D avi d

Will I lay upon hi s shoul de r ;
Rev 3 : 7
. And he S ha ll ope n and non e shall Shut ,

And he shall shut and non e shall open , .

And i ll fast en hi m as a nail in a sur e pl a ce ;

And he shall be for a thr on e of glory to hi s father s ’

house .

The D ownfall f (2 2 : f)
’
o El i aki m s Family 24 .

24 . And th ey sha ll hang upon hi m all the g lory of his

fath er s house the off spring and the i ssu e eve ry
1 ’
, ,

small vesse l from t h e v esse ls of c up s even to all t he

,

1 For t he rest of the va Gr J ea ds si m ply small and great .

rob e and gi r dl e O v er hi s sho ul der i s laid t he larg e O ri e nt al k ey

.
,

whi c h wi t h i ts po wer to o pe n o r c l ose i s a fi t sy m bo l o f a bso l u t e

, ,

a u t ho ri t y ( c f 9 : 6 ; M at 1 6 : In 6 : 3 ; 7 : 2 Eli a ki m i s
3
i n nt i o ne d as g o v e r no r o f t h e p ala c e a ndas t a k i ng p r e c e d e nc e o f
. .
,

f
,

sl e b na .

23 fi v
T he r ml y d ri e n nail o r e nt pe g i m pl i es t h e per ma ne nc e o f
. t -

t
hi s po si i o n i n c o n r as t o S h e b na ( c
, Ez r 9 : t t a nd h r o ug h f . . t
f
hi m his a mil y wo ul d rea ch po s s o f ho no r t .

24 f
Ra he r t o o u r sur p ri se hese
. t erses p redi c r ui n fo r t he,
t v t
fam il so g e ner o usl y spo k e n o f i n v s 2 3 T he y wi ll h a ng u o n t he . .

na il c vs 2 3 ) f v
l i ke esse ls ( cu ps o r bowls a nd pi tcher s
. . e y ar e t
o n t t
c e mp uo u sly ca lled ) o n a ki c he n wall a nd when t he nai l
— t ,

v
gi es wa y d o wn he y will c o m e wi h a c r ash
, t t .

v t
T hese er se s whi c h c o n r adi c t he sp i ri o f t h e l as o r a cl e , we r e
,
t t t
t t
ap p ar e n l y a d d e d la e r by so m e o ne h o s i l e t o E l i ak i m s a m il y
’
t f .

Cha p 2 3 Thi s o r a cl e co nc l ud es t he se ri es u po n t he o r ei g n
. . f
t
na i o ns As a sai l o r p e o p l e, wh o se shi ps were u po n e er y k no wn
. v
sea , t h e Phoeni ci a ns o cc u p i ed a c o nspi c u o u s pl ac e a s t he m i dd l e
m e n o f t he a nci e n wo rl d t
Thi s p oe m , whi c h d esc ri bes Phoe ni ci a s
.
’

1 54
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

25 . vessels of that day sai th the L ORD of

fl ag ons . In ,

hO St S Shall the n ail th a t was f ast e n e d in a sure pl a ce

,
~
.

g i v e way ; and i t S ha ll b e h e wn down and f all and , ,

t he b urd en th at was upon i t Sha ll be c ut off for the

LORD hath sp ok en i t .

THE FATE OF PH CENI CI A (Chap .

)
23

The E leg y 3
( 2 1
—
14 )
23 . The
b urden 1
of Tyr e .

Howl , y e Shi ps of 2
Tarshi sh ; for i t i s lai d waste,
3
SO that the re is no hou se ,
no ent e ri n g in
1 m . or acl e concer ni ng .
1 Gr . Cartha ge .
1 Gr . om .

f all , gi v es a vi vid pi c t u r e o f her c o m m er c e her p o wer a nd her , ,

p ri d e She i s
. t he i n c ar na t i o n o f t h e p u r e ly c o m m er c i al S pi r i t
,

t t
u n o u c h e d a nd u nr es r a i ne d b y r eli g i o n, a nd na u r all y h er e or e t t f
fall s u nd e r t he p r o p h e i c c o nd e m na i o n t
T he c l o si ng er ses t . v
( 5
1 — 1 8 ) l o o k o u t u p o n a ti m e i n w hi c h t h e g ai ns r o m T y r i a n f
c o m m er ce will be m ade c o n r i b u o r y t o t he wel ar e of J er u sale m t t f .

2 3 : 1— 1 4 I n o r m hi s i s a n el e g y
. f r a he r than a p r o p he c y t t
f
u p o n t h e al l o f Si d o n ( v ss 2 , 4 , o r i t m ay be Ty re ( v s . .

t
M or e ha n o nc e i n I sa i a h s i m e was P hoeni c i a r a ag e d b y t he
’
t v
Assy ri a ns, and t he el eg y m ay’ b e hi s ; i t h as also b e en r e err ed, f
v
h o we er , t o N e b u c h a d r e zz ar s S i e g e o f Ty r e ( 5 86— 5 7 3 B C , c . . f .

Ezek 2 6 . v
a nd e e n t o t h e d es r u c i o n o f S i d o n b y t h e P e r t t
si a ns i n 3 4 8 B c . . t v
W ha e er b e i t s o ri g i n, t he poe m i s a s ri ki ng t
t
d e sc ri p i o n o f t he al l o f a g r ea na al p o we r f t v .

The C al l to L a m ent ( v ss . 1- 5)
13
-
. T ar
S hi ps
shi sh ,
c 2 : 1of
6 Fo r s e er a l r e a so ns, t h e f . . v
f o l l o wi ng v
er ses see m t o ne e d S li g h e m e nd a i o n R e a d p er h a p s t t .

for you r haven ( or str ong hol d ) i s l ai d waste: on the way back ( t o
P hoeni c i a ) fr o m the l a nd of C hi tti m (i s y p r u s) i t (i e t h e ne ws . . C . .

t t
o f t h e d es r u c i o n) has been r eveal ed to them , p er h ap s b y S hi p s wh i c h
t h e y m e t o n t he wa y P er i shed ar e the i nha bi ta nts of the coast
.

l a nd , the mer chants of S i don, who cr ossed the sea , whose m essenger s
wer e u pon m a ny water s ( c P S 1 0 7 : 2 3) whose har vest was the seed f . .

. . t
( i e whe a ) of S hi hor (i e t h e Nil e ; Jer 2 : a nd whose r evenu e
. . .

1 55
23 : 2 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

From t he l and of Ki tti m

It i s revealed unto th em .

2 . B e still y e i nh abi tants of t he i sle ;

,

Thou whom th e m er ch ant s of Zi don ,

That p ass ove r t he sea h ave r ep leni sh ed , .

And on g reat wate r s the see d of Shi hor ,

The h a rv est of t he Nil e was h er r evenue ;

1
,

And She was the m art of n at i on s .

B e ash am e d O Z i don ; for t he sea hath spok en

,

stron g ho ld of t he sea sayi n g , ,

I have not travai led nor b rought forth , ,

Nei th e r h ave I nouri shed young m en ,

”
Nor broug ht up vi rgi n s .

When the report com eth to Egypt th ey shal l be ,

p ai ned at t he report of Tyre .

6 . Pas s ye over to Tarshi sh ; howl ,

,

Ye i nh abi ta nts of t he i sle .

I S thi s your joyou s city ,

Who se ant iqui ty i s of an ci ent days,

Who se fee t carri ed her
Afar ofl to sojourn ?
1
Cr . 0 111 .

wa s the tr affic f
o nat i o ns . Th e worl d ’
s c o mm er c e was ca rri e d on
Phce ni ci a n shi p s
fi
.

4 f t
Vs 4 ( o m i the str on ho ld of the sea ) nel y i c ures t h e sea a s
p t
5
. .

a c hi ld l e ss m o h e r ( c 1
so ns sa i l t he se as no m o r e
fi
2 t f
no w ha P hoeni ci a i s r u i ne d , a nd h er
. t t
V s 5 , per h ap s l a e , r e p r ese n s E g yp t t t
. .

t
as er ri e d by t h e al l o f Ty r e f
he r u r n i s c o m i ng ne x t t .

The Call to Fli ght ( v ss . 6—9 )

6 f
T he t
. ni c i a ns a r e ur g e d t o fl ee t o Tar shi sh , a c ol ony o f
t h ei r s i n Sp ai n, no w ha t t t
he i r h app y a nc i e n c i y i s r ui ned , t he t t
t t
ci y who se m er c ha n s we r e wo n t o so our n, i e settl e, i n di sta n t j . . t
l ands .
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

B ehol d the land of the C hal dean s ; thi s people i s

,

no more ; th e Assyri an hath appo i nted it for the

beast s of t he wil d e rn ess : th ey set up thei r tow ers ,

th ey overthrew t he pal a ces thereof

He m a de i t a ruin .

Howl ye ship s of Tar shi sh

,

Fo r your stron ghol d i s la i d wast e .

fThe Revi val ) o Tyr e ( 23 : 1 5 18

—

And i t sha ll c ome to pass i n that day that Tyr e ,

sha ll be forg ott en se v enty y e ars a cc ordi n g t o t he d ay s ,

of one ki ng : aft er t he e nd of seve nty years i t S hall be

unto Tyre as in the song of the harlot
Tak ean harp ,

GO about t he c i ty ,

Thou harlot that hast been forgotten ;

Make swee t m elody ,

Sin g many song s ,

That t hou mayest be r e m ember ed .

13 . t t v
O f h i s d espe r a e er se B uh m s e x pl a na i o n see m s b e s
,
’
t t
t t
h a i t o ri g i nal ly r an : B ehold the l a nd of Ki tti m ( i e y p r u s, . . C
t
t h e l a nd t o whi c h he y fl ee ) , he ( i e J e h o a h ) has mad e i t a r u i n
. . v
t v
t h e i n e r e ni ng wo r d s b ei ng a g l o ss t o b e r e nd er ed a s o ll o ws f
thi s i s the peo pl e that ( i n He b r e w t h e wo r d whi ch i s er y lik e t h e v
wo r d for Assyr i a n) was fou nd ed by the seafar er s , they er ected i ts
watc ht ower s , ci ti es , a nd pal ac es .

14 . Th e e l eg y e nd s as i t be g an .

15 S e ve ty yea rs a r o und nu m b er , s ug g e s e d by Je r 2 5 :
n ,
t .

O ne ki ng , i e o ne d y nas y ( E x o d
. . t Ty r e sh all ar e as t h e
. f
t
h ar l o i n t he so ng .

16 . t
The so ng i s h us h a ppil y re nd e r e d b y H B ox G . .

S ei z e l yr e wal k u p a nd down the str eet,

0 H ar l ot, by the wor ld for got !
Twang wel l si ng m a ny a di tty sweet
To wi n a l ast for get me not / - -

1 58
 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH
’

And i t shall com e to pa ss aft er the end of seventy

year s that the L ORD wi ll vi si t Tyr e and she shall
, ,

re turn to her hi r e and sh all play the harlot wi th all

,

t he ki n g dom s of the worl d upon the fa c e of th e e a rt h

‘

. . 17 2

And her m er chandi se and her hi re S hall be holi n ess

to the L O RD : i t Sh all not be treasure d nor lai d up ;
for her m er chandi se shall be for th em that dwell before
th e L ORD to e at suffi ci entl y and for durabl e cl othi n g
, , .

17 f . t
T h e m e a p h o r o f v ss 1 5 . f . t
i s m ai n ai ne d
T y r e s o m m er e — ’
c c
is des c t t
r i b e d as i nter co u r se wi h t h e na i o ns ; a nd t h e p r o e e d s o f c
t
i t , u nl i k e h o se o f t h e wo m e n d edi a e d t o i m m or ali y ( D e u c t t t .

23 c
ar e t o b e o nse r a e d t o c t
e ho ah J v
i n o h er wor d s, a r e t o t
v t
b e d e o e d t o su p p l y i ng t h e ne e d s o f t h e e ws, h ose wh o dwell J t
f r J v c t
b e o e e h o ah , se u r i ng for h e m a m p l e o o d a nd s a el y l o h f t t c t
i ng ( cf . v
T h i s i e w o f t h e h ea h e n a s t h e Sl a es o f t he t v
J e ws i s c ct tc
har a er i s i o f p os e ili t x cJ
u d ai sm ( 6 1
-
TH E GREAT WORLD J UD GM ENT ( C haps .
—
24 2 7 )
THE J UDG ME NT : THE REB E LS P UNI SHED ( Cha p . 24 )
24 . B ehold LO RD make th the earth empty and mak eth
, t he ,

i t wast e ,

And t um et h i t upsi de down and s ca ttereth abroad ,

t he i nh a bi tant s the re of .

Ch aps f
T hese o ur r e m ar k able c h a p e r s ar e u ni u e i n t he
. 2 4- 2 7 . t q
O l d T es a m e n t t
R o ug hl y spea ki ng h e y a re a p ro p h e i c , o r r a h er
. t t t
t
a po c al yp i c , d e sc r i p i o n t
i n e rr u p e d by a fe w so ng s o f ra i se t t
o f t he g re a t
i m e nd i ng d a y o f J eh o ah , wh e n t he wo r l wi ll be v
v t
c o n ul se d , b u t e J e ws wi ll be sa e d a nd g a her ed t o i o n The v t Z .

—1 1
7 7 1 1 ) c hi e fl y
so ng s — 6 —
5; ; 9; 2 7 : 2 ; 2
-
1 : -

t v t
c el ebr a e t he o er h ro w o f so me i m po r a n c i y ( c 2 5 : 2 ; 2 6 : 5) t t t f .

o r d esc ri b e t he c ar e wi h whi c h J e ho a h wa c h es o e r I srael t v t v

(27 : t
W he n hese ly ri cs ar e r e m o e d , he r e i s a m o r e or l ess v t
t
c o n i nuo u s r o p hecy , whi c h r u ns br i e fly h us : T he wo r ld i s abo u t t
t o b e co nv u se d by r easo n o f t he he a y l oa d o f si n h a li es u p o n v t t
t t v
i t : i n ha d ay c ho a b wi ll p u ni sh t he r e b ell i o u s o we r s i n ear h
p t
a nd h e a e n a n v a ssu m e so e r e i g n y hi m se l on i on ( ha p v t f Z C .

whe r e fo r t he so rr o wi ng na i o ns a r oy al b an u e will be sp r ea d t q t
(25 : 6 j
I n t h e u dg m e n , J e ho a h s o wn p eo pl e wi ll be p r e
’
t v
v
se r e d ( 2 6 : 2 o —2 7 : 1 ) a nd a t t he so u nd o f t he r u m pe h e y S hall t tt
o m e fr rn t he e nds o f t he ea r h a nd wo rshi p he i r G od o n i o n t t Z
f Th wph) l e t o ne
t he p r o p h e y a nd t he r e er en e t o a r e su r r ec
o e of c f c
t t
i o n i n 2 6 : 1 9 po i n t o a d a e l o ng a er t h e ag e o f sai a h Do ubt ft I . t
ct v j t
l e ss t he pi u r e o f t he wo rld r ee li ng a nd o n u lse d i n u dg m e n was c
t fi t t c t t
su gg es e d b y so m e d e ni e hi s o ri a l si u a i o n, wh e n g loo m a nd
c nf u i o n ei g ned The ll u i n a e t oo v eil ed t e nable u s t o
o s r . a s o s r o
d t e t h p p h c y b u t i t has be n l c e d wi t h m uc h p r b abi l i t y
a e ro o
t i m f t he di sso l u ti n o ft he Persi an e m pi re nd t he
e ,
e ) a
abo u t t h e e o o ,
a
c onq u t s o f Alex nd er t h e G at ( i ca 334
es a t o wh ose re c r
vi c t o ri es t h so ng o f rej i c i ng i n 4 4— 6 h v e been suppo sed t o
e s o 2 :1 1 a
re f e r .
 THE B O OK OF I SAIAH

B rok en the everl asting c ovenant .

6 . Th erefore h ath t h e c urse de voure d t he ea rth ,

And they that dwell the rein ar e found guil ty :

Th er efor e t he i nhab i tant s of t he e arth ar e b urn ed
1
,

And fe w m en left .

The new wi n e mourn eth the vi n e lang u i sh e th , ,

All t he m e rry h ea rt ed do Si g h -
.

8 . The mi rth of t abr e ts cea seth ,

The no i se of th em that r ejoi ce end eth ,

The joy of t he ha rp c ea se th .

They sh all not dri nk wi n e wi th a song

2

Strong dri nk sha ll be bi tte r to th em that dri nk i t .

The ci ty of c onf usi on i s b roke n down

3

Ev e ry hou se is Shut up that no man may c om e in ,

.

Th ere i s a c ryi ng i n t he street s be cau se of the wi n e

All joy i s d ark en ed ,

The m i rth of th e land i s g on e .

In t he ci ty is left d eso lati on ,

And the g at e i s smi tt en wi th d estru c ti on .

For thus shall i t be in t he m i dst of the earth

Among t he people as the Sh aki ng of an o live tree , ,

As t he g rape glean ings whe n t he vi nt ag e i s don e .

1 Gr shall be poor 1 G r the y are as ha med 1 Heb chaos ; Gr ever y ity

c 1 Heb
y
. . . . . . . .

gone i nto ca ptivi t .

ci al ly o f t he l a w a g ai ns m u r d er ( t cf . 26 : wh i c h a pp e a r s t o be
sp e c v
i all y i n i e w i n t h e r e e r e n f ce t o th e e ver lasti ng co venant
( c f Ge n
. .
9 : 6,
6 f
Th e r e ore : si n b ri ng s a curse
. Ar e burne d , p ar c h ed wi h . t
d r o u g h o r e er t f v .

—
7 9 I n t he sorr o w ul d ay s t o c o m e , h er e wo ul d b e no m or e
. f t
happy wi ne d ri nki ng t o t he a cc o m p a ni m en o f m u si c and song
-
t .

1 0 —1 2 t t
The r ai s o f hi s d esc r i p i o n se e m t o b e d r a wn r o m a n
. t t f
x t
e i s i ng si u a i o n t t
T he ci ty of chao s ( Ge n . i s a p p ar e n ly . t
J er usale m T he ho use s ar e sh u fo r ery ear , joy i s dark ened or
. t v f
g one , g l ad ness i s bani shed , t h e g a es a r e b a e r e d to r ui ns t tt .

162
 THE B O OK OF I SAIAH 2 4 : 17

14 . Th ese hal l li ft up th ei r voi c e

s th ey Sh all Shout ,
1

For th e maj esty of the L ORD th ey c ry al oud from t he

se a .

Wh erefore glori fy y e the L ORD in t he east 2

,

E ven t h e nam e of the L O R D th e God of I srael in t he , ,

i sl es of t he sea .

From t he utte rmo st p art of t he earth h av e we h eard

!
son g s Gl ory to t he ri ght eous
,
.

B ut I sai d I pi n e away I pi n e aw ay woe i s m e !

,
3 !
, ,

The treache rou s d eale r s h ave d eal t tr eac h erou sly y ea ,

t he tre a ch e rou s deale r s h ave d eal t v e ry tr esch

”
e r ou sly .

Fear , and t he pi t , and the s nare ,

ar e upon th ee , O in
habi t ant of t he ea rth .

1 Gr those that are l eft behi nd u pon the earth shall r e oi ce together i n the glor of the
. j y
Lor d ; the water of the sea shall be tr oubled 2 Heb l i hts
g ; G r o m 3 He b lea nness . . . . .

to me .

13 . T he j u dg m e n t wi ll be so ve ry t ho r o ug h t ha t b u t fe w wi ll
su r vi v e (vs . 6 : cf . 17 :

A S i g nificant E vent ( v ss . 1 4— 1 8 a )
14 S o m e hi ng h as
. t us h a p p e ne d j t
wh e her Al ex and e r s t ’

t
c r o ssi ng o f t h e H ell esp o n o r so m e hi ng el se whi c h see m s t o t
th e se , i e t h e J e ws d welli ng i n t h e wes ( Asi a M i no r ? li t th e
. . t .

t t j
sea ) , t o i ll u s r a e th e m a e s ty of J e h ovah a nd t o c al l fo r d e o u v t
tt t
g r a i u d e , ho u g h t h e p o e a kes a er y di f er e n tt
i e w ( 1 6b ) v f tv .

1 5 , 1 6a Thi s i s wh a
. h e y sh o u tt
T h e y c a ll u p o n h e i r b r e h t . t t
r e n i n th e east ( l i t i n t h e li g hts , i e p e r h a p s t h e r e g i o ns o f l i g h ;
. . . t
t h e p h r a se i s o b s c u r e ) t o g l or i y J e h o ah ; a nd t o t h e e a s , no t f v t
o nl y d o t h e wes e r n i sl es r esp o nd b u tt r o m t h e d i s a n fr i nge o f ,
f t t
t
t h e e ar h ( E hi o p i a t
ar e b o r ne t he s r a i ns o f t h e so ng , l or y t G
i s c o m e fo r t h e ri g h e o u s, i e fo r I sr ael
”
t . . .

1 6 b—1 8 a f t
Thi s h o p e u l o u l o o k , h o we er , t h e p o e c anno Sh ar e
. v t t .

v
He ca n o nly se e i n t h e m o e m e n t h e a d a nc e o f r o bb er s, wh o will t v
t
p l i 1ng e t h e who l e wor l d i n o i r r e r i e abl e m i ser y ( c Am o s 5 : 1 8 t v f .

2o )
 THE B O OK OF I SAIAH

And hall com e to pa ss that he who fl ee t h from the

it S ,

no i se of t he f ear shall fall i nto t he pi t ;

And he that c om eth up o u t of t he mi dst of t he pi t shall
be tak en i n the sn are
For t he wi ndows on hi gh ar e open ed ,

And the found at i on s of t he earth do shake .

The ea rth i s utt er ly b rok en ,

T he earth i s cle an di sso lv ed ,

The e arth i s moved e xc eed i n gly .

The earth sha ll sta gg e r li k e a drunk en man ,

And Shall be moved to and fro li k e a hut

And t he tran sg ressi on th ereof sh all be h eavy upon i t ,

And it sh all fall and not ri se again , .

And i t sha ll c ome to pass i n th at day ,

That t he LO RD sha ll pun i sh t he ho st of the hi gh on es

on hi gh ,

And the ki ng s of the earth upon t he earth .

And th ey shall be g ath ered togethe r as p ri son er s ar e ,

g a th e r e d i n t he i
pt ,

And shall be shut up in t he pri son ,

1 8 b —2 o . He r e f o ll o ws a p assa g e of e x t r ao r d i nar y p o we r . T he
te r ro rs o f t he c i e nt
Fl oo d r e u r n ( Ge n 7 1
an t
As i f i n t h e g r a sp .

t t t
o f T i a ni c p o we r s t he e a r h s p l i s a nd b r ea k s , r eel s a nd r o c k s ,
,

l i k e a ha m mock , o r wa c h m a n s h u t t a n d t h e su p r e m e
’

t
e hi c a l p assi o n o f t he p oe t
i s sho wn i n hi s h a , fo r hi m , t h e u l i t t t t
t t f t
m a e re aso n fo r hi s a w ul el e m e n a l c o n u si o n i s a m o ral o ne f
v
t he he a y b ur d e n o f g u i l tt t t
ha r es s u po n t he ea r h ; a nd i ts d o o m t
t v t t
i s t o be i rr e ri e a b le , l i k e h a whi c h l o ng a g o A m o s ( 5 : 2 ) h a d
a nno u nc e d fo r I sr ae l .

21 f j t
T he u d g m e n i s all e m b r a c i ng , i t wil l a ll u p o n c el es i a l
.
-
f t
t
no l e ss ha n u po n e r r es ri al o we r s t t
Th e h o st of th e h e i gh t , i e ,. . .

v
o f h ea e n, wh e he r i d e nt i fi t t
wi h o r i n so m e way r e l a e d t o t he t
t t
s a rs, ar e p r o b a bl y t h e p a r o n a ng e l s o f t h e na i o ns o f t he wo r l d , t
t
a nd a p p r o p ri a el y i n o l e d i n v v
he i r d o o m t
T h e i r sp e c i a l a e i s . f t
t
t o b e swept l i ke pr i soners i nto a sub e r r a nea n pi t ( a s d e sc r i b e d i n t he
1 64
25 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

2 . Fo r thou h ast made of a ci ty an heap ;

Of a defen ce d ci ty a rui n
A p al a ce of stran gers to be no ci ty
1

It sha ll n ever be b uil t .

3 Th e r
. e for e sha ll t h e stron g pe op l e gl orif y thee ,

The ci ty of t h e t er ri bl e n ati on s shall fear th ee .

4 . Fo r thou hast been a strong hold to the poor ,

A strong hol d to t he needy i n hi s d i stress .

A refu ge from the storm a Shadow from the h eat , ,

wh en t he blast of the t e rri ble on es i s as a storm

ag ai n st t he w all
2
As t he heat i n a dry pla ce
.

Shal t thou b ri n g down t he no i se of strang e rs as th e

h eat by the shadow of a cloud t he song of the ,

te rrible on es Shall be b rou ght low .

1 01 u ngodl y (i n
solent ) C r as fai nthea rted me n thi r sti ng i n
1 Zi on by reason of
y
. . .

ungodl men to who m thou didst del i ver us .

ful ,
t
i nc r ed i bl e ; ne v er t hel ess t he a nno unc e m e n was r u e ,
al m o s t t
a nd ha s no w b ee n ul l le d f fi .

2 O f strang e rs
.
pe r ha s, o f the i nsol ent .

f
3 T h e a l l o f hi s p r o u
. t t
c i y l ea ds e e n t he hea he n nati ons, v t
a nd no t t he J e ws o nl y , t o a c k no wl e d g e J e h o a h a nd hi s m i g h v t .

f
I t he poe m belo n t o t h e se c o nd c e n u ry D C , t he ci ty wo ul d pr o b t
i
. .

a b ly be R o m e ; i v
h o we er , i t b el o ng t o t he o ur h c e n ur y , t h e f t t
wo r d city a s no si ng l e c i y se e ms t o t
t he a ll u si o n — m ay be fit
t t
i n er r e ed c o ll e c i ely ( c i i es) tv t
p
.

The a nd n ee d y ar e t h e
Je ws The l as c l a u se of v s 4 . t .

t
fo r t he b ast o f t h e e rr i ble o nes i s as a r ai ns o r m i n wi nter
”
t
t t
r a her h a n ag ai nst th e wall ) , a nd t he wh o l e o f v s 5 e xc ep Tho u . t
t
d o s l a y l o w the pr id e of the i nsol ent ( r a h e r h a n th e noi se of t t
strang e rs v
b y t wo e r y si m pl e c ha ng es i n t he e x ) a r e p ro b a bl y t t
g l osses v
The er ses wo ul d h e n r un :
. t
For Thou hast been a str onghold to the weak,
A str o nghold to the poor i n hi s di str ess ,
A r ef uge fr om the r ai nstor m a shad owfr om the heat, ,

The pr i d e of i nsol ence tho u l a yest l ow .

1 66
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

THE B ANQUE T O F THE N ATI ON S O N M O UNT ZI O N ( 2 5 6 8)-

6 . And in thi s mountai n shall the L ORD of hos ts

Make unto all p eoples
A f east of fat thi n gs a f ea st of wi n es on the lees , ,

Of fat thi ng s fu ll of marrow of wi n es on the lee s w ell ,

r efin e d .

1
And he will destroy in thi s mountai n
2

The f a c e of th e c ov e ri n g th a t i s ca st ov er all p eop les,

And t he v ei l that i s sp r ead ove r all n a ti on s .

8 .
3
He ha th swa ll ow ed up death for ev er ;

1 Gr the y
the msel ves sha ll a no i nt wi th m h this mou nta i n 1 Heb wallow
p?
. u . . s
up 1 Gr dea th hath
preva i l ed and up eodo ti o n, 1 Cor death has
y
. . . .

been swall owed u p i nto vi ctor .

T hi s p assag e , d i f er e n i n h e m e a nd S p i r i
-
8 . r o m t he f t t t f
t t
l a s , i s i n r eal i y t h e c o n i nu a i o n o f 2 4 2 3 t
I i s on thi s m o untai n, t . t
t e m ou n
. . t Z
i o n, wh e r e J e h o a h o f H o s s i s Ki ng ha v t t t
t he b a n u e q t
o f t h e na i o ns a k es p l a c e t
T hi s b ea u i u l i m a g e t . tf
t
sy m b o l i z es h e i r r e c e p i o n i n o t h e ki ng d o m o f Go d ( c t
M at 8 1 1 , t f . .

L uke 1 4 : 2 1 a nd t h e g l a d ne ss of t h e sc e ne o r m s an a d m i r abl e f
t t
c o u n e r pa r t o t he g lo o m a nd o y le ssne ss o f 2 4 : 7 — 9 j .

6 N o t o nl y , a s i n anc i e n d a y s , fo r t h e no b l e s o f I sr ael ( E x o d
. t .

24 : b u t fo r all peopl e s , J e h o a h m a k e s a e a s O r d i na r il y v f t .

i t wa s t h e wo r shi pp e r s wh o e a s e d t h e g o d , h e r e i t i s Go d hi m sel f t f
wh o i s t h e h o s t
And t h e e a s i s o f t h e ne s
. fat thi ng s ( t h e f t fi t
t
fa t p a r s we r e su pp o se d t o b e b e s a nd h e r e o r e c u s o m ar i l y t t f t
o fl e r e d t o t h e g o d ) a nd wi ne h a h a d b ee n l o ng se l e d o n t h e t t tt
t f
l e e s , a nd h a d h e r e o r e a c u i r e d a p o we r u l fl a o r B e o r e d r i nk q f v f
fi
.

i ng , i t was well r e ne d , i e str ai ned . . .

v v
7 T h e ei l i s t h e e i l o f so r r o w, g r a p hi c all y d esc r ib e d i n 2 4 : 7
.

12 . v
T h e c o e r e d h e a d was a S i g n o f m o u r ni ng ( 2 Sa m .

All th e nati on s sh ar e i n t h e b a n u e , fo r al l h ad k no wn t h e q t
so rr o w .

8 . Wh e n the v eil is remo v ed , te a rs ar e se e n u p o n t he sorr o wf ul

f ace s ; but t hese a re wi p e d a wa y b y d i v i ne h and s ,
t h e h a nd s of t he
Ki ng ( 2 4 : 2 3 ) — wi p ed f r o m a ll f a c e s AS fo r hi s peopl e t h e .
,

J e ws t h ey ar e sc a tt er e d o v er al l th e e arth , r ep r o a c h ed a nd d e t est e d
,

b u t t hi s r epr oach a nd h o st i li t y wi ll b e r e m o v e d for ther e i s a di vi ne ,

pr omi s e to that ej ect T h e p h r ase H e hath swall owe d u p d e ath for

.

1 67
9 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

And th e Lord GOD will wi pe away t ears from all fa ces ;

And the r ep roa ch of hi s peop l e Shall he take away from
o fl all t he earth

For the L O RD hath spoken i t .

SO N G O ER V TH E ANTI C IP ATE D D E STR UCTI ON OF M OAB

-
12 )
9 . And h all be sa i d in that da y,
it S

LO thi s i s our God

,

We have wai t ed for hi m ,

And he wi ll save us : thi s i s the Lo rd ; we have

1

wai ted for hi m ,

We will be glad and rejoi ce in hi s salva ti on .

Some Gr M SS
'
1 . . om . thn clause and ne x t .

e ve r ( q uo t e d
b y P a ul i n 1 Co r 1 5 : c o m i ng b e wee n t he vei l
. t
a nd t he tea r s whi c h a r e v
i si ble o n i t s r e m o al a p pe ar s t o b e a n v ,

t t
i n r u si o n ho ug h no t a n i na p p r o p ri a e o ne , as i t i s i n g e ne r al h ar
, t
t
m o ny wi h t h e sp i ri o f t he c o n e x t
T ha r ea
!
l as e ne m y t t . t t t
( 1 Co r 1 5 . c a use o f so m any ea r s, wi ll a so b e a nni hi la e d i n t t
t h e c o m i ng k i ng d o m i t s c i i z e ns wi ll be i m m o r a l t t .

T hi s sc e ne i s o ne o f t h e m o s d a ri ng a nd b e au i ul i n t he O ld t tf
Tes a m e n t t t fi t
I i s a t o nc e i n ni el y e nd e r a nd spl e ndi dly g e ne r
. t
t f
I sho ws u s a so rr o w ul wo r l d i n wh i c h e a rs s and u po n e ve t t
?
o us .

f v
a c e ; b u t J e ho a h wi h hi s o wn h a nd s d ri es t h e t e a r s , a nd sp r e a 8 t
t
hi s a bl e u po n M o u n t Z
i o n no t fo r hi s o wn pe o pl e o nl y , b u t fo r
v
al l pe o ples , a nd g i e s h i s m o l e y c o m p any o f g u e s s o f hi s t ne s t fi t
a nd b es t t tf
I i s a be a u i ul p i c u r e o f t he ki ng do m o f Go d a s a
. t
t
r ed e m p i o n r o m so r r o w a nd a f o u n a i n o f sa i s a c i o n, a nd i t i s f t t f t
t t t
i ns i nc wi h a se nse o f t he i n ni e pi y a nd t he all e m b r a ci ng fi t t -

t t
ho sp i al i y o f J e h o a h o f Ho s s v t .

25 9 .
,
v
—1 2 T he se er ses wi h h e i r u nc o nc eal e d ha r e d o f M o a b t t , t
t
d o no t b r e a he t he g e ne r o u s a m o sp he re o f t h e l as se c i o n, a nd t t t
t
are d o u b l ess r o m a d i fl e re nt ha nd f S o m e hi s o ri c al i nci d e n m u s . t t t
v v t
h a e gi e n t he i m p u l se t o hi s i m p e u o u s o u b ur s , b u t we d o no t t t t
k no w wh a i t was t .

9 A .
p r o u d a n d g r a e u l r e c o g ni i o n o f t f
J e h o a h
’
s po w e r t v .

t
Appa r e n ly t he mi d dl e c la use has been i na d er entl y r epea ed ; v t t
1 68
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

SON G OF GRATI TUDE AND H OPE —1

9)
J erusal em S ecu r e : The P r oud Ci ty D estr oyed (26 1 -
6)
26 . In tha t day shall this song be sun g i n the land of
J udah :
We hav e a strong ci ty ; sal vati on will he appoi nt
For w alls and bul warks .

Op en y e t he g ates that t he ri g ht eou s n ati on whi ch

1
,

k eepeth tr uth
May e nt er therein .

3 .
2
Thou wi l t keep hi m i n p e rf ect pea ce whose mi nd i s
3
,

stay e d on thee :

B ecau se he tru st eth in thee .

‘
Trus t y e in t he L ORD for ev er : for i n the LO RD
5
4 .

JEHO V AH
C
1 d r th rea s vss let the na tio n enter that keepeth r i ghteousness a nd keepeth
us :
th th t l y th h ld } t th y y
. .

tr u , a a e o a ru and hee peace; for i n thee O Lo rd the have assu redl , ,

td th t th l 1 m A stedfast mi nd thou keepest i n perfect

trus e f orevert e gr ea e e e na
J
, r , .

beca use it, etc 1 He b 1 Gr o m i n the Lord 1 He b J ah ehovah

pe ace . pe ace
.
peace .
. . . . . . .

-
9 . M o r e m oo d s t h an o ne ar e r e fle c ted in t hi s c a ef ully r
c o nst r u c t e dp oe m T he O pe ni ng s a nz a ( v ss 1 6 ) i s a so ng o f
. t .
-

p r a i se fo r t h e sa e y o f J e r u sa l e m a n d t f t
h e d es r u c i o n o f so me t t
u nna m e d l o y c i y i ft
Th s l ea d s n h ne x s
i t e t .a n z (
a v ss —
7 1 0) t t .

t t
t o a m e d i a i o n o n t h e wa y s o f G o d , whi c h , i n t h e hi r d ( vss 1 1 1 4 ) t .
-

f
a nd o u r h ( v ss 1 5 t
i ssu e s i n a d a r i ng o u l oo k
. no t u nm i nd t
ful o f t he p a ho s o f t he p as t u p o n t he c o m i ng D ay , wh e n I s t
rae l s d ea d wo ul d b e r a i se d a g a i n t o S h ar e t h e na i o nal g l o r y
’
t .

t
H e r e agai n t he hi s o ri c al si u a i o n i s e r y h a r d t o r e c o ns r u c ; t t v t t
t t
b u t t he Ci y whose d es r u c i o n i s c el eb r a e d i s p ossi bl y Sa m ari a , t t
p r o ba bly T y r e ( c 25 : 1 f .

1, 2 In th at day . J u dah : a l s er i n r od uc i on t o the p oe m t t t .

That d ay i s t he g l o ri o us d ay t o c o m e ( 2 4 2 1
T he str ong city i s J e r u sal e m , whi c h no w a pp ear s t o h a e wall s v .

Wall s a nd bul war ks he appoi nts for her safety T he g ate s m ay ha e . v

t
t be e n d e di ca e d , a nd t he ri gh teous who pass hr o ug h h e m ar e t t
tt e Je ws .

3 Th e s t
.eadf as t m i nd , i e h i m w h o i s s e a di l y ai h u l ,
. tho u
. d os t t f t f
kee i n good for t u ne : pe ace , i e we l ar e , p r osp eri y , i s t he r eward . . f t
of ai h a nd de li y t fi t
fi
.

4, 5 J e h o a h i s w o.r h y o f a l l v
c o n d e nc e ; fo r h e its a r oc k of
1 7°
 THE B OOK OF I SAI AH

an everla sti ng ro ck
Is 1
.

For he hath b rought down th em that dwell on hi gh ,

The lofty c i ty
He l ay eth i t l ow he l ayeth i t low even to the ground
,

H e b ri n g eth i t even to t he du st .

6 .
2
The foot shall tr ead i t down even t he f ee t of the poor ,

And the st eps of the n eedy .

It is Well wi th the Ri ghteou s ,

I ll wi th the per si stently Wi cked
( 6
2 7
-
10 )
7 . The way of the j ust i s upri ghtn ess 3

4
Thou that art upri g ht do st di rec t th e path of the
5

just .

8 . Yea i n th e way of thy judg em ent s

, ,

O L O R D we h av e w ai t e d for th ee
,

To thy nam e and to thy m e mori al

I s the d esi r e of our soul .

9 . Wi th my soul hav e I d esi red thee i n t he ni ght ; y ea ,

wi th my spi ri t wi thi n m e
6
Will I seek thee early
1 He b a r ock o f ages 2 Gr o m the foot m a ri ght way
3 the path of the j
ust
y
. . . . . .

thou di rectest ari ght .

‘Gr . o m tho u that ar t
. u pri ght 5 m level. . .
6 111 . di l i gentl .

ag e s , a s v
i s p r o e d b y hi s p o wer t o l a y t h e l o y c i y ( T y r e : o r ft t
v
S a m ari a ? ) l e e l wi h t h e d u s t t .

6 T h er e i s t h e sa m e wi l d jo y a t th e h o u g h o f r a m p l i ng t h e
. t t t
e ne m y d o wn a s i n M al 4 : 3 . .

t t
7 I n t h e sp i ri o f P sal m 1 , hi s v s a sse r s t h e g o o d o r u ne o f t h e
. . t f t
g ood The path of the r i g hteou s i s str ai g ht, thou s m oothest the way
.

of the r i g hteo u s t t
T h i s r u h h ad u s b e e n i ll u s r a e d i n t h e ex p e
. j t t t
r i enc e o f t h e J e ws ( v ss 1 .

v
8 , 9 J e h o ah s way i s a way O f u dgm e nt , i t i s b y hi s h a h e
.
’
j t t t
b r i ng s t h e d i so b e di e n t o he i r se nse s t t
I sr ael s p a i en wai i ng
’
. t t t
v j t
fo r t h e di i ne u dg m e n h as al r e ady b e e n i n p ar r e war d ed , b u t t
t t
sh e s ill l o ng i ng l y a wai s so m e m or e si g nal m em ori al o r m anifes
v
tat i o n o f J e h o ah s nam e o r c h ar a c er
’
t .
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

For wh en thy judgem ents ar e in the earth th e i nha bi t ,

ants oi the worl d

Le a rn ri ght eou sn es s .

Let favour be sh ewe d to the wi ck ed yet wi ll he not learn ,

ri ght eo usn ess

In t he land of upri ghtness
Will he deal wron gfully and will not behol d ,

The m ajesty of t he L O RD .

The Utter Destr ucti on f

o the E nemy (2 6 1 1 —
14 )
L ORD thy hand i s li ft ed up yet th ey see i t not :
, ,

But th ey shall se e
Thy ze al for th e pe o ple and be ashamed ; ,

Yea fire shall d evour thi n e adve rsari es

,
.

LO RD thou wil t ordai n pea ce for u s : for t hou hast

,

wrought
All our work s for us .

0 LO RD our God 2
oth er lords besi de thee ,

Have had domi n i on ove r us

B ut by thee on ly will we m ak e menti on of thy nam e .

m the fire of
1 . i . e
. t
k i ndled ag ains ) thi ne adversar ies shall devo ur thei n ‘Gr take . .

possessi on a] us . Lo rd , besides thee we know no other : we na me thy na me .

so v t
A e r y sl i g h and r e a so nabl e ad di i o n o f M ar i s t o t he e x
. t t ’
t t
v f t
g i es t he o ll o wi ng e xc e lle n se nse : No favor wi ll be shown to the
wi cked who has not l ea r ned r i ghteo us ness T he land of upri gh tne ss .

t t
i s J u da h a nd d e sp i e wh a h as h ap p e ne d h e r e ( v s 1 ) t h e wi c k e d
,
t .

ha ve no ey es for the majes ty of J eho vah , b u t e e n h er e g o o n h e i r v t t

pe r ve r se wa y .

rt . I t i s a f a m ili a r O ld Test a m e nt t ho ug h t t ha t t h e ba d ar e bli nd ,

t
s u pi d ;t ho ug h t h v
d i i ne h and has b e e n so p o we r ul ly lift e d up
e f
i n re c e nt hi t o y ( v
s r s h ey d o no t see i t . t
H e nc e t h e p r ay e r : .

Let the m see i t a nd be asha med , l et Thy z eal for Thy peopl e, a nd the
fir e o r da i ned for Thi ne ad ver s ar i es devou r them .

12 . t
Fi r e fo r he m , b u t pe ace i e pr os per i ty , fo r u s ,
. . .

13 O th er l or d s
.
, f
o r e i g n d e sp o s, lik e t h e P er si ans B ut no t .

172
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

We have been wi th chil d we have been in pain we , ,

have as i t were b rought fo r th wi nd ;

We have not wrought any deli veran ce i n the
earth
1
Nei the r have the i nhabi tants of the worl d fall en .

z
Thy d ead sha ll li ve ; my dead b odi es shall ari se .

Awak e and si n g ,

Ye th at dw ell in the dust ;

For thy dew i s as t he dew of h erbs
3
,

And t he eart h sha ll cast forth the dead

4 5
.

1 mneither haoe i nhabi ta nt s oj the roor ld l>een 60r m ’ Gr The dead shall ari se a nd
y
.

they that ar e i n the tombs shall be r ai sed , and the that a r e i n the ea rth shall rd oice for the
dewfro m thee is heal i to the m but the la nd of the u ngodl shal fall ’
Heb l i g hts y
h
. . . .

He b let fall
. m s ades ; Heb r epha i rn
. . . .

'

i ne fi ect i ve e fio r t s o f srae l i n t he p as — I
e fi o r t s whi h b ro ug h t c t
no d el i ver a nce to the l a nd , a nd no i n re a se t o t he p o p u l a i o n ( c t cf .

m a rg i n) . f
The wo r d all en i n v s 1 8 a nd cast ( sa me e r b i n H e . v
br e w) i n v s 1 9 r e e rs t o bi r th
. f .

19 T he m e n we r e fe w ( c 2 4 :
. f
T he si t ua i o n i s no w i ndee d
. t
g r e a l yt i m p r o e d ( v s v b u t a v c t m or e
.
g l o ri o u s d a y i s c o m i ng,
whe n I sr ae l s d ea d wi ll b e rai se d ag ai n t o sh ar e t h e bl essi ng s o f
’

t he r anso med p eo pl e i n h e i r l a r g er b o r d e r s ( v s t T hi s da ri ng .

t t
h o u g h i s i n ro d u c e d t
e r y abr up ly v
n o r u na el y t h e ex t . U f t t t t
a nd t he g r a m m a r a r e no t as c e r ai n as we c o ul d wi sh b u t p r o b abl y t ,

t he wor d s o ri g i nall y r a n : Thy dead shal l ar i se, the d well er s i n the

d ust s hal l awa ke a nd sho ut for joy T he d ead bod i e s m ay h a e
. . v
t
be e n i nse r ed t o m ak e m o re p r o mi ne n t he i d ea o f bo d i ly r e sur t
t
re c i o n t
I i s o nl y thy d ead , i e I sr aeli es, who ar e t o ri se ; t h e
. . . t
d ea d who opp r esse d he m sha ll not r i se ( v s t T he m a nner o f .

t
t h e r esurre c i o n ap pe a r s t o be sug g es e d i n t he l as c l a u se o f t h e t t
vs .
f o r d ew of g
l i ht s i e o f s u pe r n a l li
, g h i s Th
. .
y d ew , a nd e a r th shall t ,

br i ng the s hades to bi r th T he d e w i s r e p r ese n e d a s alli ng r o m

. t f f
t he u pp e r r egi o ns o f hea e nl y l i g h v
u o n t he d u s y g r a e s o f
p t t v
q
I sr ael s d ea d ui c ke ni ng h e i r i nhab i a n s i n o l i e as d e w
’

,
t t t t f ,

q ui c k e ns t h e g r ass a nd t h e l o we r s f .

t v
W i h i t s i si o n o f a d ay o n whi c h t he ai h ul d ead , t ri u m han f t f t
v
o er d ea h , wi l l t ake t t
h e i r p l a ces si de by side wi h t h e i vi ng t
m em be rs o f t h e c o m m o nweal h o f I sr a el , t he erse or m s an a d t v f
mi ra bl e c o nc l usi o n t o t h e g r a e ul p r ai se and t h e e nder hopes o f t f t
t h e poe m .
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

I SRAE L
’
S SECURI TY IN TH E GRE AT WORLD JUDGME NT
(26 —
20 2 7 r)

20 . Come my pe op le ent er i nto thy chambers ,

, ,

And shut thy door s ab out thee

Hi de thy sel f for a li tt le mom ent ,
U nti l t he i ndi g nati on b e ov e rp ast .

21 . Fo r beho l d t he L O R D c om e th fort h out of hi s p la c e

, ,

To p un i sh th e i nhabi tant s of t he e arth for th ei r

ini qui ty
'

The e arth also sha ll di scl o se h er bl ood ,

And shall no more c ov er her slai n .

27 In that day the L O R D

Wi th hi s sor e and g reat and strong sword
Sha ll p uni sh levi athan t he sw i ft se rp ent ;
And levi athan th e c rook ed serpent
And he shall slay t he dragon that i s i n the sea .

2 6 : 2 0 —2 7 : 1 T h i s p i ct u r e o f th e se c u r i y o f I sr a el i s t h e c o n
. t
t t
t i nu a t i o n o f 2 5 6— 8 ; i t il l u s r a es p r a c i c ally wh a i s m ea n b y t t t
v
t h e p r o m i se d r e m o al o f I sr ae l s r e p r o a c h
’
W hi l e t h e
t
h o s il e wo r l d p o we r s ar e p u ni sh e d , sh e i s h i dd e n a nd sa e d
-
v .

20 fT h e i ndi gnati on i s t h e s o r m o f u d g m e n wh i c h wi ll
. t j t
s we e p a c r o ss t h e wi c k e d wo r l d , wh e n J e h o a h c o m es o u t of hi s v
. . v v
pl ac e , i e h e a e n, t o a e ng e t h e d e e d s o f bl o o d Th e e arth sh all .

di scl o se th e bl oo d wh i c h i t h a d a b so r b e d , a nd whi c h h er e o r e t f
v
c o ul d no t cr y fo r e ng e a nc e ( G e n 4 : I I ) , a nd t’h e c o r p ses o f t h e .

sl ai n sh al l b e e x p o se d i n p r o o o f t h e m u r d e r e r s g u i l f t .

v t
J e h o a h s m i g h y swor d wo u l d S p ee d i l y ( 2 6 : 2 1 ) a nni
’

t
h il a t e t he h o s i l e e m p i r es ( 2 4 : Wh e h er t h e t wo l evi ath ans t
a nd t h e dr ag on r e p r e se n t t
h r ee e m p i r e s o r o ne , i s no t c l e ar
t t t
p r o b abl y h r ee ; i n h a c ase , t h e sea d r ag o n i s no d o u b E g y p -
t t
( Ez e k 2 9 :. t
the o h er t wo if t h e p assag e c o m e r o m t h e o u r h
, f f t
t
c e n u r y , wi ll p r ob abl y be B aby l o ni a and P er si a , t h e t wo m o s t
r e cen t
o p p r esso r s o f I sr ael I n th e swi t o r fl eei ng serpe nt, th e
. f
cr ook e d o r coi l ed se r p e nt , a nd th e s e a dr ag on, h e r e i s a n all u si o n -
t
t v t
t o t he O l d B a b y l o ni a n s o r y o f t h e i c o r y o f M ar d u k , fo r wh o m t h e
tt t v
H ebr e ws su b s i u e d J e h o a h o er t h e p r i m e al m onst er whi c h v v
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

SO NG O F TH E VINE YARD ( 27 2 -
6)

In th at day
1
A vi n ey ard of wi n e si n g y e 2
,
3
I t he L ORD do keep i t
I wi ll wate r i t e ve ry moment
L est any hurt i t ,

I wi ll k eep i t ni ght and day .

Fury i s not i n m e .

Woul d th at t he b ri e rs and thorns

We re agai n st m e in b attle
I wo uld m ar ch upon th em ,

I woul d b urn th e m toge th er .

O r else let hi m tak e ho ld of my stren gth ,

That he m ay mak e pe ac e w i th m e
Yea let hi m mak e pea ce wi th m e
,
.

6 . In d ay s to c ome sha ll Jac ob tak e root

I sra el shall blossom and bud
And th ey sha ll fill t he fa ce of the world wi th fru i t .

‘Tar and so me Cr and Heb M SS read a pleasa nt vi ne y

a rd m f
o ‘I n vss
v y wid ly f
. . . . . . . .

s s. Gr di verges
-
. er e m Heb
ro .

r e p r ese n e d t c haos
Th a a nc i e n c o n u es was b u t a n ad u m br a
. t t q t
t t
i o n o f hi s o e r t he l a er d a y m o ns e r sv tt -
t .

27 : 2 6 T hi s p i e c e i s l o o se l y c o nne c e d wi h t he la s by t h e
-
. t t t
t t
g e ne r al ho ug h o f J e h o a h s c a r e fo r I sr a el
’
v
I i s t h e c o u n er . t t
p a r o f th a o h e r so n gt t t
o f t h e i ne y a r d (5 1 —
7 ) wh e re i t s a e was v f t
so d i fl e r e nt .

2 R ead : I n that day i t s hall be sa id : Del i g htso me vi ney ar d , si ng

.

ye of i t .

4 f v
J eho ah c he ri shes no ury ag ai ns hi s i ne y ar d , I sr ael ; b u t
. f t v
h e wi ll wa g e d ea d ly war a g a i ns t h e thor ns and thi stl es , i e , t h e t . .

e ne m i es o f I sr ael ( c 2 Sam f
E e n fo r h e m , h o we er ,
. . v t v
the r e i s m e r c y , i f o nl y hey wi ll tak e h ol d o f m y str ongh old , i a t . .

f
fl ee fo r r e ug e t o J e ho ah , a nd mak e peace wi th m e v .

.
’
f t
6 I sr a e l s u u r e p r o sp e ri y wi ll b e wi de as t he wo r l d t .

176
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

defen ced ci ty is soli tary

For the ,

An habi tati on deserted and forsaken li ke the wil , ,

d em ess
Th ere shall the c alf feed ,

And there shal l he li e down and c onsum e the bran ches

thereof ,

Wh en the boughs thereof are wi th ered th ey shall ,

be broken off
The wom en sha ll c om e and se t th e m on fir e : ,

For i t i s a p eop le of no unde r standi ng ;

Ther efore he that mad e the m will not have c ompas
si on upon th e m ,

And he t hat formed th em will sh ew th em no favour .

GATHE RE D HOME ( 2 7 12 f)
.

12 . And i t sha ll c ome to pass in that day ,

That the L O RD sha ll beat o fl hi s fr u i t, from the flo od
of the Ri ver un to t he brook of Eg ypt ,
1

1
C r Rhi nocoroura
. .

so f . These v e rses v i dly

d e sc ri be t h e p r ese n desol a i o n o f
vi t t
J e usalem ( c
r — 1 2) — f
a p l a c e wh e re c a
. l e p a s u r e a nd tt t
wo m e n c o m e t o g a he r ue l t f
T he di i ne pi ty a nd fa vor a r e wi h . v t
f
hel d ro m t he peo p le be c a u se he y ha e no und erstan di ng ha t v t t
t
i s, be ca u se hey ar e i m pe ni e n , a nd h a e no t a ba nd o ne d he i r t t v t
f
sin ul i d o la r y t t
B u t i f hi s b e a band o ned , t he si n wi ll be e x pi a e d
. t
( v s 9 ) and t he g lo ri o u s u ur e wi l l be gi n ( c v ss 6 , 1 2
. f t f . .

13 .
—
t
T he g r ea a po c al y pse ( hap s 2 4 2 7 ) i m p r e sswe l y C .

t v
c lo se s wi h a i si o n o f t he r e ur n o f t he J e ws r o m t he l ands i n t f
t
whic h h e y had bee n sca e re d , t o J e r u sal e m , wher e hey c an tt t
t
wo r shi p he i r o wn Go d i n hi s o wn p e c uli ar h o m e These v ss . .

a p pe a r t o o ll o w 2 7 : 1 f .

12 Fo r fl ood , r ead ea r s
. J ehovah wi ll beat o ut ear s of wheat .

t
am the r i ver E u p hra e s to the tor r ent of E g ypt, t h e so u t h we st er n
{L und ar y o f Pal es i ne t
t h es e b e i ng t he id ea l li mi s o f I sr ae l s
’ o

t
ki ng d o m T he nal. u dg m e n fi j
i s c o m p ar e d t o a thr eshi n in t
t
whi c h t h e h ea he n, li k e t he c ha , will be swep away , a n t he ff t
1 78
 '

THE B OOK OF I SAIAH

And y hall be g ath ered one by one 0 y e childr en of

e s ,

I srael .

And i t shall com e to pass i n that day ,

Tha t a g r eat trumpet shall be bl own M at

.

And they sh all c om e whi c h w er e r eady to p eri sh i n

1

t he l and of A ssyri a ,

And they th at we re out ca st s i n t he land of Egypt ;

And th ey sh all wor shi p the Lord in the holy moun tai n
at Je ru salem .

1 m lost
. .

J e ws ,
li k e t h e g o o d g r a i n, wi ll be g ath er e d one by one ; no t o ne
t
o f h e m will b e l o s t .

13 . Fr o m t h e wi d e r wo r l d , t o o , h er e r e pr ese n ed by Assyr i a t
t
a nd Egypt , h o se wh o we r e l ost a nd o utc asts wi ll c o m e t o J er u sa l e m
a t t e so u nd o f t he tr um pe t
h — o ne o f t h e i m p o si ng f t
ea u r e s o f
t
a p o c al y p i c u tter a nc e ( c f M at 2 4 :
. . v
T h e i si o n si g ni c a n l y fi t
e nd s i n a n ac t o f wor s hi p .

t j t v
T h e g r e a wo r l d u d g m e n i s o e r ; t h e h o s i l e p o wers h a e t v
t
b e e n a nnih i la e d ( v s . a nd t he J e ws , r e d ee m e d a nd r es o r e d t o t
t t
hei r o wn l a nd , d o h o m ag e t o he i r Go d u p o n t h e hol y e m pl e hill t .
 WAR NI N GS AND P RO MI SES TO JE RU SAL E M
(ChAP s . 28 -

33)

W O E To) SAMARIA —6

28 . Woe to th e c rown of pri de of the drunkards of Ephrai m ,

And to the f a din g flower of hi s glori ou s be auty ,

Whi ch i s on the h ead of the fat va ll ey of them that are

1
over com e wi th wine .

2 . B ehold th e Lo rd hath a m ighty and strong one ;

,

As a t emp est of ha il a d estroyi ng storm , ,

As a t empe st of mi g hty wate rs ove rflowi ng ,

Shall he cast down to t he earth wi th th e hand

1
.

3 . The crown of t he pri de of the drunkards of Ephr ai m

Shall be trod d en und e r foot

1 Heb . s mitten daien .

1 m wi th violence
. .

A f o ur t h g ro up o f p r o p he c i es i s c o nst i t u t e d b y C haps 2 8—33 .

,

whi c h c o m e f ro m I sa i a h s o l d a g e a nd c e nt re r o u nd t h e f o r t u nes
’
,

o f J e r u sa l e m d u r i ng t he y ears 7 0 4 7 0 1 B C wh e n J u da h m e n -
. .
, ,

a c ed by Assy r i a u nd e r Se nnac h e ri b was se c r e t l y pl a nni ng a n ,

alli a nc e wi t h Eg yp t Th is g r o u p c o nt ai ns so m e o f I sai a h s
.
’

no bl es t wo r k .

—6 . v
O b i o usl y t his t hreat
Sa m ari a m us pre c e de he r of t
f a ll ( i n 7 2 1 s a , er I ai h h o we v
ap r o p ri a t el y p re x es i t t o , fi
t h e p ro p he c i es c o nc e rni ng J er u sa l e m a o u t we n y y e ar s l a er , t t t
t t
he re b y o mi no usl y sug g e s i ng ha a s J e r u sa le m was li ke Sam a r ia t t
t
i n c har a c e r ( v s 1 , 7 ) so she m a y be also i n her a e
.
'

f t .

r The prou d cr own of th e dr unk ar d s of Eph rai m wa s t h e c i y o f

. t
t
S a m ari a c a pi al o f t he no r he rn ki ng d o m , whi c h cr owned a hill
,
t
t t
h a ro se i n t he m id dle o f a fat ( i e e r i l e ) vall ey D r u nk e nness . . f t .

was o ne o f her b ese i ng si ns ( Am os 6 : tt Ap par e n l y g ar land s t

of fl o w er s we r e wor n a t c a r o u sa ls ( s 3 )
v — a ac whi c h lends . f t
oin t
t o t he p i c u r e t
T he p r o p he d esc r i b e s Sam ari a a s t he t
li
.

ea d o f a d r u nk e n r e e ll er v
e nc i r c l e d wi h a wr e a h o f ,
a d i ng t t f
fl o we rs (0 W hi e ho use )
. C . t .

2 T he str ong one i s t he Assy ri an, wh o wi ll c o m e lik e a destr oy

.

i n stor m a nd l ay S a m ari a pr ostr ate u pon the gr o und , wi th vi olence

f
( c m ar gi n)
. .
 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH

The pri est and the prophet

Hav e erred thr ough st rong dri nk ,

Th ey are swallowed up o f wi n e ,

Th ey ar e g on e a str ay through strong dri nk ;

Th ey e rr i n vi si on ,

They stum ble i n judg em ent .

8 . Fo r all t ables ar e fu ll of vomi t and filthi ness,

S o that ther e i s no pl a ce clean .

Whom will he t ea ch knowledg e P

And whom will he mak e to under stand the messa ge ?
Th e m that are wean ed from t he mi lk ,

And drawn from the b rea st s ?

Fo r i t i s prec ep t upon pre c ept pr ec ept upon precept ,

L ine upon li ne lin e upon li ne ; ,

He re a li tt le ,

And ther e a li t tle .

r oof . 11 . Nay but by men of strang e lips

,

And wi th anoth er ton gu e

Will he speak to thi s peo ple

( vs we r e g ui l t y o f a bo m i na bl e e xc ess
. all t h e m ore d ep l or ab l e
t ha t t hey we r e r el i gi o us lead e r s P o ssi bly t he sc e ne was i n t he
.

t e mple c o u r t J u dgm ent t he de ci si o n o f c ases

.
,
.

9 f The se a r e t he c o nt e m p t u o u s a nd i r o ni c al wo r d s wi th whi c h
.

t he p r o p he t t
i s g r e e ed as h e c o m e s u po n t h e d r u nk en r e ell e r s v .

t
T he p r i e s s ha d t he knowl ed g e , t he p r o p he s t he di i ne m essag e ; t v
t t t f
he y nee de d no i ns r u c io n r o m I sai a h , he y wer e no t b a bi es t .

v t
T he y wo ul d ha e no h i ng t o d o wi h hi s pe rpe ual a nd m o no o t t t
j t
no u s i ng l e , i ni mi a bly e x p r e sse d i n t h e o r i gi nal He br e w b y t h e
t
u nc o u h tsa w l ats aw tsa w l atsaw aw l a a w q a w l aq aw sugg e s
ti v el y r e nd e r e d b y Whi e ho use t
a w o n a w, sa w o n sa w .

11 t t
The i ndi g nan p ro phe i m m e di a el y h ur l s hi s hr ea
. Th e t t t .

j t t v
r e e c ed and sa i ri z e d t h e di i ne m es sa g e a s i t c a m e t h ro u g
t
hi m , hey wo ul d be co m pe lled t o li s e n t o i t as i t c a me hr o u g h t t
m en of st rang e li ps and anoth er tongu e , i e t he As syr i ans . . .

182
 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH 28

To whom he ai d
s ,

Thi s i s the rest ,

Gi ve y e rest to hi m that i s weary ;

And thi s i s t he r efreshi ng
Yet they woul d not h ear .

Therefor e sha ll the word of th e LORD

B e unto th em
Pr e cept upon pr ecept pre c ept upon pre c ep t , ,

Li n e upon li n e line upon li ne ,

He r e a li tt le ,

Th er e a li tt le
That th ey may g o ,

And fall b a ckward ,

And be b roken and snared , ,

And taken .

The Folly f
o the E gypti an Alli ance (2 8 14 2 2 -
)
14 . Wh erefore hear t he word of t he L O RD ,

Ye sc ornful m en ,

12 R e ad : h e wh o s ai d to th em
. T he wo r d s hat oll o w su m . t f
m a r i z e I sai ah s g e ne r al m essag e ; thi s i s th e r u e r e st, na m e l y ,
’
t
q u ie t fi
c o n d e nc e i n Go d P o l i i c al alli a nc e s, su c h as t
t
J u d ah wa s he n ne g o i a i ng wi h E gy p ( vs t t o t
en le d t o t . ft
t t t
i n e r na i o nal c o m pl i c a i o ns , so m e i m e s t o war ; th o se h u s r e n t t
t
d er e d we ary , e x h a u s e d , wo u l d find r e st a nd r e r e sh i ng i n ah f
t f t t
s a i ni ng r o m p o li i c al a m bi i o ns and c o m b i na i o ns, a nd i n si m p l y t
t t
r u s i ng J e ho a h v .

B e c a u se they r efu sed to li sten t o I sai a h s d e m a nd for si m pl e

’
13 .

f t v
a i h , t h e d i i ne m e ssag e wo u l d c o m e t o t h e m ag ai n i n a m o r e
'

t e rr i bl e or m , f ra ug h f t t
wi h r u i n Wi h g r i m i ro ny , I sai ah d e . t
sc r ib es t h e m e ssa g e whi c h t h e Assy r i a ns will b r i ng i n t h e sa m e
j t
i ng li ng wo r d s a s he y ha d u sed t o d e sc r ib e hi s o wn T he word s .

t
wi ll be s r a ng er han I sai ah s ’
t r e al or e i g n wor ds , b u t h e i r m ea n f t
i ng will b e p l ai n e no u g h h e y sp e ll d oo m for J u d ah t .

14 t
T he a nno u nc e m e n c o nc er ns t h e p r i e s s, p r o p he s ( vs
. t t .

1 83
 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH

That rule thi s people

Whi ch i s in Je rusal em :
B ecause ye hav e sai d We have made ,
!

A covenent wi th dea th ,

And wi th hell
1

Ar e we at agr ee m ent
Wh en th e overflowi ng sc ourge shall pas s t hrough
2
,

It shall not c om e unto u s

For we have m ad e li es our r efuge ,

And unde r falsehood have we hi d o urselves .

Th er efore thu s sai th

The Lord GO D,
B ehold , I lay in Z i on for a foundat i on a stone ,

A tri ed stone ,

A preci ous c o rn er stone of sure found at i on

Rom
. He that be lieve th shall not m ak e haste
3
.

1 Heb S heol ‘Gr stor m ( flood ) ‘Gr be asha med SV be i n haste

. . . . .
; .

and t h e rul e rs g ener all y who r est i ng t he i r f ai t h l i ke Ahaz ( C hap

, , ,

r a t h e r i n p o li t i ca l alli a nc e s t han i n G o d a r e app r o p ri a t ely ,

d esc r i bed a s scofl cr s ( c f vs scorne rs o f r e l i g i o n and t he u nsee n

. . .

1 5 g o es wi t h 1 6 ; b ecaus e th e re f or e T he v ss c o nt r ast . .

f
t he alse wi t h t he t r ue g ou d
r n o f o fi
c n de c
n e — f i t h i n E gyp t wi t h
a
fa i t h in J e ho v a h
B y su pe r s i i o us a nd
. r r tt ,
ne c o m a nti c p ac t i c es
t t
c o nne c e d pe r haps wi h Eg y p i an m y s er i es , t he l ea d ers i magi ne dt t
v
the m sel es t o be ar a c har m e d li e , se c u r e ag ai ns D eath and f t
S h eol T he ove rfl owi ng flo od ( c
. 8 : 7 f ; r a he r h an scour g e ) , f . . t t
t t
ha i s, t he Assy ri a ns, c o ul d no t r ea c h he m S u c h so u r c e s o f t
fi
.

v t
c o n d e nc e , ho we e r , ar e no hi ng b u t li es and al sehoo d I sa i ah s ’
f
o wn wo rd s , wh i c h he
p u s i n o he i r m o u hs t t t t .

16 t
To hei r di plo m a c y a nd su pe r s i i o n I sai a h o pp o se s fa i th;
. tt
t
wi h t he sc he m i hg a nd sco ffi ng po li i ci ans, ha r u l e hi s p eo p l e t t t t
i n J er u sal e m ( vs t
he c o n r as s t he l i l e ba nd o f t h e fai thfu l
. t tt .

T he y are the pr ec i o us fo u ndat i on stone o f t he b u i ldi ng y e t t o b e

r ai se d o n ion Z t t
ha i s , o f a c o m m u ni y c o nsi s i ng o f ho se wh o , t t t
v
li k e I sa i a h , ha e fa i th i n Go d a nd who c ar e fo r j usti ce and r i g hteous
ne ss ( vs . f t
T he o u nd a i o n i s app r o p ri atel y c o nc e i e d as b ei ng v
Z t t
l aid in i on, as h a was J e ho ah s ear hl y ho m e , a nd wi h i o n s
’
v ’
t t Z
1 84
 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH

For the L ORD shall ri se up as in mount Perazi m ,

He shall b e wroth as i n the valley of Gi beon ;

That he may do hi s work ,

His strang e work ,

And b rin g to pass hi s a c t ,

His strange act .

