The Last Times of the World, ISAIAH, XXIV. and of Judah and the Church. 17; 8. 20:): Nebuchadnezzar, his son Evil-merodach, and his grandson, Belshazzar, formed the whole dynasty (Jeremiah, 25. 11, 12; 27. 7; 29. 10.). shall Tyre sing as ...harlot-It shall be to Tyre as the song of the harlot, viz., a harlot that has been forgotten, but who attracts notice again by her song. Large marts of commerce are often compared to harlots seeking many lovers, i.e., they court merchants of all nations, and admit any one for the sake of gain (Nahum, 3. 4; Revelation, 18. 3.). Covetousness is closely akin to idolatry, and licentious-crash. [GESENIUS.] "With a great tumult the gate is ness, as the connection (Ephesians, 5. 5; Colossians, 3. 6) proves (cf. ch. 2. 6-8, 16.). 16. Same figure to express that Tyre would again prosper and attract commercial intercourse of nations to her, and be the same joyous, self-indulging city as before. 17. visit-not in wrath but mercy. hire-image from a harlot: her gains by commerce. After the Babylonian dynasty was ended, Tyre was rebuilt; also, again, after the destruction under Alexander. 18. merchandise holiness-Her traffic and gains shall at last long after the restoration mentioned in v. 17) be consecrated to Jehovah. Jesus Christ visited the neighbourhood of Tyre (Matthew, 15. 21): Paul found disciples there (Acts, 21. 3-6;); it early became a Christian bishopric, but the full evangelisation of that whole race as of the Ethiopians (ch. 18.), of the Egyptians and Assyrians (ch. 19., is yet to come (ch. 60. 5.). not treasured - but freely expended in His service. them that dwell before the Lord-the ministers of religion. But HORSLEY translates, "them that sit before Jehovah" as disciples. durable clothing -Changes of raiment constituted much of the wealth of former days. CHAPTER XXIV. THE LAST TIMES OF THE WORLD IN GENERAL, AND OF JUDAH AND THE CHURCH IN PARTICULAR. The four chaps., xxiv.-xxvii., form one continuous poetical prophecy descriptive of the dispersion and successive calamities of the Jews (ch. 24. 1-12;); the preaching of the gospel by the first Hebrew converts throughout the world (v. 13-16;); the judgments on the adversaries of the church and its final triumph (v. 16-23;); thanksgiving for the overthrow of the apostate faction (ch. 25.), and establishment of the righteous in lasting peace (ch. 26.); judgment on leviathan and entire purgation of the church (ch. 27.). Having treated of the several nations in particular-Babylon, Philistia, Moab, Syria, Israel, Egypt, Edom, and Tyre (the miniature representative of all, as all kingdoms flocked into it)-he passes to the last times of the world at large and of Judah the representative and future head of the churches. Ver. 1-23. 1. the earth-rather, the land of Judah (so in v. 3, 5, 6; Joel, 1. 2.). The desolation under Nebuchadnezzar prefigured that under Titus. 2. as with people, so with the priest-All alike shall share the same calamity: no favoured class shall escape (cf. Ezekiel, 7. 12, 13; Hosea, 4. 9; Revelation, 6. 15.). 4. world -the kingdom of Israel; as in ch. 13. 11, Babylon. haughty-lit., the height of the people: abstract for concrete, i.e., the high people; even the nobles share the general distress. 5. earth rather, the land. defiled under... inhabitants-viz., with innocent blood (Genesis, 4. 11: Numbers, 35. 33; Psalm 106. 38.). laws... ordinance... everlasting covenant-The moral laws, positive statutes, and national covenant designed to be for ever between God and them. 6. earth the land. burned-viz., with the consuming wrath of heaven: either internally, as Job, 30. 30 ROSENMULLER]: or externally, the prophet has before his eyes the people being consumed with the withering dryness of their doomed land (so Joel, 1. 10, 12.). [MAURER.] 7. mourneth-because there are none to drink it. [BARNES.] Rather, is become vapid. [