22 . Now therefore be y e not sc orne rs ,

Lest your ba nds be mad e strong

Fo r a c onsummati on and that d etermi ned , ,

Have I heard from the Lord the LO RD of hosts upon , ,

th e whole eart h .

Tm: PATIE NCE AND C ONSI DE RATE NE SS or r m: D IVI NE

PURPOSE — 2 9)

Gi ve ye ear and hear voi ce ;

’

23 .
, my
Hearken and hea r my spee c h , .

21 . M ount P erazi m Gi b eon ( C h

a nd Geba , 1 ro n . or
wher e D a i d d e ea e v sf t d t he P hili t i ne ( Sam
s 2 5 20, 2 J eho a h, . v
th ro ug h t he Assy r i ans, wo ul d ri se u p ag ai ns hi s peo le as t
fo r m e r l y h e h a d ri se n ag a i ns he i r e ne m i es ; t t
ha i s w y h i s t t
t
a c i o n i s d es cr i be d a s strang e a nd al i en ( t he H e b re w wo r d s a r e
di fl e re nt )
'

22 .
’
fi
I sai a h s nal wa r ni ng t o t h e scofl er s ( vs 1 4 ) no t to i g h e n . t t
t f t
s il l u r he r , b y he i r sc o fi n t
t he bo nd s o f si n, wi h whi c h pe na l y t t
t
was i ne x ri cab ly bo u nd up 5 1 8 ) fo r t o t he se nsi i e e ar s o f t he tv
t f
p r o ph e ( 2 2 : 1 4 ) had co m e ro m J e ho a h t he m essa g e o f d estr uc v
ti o n decr eed ( c 10 : f .

T hese v
erse s ( 7 2 2 ) a r e r e m a r k a bl y
-
i i d ; t he we ar y vv
p eo pl e i n t he b ac k g r o u nd ( v s 1 2 ) and o n t he o ne si d e , t he d r u nk en
.

t t
c lerg y wi h hei r ri bald mi mi c ry o f t he pr o phe , a nd t he se c r e t t
t t t t
t rea y , wi h i t s c o nc o m i a n o f d a r k sup e r s i i o n ; o n t h e o h e r tt t
t
h and , I sai a h , fl a mi ng wi h ho l y i nd i g na i o n, war ni ng t he sc o rner s t
Of he o nc o m i ng fl oo d , hi ms el k ep s e a d y by hi s S pl endi df t t
'

fai t h
28 : 23 29 The be ar i ng o f h i s c u ri o u s li le se c i o n u po n t he
-
. t tt t
1 86
 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH 28 :

D oth th e p lowman p l ow c onti nually to sow ?

D oth he conti nual ly open and b r eak th e cl ods of
hi s ground ?
Wh en he h ath made p l ai n the f a ce th er eof ,
1

D oth he not ca st ab road the fit ches and s c att er th e

c ummi n ,
2
And put in the wh eat in row s and th e barley i n t he
appo i nt e d pl a c e

And the sp el t in the b orde r th ereof ?

Fo r hi s God doth i n stru c t hi m ari ght ,

And doth t ea c h him .

27 . Fo r the fi tches are not t hresh ed wi th a sharp thr eshi ng

i n strum ent ,

1 SV levelled .
3 Gr . om .

c o nte x t i s no t easy t o de ter m i ne I t desc r ibes.

,g e ne r all y , ho w t h e
f a r m er hi s a da p s t m e t ho d s t o c i r c u m st a nc es h e i s no t al wa y s
t
d o i ng t he sa m e hi ng ( p l o ug hi ng ) no r al wa y s do i ng i t i n t he sa m e
way ( so wi ng ) — a nd , m o r e p a r i c u l ar l y , wi h wh a e nd e r co n t t t t
sid e ra i o n t t
hi s p ri nc i p l e i s a ppl i e d whe n, as i n h r eshi ng , se er e t v
m easur e s ar e ne c essar y T h e i m p li c a i o n i s h a t h e a r m er s
.
’
t t t f
t tt v t
,

m e ho ds ar e a p ar a bl e o r an i y p e o f t h e di i ne deali ng s wi h
f
m e n ; Go d wi ll be c ar e u l , l i k e t h e ar m e r , no t t o d e s r o y i n t he f t
p r o c ess o f h r esh i ng t
T he p a ssag e h a s t h e ef e c o f so e ni ng t h e
. f t ft
v t
g r a e a nno u nc e m e n , j us m ad e , o f t h e i m p e ndi ng u d g m e n o n t j t
J u dah ( v ss 2 1 a nd m a y b e r o m a l a er h a nd
. f t .

24 f f
T he ar m er i s no t conti nually pl o u g hi ng ; h e p l o u g h s wi h
. t
a v
i e w t o t he so wi ng and t h e har e s S o for J u da h , no w pl o u g he d v t .

b y o p pr e sso r s ( c P s 1 2 9 : uie f
r ui . ul d a y s ar e i n s o r e
. In q tf tf t .

2 5 b , r ea d si m p ly : d oes he not s et wheat a nd bar l ey , a nd spelt as i ts

bor der ?
26 .
’
f
The a r m er s ag r i c u l t u r al k no wl e dg e , whi c h h e o wes t o
t t
r a di i o n a nd e x p er i e nc e , i s h er e r e g a r d e d a s i m p ar e d b y Go d t
h i m sel f t
T h e m e ho d s o f a dap ati o n a nd p a i enc e whi c h h e
. t t
te a c h es t h e f
ar m e r , ar e t he m eth o d s h e hi m sel a d o p s i n hi s f t
c o nd u c o f hi s o r y t t .

27 f
Whe n t he a r m er hre shes, he ad apts hi s m e ho ds t o th e
. t t
t
na u r e and d eli c a c y o f t he o b e c t o b e th r e she d ; so al so Go d j t .

187
 THE B OOK O F I SAIAH

Nei th e r i s a cart wh eel turned about upon the

c ummi n
B ut the fit ches are be at en out wi th a stafl ,

And th e c ummi n wi th a r od .

1
B read cor n is g round
For he will not e ve r be thr eshi n g i t
And though t he wh eel of hi s cart and his horses s catter
it,
He doth not g ri nd i t .

Thi s a lso c ome th from the LORD of hosts ,

Whi ch is wonderful i n c oun sel and , e xcellent in

TE E CHARACTE R AND FATE or J ERUSAL E M ( 2 9 : 1 -

)
15

The Fate o f J erusal em ( 2 9 1

—
8)

29 .
2
Ho Ari el , Ariel ,
The ci ty
where D avi d e n camped
Add ye year to yea r ;
Let t he fea sts c om e ro und

l m is bread
. cor n cr ushed ? Nay he will
, no t ever be thr es hi ng i t .
’m . Woe lo .

28 . v
Thi s erse sh o u ld p r o ba bl y r u n : I s br ead (cor n) cr u shed ?
Nay , he does no t keep thr eshi ng i t co nti nua l l y : but , when he has
r oll ed hi s wago n wheel over i t he scatte rs i t , but does not cr ush i t .

( So D u h m ) .

29 f
The se wo nde r ul p ri nci p les ha g o er n t h e ar m er s a c i o n
.
’
t t v f t
v
c a n o nl y ha e ha d a di i ne o ri g i n v .

—
29 : 1 15 T hi s p assa g e b e lo ng s t o a pe ri o d t wo or hr ee y ea rs
. t
f
be or e t he si eg e o f J e r usa l e m b y t h e Assy ri a ns ( ab o u 7 0 3 t
t t t
I po r r ay s wi h gr i m po wer t he i m pe ndi ng a e o f t he c i y , and f t t
t t t
th e p a he i c i nc re d uli y a nd bli nd ne ss o f t h e p e o pl e I begi ns . t
wi h Woe ( c 2 8 :
t f .

1 Ari el : a n o b sc u r e na m e fo r J er usale m
. I p r o b abl y m ea ns . t
v
al ta r hear th, a nd m a y ha e bee n su gg es e d t o I sai ah b y t he si g h
-
t t
1 88
29 37 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH

Wi th thunder and wi th earthquake and wi th g reat

, ,

noise ,

Wi th whir lwi nd and t empest and the flame of a de ,

v o ur i ng fir e .

And t he mul ti tude of all the nati ons

That fi g ht ag ai n st Ari el ,

Even all that fig ht ag ai nst her and h er stronghold ,

And that di str ess her ,

Shall be as a dream ,

As a vi si on of the ni ght .

8 . And i t shall be as when an hun gry man dreame th ,

And beho ld he eateth

, ,

B ut he awaketh ,

And hi s soul i s empty

O r as when a thi rsty man dr eam eth ,

And be hol d he dri nketh

, ,

B ut he awak eth and be hold he i s fai nt, , , ,

And hi s soul hath appe ti te :

So shall the mul t i tud e of all t he nati ons be ,

That fi ght ag ai nst mount Z i on .

The S pi r i tual Tar par and Rel i gi ous For mali ty f

o the P eople
( 29 9
-
15 )
9 . Tarry y e and wonde r
Tak e your pleasure and be bli nd

l m be ye
. a maz ed .
' m bli nd
. y
our sel ves.

e h o v ah wi ll co me wi ft te rr ibl e s o r m t wi t h t h under ,
{gh
as a s and
t ni ng ’ e t c . H er e t h e
m essag e p r o b abl y e nd s
o ri gi nal .

and 8 a nno u nc e , i n l a er t
ashi o n, t h e di sa p p o i n m en f
and t t
de ea t o f J er u sal e m s e ne m i es They wi ll b e l i k e d r ea me rs wh o
’
.

a wak e t o find t v
he m sel es m o c k ed b y t he r eali y ; nay , h ey will t t
v
be e en as an u ns ub s a n i al dr ea m i sel t t t f .
 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH 2 9 : 12

1
drunk en bu t not wi th wi ne ;
Th ey are ,

2
Th ey st agg er but not wi th stron g dri nk ,
.

Fo r th e LO RD hath pour e d out upon you

The spi ri t of deep sleep ,
R om .

And hath closed your ey es the proph ets ,

And your h eads th e seer s h ath he c overed , , .

And all vi si on i s b ecom e unto you

As th e words of a book that i s seal ed whi ch m en ,

deliver to one th at i s learn ed sayi n g R ead , ,

!

”
thi s I p ray th ee and he sai th
,
I c annot for ,
!
,
”
i t i s seale d and th e b ook i s d eli v er e d to hi m

that i s not lear n ed sayi ng R ead thi s I pray , ,

!
,
”
th ee and he sai th I am not learn ed ,
!
.

Gr be drunken
. . Gr . om .

9 f . Tarry : r ea d wi t h Ch e y ne :

S tu pefy y ou r sel ves a nd be stu pi d ,

B l i nd you r sel ves and be bli nd
B e dr u nken, but not wi th wi ne:
S tagger , bu t not wi th str ong dr i nk .

tv q v t
T he i m p era i es ar e e u i al e n t o e r y e m p h ati c u u r es ( c v f t f .

8: t t tt
T h e p r o p he m e a ns h a h ei r p as a p a h y wi ll b e p u ni she d t t
t
b y c o n i nu e d a p a h y ( c 6 9 t f
whi c h wi ll r e nd er h e m i nse nsi bl e
. t
t
t o t h e si g ns o f t h e c o mi ng s o r m ( v s 6 ) ill i t i s u p o n h e m ; a nd . t t
t t
wh e n h e y d o o p e n he i r seal e d a nd s u p i d ey es , i t wi l l b e t o l o o k t
f
u p o n th e a w u l fl a m e of d evou r i ng fir e ( v s a nd h e y wi ll r ee l . t
t
a nd s a g g e r , a m i d ha t tt
e r ri b l e s o r m , li k e d r u nk e n m e n t .

I O Th e L O RD h ath pour e d , e t c ;
. hi s o r p o r i s , i n o ne a sp e c , . t t t
v
a d i i ne j t t
u d i c i a l p e na l y ; i n a no h er , t h e e fl e c t o f p sy c h o l o g i c al
law t
t h e a r o p h y o f a n u n u se d a c u l y Go d h a d cl o se d h e i r f t . t
e y es , b u t t h e p eo p l e h a d c l ose d h ei r o wn e y e s t
Wi h se al e d ey e s . t
a nd m u ffl e d h ea d s t
h e y c o ul d see no h i ng O m i th e proph ets t . t
a n l th e seer s a s g l o sse s ; al l t h e p eo pl e ar e g ui l y no t h ese t t
on fy .

11 f . All vi si on the vi si on of all thi s

,
T he se e r se s i ll u str a e t he . v t
t t t
co m p l e e sp i ri u al i nc ap a c i y o f all c l asses, e d u c a e d a nd i l li t er at e t .

t t
N 0 o ne ca n i n er p r e t h e si g ns o f t h e i m es, or b el i e e i n t h e co m t v
j
i ng u d g m e n t .
2 9 : 13 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH

And th e L ORD sai d ,

!
Forasm u ch
thi s p eople draw ni gh unto meas
,

And wi th th ei r mouth and wi th thei r li p s do honour

me,
B ut have removed th ei r hear t far from m e
1
,

And th ei r fear of m e
2

I s a c ommandm ent of men whi ch hath bee n taug ht

them ;
I will pro c eed to do a marv ell ous
Th e refore , behol d ,
work amon g this people ,

Even a ma rvello us work and a wonder

And t he wi sdom of thei r wi se m en shall p eri sh ,

And t he understandi n g of their prud ent m en shall

be hi d .

15 . Woe unto them that see k deep to hi de

Th ei r c oun sel from t he L O RD ,

And th eir works are i n t he dark ,

And they say Who seeth u s ? ,

And who knoweth us ?

‘Gr thei r heart is or r om me (cf M at
.
f . .
’ Gr . in va i n do the yw orshi p me .

! achi ng the co mma ment: and doctr i nes of me n (cf M at . .

13 . Wi t h
thi s sp i i t l o b t u eness g oe s r eli gi o us f r m ali t y
r ua s o ,

wh i c h i m ag i n t h t l i g i o n i a m tt er o f p re c ri b e d a nd c i t d
es a re s a s re e
f m l i nst e d f b i ng t hi ng f t h h e art T hey drawni g h
or u as , a o e a o e .

wi th th ei r m ou th ( o mi t a nd ) — a v r y tr e nc h ant d e c ri p t i o n o f e s

i nsi nc ere wo rshi p .

14 . t
B e c a u se h ei r wor shi p was b u t a he ar less li wo r shi p , t -

v
J e ho ah wi ll d o so me s r ang e ( c t
and marve ous fhi ng
. t
( cf v
. s .w h i c h wi ll c o n i n ce h e m o f t h e u v
il i y o f allth ei r f t t t
v
cl e er sc he m i ng ( c vs f . .

15 . f
A woe ( c 2 8 : 1 2 9 : 1 ) i s p r ono u nc ed u p o n ho se wh o hi de
. t
d eep thei r pu r pose fr o m J ehova h; i e wh o se c r e l y neg o i a e d . . t t t
t
for an Eg yp i a n alli ance , wi ho u c o nsul i ng J e ho a h hr o u h h i s t t t v t
p pr o h e D est
p i. e h e i r se c t t
r e cy ,
h o we er , I sa i a h i s a war e 0 h e i r v t
pl a n .
 THE B OOK OF I SAI AH

And poor among m en shall rejoi ce i n the Holy

t he
One of I sra el .

For the t e rrible one i s b ro ught to nought and the ,

sc orn e r c e ase th ,

And all th ey t hat wat ch for i ni qui ty ar e c ut ofl

That mak e a man an o fl ender i n a cau se
1
,

And lay a snare for hi m that reproveth m t he g ate ,

And turn asi de the j ust wi th a thi n g of nought .

Therefore thu s sa i th th e LO RD who red eem ed Ab raham , ,

con ce rni ng the house of J a cob

J a cob shall not now be asham ed ,

Nei ther sha ll hi s fa ce now wa x pale .

B ut wh en he see th hi s chi l dr en t he work of mi ne hands, ,

i n t he mi dst of hi m ,

Th ey sha ll san c ti fy my nam e ;

Yea th ey sh all sanc ti fy t he Holy One of J a co b
, ,

And shall stand in awe of the God of I srael .

t
b y t he m e r c y o f h e i r God , t he tyr a nt who o p pre sse d he m , t he t
t t
a p os a e s who scor ned t
he m a nd a l l who we re vi gil ant i n the ca use
,

of i ni q u i ty , wo ul d t v
he n ha e di sa p p ea re d .

21
. f t
T he o fe nd e r s spe c i ally m e n i o ne d i n v s 2 1 a r e h ose wh o . t
t
d e no u nc e m e n wi th a wor d ( r a he r h a n i n a cause ) , i e cal u m t . .

ni o u sly t
ho se who l a y a s na r e by spee c h o r bri be ry , or hi m that
r epr oveth ”t the c i t y gate ( whe re c a se s we re ri e d ) , i e o r t he u d g e t . . j
a nd t ho se who wi th a thi ng of nough t i e o n a n e m p y r e t e x t , ,
. . t
f
t u r n asid e the ust r o m t he d e c i si o n t o whi c h he 18 e n i l e The tt .

j t
o l d si n o f l eg a i n us i ce wi ll ha e a ni shed i n tha t day v v .

22
. R e ad : Ther efo r e thus sa i th J ehova h, the God of the ho u se of
J acob who r ed ee med Abr aha m
, T he u ur e re d e m i o n o f t h e
. f t t
ft
p eo p l e ( he re ca ll e d J aco b , as o en I sr ael ) wi ll m a c the anci ent t
t
r ed e m p i o n o f Ab r a h a m .

. t
O mi hi s chil dr en R ead : when he (i e J a c o b , t h e pe o pl e)
. . .

seeth the wor k of mi ne ha nds i e t he g lori o u s r ed e mp ti o n and

,
. .

r nsfor r a t i o n, t he r e sul t
will be a d ee pe r r e er ence and awe v
ta8 3g
c z 1
 THE B OOK OF I SAI AH

24 . Th ey alsoth at err i n spi ri t sh all c om e to under standi ng ,

And th ey that murmur shall le arn do c tri n e .

THE E GYP TI AN ALLI AN CE A R UI NO U S P O LI C Y —

17 )
The E m bassy to E gypt —
5 6 ,
f)
.

Woe to r ebelli ou s c hildr en

the ,

Sai th th e L O R D ,

That tak e c oun sel ,

B ut not of m e
And th at c ove r wi th a c ov e ri ng
1
,

B ut not of my spiri t ,

That th ey m ay add
Si n to sin
2 . That walk to go down i nto Eg ypt ,

A n d hav e not a sk e d at my mouth

To streng then them selves i n t h e stren g th of Ph araoh

2
,

And to t r u st i n t he sh adow of E gyp t

Th e r efor e sh all th e stre n g th of P h ar a oh be your sham e ,

And the tru st in t he shadow of Egypt your c onfu si on .

1 m weave . a web or ou r out a

p dri nk fl
o eri ng .
2 m .
flee to the strong hold of P haraoh .

T h e e r ri ng a nd d i sc o n e n e d J e ws wo ul d
24 . t t
h e n su b m i t t
t v
h e m sel es t o t h e di sc i p li ne o f t h e l a w .

—1
7 T h e E g y p i a n al li a nc e , al r e a d y
. t a g u e l y al l u d e d t o v
(29 : t
i s no w e x p li c i l y d e sc r i b e d a nd d e no u n c e d as a t o nc e a
fo l l y a nd a n a p o s asy t t
I i s o ll y t o r u s t o c kl e E g y p ; and
. f t t fi t
tr us t t f
i n E g y p sp r i ng s r o m h a l a c k o f c o n d e nc e i n J e h o a h t t fi v
t t
whi c h wi ll b r i ng t h e s a e , li k e a o e r i ng wal l , t o su dd e n r u i n t tt .

I W oe : c
. f 15
. For tak e cou nsel , r ea d car r y .

o u t a pu r pos e ; fo r cover wi th a c o e ri ng , r e a d wi h m ar g i n , pou r v t

o u t a dr i nk ofi er i ng , i e m ak e a r ea y ;. a nd a t e nd r e a d addi ng
. t t
si n to si n Th e chi ldr en e n er u po n hi s i m po r an alli anc e wi h
. t t t t t
t
o u t c onsu l i ng h e ir a her J eh o ah ( c t f t
1 2) v
hr o u g h hi s p r o p h e t f . t
I sai ah ( c 2 9 : f .

2 f
To str eng th en th e m se lve s , e t c r e ad to fl ee to the shelter of
. .

P har aoh . t
E g yp i an h el p wo u l d p r o e a d el u si o n v .

I 9S
4 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH

For hi spri n ces are at Zoan ,

And hi s amb assadors are com e to Hanes

1
.

They shall all be a shamed

Of a peop le that c annot profit them ,

That ar e not an h elp nor profit

’

B ut a sham e and also a reproa ch , .

6 . The burden of t he bea st s of t he South

2
.

Thr ou gh the land of trou ble and angui sh ,

From whe n ce c om e t he li on e ss and the li on ,
vi per and fi ery flyi ng se rpe nt
The ,

Th ey ca rry th ei r ri ches upon th e sho ul ders of youn g

asses ,

And th ei r treas ures upon t he b unches of camels

2
,

To a peo p le that sha ll not profit them .

1 G1 . shall labor i n vai n .

1 m . oracl e co ncerni ng . SV hm ps .

4 f . Hi s , i . For oan, c 1 9 I I H ane s , so u h o f

e . P h ar ao h
’
s . Z f . t
M e m p hi s ; t he t wo na m es i ndi c a e t he no r he r n a nd so u h er n t t t
t
li m i s o f Eg y p t
D e sp i e t he e x e n o f P h ar ao h s s way , all
. t t t ’

wh o , li ke J u d a h , a pp ea l t o hi m fo r hel p , co me to sha me ( o r , b y
t
a no h e r r ea d i ng , co me i nto bad odor ) Wi h so m e e r y sli g h . t v t
v
c ha ng e s, ho we e r , a so m e wha m o re app r o p ri a e r end er i ng m ay t t
t
be o b a i ne d : For the pr i nces ( i e o f J ud a h) ha ve enca mped i n . .

Z oa n, a nd hi s a mba ssad or s r eac h Ho nes ; they have all br ought

p r n t t p p l t h t nn t h l p T hi i t ur e o f t h e r o y al
ll t
ese s o a eo e a ca o e s c .

a m b assad o r s o f J u d ah wi h h ei r p r e se n s wo u l t t
he n b e a c o m p au t
t t
i o n t o ha o f v ss 6 . f .

6 f
Thi s i s a n i nd e pe nd e n o r a c l e , ho u g h p arallel i n h o u g h ,
. t t , t t
t o t h e l as t t
I d e sc ri be s t he d a ng er s o f t he S outh , t h e N egeb
.

f
(c 2 1 : . t he wi l d e rness so u h o f J u d a h ( c De u 8 : whi c h t f . t .

t he J u d a e an a m b assad o r s , h ei r a ni m a l s l o ad e d wi h p r ese n s , ha d t t t
t o c r o ss o n hei r wa y t o E g ypt I n t he so m e wh a o b sc u r e i n r o t . t t
d u c t o r y wo r d s Or acl e co ncer ni ng the bea sts of the so uth ( c m ar gi n) , f .

t h e beasts a r e p e r hap s hose al l u d e d t o i n t he c o ur se o f t h e t e rse v .

Fo r from wh e nce co m e th e li one ss and th e li on, r e ad of the r oar i ng

li o n and l i oness S erp e nt , c 14 : 29 . T he d ang e r s ar e e nu m er f . .

t
a e d t o i l l u s r a e t he t t f
o ll y o f t h e e m b assy , whi c h i s d oo m ed i n

1 96
 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH

Get you out of the way ,

Turn a si de out of the path ,

Cau se the Holy One of I srael

To ce ase from b efor e u s
”
.

Wh erefore thus sai th t he Holy One of I srael ,

B ecause y e despi se thi s word

!
,

And tru st in oppress i on and perve rseness

1
,

And stay thereon

Th erefore thi s i ni qui ty
Sha ll be to you
As a b rea c h r eady to fall ,

Swelli n g out i n a hi gh wall ,

Whose breaki ng c om e th suddenly

”
At an i n stant .

And he sha ll b reak i t as a potter s vesse l i s broken ’

,

B reaki ng i t i n pi ec es wi thout spari n g

So th at there sh all not be found
Among the p ieces th ereo f a sherd 2

1
Gr .
fal sehood . SV adds wher ewith.

11 Ge t y e ou t of th e way i e yo u r wa y of t eac hi ng t he pe ople

q
. . .
,

re u es t t he t
t o g i e u p h ei r h r e a
) t o p he s v t t te ni ng and al ar mi ng
d
m essa g e , a n to tr ou bl e the m no mor e wi th the H ol y One of I sr ael .

v tf
T hi s i s a rea l r e o l r o m Go d , t f
ho ug h no t a o r m al o ne ; fo r t he
e o pl e who sa y t t
hi s s il l t t
d r aw nea r hi m wi h he i r m o u h and t
pon hi m wi t h t h i li ps ( 9
or e r B ut i t i t he h l y t h e m r l
2 : s o ,
o a ,

d ma nd s o f t he p p he ts t h t p v o k t he m ; i t i t h ei o wn will
e ro a ro e s r ,

a nd n t hi o t hat t hey wi sh t see d ne ( c f 3 I f

s, o o . 0
12 To t hei r spee c h v ss
. f t he p r phe t r e pli es ; and t he r e pl y
, . 10 .
,
o
i
s o fl r d i n t h na m e f t h hol y O ne wi t h wh o m t h y wi she d t o
e e e o e ,
e
h a v e no t hi ng t o d o Thi s word d n u nci ng t he E g yp ti n alli
.
,
e o a
a nc e , p liac y h od e c ri be d e re
a s w i l ( t
s h e r t h a n oppr e ssi on) e ra

13 f Av
. er y e x ve
As a wall i n whi c h a b re ac h has
p r e ssi fi ur e .

be e n m a d e b u l g e s o u t a nd na l l y c o m es su dd e nl y c rashi ng d o wn,
so b y h er cr oo k e d p o l i c y wi ll t h e s a e o f J u d ah c oll ap se 1n swi t t ft
t v
a nd ir r e r i e a b le r ui n wi h no t a u se ul r ag men le t f f t ft .

1 98
 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH

To take fir e from the h earth ,

Or to tak e wat er wi thal out of the ci st ern .

For thu s sai th t he Lord GO D ,

Th e Ho ly O ne of Isra el ,

I n r eturni n g and r est

Shall y e be save d ;
In qui etn ess and confiden c e
Shall be your str en g th
And y e woul d not .

‘
B ut y e sai d No , ,

Fo r we will fl ee upon hor ses

’

Th erefor e sha ll ye fl ee
And We will ri de upon the swi ft
‘
,
’

The r efor e shall th ey th a t pur su e you be swi ft ,

O ne thou sand shall fl ee

At the reb uk e of one
1

At the r eb uk e of five shall y e fl ee

1

Till ye be left
As a bea c on upon t he top of a mountai n
2
,

And as an en sig n on a hill .

1 5V thr eat .
1 m mast ; SVm pole
. . .

I 5 T hi s
. e r se i s a v t
er se a nd sp l e nd i d su m m a r y o f sa i a h s I ’

g o sp el J
u d a h s sal vati o n d e p e nd e d u p o n h er ur ni ng a wa y ( r a h e r
.
’
t t
t f c
h an r etu r ni ng ) r o m s h e m es o f p ol i i al a m b i i o n, a nd r em ai ni ng tc t
q u i et ; b u t t q t
h i s ui e ne ss wa s o nl y p o ssi b l e t o h ose wh o h ad t
c fi J v c
on d e nc e i n e h o a h , i n h i s o n r o l o f hi s o r y a nd i n t h e r i u m p ht t t
o f hi s p u r p o se T he r e i n l a y t h e se r e o f al l r eal s r e ng h
. c t t t .

16 f t
T o hi s q ui et tr u st i n t h e u nse e n G o d , u d ah p r e er r e d t h e
. J f
t t
s u b s a n i al a nd i si bl e su p p o r v o f E g y p i a n h or s e s t sai a h t . I
t
g r i ml y r e m i nd s h e m h a t h e pu r s u i ng t tssy r i a n h o r se s wo u l d al so A
ft t
b e swi ; a nd h e n h e i r h er o i s m wo u l d t a ni sh , a h and ul o f v f
A ss yr i a ns (fi ve) s a e r i ng c tt t
h e m o m p l e el y , t h e su r i o r s b ei ng c t vv
a s l o nel y a s a b e aco n, m a st ( cf
m ar g i n) , o r si g nal p o l e o n a hi ll
.

fi t c
.

O mi t t he rs l au se one tho usand of one ( r o m D e u 32 f t .

30
 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH

THE FINAL TRI UMP H AND PR O S PERI TY OF JERUSALEM

(so : I 8 33)
-

Forgi veness a nd P r osperi ty (30 18

—
26 )
18 . And the refore will t he L ORD wai t that he m ay be ,

g r a c i ou s unto you ,

And the refore wi ll he be ex alt ed that he may have ,

m er cy upon you
For the L O RD i s a God of judgem ent
B lessed a re all th ey t hat wai t for hi m .

19 .
1
Fo r t he p eop l e sha ll dwell i n Z i on at Jerusa lem
Thou sha lt w ee p no more
He wil l sur ely be g ra ci ous unto th ee at the voi ce of
thy cry ;
Wh en h e shall h ear he will answer th ee ,
.

20 . And thoug h t he L O R D gi ve you the bread of adve rsi ty

and t he wat e r of afll i ct i on ,

Yet shall not thy t ea ch e rs be hi dd en any more

2
,

B ut thi n e eyes sha ll see thy t ea chers

2

1 m 0 people that duell est

. .
1 m teacher
. .

30 : 1 8
—3 3 t
T hi s p assa g e , wi h i t s i si o n o f t he d i i ne p i y a nd
. v v t
for
'

v t
e ne ss b e s o we d u po n J e r usal e m , o f her b ri lli a n m a e ri al t t
an t
spi r i ual wel are , a nd o f he r si g nalf ri u m p h o e r Assy r i a , t v
v t t
i s i n e r y m ar k e d c o n r as t o t h e l as p assag e , t o whi c h i t i s ap t
t t
pe nde d r a he r ha n i n i m a e ly re l a e d t t t
I t p r o b abl y e x pr e sses t h e
.

h o pe s o f a m u c h la er ag e t .

18 f
The d i vi ne y ea r ni ng o u g h t o be m e t by t h e h u m a n ;
. t
v
J e ho ah l on”gs t o be g rac io us t o y o u H appy ar e a ll who
l o ng fo r hi m H e i s a G o d of u dgm ent
.
— j
r a her of j u sti ce ; t
he he l p s I sr ae l t o he r r i g htf ul p l a c e I n v s 1 9 , r ea d : 0 peopl e i n
. .

Z i on, that dwel l est at J er u sal e m , thou sha lt weep no m or e ( c 2 5 f .

20 f
T hi s bre ad and wate r , p ra c i ca l l y p ri so n ar e ( 1 Ki ngs 2 2
. t f
m ay sug g es a si e g e t
I n t h e er a o f r ed e m p i o n wh i c h oll o ws
. t f
v
J e ho ah i s c har ac t er i st i ca lly fo r po x c J u
fl
s e i li d a i sm — te t -

g ar d e d as T ea ch e r ; y et t hy Teac h er ( si ng ) w i l l n o m or e w i t hd r a w .

2 00
 THE B OOK OF ISAIAH

Moreover the lig ht of the moon shall be as the lig ht of

sun th e ,

And the light of t he sun shall be sev enfol d as the lig ht ,

of seven days ,

In the day that the L ORD bi ndeth up the hurt of hi s

.

people ,

And h ea leth the stroke of thei r wound .

The Glor i ous Tr i umph (30 27 —

33)

B ehold the name of the L O RD c ometh from far

, ,

B u rnin g wi th hi s ang er and in thi ck ri si ng smok e ,

Hi s lip s ar e full of i ndi gn a ti on ,

And hi s tongue i s as a d evouri n g fire

And hi s b reath i s as an ove rflowi ng stream ,

Tha t t ea c he th e ven unto the n ec k ,

To si ft the nati ons wi th the si eve of vani ty

And a b ri dle t hat causeth to err shall be in the jaws
of the peoples .

Ye sha ll have a song

26 . t
T he g l o r y o f t he e a r h wo ul d b e m a c h e d b y t h e g l o r y o f t
v
t he he a e ns , t h e m o o n sh i ni ng wi h t he br il l i a nc e o f t he su n, a nd t
t v t
t h e su n wi h se e n i m e s i t s no r m a l spl e nd o r .

27 .Th e na m e o f th e LO RD , ha i s, J ehova h i n so me gl or i ou s t t
ma nifestat i o n, i s c o mi ng T hi s fine d esc r i p i o n o f t he m a ni e s a t f t
fi
.

t i o n c o m b i ne s t he g u r e s o f a s o r m a nd a n a ng r y a c e T he t f .

t
to ng ue o f fir e is t he li g h ni ng ha fl as hes r o m t h e hea vy r i si ng t t f
cl o ud s
fi
.

28 . t v
I n hi s erse t he g u r e c ha ng e s h r e e i m es : ( i ) hi s b r eath t t
t
i s c o m p a r e d t o a m o un a i n o r r e n , sudd e nl y r isi ng t o m e n st ’
t
f
ne c k s ; ( ii ) h e si ts t he he a h e n na i o ns wi h a si eve whi c h r et t t
t
d u c e s he m t o no hi ng t t t
ha i s , si s he m ill h ey ar e a nni hi ft t t t
t t
l a e d ; ( ii i ) he i s a b ri dl e , r e s r a i ni ng t he na i o ns, and g ui di ng t
t t t
he m astr a y , ha i s , t o d e s r u c i o n t t .

29 . t
W he n so m i g h y a Go d assa il s I sr ael s e nemi e s, i c tory
’
v
t t f
mu s be h e rs ; and he r e o r e a g l ad song o f h a nk sg i i ng a nd p r ai se t v
shal l be y ou r s , a so ng whi c h , for gla d ness , ca n o nl y b e c o m pa r e d

20 2
 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH 3 0 1 33

As in th e ni ght wh en a holy f east i s k ept

And gl adness of heart as wh en one g oe th wi th a pi p e ,

To c om e i n to the moun tai n of the L O RD to the R o ck ,

of I sr ael .

And the L O RD sha ll c au se hi s gl ori ou s vo i ce to be h eard ,

And shall sh ew the li g ht i ng down of hi s arm ,

Wi th th e i ndi g n ati on of hi s ange r and th e flam e of a ,

devouri n g fire ,

Wi th a blast and temp est and h ail stones

1
, ,
.

For throug h th e vo i c e of the L O RD shall th e A ssyri an

be b rok e n i n p i e c es ,
2
Whi ch smot e wi th a rod .

And eve ry strok e of the appo i nt ed stafl

3
,

Whi ch t he L O RD sh all lay upon hi m ,

Sh all be wi th t ab r e t s and h a rp s
And in battl e s of sh akin g will he fig ht wi th them .

For a TOpheth i s pr ep are d of o l d y ea for the ki ng i t ,

i s made r eady ;

1 m . cras hi ng .
1 m with his
. r od shall he smi te him .
8 Heb passi ng. .

to th t a of t h e h oly f esti val , wh e t h e r t h e h a r v e s t f ea s t of t

i ng a h e r
i ng , or ( b e c a u se o f t h e r e f e r e nc e t o t h e ni g ht) t h e p a sso v er ; o r
t o t he jo y o f t ho se wh o m a r c h t o t h e so u nd o f m u si c i n f e st al
, ,

pro c essi o n t o t he t e m pl e . T h ese c o m p ar i so ns ar e i ns i nc t t wi t h

t he jo y of wo r shi p .

30 . J e ho v ah fig ht
fo r hi s p eo p l e as t h e G o d o f t h e s o r m , wi h
s t t
t t
h i s a ng r y h u nd er a nd l i g h ni ng a nd h ail , a s l o ng a g o h e o u g h f t
a g ai ns t h e t C
a naa ni es ( J o sh 1 0 : t .

f t
3 1 T h e a w u l h u nd er p e al c r e a e s a p a ni c a m o ng t h e e ne m y
.
-
t .

t t
I i s di fli c u l t t o sa y wh e h er t he l as cl a u se sh o ul d b e r e er r e d t o t f
t t
t h e Assy r i a ns ( R V e x ) o r t o J e h o a h ( R V v
3 2 T h e b l o ws whi c h J e h o ah r ai ns u p o n t h e e ne m y wil l b e
. v
a cc o m p ani e d b y m u si c o n t h e p a r o f t h e d el i g h e d J e ws ; wi h t t t
t
m u si c al so t h e V i c o r i s g r e e e d ( E x od 1 5 t
B attl e s of sh aki ng .

tt v
ar e b a l es i n whi c h J eh o a h swi ngs h i s m i g h y ar m ( c 19 : t f .

3 3 R ead , A pyr e has been m ade r ea d y befor eha nd , d eep an d

.

t t
wi d e ; h a i s, fo r b u r ni ng t h e Assy r i a n d e a d T o a H e b r e w e a r , .

2 03
: I THE B OOK OF I SAIAH

He hath made i t deep and l arge

The pil e th ereof i s fir e and mu ch wood ;
The breath of th e L O R D li k e a str eam of b ri mstone , ,

doth ki ndl e i t .

THE FO LL Y O F THE E GYPTI AN ALLI ANCE -

4)

Woe to them that g o down

To Egypt
for h elp ,

And stay on horses

And trust i n chari ots be ca use they are many , ,

And in horse men ,

B ecau se they ar e ve ry strong

B ut th ey l ook not unto t he H oly One of I sra el ,

Nei the r seek the LO RD

2 . Yet he also i s wi se and will b ri n g evi l , ,

And w i ll not ca ll b ack hi s word s :

B ut will ari se again st t he ho use of the evil doe rs , -

And ag ai n st the help of th em that work i ni qui ty .

Now the Egypti ans are m en and not God ,

And th eir horses flesh and not sp i ri t ,

t he wo r d fo r pyr e wo ul d su gg est T o p he t h i n t h e v alle y o f Hi nno m , ,

whe r e sa c ri fi c es we r e o fl e re d t o M o l e c h T hi s m a y e x p l a i n t h e .

wo r d s I s thi s al so fo r M ol ec h ? ( o r for the ki ng t h a t i s t he ki ng o f

, , ,

Assy ri a) whi c h appe ar t o be a la t er i nse r t i o n T he m eani ng i s

, .

t ha t f
i n a h u g e fir e c a r e ull y p r e pa re d a nd ki ndl e d by J e h o a h
. v
f t
hi m se l , t he he a he n d e ad wi ll b e c o ns u m e d T her e i s a o uc h o f . t
tt
b i e r ne ss ab o u t t
he se l as e rse s t v
T he wri er c o n e m pl a es , . t t t
t t f t
wi h g ri m sa i s a c i o n, t he a nni hi la i o n o f h is p e o pl e s o es
’
t f .

— . t t
3 1 1 4 T he he m e o f h i s p assa g e i s t h e sa m e as ha o f 3 : 0 1 —
7 t t .

I f
W o e : c 30 : 1 T he c o n r as i s s ri ki ng be wee n r us i n
. . . t t t t t t
t v f
E g yp i a n c a al r y ( c 3 0 : 1 6 ) a nd r u s i n Go d
. t t .

2 H e al so i s wi se , as we ll as t he p oli i c i a ns ; h ey h a e h ei r
. t t v t
l ans, he h as hi s A nd hi s wor ds. hi s hr e a s h r o ug h t he p r o ph e t t t t
sai ah — he has no t r ecall ed Th e evil d o ers ar e t he Judwans,
.
-

thei r h el p t he Egy p i ans t .

3 Th . e E gyp ti an s sp i ri t : o ne o f t h e m o s r e m ar k a b l e t
2 04
 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH

He will protec t i t and deli ver i t

He will pass over and prese rve i t .

Tu rn ye unto him from whom ye have deeply 1

v ol t ed , 0 c hildr enof I srael For in that day they .

shall cast away ev e ry man hi s i dol s of sil ver and hi s ,

i dols of g ol d whi c h your own hands have mad e unto

,

you for a sin

2
.

8 . Then shall the Assyri an fall wi th the sword not of ,

man ;
And the sword , not of men, shall devour hi m
And he sha ll fl ee from t he sword ,
And hi s youn g m en shall be c ome tri b utary .

And hi roc k sha ll pass away by reason of te rror ,

s

And hi s pri n ces sha ll be di sm ayed at the ensign ,

Sai th t he L O RD , who se fir e i s in Z i on ,
And his f urna ce i n Jerusa le m .

1 m from
. whom the chi ldren of I srael have deepl y revolted .
1 G1 . om .

ro ar i ng Li o n o f vs 4 i s so star t li n as t o us i y t he b eli e ha t h e j tf ft t
hv
.

o ri g i nal f
o r m o f t he erse m ay v
a e b ee n m o d i ed Af er t h e fi . t
p hr ase li ke utter i ng bi r ds , t he wo r ds ha o l lo w, as M ar ti su gg es s , t tf t
m ay o nce a v e bee n so m e hi ng li k e t
the boastf ul defend er s ( t he
t t
wi se po li i c i a ns a nd he i r E gy p i a n a l li es) wi l l fl ee a way As t .

t he v
e rse no w s a nd s, t
ass ove r r e ca ll s t he passo er a nd t he v
v
d e li e r a nce r om Eg yp ( f t g
6 f ar e a c a ll t o re
. nta nc e , whi c h i n o l es th e a bo li ti o n of v v
t
i dola r y ( c f an
.

8 T he Assyr i a n 15 t o pe ri sh i n so me s u per natur al way , and hi s

m
e n sha l l be put to ta s kwor k
8 roc k , e tc
.

T hi s cl a u se , whi c h i s o bsc ur e , m ea ns ei he r
. t
t t
( a) he shall fl ee pa st hi s r ock ( ha 13 hi s r e u g e ) for ter r or , or ( b) , f
t t t
hi s r ock ( ha i s y, t h e r oo ps o n whi c h he reli e d ) wi ll pas s ( i e . .

v a ni sh ) l i k e t he cha fi ( c i n ter r or f
And hi s pri nce s or

m:
. .

s hall fl ee i n d i s ma y fr o m the stand ar d T h e fir e and t he .

f
e p r o b a bl y r e er t o t he pyr e p r ep ar ed fo r t h e e ne my
 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH 32 5

R ULE RS AND PE OPLE I N THE CO MI NG D AY S -

8)

B ehol d a king shall rei gn i n ri ght eousn es s

, ,

And pri n ces shall rul e in judgement .

2 . And a man shall be as an hi di n g pla ce from the wi nd ,

And a c overt from t he t emp est

As ri ver s of wat er i n a dry pl ac e
1
,

As the sh a dow of a g reat ro c k i n a w eary l and .

3
2
And the eyes of th e m th at see shall not be di m ,

And the ear s of th e m that h e ar sh all hearken .

The h eart al so of the r ash shall und erst and knowledge

4
,

And the tongu e of the stammerer s shall be ready to

sp eak p lai nly .

The vil e p e rson sh all no mor e b e c all ed li beral

5 1’
,

Nor the c hurl sai d to be bounti f ul .

1 G1 Zi on 1
G1 and the y shal l no more put con id ence
f i n men 3 m closed 4 Heb
y
. . . . . . .

hast .
S m SV fool
. .
6 m SV . no ble .

C hap 3 Thi s c h p t er wh e t he I ai h s
. 2 . no t p s nt s a ,
r s a
’
or ,
re e ,

e xc ep t i n v ss 9— 4 fine p i c t u re f t he b l s d d ay t o c m
. 1 , a in o es e s o e,
wh i c h j t g o v e nm nt p u e us li g i n nd g n r l p r pe i t ye , r re o ,
a e e ra os r
wi ll p v il re a .

f Th g v nment T h g o v e nm nt r l i ng i n j ti c wi ll
I . e o er . e r e ,
u us e,
b e a w l c m c o nt e t t t h c o u p t n bili t y
o e ft n ll ud ed t i n
r as o e rr o so o e a o
C h p 8—3 a A m an i
s . 2 h m n ac h1 . l wi ll b a so u c , . e . ea c a ,
e r u er ,
e r e
o f p o t c ti n
r nd c m f o t t
e ot h i n d ng a di t o T he r o o se a er or s r ess .

p li t i c l l d e
o will b m n f c h
a ea ct t ng nd j t
rs e e o ar a er , s r o a us .

The P pl (v 3 3 f Dim
eo e d wi t h m gi n cl ed
ss . . : r ea ar , os .

I n t h p e pl t h e wi ll b e li g i
o e
s e p n i v e neer e i n p l ac o f re ou r s o s ss , e
t h i f m c ll u n ( 6
e r or er
; 9 R hne
a owi ll g i v e p l ac e
s ess : 10 2 as ss
to wi nd c f ul d lib t i n ; nd d ci i n when e c hed
se a ar e e er a o a e s o s, r a ,

wi ll b e x p r esse d i n l ang uag e cl ear and r eady

e .

5 . T h i ng s and p e o p l e will b e c all e d b y t h ei r

rig h na m e s a t
t
no b l e m a n m u s b e a no b l e m a n, a nd a g e n l e m a n a
g e n l e m an t t .

t
T h ese g r e a wor d s m u s no t b e a p p li e d t o ar i s o r a s a nd o h e r s t t c t t
wh o d o no t d ese r e h e m The fool wh o i g no r es Go d (v t Ps 1 4 : 1 ) . cf . .

shal l no m or e be c al l ed n obl e, nor the r a u d u l ent su

f e ss ul m a n any cc f
mor e named for tunate ( S mi h ) cf G A . . . t .

207
 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH

6 . For the vile p erson will speak vill any ,

And hi s heart will work ini qui ty

1
,

To pra c ti se profan en ess ,

And to utt er e rror agai nst the L O RD ,

To make empty the soul of the hung ry ,

And to cau se the dri nk of t he thi r sty to f ail .

The i n strum ent s also of t he c hurl are evil

He devi seth wi cked d evi ces
To destroy t he m eek wi th lyi n g words
2
,

Even wh en t he nee dy sp e aketh ri ght .

8 . B ut the li beral devi seth li be ral thi ngs ;

And in li be ral thi ngs shall he conti nue
2
.

WARNI N G WO ME N (3 2 —1
To THE 9 4)

Ri se up , y e women that are at ease ,

And h ear my voi ce ;
Ye careless daught ers,
Gi ve ear unto my speec h .

Fo r days beyond a year

Sha ll ye be trouble d , y e c areless wom en

1 Gr Tar devise
. . .
1 m poor
. .
1 m by l i ber al thi ngs shall he sta nd
. . Heb . con fident .

6 —8 i s a l i le e xc ur sus, i n t h e s y l e o f t he p r o erbs, o n t he fool

tt t v
a nd t he fr a ud ul e nt ( o r knave) Wha we ha e i n vss 6 i s a d e . t v . f .

t t t
sc ri p i o n o f t he p r a c ti ca l a hei s (fool ) wh o se i rr e l i gi o n l e ad s h i m
t
t o cr uel y , i n us i ce j t
i n b ri e , t o i m m o r al i y f
I n c o n r as wi h t . t t t
hi m i s t he nobl e m an ( vs 8 ) who bac ks u p no ble i n e n i o ns by
. t t
no bl e d ee d s .

3 2 9
—1
4 Thi s war ni ng a nd anno u nc e m e n o f d o o m , wh i c h
. t
t t t
i n e rr u p s t he d esc r i p i o n o f t he c o m i ng d a y s, r e c a l ls 3 : 1 6 4 : 1 -
.

t t
He r a s her e , i t i s ari s o c ra i c wo m e n ( c v s 1 4 ) who are hr e a t f t t
?
. .

e ne

9 . Car ele ss — co nfid ent ( c f . m a r g i n) i n a b ad se nse I n i ts .

g ood se nse , confid ence i s t h e v er y q t

uali y fo r whi c h I sai ah h ad

pled i n t he g r ea p assag e 30 : 1 5 t .

1 0 —1 3 Fo r days b eyond a year

. : ra th er , in a li ttl e ( a fe w days)
2 08
 THE B OOK OF I SAI AH

And the wil de rn ess bec ome a frui tf ul fiel d ,

And the frui tful fi el d be count ed for a forest .

Then judg e m ent shall dwell i n the wil derness

1
,

And ri g hteousness shall abi de in t he frui tful fi el d .

And the work of ri ghteousn ess sha ll be pe a ce ;

And the efl ect of ri ghteo us n ess qui etn es s and c on
fidence for ever .

And my people shall abi de i n a p ea ceabl e h abi tati on ,

And i n sure dwell i n gs and i n qui e t r esti n g pl a ces , ,

B ut i t shall h ail in the downfall of the forest

,

And the ci ty shall be utterly lai d low .

B lessed are ye that so w besi de all wat e rs ,

That se nd forth the f ee t of the o x and the ass .

1 SV j usti ce .

t t t
b ut i t c o nne c s ra her wi h v ss 1—5 ha n wi h 9 —1 4 , wh ere t he . t t
t
d eso l a i o n i s sa i d t o be or ever , a nd c o nse u e n ly su c h a h o p e a s i s
q t
h e r e he l d o u t is e x cl u e d Pe r hap s unti l was a d d e d t o c o nne c
. t
t h e t wo p assag es .

1 5 T he sp ir i t whi c h i s po ur e d fro m on h i gh
. r a ns o r m s b o h t f t
t he l a nd a nd t he p e o p le T he fer til e field i s so hi c k so wn wi h
. t t
t r ee s as t o l oo k l i ke a for est ( c 29 : f
T he m ar e ll o us r ui v f t
f q
.

f ul ne ss o f t he l a nd i s a r e ue n tt t
r a i i n h ese d esc ri p i o ns ( c 4 : t t f .

16 v
J usti ce wi l l r e i g n e er y whe r e , e e n i n t he wild er ness, whe r e
. v
t
l awl essne ss i s wo n t o p r e ai l ( Ge n 1 6 : v .

17 v j t
T h i s al l p r e a ili ng u s i c e wi ll r od u ce a se nse o f se c u r i y ,
.
-
t
v f f
er y di fl e re nt r o m t h e a lse se c u r i y 0 v s 9
'

t
I n t he se c o nd c l a u se . .

rea d : a nd the ej ec t of j usti ce sha l l be ever l asti ng co nfid ence .

19 . v
Thi s e rs e whose ,
rs fi t
cl a u se sho ul d pe r hap s r ea d , And
down wil l co me the for est wi th a d ownfall , r a her c ur i o u sl y i n err u p s t t t
th e co n e x t t T he for est i s ap p ar e n ly t he hos i le wo r l d po we r
. t t
f f t
( c 1 0 : 33 ) a nd t he c i y i t s c a pi al c i y ( 2 5 : 2 ; 2 6 :
. . u nl ess t t
t he r O pe r p l a c e o f t h e v ft
erse i s a e r v s 1 4 , i n whi c h c a se t h e ci y . t
W O ( 1 be J e r u sal e m .

20 . v
E e ry wh e r e t he l a nd i s we ll wa er ed a nd t h e ox -
t
and t h e ass m a y b e se n t f t
o r h t o p as u re , wi h no h i ng t o ea r t t t f
f r o m wil d be as s t
t t
T hi s idy lli c p i c u r e o f agr i c ul ur al p e ac e a nd p r o sp e ri y , fo l t
t
l o wi ng u po n t he es abli sh m e n o f a us g o e r nm e n , po wer q t j t v t f
2 10
 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH 33 3 2

THE P RE SENT D I S TRE S S AND THE FUTURE GLO RY OF

JE R U SALE M ( Ch .
33)

The Di str ess (33 1 —

9)

33 . Woe to thee that spoilest and thou wast not spoil e d ; ,

And dealest tr each erou sly and they de al t not ,

tr ea ch erou sly wi th th ee
Wh en thou hast cease d to spoil thou sh al t be spoiled ; ,

And thou h ast m ade an end to deal t r each

W h en
er ou sly th ey sh all d e al tr ea c h e rously wi th th ee
, .

2 . O L ORD be g ra ci ou s unto us
,

We have wai te d for thee

B e thou th ei r arm ev e ry morni ng
1
,

O ur salvati on also i n the ti m e of troubl e .

1 Tar Syr Vg
. . . ou r .

c
r e all s 1 1 :
—
1 8 ,
wher e t he v i s o b ser abl e ( v ss
er y sa m e se q uen e c v .

1 5 a nd 6
-
Th e i d e al e x hibi e d i n hi s c h a p er i s er y a t t t t v
trac i e tv I t s b a c kg r o u nd i s c o u n r y li e , a nd i t s b asi s 15 a u s
. t f j t
g o evr n m e n h t
a r. C t
a c e r c o u n s fo r m u c h t
T he ki ng a nd hi s .

o ffic er s ar e s r o ng , tus j t
m e n, t h e p e o pl e a r e k e e nl y ali e t o v
t t j t
m o r al d i s i nc i o ns , u s i c e a nd h o no r p r e ai l e e n i n t he r e m o er v v t
p a r s to f t h e l a nd ,
t h e l a nd i se l 18 a t f
ery g ar d e n, a nd e e n t h e v v
a ni m al s S h ar e l n t h e g l a d se nse o f se c u r i y e n o y e d b
y t h e p e o pl e t j .

C t
h ap 33 Wi h i nc r ea si n c o n d e nc e hi s c h a p er I S b e i ng r e l e
. .

g fi t t
g a etd ,
o n t h e s r e n g h o t
f i t s l atng u a g e a n d i t s h o u g h , t o t h e t t
t
p os e x ili c p er i o d , t
h o u g h i t s p r e c i se p l a c e th er e i s di fi c u l t o f t
d e te r mi ne t v
Wha e er b e i t s o ri gi n, i t o r m s a er y s ri k i ng and
. f v t
q t
e l o u e n co ncl u si o n t o t h e g r o u p i n whi c h i t o cc ur s ( ha p s 2 8 C .

s u m m ari zi ng a s i t d oe s t h e d ee p so r r o w a nd t he r a di an h o pes t
e x p r essed el se wh ere i n hi s se cti o n t .

I . Woe : c f . etc .

Woe ,
thou spoi l er thyself not despoi l ed;
Thou r obber , when none has r obbed thee .

Wh o i s m eant by t he p
s oi l er and t he r obber will d ep end u p on th e
da e t i n a ny c ase , so m e
— o pp r essor of I sr ael ; and s ur e ne m e si s
a wa1t s hi m .

2 . t j t
An i n er e c e d p r a y e r . Th ei r ar m ; p e r h ap s ou r a r m .

211
33 33 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH

3 . At the noi se of th e tum ul t the peopl es ar e fl ed ;

At the li fti ng up of thyself the nati ons are scatte red .

4 . And your spoi l shall b e g athered as the cate rpill ar

g a th e r e th :

As l oc usts l eap shall th ey leap upon i t .

The LO RDfor he dwelleth on hi gh

is e xa lted
He hath filled Z i on wi th judge ment and ri ghteousn ess .

6 . And the re shall be stabili ty i n thy ti mes ab un dan ce ,

of sal vati on ,

Wi sdom and knowledge : the f ear of the LO RD is his

1

treasure .

B ehold thei r vali ant ones c ry wi thout

,

The amb assadors of pe a ce weep bi tt erly .

8 . The hig h ways li e waste ,

The wayfari ng m an cease th

He hath b rok e n the cov e nant he hath desp i sed the ci ti es , ,

He r eg ardeth not man .

9 Th.e land mourn e th and l an g u i sh e th

L ebanon i s ashamed and wi the reth away

Gr these. are the treas ur es f ri ghteo usnes s

o .

3 f
The tumult i s ha o f t he d i i ne ud g m e n
. t t J eh o ah , who v j t . v
t tt
has ro u e d and sc a e r e d t he na i o ns be o r e , ca n and wi ll do so t f
a g ai n Fo r your o il r ea d si m pl y spoil Sh all be g ath ere d , i e
fi
. . . .

by t he J e ws Sh th ey l eap , i e t he J e ws
. . . .

5 f v t
J e ho ah, as t he ra nsc e nd e n God ( on hi gh ) , has m ade J er u
. t
sa l e m a r eas ur e ho u se t of sp i ri ual bless i ng s
-
ri g h eo u sness t t
f
( c 1’ :. wi sd o m , and r eli g i o n Fo r hi s tr e asur e , r e a d i ts (i e . . .

Z i o n s) tr eas u r e .

— t t
7 9 D e sp i e t he sp i ri ual g l o r y d esc ri be d ( o r , as so m e sa y ,
.

p r e di c e d ) i n 5 f , tth e p r e se n si u a i.o n i s e r y e rr i b l e t
T h e t t v t .

v f
J e ws ha e su fer e d i n so m e gr i e o us way r o m t he r eac hery and v f t
t t
a rr o g a n c ru el y o f t h e foe , and na ur e i s c o nc ei ed as m o urni ng t v
2 12
 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH

He that walk eth ri ght eously , and spe ak eth upri ghtl y ,
He that despi se th th e g ai n of oppressi ons,
hak eth hi s hands from holdi n g of b ribes
That s ,

That stoppe th hi s ears from heari ng of bl ood ,

And shutt e th his ears from l ooki ng upon evil

He shal l dwell on hi gh
Hi s place of def en ce shall be t he muni ti on s of r ock s
Hi s b read shall be gi ven hi m ; hi s w at ers shall
be sur e .

17 . Thi ne y s shall see the ki ng in hi s beauty

e e

They shall be hol d a far str et c hi ng land

1
.

18 . Thi n e heart shall muse on the t e rror

Wh ere i s he that count ed wh ere i s he that w eighed ,

the tr ibute 7

1 Heb . a la nd o f for di sta nces .

J e ho v ah ,
wh oi n fir e ( De u 5 2 4
ap pea r s p r o e c i ng t h e a i h t . t t f t
ful ( I sa a nd d es ro yi ng t he wi c ke d
.
4 : 5) t .

15 f t
T he ela b o ra e a ns we r t o t he ues i o n i n v s 1 4 p o we r ull y
. q t . f
t
r e ca ll s t he d e sc ri p i o n o f t he g oo d m a n i n P s 1 5 a nd 2 4 T houg h . .

v t t
m o re i g o r o u s ha n ho se p sal m s i t i s no d o u b m o d elle d o n he m , , t t
a nd p r o bab l y i n i t s o r i g i nal o r m c o n a i ne d o nl y t he r st t wo f t fi
c lau ses The m a n who walk eth ri ghteo usly a nd spe ak e th up
.

ri gh tly is c o m p ar e d t o o ne who i s sa e wi hi n a hi g h r o c k o r ress, f t f t

i na cc essible a nd we l l p r o i si o ned v
Th e assai la n s , t h e u dg m e n ,
-
. t j t
tt
canno o u c h o r e r ri y hi m t f .

17 . t
O f ho se g lo ri o us d a y s ; t he ki ng ( whe he r t he M essi ani c t
v
ki ng , o r , as i n vs 2 2 , J e ho ah hi m se l ) a nd t h e far str et chi ng l and
. f -

t t
( re c all i ng i n i t s e x e n t he a nci e n D a i d i c ki ng do m ) ar e ne ces t v
sar y f at u
e r es .

18 . Th e terror t hat
i s no w o r e er p as and no hi ng b u t a
,
f v t t
t
m e m o ry , was t he si g h o f t he ha e d o re i g n y r an , wh o counte d t f t t
a nd wei gh e d t he t t
r i b u e whi c h u nh ap p y J e r u sal e m , i n h e r subje c
ti o n, had t o p ay i n o hi s hands t
Wh ere i s h e th at co unte d th e .

t
towers ? appar e n ly wi h a i e w t o a a c k B u t , as hi s i s not t v tt . t
t f t
ve ry sa i s ac ory i n t he co n ex , he yne has e mended t he er se t o t t C v
m e an : Wher e a r e the ta bl et wr i ter s ? Wher e ar e the measur i ng -

cl er ks
 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH

Wh e re i s he that c ount ed the towers ?

19 . Thou shal t not see th e fi e r c e p eople ,

A p eople of a deep sp eech th at thou c an st not p er cei v e

Of a strang e tongu e that thou c an st not unde r stand .

20 . Look upon Z i on the ci ty of our solemni ti es ,

1

Thi n e eyes shall see J eru sale m

A qui et h abi tati on a t ent that sh all not b e r e moved , ,

The stak es whe r eof shall n ev er b e pl u ck e d up ,

N ei th er shall any of the c ords ther eo f be b rok en .

21 .
2
th er e the L O RD will be wi th us i n maj est y
B ut ,

A place of b ro ad ri v er s and str eam s

Wh er ei n shall go no galley wi th oar s ,

Nei th er sh all gallant shi p pass thereby .

22 . Fo r t he LORD i s our judge ,

The LO RD i s our l awgi v e r ,

1 m . Gr f or the na me of the Lord i s gr eat to you ye shall have a place

set f eas ts .
3 .
,

ev en ri ver s and broad and spaci ous channel s Thou shal t not g o thi s way nei ther shall
.
,

a vessel w i th oa rs pass by .

19 T h e i nsol e n
. t f
o r ei g n o pp r e sso r s, wi h h ei r u ni n e ll i g i bl e t t t
j a r g o n, wo ul d b e se e n no m o r e .

20 J er u sal e m wo u ld he nc e o r h e n o y p er m a nen se c ur i y ,
. f t j t t
v
ne e r a g a i n b e i ng c o m p e ll e d t o r a e l i n o e x il e ; no t l i ke a te nt t v t
t t t v
h a i s a k e n d o wn a nd m o e d , b u t a c i y ha a bi d e s ( H e b 1 1 9 t t t .

21 fi t
T h e r e i s a m ag ni c e n h a u n i ng m u si c a b o u t he E ng li sh
. t t
t v t
wo r d s o f h i s er se , ho u g h t h e H ebr e w app e ar s t o nee d so m e sli g h t
t
e m e nd a i o n, a nd t h e p r e c i se m ea ni ng o f t h e l a e r h al o f t h e er se tt f v
i s no t c e r a i n t
Th e g e ne r al se nse , h o we er , i s cl ear
. T h e u nsee n v .

v
r i ver o f J e h o a h , wh o se p r ai ses ar e so sp l e nd idl y su ng i n P s 4 6 , .

f
i s t he r e al d e e nc e o f J er u sal e m , m i g h i er far han t h e b r o a d t t
t
s r ea m s, fo r e x a m pl e , o f t h e Ti g ri s a nd E u p h r a es ( c I sa 8 : 6 t f . .

fi t
P er ha p s t he r s t wo c l a u ses o r i g i nal l y r an so m e wha a s oll o ws : t f
Ther e we shal l ha ve the r i ver of J ehovah ,

A (o r i n) pl ace f
o br oa d enco mpassi ng str ea ms .

( h ey ne C )
 THE B OOK OF I SAI AH

Th e LO RD i s our Ki ng ;
H e will save us .

23 . Thy ta ckli ngs ar e l oo se d ;

Th ey c oul d not streng th en th e foot of th ei r mast ,

They c oul d not spr ead the sa il .

Th en was th e prey of a g reat spoil di vi ded ;

The lam e took the prey .

24 . And the i nhabi tant shall not say I am si ck ,

Th e p eople th at dwell th erei n shall b e forgi ven th ei r

i ni q ui ty .

f
T he p assag e o r c i bl y r e c all s E z ek 4 7 ; i n h a c a se J e h o ah s
. 1— 1 2 t t v ’

v
r i er m ay i se l t f
be a pla c e o f b r oa d s rea m s O r t h e m eani n t
d
.

m a y b e ha t tt t t
h i s g e n le s r ea m ( I sa 8 : 6) i s i n pl ac e o f t he b r o a
.

t t
s r e a m s o f o he r ea r hl y r i e r s t v
I n i t no sh i p s wil l b e se en
. .

J eho va h i s o ur ki ng , HE wi ll save us ( vss 2 2 ) a nd s u c h a p e o p l e .

f
nee d s no t t he d e e nc e o f wa r s hi ps .

23 f Thy tackli ng s
. th e sail T he se hr ee c l a use s, d e
. t
sc r ib i ng a he l p less sh i p u po n t he se a , a p pe ar t o ha e c r ep i n, v t
u nd er t he i nfl u e nc e o f t he i m ag e ry i n v s 2 1, r o m so m e o h e r . f t
so u r c e Th en
.
prey T he se c la u se s, whi c h sho ul d p er h ap s
.

r ea d :
Then wi ll the bl i nd di vid e spoi l i n a bu nd a nc e,
A nd the l a me sei z e the pr ey ,

rea fi r m t h e ho pe o f v s 4 . . S aved by J e ho vah ( vs. t he J ews

will be t t
r i u m p h a n , h ea le d , f
a nd o r g i e n v .
34 33 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH

3 Th.ei r ai n also shall be ca st out

sl ,

And the sti nk of th ei r car cass es shall come up ,

And the mount ain s shall b e m el ted wi th thei r bl ood .

4 . And all the host of heaven shall be di ssolved .

And the h eav ens shall be roll ed togeth er as a s croll

And all th ei r host shall f ade away ,

As the leaf fade th from o ff the vi n e ,

And as a fadi ng leaf from the fig tree .

Edom (34 5 7)
The Destructi on —1
of
5 Fo.r my sword ha th drunk
I ts fill in h eaven

3 f . Slai n , t h ey
I t i s a g r ueso me pi c t ure
wi ll li e u nb u r i e d .

sm elli ng c o r p se s and m o u nt a i ns d r e nc h e d wi t h b l o o d
,
The fir st .

c lause o f vs 4 sho ul d pr obably par all el t he last c la u se o f vs 3

. .
,

t h us :
The m ou nta i ns sha l l m el t wi th thei r bl ood ,
A nd al l the hi l ls shal l di ssolve .

Th e h eavens shall b e r oll e d , e tc t he p hy si c al wor l d i s i n ol ed . v v

t t
i n t he ca a s r o p he ( cf 2 4 : 1 9 .

t
34 : 5 1 7 T he ha r e d o f t he o re i g n wo r l d wi h whi c h t he firs
-
. f , t t
f o ur v
er se s a r e c h a r g ed , c o nc e n r a te s i se l u p o n Ed o m Th e t t f .

f t
e u d be wee n Ed o m a nd I sr ae l was o f e r y a nci e n o ri g i n ( c v t f .

Ge n 2 5 : 2 2 . b u t i t was r a i se d t o e e r h ea b y E do m s c r u el f v t ’

t t t
r e a m e n o f I sr ae l wh e n J e r usa l e m ell a nd h er pe o pl e wer e ta k e n f
t
i n o e x il e ( E ze k Ps 1 3 7 ) c r ue l y whi c h I srael ne e r
. t v
f o rg o t f v
o r o r g a e ; a nd t he h o s i li y was o m e n e d by sub se u e n t t f t q t
t
E d o m i e e nc r oa c h m e n s u p o n Judma n e rr i o r y t
T h ese ac s t t . f t
hel p t o e x p la i n t h e bi e r ne ss o f hi s p assag e a nd t he al m o stt er c e t tfi
t t
d eli g h wi h whi c h t he wr i e r c o n e m p la e s t he r u i n o f Ed o m t t t .

5 T he vs sh o ul d pe r ha p s r u n
. .

For al r ead y dr u nk wi th hi s wr ath

I s the swor d of J ehova h i n heaven,
B ehold , i t d escend s u pon Ed a m ,
For j ud g m ent u pon the fol k of hi s ban .

Fo r t he ba n, cf . Deu t .
3 : 6 .
 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH 34 : 10
.

B ehol d i t sh all c ome down upon E dom

, ,

And up on the people of my curse to judge ment

1
, .

6 The
. sword of the LO RD i s fille d wi th blood ,

It i s made fat wi th fatn ess ,

Wi th the bl ood of l amb s and goat s ,

Wi th the fat of the ki dn eys of rams

For the L O RD hath a sa cri fi ce i n B ozrah 1’

,

And a g reat Sl au ght er i n the l and of E dom .

7 . And the wi l d o x en Sh all c om e down wi th th em

3 -

And the b ullo cks wi th the b ulls

And th ei r la nd shall be dr unk en wi th blood ,

And th ei r dust m ade fat wi th f atness .

For i t i s the day of the LO RD S v en gean ce

’
8 .
,

The y ear of r ec omp en ce i n the c ontrover sy of Zi on .

9 . And the streams th ereof Shall be turn ed i nto pi t ch ,

And the du st th ereof i nto b ri mston e ,

And the l and thereof

Sh all be c om e b ur ni n g pi t ch .

10 . Itshall not be quen ch ed ni ght nor day ;

The smok e t h er eof sh all go up for ever R ev
.

From g en e rati on to g en er a ti on i t shall li e w ast e

Non e shall pass throu gh i t for eve r and ever .

2 Heb ban
. .
3 Gr B osor
. .
4 Gr .
fall down .

6 f t
T h e E d o mi es ar e c o m p a r ed t o sac r i c i al ani m al s, t h e a ni
. fi
m al s . t
o f v s 6 r e p r ese n i ng t h e c o m m o n p eo p l e , h ose o f v s 7 t h e t .

lea d er s . z
B o rah , o ne o f E d o m s c hi e c i i es
’
f t .

9 f f f t
A ear u l pi c u r e E d o m will be a sor t o f hell T h e i m
. .

ag e r y r e cal l s the stor y o f S o d o m ( G e n 1 9 24 .

2 19
 THE B OOK OF I SAI AH

11 . B ut the p eli ca n and the por c upi n e shall po ssess i t ;

And th e owl and the raven sh all dw ell th erei n
And he shall str et ch over i t
Th e line of c o nfusi on and th e p lumm e t of empti n ess
1
.

12 .
2
Th ey shall call
nobles th ereof to the ki n gdom th e ,

B ut non e sha ll be there

And all her pri n c es shall be nothi ng .

13 . And thorns shall come up in her p ala ces ,

N et tles and thi stles in t he fortresse s thereof

And i t sha ll be an habi tati on of j ac ka ls ,

A co urt for o stri ches ,

14 . And t he wi l d beas ts of the dese r t sh all m ee t wi th the

wolves 3
,

And the satyr shall c ry to hi s f ellow

1 ‘

Yea t he n i ght monst e r shall sett l e th e re

5
, ,

And shall find her a pl ace of re st .

1 Heb m as jer her nobles none shall be there to

stones 1 ocla i ns the ki ngdom ;
y i
. . .
.

Gr sat rs shall dwell ther e n her r ul er s shall be no mo r e for her i ngs a nd her g reat men
y
.
, .

hall be destro ed Heb ho wl i ng creatures

. 111 he a d ; SV w
. ild goat S Heb Lil iths
. . . . .

11 . Wi t h
p i c u re o f t t hi
h e e
s r y l a nd ,
tt h e o ll o wi ng v ss , fi f .

t
d es c ri bi ng t he d eso l a i o n o f E d o m a r e , s r i c ly sp ea ki ng , i nc o n t t
t t
si s e n They c o m b i ne t o i n e nsi y t h e ho r r o r o f E d o m s a e
.
’
t f f t .

C f
on usi on a nd e m pti ness a r e t h e wo r d s u se d i n G e n 1 : 2 t o d e .

sc r i be p ri m e al c ha os v
Th e wo r d s li ne a nd pl umm et ( l i t sto nes) ,
. .

t t
s ri c l y a p pli ca bl e t o b ui l d i ng are he r e use d t o su gg e s t he i ne x o
, t
r a ble t
ho r o u g hness o f t h e d e s r uc i o n t t .

12 v
T hi s e rse , whi c h i s m e r i ca ll y d e e c i e , m ay h u s be t e
. t f tv t
t t
s o r e d wi h t he he l p o f t he r ee k er si o n : G v
S atyr s shall dwel l ther ei n,
I ts nobl es shall be no mor e ;
Ther e will be no ki ngdo m ther e to pr ocl ai m,
A nd all i ts pr i nces shal l pass away .

13 . Cf . f .

14 . Satyr , a de m o n in t he fo rm of a wi ld goat ( cf . S V) . Th e
 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH

As the rose i t shall blo ssom ab undantl y

1
,

And r ejoi c e even wi th joy and si n ging .

2 . Th e gl ory of Leb anon shall be gi ven unto i t ,

The exc ell en cy of Carm el and Sharon
Th ey s ha ll se e of th e LORD
the g l ory ,

The e xc ell en cy of our God .

3 S tr
. en gth e n y e t he weak hand s,

And c onfirm the f eeble kn ees .

4 . Say to them th at are of a f earful heart , 2

B e strong fe ar not ,

B eho ld your God ,

Will come wi th vengean ce ,

Wi th the rec ompe n ce of God ;
He w ill come and sa ve you .

5 Th e
. n t he ey es of t h e bli n d hall be opened s ,

And the ears of the deaf sha ll be un stopped .

6 Th en
. s al l
h t he l am e man leap as an ha rt ,

And the tongu e of the dum b shall si ng

Fo r in the wil dern ess sha ll wate rs break out ,

And streams i n the dese rt .

1
m . a utu mn cr o ws .
1 Heb hast. y .

Ch p 35 Agai nst t he d t u cti n f th n t i n and th deso

a . . es r o o e a o s e
la t i o n f E d o m t h e jo y o f J ud ah sta nds u t t h m o e c o nspi c u u s
o ,
o e r o

a nd r di nt
a a .

1 f N t u e wi ll be tr an f m ed
. a r Th e rose — so m e p e tt y
s or . r

mea d o w fl o we r ,
se e n o n t he pla ins o f Sharo n So ng
Th ey sh all s e e : they , t h e d espo nd e n t
J e ws a ddr esse d 1n vss 3f . . .

3 f .Th e d esp o nd e n ar e t enc o ur ag ed ; t h e avengi ng Go d

will as su re dl y c o m e .

5 f t
Th e bl i nd : t h e r ans o r m a i o n i n m en wi ll be no t
. f t o nl y
t
S p i ri u al ( c f . f
3 ) b u t p h y si c al ( c M a t 1 1
. f . .

222
 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH 35 3

7 . And the gl owi ng sand shall bec ome a p ool

1
,

And the thi rsty ground spri ngs of water .

2
In habi tati on of j ackals where th ey
th e ,
lay ,
Shall b e grass wi th r ee ds and ru sh es
3
.

8 .
4
And a hi gh way shall be th ere and a way , ,

And i t sh all b e c al le d The Way of H oli n e ss ;

The un clean Shall not pass ov e r i t
5
B ut i t shall be for tho se the wayfari n g men,
Y ea fools shall not er r ther ei n
,
.

9 . No li on shall be th ere ,

Nor shall any ravenous be ast go up th ereon ,

Th ey Shall not b e fo u nd th e r e
B ut the redeeme d sh all wal k ther e :
10 . And the ran som ed of the L O R D shall return ,

1 m mi rage Gr ther e shal l be the joy of bi rds

2 8 m G r a cou r t or cf
f
m y
. . . . . . .
,

4 Gr a e hi ghwa shal l be there 5 G1 no u nclea n wa y shal l be there but the di s

y y
. . .
,

parsed s wal k upon i t, and the shall not go astra .

7 . Ag ai n t he t f
r a ns o r m a ti on of t
na u r e (cf . 1 T he l a s t h al f
of t he v e r se , whi c h i s def c t i v
e e, h as b e e n r es t o r e d as oll o ws f
I n the ha u nt of j ackals and hycenas ,
You r her ds s hall r est:
And the co u r t for ostr i ches
Wi ll be fil l ed wi th r eeds and r u shes .

8 f
And a hi gh way
. and a way : t h e r e ek er si o n r ea d s, G v
t
p er h ap s c o r r e c l y , and a pu r e hi g hwa y s ha ll be ther e T hi s i s t h e .

t t Z
way h a l ea d s t o i o n, a nd u p o n i t t h e ai h ul p i l g r i m s r a el f t f t v .

The c l a u se , bu t i t Sh al l b e for th o se : th e way ari ng m en, ha s f

v
e er y a p pea r a nc e i n t h e H e b r e w o f b e i ng a g l o ss , and sh o ul d b e
d el e e d t f
T h e ool s ar e t h e g o dl ess ( c P S 1 4 :
. h ey m u s er r f . . t t
f
(c 3 2 . wa nd er el se where ; hi s hol y wa y i s no t for h e m , i t i s t t
fo r th e r e d e em e d .

10 . t
B y hi s wa y th e re deem e d a nd ransom e d of J eh ovah will
retu rn t o i o n Z
h e r e t o ab i d e t
r o m t h e or e i g n l a nd s i n wh i c h f f
35 : 10 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH

And come wi th si ngi ng unto Zi on

And everlasting joy shall b e upon th ei r heads
Th ey shall ob t ai n gl adn ess and joy ,

And sorrow and sig hi n g sh all fl ee aw ay .

t h ey h d a tt
b e e n s ca er e d U
pon th ei r h e ads : so m e o r na m en
. t
m st h a v
u e be e n wo r n o n t h e h ea d as a sy m b o l o f g la d ness For .

th ey shal l ob tai n, e tc , r e ad joy and gl ad ness shall over take them

. .

f t
Whi l e sor r ow fl ees r o m he m , joy r u ns u p and over takes the m a

t tf
s r i k i ng a nd be a u i ul c o n r a s t t .

t tt t t
Thi s c h a p er c o ns i u es t h e b r i lli a n cl i m a x o f t h e r s g r ea fi t t
v
d i i si o n o f t h e b o o k o f I sa i a h t t
I i s t he o u po u ri ng o f t h e h e ar
. t
t t t
o f o ne who was a t o nc e p a r i o a nd p o e ; a nd i n t h e go l d e n d a y s ,

f f
t o whi c h he loo k e d o r wa r d r o m o u t a t o o so rr o w ul p r e se n , he f t
t t
sa w t h e d eso l a i o ns o f na u r e a nd t he p a i ns a nd so r r o ws o f h u m a n
t f
i t y r a ns o r m e d , wi h t Z t
i o n a s t he c a p i al o f t h e wo r l d , a nd t h e
r o ad h a t t t f t
le d t o h e r r o d by t he h a ppy e e o f p i l g r i m s a nd o f t h e
r e de e m ed .
 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH

2 . And the ki n g of Assyri a sent R ab shak eh from La chi sh

to Je rusal em unto ki ng He ze ki ah wi th a gr eat army .

And he stood by the condui t of the uppe r pool in the

'

hi gh way of the fuller s fiel d Then came forth unto ’

.

hi m Eli aki m the son of Hil ki ah whi ch was over th e ,

househol d and Sheb na the sc ribe and J oah the son

1
, ,

of Asaph the rec order

2
.

And R abshak eh sai d unto th em Say y e now to ,

H eze ki ah Thus sai th t he gr e at ki ng the ki ng of

, ,

Assyri a What c onfiden ce i s thi s wh erein thou

,

1 m . secr eta r y .
1 m . chr onicler .

t i v es o f ff t v t
d i er e n e e n s, b u t t wo p ar all el nar ra i es o f t h e sa m e tv
v t
e e n , whi c h , whi le t
h e y di ffe r so m e wh a i n d e ail , ag r ee i n t he t t
m ai n a c f t t t
ha , i n a cc o r d a nc e wi h t he p r o ph e c y o f I sai ah , Se n t
nac h e ri b was c o m p ell e d t o wi hd ra w r o m J ud a h wi h o u ca p t ur t f t t
i ng J e r usal e m T here a r e se e ra l i ndi ca i o ns ha bo h nar ra i e s
. v t t t t tv
ar e la e t .

The Assyr ian hall enge ( vss 1 3) — C .

1In th e fourtee nth y ear of ki ng H e z eki ah

. The y e ar i n .

te nd ed i s u n u e s i o na bly 7 0 1 q t
T he nu m be r fo ur teenth
a p p e a rs t o b e r ea c he d ar i c i all y , b y d ed u c i ng t h e tfi ee n y ea rs t fi ft
t t t t
by wh i c h 3 8 : 5 s a es ha hi s li e was p r o l o ng ed ro m t h e we n y f f t t
ni ne y ea rs whi c h c o ere d h i s r ei g n ( 2 Ki ng s v All th e fence d
c i ti es : Se nna c heri b c l a i m s t o h a e a k e n or y si x v t f t -
.

2 Rab sh ak eh , a i le , the R ab shak e h

. tt Lachi sh , no w Tell el .
-

t t
Hesy , a n i m p o r a n Judaza n o r r ess , so u h wes o f J er u sal e m , f t t t
f
c o m ma ndi ng t he ro a d ro m E gy p Th e condui t of th e upper pool , t .

whe re I sa i ah ha d g o ne o u t t o m e e Ah a z , hi r y five y ear s be ore t t t -

f
(7 t t t
I i s i n e r es i ng t o find ai h wi c e c h alleng e d o n t he sa m e f t t
spo — t t
b y t h e i ncr e d uli y o f t h e He b r e w Ah az , a nd a g ene r a i o n t
ft
a e r by t he i nso l e nc e o f t h e Assy ri a n R ab sh ak eh
,
.

3 E li.a ki m a nd S h e b na : c 2 2 : 1 5
— 2 3 S c r i b e s ecr eta r y f .

ffi
.

f
( c m ar gi n) R ecord er l i t r eme mbr a ncer , p r o b ably t h e o c e r
. . . .

t
wh ose d u y i t was t o bri ng i m port an b u si ness be ore t he ki ng t f .

The Rabsha keh s S peech ( vss )

’
.
4
-
10

There ar e h ree p o ssibl e t c

so ur es o f con fid ence fo r Hez eki ah
all , a cc o r di ng t o hi s c le t v erd i pl o m a t , e q uall y f u t il e : Egyp t ,

v
J eh o a h , and t he J u de a n so l di e r y .

2 26
 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH

tru st est ? I say thy c oun sel and stren gth for the
,

war are but vai n words : now on whom do st thou

6 . trust that thou hast r eb elle d ag ai n st m e ? B ehol d
, ,

thou trust est upon the staff of thi s b rui sed r eed ,

e v e n upon E g ypt ; wh e r e on if a man l e an i t wi ll g o ,

i nto hi s hand and p i e r c e i t : so i s P h araoh ki n g of

,

Egypt to all that trust on hi m B ut if thou say unto .

m e We tru st in the L O RD our God : i s not that h e

, ,

who se hi g h places and who se al tars H ezeki ah h ath

t ak en aw ay and hath sai d to J udah and to J eru sal em
, ,

8 . Y e shall wor shi p befor e thi s al tar ? Now th er efor e ,

I pr ay th ee 1
gi v e p l e d ges,
to my ma s t e r t he ki n g of
A ssyri a and I wi ll gi ve thee two thou sand hor ses
, ,

if thou b e able on thy p art to set ri der s upon the m .

Ho w th en c an st thou turn aw ay the f ac e of one cap tai n

of the least of my ma ste r s se rvant s and put thy tru st ’
,

on Egypt for ch ari ot s and for horsem en ? And am

I now c ome up wi thout the L O RD agai nst thi s l and

1 m . make a wager wi th
.

5 I say , e t c
. re a d Thi nkest thou ( se c o nd p e r so n) that a mer e
wor d of the l i ps i s co u nsel a nd str ength for wa r 1?
. t
6 E g yp i a n h el p i s u ile ( c 3 0 : 1 f t3 1 1 f .

7 H e z e ki ah s a e m p t o
.
’
tt t
r e m o e t h e h i g h p l a c es ( 2 Ki ng s v
t t
a nd t o c o nc e n r a e wo r shi p i n J e r u sal e m b e o r e th i s al tar f
o f t h e te m p l e wo u l d see m t o t h e h e a h e n d i p l o m a t o b e e ui al e n t t q v t
t t
t o t h e d i ses abli sh m e n o f r eli g i o n i n t h e p r o i nc es, so h a Je v t t
v
h o ah c o ul d no t b e e x p e c e d t o h el p su c h a p eo p l e t .

8 . G
ive pl e dg e s to : r e ad wi h m ar g i n, m a ke a wager wi th t .

t t v
Nei her E g y p no r J e ho a h wo ul d h el p t h e p eo p l e o f J u d ah ; nor ,
t t
wi h h ei r d e c i e nc y i n c a al ry fi v
c o ul d hey e fl ect i vel y t
t
h el p he m sel es v .

9 Tu rn away th e face , i e r e p el t h e o nse

. H o w sh al l H e ze
. . t .

t
ki ah assai l t h e g r e a ki ng , wh e n h e i s no t e en a m a c h for a v t
t
su b o r di na e Assy r i an o fli ci al ?
10 Ag ai nst thi s l and , b e e r , pl ace ( so 2 Ki ng s
. tt i e . .

D
J er usal e m Th e LO R sai d unto m e t he c lai m h a t he Assyri an
. t t
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

to destroy i t ? Th e L O RD sa i d unto m e Go up a gai nst ,

thi s l and and destroy i t

,
.

Th en sai d Eli aki m and Sh eb na and J oah unto R ab

shak eh Speak I p ray th ee un to thy se rvant s i n t he
, , ,
1
Syri an l ang uag e ; for we unde rst and i t : and sp eak
not to us i n t he Jews lan gu age in the ears of t he ’
,

peop le that are on the wall B ut R abshakeh sai d .

,

Hath my m ast er sent m e to thy mast er and to th ee , ,

to spe ak these words ? hath he not sent me to the m en

that si t upon the w all to eat thei r own dun g and to , ,

dr i nk th ei r own wa te r wi th you ?
The n R abshak eh stood and c ri e d wi th a l oud vo i c e ,

i n the J ews l an guage and sai d Hea r ye t he words

’
, ,

of the gr eat ki n g t he ki n g of Assyri a Th us sai th

,
.

t he ki n g Let not H eze ki ah dec ei ve you ; for he shall

,

not be able to deli ver yOu : n ei ther let Hezeki ah mak e

1 He b Ar amea n
. .

ad v nc e u p n J
a o i s i n o b e d i e nc e t o a n o r ac l e o f J ehovah
e r u sa l e m
i s a ve y r ma k
re r a ble o ne The R a bsha k e h , who i s a mi li a r wi h
. f t
He b re w ( v s v
m a y c o nc e i a b ly h a e k no wn so m e h i ng o f o r a c les
. v t
o f I sa i a h , wh i c h ass i g ne d t o Assy r i a t h e d u y o f c h a s i si ng J u d a h t t
f
(c 10 : 5. m o r e pr o b ably i t was si m pl y a a bri c a i o n d esig ne d f t
t f
t o er ri y J ud a h .

The Rabshakeh s Ta unt

’
(vss . 11 f)
.

11 In th e Syrian languag e i n Ar a ma i c , whi c h was t he i n er

.
,
t
t t t
na i o nal l a ng u ag e hr o ug ho u we s e r n Asi a , a nd he r e o r e a m ili a r t t f f
a l i k e t o Assy r i a n a nd H e b re w o fi c i a l s f .

12 Wi th y ou T he c o a rse a nd i nso le n wo r d s si m pl y m ea n ha
. . t t t
so l o ng as t he p e o p le a r e l e d by He z e ki a h a nd hi s o fli c i a ls , hey ha e t v
t t
no hi ng t o e x p e c b u t s a r a i o n a r e ( c t v t
2 Chr 32 : f
C on f . .

tr ast vs . 16 .

The Ra bsha keh s Fr u i tl ess A ppeal to the P eopl e ( vss 1 3—2 2 )

’
.

T h r o ug ho u t t
h i s s pee c h t h e R a bshake h d eli b era
,
t el y f
re r ai ns
f r o m ca lli ng H e z e ki a h k i ng .
37 1 THE B OOK OF I SAI AH

house hol d and Sh eb na the sc ribe and J oah the son

, ,

of Asaph t he r ecorder to H ezeki ah wi th th ei r cl o th es ,

r ent and tol d hi m t he words of R abshakeh

,
.

And i t cam e to pass wh en king Hezeki ah heard i t , ,

that he rent hi s cl othes and c overed hi mself wi th sa ck ,

2 . cl oth and went i nto the house of the L ORD An d he

,
.

se nt Eli aki m who was over t he househol d and Sh eb na

, ,

the sc ri be and t he el de rs of the pri est s c ov ered wi th

, ,

sa ck cl oth unto I sai ah t he pr ophet the son of Amo z

,
.

And they sa i d unto hi m Th us sai th Hezeki ah Thi s , ,

day i s a day of trouble and of rebuke and of con , ,

t umely : for t he c h il dren ar e c om e to t h e bi rth and ,

4 . th ere i s not stre ngth to b ri n g forth It may b e the .

LO RD thy God wi ll h ear t he words of R abshak eh ,

whom t he k i ng of Assyri a hi s m aste r hath sent to

repro ach the li vi ng God and will rebuk e t he words ,

whi ch the LO RD thy God hath h eard wh erefore li ft .

up thy pr ayer for t he re mnant that i s left So the .

se rvants of ki n g He ze ki ah cam e to I sai ah And .

22 . Cloth e s rent , si g n o f gr i e f .

Hez eki a h s Appeal to I sai a h; I sai ah s Answer (37 : 1—9 a )

’ ’

1 S ack cl oth , si g n o f m o ur ni ng ( c 3 6 :
. f .

2 U t
nto Isai ah : p ro phe s we r e r eq u e n l y c o nsul ed 1n ti mes o f f t t
t
p u bli c di s ress ( c 2 Ki ngs f5 , Je r a : They wer e b e . .

t
li eve d t o s a nd spe ci ally nea r hei r God (ct v s 4 , J e ho ah thy t . v
Go d ; a nd Am os 3 :
3 He r e H e z e k i a h i m pli c i ly a c kno wle dg es t he
. t u ili y o f hi s f t t
t
E g yp i an po l i c y whi c h has b u t bro ug h hi m di str ess, t
cha sti s e ment, a nd r ej ecti o n Th e chil dr e n, e t c : t h e c ri si s i s g r a e ,
. . v
t
and h ere i s no s r e ng h t o co pe wi h i tt t t .

f t
a Li t up th y pray er : i n er cesso ry pr ay er , espe ci all y o f pro
p h e ti c m e n, a a il e h m u c hv ( Ge n 2 0 :t7 ; J e r 1 8 : 2 0 ; J o b 4 2 : 8 ; .

J am es 5 :
6 I sai ah h as hi s i nsp i r e d a ns wer r ea d y
. He a nd t he R ab .

t tv
sh a ke h ar e r ep r e se n a i e s o f Fa i h a nd Fo r c e t .

2 30
 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH 37 1

I sai ah sai d unto th em Thu s shall y e say to your mast er , ,

Thus sai th the L O RD B e not afrai d of the wor ds that ,

thou hast h eard wh erewi th the se rv ant s of the ki ng ,

of A ssyri a have bl asphe med m e B ehol d I wil l put .

,

a spi ri t in hi m and he shall hear a rumour and shall

, ,

return unto hi s own l and ; and I will c au se hi m to

f al l by the sword in hi s own l and .

8 . So R ab shak eh r eturn ed and found th e ki n g of ,

A ssyri a warri n g agai n st L ib nah for he had heard that

he was dep art ed from La c hi sh And h e h eard say .

c on cerni ng Ti rhak ah ki n g of E thi opi a He i s come out ,

to fight agai nst th ee And when he h eard i t .

S econd Narr ati ve i nclud i ng the Tau nt S ong

(3 7 : 2 2- 29 )
10 . He s ent messengers to H e ze ki ah , sayi n g , Thus shall ye
sp eak to He ze ki ah ki n g of J ud ah , sayi n g L e t not thy ,

7 . A spi ri t, t het o f f ea T he rum or i f t h ad vance f

sp i ri r . s o e o
Ti h ak ah ( v
r To f all b y th e sword t he i m pl i c t i n i s t h t h e
s . : a o a
w mu d
as d ron ft hi t n ( c f v
er e so a A a m tt r o f
er s r e ur . s . s a e
f c t t hi di d n t t k pl c t ill t w nty y
a ,
s o a ft i n 6 8 B C
e a e e e ar s a er , 1 . .

8 Li bnah p p
. t b th a t f t h A y i n m y i n t he
e ar s o e e sea o e ss r a ar

se c nd
o t y L ac hi h n t h fi t
s or ,
as nd t h e w d s war ri ng
s l e rs ,
a or .

Lachi sh rv th p u p
se e f b i ndi ng t h
e t i t og th e
r o se o e s or es e r .

9 i f ll w d by v
a s o o 3 7 f whi c h sh w h w Se nn c h i b m e t hi s
e ss . . o o a er

e nd i n f l fi l m n t
,
uf t h p di c t i n i n v 7
e o e re o s . .

— 6 T hi
3 c o nd n
. t i v whi c h a ig n S nn c h i b s
s se arr a e, ss s e a er
’

d ep t f mJ d hntt
ar u r e ro um u b ut t th m y t i
a od o a r or , o e s er o u s e
t u c t i n f n i m m n c onti ng ent f t h A y i n h t ( v
s r o o a e se o e ss r a os s .

i i nt
s u p t e d ( ) b y a t u nt
err ng ( v
a whi c h d c l a so ss . 22 e ar e s
t hat t h As yri n wi ll b e l d b ck t hi wn l and li k
e s a wi ld e a o s o e a
beas t t hat i s ca ptur d nd m t e d nd ( b) by Si g n ( vss 3 —3 )
e a as re ,
a a . 0 2
whi c h anno unc es fo r t h e v e y n f u t u t h d awn f t h b tt r ea r re e o e e er
d ay t o b e .

—1
The L etter ( vss .
9 b 3)
T he l e tter ( c f v 4) . s . 1 i s i n t h e sa m e s r ai n as t he sp e e c h of t
t he d e p u t ti o n i n C hap
a .
3 6 ,
a nd a pp e a r s t o b e no t a s u b se u e n q t
23 1
 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH

God i n whom thou trustest decei ve thee sayi ng , ,

J e rusal em shall not be gi ven i nto th e hand of the ki ng

of Assyri a B ehold thou ha st h eard what the ki n gs
.
,

of As syri a have don e to all lands by d estroyi ng th em ,

utt erly and shal t thou be deli vere d ? H ave the g ods
of the nati on s del i vered them whi ch my fath ers have ,

destroyed Go zan and H aran and R eze ph and the

, , , ,

c hildren of E den whi ch were in Tel assar ? Wh ere

i s t he ki n g of H a math and the ki n g of Arpad and t h e , ,

ki n g of the ci ty of Sepharvaim of Hena and I vv ah ? , ,

And He ze ki ah r e cei ve d the lette r from the hand of

t he m esse ng e r s and r ead i t : and H eze k i ah w ent up
,

unto the ho use of t he L O RD and spread i t b efore the ,

L O RD And Hezeki ah prayed unto the LO RD sayi ng

.
, ,

O L O RD of ho sts t he God of I srael that si ttest upon

1
, ,

t he c h e rubi m thou art t he God even thou al on e of all

, , ,

t he k i n g doms of the earth thou hast mad e h eav en

1 m dwellest between
. SV si ttest abo v
e ; SV 111 ar t enthr o
. above .

t
i nc i d e n , b u t a p ar all e l a cc o u n o f t he sa m e i nc i de n T he l e e r t t . tt
t
c o uld no t be e x pe c ed t o e fl ec t wha t he spee c h h ad ai led t o '

t f
e fl e ct .

10 . Le t not thy Go d d e ce ive th e e : i n 3 6 : 1 4 He ze ki a h i s t he

d e c ei e r v .

12 . Fath e rs p r e de c esso r s v
o an a nd Har an i n M e sop o a m i a . G z , t .

t
R ez eph ne ar t he E up h r a es , m id way b e we e n Pa l m y r a a nd H a r a n
,
t .

Th e childr en o f Ed en , B i t Ad i ni , a di s r i c o n t h e pp er E u p hr a es t t U t
t
no r h o f R e z e h Tel assar , no t i d e n i e d , b u t d o ub l ess i n t h e
. tfi t
sa m e ne i g h bo r oo d .

Hez ekia h s P r ayer ( vss —

)
’
. 14 20

14 S pr ead i t b e or e J ehovah
. a f
c uri o us and i nter es i ng — t
t ou ch a s i f t h e si g h
, o f t he i nso l e n t
l e er wo ul d p r o o ke t he t tt v
t
i ndi g na i o n a nd e ng ea nc e o f J e ho a h v v .

16 Th at si tt e st upon thr oned upon Th e ch erubim , g u r e s wi h

.
,
. fi t
tt t
o u s r e ch e d wi ng s a bo e t he ar k ( 1 Ki ng s 8 : 6 v T h e c r ea i e tv
p o w er ( c P s 1 2f1 :. di i ni y
. a n d so e r e i g n y o f J e v t
h o a h a r e ,
v t v
23 2
37 323 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

The vi rgi n daughter of Zi on

H ath despi se d thee and l aughed th ee to s corn ;
The daughter of J erusal em
H ath sh aken h er head at thee
1
.

Whom ha st thou rep roa ched and bl asph emed ?

And ag ai nst whom hast thou ex al ted thy voi ce
And li fted up thi n e eyes on hi gh ?
E ven ag ai nst t he Holy One of Israel .

By thy se rvants hast thou r eproa ched

2

The Lord and h ast sai d , ,

Wi th the mul ti tude of my ch a ri ots am I c ome up

t he h ei ght of t he mountai ns ,

To the i nn e rmo st parts of L eb anon

And I will c ut down t he tal l c edars th ereof ,

And the choi c e fir trees th ereof

And I wi ll ent er i nto hi s farth est h eight
2 1 ‘

,
1
The forest of his frui tful fi el d .

I h ave di gg ed and drunk

5
Water ,

And wi th the so le of my f eet will I dry up

”
All the ri ve rs of Egypt .

1 Heb .
1 2 Ki ngs 19 : 23 , messengers .
1 5V its .
‘2 Kings lodgi ng
place .
1 2
gs 19 : 24 , str a nge waters .

a wa y like t h e wi ld be ast t h a t h e i s wi t h a ri ng t hr o ug h hi s no se
, , ,

a m i d t he d er i si v e sho u t s o f t h e peo ple who m he h ad d e sp i se d a nd

i ns ul t ed .

22 Th e vi r gi n : J er u sa l e m , t he i n i o la e
. Hath shak en h er v t .

h ead i n m oc k er y .

24 He ca n d o wh a i s i m p ossibl e fo r o h e rs
. t ra erse wi h hi s t t v t
t ft t
c hari o s t he l o y m o u n ai ns ; a nd hei r o r e s s y i el d hi m i m be r t f t t .

R ea d I go u p, I cut d own e t c S u c h e x p eri e nc e s a r e re ue n

,
. Hi s f q t .

fu rth e st h eigh t : r e a d i ts fu r thest r etr eat ( 2 Ki ng s 1 9 :

2 5 W ater s : r ea d str a nge water s ( so
. 2 Ki ng s 1 9 : Th e
t t v
m eani ng i s h a he ne er a ll owe d hi s c o ur se t o b e i m pe ded ei h er t
t
b y l ack o f wa er o r b y fl o od s .
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

Ha st thou not heard how I h ave don e i t

Long ago ;
And form ed i t of an ci ent ti m es
Now hav e I b roug ht i t to pass ,

Th at thou shoul d est be to l ay waste f en c ed ci ti es

Into rui nous h eap s .

Th e r efor e th ei r i nhabi tant s w er e of sm all powe r ,

T h ey w er e di smay e d and c onf ounde d

Th ey w er e as the g r ass of t he fi el d and as the g r een ,

h erb ,
'

As the g rass on the hou setOps and as a fiel d of cor n

1
,

b efor e i t b e grown up .

B ut I know thy Si tti n g down ,

And thy g oi ng out and thy c omin g in , ,

And thy r agi n g ag ain st m e B ec ause of thy ragi n g .

agai n st m e and for that thi n e arrog an cy

,

I s c om e up i nto mi n e ear s ,

Th er efore will I put my hook i n thy no se ,

And my b ri dl e i n thy li ps ,

1 2 Kings 1 9 : 2 6 , com (SV gra i n) .

26 .
’
t tv tvt
S e nna c he r ib s d e s r u c i e a c i i y h a s b ee n i n a cc o r d a nc e
t v t
wi h J e h o a h s anc i e n p ur p o se ( 1 0 : 5
’
The er se r e c all s v
tt t
p assag es i n th e l a e r p ar o f I sai a h ( c 4 0 : 2 8 ; 4 5 f .

27 f
As g rass , c u t d o wn o r r a m p l e d wi h ease
. t B e or e i t b e t . f
t
grown u p : hi s c l a u se , e m e nd e d , see m s t o g o wi h t h e ne x e r se , t tv
t t
so h a t h e wh o l e wo ul d r ea d :

B efor e m e i s thi ne u pr i si ng and thy d ownsi tti ng ( PS . 1 39

Thy goi ng ou t a nd co mi ng i n I know,

And thy tu r bu l ent r a gi ng ag ai nst m e
And thy tu mu l t have co m e u p i nto my ear s .

v t t
Th e thi r d l i ne h as b een i na d e r en l y r e p ea e d t .

29 . fi
Th e g u r e o f t h e r oa ri ng , r ag i ng b eas , d r ag g ed b ac k ag am s t t
t t
i t s wi ll , wi h a r i ng hr o u g h i t s nose , i s a er y s r iki ng sy m b ol v t
t t
for t h e h u m i l i a i ng d ep ar u r e o f t h e p o wer ul and h a u g h y Ass y r f t
i an.
37 3 30 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH

And I will turn thee b a c k by t h e way

B y whi ch thou camest .

And thi s Shall be the Sign unto th ee

Ye shall eat thi s y ear that whi ch g roweth of i tsel f ,

And in t he se cond year that whi ch Spri n geth of the

sam e

And in the thi rd year so w ye and r eap , ,

And pl ant vi n eyards and eat t he frui t thereof ,

.

And the remnant that i s escaped out of th e hous e of

J udah
Shall agai n tak e root downward and bear frui t up ,

ward .

Fo r out of J e rusa le m shall go forth a r e mnant ,

And out of mount Zi on they that Shal l escape

The ze a l of the LO R D of ho sts shall pe rform t his .

Th e refore thus sai th the LO RD con c e rni n g the

Assyri a ,
!
He sha ll not come i nto thi s ci ty ,

Nor shoot an arrow there ,

N ei ther shall he c ome be fore i t wi th shi eld ,

Nor ca st a mound agai n st i t .

— 2
The S i gn ( v ss . 0
3 3 )
30 Ag r i c ul t ur al O pe ra t i o ns whi c h had been suspe nded b y
.
,
t he
p r ese nc e o f t he Assy r i a ns i n t h e la nd wo ul d b e r e su m e d i n l ess
f l fi l m e nt
,

th an t wo y ea rs . T he u t hi s ig n w uld b p o f t t
of S o e r o ha
J e ho v ah had f o resee n a ll t h ci c u m ta nc es f t h d li v anc
e r s o e e er e,
a nd a cc u r a t e l y f o r e t o ld t h m by hi s p p h t
e ro e .

3 1 f D e l i v e ra nc e f r o m
. Assyri a ns i s bu t t he pr el ud e t o an
t he
e r a o f s abi lit ty a nd f r ui tf ul ness for J ud ah and J eho va h i s pl edg ed
,

to t hi s ( c f .

—
33 3 5 . T h ese v er se s f c o nst i t u t e t he di vi ne
o ll o w vs . 2 1, a nd
a nswe r — a nn o u nc e d t hro u g h I sai ah — to Hez eki ah s p r ay er ’
.

T her e i s to be no S i eg e o f t h e c i t y E lse wh ere a nd e ar li er I sai ah

.
, ,

2 36
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

HEZE KIA H S SI CKNE SS RE COVE R Y SO NG

’
, , AND or THANKS
G IVIN G ( C hap 38) .

Hez eki ah s Si ckness (38 )

’
—
1 8

38 . In those days was Hezeki ah si ck unto death And .

I sai ah the proph et t he son of Amo z cam e to hi m and ,

sai d unto hi m Thus sa i th t he L O RD Set t hi n e hou se , ,

2 . i n order for thou shal t di e and not li ve Th en Hez , .

e ki ah turned hi s f ac e to t he wa ll and pray ed unto t h e ,

3 . L ORD and sa i d R eme mber now 0 LO RD I beseech

, , , ,

thee how I have wal ked before thee in truth and wi th

,

a pe rf ect h eart and have don e that whi c h i s good ,

4 . i n thy sight And He ze ki ah wept sore Th en c am e

. .

5 . the word of t he LO RD to I sai ah sayi n g Go and say , , ,

t o Heze ki ah Thus sai th the LO RD t he God of D av i d , ,

thy fath er I have heard thy prayer I have see n thy

, ,

tears : behold I wi ll add unto thy days fift een y ear s ,

.

6 . And I will deli ver th ee and thi s ci ty out of the hand

of the ki ng of Assyri a : and I will def end thi s ci ty .

38 : 1 -
. t
8 Th e s ory o f Hez e ki ah s si c k ness a nd re c o ery ( hap
’
v C .

, d ea li n m t h th e p ri a e , as ha ps 3 6 f wi h t he p ubli c , li e v t C t f
g
. .

o f H ez eki a l t
i ll us r ates , l i ke hose c ha p t e rs, th e hi g h i m po r a nc e t t
o f t he p r o p he t .

1 In th ose days : a loose p hr ase

. no t , i n a ny case , t h e d ay s
o f t he bl ock ad e o f J e ru sal e m r o u nd whi ch C ha 3 6 f u rn , b u t . t
so m e ear li er i me
’
t
Hez e ki a h s si ckness p t h e e mb assy
.

fr o m M er od ach B al ada n ( 3 9 : whi ch p r obably ell i n 7 04 B C

-
f . .

2 Hez e ki ah pr ay ed as i n
. 21 .

v
3 There ar e se e ral c o n essi o ns o f i ntegr i ty i n t h e O ld T e s a
. f t
m e n ( c Ps t f . .

4 T he p r ay er i s hea r d a t o nc e ( c
. 2 Ki ng s 2 0 a nd t h e di f .
°

v i ne a nswer c o mm u ni ca e d , e x ac l y as i n t t
v
6 Thi s erse m u s be a l ate r i nser i o n r o m
. t
a s i t o nl y t f
t
fits t he d a e o f t h e bl o c k a de ( 7 0 1 B C whi c h was la er ha n H eze . . t t
ki a h s si c k ness
’
.
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

And thi s sh all be the Si gn unto thee from the L ORD ,

that the L O RD wi ll do thi s thi n g that he hath spok en

8 . behol d I will cau se the Sh adow on th e st ep s whi c h
, ,

i s g one down on th e di al of Ahaz wi th the sun to r e

1 2
,

turn b a ckward t en st ep s So the sun r eturn ed ten .

t en st ep s on the di al wh er eon i t was g on e down .

Hez eki ah s S ong of Thanksgi vi ng (38 9 )

’ —
20

9 . Th e wri ti n g of Hezeki ah ki ng of J udah when he had

3
,

been si ck and was r ec ov er ed of hi s si c kn ess

,
.

I sai d I h 1
noont i d e of my day s
‘
n t e ,

I Shall go

1 Heb . steps .
2 m . by .
1 Gr . y
pra er .
‘m . tra nq u i lli t ; y AV cutti ng o f .

7 Th e S f
i gn ,
. c In 2 Ki g s
n 2 0 f
: 8 1 1 , t h e m i r a cl e o f
— .

th e Si g n i s e nh anc e d b y t h e p r o p h e s o fl e r o f a c h o i c e t o H e z e k i a h
’
t .

Whi ch i s g one down wi th th e sun : r ea d , whi ch the su n has

g one down ( so t he re ek G
er si o n) o n the steps of A haz v
So m e m ea ns .

t
o f m e a su ri ng i m e a pp ear t o b e i m p l i e d , h o u g h p r e ci sel y wh a we t t
d o no t k no w ; o p o ssi bl y a p y r a m i d o f s e p s o n t h e t o p o f whi c h t
t
s o o d a sh o r p il l ar Or o b eli sk t ( A S mi h ) , wh o se S h ad o w, G . . t
t
c as by t h e su n, wo uld all u po n t he s ep s E wald m ak e s the f t .

t t t
i n er e s i ng su g g e s i o n h a t h e s o r y r e s s, li ke h a i n J o sh 1 0 t t t t t t .

13 f
o n t h e m i su nd er s a ndi ng o f a p o e i c a l e x p r essi o n
. t
T he s or y t . t
m ay well , h o we er , h a e so m e o h e r o ri g i n v v t .

3 8 : 9 2 0 T h e r e i s a c e r a i n d r a m a i c p r o p r i e y i n h e i nse r i o n
— . t t t ’

t t
of su c h a so ng a t t
hi s p o i n , a nd su c h a n i nser i o n i s u i e i n a c t t q t
t
co r d anc e wi h t h e p r a c i c e o f H e b r e w h i s o r i a ns ( c H annah s
’
t t f .

so ng i n 1 S a m v t
ne er h el e ss t h e a c o f i t s b e i ng d esc r ib e d as
. f t
z
th e wri ti ng of H e e ki ah ( whi c h sh o ul d , b esi d e s, p e r h ap s b e t h e
M i chta m o f H e z eki ah , c t h e i l e s o f P s 5 6— 60 ) i s e r y fa r r o m f . tt . v f
v t t
p r o i ng h a t h e so ng r e al l y c o m e s r o m h i m , esp e c i al l y wh e n f
tt
we c o nsi d er h o w li l e h i s o r i c al al u e a a c h es t o t h e su p e r scr i p t v tt
t i o ns o f t h e so c all e d D a idi c p sal m s
-
M any o f i t s p hr ases v .

t
r e c all l a e p sal m s a nd t h e b o o k o f
Jo b , a nd in all p r o b ab ili y i t i s t
t
a l a e c o m p o si i o n, ake n t t
r o m a l i u r g i c al c o ll e c i o n, and su ng f t t
i n p u bl i c wor shi p ( c V S f . .

10 Noonti d e , a d i fi c u l wo r d ; e i h er hei ght ( so Gr ) o r even

. f t t .

2 39
 THE B O OK OF I SAIAH

Into t he g at es of t he g rav e 1
I am depri ved
O f the r esi due of my ye ars .

1 . I sai d } I S hall not see the LO RD even

! 3
,
3
the
In the land of the li vi ng
I Shall behol d man no more
Wi th t he inhabi tants of the worl d .

Mine r emove d and i s carri ed away from m e

5
ag e is ,

As a sh eph erd s t ent

’

I h ave ro lled up lik e a we aver my li f e

H e w ill c ut m e o fl from the l oom
o

From day ev e n to ni ght wil t thou mak e an end of m e .

I qui eted myself until morni n g

7

As a li on so he b reak eth ,

All my bon es .

From day eve n to ni ght

Wilt thou mak e an end of m e .

14 . Lik e a swallow or a c ran e 8

,
so did I chatter ;
I di d mourn as a dove
1 Heb S heol . .
2 Or I. shall no i n the la nd of the
more at all see the sal vati o n o f God
l ivi ng ; I shall no rnore at all see the sal vati o n af I srael on the earth : [ shall no more at
all see ma n 2 He b
J ah .
1 111 when I a m a mo ng tha n that ha ve ceased to be
. . . .

; S V dwell i ng He b thr u rn 7 m I thought ( AV reckoned) until morn

1 m habitatio n
. .
. . .

i ng A: a li on, so will he brea k ; Tar I cr i ed

,
‘Gr o m . . . .

teno r . D epr ive d

”
: or p e r h ap s to t he g a es o f t S heo l I am

consi g ned .

11Th e LO RD , even th e LO RD r e ad si m pl y J ehovah o nc e

. To .

se e J eh ovah i s t o a k e p a r t
i n h i s wo r sh i p i n t h e e m p l e ( c 1 t t f .

t tt
D e a h i s pe c uli a r l y bi er be c a u se , bes id es r e m o vi ng a m a n r o m f
f
h u mo r ell o wshi p , i t d e pri es hi m o f t h e p ri i l eg e o f wo r shi p ( c v v f
;A
.

vs . 18

12 g e : r ea d , wi h m ar g i n ha bi tati on
. t
arr i e d away as i n o ,
. C t
e x il e t
D ea h i s c o m pa r ed t o t h e m o i ng o f t h e en , t h e sna ppi ng
. v t t
o f th e hr ea d t
Fr om day , e t c : ni g ht a nd d a y thou di dst del i ver
. .

me u p ( i e t o o r m e n ) . t t
q
. .

13 I ui ete d m ysel e t c r ea d I cr i ed O m i t h e las se n enc e

. f , . . t t t
tt
o f v s 1 3 as a r e p e i i o n o f t h e l as se n e nc e o f v s 1 2
. t t . .
38
0
0 18 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

For thou hast cast all my si ns

B ehi nd thy b ack .

For 1
cannot prai se thee
t he g rav e ,

D eath c annot c eleb rat e th ee

They that go down i nto the pi t
Cannot hope for thy truth2
.

The li vi ng the li vi ng he shall prai se thee,

, ,

As I do thi s day
The fath er to the chil dr en
Sha ll make known thy truth .

Th e LO RD i s r eady to save m e
Th er efore we will si n g my songs to the stri n g ed
i n strum e n ts
All the days of o ur li fe
In t he house of the LO RD .

Hez eki ah s Recover y ( 38 f)

’
21 .

Now I sa i ah had sai d Let them tak e a cak e of figs ,

!
,

and lay i t for a plai ster upon the bo il and he shall ,

”
rec over He ze ki ah al so had sai d
. What is the sign ,
!

that I shall go up to the house of the LO RD ? ”

1 Heb Sheol
. . Gr mer c
. y .

l ove pe r ha p s, Tho u d idst keep bac k my so ul fr o m the pi t of

destr ucti on v
R e co e r y i s t h e p r oo a nd sea l o f si n o r gi e n
. f f v .

18 f f
Li e i s pe c ul i ar ly p r e c i o us, fo r o nl y t o th e li vi ng i s wo r shi p
.

p o ssi b l e ( c v s f
1 r )
. T h e r
. e s o
. r e d m a n h as t h etd u y o f a c u a i n t q t
t v
i n hi s c h i l dr e n wi h t he d i i ne tr uth , i e , fai thful ness ( c P s 4 8 . . f . .

13

20 . Whate v e r be t he o r i g i n o f t he so ng i t i s ,
t
a d a p ed by t hi s
v ers e t o t he u se o f t h e wo r shi ppi ng c o mm u ni y t . R ea d :

J eho va h, be pl eased to deli ver us ,

And str i nged m usi c we wi l l pl ay , et c .

21 f . In t hei r p r e se n t po si tio n th ,
e se ve r se s ar e c l e ar l y bel ated ,
 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH 39 3

HE ZE KI AH VANI TY U ( Chap 39)

’ ’
S AND I SAI AH S RE B KE .

39 . At that ti m e M eroda ch b aladan th e son of B aladan -

king of B abyl on sent l ett er s and a pr esent to H e ze

1
,

ki ah : for he h eard th at he had b een si ck and was ,

r ecov er ed And H ez eki ah was gl ad of them and

.
,

sh ew e d the m t he hou se of hi s pr ec i ou s thi n gs t h e sil v e r , ,

2 . and the gol d and the spi ces and the pr eci ou s oil and
, , ,

al l th e hou se of hi s armour and all that was found ,

i n hi s tr easur es : th ere was nothi n g i n hi s hou se nor ,

i n all hi s domi ni on that He zeki ah sh ew e d th e m not ,

.

3 . Th en c am e I sai ah t he proph e t unto ki n g H ez eki ah ,

and sai d unto hi m What sai d th ese m en ? and from ,

wh en ce cam e th ey unto th ee ? And Hez eki ah s ai d ,

1 Gr . ambassadors and gi ts f .

f oll o wi ng as th ey do t h efo r r ec o er y P ar
so ng o f t hank g i v i ng
s v .

f
t i c ul arl y so i s t h e r e e r e nc e t o t h e si gn wh i c h , s r i c l y sp e aki ng , t t
t
m u s p r e c e d e v ss 7 Lay , r a h er r u b . f . t .

39 : I At th at ti m e . a er He z e ki ah s r e c o er y
’
M erodach ft v .

v t
B al adan g a e m u c h r o u ble t o Assy r i a b e o r e h e was nally o e r f fi v
t hr o wn v
H e r ei g ne d O e r B ab y l o n r o m 7 2 1 t o 7 1 0 B C , wh e n h e
. f . .

v
wa s d ri e n o u t b y Sa r g o n O n Sa r g o n s d e a h , i n 7 0 5 , h e r e c o er e d
’
. t v
h i s p o we r , b u t h el d i t o nl y fo r a fe w m o n h s T h i s e m b a ssy t o t .

H ez e ki ah 7 04 t
o s e nsib l y t o c o ng r a u l a e hi m o n hi s t e t t
co v e r y , h a d no d o u b t
t h e d e e p e r p o l i i c a l o b e c O f se c u r i ng h i s t j t
h el p i n a r e o l ag ai ns Assy ri a v t t .

2 Th e h ou se of hi s pr e ci ou s thi ng s
. hi s tr eas ur e hou se The .

silve r a nd g ol d whi ch fil l t h e r easu r e h o u se sh o w h a t h e p e ri o d t t t

v C f
c o er ed b y hap s 3 8 m u s be e arli er ha n 3 6 f , wh en t h e re asur y
. . t t . t
t
was d e p le e d ( 2 Ki ng s 1 8 : 1 4 1 6 ; c I sa 3 8 :
—
Th e h ou se f . .

of hi s ar m or th e ar m o r y a ll u d e d t o i n 2 2 8 as the hou se of the

f or est .

3 7
— . I sai ah , who is t h e swor n fo e o f
p o li i al al li an e s e n ang l i ng t tc c
( cf 30: r
. ri g h l y e ar s t he a al t f
o nse u e n e s o f su h a i si , f t c q c c v t
and h as h i s p r o p h e i tc
wor d r ea dy for t h e o ol i sh k i ng ; b u t i t m ay f
f t t
a i r l y b e d o u b e d wh e h e r v ss 5 7 a d e u a el y r e r e se n
—
p sai ah s
’
. q t tI
a nno u n e m e n c t
T h er e i s no r e b u k e o f H e e k i a h s p ri de o r o f h i s
.
’
z
f or ei g n l ea ni ng s, no a nno u n e m e n o f i m m e di a e o r sp e e d y o u se c t t c
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

Th ey ar e com e from a ven from far country unto m e, e

B abylon Th en sai d he Wh at have th ey seen i n thin e

.
,

house ? And Heze ki ah an sw ered All th at i s in mi n e ,

house have th ey seen : th er e i s nothi ng among my

trea sures that I have not showed th em Th en sa i d .

I sai ah to Heze ki ah Hear the word of the L OR D of ,

ho sts.

6 . B ehold the day s c ome that all that i s in thi n e house

, , ,

and that whi ch thy f ath ers have lai d up i n store until
thi s day sh all be carri e d to B abylon : nothi ng shall
,

be left sa i th the L O RD
,
And of thy sons that shall .

i ssu e from th ee whi c h thou sh al t b ege t sh all they take

, ,

away ; and th ey shall be e unu chs i n the pala ce of t he

8 . ki ng of B abylon Th en sa i d Hezeki ah unto I sa i ah
.
,

Good is t he word of the L O R D whi ch thou hast spok en .

He sai d mor eove r FOr th ere sha ll be pea ce and truth

2
,

i n my day s .

Gr . om .
' Gr let ther e be I pra
.
, y .

q u ence s ; t
b u t i ns ead , a p r ed i c i o n o f d e o r t a ti o n and di sg r a c e t
fo r H ez e k i ah s poster i ty i n th e l a nd o f B a yl on I n all I sai a h s
’ ’
.

g e nu i n e p ro p h e c i e s , Assy ri a no t B a b y l o n, i s t h e e as,er n p o we r to t
t
be r e c k o ne d wi h ; no r i s he r e any h i n t
h a t h e d o m i na i o n o f t t t t
f
Assyr i a is to be oll o we d b’y t he d o m i na i o n of B aby lo n Thi s t .

pr o phe c y i s no t , lik e I sa i ah s p r o p he c i es i n g e ne r al , d e e pl y r oo e d t
t
i n t he c o n e m po ra r y si u a i o n t t
N e e r heless her e i s a c er a i n . v t t t
t t t
poe i c r u h i n i t ; i t i s m a r k e d by h a se nse o f N e m e si s whi ch t t
f q t
i s so re ue n i n t he O l d Tes a m e n t
Fr o m B a bylo n h ad c o m e t he t .

t t t
e m p a i o n i n B a byl o n t h e si n wo ul d be p u ni sh e d ; ever ythi ng ha d
,

bee n di spl a y ed b y He z e ki ah , ever ythi ng wo ul d b e a k e n t o B ab y l o n t .

8 Good. t
Hez e ki ah li s e ns wi h p i o us r esi g na i o n t o t he wo r d o f t t
d oo m t f t
I d o es no t a fe c h i m p erso nall y , h er e i s t o b e peace a nd
. t
sta bi l i ty i n h i s d ay s t
a se n i m e n whi c h d oes no t r ai se o u r r e sp e c t t
fo r t h e ki ng .
 TH E E! I L ES
’
B OOK OF C O N SOLAT I O N ( Chap s .

40 55)
—

I . HI S TOR I CAL B ACK GR O UND AND ORI GIN O F THE

PR O PHE CY

ALMO ST ex a c tly two c enturi es el apse d between the c all

of I sai ah i n 7 40 B C and the publi c ati on of the g r eat pr oph
. .

ecy c ontai n e d i n Ch aps 4 0 55 O f t he A ssyri an e mpi r e

—
. .
,

whi ch c on sti tut es the b ackg round of the proph e ci es of

I sai ah we h ear in thi s proph ecy nothi n g wh at ever ; i t s
,

pl a ce has been take n by the B abyl oni an e mpi re (43 1 4 ;

T he A ssyri an s c onti nu e d to domi nat e w est ern
A si a for ab out a hundr e d year s aft er I sai ah s de ath ; bu t ’

thei r empi r e whi ch towards the end of that p e ri od had

,

beg un to tott e r c am e to an end i n 60 7 B C wi th the de

,
. .

stru c ti on of th ei r c ap i t al ci ty Ni n ev eh b y t he B ab yl on i an s
, , ,

who se empi re in i t s turn last ed ab out seventy years (ti ll

, ,

538
It iswi thi n thi s peri od th at the exile f that ex all s —

p e ri e nce wh i c h afi e c t e d so p rofound l y t h e su b s e qu e nt
hi story religi on and li t er ature of the Jews The g reat
, , .

Neb u chadr ez z ar cam e to the thron e i n 604 B C As i n the . .

previ ous century t he small Syri an k i ng dom s ever restless ,

under the Assyri an yok e w ere eve r r ea dy to throw i t off

,

wh en opp ortuni ty off er e d so i t was i n J udah now For ,

.

a few y ear s the k i n g Jehoi aki m son of the reformi n g k i n g

, ,

J osi ah re mai n ed the nomi nal v assal of B abyloni a ; but

,

at last h e revol t ed and con sequ ently dr ew upon hi m self

,

and hi s l and t he sp eedy vengean ce of hi s overl ord Neb .

u chadr ez z ar appear e d upon the scen e b esi ege d J eru ,

sal e m pl und er e d t he t em le and

, p p al a c e of th ei r tr e a sur e s ,

and d eport e d sev e ral thou sa nd of th e mo st effi ci ent i n

 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

habi tant s i n cl udi ng Jehoi aki m s son Jehoi a chi n who just
,
’
, ,

thr ee months before had ascended the throne ( 2 Ki n gs

,

Thi s was i n 59 7 B C The B abyloni an s pla c ed Jehoi aki m s

. .
’

brother Ze deki ah upon the thron e of J udah and for ab out ,

t en y ear s he r em ai n e d fai thful i n hi s all egi an c e to B abyl on .

Then he r ebel led and soon t he B abyloni an ho st s w er e round

,

t he wa ll s of J e ru sal em Afte r a t erri ble si ege of a year

.

and a half t he ci ty was taken i ts wall s destroyed i ts t empl e , , ,

p al ace and g r eat buil di ngs redu ced to ashes and the best
, ,

of i ts i nhabi tants carri ed away to B abyl on there to

r mai n for n early ha lf a c entur y ( 586 538 B C ) This i s
e — .

t he pe ri od known i n Heb re w hi sto ry as t he e xil e .

O f thi s sorrowf ul peri od no hi story ex i st s and what we ,

know of i t we know only by i nf eren ce Wi th the death .

of N eb uchadr ez z ar in 56 1 B C after a reign of forty three . .

,
-

years hope was temporarily kindl ed i n the despe rat e hearts

,

O f t he e xil es b y t he c le m ent po li cy of hi s su cc essor E vi l

m erodach who showed part i c ular f avor to th ei r k i ng
,

J ehoi a chi n by releasi ng hi m from t he pri son i n whi ch for

thi rty six y ears he had bee n l ang ui shi ng ( 2 K i ng s
-

25 2 7 ii ). Thi s hope was probabl y ex t i n g ui shed by t he

death of t he B abylon i an monar ch i n 559 B C At any rate . .

the J ew s who twe nty y ears aft e r ar e addresse d i n I sa

, ,
.

40 55 are sorrowful and di sc onsol ate e nough ( cf 40 I )

— . .
,

Th e c ontrol of t he B abylon i an e mpi r e pas sed i n 555 B C . .

i nto t he weak hands of Naboni dus who car ed mor e for ,

reli gi ous and anti quari an i nt erests than for poli ti cal and
mili tary ente rpri se Sudd enly about thi s ti m e a new
.

fi g ure appe ared upon the hi stori c al hori zon i n the pe rson
of the c onqueror Cy ru s a Pe rsi an no less gi fted as a m an
, ,

th an as a sol di er His whole caree r i s a roman ce Wi th

. .

al most i n c redi ble rapi di ty he pursued hi s vi c tori ous way

thr ough A si a (I sa 4 1 Th e M edi an emp i r e fell befor e
.

hi m in 54 9 B C and t he Lydi an empi r e who se h ead was the

. .
, ,

wealthy Croesu s i n 54 6 B C ; and no doubt i t i s som ewhere

,

be twee n t hat da t e and 538 when Cyrus captur ed B abyl on ,

and b rought her domi ni on to an end that t he g r eat anony ,

2 48
 TH E B OO K OF I SAIAH

of B a byl on B el N eb o e tc
, ,
ar e mor e p owe rful
,
.

than thei r own God Jehovah B ut not so J ehovah i s t he . .

omni pot ent God of the uni verse the Cr eator and Lord ,

of the mountai n s the worl d the stars Thi s i s the real

, ,
.

si g ni fi can c e of th e f a mili ar and sp l endi d d e s c ri pti on of

t he pow e r of God i n C ha p 4 0 : i t i s m eant to i n spi r e a .

b rok en h earte d p eople wi th f ai th and hope I srael s God ’

-
.

i s the mi ghty God n ev e r fai nt and n ev er w ea ry b u t eve r

, ,

fr esh and stron g and able to i n spi re the weak and t he fai nt
,

wi th somethi ng of hi s own strength

He i s Lord of n atur e ; he i s no less Lord of hi story
anoth er re ason why the di sc on solate people shoul d t ak e
coura ge Fo r he i s the Fi rst and the Last the Ete rnal
.
,

O ne he knows the end from t he be gi n ni ng and announ ces

i t thr ou gh hi s prophe ts All t he g en e ra t i o ns are hi s (4 1
.

and t hey are all movi n g on to the g ra nd consum m a

ti on when they shall all voluntarily ac knowled ge hi m
,
.

The se nse of purpo se that runs throu gh t he uni v e rse i s

fin ely e xpressed i n 4 5 1 8 f , wh ere Jehovah i s repr ese nt ed .

as c r e a ti ng t he e a rth not to be a w ast e bu t to be i nh ab i t e d ,

by saved and hap py m en and as Speaki ng hi s g reat word ,

of r evelati on to I srael and through I srael to the world , , ,

pl ai nl y and i n no dark and mysti c way Nature and .

‘
hi story ali ke are pe rv aded by i nt elli ge n ce order purpose , ,

and t he u l t i mat e e nd of t he l on g se ri es of ev ent s we c all

hi story i s that all m en S hould be save d Look unto m e .

!
,

and be y e saved all t he ends of the earth (4 S

,

Th is salvat i on howeve r can on ly c om e throu gh a knowl

, ,

ed ge o f God of I srael s God

,
for he al on e is the tru e
’

God and thi s knowl edge of God can only be

m edi ated by I srael for She alone possesses i t Sur ely
!
.
,
”
God i s i n thee t he forei gn peoples say to her
,

and She al on e i s his c ompe tent wi tn ess Ye ar e my

wi tn esses ”
Espe ci all y will Isr ael attai n to
h er power to t esti fy for him through her exp e ri en ce of hi s
omni pot ent gr a ce i n deli ve ri n g her from exil e And h e re .

l For
!
spir it of th e Lord in th e Greek versio n sugg estively reads
‘
m md .

2 50
 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH

we can see ni fi c an c e to our proph et of

the i mm en se si g , ,

Cyrus H e Speaks of hi m i n lang u age th at sounds as

.

ex trava g ant as i t i s d ari n g show e ri n g upon hi m promi ses

,

th e mo st l avi sh and ti tles th e mo st l ofty li k e J ehovah s

’
,

Sh eph erd or Fri end and Anoi nt e d (44 2 8 ; 4 5 : 1 )

,

ti tles whi ch pronoun c ed as th ey w er e upon a forei gn er

, ,

see m to h av e sti rr e d th e p roph e t s narrow h e art e d c ountry

’
-

m en to i n cr e duli ty and r esentm ent if ) B ut i t i s .

for I sr ael s sak e that Cyru s has b een c all ed and equi pp e d
’

to do hi s mi ghty work of overthrowi ng B abylon pri marily

for I sr ael s sake th at She m ay be e m an ci p at e d and thus
’
,

e njoy the g r ea t ex p e ri en c e of r e de mpti on (4 5 b ut

ul ti mat ely for the sake O f the whole worl d that th ey !

may know from the ri si ng of the sun and from the west ,

that th ere i s non e b esi de m e (4 5 The g o al of hi story

i s that ev e ry kn ee Sh all b ow to J ehovah and
ev ery soul c onf e ss wi th joy th at she b el on g s to hi m

(44 Thu s I sra el i s J ehov ah s Se rvant for h er mi ssi on

’
,

is to b ri n g t he round worl d to a knowl e dg e of hi m ; and

Cyrus i s hi s Anoi nted or M essi ah for i t i s through hi m that ,

I sra el i s set fr ee thu s wi nni n g her hi stori c exp eri en ce of

,

r edemp ti on .

Wi th su ch a God th en who has shown both hi s power

, ,

and hi s l ove for h er b y rai si ng up Cyru s why shoul d I sr ael ,

b e depr esse d or afr ai d ? She i s i nd ee d dull and i rr e

sponsi v e bli nd to t h e si gn s of th e ti m es and d e af to the
, ,

sound of th e di vi n e f oot st ep s i n c onte mporary hi story

(4 2 1 8) and what she n ee ds to c ome b ack to the poi nt
from whi ch we start e d i s a vi si on of God of hi s o m ni p ,

o t ence and hi s l ov e Thi s i t i s th at wi ll c omfort (40 : I )

.
,

en c ourage n erv e he r i f on ly sh e can b e p e r suad e d to be

, ,
”
li ev e i t
!
. Fear not i s run g out by the proph et ag ai n and
ag ai n (44 2 8 ; , J ehovah i s mi ghty and as ki nd ,

and t ender as he i s mi ghty cari n g for I srael as a

Sh eph erd for hi s l a mb s (40 : i ty i n h er mor e than a
p g
moth er her b ab e (4 9 I 5) su st ai n i n g her wi th a l ov e that
,

shall outli ve the mi ghti est and most p erman ent things in
2 51
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

the uni verse Of th ese two thi n gs then th e , ,

proph et very e arn estly s eeks to c onvi n ce hi s despondent

people of God and of thei r hi gh desti ny whi ch i s to ,

b ri ng th e worl d to God Thi s dest i ny c on sti tutes I sra el

.

i n a pe c uli ar sense hi s Servant .

I II . TH E SERVANT or JEHOVAH
The fig ur e of t he Servant hi s mi ssi on , hi s exp e ri en ce ,
and hi s ulti mate desti ny i s sk et ch ed more p arti c ul arl y
i n four songs , 4 2 1 4 ; 4 9 : 1 6 ; 50 4 9 ; and 52 : I 3
- - —

53 1 2 , wh i c h i t h as of l at e b e c om e c us tomary to i sol at e

from the body of the poe m and c on si der i ndependently .

Th ese songs revea l a c e rt ai n p ro gr essi v e devel opm ent i n

th ei r i dea of t he Se rv ant The first.
—
4) c on c e ntr a t e s

attent ion upon his mi ssi on , whi c h i s to b ri ng the tru e

r eli gi on to the nati o ns of the w orld , and upon the ki nd and
unobtrusive way i n whi ch he i s to acc ompli sh i t The .

sec ond (4 9 1 6) tou ch es upon hi s di vi n e equi pm ent for

.
—

that mi ssi on , and upon t he sorrow and seemin g fut ili ty

whi ch has thu s far att e nded hi s effort s (49 : The thi rd
( 50 4 9) desc ri bes more ex li ci tly t he sorrow and the
—

opposi t i on he had to end ur e 0 : a b ut sets over agai n st

t hi s hi s i nvi n ci ble fai th in God and his splendi d c onfide n c e
in t he ul ti mat e tri umph of t he cause he repr ese nt s The .

cli max of the desc rip ti on i s rea ched in the fourth song
( 52 13 53 —
whi ch el abor at es wi th ve ry stri ki ng
con c re te detail the sufferi ngs of the Se rvant , and shows
hi m i n the end c ro wned wi th gl ory and honor .

Who i s thi s Se rvant ? Thi s questi on has b een hotly

debated in recent years, and the an swers to i t di vi de the
c ri ti cal c amp After the arg ument of t he previ ous ch apter ,
.

i t i s mo st natural to suppo se that I sra el 15 the Se rvant , as,

i ndeed , i n t he body of t he prophecy he i s repeat edl y and
unambi guously call ed ( cf 4 1 : 8 ; 44 : 1 , 2 1
.
°

4;
B ut for several re asons obj e ct i on has b een t ak en to thi s
vi ew Th e t emper of t he songs difiers, i t is argu ed , from
.

252
 TH E B OO K OF I SAIAH °

to be efi ected by J ehovah ; and th en I srael thus r estor ed by ,

hi m i s to be a lig ht to the Gentil es

, ( ) Agai n t he de
2 .
,

sc ri pti on of the Servant especi ally In Chap 53 i s so hi ghly

,
.
,

i ndi vi duali ze d i t i s arg u ed as to n ecessi tat e an indi vi d ual

, ,

i nt erpr etati on t he c ollec t i ve r ef er en ce bei ng unnat u r al

,

and im prob able if not altogether i mpo ssi ble ; and Je

,

h oi achi n Ze ru bbabel som e M essi ani c ki ng have b een

, , ,

thought of B ut here we h ave to r emember how mu ch

.

more e asy pe rso ni fi cati on has always bee n to the O ri ental

than to us and how mu ch more ready he i s to work out
,

in minut e d e tail a personi fi cati on upon whi ch on c e he has

The whole head i s Si ck sa ys I sai ah of J ud ah
”
ent er ed
!
.
, , ,
!
and t he whole h eart f ai nt From the sole of the foot .

e v en unto th e h ead th er e i s no soundn ess i n i t but wounds ,

and br ui ses and f est ering sores th ey have not been cl osed
, ,
”
n ei ther bound up n ei th er m ollified wi th oil ( 1 5 f ) and
,
.

E ze ki el ( Chaps 1 6 and 2 3) desc ri bes t he nati onal car ee rs of

.

I srael and J udah in term s of t he expe ri en ce of two unfai th

ful wom en el ab orati ng hi s c ompari son wi th detail of the
,

most pai nfully con c r ete ki nd The f ac t then that the .

, ,

desc ri pti on of the Se rvant i s SO highly i n di vi duali ze d i s

no proof th at he i s an i ndi vi dual ; conse quently we are fr ee
to c on si de r the po ssi bili ty of hi s bein g the people I srael .

It i s som ethi ng i n favor of thi s i nterpretati on that eve ry

wh ere ln the b ody of the proph ecy t he Servant is un
doubt edl y I srael ( cf O n ce even i n the songs t he
.
,

Se rvant i s exp li ci t ly addresse d as I srael (4 9 : and the

”
Greek ve rsi on of reads J acob my servant and !

I sr ael my chose n
”
Even if th ese be all lat e i n se rti on s
!
,
.

they ar e at any rat e evi d en ce for the vi ew tha t the ser

vant was very early r egarded as I srael The context of .

t he son gs stron gly su gg ests that th ey are i nt egral to the

proph ecy and th at th ei r theme i s the sam e 4 2 6 I will
,
.
,
”
g i v e th ee for a li g ht O f t h e Gen ti l es c l earl y po i nt s b
,
a c k
to the first song (4 2 1 and 5 2 : 1 0 Th e L O RD hath ,
!

made b are hi s holy arm as clearly pr epares the way for

,

the last s3 z 1 2-

; c f to whom
. ha t h !
the
2 54
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

arm of the LO RD been r evealed ? Cro ss r ef er en ces b e

twee n the songs and the proph e cy ar e num erou s ; and ,

i n ca ses wh ere t he phr aseolog y i s al mo st i denti c al i t i s ,

most n atur al to i nt e rpr et the po ssibly ambig uous r eferen ce s

of the songs by the unambi g uou s r ef eren ces of the prophe cy .

For ex ampl e ,

Att end unto m e 0 my people , ,

And gi ve ear unto m e O my nati on ; I

,

For a l aw sh all g o forth from m e ,

And my judge ment for a li ght of the p eoples ( 51

H er e t he all usi on to the first song (4 2 1 4 ) i s unmi st ak —

able H ere (in 51 : 4 ) i t i s th e people who are addr essed ;

.

why not th en also in 4 2 1 4 ? So also 51 8 adm i tt edl y —

,

addr essed to t he people ( c f v s unmi st akably r ec alls

. .

wh er e the S ervant Sp eak s .

Another arg um ent whi ch m ak es strongly for th e col

l ect i v e and ag ai n st th e i n di vi du al i nt e rpr et at i on i s the l arge
outlook of the p assages whi ch desc ri be the work the Ser
vant i s c om mi ssi on ed to do and t he i mpr essi on m ad e by ,

hi s suff e ri n gs and tri umph H i s mi ssi on i s to the wor ld

.
,

and i t i s whol e nati ons that ar e a stoni sh e d at hi s hum i li ati on

and ex al t ati on All thi s seem s to p oi nt most

natur ally to exp e ri en c es upon a nat i on al sc ale ; i t i s the
fortun es of a p eople rath er th an of an i ndi vi dual th at are
wat ch ed by the worl d Furth e r the fun c ti on of the Ser
.
,

vant i n b ri n gi ng religi on and just i ce to the Gentiles (4 2 1

4 ) i s c uri ously p arall el e d b y t h e nobl e proph e cy in 2 2 4
—
,

whi ch pi ctures the n ati ons as flo cki ng for justi c e to Jer u

sal em . All th ese c on si der ati on s strongl y sugg est that
i n th e song s as i n the p rophe cy t he Servant i s I sra el
, ,
.

The outl ook i n b oth upon t he worl d i s mu c h the sam e ;

th ere i s only a di ff eren c e i n emph asi s C e rt ai nly i n the .

proph ecy esp e ci ally towards t he cl o se Zi on and her

1E n if wi th D hm Ch y n M ti B
ve u ew d l t 0 my n ti n
e, ar m t i lly
ox e e e e a o as e r ca
,

supe rfl uo us, and as a co rru p

,

ti o n of
, ,

t he t wo pr ec ed ing Hebre w wo rd s , t h e arg um en Is t

u naffec edt . O my people i n t he t
first clause s a nds, and t he co n ex shows ha th e t t t t
addres s is to I sra el ( vss 1 ,
.
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

fortun es occ upy the foreground b ut the welfare of the ,

wi der world i s n ever forg ott en I srael s salvati on is bu t .

’

the first st ep to the salv ati on of the worl d It was first .

!
for J ac ob my se rvant s sak e that Cyrus was called to
” ’

the ov e rthrow of B ab yl on b u t ul ti m at el y th at
a cross th e worl d from e ast to w est m en mi ght acknowl edg e
J ehovah that to him eve ry kn ee m i ght bow and
ev e ry ton g u e swear

Not even t he songs open a wi der or mor e b ri lli ant

pro spe c t than that B ut the fin al c onve rsi on of the
.

h eathen rec ei ves i n t he last son g pec uli arly path eti c and
si g nifi cant e xp ressi on It takes th e form of a c onfessi on
.

that the si ns for whi c h J ehov ah s se rvant su ff ered so ’

tragi c ally we re not hi s own but th ei rs ( Chap 5 In thi s ,

.

peni tent appreci ati on of t he Se rvant and hi s suff e ri ngs ,

t he c onv ersi on of t he heathe n worl d i s pr ac t i c ally atte st ed ,

and t he proph et s dream is i deally fulfi lled Th e Se r

’
.

vant is now vi ndi cated his mi ssi on i s a cc ompli shed the , ,

world is c onve rt ed and i n thi s c rowni ng song the proph et s ’

most dari ng hopes find an em b odi ment as b eauti ful as i t

is i mmort al .

Throughout the Se rvant songs I srael i s id eal ly c on c ei ved ,

.

They are not a desc rip ti on bu t a sple ndi dly ori gi n al i n ,

te rpre t at i on of her suff e ri ngs and desti ny

,
D oub tl ess .

t he nat i on neve r di d as a n at i on fu lfil t he wonde rful

, ,

progr amm e sket ched for her i n these songs by one of her
g r e at es t s ons ; a nd i t w as a tru e i ns t i n c t that l e d t h e

Ne w Testame nt Ch ur ch to see i n i t an adumb rat i on of the

sufie ri ngs t he work a nd t h e tri umph of our Lord ( Mat
, ,
.

1 8 2 1 ; A c ts 8
— —
12 3 35
2 ,

IV . THE STYLE OF DE U TE RO -
I SAI AH
The style of . 0 —
Chaps 4 55 is ve ry di fferent from that of
I sai ah himsel f . Isai ah is i n ci sive ; this wri te r tends to
i In vss 1- 1 1 , the heat hen (cf 52 : 1 5 ) appear to be t he speakers See the com
t y
. . .

men ar .
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

ANALY SIS OF CHAPTERS 0 —

4 55

JEHO V AH THE OHN IPOTE NT Is ABO UT TO U SHE R IN r HE D AY or I SRAEL

’
S
D E LIVE RAN CE ( hap s 4 0 —
4 8) C .

1 .
Jehovah is Lord of natur e and hi s or t y ( ch aps 4 0 and .

( 1 ) Red emp tion is ni g h ( 40 : 1

( 2 ) The so ver eig nty and omnipo t ence of God as seen in natur e
(4 0 1 2
(3 ) Th e sover eignty of God as see n i n history and esp eci all y i n the ,

ri se of G un s ( ch ap .

2 . The ser vant (I srael) hi s task and destiny ( 4 2 1

,

( 1 ) Th e ser vant s task ( 4 2 1

’

( 2 ) The ne w song ( 4 2 1 0
( 3) Jehovah at last best i rs hi mself ( 4 2 1 4
(4 ) A call for responsi veness on I srael s part ( 4 2 1 8
’

( 5) Jeho vah will show his lov e for I srael by g ath ering her ex il es
home ( 43 1
( 6) I srael is Jeho vah s wi t ness t o t he wo r ld ( 43 8
’

( 7 ) The delive rance f ro m B ab y lon more wonder f ul than the de

li verance f ro m Eg y pt ( 43 1 4
( 8 ) I srael s resto rati on is d ue not to her own meri t s bu t to
’
,

Jehovah s f ree g race ( 43 2 2 44 s)

’ -
.

( 9 ) I srael s God i s sover eig n and et ernal ( 44 6

'

( 10) The foll y of i dolat ry (44 : 9

( )
1 1 L e t t he w o rld re j o i c e o v e r I sr ae l s r ed em
'
p ti on ( 44 21

3 . Cy rus and the overthrow of B aby lo n ( 44 2 4 4 8 —

( ) J
1 e h o v a h ca ll s C y r u s a n d b es t o w s u p o n hi m a caree r of vi ctory ,

for I sr ae l and the world s sake ( 4 4 2 4 4 5

’ -

( 2 ) M urmurs ag ainst Cyr us (4 5 : 9

( 3) Th e h ea th e n a c k n o w le d g e d th e u n i q ue n e ss o f I sr ael and h er

God (4 5 : 1 4
( 4) J e h o v a h d es i res t h e s a l va ti o n o f t h e whole wo rld (4 5 18

(S ) Th e d o w n f a ll o f B a b y lo n s g
’
o d s ( c h ap .

( 6) The do wnf all o f B aby lon ( ch ap .

(7 ) T h e su mm o n s to d ep ar t f ro m B a b y lo n ( ch a p .

THE RE STO RATI ON or I SRAE L AN D THE FUTURE GLORY or ZI O N

C
( haps 49 5 5)
.
-

1 . The S rv nt di c
e a s ourag ed. tt
b ut at las ri umphan ( 49 : 1 t
v nt f t t
0

des i ny
0

his seem i ng ailur e and hi s g r ea

( )
1 The Se r a :

( )
2 Israel
’
s happ y t re urn and res o ra i on t t (4 9 7
2 58
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

2 . The c t
onsola i on of Z i on (4 9 1 4—50
( 1 ) Wast ed Z io n wi ll be r ebuil t and filled ag ai n wi th people
( 49 1 4
( 2 ) Thr ee words of consolati on (49 2 2 —50

v t t t
The Ser an t ri ed but ru s i ng ( 5 0 4
c t
Words of en our ag em en and pro mi se ( 5 1 1 5 2 -

v c
( 1 ) D eli er an e i s near and sur e ( 5 1 1
( 2 ) Jeru salem s affl i ion
’
ct
her speed r ed em p i on y t and g lo r y
—
52
t tt
Th e hum ili a i on and ex al a i on of t he ser an ( 5 2 1 3—53 v t
( )
1 Th e Se r an v t
hi s sufi e r i ng s and hi s g r ea g l o r (5 2 1 —
3, 53 t y
t t
( 2 ) The so rro ws hum ili a i o n and d ea h o f t he se r an (5 3 2
, , v t
v t t t y
(3 ) The Ser an s ul im a e g lor and e al a ion (5 3 1 0
’
x tt
6 . ft y
The u ur e g lor of Jer usalem ( hap c .

( 1 ) Th e new Jer usal em wi ll be larg e and po pul o us and blesse d ,

t t tf v
wi h the s eadfas a or of God ( 5 4 1
f
( 2 ) The new Jer usalem will be ai r and i m preg nable ( 54 1 1
I vt t c
n i a i on to em bra e t he im pe nding sal a i on ( hap vt c .

t
( 1 ) The blessi ng s in s or e for I sr ael ( 55 1
f vt
( 2 ) The wonder ul sal a ion i s near : or h hen rom B ab lon f t t f y
(5 5 6
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

That her warfare i s a ccompli shed

1
,

That her i ni qui ty i s p ardon ed ;

That she hath r ecei ved of the L O RD S hand
’

D oubl e for all her Si ns .

The voi ce of one that cri eth Prep are ye in the wil ,

de rn ess
Th e way of t he LO RD ,

M ake straight i n the de sert

2

A hi gh way for our God .

Every v alley shall be ex al ted ,

And every mo untai n and hi ll shall be made low

And t he c rook ed S hall be made strai ght
3
,

And the rough places pl ai n

And the glory of t he LO R D shall be reveal ed ,
5
And all flesh shall see i t togeth er ;
For the mouth of the L ORD hath spoken i t .

6 . The voi ce of one sayi ng C ry ,

.

And One sai d What S hall I c ry ?

°
,
!

m ti me ‘m SV the u neven shall be made level

j
'
l . o serrnoe . . .

se rvi c e . Do ubl e per haps m ea ns no m or e t han tha t J er usal em s ’

p u ni shme n t ( i n e x 1l e ) has be e n th oro ug h .

f co mi ng ( vss 3 5)
’
P r epar e or J ehovah s .
-

3 Th e
. v o i ce - ha r k ! T he
p ro phe h ear s a super natur al oi ce t v .

v
J eho ah i s t o m ar c h a t t he head of hi s pe o pl e ac r oss t he wild er ness .

f t
r o m B a by l o n t o P al e s i ne , a nd t h e wa y fo r h i m m u s b e pr epar e d , t
t
m ade s r ai g h a nd p l ai n t
wi h o u h ei g h s o r holl o ws ( vs t t t .

t t t
The li e r al m eani ng m e l s i n o t he g ur a i e ; t he whol e hi s ori c al fi tv t
t
si ua t i o n i s abo u t o b e r a ns or m e d t t f
T 0 t h e k een e y es o f t h e .

r o p i e t th e gl ory of J eh ovah was al r e a dy shi m m eri ng thr o ug h th e

p é
l on s
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

All
flesh i s grass ,

And all the g oodli n ess th er eof i s as t he flower of the

1

fi el d :
2
The gr ass wi th er eth the flower fadeth ; ,

B ec au se the b r eath of the L O RD bl oweth upon I t

Sur ely t he p eopl e i s gra ss .

8 . Th e g r ass wi th er eth t he flow e r fadeth ,

B ut the word of our God shall st and for ever .

3
O thou that t ell est g ood t i di ng s to Z i on ,
Get thee up i nto t he hi gh mount ai n
4
O thou that t ell est good ti di n gs to J e ru sal em ,
L i ft up thy voi ce wi th str eng th
~

Li ft up it ,

B e not afrai d ;
Say unto the ci ti es of J udah ,
”
B ehol d your God 1 ,

Gr glor y o f m a n 2 Gr o m vs
7 8 111 AV 0 Zi o n, that bri ngest good tidi ngs
J
. . . . . . . .

‘m AV 0
. erus al em, that bri ng est g ood tid i ngs .

The P r ophet
’
s M essage ; Nothi ng i s E ter nal bu t the D i vi ne P u r pose
—8
( v ss 6 ) .

T hi s i s t h e h e m e o f v ss 1 2— 3 1 t Ano h er su p er na u r al o i c e
. . t t v
u r g e s t h e p r op h e t
t o p r o c l a i m t h e i ne i ab l e d e c ay o f all fl e sh , vt
t t
i e o f t h e m i g h y h e a h e n e m p i r es , l ik e t h e B a b y l o ni an , whi c h
. .

we r e no t i n li ne wi h t he p u rp o se o f Go d t T h e y wi h er , a s th e . t
b r eath of J eh ovah , t h e h o t wi nd r o m t h e d eser , wi h er s t h e f t t
fl o wer s B u t th e wor d of o ur G od , i e hi s g r e a p u r p o se as p r o
. . . t
c l a i m e t
d a nd i n er p r e e d b y th e p r o p h e s, t
—
h i s wo r ld —p l a n, whi c h t
ne e d s I sr a el fo r i t s r e ali z a i o n, h a i s e e r nal t
S u r el y the peopl e t t t .

i s gr ass ( vs 7 ) i s ri g h l y r eg ar d e d by
. t
h e y ne as a weak h o m i le t i C
cal addi i o n t .

D ecl ar e the Gl ad N ews : J ehova h i s co mi ng ( v ss .

9
—11
)
9 Th e way i s p r ep ar e d fo r h i s c o m i ng ( v s
. . t h e m esseng er s
ar e t o c li m b t h e h ei g h s , a nd l o u d l y p r o c l ai m t t h e m o m en t t hey
t t
c a c h si g h o f hi m B eh old your Go d .

2 63
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

B ehol d the L O RD God will c ome as a mi ghty

,
1

And hi s arm shall rule for hi m

B ehol d hi s r eward i s wi th hi m
, ,

And hi s r e comp en ce before hi m .

He S hall f ee d hi s flo ck li k e a sh eph erd ,

He shall g ath er t he l amb s in hi s arm ,

And c arry th em in hi s bosom ,

And S hall gently l ead tho se th at gi ve su ck .

The S overei gnty and Omni potence of God as seen i n NaW e

(40 12 —
3 1 )
12 . Who hath measured t he wat e rs i n the holl ow of his hand ,

And me ted out heaven wi th t he span ,

And c omprehe nde d the dust of the e arth i n a m easur e

2
,

And weighe d the mount ai n s i n scal es ,

And the hills i n a balan ce ?

13 . Who hath di rec ted the spi ri t of the L ORD ,

01 bei ng hi s c ou nsellor hath taug ht him ?

Tar Vg . . wi th str ength .

’ Gr . all the ea rth .
‘m . meted out ; Gr known
. .

Gr mi .

10 f . Wi t h t
hi s m i g h y ar m , h e se c u r e s fo r hi s p e o pl e sa l a i o n, v t
he r e de sc ri be d as hi s r e war d — he i r r e d e m p i o n r o m B a by l o n t t f
t
and r e ur n t o Pal es i ne t
T he mi g h y c o n ue r o r , who Wi ns he i r
. t q t
v t t
i c or y , i s t he g e n le she p he r d , who e nd e r ly g ui d es he m h o m e ; t t
a fine c o m bi na i o n t .

4 0 : 1 2-
. fi
3 1 T he m ag ni c e n d e sc r i p i o n o f t he mi g h and Wi s t t t
f
d o m o f God wh i c h o llo ws i s i n e nd e d t o r e assu r e t h e d esp o nd e n t t
(vs . Ther e i s no d a ng e r h a t h e p ur p o se O f G od ( v s t t .

v v v
whi c h i n o l es t h e d e li e r a nc e o f I sr ael , wil l be r us r a ed ; fo r f t t
a ll p o we r i s hi s T hi s i s il l u s r a e d ully o n t he ar e na o f na u r e
. t t f t
a nd , b ri e fl y , i n hi s o r y t .

J ehovah i s P eer l ess i n Wi sdo m a nd M i g ht ( vss . 1 2- 1 6 )

12f T he m aj est y nd o
. a r de r o f nat ur e es i y t o t tf hi s i nc o m p arabl e
mi g h t and i nt lli g nc e e e . S pi r i t , h er e al m os t = mi nd
( so
J ho v ah is al n
e o e .
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

And the g ol dsmi th spreadeth i t over wi th gold ,

1
And casteth for i t sil ver chai ns .

2
He that i s too i mpove ri shed for such an obl ati on
Choose th a tree that will not rot ;
H e seek eth unto hi m a c unni ng workman
To set up a graven i mage that shall not be moved , .

21 . Have ye not known ? have ye not h eard ?

Hath i t not been to l d you from the be gi nn i ng ?
Have ye not unde rstood
3

From th e foundati ons of the earth ?

22 . I t i s he that si tt eth upon the ci r cle of the earth ,

And the i nhabi tants thereof are as g rasshoppe rs

‘Gr cer chooseth, etc ‘m Gr Syr
. he f ashi oned it as a li keness . Gr . a n ar ti fi . . . .

Vg . u nder stood the joamdat ions . m . SV above.

of t he p r o ess o f c i do l m a nu f ac t u re . O mi t a nd casteth for it si l ver

mm s
c’ .

I t i s g ene r ally ad mi tt ed t ha t t hi s v erse sho uld be f o llo wed b

whi c h a re cl e arl y no t i n pl a c e where t he y no w st an
7 ,

Th er e i s g ri m h u m or i n t hi s d esc ri p t i o n ( 4 1 6 f ) o f t h e wo r k m en .

c heeri ng ea c h o t her up while t hey ar e f ab ri ca t i ng t he i m ag e

,
.

That i t sho uld not be moved has p r o bably c r ep t i n f ro m

wher e i t i s ori gi nal T he p r e c a u t i o ns t a ke n t o keep t h e i m ag e f r o m
.

t o ppli r o ve r sho w the

id o l a r y a bs u r d i ty of t
ig
.

20 e th at i s too i m pove ri sh ed for su ch an oblati on for se er al

.
,
v
rea so ns, ca n har d l y be r i g h t
W i h t wo sli g h c h ang es i n t he e x , . t t t t
D u h m r ea d s, he who ca rves a n i ma ge Appar en ly i n 1 9 as i n . t f .

44 : 1 2 fi ,
t w o ki nd s o.f i m g
a es a e d es
r c r ib ed — fir st m e tal , a nd
th e n woo d .

God
’
s Cont r ol f Natur e
o a nd Hi stor y ( vss . 2 1— 2 6 )
21 The po we r o f God o ug h t o be known, a m i l i ar , t o e er y o ne
. t f v
t t t
who c o n e m pl a es na ur e I n any c a se , t he s or y of i t m u s b e . t t
famili a r , ha nd e d o n as i t was by r a di i o n r o m t h e m os a nci en t t f t t
t i m es and re c o r d ed i n o ne o f I sr a el s o wn b oo k s ( Ge n
’
R e ad , .

do y o u no t k no w h ear ?
22 t
Fr o m hi s hr o ne i n hea e n h i g h a bove t he e ar h , m en loo k
. v t
lik e gr assho p pe rs A cu rtai n, g a uz e . .

2 66
 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH

1
That tr et ch eth out the h eave ns as a cu rtai n
s
2
,

And spr eadeth them out as a tent to dw ell i n

23 . That b ri n g eth pri n c es to nothi n g

He mak eth the judg es of the e arth as
3
vani ty .

24 . Yea th ey hav e not b een pl ant e d

,

Yea th ey hav e not b een sown

,

th ei r sto ck hath not

Y ea,
T ak en root i n t he e arth
Moreove r he bl oweth upon th e m and th ey wi th er , ,

And the whi rl win d tak eth th em away as stubbl e .

25 . To whom then will ye li k en m e ,

That I sho ul d be equal to hi m sa i th the Hol y One .

26 . L i ft up your eyes on h i gh ,
5
And see who hath cr eat ed th ese ,

That b ri n g eth out thei r ho st by number

He calleth th e m all by nam e
B y the gr eatn ess of hi s mi ght and for that ,
he i s strong
i n pow er ,

Not one i s l ac ki ng .

1 Gr the heaven as a va ulted cha mber

that set up 2 111 auze 3 Heb chaos cf
g
y y
. . . . . .

vs.
4 m sca ce are t
r he pla nted , scarce a r e the sown, sca rce hath thei r stock to
.

root i n the ea rth, w hen he bloweth u pon the m 5 m a nd see

; who hath created these ? he
. .

that, etc 6 G1 b the str en th o

y .
g f his power
. .

23 f
H e i s L o r d o f hi st o r y , a s o f na t u r e ( v s
. M ig h t y .

p r i nc e s h a d w i t h i n t h e l as t fe w y e a r s b ee n d e f e a t e d b y C y r u s

(cf . h i s ano i nt e d V s 2 4 b e c o m es p l ai n i n t he
.

m ar gi n : scar cel y ar e they pl anted when he bl ows ( c f v ss 6 . .

25 f T h er e c an b e no i m ag e o f o ne wh o c o nt r o l s hi st o r y and
.

cr ea t ed t he st ar s Th ese , t he st ar s ; t hey are c o nc ei v ed as an

.

ar m y as li vi ng t hi ng s whi c h c o m e f or t h , li k e so l d i er s, f r o m t h ei r

p ce
l a wh e n J e o v ah su mm o ns t hem by nam e t h ey o bey
h — .

R ea d : by r eason of the r eatness of ( hi s) mi ght and the str ength of

g
( hi s) power , not one i s mi ssi ng
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

Why sayest thou 0 J acob , ,

And speakest O I srael , ,

My way i s hi d from the L ORD ,

And my judgem ent i s passed away from my God

Hast thou not known ?
H a st thou not h eard ?
1
The e verl asti n g God the L ORD , ,

The C reator of the ends of the earth ,

Fai nt eth
not n ei the r i s weary ,

Th e re i s no se ar chi n g of hi s u nderstandi n g .

29 . He gi veth power to the fa i nt

And to hi m that hath no might he in c reaseth
streng th .

30 . Eve n the youth s shall fai nt and be w eary ,

And t he yo ung m en shall utt erly f all

3 1 . B ut they that wai t upon the LO RD sha ll ren ew th ei r
strength ;
They sha ll mount up wi th wi ngs as eagles
2

the LO RD is a n everla sti ng God , the Creator

i 111 . he j ai nteth not, e tc .
2
Gr .

Vg put /orth newpi nions

. .

—
Tr ust br i ngs S tr ength ( v ss . 2 7 3 1)

27 . Th e c u m ul a t i v e f or c e fo r t he p o wer ofof t he l o ng ar g u m e n t
v
God i s no w d ri e n ho m e wi h o e r whe l m i ng c o g e nc y a nd ear ne s t v t
ness upo n t he d esp o nd e n pe o ple wh o ha d b e g u n t o d o u b tt he t
p o w er a nd t h e l o e o f he i r G o d W a v
y j ate M y u dg t
m e nt = .
z
. j
m y case t he us i c e o f m y c a u se
, j t
Passe d away rom = i gnor ed by . f .

28 f
Read , a n ever la sti ng God i s J eho va h
. he fai nteth not .

f t
He i s ull o f s r e ng h a nd wi sd o m t
So far i s h e r o m b ei ng ai n . f f t
hi m se l f t t
ha he g i ves power to the fa i nt t he sp i ri u all y ai n , a s t f t
v s 3 1 sho ws
. .

30 f
P h y si c al s r e ng h will ail
. t
b u t pa i en t
a i h i n Go d f t t f t
e nab l es a m a n t o so a r , as o n eag les wi ng s, abo e t he d i sa pp o i n v t
t t t
m en s o f t h e p r e se n , o war ds t he sur e a nd bl esse d u ur e T hi s f t .

u tt f t
era nc e r o m a i m e o f na i o nal d e sp ai r ( v s 2 7 ) i s i sel a b rill t . t f
t t t t tf t
fa n ill us r a i o n o f ha ai h whi c h ca n see b ey o nd t he so rr o w o f
2 68
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

Let th em c om e n ear ; th en l et them speak

Let us c om e n ear tog eth er to judge ment .

2 . Who hath rai s ed up one from the e ast ,

1
Whom he call eth 1n ri ghteousn ess to hi s foot ?
He gi veth nati on s befor e him ,

And mak eth him r ul e over kings ;

2

He gi veth th em as the dust to hi s sword ,

dri ven stubble to hi s b ow
As th e .

3 . H e pursueth them and passe th on safely ; ,

Ev en by a way that he had not g on e wi th hi s f ee t .

1 1m m ri ghteo usness eoaet h to its l oot , or whom ri ghteousness nweteth vvhzthersoever

he goeth ‘Gr J err i
.
fieth .

The Ri se f
o Cyr us a P r oof f
o J ehova h s P ower
’
( vs . 1- 5)

1 The islands (i e di s a n he a he n la nd s , c 4 0 : 1 5) ar e su m
. . . t t t f .

m o ne d to judg em ent , i e t o ha e t he u es i o n u di ci all y ar g ue d ;

. . v q t j
v t
ho w are t he rise and i c o r i es o f yr us t o be e x pl a i ne d ? wh a , o r C t
t
r a her wh o ( vs 2 ) i s t h e ca u se o f he m ? R enew th e i r str ength ,
. t
t
he re i napp r o ri a e , has a ppa r e n l y b ee n r e pea e d r o m t he t t f
p r e c e di ng vs 0 : T h e o.
pe (1
ni ng w o r d s m ay ha e r u n : v
Li sten to me i n sil ence , ye coastl a nds ,
And ye peopl es , wai t for my ar g u i ng .

2 One fr om th e east , C yr us ( c f vs
. nam ed i n . .

45 : 1 Wh om h e call eth , e tc : r a t her , one whom vi ctor y meets at

. .

ever ste p T he wor d r e nd er ed r i g hteo us ness has a wid e m e ani ng

.

5 p r o hec y ; i t is o ft e n t h a t by whi c h t he r i g ht ( m an peo l e ,

p p ,

o r ca u se) i s vi ndi ca t ed — hence i t a p r o x i m at es t o vi ndi ca t i o n,

vi c tor y , sal vat i o n M ak eth hi m e
. ove r : o bsc u r e ; ei t he r
br i ngs down, su bd ues , o r ter ri fies H e gi veth th em , e tc : per ha p s, . .

hi s swor d ma kes them li ke d ust, hi s bow l i ke dr i ven stu bbl e T he se .

ar e al l usi o ns t o t h e vi c t o ri es o f C y r us; h e h a d c o nq u er e d M edi a

i n 54 9 D C , and C rmsus o f Ly di a i n 54 6
. . .

3 Even by a way , e t c : the path he tr ead s not, does no t seem to

. .

to u ch , wi t h hi s feet a n all u si o n t o t he swi ft ness o f hi s mar ch es .

2 70
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH 8

4 . Who hath wrought and don e i t ,

C alli n g the g en er ati on s from the begi nni ng ?

I the L O RD the fir st
, ,

And wi th th e l ast I am he ,
.
.

5 Th
. e i sl es saw ,
and f e ar e d ;
Th e ends of th e earth tr e mbl ed ;
Th ey dr ew n ear , and cam e 1
.

6 Th ey
. h elp e d ev ery one hi s n ei ghb o ur ;
And ever y one sai d to hi s b roth er B e of g ood ,
”
c ourage .

So the c arp ent er en c ourage d the g ol dsmi th ,

And he th at smooth eth wi th the hammer hi m that

smi t e th the anvil

Sayi ng of th e sol de ri n g It i s g ood ,

And he fastene d i t wi th nail s that i t shoul d not b e ,

moved .

8 . B ut thou I sr ael my serv ant

, , ,

J acob whom I h ave cho se n ,

The see d O f Ab r ah am my fri end Jas . 2 : 23

1 Cr . ad ds together .

C
4 T h e r i se o f y r u s i s a hi s
. t o ri c al e v ent whi c h , li k e all h i st or y ,
x
finds i t s e pl a na i o n i n G o dt . J eh o v a h i s L o r d of t
hi s o r y , hi s
p ur p ose i nsp i r e s i t , a nd i t i s hi s call t h a t st i r s u p t
g r ea m en, l i k e
C f fi t t
yr u s, t o u l l h a p u r p o se .

5 P r o b abl y a l a e er se
. t v
T h e p eo p l e o f t he i sl es
. ar e al rea d y
t
p r ese n ( v s 1 ) and d o no t r e ui r e t o d r a w near
. q .

6 f f
oll o w 4 0 : 1 9 , wh i h see
. c .

I sr ael i s J ehovah s S er vant, l oved pheld by Hi m ( 8—1 0)

’
a nd u vss .

f t
B ut th ou , i n c o ntr as t o t h e p e o pl e subd u e d by y r us ( v s
8 . C .

fi t
M y servant j t he r s ap p ear a nc e i n t h e p r op h e c y o f hi s i m p o r t
t t
an p hr ase H e r e cl ea r l y I sr ael i s m ea n
. t h e na i o n, no t a n t t
271
41 39 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

9 Thou
. whom I have tak en hol d of from the ends of the
earth ,

And c all ed th ee from the corn ers th ereof

1
,

And sai d unto th ee Thou art my se rvant ,

!
,

I have c ho sen th ee and not c ast thee away

10 . Fear thou not for I am wi th t hee ; ,
2
B e not di sm aye d for I am thy God ,

I will streng then thee y ea I wi ll help th ee ,

Yea I will uphol d th ee wi th the ri ght hand of my

,

righteousn ess .

11 . B ehold all they that are i n censed ag ainst thee

,

Shall be ashamed and c onf o unded :

Th ey that stri ve wi th th ee
Shall be as no thi n g and shal l perish , .

12 . Thou hal t seek th em and shal t not find them

s , ,

Eve n th e m that c ontend wi th thee :

They that war ag a i ns t th ee
Shall be as nothi n g and as a thi n g of nought ,
.

1 Cr . watch towers -
. m look
. no t arou nd thee ; Gr wa nder not
. .

i nd i vi d ual As t he ch os en se r a n I sr ael s a nd s i n sp e c i al r e la
. v t ,
t
t i o n t o J e ho ah v
a r e la i o n r oo e d i n t he p as
-
t
and g o i ng b a c k t t
t o t he d ay s o f Abrah am m y fri end , whose h o m e was i n th e end s of
th e earth i e M eso po a mi a — and he r e o re has no hi ng t o e ar
,
. . t t f t f
f ro m C
y r us ( vs who ha s bee n call ed ( vs 4 ) o f God t o e fi e c t
. .

I srael s de li e r anc e
’
v .

10 B e no t di sm ayed : l ook not ar o u nd thee a nxi o usl y ( c m ar

. f .

g i n) . I will stre ngth en e t c e r y e m ph a i c ; I wi ll a ss u re d l y

,
v t .

Th e ri gh t h and of m y ri gh teo usne ss : m y r i g ht ha nd whi c h will

vi nd i cate hee ( c t vs f
m y i c o ri o us r i g h ha nd
. . v t t .

I sr ael Tr i u mpha nt over her Foes ( vss . 1 1- 1 6 )

v
T hese er se s e x p la i n ho w J eh o a h wi ll i ndi c a v v t e I ael ( vs sr . 10 )
by m aki ng h er ri u m p h a n o er t h e o r c es hat t v f t t ppose her o .
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

I t he LORD will answer th em ,

I the G od of Israel wi ll not forsake th em .

18 . I will Ope n ri vers on the bare h eights ,

And fountai ns i n the mi dst of the vall eys

I will make the wil de rn ess a pool of w at er ,

And the dr y l and spri n gs of water

1
.

19 . I will plant in t he wil de rn ess the cedar ,

The a c a ci a tree and the myrt le and the , ,

2
oil

I will set in the dese rt the fir tree

3
,
5
The p in e and t he box tree together ,

20 . Tha tthey may see and know , ,

And consi der and unde rstand togeth er ,

That the hand of the L O RD hath don e thi s ,

And the Holy One of Israel hath c reated it .

21 . Produ ce yo ur cause ,

Sai th the LO RD
1 Cr . water -
cour ses .
1 m . oleaster . SVm . c yp ress . 111 .
pla ne .
1 m . yp
c ress .

r ep r ese n e d as t t hi rst y ,
and t he y will be f
r e resh e d wi t h ab u nd anc e
of wa t e r ( c f .

19 f
The d r ear y wil d er ness hr o u g h whi c h hey ha e t o ass
. t t v
t f t
wi ll be r ans o r m ed i n o a n e nc ha n i ng o asis , p l a n ed wi h g o ri t t t
o us t r ees , suc h as g r e w o n L e bano n ( 6 0 : a nd t he o b e c of j t
f t
t h e t ra ns o r m a i o n i s t o c o n i nc e t he pe o p l e t o a d e m o ns r a i o n v t t
t t
ha the ha nd of thei r God i s i n hi s hi ng T he se wo r d s ( v ss 1 7 t t . .

t
who se li er al m eani ng i s no t , o f c o ur se , t o be i g no r e d , su r ely
also su g g es t h e mi r a c ul o us t rans o r m a i o n o f t h e e x i s i ng hi st o r i t f t t
cal si ua i o n t t .

No Heathen God ca n p r edi ct the F utur e ( v ss . 2 1—2 4 )

Her e beg i ns a no t he di sp ut li k
r e, h ow e v ss . 1— 4 , no t t hi t i m e s ,

ev er wi t h t h
,
e h ea t h e n wo r hi p pe
s r s , b u t wi h h e i r g ods he m t t t
sel v es ; a c hall e ng e whi ch sho ws t he hel p l essness o f hose g od s to t
2 74
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

B ri ng forth your strong reasons ,

Sai th t he Ki n g of I sra el .

22 . L et th em b ri ng th em forth and decl are unto

1
us

Wh at sh all happ en
D ecl ar e ye t he form e r thi ng s what they be , ,

Th at we may c on si der th e m ,

And know the l atter end of the m

O r she w u s thi n g s for to c om e .

23 . D ecl ar e the thi n g s th at ar e to c om e h er eafter ,

That we may know th at y e ar e g ods

Y ea, do good or do evil , ,

That we may b e di smay ed and b ehol d i t togeth er

2 3
, .

24 .
1
‘
B ehol d ye ar e of nothi n g
, ,

And your work i s noug ht

An abomi n ati on i s h e that c hoo seth you .

Gr Sy r Tar V
1 draw nea r 2 m look one u on a nother
p A Heb
3 var ian tf ea r
y
. . . . . . . .
,

Gr we shall beho
. together whence ye are and whence ou r wor k .

p r e di ct t he futu r e, t
i n p a r i c ul ar t h e a d e n o f yr us ( 2 5 v t C
a nd whi c h th er e f t
or e e s a bli sh es t h e e xc l u si e di i ni y o f I sr ae l s
’
v v t
Go d .

P ro du ce your cau se , a d d r e sse d t o t h e hea h e n g o ds ( vs

21 . t . 2
wh o se wor shi pp er s a r e al so p r ese n ( v s t .

22 f t
The l as t wo c l a u se s o f v s 2 2 sh o ul d b e r ansp ose d :
. . t
Or the thi ngs to com e l et us hear ,
That we may m ar k the i ssu e of them .

Do g oo d or e vil , i . e
. a ny t hi ng , so m e t hi ng . B e di smay e d, et c
i .l ook on i t wi th astoni s hment
e . .

f
T h e al se g o d s m ay m e n i o n e i h er p r e di c i o ns o f p as e ents, t t t t v
f fi
whi c h wer e d ul y ul ll e d , o r p r e d i c i o ns o f u ur e e e n s, t h e i ssu e t f t v t
o f whi c h J e h o a h a nd H i s v
o ll o we rs wi ll c a r e u ll y m ar k Or f f .

t
l as l y , l e t he m gi e any p r oo t ha v
h ey lik e o f h eir abi li y t o f t t t t t
act . CHE YN E .

24 . A d ead si l en e c f oll o ws t he c halleng e . Th e g o d s ha e v

no t hi ng to say ; the fo re re the y ar e of nothi ng , no nen i ti es, no tt
g o ds a t al l ( vs . 2
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

25 . I have rai se d up one from the north and he i s c om e ,

From t he ri si n g of the sun one that call eth upon m y

nam e
And he shall c om e upon rule rs as upon mortar ,
And as the pott er treadeth cl ay .

Who h ath decl ared i t from the beginni ng that we may ,

know
And be foreti m e that we may say He i s ri g hteou s
, ,

Yea the re is non e that de cl are th yea th er e i s non e

, , ,

that she weth ,

Ye a th er e i s non e that h eareth y our words

,
.

27 . I first will say unto Zi on B ehold behol d them , ,

And I will gi ve to Jerusalem one that b ri n geth g ood

ti di n gs .

No H eathe n God , but J ehova h al one , pr ed i cted the Advent f

o Cyr us
( v ss . 2 5- 2 9 )
T he g e ne r al i gno r a nc e o f t h e f u t ure di spl a y e d by t he he a hen t
g ods ( 2 1— 2 4) i s i ll u s r a e d b y t t th ire t
p a r i c u la r i g no ra nc e o f
Cy r us .

25 . One , C yr us ; f ro m t he nor th a nd east, p ra c ti call y - t he

no r t heast That call eth upon my nam e , i e i n worshi p ;
. hi s, . . t
o f c o u rse , i s a n i d ea l r ep r ese n a i o n t t
To t he id ea l ism of o ur .

t
pr op he i t i s na u r al ha t t tC
y r us who a t t h e beg i nni ng o f hi s ca r ee r
fi
,

t
was i g no r an o f J e ho a h ( 4 5 v
sho ul d nall y a c k no wl ed e hi m
t
a s t h e a u ho r o f hi s su cc ess Pe r hap s, h o we er , we sho ul r ea d ,
. v
v
by a ery si m ple c ha ng e I will cal l hi m by hi s na me ;
,
hi s wo uld t
t
b r i ng t he pa ssa g e i n o c o m pl e e a cc o r d wi h t
H e shall t
co m e u pon : r e ad , that he ma y tr a m l o u pon ( cf 4 0 : .

26 t
No h ea he n g od had fo re t o l t he a d e n o f yr us Righ t
. v t C .

eou s sho ul d be r i ght , i e i n hi s p r edi c ti o n

. . .

27 Wi ll gi ve sho ul d be gave The bring er of good ti di ng s i s t he

. .

t
p ro phe hi m se l ( c f f
wh o was a eri a bl e gift of God t o
. v t
fi t
J erusal e m ; h e was t he r s t o e xp lai n t he m eam ng o f y r us C .

fi t f t v
T he rs h al o f hi s erse i s e ry o b sc ur e ; per haps o ri gi nall y , v
I a nno u nc ed i t i n ad va nce u nto i o n Z .

2 76
2 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

I have put my spi ri t upon him ;

He shall b ri ng forth ju dgement to the Gentil es
1
.

2 . He shall not c ry , nor li ft up ,

Nor cause hi s voi ce to be heard in the street .

A b rui se d reed sha ll h e not b reak ,

And th e smoki ng flax shall he not quen ch :

2

He shall b ri ng forth judge ment in truth .

He shall not f ail nor be di sc o urag ed ,

3 1

Till he have set judge ment in the earth ;

And th e i sles shall wai t for his law .

5 Th.us sai th God th e LO RD ,

He that cr eated the heavens and str et ch ed th em forth ; ,

nati ons .
‘m . SV di ml yb ur ni ng wick . m Heb burn di ml
. . y .
4 m Heb
. .

wo r t h ,
of t he ( cf 4 1 2 t es t tt nti
H e i s ch o sen on

i
g r ea a e

( 4 1 S by hi s God and e f ui pe d wi t h t he spgi t li ke a p r o p he t

.

'

fo r his t ask o f ca rry i ng u dm ent (p r ac t i cal ly = r el i gi o n o n i t s

jg
, ,

ci vi c si de) t o t he world I n o t her wo rd s I srael i s t o be a m i s

.
,

si o nar y pe opl e .

2 t
H i s m e h od s a r e t o be u nse nsa i o nal
. No i se a nd sel a d t . f -

v er t i se m e nt a r e u nsee ml y a nd u nne c essar y i n o ne wh o i s c o nsc i o us

o f b ei ng u pheld and i ns pi r ed ( v s 1 ) b a n o m ni p o e n G o d t t
b
. .

3 T ho se who se p o we r i s be n a nd r ok e n he li s u p ; s m o ul d e r
. t ft
f t
ing ho pe h e ans i n o a fl a m e , b h i s fa i thf ul p r o c l a m a i o n o f t he t
t r u e r e li g i o n (ju dgm e nt , c vs In truth , i a ai h u ll yf . The . . . f t f .

re e d a’ nd t he fl ax a re t he hea hen ( vss 1 , 4 ) who ar e re i ed by t . vv

I srael s m essag e .

t t
4 T he r ansl a i o n fail a nd b e di sco ur ag e d m i sses a fine p o i n
. t
i n t he o ri gi nal whi c h e c hoes t he wo r ds o f t h e p re i o us er se ( se e
,
v v
m argi n, bur n di ml y , be br u i sed ) T h e se r a n i s a r eed no t br u i se d ,
. v t
t
b u t er e c ; a wi c k no t di m , b u t b ri g h l y b ur ni ng ; a nd he c o n i nu es t t
t f
hi s r eli g i o us wo r k i ll i t i s e fe c i el y e s abli she d hr o ug ho u t he tv t t t
wh ole wo rl d .

Th ese wor d s, sug g e sti ng t he g e n l e ne ss , t h e sere ni y , t he t en t t

t
derness , a nd t he r i u m p h o f t he ser a n s wo r k ar e er y happil y
’
v t v
app li e d b y M a h e w 1 2 1 — tt
( : 7 2 1 ) t o o ur Lo r d .

t
5 T he o m ni po’ e nc e o f J e ho ah i s t he g uar an e e ha h e will
. v t t t
v t
ca r ry hi s se r an s wo r k t o c o m pl e e su cc ess t .

2 78
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

He that spr ead ab road the earth and that whi ch com
out of i t
e th

He that gi ve th b r eath unto t he p eople upon i t,

And spi ri t to th em that wal k th erei n
6 . I L ORD have c alle d th ee i n ri ght eousn ess
the ,

And will hol d thy h and ,

And wi ll keep th ee and gi v e thee for a c ovenant of

1
,

the p eop l e ,

Fo r a li g ht of the G entil es ;

To pen the bli nd eyes

O ,

To b ri n g out t he pri son er s from the dun geon ,

And th e m that si t in darkn ess out of the pri son

house .

8 . Iam the L O RD
Th at is my nam e
And my glory wi ll I not gi v e to another ,

Nei th er my p rai se unto g rav en i m ag es .

9 . B ehold the form e r things are c om e to pass

, ,

And new thi n gs do I d eclare

1 m f or m. Gr . str engthen .

6 In . r t
i gh eou sness , i a i n a or d a n e wi h m y p u r p o se . . cc c t .

Th e pe opl e , as i n v s 5 , t h e p e o pl e u p o n t h e e ar h , i a h u m a ni y
. t . . t
G t
= th e e n il e s I n sr ael ,.
’
o d s co e nan I wi h h u m a ni y , hi sG v t t t
t t t
r u e r e l a i o n wi h m a n , i s e m b o di e d , i n a r na e ; i n h e r t h e di i ne c t v
tt t t
li g h h a i s t o l i g h e n t h e e n il es is shi ni ng G t .

7 To ope n : r ea d , openi ng
. T h e b li nd a nd t h e pr i sone s ar e . r
p r o b a bl y t h e h e a h e n ( t
v ss 1 , 4 , cf
h o u g h a r e e r e n e t o s ael
. . t f c Ir
f
h er sel i s no t ne essar i l y e l u d e d (c v ss 1 8 , xc cf . .

8 J v
e h o ah s nam e , h i s h o no r , hi s g l o y a r e b o u nd u p wi h t h e
.
’
r t
su cc e ss o f I
sr a el s m i ssi o n
’
sr ael ail s , eh o ah i s no b e
. eIf I f J v tt r
t han o h er g o ds t .

f r rt
9 Th e o m e hi ng s , t h e i o r i o u s a r eer o f y r u s ( 4 1 2 5
. v ct c C
New hings , t h e i m p e ndi ng e m a n i p a i o n o f sr a el , wi h i t s as
t c t I t v t
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

B efor e th ey spri n g forth

I tell you of th em .

The New S ong -

13 )
10 . Si ngunto the LO RD a new song ,

And hi s prai se from the end of t he earth ;

Ye that go down to t he sea and all that is ther ei n , ,

The isl es and t he i nhabi tant s th ereof

, .

11 . Le t the wildern ess and the ci ti es t hereof 1

lift up
voic e,

villages that K edar doth i nhabi t

Th e
L et t he i nhabi t an ts of Se la sin g ,

Le t th em shout from the top of t he mountai ns .

12 . Let them gi ve glory unto the LO RD ,

And declare his praise i n the islands .

13 . The LO RD sha ll go forth as a mi ghty man

He sh all sti r up j eal ousy lik e a man of war
2

He sha ll c ry yea he shal l shout aloud ;

8
, ,

He sh all do mi gh ti ly agai nst hi s e n emi es .

’ Gr . shall shout agai nst hi s enemi es with

str on

t
sp i ri u al c o nse q u enc es
fo r t he wo r l d T hi s p r o ph e c y wil l b e fu l
.

fi lle d as su r e l y as t he o he r t .

1 0 —1 3 T he who le wo r l d i s c o nc erne d i n t he d el i e r a nc e of
. v
t f
I sr ael , and i s her e o r e su m m o ned t o si ng a new song fo r hi s ne w t
f
a nd wo nd e r ul e x pe ri e nc e Fo r y e that g o d own to th e sea, r ea d
.

l et the sea r oar Ke dar an Arab i a n ri be

.
,
t
Fo r S el a , t h e c a pi al . t
o f E d o m , p e r h ap s we sh o u l d r e ad wi h AV the r ock ( i e clifl s , i n t . .
'

t t t
c o n r as t o t he m o u n ai ns) T he r ea son fo r hi s u ni ersal joy i s t v
fi
.

t t v t
ha J e ho a h , i n hi s war l i k e z eal , i s a ki ng t h e e ld , i n t he pe rso n
ofC yr us , ag ai nst hi s enem i e s , t e t h e B aby l o ni ans. . .

2 80
42 19 THE B O OK OF ISAIAH

19 . Who i s bli nd , but

my servant ? 1

Or deaf as my m essenger that I send ?

2
,

Who i s bli nd as he that i s at pea ce wi th me

3
,

And bli nd as t he L oRD s se rvant ? ’

20 .
‘Thou seest ma ny thi ngs b ut thouob servant not ; ,
5
Hi s ears are O pen b u t he hear e th not , .

21 . It plea sed the L OR D for hi s ri g hteousn es s sake ,

’
,

To mag ni fy the l aw and mak e i t honourabl e , .

22 . B ut thi s i s a people robbed and spo iled ;

Th ey are all of them snared i n holes ,

And they ar e hi d in pri son ho uses

Th ey are for a p rey and non e d eli v er eth ; ,
”
For a spo il and none sai th
!
Resto re , , .

23 . Who i s th ere among you that will gi ve ea r to thi s ?

That will h ear ke n and hear for the ti m e to c om e

‘m
Gr Gr thd r rul ers made recompensed ; AV per ect
1 servants 1
. . . . . ect, or
‘Gr .
ye sa w . . obser ved not . . hear d not . the . make the teac i ng

as this g re a t p op h t so cl ea ly does r e r , t h e si gns o f t h e t i mes ; sh e

d oes r t unde rs t nd t ha t J e ho va h i t
p a n i ng t o d e li v h er ( vss
iThi
o a s er .

1 4— 1 7
19 . s ve r se , whi c h i nt e rr u p ts t he d i r ec t a p pe al i n v ss . 1 8, 2 0

and t
i s e x pl a na o r y o f v s 1 8 , m ay o ri g i nal ly ha e b ee n b ri e e r
. v f
Who i s bli nd but m y servant , a nd deaf, as mi ne emi ssar y ? T he
wo r d h e that i s at pe ace wi th m e i s o bsc ur e , a nd pe r hap s sho ul d be
( by t he c ha ng e o f a si ng l e l e e r) he that i s sent tt .

20 For hi s a nd h e , p e r hap s thi ne and tho u

. I srael h as no r e al .

v t
we r o f o bser a i o n, no e ar fo r t he oi c e o f God i n c o n e m p or a r y v t
t
s o ry .

21 f t
R ea d , wi h m ar g i n, m a ke the teac hi ng , pe r h ap s t h e pr o p he i c
. t
tea c hi ng , gr eat a n
d g l or i o us B u t t o hi s ,
a s t o the ea c hi
. ng of t t
t v
hi s or y , I sr a e l i s i r r esp o nsi e , m a d e d u l l a nd d esp er at e b y her
fi
mi se ry , whi c h 13 g ur a i e l y de scri be d 1n v s 2 2 tv . .

—
23 2 5 An a ppe al t o I sr ae l t o l e a r n, wi h a i e w t o t he ut ure , t o
. t v f
28 2
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

24 . Who g av e J aco b for a spoil 1

,

And Israel to the robbers ?

D id not the L O RD ? he a g ai n st whom we hav e si nn ed ,
And in whose ways th ey woul d not w alk ,

Nei ther w er e th ey obe di ent unto hi s law .

25 . pour ed upon hi m the fury of hi s anger,

Th er efor e h e
And the strength of battle
And i t set hi m on fir e round ab out y et he kn ew not ; ,

And i t b urn ed hi m y et he l ai d i t not to h eart ,

.

J ehovah wi ll sho w hi s Love for I sr ael by gather i ng her E x iles

H ome (4 3 1 7 )
—

43 . B ut now thu s sai th the L ORD

That c reat e d th ee 0 J ac ob and he tha t form ed th ee
, , ,

O I srael
Fear not for I hav e r e dee m ed th ee
,

I h ave call ed thee by thy n am e thou ar t mi n e ,

.

1 Heb . v
arian t , to the pl under er .

c
r e o g ni e z J eho v ah s hand and p ur p o se i n t hese her sor r o ws o f
’

sp o l i a t i o n a nd c a p t i vi t y I t was b e t ho ug h I sr a el k ne w i t no t
.
,

(vs . 2 who
g ave J acob to the I sr a el to the r obber s a nd
poi l er s
s a nd ,

who a nger , a nd the vi ol ence of war , h e r e

pou r ed out u pon hi m hi s
d e sc ri be d as a fl a m i ng fir e Fo r se e r al r e a so ns, v s 2 4 —
. rom v . f
di d not the LO R D t o t h e e nd — a p pe a r s t o b e a l a er i nse r i o n, t t
t t
i n er r up i ng 2 4 a a nd 2 5 ( whi c h r eal l y b e g i ns wi h a nd , no t th er e t
f t
or e ) , a nd i n r o d u c i ng a so m e wha i r r e l e a n id ea ; h er e i t i s t v t
r at her sh ar p e ne d ey es t
ha n a sh ar p e ne d c o nsci e nce h a t he t t
t
p r o p he d e si d er a es t
Who gave J acob to the spoil er , a nd I sr ael
.

to the r obber s , a nd po ur ed u pon hi m the fu r y of hi s a ng er ?

’
-
. v
4 3 : 1 7 I sr a el s i r r e sp o nsi e ness h a s no t di m m e d J e h o a h s
’
v
v
l o e fo r h er ; h o u ar t m i net ”
So ag ai n c o m e s t he a ssur a nc e
.

t t
h a h e wil l r a nso m h er , and b ri ng her sca er e d c hi l d r e n h o m e tt .

1 f t t
Now, i n c o n r as t o t h e mi ser y whi c h h a s u s b e e n d e
. j t
scri bed I srael s cr eator wi ll sho w hi m sel a s her r e
’
f
deemer : t
heref or e fear not all e d th ee b y thy nam e , as m y
. C
2 83
43 2 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

2 . Wh en thou passest t hroug h the wate rs I will be wi th ,

thee ;
And through the ri vers they shall not ov erflow th ee ,

Wh en thou walkest through the fir e thou shal t not be ,

b urned ;
Nei th er sh all t he flame ki ndle upon th ee .

3 Fo r
. I a m t h e L O RD thy God ,

The H oly One of I srael thy savi our ,

I have gi ven Egypt as thy r an som ,

E thi op i a and Seb a for thee

1
.

4 Si n
. ce thou hast b ee n pre ci ous i n m y s ig ht ,
A nd hono u rable , and I ha v e loved thee
Th ere fore will I gi ve m en for th ee ,
And peoples for thy l ife .

5 F e.ar not for I a m wi th th ee

I wi ll b ri ng thy seed from the east ,

And g ather t hee from th e west

6 . I will say to t he north Give up ,

And to the south K eep not b a ck ; ,

B ri ng my so n s from far ,

And my daug hters from t he end of the earth ;

1 O s S oene ( = Syene
. or Amm an) .

f av ri t e nd fri e nd ; and i n t he gr a vest p i l ( wat r and fi e)

o a er s e r

t ho u h al t be sur e o f m y p ese nce nd p o t c t io n ( c f Ps

s r a r e . .

3 f Th y r.an so m t h p r i c:e p i
asd for t
e h e m nc i p a t i n f a e a o o

I ael C y r u i h
sr , e p ese nt e d
s s er e r b ei ng
r w r d d wi t h t h c n
as re a e e o

q ue t f r i c h nd di st nt land s ( Ps
s o a a F r m en ( s 4 ) . o v .

rea d b y a si m p le c h a ng
, la nd s S e b a i n t h no t h o f Ethi opi a
e, .
,
e r .

5
—
7 I l i. ca tt
sr a ed s t h
sr u g h o
ereu t t h e w o l d — o s t we t r ea ,
s ,

n r th and so u t h ; a nd J ho v h s gl or y wi ll b m ani f es t ed hi
’
o e a e s
,

t i
o r ca ll y b y b ri ngi ng t h e m b c k h m e H c a es no t o nl y fo r
a o . e r

2 84
IO THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

10 . Ye my wi tnesses sai th th e L ORD

ar e , ,

And my se rvant whom I have chosen

That ye may know and beli ev e m e ,

And understand that I am he

B efore m e th ere was no god formed ,

Nei ther shall th ere be after m e .

11 . I even I am the LO RD ;
, ,

And b esi de m e the re is no savi our .

12 . I have declared and I have saved , ,

And I have shewed ,

And there was no strange god amon g you :

Th ere fore ye ar e my wi tn esses sai th t he LORD ,
.

And I am God .

13 . n ce the day was I am he ;

Yea , 1
si

And there is non e that ca n deli ver out of my hand

I wi ll work and who shall let i t ?
2
,

The Deli ver ance fr om B abyl on mor e Wonderful than the

Del i ver ance fr om Egypt -
21 )
14 . Thus ai th the LO RD
s ,

Your red ee mer the Ho ly One of I srael ,

from this day forth I etc . Gr Tar Vg from

. . . ever las ti ng . m . rev
erse ; SV ca n

10 t
T he nati o ns , h u s c h all e ng ed , ar e sil e n
. J eh o ah , h o we er , t . v v
t
has a wi ness i n I sr ael ; YE ar e m wi tne ss e s and ser vants Pr ob .

abl y t h e ol lo wi ngf e r b s sh o ul v
be r ea d i n t h e hi r d pe rso n t
. . t
that they ( i e t h e h e a he n) sho uld kno w a nd bel i eve m e, e t c The .

j t t t
o b e c o f I sr a el s es i m o ny i s t o c o n i nc e t he wor l d h a h er Go d
’
v t t
is t he o nl y Go d , a nd t o l ead t he na i o ns t o ai h i n hi m t f t .

1 3 ( wi h l as t c lause of vs t R ead .

I am God ( fr om of old ) .

Yea fr o m now I a m ever the same .

2 86
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

Fo r your sake I have sent to B abyl on ,

And I will b ri n g down all of them as fugi ti ves

1
,

Even the Chal dean s,

2
In the shi p s of th ei rr ejoi ci n g .

15 . I am the L O RD your Holy One , ,

The Cr e ator of I sra el your Ki n g , .

16 . Thus ai th the L ORD s ,

Whi ch mak eth a way in the sea ,

And a path i n the mi ghty w at ers

17 . Whi ch b ri ng eth forth the ch ari ot and horse

.
,

The a rmy and th e powe r

They li e down to geth e r th ey shall not ri se ,

Th ey are ex ti n c t th ey are qu e n ch e d as fla x
3
,
.

18 . Rem e mber y e not t he form er thi ng s,

Nei ther c on si der the thi ngs of ol d .

19 . B ehol d I will do a new thi ng

,

Now shall i t spri ng forth ; s h all y e not k now i t ?

1 m AV all thei r no bles

.
1 AV whose . cry is i n the shi ps ; G1 (and the Chaldea ns)
.

shall be bou nd i n shi ps 1 m SV a w i ck . . .

Le t : r ea d wi h m a r g i n, r ever se t T h e p ur p o se o f t h e e er nal Go d
. t
t t
i s ri u m p h a n a nd i r r e er sibl e ( c 1 4 : v f .

43 : 1 4
—2 1 . t v
T h e a nc i e n d el i e r a nc e o f I sr a el r o m t h e E g y p i a n f t
hor se m e n a t t h e R e d Se a wi ll b e r a nsc e nd e d b y h i s ne w a nd m or e t t
f
wo nd er ul d e li e r a nc e r o m B a b y l o n v f .

14 . t t v
T h e d e a il o f hi s e r se i s u n o r u na e l y so o b sc u r e h a we f t t t t
a r e o bli g e d t o b e c o n en t t t
wi h t h e g e ne r al se nse , whi c h a p p e ar s
t
t o b e a n a nno u nc e m e n o f t h e i m p e ndi ng all o f B a b y l o n f .

16 f
T h e sea i s t he R e d Se a , t he ch ari ot a nd h or se a r e h ose o f
. t
t he E g yp i ans t .

18 f
T h o se fo rm e r th i ng s
. t h e de e a o f P h ar ao h and t h e f t
p assag e t
hr o u g h t h e sea a r e h ar d l y wor h r e m e m b eri ng i n t
t
c o m par i so n wi h t h e new thi ng ( t h e o er hr o w o f B ab y l o n, and v t
t he wa y thr ou g h the wi ld er ness t o t h e h o m e l a nd ) wh i c h i s ab o u t
287
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

I will even make a way in the wil dern ess ,

And ri ve rs in the dese rt .

20 . The beasts of t he fi el d shall honour me ,

Th e j ac kals and t he ostri ch es

B e cause I gi ve wat ers i n the wil derness ,

And ri vers in the dese rt ,

To gi ve dri nk to my pe op le my c ho sen ,

21 . The pe ople whi c h I form e d for my self ,

1
Tha t th ey mi ght set forth my prai se .

I sr ael Restorati on i s Due not to he r Own M er its, but to

’
s

J ehovah s Fr ee Gr ac e (4 3 2 2 44 5)
’ -

22 .
1
thou hast not called upon m e 0 J a cob ;
Yet ,

B ut thou hast been w eary of m e O I srael , .

23 . Thou h ast not b rought m e t he small catt l e of thy b urnt

O fl eri ngs
'

Nei th er hast thou honour ed me wi th thy sa crifices .

m they shall f
or th 1 Cr no t now have I called thee, 0 J acob, or wearied the e
;
set . .
,

O I fdd

t o sp i ng r f orth f ro m t he su cc ess o f C yr us . Shall y e not know i t ?

do ye not r ecog ni z e i t ?
20 f v t
T h e e r y beas s will ho no r J e ho a h fo r hi s gl o ri o u s ra ns
. v t t
f t
o r m a i o n o i t he wi l d e rnes s T he las hal o f v s 2 0 , whi c h b u t
. t f .

t
r e pe a s 1 9 h , b e si d es g i i ng i t a p ro sai c v
u r n, m ay , wi h v s 2 1 , b e a t t .

t
l a e r i nsert i o n .

f
T he wo nde r ul way a c r oss t he d ese r i s a a ori e h e m e o f hi s t f v t t t
p r o ph e c y .

43 : 2 2 — t
44 : 5 Th e i m mi ne n e m a nci p a i o n a nd r es or a i o n of t t t
fi
.

I sr ael a r e no t a r e war d fo r h er d eli y t o J eh o ah Sh e had t v .

t
b r o ug h h i m no o fe ri ng f t
no hi ng b u t a l o ng r e c or d o f si n : i t i s
o nl y o f h i s r e e g r ac e f t t
h a J e ho ah o r gi es and r es ores h er v f v t .

t
Th e ar g u m e n o f t he se c i o n r e c all s 4 2 1 8—4 3 7 t .

22 . v
J eh o ah h ad c all ed I sr ael ( vs b u t I sr ael h ad no t call ed .

v
u po n J e h o ah nor hast tho u wear i ed thyself a bout me .

fi
,

23 f t f
I sr ael had br o u g h no o feri ng or sa c ri c e t o J eh o ah d uri ng
. v
2 88
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

. Th erefore I will profan e the pri n ces of1

the san ctuary ,

And I will mak e J a cob a c urse

3
,

And I srael a revili ng .

44 . now h ear 0 J a cob my servant ;

Y et ,

And I srael whom I have chosen ,

2 . Thus s ai th the L O RD that made th ee ,

And formed t hee from the womb who will help thee ,

Fear not 0 J a cob my se rvant ; ,

And thou J eshurun whom I have chosen

5
, , .

For I will pour wat e r upon hi m that i s thi rsty ,

And strea ms upon the dry g round :
I wi ll po ur my spi ri t upon thy seed ,

And my blessi ng upon thi n e off sp ring

7
And th ey sha ll spri ng up among the grass ,
As wi ll ows by t he wat er courses .

O hall say I am the LO RD s ’

5 ne
. s ,

And another shall call hi mself by the name of J a c o b

‘m AV Aave pro/a ua i ; Gr the pn nces lcau pr ofaaed m hat thi ngs m hol y
3
'

. . . .

‘m have (30 AV) made ‘m denoted thi n so me Heb

yr and
l
.
g t . . . . .

SS Jsr od '
Gr as grass am ng t tata
. .

28 fi t
Fo r t he rs cl a use , wh i c h 1s no t e ry sa i s a c o r y , o ll o wi ng
. v t f t f
th e G
r ee k er si o n we ma y r ea d v Tby pr i nces r ofa ned my s a nc ,

t u ar y ( c Ez e k 8 : 5 f . Fo r And I will
. r ea d , so I

g a ve u p J aco b to th e ba n , a nd I s r ael to r evil i ng .

t
44 : 1 Now, i n c o n ras t o t h e si n a nd m i se r y us d esc r ib e d
. t j t
cf
iI
.
4
m fo r I sr ael
e sh ur un, a rar e na m e

3 n . e xi l e ,
I sr a e l 13 as a thi r s ty l a n d h a n ee d s t h e r e r eshi ng t t f
sh o we r s . v
T h e di i ne S pi ri t i s t he so ur c e o f t he bl e ssi ng , whi c h
v t
her e c o e r s m a e ri al as wel l as sp i ri ual wel ar e t f .

4 T ey shall spri ng u p ai r a nd ab unda n , as gr ass a mo ng water s

. f t
(so Gr h .

5 S o. w o n d e r u l w ill b e h e i r pfr o sp e ri y ( t h e bl ess i n g t

,
v s 3) t .

t t
ha one , and ano th e r , and anoth er m e m b er s o f o he r na i o ns t t
and wo rshi ppe rs o f o h e r g od s t
wi ll wi sh t o call hi mself by th e
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

And anoth er shall subs c ri be wi th hi s hand unto the 1

L ORD ,

And surname hi mself by the name of I srael

2
.

God i s S over ei gn and Eter nal (44

’
I sr ael s

6 Thu s
. saiLO RD the Ki ng of I srael
th the ,

And hi s r edee mer t he L O RD of host s

I am the first and I am the las t ,

And besi de m e there i s no God .

7 .
3
And who as I shall c all , , ,

And shall decl ar e i t and set ,

i t in order for m e,

m wri te on hi s ha nd , U nto the LORD

1 2 m
g i ve for a ti tl e the na me of I srael Gr
i
. . .

Who i s li ke me ? l et hi m stand , and call and decla re, and pr epa re for me fr om the t me that
I made ma n for ever .

nam e of J acob (i . e . j oi n the c om m o nweal t h of I sr ael) ,

a nd c all
I sr ael s Go d hi s o wn O ne wi ll i nscri b e hi s h and a r e m i ni s
’
.

c e nc e of t he a nci e nt t a tt o o wi t h t he wo r ds To J eh ovah i ndi ,

c at i ng hi s ne w l o r d and assum e th e ho no r abl e surnam e of Israel

,
.

T hi s v e r se s ug g est s t h e e ff e c t wh i c h t h e r e d e m p t i o n o f I sr ael
i s to ha v e u p o n t he wo r l d . P r o sel y t es will b e wo n .

44 T h6— 8
e c o n sp.i c u o u s g r e a ne ss o f I sra e l s bl e ssi ng ( v ss —
3 5) t ’
.

f t
b r i ng s u p t h e a m il i ar h o u g h o f t h e l o nel y g r ea ne ss o f I sr ael s t ’
t
Go d ( v ss 6 .

v
6 J e h o a h i s ki ng ( 4 3 1 5 ) a nd ( fo r t h e r s ti m e i n hi s p r o p h
. fi t t
t
e c y ) J eh ovah of h o sts, wi h r e e r e nc e p e r h a p s t o t h e i m m i ne nt f
v t
o e r hr o w o f g h t y B ab y lo n hr o u g h y r u s ( vs He i s t C .

th e fi r st a nd th e la st, i e t h e eter nal G o d , t h e onl y G o d ( c

. .
43 f .

10 f )

t
7 R e a d , wi h t h e h e l p o f t h e
. r e ek e r si o n i n t h e rs h al , G v fi t f
a nd o f a b r i ll i a n t
e m e nd a i o n o f O o r s i n t h e se c o nd h al
’
t o f t he t f
v e r se :

Who i s li ke
m e ? l et hi m stand for th a nd cr y ,
L et hi m decl ar e i t, a nd set i t i n or d er befor e me .

Who hath annou nced fr o m of old thi ngs fu tur e ?

And what i s to com e, l et them decl ar e to u s .

I t i s t he sam e sor t c h all eng e o f t h e h e ath en and thei r g ods

of ,
a nd
t h e sa m e e m p hasi s o n p re d i c t i o n as i n 4 1 2 1 f , .
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

Si n ce I appoi nte d the an ci ent people ? and the thi n gs

that ar e c omi n g ,

And that shall come to pass let them declare

I
,
.

8 . Fear y e not n ei ther be afrai d

,

H av e I not decl ared unto th ee of

2
o l d, and shewed
it P
And y e ar e my wi tnesses I s the re a God . be si de m e ?
Yea , ther e i s no R ock ; I know not any .

The Folly o f I dolatr y —2 0

)
They that f ashi on a g raven i mag e are all of them
3
va ni ty
And th ei r delec table thi ngs shall not profit
And th ei r own wi tnesses see not nor know ,

That they m ay be ashamed .

Who hath fashi oned a god or molten a graven i m age ,

That is profi t able for nothi ng ?

1 Heb (decl are )

. u nto them ; Gr to yo u ; Tar to
. . us . Gr you
. . Heb . chaos .

8 i s J e ho a h s wi tne ss , as i n
. I sr ael v ’
T he l as wo r d s t
sho ul d p r o ba bl y r ea d , I s ther e a ny God or Rock besides me ?

44 9: — 2 0 T h e p o w er u l e m p h
. asi s i n v ss 6 f
—8 o n t h e rea ne ss o f
g . t
v
J e ho a h ha s le d t o t he i nse r ti o n o f a n e la bo ra e p assag e o n t he t
f t
o lly o f i d o la r y , whi c h i s e x p o se d i n a g r i m l y h u m o r o u s a nd
f t
sc o r n ul d sc ri p i o n o f t he p ro c e ss o f i d o l m a nu a c u r e ( c 40 : 1 8 f t f
e)
.

20 ;

The Usel essness f

o the I dol s a nd the S tu pid i ty f
o Those who ma ke
Them ( vss .
9
-
11 )
9 Th e i . r
d el ectabl e thi ng s, t he ido l s Th eir wi tne ss e s ( o m i . t
own) , i e he i r wo r sh i ppe rs ( c
. . t
vs ha e no p er c e p i o n, a r e f . . v t
t
s u pid , wi h t he r es ul t
ha hey wi ll b e put to sha me tt tt .

10 Per ha p s a s a e m e n r a he r h a n a u e s i o n
. t t t t
Any one who t q t .

f t t
i n h i s o ll y i m ag i nes h a he has fa shi o ned a g od , wil l find t o hi s
cos tt t
ha h e has r ea lly d o ne no hi ng b u t cast a gr a ven i mage that i s t
utter l y us eless .
44 2I S THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

And st r eng theneth for hi mself one among the trees of

the for est
He plant eth a fir tr ee and the ra i n doth nouri sh i t
1
, .

15 . Then shall i t be for a man to burn

And he tak eth thereof and warm eth hi mself ; ,

Yea he ki ndl e th i t and b ak eth br ead :

, ,

Yea he mak e th a god and worshi ppe th i t

, ,

He mak eth i t a graven i mage and fall e th down thereto , .

16 . He b urn eth part thereof i n the fir e

2

3
Wi th part th ereof he eateth flesh
2

He roasteth roast and i s sati sfi ed ,

Yea he warm e th hi m self and sai th

, , ,
!
Aha I am warm I ha ve see n the fir e
, ,

17 . And the resi due thereof he maketh a god ,

Even hi s grav en i mage : he falleth down unto i t

And worshi ppe th and prayeth unto i t , ,

And sai th D eli ver m e ; for thou art my g od

, .

18 . Th ey know not nei th er do th ey consi der ,

For he ha th shut th ei r ey es that th ey cannot see ; ,

And thei r heart s that they ca nnot und erstand ,

.

19 . And none calleth to mi nd ,

Nei ther is th ere know ledge nor unde rstandi ng to say ,

l m ash .
’m . ths Gr bahes lom
’ . on the ooals o nd roasts flesh thereon a nd
sals a -
d is sati sfi ed . eb da nbed
. .

pla nted (so i . e . a t

na u r al t r ee (cf . Ps . 10 4 : a nd the r ai n

no u r is hed .

16 f Wi th part th er eof
. the coals ther eof He : r ea d wi t h C r . on .

r oasts fl esh, he eats the r oast ( ro as i ng be o r e ea i ng ; r anspose t h e t f t t

v e r bs) . I
h ave se en th e fir e , I feel the glo w H e p ra y s t o t he .

us el ess i m ag e (cf . vss .

9

The S tu id
p tyi of I dolaters ( vss . 1 8- 20 )
f It m ust b i nc u rable st u
18 . e f
i di ty ( c v s 9 ) whi c h bl i nds o ne
. .

to t h a b u d i t y f m ki ng a g
e s r o a to be wo r shi p pe d o u t o f scr ap s o f
2 94
 THE B OOK OF I SAI AH

have b urn ed part of i t i n the fir e

I
Y ea al so I hav e b aked br ead u pon th e c oals ther eof
,

I hav e roa st e d fl esh and eat en i t

And shall I make t he r esi du e th er eof an a bomi nati on
”
Shall I f all down to the sto c k of a tr ee ?
He f eedeth on ash es : a decei v ed h eart hath turned
hi m asi de ,

That he c annot deli ver hi s soul nor say , ,

”
I s th er e not a li e in my ri ght hand ?
!

the Wor ld r ejoi ce over I sr ael s Redempti on (44 : ’

R em ember these thi n gs 0 J a c ob ,

And I srael for thou art my ser vant ,

I have form e d th ee ; thou art my se rvant :

O I sra el thou sh al t not be forg ott en of m e
1
,
.

22 . Ihav e blott ed out as a thi ck cl oud thy transgr es si ons

, , ,

And as a cl oud thy si ns

, ,

R eturn unto m e for I hav e redee m ed th ee .

23 . Si n g , O ye h e aven s, for the L O RD hath done it

Shout , ye l ower part s of the e arth ;

woo d l e ft o ve f
b ur ni ng a nd baki ng
r rom T he who l e p a ssag e i s .

full o f r e m or sel e ss i r o ny Abo mi nati on, i e ab o m i na bl e i d o l

. . . .

20 H e fe e d e th on ash e s , e t c : r a h e r as for the m an who de

. . t
li ghteth i n ashes (i e i n wo o d e n, c o m b u s i bl e i d o l s, 1 5 ff ) a del ud ed
. . t .

t t
hear t has mi sl ed hi m , so h a h e ca n nei h er sa e h i m sel , as h e h ad t v f
h o p ed t o d o ( v s v
no r e e n u nd e r s a nd h a he i s c li ng i ng t o a
. t t t
d el usi o n .

21 .
’
v
Th e se thi ng s , J e h o a h s g r ea ne ss and p o wer t o p r e di ct t he t
f t
u u r e ( v ss 6 . f
B e or g ott en Of : p er h ap s r enou nce .

23 t
A g l ad a p p e al t o na u r e t o b r eak i n o so ng o e r t h e t e
. t v
t
d e m p i o n o f I sr ael t t
Wi h hi s li l e b ur s o f jo y , t h e p a ssage
. tt t
tv t
d esc r i p i e o f t h e hi g h d es i ny o f t h e Ser a n c o ncl u d es ( 4 2 : 1 v t
44 : 23 )
 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH

B reak forth i nto sin gi n g ye moun tai ns , ,

O for est and eve ry tr ee ther ei n :

,

Fo r the LO RD hath r ed ee m ed J a c ob ,

And will gl ori fy hi mself i n I srael .

C YRUS AND 1 111: O VE RTHR O W or B AB YLO N (44 —

24 48 22 )
J ehovah calls Cyrus and bestows u pon hi m a Car eer of
Vi ctor y, for I sr ael and the Wor ld s S ake (44 8)
’
—
24 45

24 . Thu ssa i th the L O RD thy red ee m er , ,

And he that forme d th ee from the womb :

I am t he L O RD that m ak eth all thi n gs
,

That str et ch eth forth the heav en s al on e

t t t
I n hi s se c i o n t h e na i o n has r ep e a e d ly c o m e b e o r e u s i n a t f
t
d o u ble ca pa ci y : o n t he o ne ha nd , t he pe o ple a r e bli nd a nd d ea , f
f
r o b b e d a nd spo ile d , si n ul a nd i r r e sp o nsi e ; o n t he o he r , hey a r e v t t
v t t
se r a n s a nd wi ne sses , p r e c i o u s a nd b e l o e d , r e dee m ed a nd r e v
t
s o r ed , t he wo nd e r O f t he wo r l d S r i k i ng c o n r as s a b o u nd
. t t t
I srael as she i s and as she i s t o b e , he r p r ese n m i se r y a nd t he t
t t t t
g lo ri o u s r ed e m p i o n ha i s a bo u t o b r ea k , h e r p r e se n a p a h y a nd t t
t he se nse o f he r gr ea t t
de s i ny wh i c h i s so p r o o u ndl y t o a fi e c t f
t he wo r ld And b e hi nd all he r c h ang i ng o r unes i s h er u nc ha ng
. f t
i ng God , the Fi r st a nd the Last: I a m H e .

44 : 2 — 8 : 22
4 4 I n hi s se c i o n
. t t C
y r u s i s t he c e n r e o f i n ere s t t t
v t
as t h e Se r a n was i n t he las t
I srael has bee n assur ed ha , d e
. t t
t
sp i e he r si n a nd bli nd ne ss , her re d e m p ti o n i s ni g h H er r ue . t
C
Re d ee m er i s e ho va h , b u t y r us i s t he hu m an ag e n h ro u g h who m tt
he wo r k s is Fr i e nd a nd A noi nted ( o r M essi a h) a s t he pr o p h e t
b o ldl y ca ll s hi m v t
Hi s i c o ri es , m os O f all hi s i m pe nd i ng i c o ry
. t v t
v
o e r B aby l o n, whi c h will p r o c u r e t he e m a nc i pa i o n a nd r es o r a i o n t t t
tt t
o f I sr ae l , c o ns i u e a si g nal c o n r i b u i o n t o J e h o a h s p ur p o se
’
t t v
t
fo r th e wo r ld whi c h , h r o u g h I sr a e l i s t o b e b r o ug h t o a sa i ng
, ,
t v
k no wled e o f hi m se l Wi ho u f .
y r us t t C
hi s c o nsu m m a i o n i s t t
i m po ssi b e .

24 t t t
T he i n r od u c o r y d esc ri p i o n o f J e ho a h a s t h e m ak e r o f
. v
all t
hi ng s, a nd t he Lo rd O f hi s o r y ( v s t
l ea d s t o a fi ne c li m a x .

i n t he a nno unc e m e n o f t he na m e o f t y r u s ( vs Wh o i s C .

t
wi h m e ? r ea d was .
 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH

45 . Thussai th the LORD 1

TO his anoi nt ed to C yrus , ,

Whose ri ght hand I have hol den ,

To sub due nati o ns b efore hi m ,

And I will l oo se the loi ns of ki ngs

To open the doors be fore hi m ,

And t he gates shal l not be shut ;

2 . I will go be fore thee ,

And make the ru gg ed pl ac es plai n

2

Iwill break i n pi ec es the doors of b rass ,

And c ut i n s under the b ars of i ron

And I will gi ve th ee the tre asures of darkness ,

And hidden ri ches of sec re t pla ces ,

That thou mayes t know tha t I am th e L O RD1

,

Whi c h call t hee by thy nam e even the God

Israel .

1 C r Lord God . .
1 Cr . level mounta i ns .

has b ee n c ho se n t o per or m J ehovah s pur pose t h e r esto rati o n

’

O f J e r usa le m a nd t he r e ni l d i ng o f t he e m pl e t .

C
y r us i s no t o nl y J e ho a h s Fr i end , b u t hi s Anointed
’
v
( He M essi a h) , i e d e d i ca e d b y hi m t o a spe c i al m i ssi o n
. . t T he .

m i ssi o n was t he e m a nci p a i o n o f I sr ael ( vs t

ul t i m a el y t h e . t
v t
sa l a i o n o f t h e wo r l d ( v ss 22, a nd t o hi s e nd a i c o ri o u s
. t v t
c a reer was ne c essar y to s ubdue nati ons T he gates ar e h ose -
. t
t
O f c i i e s t o be c a p u r e d t
T he c l a u se I will l oo se th e l oi ns Of
.

ki ng s , i e u ng i r d d i sa r m , d e ea the m , i s m o re a pp r o p ri a el y
. .
, f t t
t f
r a ns er red t o t he b e gi nni ng o f 5 b
2 . C t
y r u s i s t o b e sus a i ned ( vs 1 ) a nd a cc om p ani e d i n hi s .

caree r b y J e ho a h v
Doo rs o f b rass , a po ssi bl e a ll usi o n t o B aby
.

t
l o n wi h i t s h u ndr e d g a es o f b r ass t .

3 T r.e as u r e s s o r e d i n d a r kta nd se c r e c h a m b e r s y r u s w as t . C
t
al r ea dy m as e r o f t he weal h o f t
r oesu s, who m h e h ad d e ea e d , C f t
and was soo n t o be o f B a b y lo n : for i t i s I , J eh ovah , w ho cal l s
th ee by nam e ( o m i that tho u ma yest know) t .

2 98
 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH 45 3 7

4 . For Jacob my
rvant s sake se
’
,

And I srael my chosen ,

I have c alle d thee by thy name

I have surnam ed thee thoug h thou hast not known ,

5 I . am the L O RD and th er e i s non e el se

1
,

B esi de m e th er e i s no God
I will gi rd th ee though thou hast not known ,
me

6 . That th ey may know from the ri si ng of the sun ,

And from the west ,

Th a t th e r e i s non e b esi d e m e I am the L ORD ,

1

And th ere i s non e el se .

7 . I form the light and c reate darkn ess ,

I m ake p eac e and c reat e evi l ,

I am the L O RD
1
,

That do eth all th ese thi n gs .

1 Gr Lor d God
. .

4 . ll C
c a a nd c o i es ar e fo r I s ael s sa
i
yrus s r
’
r v t k e — fo r h er
’

e m a nc i p a i o n a nd r es o r a i o n t t t
Fo r h ave su rnam e d ( c . f .

p h a p s deli g ht i n (so Gr )
e r Th ou ha st not k nown m e : .
y r us C
v
was no t a J e h o a h wo r shi p p er , b u t hi s i c o r i o u s c a r ee r i s e x p e c e d v t t
t o b r i ng h i m ( c f
4 1 : 2 5 ) i n c o m m o n wi h t h e r e s O f t h e wo r l d
. t t
( v s 6 ) t o t h e r e c o g ni i o n O f J e h o a h
. t v .

5 f f
B e o r e I gi r d th e e , r e a d the l oi ns of ki ngs I u ngi r d ( r o m
. f
vs . t f t
h e y ar e d e ea e d , h e i s i c o r i o u s ; a nd t h e u l i m a e , as v t t t
o pp ose d t o t h e i m m e d i a e (vs O b ec o f hi s t
i c o ry i s ha the . j t v t t t
f t t
wor ld r om e as t o wes m ay r e c o g ni z e h a h e r e i s no Go d b u t I s
’
t tt
r ael s G o d .

7 T her e ar e no t t wo g o d s i n t h e wo r l d
. o ne p resi di ng o er v
t
li g h and g oo d , t he o h er o e r d a r k ness a nd e i l t v
he r e 15 o nl y v t
o ne , a nd t t v
h a 13 J e h o ah , t h e c a u se a nd m ak e r o f all hi ng s, and t
t f
h er e o r e o f th ese th i ng s P e ace , wel ar e , g oo d o r u ne ; evil ,
. f f t
cal a m i y t
Th e se cti o n e nd s as i t be g an
. wi th t h e ho ug h ,
t t
O f Go d as t h e m ak er o f al l h i ng s t .

2 99
 THE B OOK OF I SAI AH

8 . D rop down , y e h eav e ns, from ab ove ,

And ki es po ur down rig ht eousness
l et t he s

Let the e arth ope n ,

That th ey may b ri ng forth sal va ti on ,

And let her cause rig ht eousn ess to spri ng

g et h e r
I the LO RD have cr eated i t 1
.

M ur murs agai nst Cy r us Rebu ked (4 5 —1

9 3)

Woe unto that stri veth wi th hi s Mak er

hi m
A potsh e rd among the pot sh erds of the earth
Ram o n a
Sha ll t he clay say to hi m that fashi on eth i t What !
,

makest thou P
O r thy work He hath no hands ?
!
,

Woe unto hi m tha t sai th unto a father What he ,

g e tt est thou ?
O r to a woman Wi th what travai lest thou ?
,

1 C r thee
. .

8 v v t
The i si o n o f a c o n e r e d wo r l d c a u se s t h e p r o ph e t o b r e ak
. t
t tt
i n o a li le so n o f jo y ( c 4 4 : 2 f
Th e r i hteo usness o f hea e n i s v
tg
.

a nswe r e d b y l e r i g hteo us ness O f e a r h ; e re i s, as i t wer e , a t t

b ri d al O f t he e a r h a nd sk y
”
t
( c Hos 2 : 2 1 so ha u po n t h e f . . t t
t
ear h sal vat i o n a nd peac e ( a s D u h m su pp li es ; t he e r b i s p l u r al ) v
S p u ng u p .

45 : 9
—1
3 . t
Th e r e m u s ha e be e n so m e I sr a el i es to who m t h e v t
tt v
i le s o f J e h o a h s Fr i e nd a nd Ano i n e d ( 44 : 2 8 ; 4 5 : 1 ) se e m e d
’
t
t v t
m u c h t oo e x r a ag a n a n ho no r t o c o n e r u po n a o r ei g ner T hei r f f .

t
na i o na l p ri d e wa s i nsul e d t
S u c h m u r m u r e r s ar e r e m i nd e d h a
. t t
v
J e ho a h , as t he u nc hall e ng eable So erei g n a nd rea o r o f t h e v C t
t
wo r ld a nd m e n, has d el i ber a el y c ho se n y r us to e x e c u e hi s p u r C t
po se O i e m anci p a i ng I sr ae l t .

v tt
9 J e h o a h i s t he po e r , I sr a el t he c l a y ; a nd i t i s fo r t he p o er
. tt
t o sa y h o w t he c l ay i s t o b e m o u l d e d I sr a el ha s no r i g h t o m ur . t
’
v
m ur a t J e h o a h s c h o i c e o f yr u s Am ong , i e no be er ha n C . . . tt t
h e n po sh er d t
Th y work , e t c , : r e ad Hi s wor k: tho u hast
ezs
an
L
.

no 5 .
45 3 1 5 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

The labour of Egypt and th e mer chandi se of Ethi opi a , ,

And th e Sabean s m en of statur e , ,

Shall c om e ove r unto th ee and they shall be thi n e ,

They shall go after th ee i n c hai ns they shall c ome

over :
And th ey shall fall down unto th ee ,

x Cor u
. : zs
Th ey shall mak e suppli cati on unto th ee ,

S ur ely God i s i n t h ee
And th ere i s none el se ther e is no God , .

Ve rily thou a rt a God that hi dest th yself ,

”
O God of I srael ,
t he Savi our .

v t t t t
i rr el e a n , a nd i nc o nsi s e n wi h 4 3 : 3 , i s r eg ar d e d by so m e as a
t
l a e r i nse r i o n t .

14 . t v t t
I n hi s er se i t i s cl e ar ha t h e hea h e n p ay so m e so r o f t t
t
ho m ag e t o I srael , ho ug h i t i s d i fi c ul t t o b e sur e o f t h e d e ail s t .

tt t f
O ur p r ese n e x , whi c h , r o m shal l com e over t o s hal l co me over i s
t v
r a he r hea i ly we i g h e d a nd r e d u nd a n t r e p r ese n s Egy p , E t h i o t , t t
i a a nd Se ba ( o r a t leas
,
tt
he i r wea l h) as d e s i ne d t o b el o ng t o t t
sr ae l they sha l l be thi ne fo r t he c l a use S u r el y God i s i n thee
sho ws ha t t
Isr ael i s b e i ng ad d r e sse d B u t hi s i s i nc o nsi s e n . t t t
t t
wi h 4 3 : 3 , whi c h a ssi ns hese pe o pl es t o y r u s I i s p ossi bl e, C . t
as C t v t t
hey ne and M ar i e ll e e , h a thi s e r se h a s b e e n e x p a nd e d , v
t t
i n t he spi ri t o f a so m e wha l a er a g e ( c 60 : 1 1 ; 6 1 5 so as t o f .

t t t t
sugg e s t he i d ea h a t he weal h o f t h e wo r l d sha l l o ne d ay be l o ng
t t
t o I srael , and ha t he o ri g inal ma y ha e si mply ru n : v
Thus sa it h J eho va h of ho sts: The ex i l es of E gypt,
A nd the capti ves of Ethi opi a , a nd the S abaza ns , me n of statur e,
B efor e thee sha ll pass, a nd to thee shall bow down , e t c .

t
T he c o nfe ssi o n o f t h e hea he n whi c h beg i ns wi th S u r el y co n i nu es t
to t he e nd o f v s 1 7 . .

15 f
Rea d : .

Ver il y wi th the e ( i e I srael ) God hides hi mself, the God of I sr ael i s

'

. . a

S avi o ur .

Asha med , yea confou nded , ar e all who r i se up agai nst Hi m (so
,

Th ese v ss a ck no wl ed g e tha t Isr ael s God i s t h e o nl y tr ue C od

’
.
,

a nd su es t t he c o m pl e t e co ll apse o f t h e i d ol atr o us r eh g rons .

I sr a el ho d s t he r el i gi o us se c r e t of t he world ( c f 4 2 .
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH 45 : 19

16 . Th ey shall be asham ed yea c onfounded all of th em , , ,

1
,
2
Th ey shall g o into c onfusi on togeth er that are
maker s of i dols .

17 . B ut I srael hall b e save d by the L O RD

s

Wi th an everlasti n g salvati on
Y e sh all not be asham e d nor c onfounded
Worl d wi thout end .

Jehovah desi r es the S al vati on o f the whole Wor ld (4 5 1 8— 2 5)

18 . For thu s sai th the L O RD that c reated the h eav en s
H e i s God
Th at form e d th e earth and made i t
He est abli sh e d i t ,

He cr eate d i t not a w aste

3
,

H e form ed i t to be i nha bi te d
I am the L O RD ; and th ere i s non e else .

19 . I have not spok en in sec ret ,

In a pl ac e of the land of darkn ess

I sai d not unto the seed of Jac ob ,
! ”
Seek y e m e i n v ai n
4

Gr that oppose hi m
1 2 Gr kee i m i d 3 He b
p a f east of consecr at on to e y e sla n s
y
. . . .
, .

chaos 4 m. as i n a waste (c haos ; cf vs

. Gr (seek) va ni t : I , I am the L or d ,
. . .

who speak , e tc .

1 7 . v
Th i s d el i er a nc e o f I sr a e l , whi c h h as b e hi nd i t su c h a Go d
v
as J e h o a h , i s d e c i si e fo r al l ime v t
no t o nl y t h e g u a r an ee , b u t t
t
a c u all y t h e b e g i nni ng , o f h e r M essi a ni c a g e .

— G
o d s p u r p o se , ali k e 1n na u r e r e el a i o n ( 19) t v t
’
45 18 2 5 .

a nd h i s o r y ( 2 2t f
i s b e ne fice nt no t wa s e a nd d es r u c ti o n, b u t t t
All h i s a c i o n, ali k e i n c r e a i o n a nd hi s o r y , i s
.

f
l i e , sal a i o n v t . t t t
i nsp i r e d b y hi s l o e fo r m e n v .

18 . t
T h e wo r l d h e c r e a e d t o b e no t a waste , b u t t h e h o m e o f
v
sa e d m e n .

19 t t t
T h o u g h i t i s r u e h a i t i s i n I sr a el h a J e h o a h h i d e s
. t t v
v
( a nd r e eal s) hi m sel ( v s f
h i s wo r d s wi h i n I sr ael , sp o k e n b y
. t
303
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

I LO RD speak righteou sn ess

t he ,

I decl are thi n gs that are rig ht .

Assemble yourselves and com e ; dr aw n ear together ,

Y e that ar e esca pe d of the nati ons

Th ey hav e no knowled g e that carry
The wood of th ei r grav en i mage ,
And pray unto a god
That cannot save .

D ecl are ye , and b ring i t forth

Yea, let th e m tak e c oun sel togeth er
Who ha th shewed thi s from an ci ent ti me
Who hath decl ar ed i t of old ?
Have not I t he L O RD ?
And there is no God e l se besi de me .

A j ust God and a savi our ;

There i s non e be si d e m e .

22 . Look unto me, and be y e s aved ,

All t he
nds O f the earth e

Fo r I am God and th e re i s non e , el se .

23 . By myself h ave I swo m ,

t tv
h i s h u m an r e p r e se n a i es, t he p r o p he s, h a e no t b ee n O b sc u r e t v
t
o r m y s er i o u s, lik e t h e o r a c u l a r u tt
er a nc es o f t h e h ea he n, b u t t
, f t
c lea r r a nk , a nd r ue righ teo u sness a nd ri gh t , i e wo r d s whi c h . .

a re r i g h a nd t t
r u e , a s t h e nea r u u re wil l sho w f t In vai n,
!
li t . .

t t fi t
i n chaos, i e wi ho u d e ni e g u i d a nc e and wi ho u h o p e o f r e
. . t t
sul t ”
( S k i nne r ) .

20 f . t
Ano h er sc e ne li ke 4 1 1—4 2 1 2 9 ; 4 3 9—1 3 The u il i y -
. f t t
t
o f t h e h e a he n g o d s i s pr o e d by v t
h ei r i na b i l i y t o p r e d i c t h e t t
f t
u ur e t t
J er e m i a h and o he r pr o phe s, i n t h e i nsp i r a i o n o f Je
. t
v t
ho ah , h ad p re di c ed t h e e x i l e a nd t h e r es o r a i o n t t .

22 25
-
v f fi
T h e se e r se s o r m a m ag ni c e n c li m a x t o t he p oe m o n
. t
C y r u s b e g i nni n g 4 4 : 2 4 T h e y sh o w J.e h o ah
’
s r e al o b e c ,
i nvt h e j t
C
d eli e r a nce Of I sr ae l b y y r u s , t o be t he sal a i o n O f t he wh o l e v t
wor d y .
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

The thi ngs that ye carri ed about ar e made a load a ,

b urden to the w eary beast .

2 . They stoop they bo w down togeth er ;,

Th ey c oul d not deli ve r the b urden ,

B ut th em selves ar e gon e i nto capti vi ty .

3 H e
.ark e n unto m e , 0 house of J a cob ,

And all the re mnant of the house of I srael ,

Whi ch have bee n born e by me from th e be lly ,

Whi ch have bee n carried from the womb .

4 . And even to old age I am he ,

And even to h o ar hai rs will I carry you

I have m ade and I will be ar ; ,

Yea I will c arry and will d eli v er

, ,
.

t s t h i f a te and t akes occ si n t c o nt st t h i r f oli h

d e pi c e r ,
a o o ra e o s

i m pot e nce wi t h t he vi c t ri us po we f J ho v h o o r o e a .

T he g od s r e p i c t u re d as al ea d y p o t t
1 . a B el h r r s ra e .
,
er e

M od c h
er M rd uk t h ort o n G d o f B b y lo n ; Nebo hi s
a e o a
rt h d y nast y ( c f N b c h d zz )
a ,
a r ,

so n o b ably t he p t r o n
,
r a o e . e u a re ar .

Th casts a e b a st s o f b u d n
e r n wh se w e y b c k t h e id l s r e , o o ear a s o

are p ac k e d f r t he fli g h t Ye whi c h m t r f r t o t h B aby l o

o .
,
us e e e

ni a ne ,is he re i na p pl i c abl e i n a n ad d r ess t o I sr ael ( cf vs . . T he

vers e , whi c h i s c u m b r o u s i n c o m pa ri so n wi h vs 2 , m ay t . o r i gi
nally ha e bee n bri e e r v t h us : f
B el i s bowed down, Nebo cr o ucheth,
Thei r i d ols a r e co nsi gned to the beasts ,
Lifted up, lad en on the wear y .

t t
The i de a i s h a t h e g o d s c o uld no t sa e h ei r o wn i dol s r o m
2 . v t f
t he a e o f ca f t
p
i vi y ; t t t
he a re si m p ly
y so m u c h de ad wei g h fo r t
weary b eas s ( A Sm 1t h) t G . . .

3 f t t t f
Wha a c o n r as ( c v s 5) b e wee n hose hel pl ess g o ds a n’d
. . . t t
t he Go d o f I srae l ! Thei r pe o p le h a e t o ca r r y h e m , b u t I sr ael s v t
God c a rr i e s hi s peo p l e o re er f
V s 3 e c hoe s v s 1 , and g i es i t s v . v
fi
. .

t t
ho ug h a p r o o u nd and brill i a n f
u r n, nel y su gg e s i ng t h e s u s tt t
tai ni ng po we r o f r u e r e li gi o n t
Fo r I h ave mad e r ea d pe r hap s .

I have bor ne .
 THE B OO K OF I SAI AH

5 To . whom will y e li k en m e and make m e e qual , ,

And c ompar e m e that we may b e lik e ? ,

i
6 . Su c h h g ol d out of the b ag
as l av s ,

And w eigh silve r in the b al an ce ,

Th ey hi re a golds mi th and h e m ak e th ,
it a g o d ;
Th ey f all down y ea th ey worshi p , ,
.

7 . Th ey bear hi m upon the shoul d er , th ey carry him ,

And se t hi m i n hi s pl a c e ,
And he standeth from hi s pl a ce shall he not r e move

Y ea , shall c ry unto hi m y et c an he not an swer

one , ,

Nor save hi m out of hi s trouble .

8 . R em e mbe r thi s and sh ew yourselves m en

1
,

B ri n g i t agai n to mi nd 0 ye tran sgr essors ,

.

9 R e
. m e m b e r t h e form er thi n gs O f old :
Fo r I am God , and th e r e i s non e el se ;

I am God and th ere i s non e li k e m e

,

1 m . sta nd fast ; Gr g roan

. .

6—8 t
I n t h e sp i r i o f 44 : 9 —2 0 , h ese v ss p o u r sc o r n u l sar c a sm
. t . f
u p o n t h e id o l s Fo r c e r a i n r e a so ns (c
. t
c ha ng e o f p er so n r o m f . f
se c o nd t o t t t
hi r d , c h ar a c e r i z a i o n o f I sr ae l a s tr ansg r essors or
r ebels , v s 8 , wh e r eas e l se wh e r e sh e i s J e h o a h s w
.
’
i tness ; c 4 3 1 0 , v f .

t
so m e r e c e n s c h o l ar s b el i e e v t
h ese e r se s t o b e a n i n er p o l a v t
ti on .

6 f
T h e g ol d a nd silve r ar e no t t o p a y t h e g ol d smi h ; h ey are
. t t
t t
fo r u se i n t h e c o ns r u c i o n o f t h e im ag e , whi c h i s sm all e no u g h t o
b e car r i ed on the s houl d er O nc e x e d i n h i s p l a c e , t h e g o d c a n
. fi
t v
nei h e r m o e no r sp ea k , — st i fl , m u e , h el p l ess, — a e r y s c o r n ul t v f
pi c ur e t .

8 S h ow yourse lve s m en, p e r hap s acknowl edg e y ou r g u i l t

. .

9
— 1 1 Fo rm e r thi n s d e e d s and e s e c i all
.
g , p y p r e di c i o ns, whi c h t
sh o w h a t t v
J eh o ah al o ne i s Go d Hi s i r r esi s i bl e wi ll m u s b e . t t
d o ne , a nd i t i s d o ne b y c alli ng C
y r u s, t h e ravenou s bir d , wh o wil l
S wo o p v
i ct o ri o u s l i k e a n e a g l e up o n t he p r e y Th e m an of m y .

co unsel , i e who ex ecu tes m y co u ns el (so

. .
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

10 . D ecl ari n g the from the beginn i ng end ,

And from an ci ent ti mes thi n gs that are not yet done
Sayi n g My c o un sel shall stand
, ,

And I will do all my pleasure

11 . Calli ng a rav enous bi rd from the east ,

The man of my c ounsel from a far c ountry ;

Yea I have spoken I will also b ri n g i t to pa ss ;
, ,

I have purpo sed I will also do i t , .

Hea rken unto me , ye touth earted 1

s ,

That are far from ri g ht eousn ess

I b ri n g n ear my righteousn ess i t shall ,

And my salvati on shall not tarry

And I will pla ce salvati on in Z i on
2

For I srael my gl ory

The Downfall f
o B abylon —1
5)

47 . C ome down and si t in the dust , ,

O vi rgi n daught er of B ab yl on

1
Gr that have lost heart
. .
1 m gi ve . sal mti on i n l ion, and my glory u nto l srael .

12 f . Wi t h
Go d why sho ul d I sra el ai n o r e ar ? S tout
su ch a , f t f
h eart e d , r a h e r fa i nt hea r ted (sot Ri gh teou srmss as so o e n
-
, ft
t
i n hi s p r o p h ec y p r a c i c all y - i c o ry , sal vati o n
, t
Thi s i s no t , v t .

as t
he y su ppo se , fa r of , b u t , hr o ug h t he i c o ri es o f y r us , i s t v t C
nea r .

C hap 4 7 Thi s ta u nt so ng on t he do wnf ll o f B by lon app o

. .
-
a a r

p ri at el y f l l o ws t he so ng o n t h d o wnf all f her g o d ( C h p

o e o s a .

S he i h er e po r t ay ed s ha ug h t y q u e n d u c d t o t h e c o ndi t i o n
s r a a e re e

O f t he m e a ne st sl a v e nd all h m gi c i ans a nd tr ol g r s e
, a er a as o e ar

p o we l es t sa v e h er s o r .

—
The H u mi li ati o n o f B abyl o n ( v ss . 1 4)

1 f
B abylo n i s he r se l
. f t h e vi r g i n, tend er a nd del i cate, o n e e n c
t hr o ne d , no w thr o nel ess , t
si tti ng i n h u m i l i a i o n o n the gr ou nd , a nd

308
47 7 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

And gave them i nto thi n e han d

Thou di dst she w th e m no mer cy ;
U pon the age d hast thou
Ve ry h eavily l ai d thy yoke .

R ev . 18 : 7 And thou sai dst I shall be ,

!

A lady for ever

So that thou di dst not lay these thi ngs to thy
heart ,

N ei ther di dst r emembe r t he latte r end th ereof .

8 . Now therefore hear thi s thou that art g i ven to ,

p l easur es ,

That dwell est carel essl y

1
,

That sayest i n thi ne hea rt ,

I am and there i s none else besi de m e ;

!
,

I shall not si t as a wi dow ,

Nei ther shall I know the l oss of ch il dr en

B ut th ese two thi n gs sh all c ome to th ee
In a moment i n one day , ,

The lo ss of chi ldr en and wi dowhood : z

i n th ei r full
,

m easure
Shall they c om e upon thee ,

1 m SV
. si ttest secur el y .
1 Gr Sy r
. . sudde nl y .

her si n, b u t B ab y lo n p r o v ed c r u el , espe c i all y t o t he aged ( La m .

5 :

7 . C r u e l , a nd a nd , fo r she sa i d , I s hall end u r e f or ever , be mi s

tr ess f or ay e . e se thi ng s , t he a c f t t ha t
h er po we r o e r I sr a el v
was o nl y te m r ar y , c o nseq ue n t
u p o n J e ho a h s a ng er ( v s
’
v .

a nd th t a t he ft e r end i e ,
. . t he i ss ue o f i t all , wo ul d b e t h e r e s
t o r at i o n of I sr ael ( c f Je r 2 9 :
. .

B abyl on s S udden Di scomfitur e ( )

’
vss . 8
-
roa

8 . Wid owho od ber eavement : d eso l a i o n o f t he c i y , d estru c

and t t
t t t
i o n o r d e p o r a i o n o f her p e o pl e .

9 B.a b y l o n i m a g i ne d h e r m a g i ci a ns c o ul d sa e h er v .

3 10
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH 47

1
D espi t e of the mul ti tude of thy sor ceri es,
And the gr eat ab undan c e of thi n e en chantm ent s .

10 . For thou hast tru st e d i n thy wi c k edness

”
Thou hast sai d , Non e seeth m e
!
.

Thy wi sdom and thy knowledge ,

It hath p erv ert e d th ee

And thou ha st sai d i n thi ne h eart ,
!
I am and th er e i s non e el se b esi de m e
,
.

Ther efore shall evil c om e upon th ee ;

Thou shal t not know t he dawni n g th ereof
2

And mi schi ef shall fall upon th ee

Thou sh al t not be able to put i t away
And desolati on shall c om e upon thee sud denl y ,

Whi ch thou knowest not .

Stand now wi th thi n e e n chantm ent s ,

And wi th the mul ti tude of thy sor ce ri es ,

Wh er ei n thou hast l ab our e d from thy youth ,

1 m . a midst ; SV i n .
1 m how to
. cha r m it wa
a y .

10For th ou hast tr u ste d , r e a d

. a nd thou g h thou did st feel s ecu r e .

None , e sp e c i all y no h ol y G o d .

B abyl on s M agi c Ar ts cannot sa ve H er ( —

r ob r 2 )
’
v ss .

B a b y l o n s wi sd om a nd k nowl e dg e o f m agi c and sor c er y

’
10 .

( v s
.
9 ) l u l l e d h e r i n o a a l se se ctu r i y f t .

11 . v
Th i s e ry sy m m e r i c all y b u i l t tv
e r se , whi c h asser t s t h e i m p o

t e nc e o f so r c e r y t o wa r d o ff t h e i m p e ndi ng c a l a m i y , O f f er s a fine t
ft t
c l i m a x A er t he l as wo r d , a n i n ni i e see m s ne c e ssar y ;
. fi tv
whi ch thou knowest not h o w t o b a ni sh ( by c h a r m )
C al a mi ty s hal l co m e u pon thee, whi ch tho u hast no knowl edg e to

char m a wa y ( se e m a r gi n) ,
Destr u cti on s hal l fall u pon thee, whi ch thou hast no power to appease,
R u i n hall sud denl y co me, whi ch thou hast no knowl edg e to bani sh by
i
c ar m .

12 An i r o ni cal
. c hall e ng e t o t he so r c er er s . Omi t wher ei n
you th ( r o m v s f . R e a d , P er ha ps thou (i e . . th r o ug h t hy

31 1
 THE B OO K OF I SAI AH

If so be thou shal t be able to profit ,

1
If so b e thou mayest prevail .

Thouart weari e d in the mul ti tude of thy c ounsel s

2
Le t now t he a strol oge rs ,

The starg azers the monthly progno sti ca tors

, ,

Stand up ,

And save thee from the thi n gs

That shall c om e upon thee .

B ehold they shall b e as stub ble ;

,

The fir e sha ll b urn the m

They sha ll not deli ve r th e mselves
From t he powe r O f t he fl am e ;
It shall not be a c oal to warm at ,

Nor a fir e to si t be fore .

Thus shall t he thi ngs be unto th ee wh er ei n thou hast

l abour ed
They that hav e traffi cked wi th th ee from thy youth

1 m . str i ke te rr or . Heb di vider s of the heavens

. .

c
so r e r e r s m a yest so me what a va i l , per ha ps tho u m a yest str i ke ter r or
)
( so . . t
m a r g i n) , i e i n o t h e d e m o ns ha ca u se t he ca la m i y t t t .

Astr ologers, all , ar e I mpotent no S al vat i on possible for B abylon

( vss . 13
-
15 )
13 . C ounsel s , pe rhaps The o rde r o f RV is not se
cou nsel lors.
t
c ura e re ad , let them sta nd for th and save thee, the astr ologer s, the sta r
gaz er s , those w ho m a k e kn o w n eac h m on t h w he nce ( tr oubles ) ar e com i ng .

t
M on hl y alm anacs we re pre pared whi c h anno unce d i n ad ance l uc ky v
and unl u c ky d ays, e t c t
Ano her i roni c al challenge (c vs
. f . .

14 . t
The as r o l o g e rs c a nno sa e t v t
h e m se l es , far l ess t h e c i y , v t
fr o m t h e fir e whi ch wi ll c o ns u m e h e r O m i t he l a s c l a u se . t t .

15 . v t
Th e tr afficker s a r e he r e i r r e l e a n ; i t i s t he so r c e rer s ( vs 9 ) .

t
and as r o l og e r s ( vs 3 ) wh o ar e i n
. u e sti on R e ad : q .

S u ch ar e those beco me u nto thee ,

A bout who m tho u d id st tr ou bl e thyself fr o m thy youth

S tagger i ng they flee ever y m a n str ai g ht befor e hi m
,
.

Ther e i s no ne that ca n save the e .

 THE B OO K OF I SAI AH

I have decl ared the former thi n gs from of Old ;

Yea they went forth out of my mouth and I shewed
, ,

them
Suddenly I did them and t hey came to pass , .

4 . B ecau se I kn ew that thou art obsti nat e ,

And thy n eck i s an i ron si new ,

And thy b row b rass

Ther efore I have de cl ared i t to th ee from of old ;
B efore i t cam e to pass I she wed i t thee :
Lest thou sho ul dest say Mi ne i dol hath don e th em , ,

And my graven i mage and my mol ten i mage hath , ,

”
c ommanded them .

6 .
1
Thou hast h ea rd i t ; behol d all thi s ;
And ye will ye not decl are i t ?
,

I have she wed thee new thi n gs from thi s t im e ,

E ve n h i dden thi n gs whi ch thou hast not known ,

.

They are c r eat e d now and not from of Old ; ,

And before thi s day thou h earde st them not

Le st thou shoul dest say B ehol d I knew them ,
!
,
.

3
—6 a The ar g u m en
. t f
r o m p r o p h e c y , whi c h has al r e ad y be e n
t f q
m e t wi h r e ue n l y t f
I o ld e r p r o p he ci es ha e bee n ul l le d , v f fi
f fi
.

t he t
ne w hi ng wi ll also b e ul lle d ( c 4 2 : The anno u nc e f .

t v t v
m e n o f e e n s i n a d anc e m ad e i t i m p ossi b e t o say ha he y t t t
had be e n ca us ed by i do ls b u t t he id o la r y i m l i e d b y v s 5 b t
pv
.
,

t t t
see m s h ar dl y c o ns i s e n wi h o u r p r o p h e s g e ne r a
’
i e w O f I sr a e l s
’
t
p as ( c t f
43 : . The m e ani ng o f beho ld all thi s ( vs 6 ) i s ra h er . t
o b sc u r e ; t he ex t t
m ay b e a ul y f
And y e , e t c : p e r hap s , a ndt . .

tho u , w ll not tho u bear wi tness to i t ? I sr ael i s J e ho ah s wi ness

’
v t
(4 3 :
oh , 7
12 iIh ave sh o we d I a nno u nce T he newa nd hi dd en thi ng s
.
,
.
,

whi c h are cr eate d now ( v s i n c o nt r as t t o t he f o r m e r t hi ng s

.
,

( vs 3 ) ar e t he r i se
. Of Cyr us wi t h all t ha t i t i nv ol v es t he f all

of B a by lo n ( vs t he r e d e m p i o n o f I sr ael ,
. t a nd t h e p r ocla m a i o n t
t t
O f t he s o r y hr o ug h o u t he wo r l d ( v s t .

3 14
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

8 . Yea , thou h eardest not ; y ea thou kn ewest not ; ,

Yea from of ol d t hi n e ear was not op en e d :

1
,

For I kn ew that thou di dst de a l v ery tr ea ch erously ,

And wast c alled a tr an sgr essor from the womb .

For my name s sak e will I d ef e r mi ne anger

2 ’
,

And for my prai se will I r efrai n for th ee that I c ut

3
,

th ee not Ofl .

B ehol d I h ave refin e d thee b ut not as si lv er ;

, ,

I h ave cho sen th ee i n the furnac e of aflfli cti on

1 ‘
.

Fo r mi n e own sak e for mi n e own sak e w i ll I do i t , , ,

For how shoul d my name b e prof an ed ?

5

And my gl ory wi ll I not gi ve to another .

12 . Heark en unto m e , 0 J a c ob ,
And I srael my c alled
I am he I am the first ,
R ev
. 1 : 17

I also am the la st .

Gr I have not opened thi ne ea rs 1 C r show thee will

1 . . . .
1 Gr my glori ous
. acts I
bri ng upon thee
' 1 m tri ed 1
G1 my name is pr ofaned
. . . . .

8— 1 1 fi t f
O nl y t h e r s hal o f v s 8 a nd t h e r s a nd hi r d c l a u ses
. . fi t t
o f v s 1 1 se e m t o b e o r i g i nal
. T h e id e a o f I sr ae l s r e a c h e r y ( v s
’
. t .

t
b ) a 1 d o f h er p o ssi b l e e x er m i na i o n ( v s 9 ) i s e r y u nl i k e D e u er o t v t
8 fi
.

sa 1a
10 R ea d : S u r el y I have r efi ned thee, bu t wi tho u t gai n of si l ver ;
.

I have tr i ed thee i n the fu r nace i n vai n ( h ey ne) C .

11 H ow i s m y na m e pr ofa ned
. a pp a r e n l y t h e si g h o f a l a er t t
r ea d er M y gl o ry , t h e g l o r y o f a cc o m p li shi ng t h e ne w a nd
.

hidde n hi ng s t
a ll u d e d t o i n v s 6 . .

Cyr u s fulfil s
’
J ehova h s P u r pose u pon B abyl on ( v ss 1 2- 1 6
.
)
The g e ner al m e n i o n o f t h e ne w t
hi ng s e asi l y l ea d s t o t h e t
fi
sp e c i c m e n i o n o f t C
y r u s, by who m h ose hi ng s ar e t o b e a e c o m t t
pli she d .

12 f
Ag ai n t h e ol d e m phasi s o n t he e e r ni y and t he cr eati e
. t t v
p o wer o f J e h o a h v t
I i s no l ess ha n t h e e er nal O ne, t h e r eator
. t t C
v
O f t h e u ni er se , wh o h as c all e d
y r us C .

315
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

Yea, mi ne hand hath l ai d the foundati on of the earth ,

And my ri ght hand hath spr ead out th e heavens :
Wh en I call u nto them ,

Th ey stand up togeth er .

Assemble yourselves all y e and hear ; , ,

Whi ch among th em hath decl ar ed th ese thi ngs ?

1

2
The LO RD hath l oved hi m : he shall perform hi s
pleasur e on Babylon ,

And hi s arm shall be on the Chal deans .

I ev en I hav e spok en ; yea I have called hi m

, , ,

I have broug ht hi m and he shall make his way

3
,

p rosperou s .

Come ye near unto m e hear ye thi s ; ,

From t he begi nni ng I hav e not spoke n i n se c r et

From the ti m e th at i t was the r e am I ,

And now the Lord GO D '

Hath se rlt m e and hi s sp 1r1t , .

wa
G r out o
Chaldeans .
1
s

Gr
to t
.
M
S
e rea m ry ei
h md
yr
.
. ave a e .
s
t
m
rc an aw
s
to wy an n tro s o
;

14 . All ye I sraeli t es h e a h e n g o ds
. Among th em , i . e . the t .

Th es e thing s , t he ri se a nd a chi e e m e n s o f y r us T h e g e ner al v t C .

se nse o f vs 1 4 b 18 cl ea r ; b u t t h e d e ta i l 15 u nc er a i n, b e ca u se t he
. t
t t
ex is d o u b ul tf t
E i he r : He who m I l o ve , i s acco mpl i shi n y
h
.

pl eas u r e o n B a byl o n a nd o n the seed of the hal d aea ns ( D u m ) C

o r : Who has br o ug ht hi m ( c v s 1 5) to acco m pli sh hi s pl easu r e on f . .

B a byl on a nd to r eveal hi s ar m - mi h
g ) u pon the hald aeans ? t C
C
( he y ne) .

15 t v
I i s c ho ab who has ca l led , bro ug h , and prospe r ed hi m
. t .

Fo r h e mak e r e a d I ha ve mad e , .

16 The a p pea l t o co m e a nd h ear see m s su p e r fl u o u s a er v ss 1 2 ,

. ft .

14 . Fr o m th e b egi nni ng , i e O f t h e c a re e r o f y r u s , J e h o ah , . . C v
t t
hr o u g h hi s p r o p h e , has O fl e r e d a cl ea r i n e r p r e a i o n o f i t ( c t t t f .

Fo r th e re am I , r ea d , p e r hap s, I ha ve a nno u nced (i e . .

ne w hi ng s, v st so M a r i . t , o b l ec t no t sub e c t . j t
t
( as AV ) t he wri e r i s e ndo wed wi t t he (p ro p he ti c) spi ri t
f
(c 61 . t
Th i s l a s c la use ho we er , i s p r o b ab ly a n i nser i o n ;
°

,
v t
no wh er e e l se d oe s D e u e r o I sa i a h re e r t o hi m se l t -
f f .

3 16
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

Wi th a voi ce Of si ngi ng decl ar e ye ,

Tell thi s ,

U tt er i t
Even to t he end of the earth
The LO RD hath r edee m ed
!
Say ye ,

Hi s se rv ant J acob .

And they thi rsted not

Wh en he led them throug h the dese rts
H e cause d the wat e rs to flow
O ut of th e roc k for the m
He cl ave the roc k al so ,

And the wat ers gu she d out .

22 . Th er e is no pe ac e sai th
,
t he L OR D unto
,
the wi cked .

21 . f t
The e x od us ro m B ab y l o n wi ll r e pea t h e a nci e nt wo nders
f
o f t he e x od us r o m E g y p t
( E x od 1 7 .

v
Th i s r i n ng s u m m o ns t o l ea e B ab y l o n ( 2 0 ) ap p r o p ri a el y
°

f . t
t
bri ng s t he rs t p ar o f t h e pr o p he c y t o a cl ose Vs 2 2 , whi c h i s
. .

v t f
i rr ele an he r e , was a d d e d r o m 5 7 2 1 t o m ar k a n i m p or an di i t t v
si o n i n t he p r o p he c y .
 PART II . THE RE STO RATION O F ISRAEL AND THE
U U
F T RE GL O R Y OF Z I ON ( C h aps .
49 55)
—

THE SERVANT D I SCO UR AGE D BUT AT LA S T TRI UMPHAN T

-
13 )
The S ervant : Hi s S eemi ng Fail u r e and hi s Gr eat Desti ny
—
6)

49 . Li st en 0 i sles unto m e ; , ,

And h eark en ye p eoples from far , ,

C h p 4 9—5 5 Wi t h C h p 4 9 w e nt u p n ne w nd app r
a s . . a . e er o a a a
e nt l y s m e wh t l t o ph s f t hi s g a t p p h c y
a a er Th th m i a e o re ro e . e e e s
s t i ll ,
b f as (4 : th c n l ti n f I
e ore 0l b t h e tt e n e o so a o O sr a e ,
u er a
ti n i s m s v l y c nc e nt at e d u p n I s l h s l f nd u po n
o ore e ere o r o rae er e ,
a
Z i o n h e c pi tal ci ty T he way h b n p pa e d fo t hi c n
,
r a . as ee re r r s o

c e nt t i o n by t h
ra g u m e nt w h i c h i n C h a e
p s 4
— 8 w
ar 4 d s ,
. 0 ,
er e a
v anc d wi t h su c h f
e q u enc y nd p o we — t h m ni p t nc f re a r e o o e e o

I s el s G d t h i m p t nc f t h h t h n g o d s wh se p p l h d
ra
’
o , e o e e o e ea e o eo e a

th wa t ed hi s p p r t h v i c t o ri o u s c r of Cy u
ur o se , whi c h m u t e ar ee r s s
i u i n t h e v t h w f B b y l o n ; and n w t h t t h w y t I
ss e o er ro o a o a e a o s
el s p li t i c l m nc i p a t i n h s b n m d e p l i n t h p o p h e t
’
ra o a e a o a ee a a ,
e r

r e a ssu h Of th
r es l ve Of h erG d nd i n b e et i f l l ng u g
o er o ,
a au u a a e

d c ib es t h g l y t o whi c h h
es r nd Z i o n wil l s
e or n be li ft d f o m s e a oo e r

o u t t h e u ff e i ng nd so s w o f t h p s nt r a rr o e re e .

3 I p p h t i c m i i o n t t h w ld b u t t h e
— l h s
49 1 1 sr ae or
°

. a a ro e ss o e ,

e x il h s m i tt e n h
e a wi t h s se n Of d f t H g t m i si n
er a se e ea . er rea s o ,

h w v
o will y e t b t i m p h nt l y cc m pl i h d
e er , e nd
r u a a o s e a

3 pi c t u th r t t i n wh n f m t h nd f t h th
v — e ea r
ss 7 . 1 re e es o r a o ,
e ro e e s o
h er c hi l d n h ll t u n nd h e i n d p l c wi ll b b il t ag i n
re s a re r ,
a r ru e a es e u a .

49 6 T hi : th
1— c nd O f t h S v nt ng s ( c f 4
. s IS e se o e er a so . 2
°
1

I t S p se nt d u tt e d b y t h
I re re v nt hi m l f nd i t st i k
e as re e se r a se a r es

a v er y d fi ni t
,

nd p e n l n t T h s v nt wi t h hi s s n e o f
e a er so a o e . e er a ,
e s
a di vi ne c ll e q i p m nt nd p r t e c t i n s s t h o g h hi s t m p o
a ,
u e ,
a o o ,
ee r u e
r ar y d f t t o t h ul ti m t g l r y whi c h hi G d will en bl e hi m
e ea e a e o s o a
to c hi v e Th s v nt i I
a e . l l ng ui hi ng i n e x i l e ; h i s
e er a s sr ae ,
a s
d e t i ny i t bl
s the w l d to b
s o li g h t t o t h G ntil e
e ss or ,
e a e e s .
”

1 Isl es t h m sag ( f l v t i o n) c o nc r n t h wh ol w rl d
. : e es e o sa a e s e e o

3 19
49 N THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

Gae rs The LO RD h ath call ed m e from the womb

From t he b owel s of my moth er hath h e made m en
ti on Of my nam e .

2 . And he hath made my mouth li ke a sharp sword ,

In t he shadow of hi s hand hath he hi d m e

And he hath made m e a po li sh ed shaft ,

In hi s qui ver hath he k ept m e cl ose

3 . And he sai d unto m e Thou art my servant ; ,

”
I srael in whom I will be gl orifi ed
,
.

4 . B ut I sai d I have lab oured i n vai n ,

!
,

I have spe nt my strength for nought and vani ty .

Ye t r y my j udge ment is wi th the LORD

su el ,

And my rec ompe n c e wi th my God .

5 . And now sai th t he LO RD

1

That form ed m e from the womb to b e hi s se rvant ,

1 C r Syr thus
. . sa ith .

was d i v i ne l y call e d fr om i ts bi r th l i ke J e r e m ia h
I srael
(
vs .
,

1 : M y nam e a s t he Ser v a nt o f J e ho vah di v i nely a p po i nt e d ,

to do a m i g h t y wo r k fo r t h e wo r l d .

T he m ou th i s sp e c i a lly m e n i o ne d , b e ca u se I sr ael i s t he
2 . t
p p
r o h et n a i o n S h e i s J e hto a h
’
s wea p.o n i n h i s c o n e s w i h t h e v t t t
false Od s ; t v t
h ro ug h her i c o r y i s wo n fo r t he r u e r e li g i o n hr o ug h t t
o u t t e wo r l d ( vs t f
he r e o r e he hi d , p r ese r e d p ro e c e d h e r
. v , t t
f
ca r e ul ly , as a war r io r hi s swor d o r hi s a r r ow, ill t he d e c i si e t v
mo men t .

3 Wi ll b e . or i fi e d , will g e t m e g l o r y .

4 No i ce . t
e c o n r a s be we e n wha t t t
He sa i d ( v s 3 ) and wh a I t t . t
sa i d ( v s 4 ) . t
b e wee n hi g h d es i ny a nd d e e p d e spo nd e nc y Y et t .

t
I sr ael ri u m phs o er her despo nd ency , hr o ug h t he ai h hat h erv t f t t
f
God wi ll d e e nd h er c a use , her r i g ht ( r a h e r h a n ju dgm e nt) t t .

5 f
Ag ai n t he hi g h se nse o f desti ny N o t only will Israel s
.
’
.

wo r k no t b e r ui l ess ( vs f t
i t will be g l or i o us These .erses . v
see m t o l e nd s r o ng su p p o r t
t o t he i e w h a t he Ser an in t he t v t t v t
so ngs i s a n i ndi vid u al , wh o se d u y i s rs t o r esto r e hi s peo p l e t fi t
3 20
 B OO K
.

THE OF I SAIAH

To hi m whom man despi seth to hi m whom , the 1

nati on
abhorreth ,

To a se rvant of rul ers

Ki ngs shall and ari se ; see

P ri n c es and they shall worshi p ;

,

B ecause of the L ORD that i s fai thful ,

Even t he Holy O ne of I sra el who hath chosen ,

8 Thus
. sai th the L ORD ,

In an a cceptable ti m e have I answer ed thee ,

And i n a day of salvati on have I h elped th ee

And I will prese rve thee and gi ve t hee ,

For a c ovenant of t he peop le

1
,

To rai se up the land ,

To m ake them i nh eri t t he desol at e h e ri ta ges

”
9 . Sayi ng to them that are bound GO forth ,

TO them that are in darkn ess Shew yoursel ves

!
.
,

Th ey hall f eed i n the wa ys

s
2
,

And on all bare heig ht s shall be th ei r pastur e .

1
01 nati ons
. .
‘Gr . 00 .

7 H u m i li a t io n i s f o llo we d by e x al t a t i o n
. N o w I sr ael i s de .

s pi sed of me n a bho r r ed of peopl e ser va nt of tyr a nts

,
b u t t he g r e a t
,

o nes O f t h e ear t h whe n t he y see her wo nd er f ul r est o ra ti o n wi ll

, ,

ri se u p i n ho m a g e a nd pr ostr ate the msel ves ( r a t h e r t ha n wo rsh i p)

,

in re ve re nc e .

8 , 9a . In an acce p abl e i n a ti me of favor , i e no w

t ti m e ,
I . . .

h ave a ns we r ed , have he l pe d ; i t i s alr ea d y as g o od as a cc o m pli sh ed

( h e nc e p f e nse.
) t o ve n a nt
.
, e t c :C c T o r ai se u p ,
e t.c : f . .

r e a d r a i s i ng u p the ( r ui ned ) l a nd ( i e J ud a h ) , all otti ng the d esol ate . .

her i tages , sa yi ng to the pr i sone r s , e t c T he p ri so ners a nd h o se . t

i n dar kne ss a r e t he e x i l es .

9 b —1 1 T hese . e rs es d e sc ribve t h e h o m e wa r d w ay ,
o n w hi c h
j
I srael wo ul d e n o y abund a nc e and suffer no p ri a i on R ead v t .

i n al l th e way s ( 5 0 ever ywher e h ey we n h ey wo uld find t t t

p a s u rte a n d w a e r I n t
v s 1 1 o mi . m y . t .
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

10 . Th ey shall not hun ger nor thi r st R ev

.

N ei ther shall the h eat nor sun smi te th em

1
.

For he that hath m er cy on th em shall lead them ,

E v en by t he spri ngs Of wat er shall h e g ui de th em .

11 . And I wi ll m ak e all my mount ai n s a way

2 -

And my hig h way s shall be ex al ted .

12 . these shall c om e from far

LO ,
And 10 these from t he north and from
, ,
t he west ;
And th ese from the l and of Si ni m
3
.

13 . Si n g , O h eav ens ; and be joyful , O earth ;

And br eak forth i nto si ngi ng , O mount ai n s
For the L O RD h ath c omfort e d hi s p eopl e ,
And will have c ompassi on upon hi s afli i cted .

THE C O NS O LATI ON OF ZI O N (49 14 —

50 3)

Wasted Zi on wi l l be rebu il t and fill ed agai n wi th

(4 9 1 1 4 —
52 1
1 )
14 . B ut Zi on sai d J ehovah h ath for saken ,
m e,
”
And the Lord h ath forg ott en m e .

1 m m i r ag e (cf 3 5
.

1 G r the P ersi a ns
.
1 Gr . ever ym
o u nta i n a way and eve r y p th a a pasture to them .

. .

12 . Th e se sh all com e f om the v i

r c nt f t h J wi h
ar o u s e r es o e e s

d i sp e r si o n S ini m , o e
. o o e nc
a, s t h ug h t t b C hi n i p b bl y Sy n
ro a e e

( Asso u a n) i n t h e so u O ,
er e e o t h f E g y p t wh w n w k n w t h e was
o er a
f
J e wi sh c ol o ny ( c E z e k 2 9 : 1 0 ; 30 : 6 , S e v e ne h )
. . .

13 v
Th e i si o n o f t h e g l ad r e u r n l ea d s t h e p r o p h e t o b r e ak
. t t
t
i n o a so ng O f jo y ( c 4 4 : f .

4 9 : 4 50 : 3 T h e p e o p l e find i t h ar d t o b el i e e t he g l o wi ng
1 — . v
t t
p r o m i se s o f h ei r r e u r n and r es o r a i o n, a nd t h e p r o p h e ag ai n t t t
t v
a ssur e s h e m o f J e h o ah s e nd er l o e a nd i r r e si s ibl e p o we r
’
t v t .

14 f t
T h e br o k e n h ear e d a nd sc e p i c al p e o p l e r e c ei e t h e a ssur
.
-
t v
323
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

C an a woman forget her su cki ng chil d ,

That she shoul d not hav e c ompassi on on the son

of her womb ?
Yea th ese m ay forget
1
, ,

Yet will not I forget th ee .

B ehol d I have graven thee upon t he palms of my

,

hands ;
Thy walls are c ont in uall y b efor e m e .

Thy c hil dren make hast e ; thy d estroye r s and th ey

2

that made thee waste

Shall g o forth of thee .

Lift up thi n e ey es ro und about and b ehol d ,

All these g ather the mselves togethe r ,

And c ome to thee As I li ve .

,

Sai th t he LO RD ,

Thou sha l t sur ely cl oth e thee wi th them all as wi th

an ornam ent ,

And gi rd thyse lf wi th them lik e a b ri de ,

.

Fo r as for thy wast e and thy desola t e pl aces

,

And thy land that hath bee n destroye d ,

S urely now shalt thou be too strai t for the i nhabi tant s ,

And they that swallowed thee up sha ll be far away .

1 Gr though
. a wo ma n should forget these .
1 C r Vg Tar bu ilders
. . . .

an e c t ha t Go d i s l o ve . He ca n no m or e fo rg e t th em t h an a m t h e r o

h er i n f nt a c hi l d .

16 f Gr aven so a n t t fo g e t T h e pl n
.
,
s o o r . a of wall s O f t h e
t he
rest o e d c i t y i
r c nt i nu l ly i n hi s m i nd ; nd
s o a a s peed i l y i t wi ll b e
ex c u t ed by t he b i lde s ( t he t h n so ns v s
e u r ra r a ,
. T he t ri u m p h

o f t h e b u i ld e s i vi vi d ly c nt st d wi t h t h
r s o ra e e d e p ar tu re Of t he
d e stroy er s .

18 t
A fine p i c ur e o f t he e x iles fl oc ki ng ba c k t o i o n, ado r m ng
. Z
j
h er as e wels a d o r n a b r i d e .

19 f t
T h e se nse i s c o r r e c b u t so m e hi ng h as c l e ar l y b e e n l o s
.
,
t t
ft
a e r t h e wo r d d estr o y ed ( v s N o w J e r u sal e m i s t oo s m all fo r
.

t h e i nh ab i an s t t
Th e c hil dr en of th y b er eavem ent ar e ho se
. t
3 4
2
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

23 . And ki ngs shall be thy nursi ng fath ers ,

And th ei r queens thy nur si n g moth ers

Th ey shall bow down to th ee wi th thei r f aces to the
earth ,

And li c k t he dust of thy f eet ;

And thou shal t know that I am the LO RD ,

And they that wai t for m e shall not be ashamed .

24 . Sha ll the pr ey be tak en from the mig hty,

O r the lawf ul capti v es be deli ver ed ?
1

25 . B ut thus sai th the L O RD ,

Ev en the capti ves of the mi g hty shall be taken away ,

And the prey of the t e rrible shall be deli vered

For I wi ll contend wi th hi m that c ont endeth wi th thee
2
,

And I will save thy chi ldren .

'

26 . And I will feed them that oppress thee wi th th ei r own

fl esh
And they shall be drunk en wi th their own bl ood as ,

wi th swee t wi n e :
‘Heb . ca pti ves o] tlse j ust ; Syr Vg
. . ca pti ves of the terr i ble (or t y rant, cf . vs .

Gr plea d thy
. cause .

as o ne c arri es a t
li tl e c hi l d ( N u m The u ng ener o u s
fi t
.

a tti t ud e to t
th e hea he n i n t h e rs ha l o f f v s 2 3 i s u nli k e o u r
.

t ( cf 4 5 : 2 3 ) a nd m ore i n t h e sp i ri t t
o f l a er J ud ai s m ( c f
p rop
h
e . .

61 : 5
h
J e o va h i s O mni potent ( 49 : 2 4—2 6 )
J eho v ah is O m ni po t e nc e as well as Lo v e ( vs . and t he d e
li v e rance whi c h he e fl e c t s for hi s p e o pl e no p o wer o n e ar th ca n

ca n el c
24 For th e lawful capti ve s , read the ca pti ves of a tyr a nt; fo r
i .

th e terri bl e , a tyr a nt ; fo r for I wi ll conte nd th ee , r e ad bu t I

wil l pl ead thy ca use (so I sr ael , o nc e sa ed r o m B aby lo n v f
t v
b y t he mi g h y ha nd o f J e ho ah , ca n ne er b e o r n ro m hi m ag ai n v t f .

q t
The u es i o n a nd a nswer r e ca ll v s 1 5 . .

26 The e ne mi es o f I sr ae l wi ll di e b y e a c h o her s ha nds

.
’
t .

3 26
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

And al l flesh shall know

That I the L O RD am th y savi our ,

And thy r edeemer the M i ghty , O ne of J a c ob .

50 . Thus saiL ORD

th th e ,

Wh ere i s the bill of your mother s di vor cem ent ’

,

Wh erewi th I have put her away ?

O r whi ch of my c r edi tors i s i t

To whom I hav e sol d you
B ehol d , for your i ni qui ti es wer e y e sol d ,
And for your tran sgressi ons was your moth er put
away .

2 . Wh er efore when I cam e was ther e no man ?

, ,

When I ca ll ed was th ere non e to answer ? ,

I s my hand short en e d at all that i t cannot redeem ? ,

O r hav e I no pow er to deli ver ?

B ehol d at m y rebuk e I dr y up the

,
sea,

I mak e the ri v er s a wi l d ern ess

P ower ( i —3 )
’
J ehovah s L ove a nd 50 :

The p e opl e m i g ht well su p p o se h a t h e c o e nan r el a i o nshi p t t v t t

t
b e we e n J e h o ah and v Z
i o n h a d b e e n d i sso l e d B u t no t so ; v .

t v
h e h as nei h er di o r c e d her no r so l d h e r c hi l d r e n .

1 Z v
Your m oth e r i s i o n, J e h o a h i s h er h u sb a nd ; b u t h er e i s
. t
no bil l of di vorc em ent t o sh o w ( wher e ? no wh e r e ) cl earl y b e
h as no t p e r m ane n l y pu t her a way ( c t Deu 24 : I ) f
hi l d r e n
. t . . C
t
c o ul d b e so ld fo r t h e d eb o f h ei r p ar e n s ( 2 Ki ng s 4 : t bu t t
v
J e ho ah , as he c o ul d no t b e i n nee d , c o ul d no t p o ssibl y h a e any v
cr e di to rs t o W h o m hi s c h i l d r en ( I sr a el ) m i g h b e so ld I i s h ei r t . t t
t t
si n h a ha s c r e a e d t h e t t
e m p o r a r y se p a r a i o n b e wee n h e m a nd t t t
th e i r Go d .

2 f t
T o t h e p r o p h e s m essa g e h a J e h o ah hi m sel was co m i ng
.
’
t t v f
t t
and cal li ng t o h e m h r o u g h t h e ne w p o li i c al si u a i o n, t h e p eo p l e t t t
h ad o ffer e d no e a g er r e sp o nse S ur el y h e y di d no t d o u b t he
. t t
t
di vi ne p o wer ; for i n c r ea i o n ( o r so m e hi nk at t h e E x o d u s) t
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

Th ei r fish ti nk eth b ecause th ere

1
s ,
is no water ,

And di eth for thi rst .

3 I . clothe heavens wi th bl a ckne ss

the ,

And I make sac kcloth th ei r c overi ng .

THE SE RVAN T TRIE D BUT TR USTI NG —1 1

)
4 . The Lord GO D hath gi ven m e
Th e tong ue of th em tha t ar e ta ug ht
2
,

That I shoul d k now how to sustai n wi th words

3

Hi m that i s w eary .

He wak en eth morni ng by morni n g , he wakeneth mi ne

car
2
To h ea r as they that are taught .

5 . The Lord GO D hath open ed mi n e ear ,

Gr dry up m disci ples m howto speak a word i n season to hi m etc . ; Gr

y
. . . . . .
,

when it is necessar to speak a word .

J e ho v a h had sho wn hi m se l m as er o f t he o r c es o f na u r e f R ea d t f t .

thei r fish dr y u p ( so Gr ) for l ack of water , a nd thei r mo nster s o n the

.

thi r sty l a nd .

—1 1 T hi s ( v ss 4—9 ) i s t h e hi r d o f t he Se r an so ng s,
. . t v t
tt t t
a nd c o ns i u es a li nk b e wee n t he se c o nd ( 4 9 : 1 —6 ) a nd t he o ur h f t
(52 : 13 5 -
t
e l a b o r a i ng t h e i d e a o f t h e ser a n s su f er i ng i n
’
v t f
4 9 4 , a n p r e pa ri ng t he way fo r t he l a r g e i n e r p r e a i o n o f ha t t t t t
su fl e ri ng i n C
ha p 5 3 H ere ag ai n, t he se r a n i s t he na i o n i n i t s
. . v t t
i d ea l ca p a c i y t .

4 f . v
J e ho ah has gi e n m e a di sci pl e s to ngue As i n’
v .

t
( mo uth) t he na i o n i s a pr o phet, ea c hi ng o he rs be c a u se ta u ght of t t
v
J eho ah hi s di sci pl e T he c la use ha o llo ws de sc ri bes m or e . t tf
narr o wl y t he na u r e o f hi s ask t t
T h e wo r d re nd e r e d sustai n i s .

o bsc u r e ; p er h a p s to a nswer , t o i h w r y wi th a
f ,
e ed o r to r ev ve t e ea
wor d ( of co nsol ati on) .

H e wak e neth : r e ad si m pl y I n the mor ni ng he wakens mi ne ear

to l i sten d i sci pl e l i ke , a nd o m i t h e r s c l a u se o f vs 5 as a be l a e d
-
t fi t . t
t
e x p l ana i o n o f 4 b T hi s i s a fine d esc ri p i o n o f t h e i g i l anc e and
. t v
v t
r espo nsi e ness wi h wh i c h t h e se r a n a wai s t h e ne w r e el ati o n v t t v
3 28
 THE B OO K OF ISAIAH

Who i s among you that f ear eth the LO RD ,

1
That obeyeth th e voi c e of hi s se rvant ?
2
He that wal k eth i n darkn ess ,

And hath no lig ht ,

Let hi m t rust i n t he nam e of the LORD ,

And stay upon hi s God .

11 . B ehol d all ye that ki ndle a fir e

, ,

That gi rd yoursel ves a bout wi th fir ebrands

2

Walk ye in the flam e of your fire ,

And among the b rands t hat ye have ki ndl ed .

Thi s shall ye have of mi n e hand

Ye shall li e down i n sorrow .

WORDS or ENCO URAG E ME NT AN D PRO MI S E ( 51 1

—
52 : 12 )
Del i ver ance i s Near
( 51 1 1 6) a nd S ure —

51 . Hearken to me ye that foll ow aft er rig hteousness

, ,

Ye that see k the LO RD

1 C r Id hi m obe
. y . m tho ugh he
. walketh . Syr . set bra nds al i ght .

E x hor tati o n ( v ss . 10, 11 )

In these v erses t t
la e r wr i e r ap pl i es t h e p r e c edi ng p assag e
, a
— t t
( ss 4 9) t o t he si ua i o n o f hi s o wn i m e , usi ng i t a s a basis o f
v . t
t f t f
e nc o ur ag e m e n t o t he a i h ul a nd o f wa r ni ng t o t he g o dl ess .

Fo r th at o be ye th , r e a d , wi h t he r ee k t
ersi o n, l et hi m obey G v .

f t f
T he ai h ul who fear J eh o vah a r e u rg ed t o i m i a e t he Ser a n s
’
t t v t
fi
c o n denc e i n God ( v s 7 , whi le those who mu dl e a fir e a nd set
.

ar r ows afl a me ( as we sho ul d p r o babl y r ea d ) , i e ho se who assa il . . t

f t f t t
t he a i h ul wi h c r u e l y a nd c u nni ng , ar e ur g ed t o beg one i nto the
v
fl a me of you r fir e The di i ne pe nal y i s h a h e y shall li e down
. t t tt
i n tor ment t
t he o r m e n o f he ll fire , t
e h e nna ( 6 6 : 2 3
-
G
5 :
1 1 —
5 2 : 1 2 T hi s i s o ne o f t he m o s e fl e c t i v e a nd b ea u i ul
. t '

tf
t
se c i o ns i n t h e wh o l e p ro p he c y T h e c o nsol a i o n, i n er r up e d b y
. t t t
v t
th e Se r a n s so ng ( 50 : 4
’
i s her e r e su m e d , a nd ur g ed i n a seri es
t
o f b r illi a n and po wer ul app eal s f .

t t
5 1 : 1 1 6 Th e p r o p he m ee s I sr ael s d o u b s and e ars by t e
-
.
’
t f
33°
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

Look unto the ro c k wh en ce y e were h ewn ,

And to the hole of the pi t when ce ye w ere di gg ed .

2 . Look unto Ab raham your father ,

And unto Sarah that bare you

Fo r wh en he was b u t o ne I c all e d hi m ,

And I blessed hi m and made hi m many

1
, .

For the L ORD hath c omfort e d Zi on :

H e hath c omfort ed all her w ast e pl a c es ,

And hath made her wi l dern ess li ke E den ,

And her desert li k e the g arden of the L O RD

J oy and g l adn ess shal l b e found th e r ei n ,

Thanksgi vi n g and the voi ce of m el ody , .

4 . Attend unto m e O my p eople ,

2

And gi ve ear unto m e O my nat i on

3
,

For a l aw shall go forth from m e ,

4
And I wi ll m ak e my judge ment to rest for a li ght
of the p eoples
1Gr loved hi m 2 So me Heb M SS Sy r ye peo l es a So m e Heb M SS Syr ye
j
. . . . . . . . .

natio ns ; Gr ye ki ngs y ud gm ent sh a ll for

.
1 Gr a nd m . . a l i g ht, et c .

c alli ng wha t J eho v ah

h a d al r ea d y d o ne i n t h e p as ( v ss 1 t .

t t
a nd b y r e m i nd i ng h er h a t h e r e li g i o n whi c h sh e r e p r e se n s b e o r e t f
t
t h e wo r l d i s d e s i ne d t o b e u ni e r sal ( 4 v
) a nd e e r l as i ng (6 f . v t
1—3 Ri gh te ou sne ss ,
.
p r a c i c al l y t
i ndi c a i o n, d el i e r a nc e v t v .

Fo r pi t , r ea d q u ar r y , a nd o m i the hol e of t
I sr ael i s ask e d to .

c o nsi d er i t s sl end er o ri g i n ; i t b eg an i n a si ngl e a m i ly — Abr a f

h a m a nd Sa r ah t
B u t as h e y ul i m a e l y b e c a m e nu m e r o u s, so
. t t
t
will al so t h e p r e se n I sr ael , u np r o m i si ng h o u g h t h e o u l o o k m a y t t
be . f t t t
Th e er i li y , b e au y , a nd g l a d ness i n s o r e fo r i o n ar e d e t Z
sc ri b e d i n v s 3 . .

4 fI sr ael s (l aw, jud gment

.
’
r el i g i o n i s d e s i ne d t o b e t h e r e t
l i g i o n o f t he wh ol e wor l d ( c 4 2 1— 4 ) f
a no h e r so u r c e o f i nsp i r a
. t
t i o n and c o nsol a i on t
I will m ak e to r e st sho u l d g o wi h t he ne x
. t t
v e r se , and b e r ansl a e d t t
I wi ll a ct i n a wi nkli ng ”
R e a d and t .

my jud g ment r eli g i o n) for a l i ght of the peopl es S u ddenl y wi ll I .

33 1
51 5 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH

5 . My rig hteousn ess i s near 1

,

My salvati on i s gon e forth ,

And mi n e arms shall j udge the peoples

The i sles shall wai t for m e ,

And on mi n e arm shall they trust .

6 . Li ft up your eyes to the heavens ,

And look upon t he earth be n eath ;

For t he heave ns sh all vani sh away li k e smok e ,

And the earth sh all wax old li ke a garment .

And th ey that dwell therei n

Shall di e in li k e mann er
2

B ut my salv at i on shall be for ever ,

And my rig hteousn ess shall not be a boli shed

3
.

7 He ark
. e n unto m e, ye that know rig ht eousn ess ,
pe ople in whose h e art i s my law
The
Fear ye not the re proa ch of m en ,

N ei ther be ye di smayed at thei r revili ngs .

8 . For the
moth shall eat the m up li ke a garment ,

And the worm sha ll ea t th em li k e woo l

B ut my rig hteo usn ess shall be for ever ,

And my sal vat i on unto all generati ons .

1 C r draweth qui ckl

. y nea r .
1 m per haps li ke p l ats
. .
1 C r Vg . .
fa il . Gr ti me
. .

br i ng my r i ghteo usness d eli e r anc e , a s i n vs 1 ) near v

O mi t h e . . t
t
l as c lau se o f vs 5 . .

t t t
6 T he hi ng s ha a re see n a r e e m po ra r y , b u t t he u nsee n thi ng s
. t
t v t
( i n par i c ula r t he sa l a i o n wh i c h r e lig i o n bri ng s) ar e e e r nal t
( 2 Co r . t h e g r ea es a nd l o i es t t
ho ug h c o nc ei e d ft t t t v
f
be o r e C
h ri s i a ni y t
( D u hm) t Fo r i n lik e manne r , r e ad , wi h
. t
m ar g i n, l i ke gnats Rig hteo usness . sa l a i o n ( c v ss 1 , v t f . .

7 f v t
T hi s ho pe o f e e r las i ng sal a i o n ( vs 6 ) sho uld i nspi r e
. v t .

t t
I srae l to bea r wi h p a i e nc e t he r e pr oa c h o f rail m or a l m en f t .

33 2
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

And hast forg otten the LO RD thy Mak er that stret ch ed ,

forth the h eavens ,

And l ai d th e found a ti ons of the ea rth

And f earest c onti nually all the day
B ecause of the fury of the oppressor ,
1
Wh en he maketh ready to destroy
And wh ere i s the fu ry of the oppressor ?
2
Th e cap ti ve e xile shall spee dily be l oose d
And he shall not di e and go down i nto the pi t ,

N ei ther shall hi s b rea d fail .

For I am the L ORD thy Go d ,

Whi ch sti rreth up t he sea that the waves th ereof roar ,

The L O RD of hos ts is his name .

And I h av e put my words i n thy mouth ,

And have c overed th ee in the shadow of mi n e hand ,

Th at I m ay plant the heavens and l ay the foundat i ons

3
,

of the earth ,

And say unto Zi on Thou art my p eople ,

.

1 111 as thoug h he nu de read y ( o r a i med ) ’m he that i s bent down Fo r

y t y
. . . .

Gr . reads onl i n thy del iver a nce he shall not sta nd s ill no r ta rr 1 S r
y . . stretch ]

J ehovah i s Om ni potent : let I sr ael be C o m or ted and

f not be Afr a id
( v ss . 1 2—1 6 )
Thi s secti o n al m o st l oo ks lik e a n answer t o t he p r e c edi ng pr ay er ,
t h o ug h bl y o f i nd epe nd e nt o ri gi n
'

T h e o l d e m p hasi s u p o n .

J eho v ah 5 po wer as sho wn i n c rea t i o n ( C ha p 4 0 ) i s ag ai n use d t o .

p u t hea r t i nt o ti m i d and di sc o nso la t e I sr ael .

1 I sr ael has f or g ott en t he i n ni t e power o f her God He who fi .

ma e he r m a d e t he hea v e ns Th e oppr e ssor , B ab y l on Wh ere ?

. .

no wh er e .

14 I sr ael i s her e co m ar ed t o a f a mi shed p ri so ner i n a d u ng eo n

b
.

( cf Jet . bu t p r o ba l y we ha v e no t t h e o ri g i nal t e x t , as t he
.

G r ee k v e rsi o n i s q u i te d ifl er e nt a nd sho r t e r .

15 f Th e a u t h e nt i c i t y o f t h e se v e rse s i s d o ub t e d , as t hey ar e
.

li ttl e m o r e t h an a c o m p i l a t i o n o f o t he r p assa g e s ( Jer 3 1 3 5 ; I s . .

334
 TH E B OO K OF I SAIAH 5 1 : 1 9 .

J erusal em Afi i cti on her S peedy Redempti on and Glor y

’
s

Awak e awake , ,

Stand up O J erusal em , ,

Whi ch ha st drunk at the hand of the L ORD R ev

. 14 : 10

The cup of hi s f u ry .

Thou h ast dr unk en the b owl of the c up of st ag ge ri ng ,

And dr ai n ed i t .

Th er e i s non e to g ui de her
Among all the son s whom she hath b ro ug ht forth ;
N ei th er i s there any th at tak eth her by the hand
O f all t he son s th at sh e hath b roug ht up .

Th ese two thi n gs ar e b ef all e n th ee

Who sh all b emo an th ee ?
D esol ati on and d estru c ti on and t he fami n e and the ,

sword ;
1
How sh all I c omfort thee ?

1
Gr Sy r Vg Tar who shall
. . . . .

59 : 21 t
T h e y asser J eh o ah s p o we r , al so h i s e u i p m en
49 v ’
q t
t t
a nd p r o e c i o n o f I sr ae l , whi c h h a d fo r i t s u l i m a e o b e c t he t t j t
t v
c r ea i o n o f a ne w h ea e n and a ne w ear h O r M ar i m a y b e r i g h t . t t
i n su pp o si ng t he m e ani ng t o b e h a J e h o a h h ad ap p o i n e d t t v t
t
I sr ael t o her hi g h d es i ny al r ea d y at c r e a i o n (when he s r e c hed t t t
o u t t h e h ea e ns, v
5 1 1 7 5 2 : 1 2 J er u sal e m , c o m p ar e d t o a p r o s r a e , h el p l e ss
—
. t t
wo m an, i s b i d d e n t o ari se a nd p u t o n h e r e s a l r o b es , fo r t h e g r ea f t t
v t
sal a i o n i s v
er y ne a r ; a l r ea d y t h e wa c h m e n se e t h e m esse ng er s t
o f i t u p o n t h e m o u n ai ns t
T h ere o r e away , a way r o m B aby l o n
. f f .

The H u mi li ati on f
o J er u sal em —20
)
17 f J
er u sal e m h as d r u nk t o t h e d r e g s t h e c u p o f t h e di i ne
. v
t
i nd i g na i o n, sh e l i es se nsel e ss , h er e o r e besti r thee O mi of th e t f . t
cu p . .

p c
V s 1 8 , whi h s eak s o f er u sal e m i n t he hi r d p e r so n, i s J t
p r o b abl y a l a er i nser i o n t t .

19 Two h i ng s , o r p ai r s o f h i ng s
. t Wr e k and R ui n, Wan t c t
33 5
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

Thy ons hav e fai nted t hey li e at the top of all the
s ,

street s ,

As an ant elope in a net ;

They ar e f ull of the f ury of the LORD ,

The r eb uk e of thy God .

Th erefo re h ear now thi s thou aflli cted , ,

And drunk en but not wi th wi n e ,

Th us sai th thy Lord t he L O RD ,

nd thy God t hat pleade th the cause of hi s peopl e,

A
B ehol d I have taken out of thi n e hand
,

Th e cup of stagg e ri n g ,

Even th e bowl of t he c up of my f u ry ;
Thou sha l t no mor e drink i t ag ai n
And I will put i t i nto the h and of them that ami c t thee 1

Whi ch hav e sai d to thy soul ,

‘
B ow down that we may go over ,
’

And thou hast lai d thy b ack as the ground ,

”
And as t he st ree t to them that go over ,
.

52 . Awake awake put on

, ,

Thy strength O Z i on ,

1 Gr . adds and o j thern that huasbled thee .

a nd War (G H . t t
B o x : all i er a i o n a nd asso na nc e i n t he Heb r e w)
.

f f
t h e o r m e r be al li ng t he la nd , t he l a e r t he p e o p le , i n co nse tt
t
q u e nce o f t he si e g e a nd d es r u c i o n o f J e r u sal e m t
Fo r h owsh all I , .

r ea d who ca n c o mf o r hee ? tt
2o . t
O mi at the to p of all the str eets ( ro m La m 2 : As an f .

f t
ante l ope i n i t s r ui l ess e fl o r t t o e sc a pe .

The Ta bl es Tur ned ( 5 1 : 2 1 -

23 )
T he cup of d i vi ne i nd i g na i o n, whi c h thre w
t he t J er usale m
t t
p r o s r a e , i s t o b e ha nd e d t o B a by l o n .

23 .To th y sou l , i e , si m pl y to thee . Th y b ack : t he

. . all u si o nis
t t
t o t he c r ue l O r i e n a l c u s o m o f r i di ng o er t he b a c ks o f v q
c o n u er e d
t
e ne m i e s, as h ey li e p ro s r a e o n t h e g r o u nd t t .

336
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

6 i s bl asph em ed
. Therefore my people shall know my
.

nam e : 1
th erefore they shall know in that day that I
2
am he that doth spe ak ; behold i t is I , .

How beautiful upon the mountai n s

Ar e the f ee t of hi m that b ri ngeth g ood ti di ngs ,

That pu bli sheth pea ce that b ri ngeth g ood ti dings of ,

publi sh eth sal vati on

That
That sai th to Zi on ,
”
Thy God r ei gn eth l
!

8 . Th e voi ce of thy wat c hm en ! they lift up

Toge th er do th ey si ng ;
For th ey shall see ey e to eye , ,

Wh en t he LORD return eth to Zi on .

B reak forth into joy sing together , ,

Ye wast e pl a ces of J e rus alem

Fo r t he L O RD hath c omfort ed hi s peop le ,

He hath r ed ee med J e rusa lem .

1
C r Vg . . om . m here I
. am .

en t ly in e x ul t a t i o n ; t
b u t hi s m ea ni ng i s e r y d o u b ul , a nd t h e v tf
p assag e has be e n e m e nd e d t o r ea d , B ehold those who wai ted for me
are beco me a bywor d .

6 B y so m e
. f t t
u u r e i n e rp o si i o n whi c h wi ll c o r r o b o r a e hi s t t
p re se n t v
ro m i se , J e ho a h wi ll g i e hi s pe o pl e a c o n i nci ng e x p e v v
f
ri c u c e o hi m sel , and hi s na me, whi c h was d esp i se d ( vs wil l .

c o m e ag ai n t o i t s o wn .

—12
(52 )
’
J eho vah s Retu r n to Zi on : 7

A bea u t i f u l p i c t u r e o f J e ho v ah s r e t u rn t o Z i o n fi rst heral ded b y ’

,

messe ng e rs and t he n wi t ne sse d by wa t c h m e n f r o m her wall s ( v ss .

7 9)
-

7 Th y f G o
. d r e i g n e th ,
i e h a s e n e r e d u p o n hi s so e r e i gn y
. . t v t .

Ey e to ey e , p r a c i c a ll y t
face to face : J e ho a h wi ll be so near ha’ v t t
t
t he wa c h m e n and h e wi ll b e a bl e t o l oo k i n o o ne ano h er s t t
f ac es .
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH 5 2 : I 4

The L O RD hath ma de bar e hi s holy arm

I n the eyes of all the nati ons
And all the ends of the earth shall see
The salvati on of our God .

D ep art y e , depart y e go ye out from th en c e , ,

Tou ch no un clean thi ng a cor 6 : 1 7

.

Go y e out of the mi dst of her b e y e clean ,

Y e th at bear the v essels of the L O RD .

For y e sh all not g o out in hast e ,

N ei ther sh all ye go by fli g ht
For the L O RD will go b efor e you ;
And the God of I srael will be your rearward .

THE HUM I LI ATI ON AND E! ALTATI ON or THE SE RVANT

The S er vant : Hi s S ufl er i ngs and Hi s Gr eat Glor y

( 52 13 -

53 : I )
13 . B ehol d my servant shall deal wi sely he shall be
,
1
,
2
e x alted
And li ft ed up and sh all be v ery hi gh
,
.

14 . Li k e as m any w er e a ston i e d at thee

3
,

1 m prosper
. .
2 Gr . om .
3 Sy r Tar . . at hi m .

10 T he wh o l e wo r l d wi ll b e wi ne ss o f I srael s d e l i er anc e
. t ’
v .

B ar e d hi s ar m t o d eal t he bl o w, b y h r o wi ng b a c k t h e l o o se u pp er t
tf
g ar m e n ro m t he ri g h sh o u l d e r t .

11 A ri ngi ng ca ll t o d epart r o m B aby l o n ( c

. f
a nd , f .

pu r ifyi ng themsel ves a nd b ea r i ng t h e sa c red esse l s, t o or m a v f

sol e m n p ro c e ssi o n t o t h e h oly c i y 52 t
12 v v
T h e p r e i o u s er se h ad su g g es e d t h e e x o d us r o m E g yp ;
. t f t
f
b u t t h e e x o d u s r o m B ab y l o n sh al l no t b e i n e ery r e sp e c li k e v t
t t
ha for y e sh all not g o out i n h aste ( as I sr ael h e n d i d , E x o d t .

1 2 : 1 1 , D eu t
16 : . b u t i n l e i sur e and se c u r i y , fo r h ei r Go d t t
t f
wi ll b e h ei r d e e nc e b ehi nd a nd b e o r e f .

t
5 2 : 1 3 5 3 : 1 2 T h i s g r ea p assag e , t h e o u r h and l ast o f t he
-
. f t
v
S er ant so ng s ( 4 2 : 1 fi ; 4 9 : 1 ff ; 5 0 : 4 .
g a h er s u p t he l e ad i ng
. t
t t v t
i d e as o f t he o h er hr ee , r e eal s h e m i n h e i r r el a i o n t o ea c h o th er , t t
3 39
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

(Hi s vi sage was so marred more than any man , 1

And his form more than the sons of m en ) ,

1 5 So shall
.
2
he spri nkl e many nati ons ;
3

Ki ngs shall shut thei r mouths at hi m

M 15 8 2 ! For that whi ch had not been tol d th em shall they see ;
And tha t whi ch they had not h eard shall th ey un
‘
1

derstand .

1 Gr many nati ons

.

snarvd at hi m .
1 m . star tle .
‘m . consider .

a nd t t
pr ese n s hem i n t he o rm o f a c o mp le e and c o here n pi c ure o f f t t t
t f t
th e char ac er and o r u nes o f t h e S er a n o f J e ho a h He has v t v .

al r ea d y a p pea r e d a s P r o p he , t h e d es i ny o f wh o se m e ssag e i s t he t t
whol e wo r l d ( ha p C
a nd as o ne wh o h as o i l e d h ar d ( C h a
.
4 9) t
a nd s u fl e re d g r i e o usly (
'

v C
ha p 50 ) i n t he e x e r c i se o f hi s hi g h ca l i ng ;
.

here t he id e a o f hi s su fl e ri ng s i s r ea ed wi h g r e a el ab o r a i o n, and t t t t t
t he P r o be t i s m e r g ed i n t he M ar y r B u t t he su fl er i ng s a r e t .

t
c ro wns i n t he e nd wi h g lor y ; t he Ser an re c ei es t he ho m ag e o f v t v
ft
t h e wo r ld , a nd i s li e d t o a p la c e o f t he er y hi g h es h o nor Her e v t .

v t
ag a i n t h e Se r an a p pear s t o b e I sra el (se e I n r o d u c i o n, p p 2 5 1 t t .

5 2 : 1 3 5 3 : 1 -
T h ese hr ee e r
. se s ar e a s u m m ar y t
o f t h v
e wh ol e

poe m f
t he a w ul hu mili a i o n o f t h e Ser a n , a nd t he g r ea g l o ry t v t t
t t
ha sho ul d o ll o w f .

13 . t
D eal wi sely : r a her , wi h m arg i n, pr osper ( as t h e r e sul o f t t
t
hi s i nsi g h ) ; b u t no t i m po ssi bly t he o r i g i nal wo r d was I sr ael So .

t t
i m po r an and u nex pe c e d is hi s e x al a i o n ha t hr ee er b s ar e t t t t t v
u sed t o d escr i be i t .

14 . ft fi t
A er t he rs cl ause ( rea d hi m for th e e ) , ano her se e m s t o t
v f
ha e al le n o u t , su c h as S o wi ll m a ny a k e d eli g h i n hi m t t
C
( hey ne) t t
Hi s e x a l a i o n will be as a m az i ng as wa s hi s h u m il i a
.

ti o n ( in e x ile) M or e than , e tc ; r ead wi h m argi n fr o m that of

. . t
ma n, i e , o u t o f a ll h u m an like ness
. . all u di ng t o t h e di s g ur e m e n fi t
ca u se d b y l e p r o sy ( c 5 f .

15 .I n c o n r as t o t ’
t
e S e r an s appa ll i n
g t
sufl er i ng s i s t h e v t '

v t
r e er e n ho m ag e ha t wil l be p ai d t o hi m t S pu nk l e ca n h ar dl y b e .

t
ri g h ; p e r haps, m any na ti o ns will do hi m ho mage ( Gr mar vel ) . .

Sh ut th ei r m ou th s i n a we o f hi m Fo r und e rstand r ea d per cei ve . .

t t
Th e m eani ng i s ha t h e c h a ng e i n th e Ser a n s ( I sr ael s) o r unes
’ ’
v t f t
t t
will b e wi ho u p ar all el — a hi ng su c h as h ad never been hear d t
f
b e o re .T h e so r r o ws a nd hor r or s o f e x i l e wi ll b e o ll o we d b y a g l o r y f
whi ch will c o mm a nd t he h o m ag e a nd t he as o ni sh m en o f t he wo r l d t t .
53 34 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH

4 . Surelyhe hath born e our gri efs, 1

M at . And carri ed our sorrows

Yet we di d esteem hi m stri cken ,

Smi tt en of God and afli i ct ed .

5 B ut
. he
was wounded for o ur transg ressi ons ,

He was b rui se d for our i ni q ui ti es

Th e c hasti se m ent of our pea c e was upon him ;
1 P et . 2 : 24 And wi th hi s stri pes we are heal ed .

1 P et . 2 : 25 6 . All we li k eheep have gon e astray s

We hav e turned eve ry one to hi s own way ;

And the LO RD hath l ai d on hi m
2

The ini q ui ty of us all .

7 He.was oppressed , y
e t he h u mbl ed h i msel f
And opened not hi s m outh
1 Heb . si cknesses .
1 Heb made
. to l i ght .

4 f t v t
T he a c o f t he Ser a n s sufl eri ng s l e d t he sp e c a o r s t o t h e
.
’
t t
t he o r y ha he wa st t sm i e n of God tt fo r si ns o f h i s o n w — a
f q
re ue n t t
e x p l a na i o n o f s ufl e r i ng i n t he O l d Tes a m e n ( c t he t t f .

f r i e nd s o f Jo b) t t
b u t i n r u h , a s he y a r e l e d t o e e l a e r war ds, i tt f ft
was thei r pai ns a nd si c k ne ss ha he b o re W ha he snfl er ed , hey t t . t t
d ese r e d v Thr o u g ho u
. he se t t v
erse s h e a nd we ar e s r o ng l y t
t
a nd s ri ki ng l y c o n r a s e d t t
L e p r o sy was i n a s eci al se nse t he
.

str o ke o f G od , and t he g u r e o f t h e l fi
e p er u n d o n t e dl y u n d e r l i es

t hi s d esc ri p i on t .

f
5 No t o nly i s hi s su fe ri ng vi ca ri o u s ( be c a use o f the i r si ns) , b u t
.

tv
r e d e m p i e ( wi h a t
ie w to v t
he i r sa l a i o n, peace , wel ar e) v t f .

U p o n hi m w as t he c ha s ti s e m e n t w hi c h w a s to p r o c u r e o u r welfar e ;

t
a nd t he s ri pe s wh i c h h e s u fe r e d b r o u g h fh e a li ng t o t h e g ui l y , t t
t
b y wak i ng i n he m a se nse o f g u i l a nd p e ni e nc e t t .

6 Sh e e p wi ho u
. t tt
hei r she p h e r d G od ( cf P s 2 3 : T he S e r . .

v tan s su fl e ri ng was no t a n a cc i d e n , no r was i t p u ni sh m en for

’
t t
hi s o wn si n ; i t was J ehova h s d o i ng , a nd fo r t he si ns o f others
’
.

I t was J ehova h who ca used to li ght u po n hi m the g u ilt of , and t he

t
p u ni sh m e n d u e t o , u s al l .

7 T h
. o u g h o pp r es s e d b y t h e B a b y l o n i a n s ( if t h e se r a n b e v t
34 2
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH 53 3 9

As a l amb that i s led to the sl aug ht er ,

And as a sheep th at befor e h er shear er s i s dumb

Y ea h e op en e d not hi s mouth
,
.

8 .
1
B y oppressi on and judge m ent he was taken away ;
2
And as for hi s gen erati on who among them con ,

si der ed

That he was c ut
out of the l and of the li vi n g ?
ofl
3
For the tran sgr essi on of my p eopl e was h e stri c ken
4
.

9 . And th ey made hi s grav e wi th

5
t he wi ck ed ,

And wi th the ri ch i n hi s death

1 m fr om ; AV he was ta ken fr om pri son a nd f rom udgment ; C r i n his hu m il ia j
j t y
. .

ti o n his ud g ment r ig h s) was ta ken awa 1 Gr AV who shall decla re hi s

.
gener ati on
.

1 Gr . or the tra nsg ressi ons of my peo ple he was l ed to dea th 4 m S V to whom the stroke . .

was ue S Gr I wi ll g i ve the wi cked for hi s bu r i al and the ri ch f or hi s dea th

. .
,
.

I sr ael) he was s u bmi ssi ve a nd g e n l e as a l a m b , l ik e J e r e m i ah

, t
(1 1 t
O mi t h e l as c l a u se t .

t v
8 Al m o s e e r y wo r d i n t h e r s h al o f hi s er se i s di fli c u l t
. fi t f t v
a nd a m b i g u o u s , b u t o u t o f t h e o b sc u r i y e m e r g es c l ea r l y e no u g h t
f t t t
t he a c v t
h a t h e S e r a n d i e d by a n ac t o f i n u s i c e We m ay j t .

t t tv
e n a i e l y e m e nd a nd r a nsl a e wi h M a r i t t t
d ebar r ed fr om j u sti ce t
he was ta ken a way t o d e a h , a nd as for hi s fate ( so t h e y ne) , who C
ga ve i t a tho u g ht, tha t ( o r for ) Th e l and o f th e li vi ng : i n
e x i l e I sr a e l i s as g o o d a s d ea d ( c E z ek f
M y pe opl e : t h e
. .

t
ab r u p u se o f t h e fi t
r s p e r so n si ng u l a r , no t y e t u se d i n h i s c h a p e r , t t
t
i s s r a ng e v t t
A e r y si m p le e x u al c hang e wo ul d g i e fo r our
.
!
v
r e b el l i o ns or fo r t h e r e b elli o n of the peopl es ei h e r o f wh i c h t
t
wo u l d be a p p r o p r i a e , a s i t i s t h e e n i l es who a r e sp e aki ng ( c G t f .

t
no e o n v s .

9 . Ano t h er
d i fli c u l t er se v . t
I ns e a d o f in hi s d e ath , a wo r d i s
ne e d e d p a r al l e l t o hi s gr a ve : p o ssi bl y we s h o u ld r a nsl a e hi s t t
bu r i al m ou nd -
S e lli n i ng e ni o u sl y c o n e c u r e d hi s cr oss J u s a s j t . t
ft
t h e p oor a nd t h e p i o u s a r e o e n p r a c i c a ll y sy no ny m o u s i n t he t
t
O l d T e st a m e nt h so m i g h t h e wi cked a nd t he r i ch b e ; b u t by a si m
v
pl e c hang e t h e er se m ay b e m a d e t o r ea d :
Hi s gr ave was a ppoi nted wi th the r ebelli ous,
And wi th the wi cked hi s bur i al mou nd .

I n any c ase , t h e i d e a i s t h a t he was di sh o no red , i n d e ath , wi t h a

f el on s buri al
’
.
 THE B OO K OF ISAIAH
1
Al thoug h he had don e no vi ol en ce ,

Nei ther was any dec ei t in hi s mouth .

The Ulti mate Glory

’
S ervant s and E x al tati on —1 2
)
10 . Yet 2
i t pl eased the LO RD to brui se hi m ; he hath 2
p u t
hi m to g ri ef
When thou shal t mak e hi s soul an offe ri n g for sin 5
,

He shall se e his seed he shall prol ong hi s day s , ,

And t he pleasure of the L ORD shall prospe r i n hi s

hand .

11 . He shall see of t he travail of hi s soul and shall ,

be sat i sfie d .

m Gr Vg AV because
1 . .
1 C r the Lo rd i s
.
pleased to pu rif hi m from his str oke
. y .

1 He b made hi m si ck 111 whe n hi s soul shall make a n oj ersng ; Gr if ye g ive an

i
. . . .

1 Heb a
'

o fl e ri ng f or si n your soul shal l see a l ong -ti red seed g u lt ofi eri ng

1
O r the
t
. . . . .

o rd i s plea sed to r escue fr om the tr oubl e of hi s soul ( ori i na l o do ub to r escue hi s soul

f g n
ram tr ouble) to show hi m ti g ht and to f or m ( per haps on i n
g fill ) him with understa nd y
,

i ng : to j ustify the ust one who serves ma n well j ,

y .

10 , 1 1a T he se e r se s p r ese n
. v
d i f c ul i e s o f m any ki nds , b u t t fi t
t
t wo hi ng s ar e p l ai n ( i ) ha be hi nd t he S e r an s a e i s t he di i ne
’
t t v t f t v
t
wi ll — no a cc i d e n or ca p ri c e , b u t t he pl easu r e o r p u r p o se o f
v
J eho ah ; a nd ( i i ) ha ha p u r p o se has d e c r eed t he u l ti m a e t t t t t
t t
e x a l a i o n o f t he S e r a n v t
T ho u g h sl a i n a nd b u r i ed , he i s t o ri se
.

t
a g ai n t o e n e r u po n a l o ng a nd p r osp e r o us ca ree r , a nd t ri u m
,

p ha nt ly t o p rose c u e t h e p u r p o se o f J e h o ah t T h i s l ang u ag e i s v .

t
m u c h m o r e a pp r o p r i a e t o t he na i o n ( c 5 2 : 1 5) ha n t o a n i nd i t f . t
v i d ual n o r u na el y t he
. U f t r ee k ex of t
hi s p assag e d e i a es G t t t v t
v f
er y se ri o u sly r o m t he H e b r e w, a nd t h e o r i g i na l e x i s b ey o nd t h e t t
ssi bil i t y o f r e c o e r y v
M a r i , assu m i ng ha a c e r ai n gr o up o f
. t t t t
e tte r s ha s be e n acc i d e n al l y d upli ca ed , and ad o p i ng so m e b w s t t t t
fr o m t he r ee k , G
r a nsl a es t t
B ut J ehova h had pl eas ur e i n hi s serva nt,
And r escued hi s so ul fr o m mi ser y ,
He l ets hi m see l i g ht to the fal l ,
A nd i n hi s poster i ty hel ps hi m to hi s vi nd i cati on .

Wi t h o ur p r ese n t te x t , t he t hi rd cl a use of v s . 10 ( whi ch sho ul d

pe r h ap s be r a t nsl t ed a whe n he ma k es h i s so ul , i h1m self,
. e .
,

a g ui l o fl e ri ng t -
is e x pl a i ned by t he f ull r st a t
e e m e n s o f vs t .

3 44
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

THE FUTURE GLORY or JERUSALEM (Chap .

54)
The NewJer usal em wi ll be L arge and P opul ous, and B lessed
wi th the S teadfast Favor of God ( 54 —
r ro ) .

54 . Si n g , O b arr en ,
thou that di dst not b ear ;
B re ak forth i nto si ngi ng and c ry al oud thou that , ,

di dst not travail wi th c hil d :

For more are the c hil dr en of the d esol at e
Than the chil dren of the marri ed wi fe sai th the LO RD , .

2 . Enl arge the pla ce of thy tent ,

‘l e
And t th em str et ch forth th e c urtai ns of thi n e 2

habi tati ons ; spar e not

1 Gr . str etch, et c .
3 Gt . om .

r e de m ti v e
p u r po se t h e r e d e mp i o n o f t h e g u i l y It i s i m t t .

t t
p o se d y Go d wi h hi s p u r po se , a nd a cc e p e d b y t he Se r an i n t v t
t hi s spi ri t t t
I i s c has i se m e n whi c h u l i m a ely p r o c ur es t h e p eac e
. t t t
o f t he g ui l y 3 a nd t i t i s b o r ne b y t h e s nfi er e r o b e di e n l y a nd t
u nm ur m u r i ng y The r es ul i s ha t he g u il y ar e c o nsc i e nc e t t t t
fi
.

smi tt
e n, a nd na ll y wo n, a cc e p i ng J e h o a h s sal a i o n a nd ho no r
’
t v v t
i ng hi s Se r a n v t
Th us t he r e wa r d o f t h e Ser a n i s wo o l d :
. v t t f
t t
h r o ug h hi m t he g u i l y a r e wo n t o Go d , a nd he hi m se l i s li e d t o a f ft
p l ac e o f t he ery h i g h es v
ho no r t
T he su e r i ng ha s no t b ee n i n . ff
v ai n ( 4 9 : i t i ss ue s i n r i u m p h t
i n t he c o n er si o n, i f no t o f al l , v
y e t o f so m e ; a nd t h e s u fi er e r c o m es d o w n r o m h i s c ro ss t o be f
t
cr o wned wi h g lo ry a nd ho no r ( See I n r od uc i o n, pp 2 5 2 if ) . t t . .

C ha p 54 Th is g l o wi ng pi c ur e o f t he u u r e o f J er usa le m ap pr o
. . t f t
t f v
p ri a el y oll o ws t he i si o n o f t he e x al t a i o n o f t he S er an i n 5 3 : t v t
v t
x c x a, es p e c i all y i f t he Ser a n b e I sr ae l : i n a ny c ase i t c o n i nu es
-
t
t t
t he s r ai ns o f co nso l a i o n and e nc o ur ag e m en , beg un i n 4 9 : 1 4 , t
t
wi h whi ch t he p r o p he wi shes t o clo se t .

S i ze a nd P opul ati on f
o the New J er us alem ( v ss . 1—6 )
x B ar r e n :
. i on i s a d dre sse d Z D esolate a nd m arr de . i ed —
s cri be Z
i o n d u r i ng and befor e t he e x i l e i o n i s m ar r i ed t o J eho ah ; . Z v
d u ri ng t h e e x i l e s he has b e e n e m po rar i l y p u t a way , b u t no t d i t
v o r ce d ( so : Fo r t he h o ug h o f t h e nu m ero us c hil dren that t t
Z v
i o n sh all h a e o n he r r es o r a i o n, c 4 9 : 1 9—2 1 t t f . .

34 6
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

L engthen thy cords ,

And str eng th en thy st akes .

3 . thou shal t spr ead abroad on the rig ht hand and

For
on the left
And thy seed shall possess the n ati on s ,

And m ak e the desolat e ci ti es to b e i nhabi t ed .

Fear not ; for thou shal t not be asham ed :

N ei ther b e thou c onfounde d ; for thou sh alt not b e
put to sham e
For thou sh alt forget the sham e of thy youth ,

And the r eproach O f thy wi dowhood shal t thou r e

m embe r no mor e .

5 For
. thy Mak er i s thi n e husband ;
The L O R D of ho st s i s hi s n am e
And the H oly O ne of I sr ael i s thy r edeeme r
The God of t he whol e e arth shall he be ca ll e d .

6 . Fo r the L OR D hath c alled th ee

1
As a wi f e for sak e n and g ri eved in s pi ri t ,

1
Gr . not as , etc .

2 f
O m i t of thi ne habi tati ons ( so
. S par e not , i e u ns i n . . t t
i ng l y T he cu rtai ns are t h e e n h a ng i ng s
. t t J er usal e m i s c o m.

p a r e d t o a l a r g e tent, whi c h wil l ne e d l o ng r o p e s a nd s r o ng e n t t t

p eg s S pr e ad abr oad , sai d O f p o p ul a i o n
. t
Th e nati ons : t h e .

v
O l d D a i d i c e m p i r e i s t o b e r e s o r ed ( 55 3 t D esol at e ci ti e s o f
P al es i ne t .

4 f
Th e sham e of th y you th , I sr a el s su b e c i o n t o E g y p , a nd
.
’
j t t
p er h ap s t o Assyr i a : th e r e pr oach of th y wi d owh oo d , h er su bjec
t i o n t o B ab y l o n ( i n e x i l e ) S h all h e b e c al l e d , r a h er i s h e c all e d
. t
t
I sr ael s Go d i s t h e g r e a Go d o f t he u ni er se
’
v .

6 C f
all e d th ee b a c k a s a Wi e wh o was e m p o r aril y o u t o f a or
. t f v
( E st 2 : I 4 ). t
ou tcast a nd d owncast ( h e r e i s a wo r d p l a y i n t h e
54 7 THE B OO K OF I SAI AH
1
E v en a wi f e of youth ,
2
when she i s cast off,

Sai th thy God .

Fo r a small moment hav e I forsaken thee ;

B ut wi th g reat m er ci es will I gather th ee .

8 . In ov erflowi ng wrath I hi d my fa ce from thee for

3 4

a moment
B ut wi th eve rl asti ng k i ndness will I have mer c y upon
th ee ,

Sai th t he L ORD thy rede emer .

For thi s i s as the wat ers of Noah unto me 5

Fo r as I have sworn
That the wat e rs O f Noah shoul d no more go over the
earth ,

SO have I sworn
That I woul d not be wro th wi th thee nor r ebuke thee , .

10 . Fo r the mountai ns sha ll depart ,

And the hills be re moved

B ut my ki ndn ess shall not depart from thee ,

N ei ther shall my cove nant of pea ce b e re moved ,

Sai th the LO RD that hath m er cy on th ee .

l Gr nor as a wife hated r am her outh 3 AV

. y . whe n thou wast r used .
‘m Gr . .

0 l ittle wr ath Gr o m .
yr Tar Vg so me C r
. . . . . . and Heb M SS
. .
ys .

Hebrew, C hey ne) . Wh en sh e is cas t OE : and o ne who h as

be e n wedd ed i n y o u h , t ca n she be j
r e ected ? ( C he yne ) . S ee vs . 1 .

The I m movabl e Love o f God ( v ss .

7
-
xc )
7 f . A small mom ent t he e x i le
b u t a m o m en i n ,
whi c h se e m e d t
t v t
c o m pari so n wi h t he e er las i ng g lo r y h a sh o ul d o llo w ( 2 C o r t t f .

4 : . t
I n v s 8 o m i overfl owi ng a nd for a mo ment .

9 f
Thi s cri si s i s as th e da y s ( r a he r ha n wate rs ) of Noah
. t t
( Ge n 8 : 2 0 . I n v s 1 0 , fo r for b ut , r ea d thou g h
.

y et T.h e di i ne l o e i s v
m o r e fir m a nd c v
o ns a n h a n t h e o r d e r o f t tt
na ur e t .
54 I 7 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

And I have c reated the waster to destroy .

NO w eapon that i s form ed ag ai ns t th ee shall prospe r ;

And every tongu e that shall ri se agai nst th ee in
j udge ment thou shal t condemn .

This i s the h eri tag e of the se rvants of the LORD ,

And th ei r ri ghteousn ess whi ch i s of m e sai t h th e LO RD , .

INVI TATI O N To E MB RAC E THE I MPE NDm O SALVATI O N

( C hap 55)

( 55 1 5)
The B lessi ngs i n S tor e for I sr ael —

55 . HO eve ry o n
,
e that thi rst eth com e ye to the waters , ,

And he that hath no money ; c ome ye ,

B uy and eat yea c om e buy wi n e and mi lk

, , ,

Wi thout money and wi thout pri ce .

l Gr . om . come. buy .

v
be c a use J e h o a h i s t he a r bi e r o f war , t he L o r d al i k e o f h o se t t
who m a ke a nd o f hose who u se wea p o ns t o f t he sm i th a nd t he
t
waster o r d e s r o y er i e t he d e as a i ng war ri o r T hi s b ei ng so ,
,
. . v t t .

no a ssa ul u p o n t Z t
i o n wh e h e r wi h wea pon o r wo r d , can b e su c
,
t
c essful . C
ond e mn , sho w to be i n the wr ong Ri gh teo u sne ss = .

vi nd i c a i o n t t f
The l as h al o f vs 1 7 i s p r o babl y a pp e nd e d
. . .

C t
hap 5 5 I n hi s c l osi ng c ha p e r , t he p r o p he m akes hi s su
. . t t
p r e m e a p p e al ,
h o l d i ng b e o r e t he eo
p p l e t h e e mfp i ne ss o f li e i n t f
tf t
B ab y l o n t he b ril li a n u u r e i n s o r e fo r he m , a nd t he spe e di ne ss t t
f fi
,

t t t
a nd c e r a i n y wi h whi c h Go d wi ll ul l hi s r e d e m p i e p u r p o se tv .

r f Thi rs ty de scr i be s t h ose l o ngi ng a nd l a ng ui shi ng i n e xi l e ;

.

t t
and t he i nvi a i o n i s m o d ell e d o n t he ca ll o f t h e wa e r se ll ers T he t .

wi ne , milk and br ead a r e sy m bo li c o f all h a i s i n ol e d i n t he

, t t v v
t t
r es o ra i o n o f I s r ae l no t o nl y m a e ri al we l ar e , b u t a p la c e O f t f
q
u ni u e h o nor and po we r i n t h e wo r ld ( v s All hi s 15 o fi e r e d . t
t o I sr ael fo r no h i ng t
h er God g i es i t t o her a s a r e e gi v
O n t he f ft .

t
o h e r h a nd h e r o wn wo r l d l y efi o r t s a nd a m bi i ons i n B ab y l o n
,
t
v t
ha e bro ug h no hi ng b u t di ssa i s ac i o n t t f t
Vs 1 sh o ul d pr o b ably . .

Ho! all thi r sty , co m e to the water s !

that ar e
And y e that have no str ength, eat !
Yea co me , bu y gr a i n wi thout money ,
And wi ne a nd m il k wi tho ut pr i ce .

3 5°
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

2 . Wh er efore do ye sp e nd money for that whi ch i s not

1

b r e ad P
And your labour for that whi ch sati sfieth not ?
2

Heark en di li g ently unto m e and eat ye that whi ch i s ,

g ood ,

And let your sou l deli ght i t self in fatness .

I n cli ne and c om e unto m e

your ear ,

H ear and your soul shall li ve

,

And I will m ake an ev erlastin g c ovenant wi th you ,

E ven the sur e m er ci es of D avi d .

B ehol d I have gi v en hi m for a wi tn ess to the p eople s ,

,

A leader and c omm ander to the p eoples

3
.

5 B eho
. l d ,
thou sh al t c all a nati on that thou knowest not ,

And a n ati on that kn ew not th ee shall run unto thee ,

B ec ause O f the L O RD thy God ,

And for the Holy O ne of I sr ael for he hath gl ori fi ed

thee .

The Wonderful S alvati on i s near ; forth then fr om B abylon !

( 55 : 6 1 3) -

6 . Seek y e the L O RD whi le he m ay be foun d ,

C all ye upon hi m whi le he i s near

1 Heb wei g h
. .
2 m . ear ni ngs .
3 m .
pr i nce
.

V s 2 m e a ns , i f y e h ea r k e n t o m e , y e sh all ea t , e t c
.
!
p r o sp e ri y . t
d ep e nd s u p o n O b e di e nc e t o t h e c al l .

3 5 T h e ne w covenant m a d e wi h t h e p eo p l e i s d e ne d a s
— . t fi
th e sur e m e rci e s of D avi d , i e t h e g r a c i o u s p r o m i se s o nc e g i e n
. . v
v
t o D a i d ( 2 Sa m 7 : 8— 1 6 ) a nd sur e , i e r e li a b l e , b e c a u se a c u all y
. . . t
r e al i z e d i n hi m t
T h e m e a ni ng o f hi s p hr ase i s d e ni el y x e d b y
. fi t fi
f v
t h e t wo o ll o wi ng e r ses, t h e t wo beholds b e i ng p r a c t i cal l y = as
so . v j t
As D a i d , by hi s su b u g a i on o f or e i g n na i o ns, was th u s f t
tt t
a d i vi nel y c o ns i u e d Wi tne ss t o t h e wor l d o f J e h o a h s p o wer and
’
v
g l or y ( v s . so wo ul d I sr a el , b y a si m i l a r , h o u g h sp i r i u al , i c or y t t v t
f
(c 2 : 2
. si mil ar l y b e c o m e J e h o a h s wi ne ss ( 4 3 : I 2 ; 44 :
’
v t
35 1
 THE B OO K OF ISAIAH

Le t th ewi ck ed forsak e hi s way ,

And the unri ght eous m an hi s thoug hts

And let hi m return unto the L O RD and he will have ,

m er cy upon hi m
And to our God for he wi ll ab undantly pardon , .

8 . Fo r my thoug ht s are not your thoughts ,

N ei ther are yo ur ways my ways sai th the LO RD , .

9 . For heavens are hi gher than the earth

as th e ,

So are my ways highe r than your ways ,

And my thoug h ts than your thoughts .

10 . For rai n c ometh down and the snow from heaven

as t he ,

And r e turn eth not thi the r bu t wat ere th the earth , ,

And make th i t b ri ng forth and bu d ,

And gi v eth see d to the sower and bread to the eater ,

Th ou sh al t call ( v s as a m as er c al l s hi s se r an
. I sr ael i s t v t .

t he i ri t u al l o r d O f t he wo r l d , be c a u se li g h o f t he wo r l d ( 4 2 6 t
49 : b
55 6 —1 t
3 T he t o p he no w re u r ns, i n t he e nd , t o t he h o u g h s t t t
h
.

u p o n whi c h he a d l a u nc he d h i s p r o h e c y
, p t he ne ar ne ss o f
t
I sr ael s r ed e m p i o n a nd her wo nd er ul m ar c h t o t he ho m e land
’
f -

C
( ha p .

6 S e e k y e J eh ovah : no t a g e ner al e x h o r a i o n
. Fo r nowi s t he t t
d ay o f sa l a i o n ( 4 9 : v t H e is near no w, i n t he i m mi ne n d e t
v f
l i e r a nc e o f I sr ael r o m B ab y l o n h ro u g h y r us t C .

t
7 V s 7 i s p r o b a bl y a l a e r i nse r i o n, a s, besi d es add r e ssi ng t h e
. . t
t
i nd i vi d u a l ( whi c h o u r p r o p he d oe s no t d o ) , i t d e fl e c s t he h o u g h t t t
so m e wha t t
t o t he here r a he r i r r e l e a n id e a o f r epe nt a nc e , a nd v t
f o r c es u po n v s 8 t he wea k i d ea h a
. o d s ho u g h s ar e no t w
’
t tG
i cked t t .

t t
8 i I sr ae l s ho u g h s i n B a by lo n we r e c e n r e d o n t he i si bl e
.
’
t v
t
a nd m a e r i al ( v s J e ho a h s h o ug h s fo r h e m wer e ho ug h s
’
. v t t t t t
v t
o f sa l a i o n, l ar g e and hi g h , o f far r ea c h a nd c o m p ass ho ug h s t t
t o whi c h t he so rr o ws O f e x i l e r i g h l y a p pea r e d as t h e p a h wa y t o t t
ho nor and g l o r y ( h ap 5 C .

IO f
Fo r b u t water eth , r ead wi tho ut water i ng
. The di i ne . v
wor d i s r eg ar d e d as a r eal p o we r , whi c h si m pl y c anno tai l o f ac t
co m pli sh m e nt ( 4 0 : a nd h a w o r d h a s d e c r e e d ,
h rt t
o ug h t
v t
J e ho a h s p r o p h e s, t he r e ur n o f t he pe opl e t o hei r o wn land
’
t t .

35 2
TRI TO I SAI AH
-

( C HAP S 56
. 6 6
-
)
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

b ut i t i s very pl ai n th at throughout the pe ri od

r eli gi on was at a low ebb Ex t ernals su ch as fasti ng .
,

rec ei ve d car ef ul att enti on : i t i s chara c t eri sti c

of the p e ri od that even our prophet hi m self solemnly i n si sts
upon the i mportan ce of Sabb ath Ob se rvan ce 6;
5 8 1 3 f )
. b u t as i n t h e day s of I sai ah ( 2 9 t h e h eart s

of the worshi ppe rs w ere far enou gh from th ei r God The .

se rvi ce of God was c omplet ely di sso ci ated from the se rvi ce
of man The m en who so sc rupul ously fasted wer e guil ty
.

of bad t emper and vi olen ce towards thei r empl oy ees

B loodsh ed false hood and i nj usti ce rei gned
, ,

( 59 : 3 Li ttle coul d be expe c t ed of the rank and fil e

whe n the leaders themselv es were wort hless and greedy ,

self i ndulgent and careless of t he welfare of the people

-
,

for whom they we re responsible ( 56 9

On i ts reli gi ous si de t he si tua ti on was stil l further co m
,

pli cated by t he presen ce of men i n the comm uni ty whose

prac ti c es were nothi ng short of pag an These woul d .

be 1n part d es ce ndants of t he peo l e wh o had not been

p
carri ed i nto exil e but who remai ni n g in the land had
, , ,

perpe tuated many an i dolatrous l ocal custom ; in part ,

however they may have been Samari tans and possibly

, ,

other nei ghbors wi th lower religi ous i deals who i n vari ous
, ,

ways had i ntruded i nto the J ewi sh communi ty Th ei r .

i dolatrous pra c ti c es are al luded to i n some c uri ous and

i nt e resti ng passa ges Som et i m es these con si st ed in the
.

deli berate worshi p of oth er g ods for ex ample Mil com ,

1
,

Fortun e Desti ny (6 5
,
some ti m es in secr et
and myste ri ous ri tes c ondu c ted in g roves
,
or gar
d ens ( 6 5 3 66 and i nvol vi ng supersti ti o us i deas and
p rac ti ces whi ch w ere abhorr ent to the tru e Jew su ch as ,

t he ea ti n g of swi n e s fl esh ( 6 5 4 ; 66 Thi s i dolatrou s

’

party i s sharply contrasted wi th the stri c t and fai thful

few notably in 6 5 I 3 fl wh ere four ti mes wi thi n two
.
,
” 1
verses the latter are honored wi th the ti tle my se rvants !
.
 THE B OO K OF I SAI AH

II . THE PR O P HE T
’
S M E SSAGE
I t i s, as we hav e
n to a v e ry gui lty p eople th at the
see ,

proph et Speak s It i s th ei r i ni qui ti es that h ave sep arat ed

.

th em from th ei r God and th ei r si n s th at h av e hi dden hi s

,

fa ce ( 59 2 ) and the demand O f T ri to I sai ah as of most 1 -

of the p roph et s i s for a reli gi on that exp r esses i t self i n

,

ju st and ki ndly rel ati on s be tween m an and m an Fasti n g .

was reg arded by hi s c ontempor ari es as o ne O f the i mpor

tant ex er ci ses of r eli gi on bu t the fa st th at i s approved by
,

God and thi s p roph et of hi s i s a fast not from m eat bu t , ,

from oppressi on Or to be mor e a cc ur at e the tru e se rvi ce

.
, ,

of God and the r eal ex er ci ses of r eli gi on are not n eg ati ve

at all bu t po si ti v e ; they c on si st in the effort as he de
, ,

sc ri bes i t i n e v e r m emorabl e word s to l oo se the bonds of !

,

wi ck edn ess to undo the b ands of the yoke to let the op

, ,

pressed go fr ee to deal thy b read to the hung ry to b ri n g

, ,

t he va g rant s hom e to c ov er the nak ed to sati sfy t he af

, ,
”
fli ct ed soul 7 In oth e r word s,
t h e on l y r e ,

li gi ou s se rvi c e worth mu c h i s so ci al se rvi c e ; and only a

c ommuni ty whi ch i s prep ar ed to se rve God i n thi s way
m ay hop e to be happy and p rosp e rou s and di vi n el y gui de d
Th e re c oul d be no p o ssibl e f ell owshi p be
twee n the ri ght eou s God and the rap aci ou s leaders ; i t
was only wi th m en O f b rok e n and humbl e sp i ri t that the
holy God c oul d dwell ( 57 r 5 66 Thi s proph et l ays
c on si derable emphasi s upon m at eri al p rosperi ty as an
el e m ent i n t he r e w ard of J ehov ah s f ai thf ul se rvant s (6 5 :
’

13 b ut bett e r st i ll i t was to know th at J ehovah took

up hi s ab od e wi th th e m 57 1 5) and turn ed hi s g ra ci ous
f ac e upon th em
Th e hop e of T ri to—I sai ah i s astoni shi n gl y b ol d Th e r e .

was i ndeed li ttl e i n the J e ru sal em wi th whi ch h e was f amili ar

to ki ndl e hop e or to tou ch the i m agi n ati on Wi th her .

d emoli she d w all s and her m eag re popul ati on som e wi cked , ,

1 This word is used to co v

er t
Chaps 56—6 6 ho u h i t is not im possi ble th t th
a e
t th
.
,

g ro up 15 co m posed o f frag men s fro m m o re hands an o ne .

 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

oth ers c rushed and di sconsolate Sh e must have l ai n as ,

a ve ry h eavy bur den upon hi s heart B ut he l ooked .

beyond the sham e and sorrow of t he pr esent to newheav en s

and a new earth (6 5 I 7 ) beyond the guilty ci ty he saw
th e new Je ru sal em whi ch was to be a rejoi ci n g and her !
, ,

Upon th e desc ri pti on of thi s

”
p eople a joy
J eru salem to b e the prophe t lavi sh es all the resour ces of
,

hi s i m agi nati on Her pe ople who ar e to be all ri ghteou s

.
,

( 60 : sh all know no frui tl ess to il or t ear s no early ,

death or sudden sorrow (6 5 1 9 Her p ro spe r i ty

shall flow li k e a ri ve r and her c hil dr e n g ath e red from t he
, ,

ends of t he ea rth sha ll be c omf ort ed for ev e rmor e ( 66 :

,

12 Throug h h e r g at es whi c h a re to be op en day ,

and ni g ht will str eam t he we al th of di stant pe opl es and

, ,

over he r will rest c onti nually th e wondrous li ght of the

g l ory of h e r God so t hat sh e sha
,
ll n ee d the li g ht of sun
and moon no mor e ( Chap .

Almo st the o nly featur e that mars the beauty of thi s

vi si on i s the plac e whi ch t he p roph et assign s i n i t to the
foreign e r Less g en e rous than hi s g reat predecessor
.

D eutero—Isai ah he gi ves to t he heathe n i n c ompa ri son

, ,

wi th the Jew a pla ce of not only sub ordi n ate b ut almost

, ,

m eni al se rvi ce The Jews as t he medi ators O f the tru e

,
.
,

religi on are regarded wi th a pe rh aps not unn atural pri de

,
”
as the pri est s of Jehovah t he mi ni ste rs of our God ,

B ut in c ontrast wi th thi s hi gh honor accorded

to the Jew i s the dest i ny assi g ned to the foreign er :
Stra nge rs sha ll stand and f ee d your floc k s and forei gn ers
!
,

shall be your plowm en and your vi n e dr esse rs (6 1 : -

and i t i s for ei gn e rs who are to reb uil d the rui n ed walls of

J e rusalem ( 60 : Not o nly thei r se rvi ce bu t thei r
wealth i s to be made tri butary to t he Jews and to go to ,

t he e mbelli shm ent of Je rusale m Through t he g at es m en .

ar e to b ri n g to her t he w e al th of the n ati o ns ( 60 I I ) and ,

”
the w e al th of t he na t i o ns ye shall eat
!
The
J e ws ar e to be the lords of t he world the other nati ons ar e ,

thei r c ri n gi n g vassals
3 60
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

ANALYSIS O F CHAPTERS —
5 66
6

x . A wo rd of ch eer to those who are in dang er of bei ng ex clud ed fro m the

chur ch
2 . t
The demoraliza ion of leaders and people (5 6 9—5 7
l d —
( )
r Th e sens uo us ea e rs (5 9 57
6
t
( 2 ) The idola ro us peop le ( 5 7 : 3
t f t
B lessings in s or e fo r t he ai hful ( 5 7 r 4 2 r ) -
.

t f
Th e rue and the al se wo rshi p ( chap .

t
( r ) Fas i ng ( 5 8 r
t
( 2 ) The sa bba h ( 5 8 13 ) f .

f v
The sin ul peo ple and the d i ine d eli er ance ( chap v .

( r ) The sins ( 59 r
f
( 2 ) The con essi on ( 59 9
v
(3 ) The deli erance ( 5 9 : I 6
y
Th e glo r of the new Jer usal em ( chap .

t Z
The procl ama i on of i on s red e m p i on ( chaps 6 x and
’
t .

t f
The d es r u ct ion of t he oes o f io n ( 63 r Z
t y
Passio na e p ra er fo r t he di vi ne a or ( 63 7 —6 4 fv
v
( 1 ) Thank sg i i ng for anci en m erci es (63 7 t
t t ty
( 2 ) Passiona e en rea fo r t he di i ne orgi eness and pi (63 r s v f v ty
64
The blessedness o f the ai h ul f tf and the doo m of tt
the apos a es ( chap s
.

65 and
ft
( r ) The a e of the apos a tt es (6 5 : 1

( 2 ) The des i n of th e t y f i thf

a ul in the impending j udgment
( 65 8
( 3) The great contrast ( 65 13
(4 ) The glo rio us fut ure (65 1 7
( 5 ) Doo m prono unced upon t hose who p urpose to build a rival
tem ple (66 1
( 6) The fai thf ul cheered by th e promi se of ion s prosperi ty Z ’

(66 5
(7 ) Th e j ud g m ent ( 66 1 5
—1 8 a
) .

( 8 ) Jehovah s g lo r y anno unced th roug hout t he wo rld the co mplete

’

r esto ra ti on and per pe t ui ty o f I srael ( 66 18 b

(9 ) The fearf ul fa te of the apo states (66 23 f) .

 —
TRI TO I S AI AH ( Chaps 56 .
-
66)

A W O RD CHE E R To TH O SE WHO ARE I N D AN GER

OF OF

B E I N G E ! CL UDE D FR O M THE C HURCH 6 8 )

—
5 1

56 . Thus ai th th e LO RD s ,

K eep ye judge m ent and do ri ghteousness

!
,

For my sal vati on i s n e ar to c om e ,

And my ri g ht e ousness to be r eveal ed .

56 T h e e x il e i s o e r
1- 8 . v
Fo r m o r e h a n h al a c e n u r y , I sr ael
. t f t
h as b e e n i n h er o wn l and ; a nd u es i o ns a r e a r i si ng a b o u q
t he t t
tt t
c ons i u i o n o f t h e c h ur c h Sh all i t i nc l u d e o nl y hose who ar e
. t
t t
J e ws by bi r h , o r o he r s also ? T he p r ese nc e o f ali e ns m u s , i n t
v
m a ny c ases, h a e b ee n a m e na c e t o t h e p u r i y o f H e b r e w r e li g i o n, t
t
a nd o ne ca n easil y u nd e r s a nd t h e r i g o r o f t h e e xc l u si e m easu r e s v
o f E z r a ( h ap s 9 C whi c h b elo ng no d o ub t o hi s sa m e p e ri o d ;
. t t
t t
b u t o u r p r o p h e , lik e t he wr i e r o f t h e b o o k o f R u h , a k e s h er e a t t
v f
m o r e g e ner o u s i e w o f t h e o r e i g ner , a nd i s wil li ng t o g i e hi m a v
p l a c e i n t h e r el i g i o u s c o m m u ni y , i f h e c o nse n s t o o b ser e t he t t v
t
J e wi sh l aw t h e sa bb a h bei ng si g ni c a n l y si ng led o u t for sp e fi t
c i a l e m p h asi s q
I n t h e se u e l , i t wa s t he p o li c y o f t h e s e r ne r E z r a ,
. t
no t o f t h e l a r g e r h e a r e d p r o p he , -
t
h a p r e a i le d Wi h reg ar d t t t v . t
t o e u nu c h s al so , t h e h o p e o f t h e p r o h e t wa s m o r e g e ner o u s h a n t
t he d e m and s o f t he l a w ( D e u 23 : I t .
?
E x hor tati o n to keep the L aw ( v ss . r f)
.

I f f t
T h e g l o ri o u s u u r e d esc r i b e d as m y sal vati on i s t o b e wo n
.

j
b y ke e p i ng u dg m e nt , p r ac t i cal l y = t h e co m m a nd m e n s o f t he l a w t .

fi
D u r i ng t h e e x i l e , wh e n sa c r i c e was i m p o ssi bl e , c i r c u m c i si o n, a nd
t h e h al l o wi ng o f th e sabb ath , c a m e t o b e i m p o r a n m ar k s o f t t
t
J ud ai sm , and hey r e m ai ned so ( c Neh I 3 f
I t s p r o m i ne nc e. .

f
h er e ( c v s 6 ) i s si g ni c ant
. . fi
I n v s I ri g h te ou sn e ss i s O b i o u sl y
. . v
u se d i n t wo se nses ; i n t h e se c o nd h al o f t he er se , i t i s = sal vati on f v
( a s i n D e u er o I s a i t
ah ) i n t h-
e r s i t i s = l e al ri h eo u sness and
g g fi t
,
t
fi
d e ned m ore narr o wly i n t he l as h al of vs 2 t f . .

3 63
 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH

2 . B lesse d i s the man that doeth thi s ,

And the son of man that hol deth fast by i t

That k eepeth the sabb ath from profani ng i t ,

And keepe th hi s hand from doi ng any evil .

Nei ther let the

tranger that hath joi ned him self 1
s ,

the LO RD spe ak sayi n g , , ,

The LO RD will sur ely se p arat e m e from his peopl e

Nei ther let t he eu nu ch say ,

B ehold I am a dry tree

!
,
.

thu s sai th the LORD

Fo r
O f the eunu chs t hat keep my sabbaths
!
,

And choose the thi n gs that ple ase m e ,

And hol d fast by my c ovenant

5 U nto
. th em will I give in mi n e house and wi thi n m y
walls a memori al and a nam e
2

B etter than of so ns and of daughte rs ;

1 SV for ei g ner . m Gr place ; Heb hand
. . . .

C o nsol at i o n to P r osel ytes a nd E u nuc hs ( vss .

3
—8
)
3 . Wi ll f o ei g ne s who a c kno wled g ed J eho vah
sur ely se pa a e : r t r r
a p pe t o ha v
ar usp c t d t ha t ex c l si v m ea
e s e e s g i n t t he m we e u e su r e a a s r

i n c nt e m p l t i o n
o ai nd ee d t h y w e ( c f E z a
, as Th e
e er . r

e unuch s wo l d p o b b l y b u H e b w s v i ng
r a t th e P e i an re s er a e rs

c o u t ( c f 39
r .
T h i g i v a nc e was t w f o l d
: e r xcl ud d t h y
r e o ,
e e as e

we r e by l w ( D t 3 ) f m a p ese nt plac i n t he c o ng eg a t i n
a eu . 2 r ro r e r o ,

a nd d e b e d t h o ug h t h i
arr r c hi l d le n s b i ng a dry tre e
e r ss e s e

f o m ny pl ac e i n t h f u t ur li f e and wo shi p f I s el
r a e e r o ra .

4 f P .os l r
y t e s a n
ed e u n u c h r n t t b e d i h ea t n e d f
s a eo r o o s r e ,

I n t he w d s o f c o n l a t i o n t he e u nu c h c m es fi t ( 4
or so t h n t he o rs e

fi
,

p r ose l y t e ( 6 H ol d f as t e t c i e f ul l t h e o bli g at i o ns o f th e
,
. .

J e wi sh l aw Th c o nso lat i o n o f t he e unu c h li ke hi s g ri e v ance

. e ,

will be t wo f ol d he wi ll be gi v en a l ac e i n t he c o ngr g a t i on an
: e ,

hi s n m e wi ll b e p er p t u at d ( l i k t e c hi l dl e s Ab sal o m s Sa m
’
a e e e s ,
2 .

18 : 18 ) by t h e e e c t i n o f r m em ori al o r m nu m e nt wi thi n t he
o a o ,

3 64
 TH E B OO K OF I SAIAH

THE D E GRADATI ON or L E ADE RS AND PE OPLE ( 56 : 9 57 : 1 3) —

The S ensuous Leader s ( 56 9 57 -

2 )
All ye b eas ts of the fi el d , com e to devour ,
Yea, all ye be asts in t he for est .

1
Hi s wat chmen are blind ,
Th ey ar e al l wi thout knowl edge ;
They are all dumb do gs,
They cannot bark ;
D reami ng , lyi ng down ,
Lovi ng to slu mber .

Yea , thedogs ar e greedy ,

The y can neve r have enough ;

And these are shepherds that cannot understand
.
2

They ha ve all turned to th ei r own way -

,

Eac h one to hi s g ai n 2
from every quart er , .

1
C r behold how the
. y ar e all bl i nded .
3 Cr . wicked .
1 Gr . om .

b u t o t he rs ar e stil l t o be g a t here d c i t iz ens of o t h er land s .

O t he r shee p ha v e I , whi c h ar e no t o f t hi s fo l d ; t he m al so I m u st
b r i ng (J o h n 1 0 :
5 6 : 9 5 7 : I 3 Thi s p assag e , whi c h i s i n no way c o nne c t ed wi t h
— .

t he last , se e m s t o r e fl e c t t h e d i so r d er a nd d eg r ad a ti o n o f t he ti m e s
o f E zr a N e he mi a h M al ac hi ( abo u t 4 50
- -
T he l ea d ers ar e
g r e e d se n s ual ,
c a l l o u s,
t h e eo
p p l e a r e n o b e tt e r t ha n p ag a ns ;
a nd t e blo w m us t f a ll .

The Lead er s ( 56 : 9
-
12 )
9 . Th e b oa ts a r e t he h ea t he n ( c f Ez e k . . sum m o ned to
d e v o ur wi c ked I sr ae l .

10 f The watch m en, t he spi ri t ual l ea d e rs o f I sr ael

.
, ar e c o m p ar e d
to sh e ep d og s ( Jo b 3 0 : I ) , b u t he y are blind , se e no d ang er t
(t h o u g h t h e si ua i o n t t
i s so d es r a e ) , and d u m b , l i u p no t
oi c e ft v
t
ag ai ns i t , be ca use he y a r e t t
e mse l v e s i dl e , se nsual , a nd se l sh fi .

I n vs 1 1 o mi a nd these
. t ca nnot under sta nd ( as e x pl ana ory o f t
watchmen) , a nd fr o m ever y q ua r ter .

3 66
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH 57 : 2

C ome ye say they I will f et ch wi n e

1 !
, , ,

And we will fill our selves wi th strong dri nk ;

And to morrow shall b e as thi s day
-
,

A day gr eat b eyond m e asur e .

The ri g ht eous p eri sh eth and no man ,

Layeth i t to h eart
An d m er ci ful m en ar e tak en away
2
,

Non e c on si deri n g
That the rig ht eous i s tak en aw ay from the
3

com e .

2. H e ent er eth i nto p ea c e

Th ey r est in th ei r b e ds,
E a c h one that walk eth i n hi s uprig htn ess
4
.

1 Gr . om . vs . 12 .
3 m godl
. y .
1 m
. through wicked ness .
4 m . str ai g ht before hi m .

12 . A g r ap hi c descri p t i on o f t he se beso t t ed p as tor s .

The C onseq uence f

o B ad L eader shi p (57 : I f)
.

57 : 1 . U nd er s u ch
l e a d er s g o o d m e n p e r i sh , a nd no b o d y c ar es .

M er cifu l m e n, r a h e r m en of pi ety t
N o ne co nsi der i ng , whi c h i s .

p a r al l e l t o n o m a n l a y et h i t to hea r t ,
sh o u l d b e o ll o we d b y a c o l o n, f
a nd th at sh o u l d b e for Th e evil i s no t t h e e i l t o c o m e , b u t t h e
. v
t
e x i s i ng e il v
T h u s — g odl y m en ar e swept a way , none consi d er i ng
.

for befor e the evi l the r i g hteou s i s swept away .

2 t t
T he pe ace i s ha o f t h e g r a e , a nd t he b e d i s t he b i e r or
. v
gra e v S u c h a p e a c e i s wel c o m e i n h e se r o u bl e d i m es
. t t t .

—1
3 T h e p e o p l e h e r e d e no u nc e d as g u il y o f ap o s asy
. t t
t
a nd i d o l a r y a r e p r o b a bl y t h e d esc e nd a n s o f h o se J u dae ans wh o t t
h ad b ee n l e ft
i n t h e l and , wh e n t h e o h e r s h a d b ee n c ar ri e d t
t
i n o exile t t
P ar l y hr o u g h t h e ab se nc e i n B ab y l o n o f h ose who
. t
t v f t
m i g h h a e o s e r e d no b l er i d e al s , a nd p a r l y h r o u g h t h e i nfl u x t t
t
o f al i e n e l e m e n s , t h e r e li g i o n o f h i s na i e p o p u l a i o n g r e w t
ery tv t v
t
c o r r up ; a nd i t i s no sur pri se t o find he m i n hi s p eri o d o n ri endly t t f
t er m s wi h t h e Sa m ar i a ns, t t t
h e m sel e s o f m i x e d o ri g i n a nd syn v
cr e t i st i c r eli g i o n ( 2 Ki ng s 1 7 : 2 4 T h ey c r ea e d a g r a e t v
f
p r o bl e m fo r t h e r e or m er s, as we ca n se e r o m E z r a N e h e m i ah , f -

a nd rom f t t
hi s a nd o h er p assa g e s i n t h e p r o p h e c y o f t h e
p er i o d .
3 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

—1
The I dol atr ous P eople ( 57 3 3)

3 . B ut draw n ear hi ther ,

Ye sons of the sor ceress

1
,

The seed of the adul terer and t he whore .

4 . Ag ai ns t whom do ye sport yourselves ?

Ag ai nst whom ma ke y e a wi de mouth ,

And draw out t he tongu e ?

Are y e not chi ldr en of tr ansgr e ssi on ,

A see d of fal sehood ,

2
5 . that i nflam e Ye
yours el v es amon g
2
t he
U nde r eve ry gr ee n tree
That slay t he chil dr en in the valleys ,

U nde r the clefts of the ro cks ?

6 . Among the smooth stones of t he vall ey is thy port i on ;

Th ey they ar e thy lo t,

1
Gr . wi cked sons .
1
Gr ; e that
. call upon idols .
1 m with idol s
. .
‘ Gr . a mo ng .

3 B ut as for you th e p eo ple no t t h e l e ad ers

.
, a ne w a dd r ess ,
.

Fo r ad ul te r e r , r e ad pe r ha ps ad ulter es s An O ri e n a l r e i l es a m an . t v
t tv v
m o s eff e c i e ly by r e i l i ng hi s m o he r ; t h e e r se si m ply m e a ns t v
t t
ha t he p e o pl e the msel ves we re a d ul er o us , i e u n a i h u l t o t . . f t f
v v t
J e ho ah a nd d e o ed t o o he r g od s, a pos a e and id ola r o us, t t t t
sor cer y be i ng o ne o f t he c o nse u e nc es o r aspe c s o f hi s a pos as q t t t
( cf 2 :
. t
I n t he O l d Te s a m e n ido l a r y i s r e u e n ly d esc ri be t t f q t
t
as here , i n er m s o f ad u l e r y t .

4 The se c o nd c l a use d e sc ri be s t he g es u r es o f t he m o c k i ng
. t
spor t t t t
The c o n e m p wi h whi ch t he p i o u s J e ws a nd heir eff or s
. t t
t t t
were r ea ed b y h e i r O p po ne n s i s well i ll u s r a ed by Ne h 4 : 1—3 t t t . .

t
5 T he ap os ta e wo r shi p i n o l es i m m or al i y and c hi l d sa c r i c e
. v v t fi .

6 I dol atr y i n the val l eys T here i s a p i a u p o n t h e wo r d s

)
.
,
.

sm ooth a nd po rti o n ( m u c h ali k e i n t he H e b r e w whi c h i t i s i m p os

sib l e t o r e p r od u ce i n E ng li sh T he r e er e nc e m a y b e t o s o ne . f t
wo rshi p ( c Gen 2 8 : f .b u t i t i s b y no m ea ns c e r a i n ha s o nes
. t t t t
t
are m ea n a t all ; t he a l l u si o n m a y b e t o s m o o h , i e fl a er i ng , t . . tt
tv
d e c ep i e , gods o f t he a ll e y v
W ha e er hey wer e , i t was th ey . t v t
3 68
 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH

And di dst send thi ne amb assadors far ofl ,

And di dst deb ase thyself even unto hell

1
.

Io . Thou wast w eari ed wi th the length of thy way ;

”
Yet sai dst thou not Th er e i s no hOpe , .

Thou di dst find a qui ck eni ng of thy str ength ;

2

Th erefor e thou wast not fai nt

2
.

I t . And of whom hast thou b ee n afrai d and i n fear ,

That thou li est ,

And hast not rem ember ed me ,

Nor l ai d i t to thy heart ?

Have not I h el d my pe a ce even o flong ti me ,

And thou f earest me not ?

12 . I will declar e thy righteousness

And as for thy works ,

1 Heb S heol . .
1 Heb the l ife of thi ne hand
. .
1 Heb . si ck . Gr . when I see thee , I

M el ec h i ,
. e . M il c o m , g od of t he Am m oni t es ; an a p pr o p r i a e t
all u si o n , To bi a h , who was hos i l e t o t he r e o r m er s, wa s a n
as t f
Am m o ni e (’Ne h 2 : t T he oi ntment a nd perf u mes, a s a m o ng
.

t he ha r l o s t v
d e i c es , be l o ng t o t h e sy m bo l i sm o f t h e pa ssag e .

T he m ea ni ng be c o m es m o re plai n i n t h e ne x c l a use , wher e t

t
am ba ssa d ors a r e se n t o t he sh ri nes o f o r e i g n g od s, a nd e e n t h e f v
g o d s o f Sh eo l ( so m ar g i n) , t he o r a c les o f t he ne h er wo r l d , a r e t
t
c o nsul ed T her e m ay here be an all usi o n t o ne c r o m an i c pr ac
. t
t i c es .

10 . t
T ho ug h i r e d o f i t all , t he p e o pl e di d no t aba ndo n h o p e .

11 Of Wh om P — b r a z e n a c e d a pos a es , a ra i d o f no b o d y
.
-
f t t f .

Li e st , hast pl a yed the tr ai tor Have not I h el d m y pe ace even of .

l ong ti m e ? r ea d , I s i t no t so ? I i ndeed kept sil ence, and hi d

( mi ne eyes) v
T he d i i ne si l e nc e had e nc o ur a g ed t h e ap os a es
. t t
t
i n he i r a u d a ci y t .

12 f
I wi l l ex pose thy r i g hteous ness,
. orsoo h ( hi s i s i r o ni ca l ) , f t t
a nd thy wor ks t he al se wo rshi p descr i bed i n vss 6 1 0 f-
The . .

37°
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH 57

I 3 . Th ey hall not profit th ee Wh en thou c ri est

s .
,
1
L et th em whi ch thou ha st g ath er ed deli ve r th ee
2

B ut the wi nd sh all t ak e the m ,

A b reath Shall carry th em all away

B ut he that putt eth hi s trust in m e Shall possess the
l and ,

And Sh all i nh e ri t my holy mountai n .

B LE S SIN G S IN STORE FO R TH E FAI THFUL —2 1

)
And he shall say 2
,

C ast y e up ca st y e up prepare the way , , ,

Tak e up the stumbli ng bl oc k out of the way of my -

people .

For thus sai th th e hi g h and l ofty O ne

That i nhabi t eth e t e rni ty 4
who se name i s Holy : ,

Gr let them del i ver thee i n thi ne afflicti on

1 1m thy r abble o f i dols 1 m i t shal l

y y y
. . . . .

be said ; Vg I ( G r the ) wi ll say Gr Hol a mong hol ones i s his na me , the most
y
. . . .

Hi gh resti ng a mo ng ho l ones .

r es t of vs . I 2 3 , a nd h e m whi ch h ou
sh o ul d be t ak en wi th vs . I t t
t t r
h as g a h e e d r ea d a s thi ne a bo mi na ti ons (i e t h e i d o l s) Th u s : . . .

a nd , when thou cr i est, thi ne a bo mi nati o ns s hall nei ther pr ofit nor s a ve
thee f t f J
T h e a i h ul e ws, o n t h e o h e r h a nd , we r e t o p o ssess t h e
. t
t
h oly m oun ai n, i e no t i o n, b u t t h e m o u n a i n l a nd ( u d a h)
. . Z t J .

57 : I 4
—2 r . ct
T hi s p i u r e o f t h e ell o wshi p o f t h e ai h ul wi h f f t f t
t
Go d a nd t h e p r o sp e r i y i n s o r e fo r h e m i s t h e o u n e r p ar o f t h e t t c t t
l as t t h e d o o m o f t h e i d o l a er s t .

14 And h e ( o ne , o r p er h ap s J ehova h) sh all say : t h e l a u se ,

. c
su gg es e d b y t i s u nsa i s a o r y , a nd sh o ul d p r o b ab l y b e t f ct
d el e e d t . C t
as up , i e a hi g h wa y T h e e r se i s m o d e ll e d o n 4 0 : 3
. . . v .

T h e wa y o f t h e L o r d i s t o b e p r e p ar e d b y t h e r e m o a l o f a ll so v
tc c
c i al , p o l i i al , a nd esp e i all y sp i ri u al i m p e di m e n s ( v ss r 5 , 1 8 ) t t .

t
s um bling b l o k s -
c .

I 5 In th e hi g h and h oly pl ace : r a her , on hi g h as the H ol y one

. t
cf
( 6: I, . T h e e al a i o n O f Go d i s o ne asp e x t t
o f hi s h o l i ne ss ( ct cf .

6: I, v
T o b eli e i ng m e n wh o a re we i g h e d wi h a l oa d o f t t
a fi i c t i o n o r so rr o w t h e t
h o u g h o f t he ex al tati on and t h e eter ni ty t
37 I
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

I will dwell i n the hig h and holy pl a ce ,

Wi th hi m also that i s of a contri te and humble spi ri t ,

To r evi ve th e spi ri t of t he h umble ,

An d to r evi v e th e h eart of the c ontri te on es .

16 . For I will not c ontend for ever ,

Nei ther will I be always wroth

For the spi ri t shoul d fail befor e m e
1
,

And the soul s whi ch I have made .

17 . For the i ni qui ty of hi s c ovetousness was I wroth 2

And smote hi m , I hid my face and was wro th :

And he went on frowardly i n t he way of hi s he art .

18 . I have see n hi s ways ,

And wil l h ea l him I will lead hi m al so ,

And restore c omfort s unto hi m

3

Heb . r3 And to hi s mou rn e rs I cr eat e the frui t of the li ps .

P ea c e pe a c e to hi m that i s far O fl and to hi m that

, ,
”
i s n ear ,

Sai th the LO R D and I wi ll h eal hi m .

1 m fai nt
. wa
a y; SV .
f ai nt .
1 Cr . a l i ttl e while .
1 Heb . reco mpense .

of God c o m es as a c o nso la i o n Fo r o f a co ntri te and h um bl e t .

spi ri t , r ea d cr us hed a nd l owl y i n spi r i t : c r u sh e d b y su c h a fl i c i o n f t

a nd mi se ry as Ne he mi ah ( r 3 ) o u nd o n hi s a r ri al a t J e r u sal e m f v .

t t
I i s p r eci se l y wi h su c h lowl y pe o ple ha t he lofty God m akes h i s t t
ho m e f t
The a fl i c e d we r e , spea ki ng broad l y , t he ai h ul ; h av
. f t f
i ng no thi ng th e y h ad y e t p a i e nc e ho pe , a nd Go d , and he p u t
, t ,

t t t
ne w hear , co u r ag e i n o hese cr us hed ( r a he r ha n co ntri te ) o ne s
,
t t .

16 S piri t - sou ls = erso ns : t he ai h ul J e ws ar e spe ci ally i n

. f t f
v ie w .To a b a nd o n t
e m t o d es t r u c i o n wo ul d b e for J e h o a h t o t v
f t j t
d e ea hi s o b e c i n cr ea i ng he m t t .

1 7 19 -
For th e i ni ui
. q
wroth : r ea d , wi h Gr , beca use of t .

hi s g ui l t ( i d o la ry , 6 fi t
1 was wr ath for a mo ment ( c . f .

I have se e n hi s ways i e see n t o p urpo se and c has i sed The ex

,
. . t . t t
o f t he ne xt
fe w wo r d s i s i n so m e di so r d er I wi ll heal hi m o cc urs .

t wi c e , and sh o ul d p r o ba bl y b e dr op p ed r o m v s 1 9 , wh ose sai th the f .

37 2
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

2 . Yet they seek m e daily ,

And deli ght to know my ways

As a nati on that di d righteousness ,

And forsook not the ordi nan ce of thei r God ,

Th ey ask of m e righteous ordi nan ces ,

Th ey deli ght to draw n ear unto God .

Wh erefore have we f asted , say they ,

”
and thou seest
not ?
Wherefor e have we ami cted our soul and thou tak est ,
”
no knowl edg e ?

B ehol d i n the day of your fast ye find you r own pl easur e

, ,

And ex ac t all your l abours .

B ehol d ye fast for stri f e and c ontenti on

, ,

And to smi te wi th the fist of wi ckedness

2
.

m pp
o r ess a ll y our la bour ers 3 Gr if ye u nite with fists the lowl y wherefore do ye
y y
. . .
,

[ast u nto rue , as ye do M ay that , our vo ice ma y be hea r d i n cr i ng ?

o ne i m po r ta nt f u nc t i o n of t he t r ue t
p r o p he i s t o b ri n si n h o m e t o g
t he p ub l i c c o ns ci e nc e ,
to d ecl ar e t
un o m y peopl e h e i r tr ansgr e s t
si on ( c f M ic 3
. .

2 f The peo ple ha ve

.
p i e y ,
th e y all
a s k the a p pe a r a n e c of t
t t t
hr o ug h he i r p ri es s a nd p r o he s ( ec h 7 : 3 ) ab o u t he ri g h teo us t Z . t
or di nanc es , i e t he c orr e c o r m s o f wo r shi p , b u t i t i s
. . t
u e s i o ns q t
o f fas ti ng ( a s i n e ch Z
ra h e r ha n c o nd u c , h a i n er e s
. he m t t t t t t tt .

3 D u ri ng a nd a er t h e e x i l e
. o ur gr e a ft
as d a y s were c e l e . f t f t -

t
b r a t ed t o c o m m e m o r a e spe ci ally r agi c i nci de n s i n c o nne c i o n t t t
t
wi h t h e si e g e a nd a e o f J e r u sa l e m f t
T he pe o p l e wi sh t o k no w .

t
why he i r God took no u oti ce o f all hi s as i ng ; i e wh y t h e t f t . .

v
M essi a ni c sa l a t i o n was s il l d el ay e d The pr o p h e beg i ns hi s t . t
a ns we r wi h t h e wo r d B eh ol d t T he r e l i gi o u s e x er ci se was a cc o m .

a m ed by a wo r l dl y sp i ri ;
0

you find o p p or uni y for you r own t t t

g u sm ess ( r a t h er
’

ha n pl eas ur e) t
T he m ar gi n o f t h e l as c l a u se . t
i s m o r e c o rr e c tt
ha n t he e x ; r e s d ay h o u h i t i s fo r y o u , y ou t t t t
dr i ve all yo ur l abor er s li ke task ma ster s T h e as ( E ng li sh) wo r d , . l t
v v
h o we er , i s er y un c er ai n ; a nd so m e e m e nd t h e e s i n a way t t t
whi c h sh o ws t he p ar i c ul ar o r m hei r bu si ness oo k t — and al l f t t
money lent on pl ed ge yo u ex act
 THE B OO K OF I SAI AH

f ast not thi s day so

Ye
As to mak e your voi ce to b e h eard on hi gh .

5.I s su c h t h e f ast that I hav e c ho se n ?

The day for a man to affli ct hi s soul ?

I s it to bow down hi s h ead as a ru sh ,

And to spr ead sa ck cloth and a sh es under hi m

Wi l t thou call thi s a f ast ,

And an acceptabl e day to the L O RD ?

6 Is
. not thi s the fast that I have chosen ? 1

To l oo se th e b onds of wi ck e dn e ss ,

To undo the b ands of th e yok e ,

And to l et th e oppr essed go fr ee ,

And that y e break ev ery yok e ?

2

1 Gr . adds sai th the Lord .

2 Gt Vg tho u
. . .

4 . S tr i f e : t he f ast i ng m ad e t h em q u a r r el so m e a nd vi olen t ,
so
th t t h
a ey a c t u ally smi te th e poor ( as wi t h Gr we sh o ul d p r o b , .
,

a bl y r e ad ) wi th th e fi st a nd su ch fasti ng as your s to day wi ll not

,
-

ca u se yo ur voi ce to be hear d o n hi g h b y t h e G o d wh o c a r e s for co n

d uc t ,
no t c e r e m o ny .

5 . f t
T h e as i ng wa s r e g ar d e d a s a n afil i cti ou of the sou l , i e a . .

c
di s i p li ne o f t h e se nsu o u s i m p u l ses B u t t h e a s i ng acceptabl e . f t
to J v t
e h o a h h a s no h i ng t o d o wi h h a ng i ng h ea d s a nd b e d s o f t
c c t
sa k l o h a nd ash e s B y o m i i ng I s i t , t h e m e a ni ng i s m o r e
. tt
cl a r a nd v
i g o r o u s : To bow the head i s thi s what thou call est
i
a ast ?
t
6 I n o pp osi i o n t o t h e al se as i s t h e r u e , whi h o nsi s s i n
. f f t t c c t
t c
a b s i ne n e o f a no h e r k i nd — rom t so i a l i n u s i e ; o r whi h f c j tc c
c t t
o nsi s s r a h er i n t h e p osi i e a nd g e ne r o u s r e l i e tv
o f e e r y ki nd f v
c
o f so i al d i s r e ss t
Th e er se a l m o s see m s t o r e fl e
. v
t h e si u a i o n t ct t t
c
so g r ap hi al l y d e s r i b e d i n N e h 5 c 1 — 1 3 , wh er e t h e p o o r h ad b e en
.

v t t
d r i en t o m o r g ag e h ei r p r o p e r y t o h ei r we al h i er b r e h r e n, t t t t
a nd e e n t o v
sell he i r hi l d r e n t
Th e b ond s of c
i ck e dne ss , . w
!
un us j t
and o p p r essi e o bl i g a i o ns
”
( Ski nne r ) v E er y g alli ng t . v
k m b b k nt h i i t h d i i n d m nd t
— t h e ast that I
f v
p
y e u s e r o e ; s s e e e a
cl oose .
 THE B OO K OF I SAI AH

7 . Is it not to deal thy bread to the hung ry ,

And that thou b ri ng th e poor that are cast out to

1

thy house ?
Wh en thou seest th e n aked that thou cover hi m ; ,

And that thou hi de not thyself from thi n e own flesh ?

8 . Th en shall thy li ght b reak forth as t he morni ng
And thy heali ng shall spri ng forth spee dily
And thy ri ghteousn ess shall go befor e th ee ;
The glory of the L ORD shall be thy r ea rward
Then shal t thou ca ll and the L O RD shall an swer ,

Thou sha lt c ry and he shall say Here I am

!
, ,
.

If thou take away from the mi dst of th ee the yok e ,

The putti ng forth of the fing er and spe aki n g ,

wi ckedl y
And if thou dr aw out thy so ul to the hung ry ,

And satisfy the affli c t ed soul

Gr .
fl
roo ess . Gr ri pes t br ead from thy
. soul to the hungr y .

7 . T he t uc h
o es t
i n hi s e rse a r e m ore c o nc r e e h an i n t h e a st ; v t t
t
b o h ma y we l l b e d r a wn ro m li e Ne h e mi a h ( 5 1 7 ) had hi m sel f f . f
d e al t h i s b r ead to th e h ungry O m i th e poor , a nd fo r th at ar e . t
cast o ut r ea d wa nd er er s , ag ran s Thine o wn fl e sh , e ll o w v t . f
I sr aeli es t .

8 f Th en : . hi s i s t he co nd u c t
ha wi ll bri ng t h e bl essi ng t t t
v
h eal ing , i e r e c o e r y , r es o r a i o n ; li gh t , p r o sp e ri y , sa l a i o n ;
. . t t t v t
a nd a n a nswer ( v s 9 ) t o t h e y e t u na nsw e r e d p r.a y er ( v s .

t t
Wha lig h and heal i ng i n ol e d o n th e m a e ri al si d e i s el ab o r a e d v v t t
i n vs r 2 . f
I ri ghteou sne ss o f t he ki nd us d escri be d wen b e ore ,
. j t t f
v t
sa l a i o n a nd th e gl ory of J ehovah wo ul d o ll o w a er ; hi s se n f ft t
t e nc e whi c h s u m m a ri z e s t h e p r o p h e s m es sa g e i n hi s c h a p er , i s
,
’
t t t
m o d ell ed o n 5 2 : r z b Th e putti ng orth of th e fing e r —
. i h sc or n f .

t
Th e g e ne r al ho ug h o f v ss 6 —9 a i s ag ai n e x presse d so m e wh a t . t
si mi l a r l y i n v ss g b r z .
-
.

10 f
Fo r d r aw ou t th y soul to , r e a d bes tow thy br ead on ( so i n
.

p a r ,
t a nd f o r m ak e s tro ng t h y bo n e s , p er h a p s r e n ew th y
str ength J u d ah , if she wo r shi ppe d her Go d by ser i ng t h e need y ,
. v
3 7 6
 TH E B OO K OF I SAIAH

And call the sabb ath a deli ght ,

1
And t he ho ly of the LO RD honourable ;
And shal t honour i t not doi n g thi n e own ways , ,

Nor finding thi n e own pleasur e nor speaki ng thi ne ,

own words :

Th en shal t t hou deli ght thyself in t he L O RD ;

2

And I will mak e th ee to ri de upon th e hi gh pla ces

3

of the earth ;
And I wi ll feed th ee wi th the heri tage of J a cob thy
fath er :
Fo r the mouth of th e LORD ha th spok en i t .

an SI NFUI PE O P LE . AND r m : D I VIN E D E LI VERANCE

( Chap 59)

The S i ns —8
)
59 . B ehold the LoRD s hand is not short ened that
,
’
,
it can
not save
N ei ther hi s ear h eavy that i t cannot h ear ,
°

l Gr hal y u nto God °

a nd sha lt not ti/t u p thy Ioot to worh nor spea h a wor d i n a nger
‘e
.
,

ou t o f thy rnouth . r nst .

‘Gr good . .

away th y foo ; Ex 3 : t
a nd i t m us cfno t b e p r o a ne d b y
. . t f
d o i ng thy bu s i ness t
( r a he r han pl easu r e ) o n i t , fo r i t i s th e !h ol y o”f t
J eh ovah a r e m ar kable p hr ase ( unl ess we r e a d fo r h o ly
new moon, as D u h m has p r o
i dl e wo rds ; t h e H e b r e w was a
o f spe e c h ( cf E cc l 5 : 2 ;
d) Nor spe aki ng wor d s , t e
ys k e e nl y c o ns ci o u s o f t he p e ri ls m . . .

{
as 3 . .

14 To ri d e t ri u m p ha nt y ove r th e hi gh places , e t c
. I! will e e d . f
t
th e e , c a use hee t o ea t , e n oy T he p r o mi se i s o ne O f ri u m p h j . t
v f t
o e r a ll di fi c u l i e s , a nd u nd i s u r b e d e n o y m e n o f t he p ro d u c s o f t j t t
t he l a nd ( M ar i ) t .

C
ha p 5 9 The peo p le , wh ose p u nc ili o u s O b se r anc e O f as i ng
. . t v f t
t
was sa i ri z e d i n t he l as c h ap er , ar e h e r e r e pr es e n ed t
si g ni fi t t
ca ntl y e no u g h a s a n i m m o r al peo pl e , wh o se ci i c l i e wa s c o rr u p v f t
t o t he co r e T he i r a p o sta sy oo k t h e o r m , no t o nl y o f i d o la ry ,
. t f t
C
( h ap b u t O f i m m o r al i y ( v ss 1
. I n t h e na m e O f t h e t .

378
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH 59 5

2 . B ut your i ni qui ti es hav e sep arat ed betw een you and

your God ,
‘

And your si n s hav e hi d hi s fa c e from you that he

1
,

wi ll not hear .

3 For. your h ands ar e defiled wi th bl ood ,

And your finger s wi th i ni qui ty

Your lips have spok en li es ,

Your tong u e m ut t ereth wi ckedn ess .

4 . Non e su eth i n ri ght eou sn ess ,

And non e pleadeth in truth

Th ey tru st i n v ani ty and sp eak li es ,

Th ey c on c ei v e mi schi e f and b ri n g forth i ni q ui ty , .

5 Th e
.y h at ch b asili sk s egg s 2 ’
,

And weave the spi der s web ’

He that eat eth O f th ei r egg s di e th ,

And th at whi ch i s c ru sh e d breaketh out i nto a vi per .

Gr because of
1 ou r si ns he has tur ned a wa y hi s face from you so as not to have
V
.

compas si on 2m ’
. . . adder s .

p eo p l e , v
h o we er , t h e p r o p h e c o n e sses h e i r si ns ( v ss 9 1 5) t f t .
-

v
a nd , t o d e li er th e m r o m f t
h ei r d esp e r a e c ase , J e h o a h h i m sel i s t v f
t
p i c u r e d as c o m i ng l i k e a war r i o r u ll y a r m e d ( v ss 1 6 f .

1 f f
I t he l o ng l o o k e d fo r sal ’a i o n was s i ll d elay e d ( c 58 :
.
-
v t t f .

v
i t was no t b e c a u se o f Je h o ah s i m p o e nc e , b u t b e c a u se o f t he t
si ns whi ch a r e d e sc r i b e d i n t h e o ll o wi ng e r ses f v .

f
3 ; D ee d s ( c 1 f
1 5) a nd wo r d s ar e a li k e i m m o r al ; i n p ar t i c u
.

j t v t
l ar , u sti c e i s r a e s i e d i n t he c o u r s, wh er e ar g u m e n s ar e t t
v
spe c i o u s a nd m i s c hi e o u s , a nd h o nes y i s u nk no wn t .

5
—8 v t
S e e r al r e c e n sc h o l ar s b eli e e h ese er ses t o b e an i nter
. v t v
I n any case , as Ski nner r em ar ks, the de sc r i p ti on c an o nl y
!
pol ati o n .

app ly t o a li m i e d cl a ss o f u t er r ep r o b a es , and tt
h er e is so m e d i th t t
t v
c u l y i n c o nce i i ng t ha t i t ca n be t he c o n i nu a i o n O f vss 3 , 4 ,
~
t t .

t t fi t
whi c h c o n ai n p e rfe c l y d e ni e a nd i n elli g ibl e a cc u sa i o ns a g ai ns t t t
a wh o l e c o m m u ni y t .

5 f
T h e b asili sk s eg g s , sy m b ol i c O f t he sc h em e s h a c h e d b y t h e
.
’
t
f t t
wi c k e d , ar e a al ali k e t o h ose wh o eat he m ( c heri sh he m ) , and t t
37 9
 THE B OO K OF I SAI AH

6 . Th ei r w ebs shall not b ec om e g arm ents,

Nei th er shall th ey cover t h emsel v es wi th thei r
works :
Th ei r works are works of i ni qui ty ,

And the ac t of vi olen ce i s in thei r hands .

7 . Thei r fee t run to evil ,

And th ey mak e haste to shed i nno cent bl ood

Th ei r thoughts are thoug ht s of i ni q ui ty ;
D esolati on and d estru c ti on ar e i n th ei r paths .

8 . The way of peace they know not ;

And there i s no j udge ment in thei r goi ngs
1

The y hav e m ad e th em crook ed paths ;

Whosoever g oe th th erei n doth not know pe ac e .

The Confessi on —1
5)

Therefo re is judgement far from us ,

Nei th er doth ri ghteousn ess overtake us :
We look for light , but be hol d darkn ess ;
Fo r b ri ghtness, bu t we walk in ob sc uri ty .

111
. r i ght ; SV . j ustice .

to t ho se wh a tte m p t t c sh t he m As t hi s fig ur e bri ng s o ut t h
o o ru e

d ad l y na t u e o f t h o se sc h m es t h o t her fi g u
.

f t h spid e r s
’
e r e ,
e re o e
web whi c h i m pli fi d i n v s 6 bri ng s o t t h i futi li ty T h e
,
s a e .
,
u e r .

p l o t s t hey we v e e f u g h t wi t h n
a arg oo d t o t he b o d y po li ti c ;
ra o
t hey ar no t as g m nt wi t h whi c h m n n c v the msel ves
e a ar e ,
e ca o er .

Th e rei s a p lay n t he wo d wor ks whi c h m o v es f r o m t he se nse

o r
i n t he fi rst half f t he v e s t o
,

hand i wor k
” ”
o f ,
d ee d i n t he o r e,
se c nd ha l f
o .

8 J udg m ent rig h t j u st i c e

.
, G oing s t ack s
,
.
,
r .

59 :5 T h e l 1
a m e
. nt ( v ss 9
—
) p asses i nt a c onf essi on ( 1 2 fi ) xx o .

b t i n t h fi rst p rso n p l u al as t he p o p h t sp e ak s for t h e

.

q
e e r ,
r e

pe O p e .

9 f . Th er efor e : b e ca u se of t he si ns j ust d esc ri be d ( c f v ss . . r,

Ju dgm ent a nd ri gh te ou sne ss ,

i . e .
,
t he d i v i ne v i nd i c a ti o n o f I sr ael ,

380
59 3 15 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

15 . Yea,truth i s la cki n g
And he that depart eth from evil maketh hi m self a
p rey
And the L O RD saw i t and i t di sple ase d hi m
That th er e was no ju dge m e nt .

The Del i ver ance —2 1

)
16 . And he saw that there was no m an ,

And wond ered that there was no i nt er cessor

2

Therefore hi s own ar m b rought sal vati on unto hi m

And hi s ri ghteousn ess i t upheld hi m , .

Eph . 17 . And he put on righteousn ess as a breastplate ,

17
And an helm et of salvati on upon hi s h e ad ;

SV j usti ce . m none to i nter pose

. .

eousness ; cfc o m m e rc ial a nd so c i a l r ela t i o ns ; t hese ar e

. vs .
,

t he t r ansgr essi o ns whi c h h av e d e fer r ed t h e g r ea t sal v a t i o n Th e .

pe rso ni fica t i o ns in v s 1 4 are vi id a nd p o wer ul , a nd t h e g r a i y o f

. v f vt
t
si ns o f t he o ng u e i s s ug g es e d by v s 1 3 , as so r e u e n l y i n b o h t . f q t t
O l d a nd Ne w Te s a m e n s t t
I n v s 1 3 , fo r O ppr e ssi on, r ead per
. .

ver seness , a nd o m i conc ei vi ng a nd t .

15 . T he m ea ni ng o f t he se c o nd se n e nc e i s far r o m c e r ai n t f t .

t t
M ar i s e m e nd a i o n, whi c h r es s i n p ar u po n t he r ee k e r si o n
'
t t G v
t
a nd m a i n a i ns t he p a r a ll e li s m we l l , se e m s t h e m o s p l a u si bl e t .

Tr uth i s mi ssi ng , a nd i ns i g ht d epar ts fr o m the ci ty ( or the gate o r the

r ul er s ) J udg m ent , us i c e
. j t .

59 : 1 6 .
p t t
—2 r T he si u a i o n i s d es e r a e a nd a s he re i s no m a n
,
t ,
t
v v f
t o re li e e i t , J eho a h hi m se l c o m es u ll y a r m e d t o p u ni sh ho se f , t
ff t
o pp ose d t o hi m , a nd t o e e c fo r t he p e ni e n a d e l i e r a nc e whi c h t t v
wi ll be t he wo nder o f t he who le wo r l d V ss 1 8 2 0 m a k e i t p l ai n . .
-

t t t v t
ha t he p i c ur e o f J e ho a h s i n e r po si i o n i s a i si o n o f t he u u r e ,
’
t v f t
q t
c o nse ue n l y vss 1 6 f , whi c h d esc ri be hi s ar mi ng , r e er t o t he
. . f
f t
u u r e t oo — t he pa s e nses i ndi ca i ng , as ttr e u e n l y , p r op h e i c t f q t t
tt
c er i ud e .

16 . v
T hi s er se ap pears t o be m od ell e d o n 6 3 : 5 Fo r no i nter .

t
cessor , read wi h t he m ar gi n none to i nter pose App ar e n ly t he . t
p i o us a n d e ner g e i c N e h e m i a h twas no t y e t o n t h e sc e ne .

17 . f t t
The ul les d es c ri p i o n i n t he Ol d Te s a m e n o f J e ho ah as a t t v
38 2
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

And he p ut on garment s of v eng e an c e for cl othi n g 1

,

And was clad wi th z eal as a cl ok e .

18 . A cc or di ng to th ei r deeds a cc ordi ngly he will r epay 2

, ,

Fury to hi s a dv er sari e s r e c ompen c e to hi s en e mi es ,

3
To t h e i slands h e wi ll r ep ay r e c omp en c e .

19 . So shall th ey f ear the n am e of t he L O RD from the w est ,

An d hi s gl ory from the ri si ng of the sun .

4‘
For hehall c om e as a ru shi ng str eam
s
5
,

Whi ch the b reath O f the L O RD dr i v eth .

And a r edeemer sh all c ome to Zi on

6
,

And unto th em that tu rn from transgr essi on

J a cob sa i th the LO RD ,
.

And thi s i s my c ovenant wi th th em

as for m e, ,

Sai th the L O RD :
My sp i ri t that i s upon thee ,

And my words whi ch I have put i n thy mouth ,

1Gr Vg om Heb r ecom penc es 3 C r o rn his clause m AV when the ad ver t

y y
. . . . . . . . .

sar ( AV enem ) shall co me i n li ke a fl ood the spi ri t of th’ e L ord sha ll lift u p a sta nda rd ,

5 He b a str ea m
ag a i nst hi m p n t i n 0
Gr for a s sa ke the del i ver er shal l co me
J
e
y
. . . .

a nd tu rn awa u ng odl i ness f ro m acob .

m an O f war ( Exo d a nd t h e m o d el fo r t he N e w Te s a
. t
t
m e n d esc ri p i o ns o f t h e t C
h ri s i a n s a r m o r ( 1 T h e ss 5 : 8 ; E p h
’
t . .

6 : 14 O m i , wi h Gr , for cl othi ng t t . .

18 R ea d : i n pr opor ti on to (thei r ) d eser ts , wi ll he r e nder a r ecom

.

t
pense, e t c , a nd d el e e t he l as c l a u se , wh i c h e r r o neo u sl y e x p l ai ns
. t
v
t h e a d e r sa r i e s a s th e i sl and s , i e t h e h e a he n , wh e r e as h e y a r e . . t t
t t t t
i n r e ali y a p o s a e s wi hi n t h e J e wi sh c o m m u ni y ( v ss 1 — r t .

19 t j
T hi s er r i bl e u d g m e n wi l l c ar r y t h e e a r a nd a m e o f
. t f f
v t
J eh o ah hr o ug h o u t he whole wo r l d t
hi s u d g m e n whi c h wi ll t j t
t
co m e r ushi ng o n i m p e u o u sl y as a str ea m pent wi hi n i t s b a nk s, t
whi ch the br eath of J ehovah (i e a m i g h y wi nd ) dri veth . . t .

20 H e sh all com e t o t h e wi c k e d as an i m p e u o u s s r ea m o f
. t t
t
d est r u c i o n, b u t a s R e d e em e r to i on, a nd t o t h e p e ni e n Z t t .

21 v t
T hi s e r se , g u ar a n eei ng t h e p er p e u i y o f t h e ha pp y r el a
. t t
t t
i o ns no w e sta bli sh e d b e wee n J e h o a h a nd i o n, i s i n t h e na u r e v Z t
38 3
60 : 1 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

Sha ll
not depart out of thy mouth ,

Nor out of the mouth of thy seed ,

Nor out of the mouth of thy seed s seed sai th ’

, the
LORD ,

From hen ceforth and for ev er .

THE GLO RY OF THE NE w J ERUSALE M ( C ha p 60)

R ev
. z r : r r, 60 .
1
Ari se shi n e ; for thy lig ht i s c ome
, ,
”3 a
And the glory of the LO RD i s ri sen upon thee .

Gr . shi ne, shi ne, J erusale m .

o f a so m e what p r osa i c a p p e nd i x . The m thee alik e r e er t o

and f
I sr ael . T he c hi e f
i n t h e ne w ele m e n s t t co ve na nt a r e m y spi r i
v t
t h e d i i ne sp i r i o f i nstr u cti o n ( N e h 9 : 2 0 , P s 3 2 8 ) a nd m y . .

t
wor ds , no d o u b t he wo r ds o f t he l a w, whi c h , a s i n Ps 1 : 2 , ar e .

t o be pe r p e ua lly i n I sr ae l s m i ndt ’
T hi s d e sc ri p i o n i s hi g hl y . t
t t
c har a c e r is i c O f po s e xi li c J ud ai sm t -
.

C
hap 60 C t
h ap e r 5 9 c l o se d wi h a i si o n o f J e h o ah c o mi ng t o
. . t v v
Z i o n a s r e d e e m er ( v s 2 0 ) h a ps 6o —6 2 o g e t her o r m a m ag ni fi
. C . t f
t t Z
ce n p i c ur e o i i o n R e d ee m ed H er e , as e er y whe r e i n t he O ld . v
t t t
Tes a m e n , ma e r i al e l e m e n s p la y a no t i nc o nsi d e r a b l e p ar i n t t
t h e i d ea O f sa l a i o n v t
T hr o u g h t he e y es o f ai h a nd i m ag i na i o n,
. f t t
t
t h e p r o p he see s a b r i ll i a n tf t
u u re fo r t h e ci y h a i s no w d esp i se d t t t
a nd d e e s ed ( 60 : t t di la p i d a e d a nd o r l o r n su ffe r i ng r o m t f , f
p o ev t
r y a n d e x p o se d t o r a i d s ( 60 : 1 8 ; 6 2 : H e s ee s hi s c i y t t
t
c r o wded ag ai n wi h her o wn c hil dr e n r o m di s an la nds, hr o ug h f t t t
t t t
h e r g a es ri b u e c e as el essly po u ri ng r o m t he e nd s o f t he e a r h f t
t t
wi h whi c h e m pl e a nd c i y will b e wo r h i l y a d o rne d , al l he r ar e a t t
t t
i ll u mi na ed c o n i nu a l ly by t he g l o ri o u s li g h O f h er o wn Go d , a nd t
f o re i g n ) co pl es s r ea m i ng t o h er t o sh ar e t hi s wo nder ul l i g h A t f t
d
.

s pl e nd i t
fl i g h fo r a p r o p he whose e n ir o nm e n was so m eag r e t v t
a nd unp ro m i si ng as J e r u sa l e m i n t he mi d dl e o f th e fi h c e n ur y ft t
B C . .

wi ll be the Li g ht of the Wor ld

J er us al e m, ill u mi ned by J ehova h,
( vss 1 3) .
-

x Ari se : t he ci t y i s add r esse d as a p ro st r a t e wo m an ( 5 2 :

.

T he li gh t i e o f sal vati o n— wh i c h wil l d a wn fo r h e r wh e n th e

. .
,

glor y o f J eh ovah w h o wi ll c o m e a s R e d ee m er
, 5 9 : r i se s li k e ,

t h e su n, u po n h e r ; v ss
. 19 f
.
,
h o we v er , sh o w t ha t t he li g h t is

3 84
60 6 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

6 The
. mul ti tude of camels shall cover th ee ,

The drom eda ri es of M i di an and Ephah ;

1

They shall all com e from Sheb a

Th ey shall b ri n g g ol d and franki n cense ’
,

And shall proclai m t he prai ses O f the LO RD .

All th e floc ks of K edar shall be g athe red togeth er unto

thee ,

The rams of N ebai o th shall mi ni st er unto th ee :

3

They shall c om e up wi th a ccep t an ce on mi n e al tar ,

And I will glori fy the house of my glory

4
.

8 . Who are these that fly as a cloud ,

And as the doves to th ei r wi ndows ?

5

9 . Sur el y t he i sles shall wai t for m e ,

And the ships of Tarshish first ,

1 y
m o ung ca mel s Two Gr M SS add and pr eci ous stones Gr shall come Gr
y t y
. . . . . . . .

my house of pra er shall be glori fied Gr . . wi th heir oung ones .

la nds c arr i e d u po n t h e se a Pos t e xi l i c J u d ai sm l o v e d t o t h i nk o f

.
-

th e h ea t he n wo r l d as c o nt ri b u t i ng t o t he g l o r y o f J e r u sa l e m and
i t s t e m p le ( c f H ag 2 :
. .

6 f Tr i bute fr o m the E ast

. .

6 M i di an i n no r t h Ar a b i a , Ephah a M i di a ni t e tri be ( Ge n
. .

S h eba i n so u t h west e rn Ara bi a O m i t they shal l br i ng .

g o l d a nd f’r a nki nce n se ,

a nd r ea d al l ( a nd no t m e re l y t h e q u e e n , a s i n
S o l o m o n s t i m e , 1 K i ng s 1 0 ) those of S heba shall co me, a nd pr ocl ai m
the pr a i ses of J eho va h .

7 Ke dar , Ne b ai oth : no m ad s o f no r t h Ar abi a , ri c h i n fl o c ks

. .

Fo r mi ni st er whi c h ap pe ars t o c o m e f r o m v s 1 0 , r ea d , by a sl i g h t
,
.

c h ang e , shall ear nestly seek thee ( i e Z i o n) : t h ese a ni m als wo ul d . .

b e O ff e r e d i n sc a r i fice Th e h ou se of m y gl ory : Gr r ea d s, p er
. .
~

ha p s co rr ec t ly m y ho use of pr ayer ( c f 56 :
‘

.
,

8 f Tr i bute fr o m the west

. Fl y i ng swi ftl y , l ik e cl o u ds o r l i k e
.

doves to thei r cotes ( c f Ge n 8 : ar e d esc ri ed shi p s be a ri ng e x i l es

fi
. .

and t r ea su r e Thi s fine p i c t u r e i s so me wha t o b sc ur ed by t he r st

.

cl au se o f v s 9 whose r eadi ng , afl ected by 4 2 4 ; 5 1 : 5, sho ul d

.
,

al m os t c e rt ai nl y b e

For to me the shi ps gather ,

The vessel s of Tar shi sh cf . 2 : I6 i n the van .

3 86
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH 60

To b ri n g my son s from far ,

Th ei r silv er and
thei r g ol d wi th th em ,

For the n am e of th e L O RD thy God ,

And for the H oly O ne of I srael b e cau se ,

he hath
g l ori fi e d th ee .

And stranger s sh all b uil d up thy w alls ,

And thei r ki n g s sh all mi ni st er unto thee .

Fo r i n my wr ath I smot e th e e ,

B ut in my f avou r h av e I had m er cy on thee .

Th y gat es al so sh all b e O pe n c ont i nu ally ;

Th ey shall not b e shut d ay nor ni g ht
That m e n m ay b ri n g unto th ee t he we al th of the n ati on s ,

And th ei r ki n gs l ed wi th them .

For th at nat i on and ki n g dom th at wi ll not se rv e

thee shall p eri sh yea tho se nati on s shall b e ,

utterly wast e d .

r3 . The gl ory O f L eb anon shall c om e unto th ee ,

The fir tree , t he pi n e , and t h e bo x tr ee to geth er ;
TO b eauti fy t he p l a c e O f my san c tu a ry ,
1
And I will m ak e th e pl ace of my f ee t gl ori ou s .

1 Gr . 0m . thi s c la use .

J er u sal em wi ll be by F or ei g n H a nds a nd a t F or ei gn C ost,

r ebu i l t
—1 6
a nd s pp
u l i ca ted by her F or m er T y r a nts ( v ss 1 0 ) .

1 0 —1 2 t
S tr ang er s : m a ny O f t h e l a e r J e ws h o u g h wi h p l eas
. t t t
t t t
u r e o f o h er na i o ns as h e i r m e ni al s ( c vs i n po in of ac , f . . t f t
t
t h e wall s we r e b u i l b y N e h e m i a h , c Ne h 6 f
Th e g ate s a r e t o
. . .

t v
b e c o n i nu all y O p e n t o r e c ei e t h e e ndl e ss s r e a m o f r e asu r e t t .

Th ei r k i ng s l ead i ng the tr ai n ( b e er h a n l ed ) tt t
R e c e n sc h o l ar s . t
r eg ar d v s . t
1 2 , whi c h sp o i l s t h e m e r e , as a n i ntr u si o n, b ase d o n
Z ech .
—1
9 .

13 .Th e gl ory of Le b anon, e t c : t h e e m p l e b u il di ng s d e m a nd

. t
t h e c h o i c es woo d t Th e pl ace of m y e et : J e r u sal e m , esp e c i all y
. f
38 7
14 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH

And sons of th em that afi i cted thee shall come

the
bending unto thee
And all th ey that despi se d th ee shall bow themselves
1

down at the soles of thy feet

And they shall call thee the C i ty of the LOR D ,

The Z i on Of the Holy One of I srael .

Wh er eas thou hast been forsaken

And hat ed so that no man passed through th ee
11
, ,

I will m ake th ee an et e rnal excell en cy ,

A joy O f many g en erati ons .

Thou shal t also su ck th e milk O f th e nati ons ,

And shal t su ck the b reast O f kings ;

3

And thou shal t know that I t he LO RD am thy savi our ,

And thy red ee m er the M ig hty One of J ac ob , .

17 . I wi ll b ri n g gold
Fo r b rass ,

And for i ron I will b ri ng sil v er ,

And for wood b rass ,

And for ston es i ron

om consu me wealth of
'
1 Cr . . thn clause . Gr hel ped thee
. . Gr . the ki ngs.

t he t e m pl e , i t we r e , t he p l a c e wh er e J eh o a h , who d we ll s
wa s ,
as v
o n hi g h ( 5 7 : t
o uc hes t h e e ar h t .

14 Obe i sa nc e is no w p ai d t o
. i o n by h ose wh o or m er l y Z t f
cr u s h ed a nd d esp ise d he r R e a d afi i cted and d espi sed thee ; a nd
.

t t
o m i , wi h G r , all shal l bow the ms el ves do wn at the sol es of thy feet
. .

16 Fo r su c k th e b rea st , G r r e a d s cons u me the weal th ( o f ki ng s)

. . .

t t t t
T he ho u g h i s si m i la r t o ha o f v ss 5 , 1 0 T hi s c o n r o l o f en il e . . t G t
r eso u r c e s i s t he p r oo f
t o t he Je w o f J e ho a h s red e m p i e p o we r
’
v tv
( cf .
49 :

Thi s Out war d Gl or y o f J er us l em will t> e matched by an I nner Gl or y

g vs .
—
s7 2 2 )
17 t
B ea u y and o r d e r e e ry wh e r e
. v
T h e p l ai n m e al s wi ll b e . t
r epl a c e d b y t h e p r e ci o us ; a nd I will ma ke P eac e thy gover nor , a nd

388
60 : 22 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH
1
Th e b ran ch of my pl anti ng , 2

Th e work O f m y hands , that I may be glorifi ed

3
.

The li ttl e one shall be com e a thousand ,

And the small one a st rong nati on
I th e LO RD
Will hasten i t in i ts ti me .

THE PR OCLAMATI ON or ZI O N
’
s RE DE MPTI O N (6 1 —
1 62 12 )
The pi ri t of the Lord GO D i s upon me ;
s

B e c ause th e LO RD ha th anoi nt ed m e
To prea ch g ood ti di n gs unto the m eek ;
1

me
To bi nd up the b rokenhearted ,

To pro cl ai m libe rty to the capti ves ,

1 Gr preser vi ng the plant

. .
1 Heb . vari an t . his .
1
C r hi s
. .
1 m Gr poor
. . .

t e m p l a t e d by u d a is m A th ou sand sho ul d p e r ha ps b e t r ans

.

t
l a e d a cl a n . will h ast e n i t, t he bri lli a nt p r o g r a mm e sk e t c he d
t
i n hi s c ha p er t .

C hap s 6 1 a nd 6 2 O f hese c h apte rs as o f t he l as ( hap

. . t ,
t C .

t
t h e he m e i s t h e g l o r and se c u ri y o f t
i o n i n t h e c o mi ng y e ar o f Z
g r a c e w h i c h t he p r o p e i s c o m m i ss i o ht
n e d t o p r o c l a i m Th e p e c u .

t
l i a r i t y o f t he se c i o n i s t h e r e m a r k able s a e m e n i n t he O pe ni ng t t t
v e r ses ( 6 1 1 —3 ) o f t he t
e r m s o f t he p r o p h e s c o m mi ssi o n o r a t t ’
,

t t t t
l e as o f h is i n e rp re a i o n o f ha c o m m i ssi o n t t
S o m e s u ppo se h a . t t
t he spe a ker he r e i s t he Se rva n o f J e ho va h t h e sa m e o r a si mi l ar t
fi
,

t t
g u r e t o ha whi c h p la y e d so g r e a a p ar i n t he p r o p he c i e s o f t t
De u t e r o I sa i a h -
B ut t
he r e t he Se r a n was t h e m ed i ator o f
. v t
v t
sal a i o n he re t he spea k e r si m pl
,
yp r oc l a i m s i t ; h e re t h e sa l a i on t v t
was fo r t he who l e wo rl d h e re i t i s o nl y fo r i o n ,
fo r h er e ne m i e s Z
, v
( 6 3 3 6) a d a y o f e ng ea nc e ( 6 1 2 ; 6 3 4 ) i s d e c l ar e d O n t h e .

t t
who l e , i t i s p r o ba ble h a t he p ro p he hi mse l i s t he spe a ke r t f .

1 f Th e sp i ri t : t he pro p he i s i ns pi r ed b e c a u se anointe d , i e
. t ,
. .

t
c o nse cr a e d Her e t he p r op he s ask i s t o c o nso le , e nco u r ag , t ’
t
f
.

a nd i nspi r e wi h h o p e ; t
i n 5 8 : 1 i t was t o c o n i ct o f si n ,
Tl e v .

m eek and brok enh ea rt ed , t o wh o m t he g ood ne ws c o m e s, ar e t h e

v t i c i m s o f t he so ci a l wr o ng s all u de d t o i n 9 ; t h e capt i ves
ar e t
hose who wer e so ld i n o sl a e r y fo r d eb ( N t e h 5 5 8)
: v
— t .

39°
 THE B O OK OF I SAIAH

And t he 1
op eni n g of the pr i son to 2
t h em that ar e

bound ;
2 . To pro clai m the
3
a cceptable y ear of the L O RD ,

And t he day of vengean c e of our God ;

To comfort
that mourn all

To app oi nt unto th e m that mourn in Zi on ,

To gi ve unto th e m a g arl and for a sh e s ,

The oil of Joy for mourni n g ,

Th e g arm ent of p r ai se for the spi ri t of heavi n ess ;

That they mi g ht be c all e d tr ees of ri g ht eou sness ,

The pl anti n g of the L O RD that he mi ght b e glorified , .

And th ey sh all buil d the old wa st es ,

Th ey shall rai se up the form er desol ati ons .

And th ey shall r epai r the wa ste ci ti es,

Th e desolati on s of many g e n erati ons .

1m Gr openi ng of t he es 2
Gr the bl i nd 3 m the y ear o f the Lord
’
s good pleas
y Jh
. . . . . .

ure ; SV the ea r of e ovah s /avor .

th o ug h t he se t hr ee i m p o ssi bl y b e a k e n i n a wi d e r
wo r d s m a y no t t
se nse t
I n asso c i a i ng t h e li b e rty a nd r el ease wi h th e y e ar of
. t
f
J eh ovah s avor (see m ar g i n a nd SV ) , t he wr i e r i s hi nk i ng p er
’
t t
h ap s o f t h e l a w p r esc r i b i ng t h e e m a nc i p a i o n o f sl a e s i n t h e t v
v t
se e n h y ear , o r o f so m e l a w a k i n t o h a o f t h e u b i l e e T h e d ay t t j .

f v
o f a or t o Z
i o n will b e a d ay of ve ng e ance u p o n t h e e ne m i es o f
Z i o n (63 : 1
f fi t
I n c l ai m i ng t o u l l h i s pr o p h e c y , J esu s si g ni c a n l y o m i s t he fi t t
c la u se a nno u nc i ng e ng eanc e ( L k 4 : 1 7v .

t
3 D e l e e u nto them that m o u r n i n Zi o n, to g i ve, whi c h sp o il s t h e
.

t
m e r e , a nd ne e d le ssl y e x p l ai ns wh o t h e m o u r ner s a r e o f v s 2 . .

T h e wo r d s for mou r ni ng a nd gar m ent sho u ld b e r ansp o se d , t

Oi l of j oy for the ga r m ent of m ou r ni ng ,
A song of pr ai se for a spi r i t di mm ed .

Garland , t ur b an, h ea dd r ess ; ash e s o n t he h ea d wer e a si g n o f

m o u r ni ng Fo r th at th ey mi gh t b e , r e a d a nd they s hall be
. Tr ee s , .

o ak s ; e v er g r ee n t r ees wer e e m bl e m s o f t he li f e of t he t
r i g h eo u s

( Ps . P lanting of J eh ovah c f ,
. 60 : 21 .

3OI
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

And stran gers shall stand and feed your flo cks ,

And ali ens shall be your pl owmen and your

dr es se rs .

R ev
. so 6 . B ut ye shall be named the pri ests of the L ORD
M en shall call you the mi ni st ers of our God :
Ye sh all eat t he we al th of the n ati on s ,

And in thei r gl ory shall ye boast yourselves

1
.

2
your sham e ye shall have double
Fo r
And for c onfusi on they sha ll rejoi ce i n thei r porti on
Th erefore in th ei r l and th ey shall possess doubl e ;
Everl asti ng joy sha ll be unto th em .

8 . Fo r I the LO RD l ove judge ment

3
,

I hat e robbery wi th i ni qui ty ;

‘m J thei r g shalt sueceed ; G r i n their w aIth ye shall be admi red ’ Gr thus

o
y ‘SV usti ce
. . .

a seeond ti m s they mher i t tlne tand , a nd a erlastirtg joy . etc j 4 m . . .

for (or wi th) a bur nt ol ef i n ; AV for bur nt ej eri rtg .

4 . T he t
di l ap i da ed ci ty was an O b e c o f
r es o ra t i o n of t he t j t
t
passi o na e l o ngi ng ; c 5 8 : 1 2 ; 60 : 1 0 f . .

5 f
S tr ang e rs , i e t he h ea he n, ar e t o be t he se r an s o f t h e
. . . t v t
f q t
J e ws a r e ue n ly e x r esse d ho pe ( 60 : 1 0) and hei r wea l h t t
a t t he d i s p o sal o f t he
t he m se l es a r e t o be th ev
e ws ( c 60 : 1 1 ; Ha g 2 :
ests of J eh ovah , i e
f
T he J e ws
he y wi ll h a e t o
°
f .

.
.

. t v
t t
ea c h t he h ea h e n, r e g a r e d as t he u ni ni i a e d l ai y , h o w t o wor t t t
s hi p t h e r u e Go d ( c t
2 Ki ng s 1 7 : f
Boast , t he wo r d i s er y
. v
u nc e r ai n t C
he y ne ha p p il y p r o p ose s ,
. and wi h hei r spl e nd o r t t
y e sha ll ad or n y o urs el es
”
v .

fi t
7 T he r s t wo cl a u ses , wh e n e m e nd e d , c o nne ct ad mi r abl y wi h
. t
th e r es o f t he e r se t Th u s : v .

B eca use sha me was thei r s i n do uble mea su r e ,

A nd m ocker y and spi tti ng ( i e sc orn , so : 6 ) . . was thei r lot ,

Ther efor e, e t c .

8 Ju dgm ent , jus ti ce

. I is J eho ah s l o e o f us i c e hat will . t v ’
v j t t
v
l ea d hi m t o r e erse t h e p r ese n p o si ti o n o f t h e J e ws a nd t he t
t
hea h e n, who h a e e x e d a nd r o bb ed h e m v v R obb ery wi th i n t .

j t
uni ty , u n us r o b be r y , su c h as he a he n o pp r ess o r s had p e rp e r a e d t t t
u po n t h e J e ws ( c Neh f
In tr uth , i e ai h ull y
. The
. . . f t f .

39 2
 THE B OO K OF I SAI AH

U ntil her ri g ht eousness g o forth as b ri ghtness ,

And her salvati on as a lamp th at b urn eth .

2 . And the na ti on s sh all see thy ri ghteousn ess ,

And all ki n gs thy glory

R om a : 17 And thou shal t be ca ll ed by a new name ,

Whi ch t he mouth of t he LO RD shall name .

Thou shal t also be a crown of beauty in the hand

L ORD ,

And a royal di adem i n the hand of thy God .

Thou shal t no more be t er m ed Forsak en ;

N ei the r shall thy land any more be termed D esolat e
B ut thou sha lt be called Hephz i bah -
,

And thy l and B eulah :

For t he LO RD deli ght e th i n thee ,

And thy land shall be m a rri ed .

Fo r as a yo ung m an marri eth a vi rgin ,

So sha ll thy so ns marry thee

And as the b ri degroom rejoi ceth over the bri de ,

So sha ll thy God rej oi c e over thee .

. . v
ne ss , i e t he i ndi a i o n efi ec t e d b y h e r sal a i on, wi ll b e l e a
c t '

vt c r
a s noo nd ay .

2 . t
Na i ons sh all se e , e t c T hi s i ndi a i o n ( vs 1 ) m us be . v c t . t
v c
i si bl e a nd o nspi c u o us t o a ll t he wo r l d T he ne w nam e , i ndi a . c
ti v e of a t c h ac t er i s a m y st y Th f c t o f
ne w na u r e a nd ar ,
er . e a

t h na m e b i ng g i v e n i n v
e e4 h s le d m ny sc h l a s t o eg a d t he
s . a a o r r r

l ast hal f o f vs a s n i nt e po l t i n . 2 a r a o .

3 T u t e l ry d e i t i e
. f c i t i es
a e f re q u e nt l y d p i c t ed we r i ng
s o ar e a

a m u r al c r o wn o n t h e
he ad ; he r e t he c r o wn i s in J eh ovah s hand
’
.

!
t
J eru sale m i s t he sea o f J eho a h s wo rl d wid e so er ei g n y v ’
-
v t .

4 H e p h f
z i b
. a h - m
y d e l i g h
-
i s i n h e r ,
a n d B e u l t
ah ==m a r ri e d

( i e t
. o J e h
. o a h ) fo r e x pvl a i ns a n d u s i es t h e p r e c e di ng na m j tfi
es .

Az u ba h, whi c h m ea ns Forsak en, a nd H ephz i ba h a re a c u al na m e s -

t
o f wo m e n ( Je ho sh ap ha t s m o h er , 1 Ki ng s 2 2
’
t
4 2 , a nd M anasse h s
’

m o h er , 2 t i ng s K T h e so ns d o no t m arr y t h e m o h er , t
t f
her e o r e thy sons sh o ul d no d o u b b e po i n e d t o r ea d thy bui ld er , t t
i e h e who b u i l d s u p J e r u sale m , J e ho ah ( c P s 1 4 7 :
. . v f . .

394
 THE B OO K OF I SAI AH 62 :

I have wat c hm en
set

U pon thy walls 0 J eru sal em ; ,

Th ey shall n ev er hol d thei r pe a ce

Ye that ar e the L ORD S r em embran cers ’

,
1
Tak e ye no r est ,

And gi ve hi m no rest
2
,

Ti ll he est abli sh ,

And till he m ake Je rusal em

A prai se in the ea rth .

L ORD h ath sworn by hi s right hand

Th e ,

And by the ar m of hi s str ength ,

Sur ely I will no mor e gi v e thy c orn

3

To b e m eat for thi n e en e mi es

And stran ger s shall not dri nk thy wi n e ,

Fo r the whi c h thou ha st l ab our e d

B ut th ey that h ave garn er ed i t shall eat i t ,

And pr ai se the L ORD

And they that hav e g ath e re d i t shall dri nk i t
”
In the c ourt s of my san c tu ary .

Go t hro ug h , g o throug h the g at es ;

P r epar e y e the way of the p e ople ;

1 m keep not si lence

. .
2 Heb . si lence . SV gr ai n .

6 f T h e watchm en ar e t h e a ng el i c m i ni s e r s o f J e h o a h , hi s
. t v
t
r e m e m brancer s , wh o se d u y i t i s t o p u t a nd k ee p hi m i n m i nd o f
t h e r ui ne d wall s o f J e r u sal e m ( c 60 f
u n il h e a g ai n m ak e s t h e
. t
t
c i y c o nsp i c u’o u s and h o no r abl e .

8 f t t
J u d ah s er ri or y i s no m o r e t o be r ai de d b y t he en emi es
.

t t f
t h e Sa m ar i ans and h e i r c o n e d er a es ( Ne h 4 : t
arner e d i t , . G
i e t h e c o r n ; g ath er e d i t , i e g r a p es, wi ne
. . . . T h e J e ws wo u l d .

t tf tv
prai se J eh ovah a t t h e hr ee g r e a es i al s ( D e u 1 6 ) i n t h e e m pl e t . t
 THE B OO K OF I SAI AH

C ast up ca st up the hig h way ;

,

Gather out the stones

L i ft up an en sign for the peoples .

B ehold the L ORD hath proclai med

,

U nto the end of the earth ,

Say ye to the daughter of Z i on ,

B ehold thy sal vati on c om eth ;

,

B ehol d hi s reward i s wi th hi m
, ,

And hi s rec ompen ce before hi m .

And th ey shall ca ll th em The Holy People , ,

The R edee m ed of the L O RD

And thou sha l t be call ed Sought Ou t ,

A C i ty not Forsak en .

D ESTR UCTI O N or THE Fos s or ZI O N —6

)
Who is t his that cometh from Edom ,

Wi th dyed ga rm ent s from B oz rah ?

l

in t er i m .

An A ppeal to the J ews at Ho me to pr epar e the Wa y or the R et ur n

of the i r Fel l ow co u ntr y men ( v ss
—
Io I 2 -
.

Th f t
s r o ng ly r e mi ni s e n c t D eu te
I sa1a i
s passag e , b r i e as i t i s, i s of ro

to . T he peo pl e a r e ur g e d t o g o o u t thr ough th e g ates o f Je r u sa

f
l e m t o t epar e th e way ( c 4 0 : 3 ) fo r t he r e s o f th e peo ) l e y e t i n t
fi g
.
,

e xi l e . n ensi g n t o whi c h he y m a y r a ll y ( c 49 : 2 2 t f . .

1I f
J ehovah h ath procl aim e d t he c o m i ng sa l a i o n ( c ’4 8
. v t f .

His reward , e t c , c 40 : 1 0 . f
Th e h oly pe opl e , t h e wo r ld s pr i ests
. .

(6 1 Sough t ou t , m u c h r e u e n e d o he r f q
h a n i n t he d ay s t t t
whe n no ma n passed thr o u gh thee ( 60 :
t t
6 3 : 1 6 T h e c o u n er p a r o f i o n s g l o ry ( h ap 60 —6 2 ) i s t h e
-
.
’
Z C .

t
a nni hil a i o n o f a ll he r e ne m i e s I n hi s st r i ki n p assag e t
J v t t
e ho a h , c l ad i n a g a r m e n s ai ned r e d wi h t he bl oo d 0 hi s o e s , t f
t
1s see n re ur ni ng r o m a f v t
i c o ry whi c h h e ha d wo n o e r h em si ng l e v t
ha nd ed a v t
i c o ry wh i c h m e a n fo r i on ha t h e y e ar o f h er t Z t t
t t
c o m p l e e r e d e m p i o n ha d c o m e .

396
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

And thei r li f ebl ood i s sprinkl ed upon my g arm ents ,

And I have stai n ed all my rai ment .

Fo r t he day of v en gean ce was i n mi n e heart ,

An d t he year of my r ed ee m ed i s c ome
1
.

And I l ooked and ther e was none to help ; ,

And I wondered that th ere was non e to uphol d

Th er efor e mi n e own arm b rought sa lvati on unto m e
And my fury i t upheld m e
2
,
.

6 . And I trod do wn the p eoples in mi n e anger ,

And made th em drunk in my f ury

3
,

And I po ure d out th ei r lifebl ood on t he earth .

P AS SI O NATE PRAYE R FO R THE D IVI NE FAVOR

—6
(63 7 4 : 12 )
Thanksgi vi ng for Ancient M er ci es (63 7 —1
4)

7 . I will mak e menti on of the lovi ngki ndnesses of the

LO RD ,

And the prai ses of t he LO RD ,

1 m at y f
ear o mptio n
rede y
M an Heb M SS ri ghteousness (cf 59 : ‘Heb
v t
. . . . . .

arian , aha them i n pieces .

Cy x a m ple : J eho v ah d e st r oy e d Z i o n s e ne mi es wi t ho ut
r us , fo r e
’

h u m a n a g e nc y T he v i si o n t ho ug h d e sc r ib e d th r o ug ho u t i n p ast
.

t e nses ( re ad
!
was sp r i nkled i s r ea lly o f t he u ur e f t .

Z
4 V e ng eance fo r i o n s e ne mi e s r ed e mpti o n fo r i o n ( c 6 1
.
’
Z f .

5 f Cf 59 : 1 6 M ad e th em r ea d wi h m a r g i n, br a ke t
fi
. . .

the m i n pi eces t t
T he e r c e a ti ud e o f hi s p r o p he t o t h e na i o ns
. t t t
v t t
i s ery u nli k e ha o f D e u e ro—I sai ah , who l o o ks fo r hei r sal a t t v
t io n ( 4 5 :
63 7—6 4 : I 2 Thi s i m passi o ne d p r ay er i s o ne o f t h e m os s ri ki ng
. t t
p assa g e s i n t h e w h o l e o f t h e O l d T e s a m e n B e g i nn i n t
g wi h a t . t
g r a t e u l r fe c o g ni i o n o f t h et di i n e g oo d ne s s t o I srvae l i n t h e d ay s
g o n e b y ,
i t s o rr o w u ll y as k s w fh e r e t h e g r e a B e ne a c or i s no w, a nd t f t
t t
e nt r ea s hi m , i n wo r d s o f r e m e nd o u s p assi o n, t o r e u r n and m a ni t
f t
es hi s a nci e n p o we r t T he si n o f t he p e o pl e h as i nd eed b een
.

g r ea an t d g r i e o u s , b u t hv e r e i t i s r a n kl y c o n e sse d , a nf
d a n appeal f
398
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

A ccordi n g to all that the L ORD hath b estowed on us ;

1
And the gr eat g oodn ess toward the hous e of I srael ,

1 Gr The Lord i s
. a good jd u ge to the house o f I srael .

ft v
i s l i e d t o G o d i n h ea e n t o o r g i e and o r g e i t , and t o l oo k d o wn f v f t
t
i n p i y u p o n h i s so r el y a ffl i c e d p e o p l e t .

T h e m i ser y whi c h t h e p r ay e r so i i d l y r e fl e c s m ay well be vv t

t t v
h a o f t h e p e r i o d c o er e d b y t h e ear li e r c h a p er s o f h i s p r o p h e c y t t
5 6 if ) t h e p er i o d o f M al a c h i
. T h e o nl y r eall y c o nc r e e e r ses . t v
i n t h e p a ssag e , h o we er a nd 6 4 : 1 0 v
) c r ea e a no t i n f . t
c o nsi d er abl e di fii c u l t y Li l e s r e ss, p e r h ap s, o ug h t o b e l ai d
. tt t t
o n 63 1 8 a , as t h e H e b r e w wo r d s o f o u r p r ese n e x ar e a m b i g u o u s, tt t
t he G
r ee k e r si o n i sv q t
u i e d i ff e r e n , a nd a p l a u si bl e e m e nd a i o n t t
h a s b ee n p r o p o se d , whi c h wo uld ser i o u sl y m o di y t he m ea ni ng o f f
bo h t G r ee k a nd H e b r e w ; a nd t h e c ase o f v s 1 8 b i s c o m p l i c a e d . t
t
b y t h e di ffi c u l y o f d e er m i ni ng wh e h e r tr odden down h a s t o b e t t
t ak e n l i er a l l y o rt g u r a i e ly fi tv
i n o her wo r d s , wh e h e r t h e t t
t
sanc u a r y h a s r e all y b e e n d e s r o y e d o r o nl y h e r o r d i na n c es a nd t
t
wor shi p r e a e d wi h c o n e m p ( c t M al I t t
T he o her t f . . t
f
r e e r e nc e ( 6 4 : 1 0 f
) i s u na m bi g u o u s, b u t h e r e i s d i fii c ul t y i n
. i ng t fitt
t
i t i n o o u r p er i o d J u d a h i n g e ne r al and J e r u sal e m i n p ar i c u l ar
. t
t
r e a d e so l a i o n, a nd t h e b e a u i ul e m p l e h as b e e n b u r ne d wi h tf t t
g re .

t
O f wh a p eri o d c o u l d thi s b e said ? I i s no t l i k el y h a er uh t t tZ
t t
b ab el s e m p l e , b u i l b y t h e di sa p p o i n e d a nd p o er y s r i c k e n
’
t v t t -

t
h and s o f t h e r e u r ne d e x i l e s ( c H ag 2 c o ul d b e d esc r ib ed as f . .

t he h o l y a nd bea utifu l h o u se i n a ny c a se , we h a e no p osi i e v tv

f
i n or m a i o n ha tha t t t t t
e m p l e wa s d e s r o y e d h a i s o nl y a n t t t
f f
i n er e nc e r o m su c h p assa g es as N e h I 3 T h e b ea u i ul h o u se . . tf
t t t t
d es ro y e d m u s ei h e r , h e n , b e S o l o m o n s e m p l e , o r t h e se c o nd
’
t
t e m p l e a t so m e d a e l a e r t
h a n t h e m id d l e o f t h e t
h c en u ry t fift t .

f f
I t h e r e er enc e b e t o So lo m o n s e m pl e , h e n t wo e x p l a na i o ns ar e
’
t t t
t
p o ssibl e : e i h e r t h e wh o l e p assag e c o m es ( i f no t r o m t h e e x i l e ) f
f r o m so m e p e r i o d soo n a er t h e r e u r n, a nd b e o r e t h e se c o ndft t f
t e m p l e wa s b u i l ( ay
s a b ou 5 5
2 t —
t he o b e c i o n t o t ha j t t t
t t t
b e i ng ha , i n p o i n o f d a e , hi s p r ay er h e n all s o u t o f li ne wi h t t t f t
t h e p r e c e di ng c h a p e r s o f t h e p r o p h e c y 5 6 ff ) t o r , i f t he d a e h e . t
fi
t h e sa m e , t h e i nsi g ni c a n se c o nd e m p l e i s si m p l y i g nor e d , a nd t t
t
t h e sp e a k e r s i m a g i na i o n so r r o w u ll y d wel l s o n t h e d es r u c i o n
’
f t t
o f t h e g l o ri o u s t
e m p l e se e n y y e a r s o r so b e o r e v t
ho u g h hi s f t t
t t t
e x p l ana i o n i s di s i nc l y ar i c i al , a nd o u t o f h a r m o ny wi h t h e tfi t
vvi i d p assi o n o f t h e wo r d s T h e r e r e m ai ns, h o we e r , t h e po ssi . v
t
bili t y hat vss I o —1 2 a r e l a er h a n h e i r c o n e x , a nd ha t he
. t t t t t t t
399
 THE B OO K OF ISAIAH

Whi ch hath bestowed on them a ccordi ng to hi s

he 1

m er ci es ,

And acc ordin g to the mul ti tude of hi s lovi ngkind

n esses .

For he sai d Sur ely they are my people

!
8 .
, , ,

Chil dren t hat will not deal falsely

SO he was th ei r Savi our .

2
In all thei r affli c ti on
He was affl i c t ed and the angel ,

O f hi s pr esen ce saved th em
I n hi s l ove and in hi s pi ty
He redeemed them ;

1 Gr us 3 m i n all thei r adversit he was no ad ven y Gr He became to them

t?
.

but hi mself who saved them

. . .

a savi our from all thei r dis tr ess ; it wa s no messenger or a ng . .

tf
b ea u i ul ho use i s t he e mple o f a l a er c en ur y t hey ne hi nk s o f t t . C t
i t s d e s r uc i o n t t
p r o ba ble b u t no t p r o ed b y t he P er si a ns , v
t t
a b o u 3 50 B C , M a r i , o f i t s d e as a i o n by An i o c h u s i n 1 7 0 B C
. . v t t t . .

v
These er ses m ay ea si l y ha e b ee n a d d ed , t o m a k e t he p assa g e v
ap pl i ca b le t o a l a e r si u a i o n t
a nd wi ho u t t
he m t h e p oe m r e ac h es t tt
t t
a n ar i s i c c l i m a x behol d l ook ( 6 4 : p o i n i ng b a c k t o t h e b e t
g i nn i ng o f t he p r a y e r ,
l oo k d o w n fr o m hea ve n, a nd behold ( 6 3 :

t t
T hi s e x p la na i o n, ho ug h no t pe r ha p s c o m pl e el y sa i s a c or y , t t f t
a p pe a rs t o b e t he m os pl a usi bl e , a nd h as a t l e a s t h e m eri t of t e t t
t a i ni ng t h e p assa g e , as a who l e , wi hi n t h e p er i o d o f t h e r e s o f th e t t
p r o p h e c y .

v
6 3 : 7 1 4 T he se er ses l o o k wi s u ll y b ac k t o J e ho ah s g ood
— .
’
tf v
ne ss t o I sr ael i n t he p as , esp e c i all y i n t h e d a y s o f M o se s t .

7 M ak e m enti on of, i e
.
g r a e ully c ele br a e Prai se s,. . t f t .

t
p r ai se wo r hy d e e d s Be sto we d on, wr o ug h fo r . R e ad i n accor d t .

a nc e wit h al l tha t J ehova h, ( so ) r i ch i n g ood ness , ha s wr ou g ht for u s .

t
O m i to wa r d the ho use of I sr ael ; a nd fo r b esto we d on th em , r ea d
wr o ug ht for us (5 0
8 f t
For h e sai d : h i s c ar ri e s u s ba c k t o t h e o ri g i n o f t he p eo pl e ,
.

v
who m J eh o a h la unc h ed u po n hei r na i o nal ca r ee r wi h hi g h t t t
h o pe s o f h ei r d e li y t In al l th e i r ami cti on sh o uld g o wi h v s 8 ;
fi t . t .

so he beca me to the m a savi o ur fr o m al l the i r di str ess (so H e was

afl i cte d , e t c t he r ee k . G v
e r si o n su p p or s a no h e r a nd p ra c i c all y t t t
t t t
cer ai n r a nsl a i o n o f t h e H e b r e w c onso nan s i t was no envoy or t
a ngel , but hi s o wn pr esence that saved the m T h e p r e se nc e , o r face .

4 00
63 13 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

To
make hi mself an everl asti ng name ?
That l ed th em through the d epths ,

As an horse in the wil de rn ess ,

That th ey st u mbl ed not

As the catt le that go down i nto the valley ,

The sp iri t of the LO RD caused them to r est :

1

So di dst thou l ead thy peop le ,

To make thyself a glori ous nam e .

P assi onate Entr eaty f or the Di vi ne For gi veness and P i ty

—6
4 z 12 )
15 . Look down from h eaven and behold ,

From the hab i tat i on of thy holi n ess and of thy gl ory
Where i s thy zeal and thy mighty ac ts ?
The yearni n g of thy b owel s and thy c ompass i ons
ar e r estrai n ed toward m e
2
.

16 . Fo r thou art o ur fath er tho ugh Abraham know eth ,

us no t ,
And I srael doth not a cknowl edge us
1
C r g uided them
. .
2 Gr .
from its .

t fi
depths hey wal ke d as r ml y as a ho r se o n the pastur e l and , and ~

d o wn who se banks ( r eg a r d ed as s ee p , li ke t h e D ead Sea) h e y t t

wa nd e re d as se c ur el y as the cattl e that go down r o m t he u pl a nd s to f
t
the vall ey ( hi s c l a use g oe s be e r wi h v s I tt t
the spi r i t of J eho va h.

t t
g u id i ng the m ( r a h er ha n ca us ed the m to r est) .

15 f v
I n t h e li h t o f t he di i ne l e ad er shi p a nd l o e sho wn t o t h e v
l
.

e
p p o l e i n t he o d d a y s o f M os e s ( v s s 7
— 1 4 ) w h e r e i s .th y z e a l
no w? t
I ns ead of ar e r estr ai ned towar d me, r ead do not r efr ai n
( cf . B u t h i s c lta u se a n d t h e n e x ,
—
j o r th o u a r t o u r t
f a ther —
, whi c h a w k w ar d l y a n i c i a es t h et hi r d c l t
a u se o f vs 1 6 , t .

t
ar e p r o bab l y l a e r i nse r i o ns t b rah am and Israel , i e J a c o b,
. . .

v
m a y h a e b e e n r e g ar ded by t he pr o p he s c o n e m p o r ari es as se m i
’
t t
v t
di i ne , ca p abl e o f sy m p a hi z i ng wi h a nd h e l pi ng h e m i n h e1r t t t
t
di s r ess t t
T h e p r o p h e , i n di spe l li ng hi s i ll u si o n, i nd i re c l y t e
. t
mi nd s t he pe o pl e h a t t t
hei r r eal he lp a nd r ed e m p i o n ar e t O b e t ' '

40 2
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

Th ou , O L O RD art our father ; ,

O ur redeemer from everl asti ng is thy name .

0 L ORD why do st thou make us to err from thy ways

, ,

And har denest our h eart from thy f ear ?

’
R eturn for thy servant s sak e ,
1
The trib es of thi n e i nh e ri tan ce .

2
Thy ho ly pe ople po ssessed i t b ut a li ttle whi le
O u r adve r sari es have trodden down thy san c tuary .

3
We ar e bec om e as they over whom thou n ever b arest
rule
As th ey th at w er e not ca lle d by thy nam e .

64 .
4
Oh that thou woul dest rend th e h eavens that thou ,

woul de st c om e down ,

1 Gr for the sake o the tri bes e tc

.
2 Gr tha t we ma y i nheri t a li ttl e of thy hol
, . mou n . y
ta i n .
3 Gr we are ecome as of old whe n thou didst not r ule over us nei ther was thy
.
,

f thou shoul dst open the hea ven, trembli ng at thee wi ll take
,

na me called u pon us 4 Gr i

y
. .

the mou nta i ns and the shall mel t as wax mel ts be ar e r e and fi re shall bur n u p the ad
, ,

versa r i es , and thy na me shall be ma nifest amo ng t ver sari es .

f o u nd th ir G d f
in e o ,
or he i s t h ei r Fath e r , i . e . t h e Fa h e r t of the
na ti n ( c f E x d 4
o . o . :
1 7 B f. th e tr i b e s
e ore i nse r , wi h Gr , for the sa ke of ,
t t . .

18 P o sse sse d i t wh a P p e r h a p s t h e sa nc u a r y
. t
b u t t h e wo r d t
t
i s u nr e p r ese n e d i n t h e H e b r e w, a nd t h e e x m a y b e d o ub e d t t t .

t t
Ad o p i ng t wo h i n s o f t he r eek e rsi o n, we m a y r ansl a e G v t t
bu t a li ttl e whi l e have we had poss essi on of thy hol y hi ll i e the . .

t e m p l e h i ll f
T h e r e e r e nc e c o u l d no t b e t o S o l o m o n s e m pl e , as
.
’
t
t t t
h a h a d s o o d for ne a r l y o u r h u nd r e d y ear s E e n if we su p f . v
p o se t h e l i ttl e whi l e t o d esc r i b e t h e se e n y y e ar s b e wee n t h e v t t
t
b ui l d i ng o f t h e se c o nd e m p l e a nd t h e p r o b able d a e o f h i s p r O p h t t
c oy , we h a e no p o si i e p r o o v ha ha tv
e m p l e was d es r o y e d , f t t t t t t
tr odd en o n, d u r i ng hi s p e r i o d t
T h ese c o nsi d e r a i o ns l e nd so m e . t
t
p l a u si b i li y t o t h e b r illi a n c o n e c u r al r e a d i ng : t j t
Why do the u ngodl y m a ke li g ht o f thy hol y pl ace,
Ou r ad ver sar i es d esecr ate thy s a nctu ar y ?

a nd t h e r e e r e n e f c wi t h the i r a d
wo ul d b e t o t he S a m ar i t an p ar y t
h er e nt s 1n J er u sal e m a nd t h e nei g hb o r h o o d ( so M ar t i ) .

19 f Th e f o r t u ne s o f t h e J e ws h a v e f al le n so l o w t h a t for l o ng
.

i t h as no t see m e d a s i f t h e y wer e t h e su bj e c t s o f su c h a ki ng as
”t THE BOO K OF I SAIAH
i

That the mountai ns mi ght flow down at thy pres 1

en ce ;
2 . As wh en fir e ki ndleth the b rushwood ,

And the fir e c ause th t he wat e rs to boil :

To mak e thy nam e known to thi n e adve rsari es ,

That t he nati on s may tr emble at thy pr esen c e 1

Wh en thou di dst t e rri ble thi n gs whi c h we l ook ed not for ,

Thou cam est down t he mountai ns flow ed down at ,

thy pres en ce .

For from of o ld m en have not heard ,

Nor per cei ved by the ear ,

N ei th er hath t he eye seen

A God bes i de th ee ,
2
Whi ch worketh for him that wai t eth for hi m .

1
Th0u m eet est hi m t ha t r ejoi ceth and work eth
eo usness,

Th ose that rem embe r th ee in thy ways :

B ehold , thou wast wroth and we sinn ed ,

1
In th em have we been of long ti me and shall we be ,

saved P

1 m SV q uake 1 C r and thy w rks whi ch than will perfor m for those who wa it or
y t t y
. . .

thy merc 1 G r For hes e h i ngs shall bef all those who wor k ri ghteousness a nd the 3
y
. .
,

remember thy wa s 4 G1 t
heref ore we have erred 111 AV i n those i s conti nua nce, and we
. . .

shall be san d .

J eho v ah at al l a nd so m e d i v i ne i nt e r v e nt i on i s ne c e ssar y a
,
—

d e sc e nt t hr o ug h t he r ent hea ve ns whi c h wo ul d m ak e the mou ntai ns

q u a ke ( see ma r gi n) .

2 . T hi s v erse d esc ri b es t he m a nne r a nd t he o b e j ct of t he t he

o ph a ny .

3 4 a O mi tho u ca mest down

,
. t p r esenc e ( a n err oneo us r ep e
tt
i i o n o f t he l a e hal o f vs tt r f . and r ea d :

When thou di dst ter ri bl e thi ngs ( i . e . t o t h e e nem y ) whi ch we l ooked

not for ,
And wher eof fr om of old men had not hear d .

4b , 5 . Wi t h hi n t frs om t he G r ee k ve r si o n, a nd c o nj e c t ural
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

Thy holy ci ti es are be c ome a wil dern es s,

Zi on i s be come a wil de rn ess, J erusal em a desol ati on .

O ur holy and our beautiful house,

Wh er e o ur fathers prai sed th ee ,

I s b urned wi th fir e
And all o ur p leasant thi ngs ar e l ai d wast e .

Wil t thou refrai n thy self for th ese thing s 0 LO RD ? ,

Wil t thou hol d thy pe a ce and aflli ct us v e ry sore ? ,

THE B LE SS E DNE ss O F TH E FAI THF UL AND THE D OO M

THE AP OS TATE s

The Fate f the Apostates 7)

—
o

65 . I am i nqui re d of by th em t hat asked not for me ;

1

I am found of them that sought m e not

1

”
I sai d B ehold m e behold m e
,
!
, ,

U nto a nati on that was not call ed by my name

'

2
.

2 . I have spread out my hands all the day

U nto a r ebelli ous p eople
1
,

1 m . was .
1 Gt . Syr Vg Tar
. . . called not on .
1
Gr . a nd disobed ient people .

-
12 The hi s t o ri c l se tt i ng f the
a o se ve
i s har d t o d e er
r ses t
mi ne ; see p 39 5 ,
. e . C iti e s i o f J ud h . . a . t
T he e m p l e i s t h e h o u se
o f pr a i se , as o f p r ay e r Pl easant thi ng s , p la c e s wi h ha l t
l o we d a sso c i a i o ns t .

C hap s 6 5 a nd 66 . E a r l i er c hap e r s ( c 57 ) ha e r e eale d t h e

. t f . v v
t
J e wi sh c o mm u ni y o f t he pe ri od as sharp ly di i de d i n o t wo cl asse s v t
t he s ri c t t t
l e al p ar y , re p rese n i ng g e ne r all y t he r eli g i o u s
g t
t
id e al s a nd p ra c i c es o f t he r e u r ne d e x i le s, a nd t he p r o Sa m a r i a n t t
t
a r y , wh ose r e li gi o n, pe r pe ua i ng a nc i e n su p e r s i i o ns a nd i h t t t tt
e c t e d by t h e r e l i g i o ds o f t h e nei g hb o ri ng pe o p l e s , was o f a d i s
t i nc t ly p ag an a nd d e g r a d ed y p e I n t he c l o si ng c hap er s o f t he t . t
boo k , t he p r op h e t vv
i i d ly p o r r a ys t he r espe c i e d es i ni e s i n t tv t
st or e for bo h t t
h es e c las ses — fo r t h e o ne , l o ng a nd h a p p y l i e f
v t
i n a r eno a e d wo r l d ; fo r t he o h e r , a ea r ul and a cc ur se d d oo m t f f .

1, 2 T hese . v
erses d esc ri be t he i ndifl ere nc e o f t h e r eb elli ous

406
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

Whi ch walk eth in a way that is not g ood ,

After th ei r own thoughts

3 . A peopl e that provoketh me

To my f ac e c onti nually ,

Sa c ri fi ci n g in g arden s ,

And b urni ng i n cense upon bri cks ;

4 .
1
Whi ch si t among the grav es ,

And lodge i n the sec ret pla ces

2 3

Whi ch eat swi n e s fl esh ’

,

And broth of ab omi nable thi ngs i s in th ei r vessel s ;

1G1 To the demons whi ch do not
. ex i st .
2 Gr . caves .
1 Gr . adds for the sake o f
secur ing drea ms .

pe opl e i e t he J e ws wh o se p r a c i c e s a r e d e sc r i b e d i n v ss 3— 5
. . t .

v
t o t h e di i ne a pp e al We m a y r easo nably i n e r r o m hese e r ses
. f f t v
t t tt t t
h a t h e at i u d e o f t h e s ri c er p ar y was at r s no t so e xc l us i e t fi t v
ft
a s i t a er wa r d s b e c a m e ; t h ey ha d b ee n o r c e d i n o h e i r e xc l u si e f t t v
f t
p o l i c y b y t h e r e u sal o f h e i r i d o l a r o u s a nd r ebell i ou s b r e hr e n t o t t
a cc e p t t t
t h e s r i c e r i d e a l s h e y ha d so u g h t o i m po set Th e out t .

str etched ha nds ha d b ee n r e e c e d j t .

I am in ui r e d of q I all owed myself to be i nq ui r ed of , i e . .

was r e ad y t o a nswer , those who asked m e ( so G r ) not, a nd to l et .

myself be fou nd , e t c A nati on, no t a o r e i g n na i o n, b u t t h e r e

. f t
belti ans J e wi sh peopl e that di d not cal l u pon my na m e ( so Gr a nd .

m ar g i n) d esc r i b e d i n t h e o ll o wi ng e r ses f
A r eb el li ou s v .

peO pl e : an u nr ul y a nd di sobedi ent peopl e (so G1 a nd R o m 1 0 : . .

f
whi c h r e use d t o wal k i n the g ood way of t h e l a w .

v t
3 , 4 T hese e r ses a fl o r d an i n e r es i ng g l i m p se i nto t h e r el ig i o u s
. t
t v
u sa g es whi c h p er si s e d e e n i n p o s e x i l i c J u d ai sm , a nd pr ovoked t -

v
J eho ah to hi s face G ar d ens, sa c r e d g r o es ( c 1 :
. B ri ck s , v f .

t
wh e he r o f r o o s ( c e ph f f Z
5 ) o r al a r s ; t h e all u si o n i s er y o h
. . t v
sc u r e , a nd m ay no t i m p o ssibl y b e , b y a c h a ng e i n t h e p o i nti ng , t o
f
so m e o r m o f r ee wo r shi p t -
.

tt
4 T he si i ng in th e g r aves was no d o u b i nte nd e d t o se c u r e a n
. t
o r acle f
r o m t h e d e a d , wh o wer e s u pp o se d , l i k e t h e d e ad S a m u el

( 1 Sa m . v
t o h a e a k no wl ed g e o f t h e u u r e Si mi l ar l y h ey f t . t
l odg e d , i e p asse d t h e ni g h , i n se cr et place s , as Gr c o r r e c l y
. . t . t
e x p l ai ns, for the sa ke of o b ai ni ng dr ea ms , i e t
d r e a m o r a cl e s . .
-
.

T h e y eat swi ne s fl e sh
’
o r bi d d e n b y l a w ( D e u f I 4 : 8) — ih t . .

40 7
 TH E B OO K OF I SAIAH

Whi ch say Stand by thyself , ,

C om e not n ear to m e for I am holi er than thou

1
,

m
The se are a smoke In y nose ,
A fire that b urn eth all t he day .

6 . B ehol d i t is wri tten b efore m e

,

I will not keep silence but will rec ompense

2 °

, ,

Yea I will r ec ompe nse i nto th ei r b osom

, , g

1
Your own i ni qui ti es and the i ni qui ti es of 1 your
!

fathers togeth e r ,

Sai th th e LO RD ,

Whi ch have b urn ed i n cen se upon the moun tai ns ,

And blasph em ed m e upon the hi ll s

Th erefore will I first m easur e
1
,

Their work i nto th eir bosom .

The Desti ny o f the Fai thful i n the I mpend i ng Judgment

(6 5 8-
12 )
8 . Thus sai t h the Lo rd ,
As the new wi ne i s found in t he cl uster ,

01 I a m pm
1 . .
1 01 till I have
. recom ensed p i nto , e tc .
2 6 1 Syr thei r
. . .
1 111
.

defied 1 Gr o m. . .

m s i c ri e s
y t t
Abom i nabl e thi ng s , pr o bably u nc l e a n ani m al s, li k e
.

m i ce ( c 66 : f .

5 I am h oli e r than th ou : r a h e r or el se I sha l l sa nctity thee

. t ,
.

v t
Any o ne who e n u res wi hi n t he ci r cle o f t he i ni i a e d d uri ng he se t t t t
t tt
s ra ng e a nd s u pe rs i i o us pe r o r m a nc es wi l l b e i n e c ed wi h t h e f f t t
hol i ness of t he wh o le g r o u p h o li ness h er e be i ng p u r e ly p h y si ca l ,
t
no t e hi cal , a nd p r a c i c al l y - a b oo t
Th e se id o l a er s pr o o k e t . t v
v
t he a n r o f J e ho a h , whi c h will I ssue i n sm o k e a nd fl a m e .

t, i e th e r e c or d o f hei r si n, i s wri tten i n t he m e m o ri al s o f

. . t
h ea e n v f
T r a ns er yea , I wi ll r ecompense i n vs 6 ( o mi i ng i nto
. . tt
thei r boso m) t o t he e nd o f v s 7 , a e r wor k R e ad thei r i ni u i i es . ft . q t
a nd thei r a he rs f t
M ountai ns hill s : t he r e ere nc e i s t o t h e
. f
t t
ill egi i m a e wo rshi p u po n t he hi g h p l ac e s Fo r work r ea d .

r ecompense I wi l l fi r st me as ur e thei r r eco mpense and r eq ui l e i t

.

( see vs 6) i nto the i r boso m

. .
 THE B OO K OF I SAI AH

B ecause wh en I called ye di d not answer ; ,

Wh en I sp ake ye di d not h ear ; ,

B ut ye di d that whi ch was evil i n mi ne ey es ,

And chose that wher ei n I deli gh ted not .

The Gr eat Contrast (65 i 3 -

r6 )
Th er efore thus sai th
The Lord GO D ,
B ehold , my se rvants shall eat ,

B ut ye shall be hungry
B ehold my se rvants shall dr ink
, ,

B ut y e shall be thi rsty :

B eho ld my se rvants shall rejoi ce
, ,

B ut y e sha ll be ashamed
B ehold my se rvants shall si ng
,

For joy of h eart ,

B ut ye shall cr y for sorrow of h eart ,

And shall howl for vex ati on of spi ri t

1
.

15 . And ye ha ll lea v e your name

s
”
For a c urse unto my chosen ,

Heb br eaki ng
. .
3 Heb . a n oath ; Gr . sati et y ( loa thing P) .

i n t h e anci e nt wo rld The l as t se nt e nc e o f v s 1 2 , but ye did

. .

no t has r o ba bl y bee n i nse r t e d f r o m 6 6 : 4

, .

T hi s el i be r a t e wo r shi p o f f o r e i g n g od s , c o u p l e d wi t h t he rac
t i c e o f ne cr o m anc y and t he o t he r m yst i c , su r sti ti o us, and i eg al ll
ri t e s all ud ed t o i n v s 3 f , she d s a v e r y l ur i li g h t on th e reli gi o u s
. .

co nd i ti o ns whi ch E z r a N e he mi a h a nd th e r e f o r mi ng p art y ha d
, ,

t o face , and g oes a l o ng way t o j us ti f y t h ei r se v e r e and ex cl usi v e

p o li c y .

13 f The f o ur f o l d c o ntr ast be gi nni ng B eh ol d , my servants , i s

.

very i mpr e ssi v e Ye , apos ta t es, whose co nd u ct has j ust been de

.

15 :
-
A cm e, i . e
. a
~

fo rm ula of i m p re ca ti o n, a spe ci m en of whi c h

4 ro
 THE B OOK OF I SAIAH

And the Lord GO D shall sl ay thee ; 1

And he shall c all hi s servants

B y anoth er name
16 . So that he who bl ess eth hi mself i n the e arth shall bl ess

In the God of t r uth ;

And he that swear eth i n the earth shall swear
B y the God of truth ;
B ecause the form er troubl es ar e forgott en ,

And because th ey ar e hi d from mi n e eyes .

The Gl or i ou s Futu r e —
25)
17 . I c reat e
Fo r , behol d , new heav ens
And a new e arth :
And the form er thi ngs shall not be r emembered ,
R ev
. 21 : 4

Nor c ome i nto mi nd .

18 . B ut be ye glad and rejoi ce for ever

2

In that whi ch I cr eate .

For , behol d , I c reat e Jeru salem a r ejoi ci ng ,

And her people a joy .

1
Gr yo u
. .
2
C r the . y shall fi nd gladness j
and re oi ci ng i n her .

v t
i s g i en i n t h e ne x c l a u se ( r e a d M a y the L or d J ehovah sl ay thee) .

Anoth er nam e , c orr e sp o nd i ng t o h e i r hi g h bl e sse d ness t .

16 t t
T h e m e ani ng i s h a J e ho a h will h a e sh o wn h i m se l t o
. v v f
f t f
b e a God of tr u th , i e o f ai h ul ness, u l l l i ng a li k e h i s p r o m i ses
. . f fi
a nd t h r e a s, so t t t
h a he who i nvo kes a bl essi ng for hi mself i n the
l a nd shall i nvoke i t by the g od of tr u th ; i e sh all say , M a y t he G o d . .

t t
o f r u h b l ess m e .

17 f New h e avens and a ne w e arth , i e a ne w u ni er se ; a nd

. . . v
t t t t
hi s wi ll b e t h e g u ar an e e h a th e fo rm er th i ng s , i e r o u ble s . . t
( vs . will b e r e m e m b er ed no m o r e B e ye glad sh o ul d b e they .

s hall be gl ad .
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

19 . And I will r ejoi ce i n Jerusal em ,

And joy in my people .

R ev
.
And th e voi ce of weepi ng shall be no more h eard in
her ,
Nor the voi ce of c ryin g .

20 . Th e re shall be no more th en ce
An i nf ant of days ,

Nor an old m an tha t hath not fill ed

Hi s days
Fo r t he chil d sh all di e an hundr e d years old ,

And t he si nn e r be i ng an hundred years ol d shall be

a cc urse d .

21 . An dthey sha ll b uild houses and i nhabi t th em ,

And they sha ll plant vi n eyards and eat th e frui t of ,

them .

22 . Th ey shall not b uil d and anoth er i nha bi t ,

Th ey sha ll not p lant and another eat ,

For as the days of a tree shall be the days of my people

1
,

And my chose n shall long enjoy the work of thei r

1 ’

hands .

1 Gr Tar the tr ee of l ife

. . . Heb wear. out .

20 .H u m a n li f e sh all be p r o l o ng e d t o a n a g e t ha t wi ll r e c all t h e
p a t ri ar c hal d ay s Inf ant of a fe w days Fo r th e child , r ea d the
. .

y o u ngest : a h u nd re d y ears wo u l d b e a sh or t l i f e Th e si nne r .

( o mi t be i ng a n hund r ed y ear s) shall be accu rse d , i e c u t o ff by . .

t he c ur se I n t ho se d ay s t he r e wi l l be no si nner s : the peopl e shall

.

be all r i ghteo us
21 f T ho se d a ys wo ul d b e m ar k e d b y m a t er i al p r o sp e ri t y a nd
.

se c uri t y ; a nd , h um an l i f e b e i ng so l o ng , m e n wo uld e nj o y t h e
f r ui t s of t hei r t oil .
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

2 . For th ese thi ngs hath mi n e hand made

all ,
1
And so all th ese thi ngs came to b e sai th the LO RD ,

B ut to thi s man will I l ook ev en to him that i s poor ,

And of a c ontri t e spi ri t and that tr embleth at my word , .

He that kil leth an o x i s as he that slayeth a man ;

He that sa crificeth a l amb , as he t hat b reak eth a
dog s n eck ; ’

He that ofl er eth an obl ati on as he that ofl er eth swi n e s

z
,
’

bl ood ;
He that burneth franki n cense as he t hat blesse th
a
,

an i dol .

1
Gr Syr . . all ! n o thi ngs m ari ne .
‘n meal ol er iu g .
‘Heb maheth a memori al oj .

on moun t Ge ri z i m
T hi s se c i o n e m bo d i es t he p r o p het s p r o es
. t ’
t t
fi t
.

t
Th e s ri ki ng l ang ua g e of t he r s t wo e rse s mi g h easil y and na u v t t
t t
ra ll y be i n e rp r e e d as a c halle ng e t o al l sa cr e d b uil di ng s, a nd a

p l ea fo r a p u r e l y ps i ri u a l w o r sh i p (c t
Jn 4 : t h e i n ni e f . . fi t
G od needs no h o use m ad e wi h ha nd s, he r e o re no t e e n t h e Je t t f v
r usa l e m e m pl e t t
B u t o he r e r se s o f t he c ha p e r sh o w ha t he
. v t t t
t t
e m pl e i s no t o nl y r e sp e c e d , b u t i s p r es u p p ose d , wi h i t s ri u a l t t
a nd i t s o fli c ers , as a n e e r nal e l e m e n t
i n t he J er u sal e m o f t he t
t
r e g e ne ra e d wo r ld ( 6 6 : 6 , 20 The p a ssa g e ca n h er e o re t f
t
o nl y b e i n e r p r e e d as a p r o es t t t
ag ai nst t h e p r o po se d sc hi sm a i c t
t e m p le .

r Th e earth i s m y footstool : i n p ar i c ul ar t h e J er usal e m sanc

. t
t ua r y was t h e
!
p l a ce o f hi s e e
”
( 60 : and no o h er ho usef t t
fo r hi m c o u ld be o l e r a e d t t .

2 Poor , a
.
fi l i c te d ; co ntr i te , cr u s h ed ; m y w or d , t h e l a w T h is .

t
c la use desen hes t he s ri ct J e ws, wh o r espe ct t he law a nd wor shi p
a t t h e t e m p le .

3 f R e nd er : .

He who sl a ughter s a n or i s al so the sl a yer of a ma n ,

He who sacr ifices a sheep i s also the str a ngler of dogs,

He who br i ngs a n abl ati o n i s also o ne wh o p o u r s o u t swi ne s bl ood ,
’

He who ofl er s me mo ri al i nc ense i s also o ne who bl esses idol s

As thes e ha ve chosen thei r own wa ys ,

And thei r so ul d el i g hts i n thei r a bo mi nati ons,

S o wi ll I al so choose wa nto n i ns ul ts for them,
And br i ng what they dr ead upon the m .

4 114
 THE B OOK OF I SAI AH

Y ea, th ey h ave cho sen th ei r own way s ,

And th ei r soul deli ght eth in thei r ab omi nati ons ;

4 . I al so wi ll c hoo se thei r del usi on s
1
,

And wi ll b ri ng thei r f ear s upon them ;

B ecau se wh en I called none di d answer ; ,

Wh en I spak e they di d not h ear ,

B ut th ey did th at whi ch was evil in mi n e eyes ,

And c hose that wher ei n I deli ght ed not .

The Fai thful Cheer ed by the P r omi se

’

f
o Zi on s P r osper i ty
-
14 )
Hear the word of the LO RD ,
that tremble at hi s word
Ye
Your b rethr en that hate you ,

That c a st you out for my nam e s

’

L et the L O RD be gl ori fi ed
!
,

That we m ay see your joy

”

B ut they shall be asham ed .

6 . A voi ce of tum ul t from the ci ty ,

A voi ce from the te mple , R ev

.

1 m m . aki ngs .

T he m e a ni ng i s h a t tt
h e i r a fl e c t e d wo r sh i p o f J eh o a h g o e s h a nd v
t
i n h a nd wi h r a nk i d o l a r y ; t h e m e n wh o o f er — l e g i i m a el y t f t t
e no u g h o x e n, sh e e p , a nd m e a l o f e r i ng s wi h i nc e nse ( c L ev f t f . .

t
2 : 2 ) ar e g u il y o f h u m an sa c ri c e , a nd o f p ar i c i p a i o n i n i d o l a fi t t
t t
r o u s a nd a b o m i nabl e ri e s wh i c h i n o l e d t h e r e c o g ni i o n o f t h e v v t
sa c r e d ness o f t h e d o g a nd t h e swi ne ( c wh en I call e d, f .

et c . cf . 65 r2 .

5 Tr e m b l e , e t c ; c v s 2
. . f
Your br ethr en, t he i d o l a r o u s J e ws
. . . t
of v s 3 For m y nam e s sak e : t h e h o s il i y wa s r el i g i o u s i n i t s
. .
’
t t
orig i n . t t
T he se ap o s a e s m o c k t h e h o p es o f h ei r p i o u s !
br e h t t
r e n,
”
t
a nd h ei r wo r d s ar e sa r c as i c , L et J ehova h m a ni est hi s l or ,
f g y t
e tc .

6 . J e h o v ah he ar s t h ei r sar c asti c c halle ng e ,

a nd r end er s th e m
415
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

A voi ce of the LO RD that rendereth

R ecompe n ce t o hi s en emi es .

B efore travail ed
sh e ,

She b ro ught forth ;

B efore her pai n cam e ,

She was d eli vere d of a man chil d .

8 . Who hath heard su ch a thi n g ?

Who hath see n su ch thi ngs ?
Shall a l and be born
In one day ?
Shall a nati on be b rought forth
At on ce ?
For as soon as Z i on travail ed she b rought ,

Her chil dr en .

Shall I b ri n g to the bi rth , and not cause to b ri n g forth ?

Sai th the LO RD
Sha ll I that ca use to b ri n g forth shut the womb?
Sai th thy God .

1
Rejo i ce ye wi th Je rusalem , and be gl ad for her ,
All ye that lov e he r

1 012 rd oice O Jcrusale,

f ea rf ul r eea rn ense . H ar k ! a tu m ult f r om the ci ty t he ci ty

wher e th
m o c ki ng l y c ri e d fo r
ey ad o d s g l o ry t o ap pear G ’

(G .A S m i h ).
— ha r k l t
f r o m t he te m pl e : h a r k ! i t i s J ehova h
f t
hi m se lf i ssui ng o r h t o p u ni sh hi s e ne m i e s .

— v
7 9 T hese e rses d esc r i be t he spe e dy and m i r a c ul o u s i ncr ease
.

of Z
i o n, no d o u b t t t
hr o ug h t he r e u r n o f h er sc a er e d c hi l d r e n tt
—
(49 : 1 7 2 1) t t t
a pi c ur e ha ap p r o pri a el y oll o ws t he d e s r u c i o n t f t t
o f h er e ne mi es .

Sh e ( v s ion . Z
Fo r a land ( vs 8 ) r ea d the peopl e of a la nd
. . .

t t t
V 3 9 m ea ns ha t he gr ea wor k o f r es ora i o n wo ul d assur e dl y
. t t
t
b e b r o ug h t o c o m p l e e r u i i o n t f t .

10 f
R ea d Rejoi ce , J er usal e m
. Fo r th at ye may milk out , e t c , .
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

The Judgment (66 1 5 1 8a-

)
LORD will com e wi th fire
For , behol d , the 1
,

And his c hari ots shall be li k e the whi rl wi nd ;

To r ender hi s anger wi th fury ,

And hi s r ebuke wi th flam es of fire .

16 . Fo r will the LORD plead

2
by fir e ,

And by hi s sword wi th all flesh ,

And t he slai n of t he LO RD shall be many .

17 . Th ey that san c ti fy themsel ves and p uri fy th emselv es

To go unto the g arde ns 3
behi nd one in t he mi dst , ,

l iri 3s ;
s Gr as ‘Gr with the fir e o/ the Lord shall all be jud ed and wi th
the ear th
thi v t t
. . . .

hi s swor d all hGr om s cla use A Heb aria n reads one i n e femini ne
v
. . . . . .

Syr Tar . . t wo C red e rs io ns one a fter another .

of t
s r e ng th , jo y , t
be a u y , m ay se e m o r c e d t o u s, b u t no t t o t h e f
t f q t
O ri e n al wh o r e u en ly m e n i o ns t he b o nes whe n all u d i ng t o t h e
,
t
f
we l ar e o f t he bod y ( c Ps 3 2 : Fo r h and , pe r haps l ovi ng f . .

ki nd ness .

j
6 6 : r 5 1 8 a T he u d g m e nt , a nno u nc ed i n t he l as c l au se o f
-
. t
v s 1 4 , i s he r e e l abo r a e d
. I i s t o be u ni er sa l u po n al l fl esh t . t v -

( vs 1 6) . b u t m o r e p a r i c ular ly will i t all u p o n t he i d o l a r o us t f t

J e ws ( v s .

Wi th o r r a t h er i n fir e ( c f D e u t 5 : 2 2 f ) Gr has l i ke fir e
15 .
, . . . . .

Whi rl wi nd : J e ho v a h r i d es o n t he st or m c lo u d ( Hab 3 -
.

16 P l e ad , enter i nto j ud g me nt
. And th e slain, e t c hi s c l au se , . . t
t
whi c h i s m e r i c ally su pe r fl uo u s, sho ul d pe r haps be d el e e d I t . t
v
m a y h a e bee n sug g es e d by Je r 2 5 3 3 ; e p h 2 1 2 , and a dd ed t o t . Z .

t
i ndi ca e t he d ea d l y e fe c o f t he di i ne u dg m e n f t v j t .

17 j
T he u d g m e n whi c h all s u po n all J eho ah s e ne mi es ,
. t ’
f v
si ng les o u t espe c i a l l y t he J e wi sh a po s a e s, who sa nctify a nd pu r ify t t
the msel ves for t h e u nl a w ul r i e s c el e br a e d i n the g ar d ens ( c f 65 : t t f .

r 2 ) n d t k f c ri c i l m l i n l i n t h r e c o g ni i on fi v v t
?
3 ; 9 ,
a ar a e o sa a ea s o g e
o f t he s w i ne ei v s t he m o u se , a nd . e r m i n ( li t
. s war mi ng v .

cr eat ur es , as we sho u l d r e ad , r a h e r han abo mi nati on) as sa c r ed t t

a ni ma l s . Cf
t he so m e wha si m i l ar d esc r i p i o n i n 6 5 3
. T hese t t f .

t f
r i es wer e p e r o r m e d b ehi nd one i n th e m i dst , h a i s, t he m e m t t
t
be rs o f t he g r o u p a ki ng hei r c u e r o m t h e l e a d er , wh o s oo d i n t f t
th e mi ds o f he m t
( c Ez ek 8 : t f
and r eg ul a ed t h e c ere m o ny
. . t
4 18
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH 66

E ati n g
’
wi n e s flesh s ,

And the ab omi nati on and the mou se ,

They shall c om e to an end together sai th th e L O RD , .

18 . For I know th ei r work s and th ei r thought s .

Jehovah s Glor y announced thr ou ghou t the Wor ld : the Com

’

pl ete Restorati on and P er petui ty f

o I sr ael ( 66 1 8h— 2 2)

1
The ti me cometh that I will g ather ,

All
n ati on s and tong ues
And th ey shall c om e and shall see my glory , .

1
9 . And I will set a si gn amon g th em ,

And I will send su ch as es cape of them

U nto the nati on s to Tarshi sh Pul and Lud , ,
2
,
3
tha t
draw the bow to Tub al and J avan
4
, ,

1 Cr . I am comi ng to gather .
2 Gr P ut
. .
3 Gr M eshech
. .
4 Gr Gr eece
. .

of puri fi c ti
I n v s 1 8 , t h e wo r d s know a nd the ti me ar e u nr e p
a on . .

t
r e se n e d i n t h e H e b r e w ; D u h m h app il y s u g g e s s h a th ei r work s t t t
and th e ir th oug h ts (i e t
h e i r i d o l a r y a nd h ei r h os i l i y t o t h e
. . t t t t
f t f
ai h ul ) r e all y b el o ng t o v s 17 ; hus t h e i d o l a e r s, wh o ea t
. t t
swi ne s fl esh , e t c ,
’
. t
h e y , thei r wor ks a nd thei r tho u g hts , shall come
to an end together , sai th J ehova h .

t
6 6 : 1 8 b —2 2 Th e na i o ns a re g a h e r e d o g e h e r fo r u dg m e n
. t t t j t .

vv
T h o se wh o su r i e g o t o t h e e nd s o f t h e e ar h t o d e c l a r e J e h o a h s
’
t v
p o w e r a n d g l o r y M o e d b y t.h e m essa g e ,
t h v
e d i s a n p eo p l es t t
a m o ng wh o m t h e J e ws h a e b ee n di sp e r se d b r i ng v
he m back t
v t
o l u n ari l y t o J e r u sa l e m , wh e r e so m e o f h e m a r e a pp o i n e d t o t h e t t
t
o fli ce o f p ri es ; a nd t h e assu r a nc e i s g i e n h a t h e J e wi sh na m e v t t
a nd ra c e wil l b e e e r nal t .

18 ft t f
A er t he r ans e r enc e o f thei r wor ds and thei r thou ghts t o
j tfi
.

v s 1 7 , we ar e
. u s i e d i n r e nd er i ng v s 1 8 as o l l o ws : and I a m . f
co mi ng to g ather a ll na ti ons , e t c , i e fo r u dg m e n T he g l ory . . . j t .

t
whi c h he y a r e t o se e ( E x o d 1 4 a nd t h e si g n wh i c h i s t o b e se t
.

a m o ng h e m ( E x od t i s ap p a r e n l y so m e m i g h y a c t o f
. t t
ju dg m en t .

19 vv
T h e sur i o r s a re t o b e se n h r o u g h o u t h e wo r l d t o d e cl a r e
. tt t
t f t j t tt
.

J ehovah s gl or y , hu s m ani e s e d i n u d g m e n T her e i s li l e

’
.

4 19
 THE B OO K OF I SAIAH

To the isl es
f r ofl a a ,
1
That have not h eard my fam e ,

Nei th er have see n my gl ory .

And they shall declare my gl ory among the nati ons .

And th ey shall b ri n g all your brethren out of all

th e nati ons
For an off e ri ng unto th e LO RD ,

U pon horses and in c hari ots and i n li tt ers and , , ,

upon mul es and upon swi ft beasts , to my holy

2
,

mountai n ,

Jerusa lem sai th the LO RD , ,

As the chil dren of I srael bri n g th ei r offeri ng

In a clean vessel i nto the house of the LORD .

And of them al so will I take

3
Fo r pri es ts and for Levi t es sai th the LO RD ,
.

2 P et 3
. : 13 22 . For as the ne w h eav ens
R”
the new earth ,
n
And whi ch I will make ,

1Gr na me 2 111 SV dr omedar i cs 2 Heb [or pri n ts for Levites ;

. . . . .
. all tbe versions
and so me Heb M SS [ or pr iests and /or Leon
. es . .

t v t t
d o ub , ho we er , h a t he na m es o f t he c o u n ri es t o whi c h he y g o ar e t t
t t
l a er i nser i o ns ( ba se d u po n E z ek 12 f ; 8: 2; . .

Tarshi sh , i n Spai n ; Put ( r a her ha n P at) a nd u d i n no r h t t t

f
A ri ca ; M esh ech a nd Rosh ( as we sho ul d pr obably r ead for that
f
dr aw the bow; c C r ) a nd Tu bal i n no r h eas e rn Asi a M i nor ;
. .
, t t
J avan G r ee c e , .

20 Your b rethr e n :
. J e ws sca t tered i n those di stant f oreig n
t he
la nds a r e t o b e r e st o r e d t o J e r u sale m b y t he h ea t he n t h e mse l v es ,

who p re se nt t he m g r a t e f ul l y as a n ofl er i ng to J ehova h T h e cl ause .

desc ri bi ng t he m e a ns o f t r a ns o rt u pon hor ses sw ift

p
beasts t t t
i n e rr u p s t he m e r e a nd 1s appa r en ly a n i nt e rp o l a i o n t t .

2 1 So m e of th em , i e o f t he res or ed J e ws, wo ul d b e m ad e
. . . t
pr i ests ( as we sho ul d pr obably read i ns ead of pr i ests and t
The te m pl e wil l be a pe rmane n ea ure of t he ne w t f t
J e ru sal em ( vs and i t wi ll ne ed i ts sacri ces ( 6c : 7 ) and p ri est s
. fi .

4 20
 INDE!

Adoni s 1 3 0 , . I sai ah , tim es of, 2 fl .

c t
Ag ri u l ur e, 1 86 f .

Aha 9 z , . L eo nt opo li s 1 3 8 f , , . 1 40 .

Ar i el, 1 8 8 . v t
L e i a h an, 1 7 5 .

Ashdod, ap ure c t o f, 4 .

Asher m , 1 2 9
Assy ri a, 2 fl
i M er o dach bal adan -
, 2 43 .
:
M oab 1 2 1 fl , .

y
B ab lon, 1 08 ti .
, 1 43 fl .
, 2 47 fl .

Nebu chadr ez z a r 2 4 7
t
B el i s, 9 3 .

Ne cr om ancy 83 ,
,

.
.

New Jer usal em , 3 4 6 3 84 3

C o rners o ne , 1 8 4 t .
1

C 2 4 8 , 2 9 6.
O si r i s, 93 .

D am as u s, 1 2 7 c .

Pl a y upo n words 57 , 7 7
t
D eu ero I sai ah 2 4 7 6 -
, .
, .

m essag e o f 2 4 9 , f .

R ah ab, 333
s ty
le of 2 5 6 ,
f .

D ew o f lig h s 1 7 4 t
t
.
,

D r ag on, 1 7 5 Sabba h, 3 6 1 , 3 7 7 .

fi
.

Sacri ce, 2 8 .

E dom , 2 1 8 Sam ar i a, 1 80 .

f
.

y t
E g p , 1 33 , 1 9 5, Sarg on 4 , .

Eli aki m 1 53 f Se nnacheri b 5 f 2 2 5 ,

.
, ff .

v t v
.
,

t
E hi op i a, 1 3 1 .
Ser an of Jeho ah 2 5 1 fl ,
.
,

Shalm aneser I V, 4 .

t
Fas i ng 3 7 3 , .
Shebna, 1 5 2 .

Shil oah, 7 8 .

Gre ssm ann 7 4 , .

Gu the, r o . Tig lat h Pile se r 3 , f .

t
Tri o I sai ah 3 5 5 if
-
, .

H elio po li s 1 3 8 , . m essag e o f 3 59 , .

H ez eki ah 2 2 5 E , . s ty
le o f 3 6 1 , .

Holi ness 6 5 , . y
T r e, 1 5 5 ff .

I sai ah arr ang e m en of book ,

, t 1 f . Uzzi ah , 6, 4 0 .

call of 64 , .

f t
ai h o f 1 0 7 2 1 9 9 , , , . Vi r g i n, 73 f .

t y
li er ar p r oblems of, 1 3 .

t
s y le of, 1 2 , 5 5 . World -
j udg m nt e , 1 60 fi .

4 23
The Bible for Ho me and Sc hoo l
VOLUMES NOW READ Y — Confirmed

Genesi s
By H IN KL EY C G
I LB E RT M IT H EL L, Ph D , D D C . . . .
, Pr ofesso r of He
t
brew and O ld Tes am en Ex e g esi s 1n Bo s o n ni e rsi y t t U v t .

Cl oth 3 7 7 pag es . P r i ce, 90 cents net ; by m a i l , 97 cents

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‘
c
mode rn ri i al heori es, to be h ad
, c tc t ’

any where The P r esby ter i an

. .

G enesis has al way s been one of the most pop ular books of th e B ible y et in ,

so me way s i t is o ne o f th e mo st d iffi c ult Th ese difi cul ti ee ari se p ar tl y f ro m the

t f ty f c c t t
.

book i se l and par l rom t h e po p ular o n ep io n of th e boo k I t ak es

fi tc
.

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,

D r M i h ell has bo h s h olarsh ip and o urag e The no es are learned and c

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. .

”
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B oston Tr anscr i pt .

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By BEN A M N W S NER BA O N, D D , L L D , Pr o esso r o f Ne w Te s a
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We kno w o f no o mm e ar c
g i ves nt y whi ch a be tt er e xposi ti on in so bri ef a com
The Refor m Chur ch Revie w
"
pass . .

Co lo ssi ans an d Ephe si ans

By G ROSS A L E! AND E R, Ed i t or of The M ethod i st R evi ew .

Cloth , 13 2 pag es . Pr i ce, 5 0 ce nts by m a i l , 35 cent s

f m th v l m t h t h v p p d t h g n l d i t f t h
Judgi ng ro e o u es a a e a ear e e e era e or o ese
mm nt i h b n v y cc f l in g tti ng c mm nt t wh h v th
,

co e ar es as ee er su ess u e o e a o rs o a e e
sk ill t t t th b k f t h B ibl th t th y c m t th m n f t —d y
so o rea e oo s o e e a e o e o e e o o a
wi th t l p w Th int d cti n t t h tw p i tl m v l m
.

Vi a o er e f ro u o s o ese o e s es ar e ar e s o co

; y t l l th t i nec a y t th f wh m t hi i i nt nd d f
.

p ct n
a ess e a a i s ess r o ose or o s se r es s e e or
an nd ut ndi ng f t h e l tt will b f nd h
er s a o B t n T n i pt
es e ers e ou ere .
” -
os o r a scr .

U B L I S H E D BY P

T H E M A C M I L L A N C O M PA N Y
64 —66 Fi fth A venue , New Yor k
The Bible for Ho m e an d Sc hoo l

VOLUM ES NOW RE AD Y Conti nued

lsai ah
By JO HN E . MC FADYEN, Pro fe ssor of O l d Tes t am e n t Li t tu
e ra re and

E x eg esi s i n Kno x Co lleg e , Tor o n t o.

’
Cl ot/z .
j ust r ea ay

I N P REP ARA TI ON
FOR P UB LI CA TI ON I N THE NE AR F UTURE

Amo s Ho sea , , an d Mi cah

By JO H N M E R L I N PO W I S S M I TH , Assi st ant Pr o fe sso r of O ld Te s t a

t
m e n L ang u ag e a nd Li t t
e r a ur e i n th e U ni v e rs ity of Chi c ag o .

l Samue l
By L O R N W B ATTEN, Ph D R e o r o f S t M ark s hu r h , Ne w Yo r k ,
I . . ct .
’
C c
ct t t
L e u r e r o n th e O ld Te s am e n , Ge ne r al Th e ol o g i al S e mi nary, Au ho r o f c t
!
Th e H e b r e w Pr o ph e t , e tc .

John
By S H AI L E R MAT H EW S D D , . D e an of v t
th e D i i ni y S h o o l c of th e
U niv e rsi ty of Chi c ag o and Pro fessor of H is t ic
or al and C o m par a ti ve

Th e o l o gy .

Ro mans
B y ED W AR D I . BO SW O RT H , D ean of th e O b e rl i n T h e o l o g i al c Semi nary
and Pr o f esso r o f th e N e w Tes t m nt L
a e a ng u ag e and Li t t
e r a ur e .

U B L I S H E D BY P

T H E M A C M I L L A N C O M PA N Y
6 4 6 6 Fi fth Avenu e , New
-
Yor k
The O ne V olume Bible Co mmentary
-

By V ari ou s Wri ters . R ev .

J . R . DU M M E LO W, E d i tor

Sho ul d be i n the hands o f e e ry st ud e n o f t h e Bi bl e v

O he r wo rks may t . t
t
r ov e use ful to ex e nd S pe c i al l i nes o f st udy ; t h e o u nda i o n wi ll b e f t
proad and d e e p if af e r th e B i bl e i s e l t
t he s ud en b ases his s ud o n
y t f t t t
t v
hi s o l um e .

o ne vol u me , wi th gener al ar ti cles a nd ma ps, 3 2 50 ne t ; . by ma il ,

Th e One V o l um e B ibl e Co mm entary br e aks a new path i n ex eg e ti

-
’

cal l it er at ur e It is a marvel o f c o nd e nse d sc ho larsh i p I k now o f

. .

no b oo k th t c om pr esses so m c h so l i d i nfor m ati on i nto t h e sam e

a u

nu m be r o f pag es Wh i le u p t o d at e in e ve ry r espe ct I r ej i c e t
.
- -
, o o

no te i t s pr e va l e nt c o nse rvat ism a nd i ts r eve e nt t o ne — H E NR Y

E r . .

JACO BS L uther n Th ol og i cal S em i n ry { Mo u nt A i y Ph il d lph i a

, a e a
,
r , a e .

This boo k i s no big g e r t ha n a g o od siz ed B i ble b ut i n i t th e wh ol e ,

Bi bl e is expo und e d Th is is what fam il i e s a nd S u nd ay sc ho o l t e ac he rs

.
-

h ave lo ng b e e n wai ti ng fo r Th e o t her c o mm e nt ari e s ar e i n too

.

ma ny vo l u m e s and c ost t oo m u c h to g et i nto th e o r d i nary do m esti c

lib rary B ut t h is fits a ny she l f
. The e xpla nat io ns cl ea r away t he .

d iffi cu lt i es and ill um i nate t he t ex t Th ey mak e i t po ss ib le fo r a nybod y .

to r ead eve n the pr phe ts wi t h u nd e rst andi ng o Th e c it i c al e p si . r x o

t i o ns a e u nifo rm ly c nse rvati ve b ut th e b est sc ho larshi p i s bro ght

r o , u

to th e m Th i s is what d evo ut a nd ca r e f l sc h o lars be li ev

. To bri ng u e .

all t his i nt o m o d e rat e c o m pass and und e r a r e aso na bl e pr i c e i s a

no ta bl e acc o m pl i shm e nt — D R G EO RG E H o m es D e n o th e E i s
”
.
f p pa l
.
, a co

The olog i ca l S ch oo l, Ca mbr i cg e, '

M a ss .

An t
as o ni sh i ng am o u n t of info rm a i o n h as bee n t c o mpresse d in t o

th ese p ag e s, a nd i t will be di fi f c lt u to fi nd a no th er bo o k a ny thing

near t h i s i n si z e wh i c h wi ll be as he lpful to th e g e ne ra l r ea d e r as

t hi s. S u nday o
sc h oo l t eac hers, Bi bl e t
s u d e nts , Ch i t ir s an Ende avo r ers,
and all th ta are t
i n e r es t ed i n t he t
s ud y o f the W or d of Go d will find
he re a s or e o ft hel pful su gg e s ti o ns.
"
Ch r isti a n E ndea vor Wor ld .

U B LI SH E D B Y P

T H E M A C M I L L A N C O M PA N Y
64—8 6 Fi fth Av enu e , New Yor k
Ul
THI S B O O K I S D U E O N
S TAIMP E D B E L O W

AN I N I TI A L F I N E O F 2 5 C E N T S
'

vvru . B E A S S ES S E D FO R FA I L U R E T o R ET U R N
T H IS BOO K o n TH E D A T E D U E . T H E P EN A L TY
wru . I N C R EA E TO
$ . s o C E N TS on T H E F O U R TH
DAY A ND o stb
fr
‘

o o n T H E S EV EN TH D AY
O V ER D U E .

24Nov5 4 ] P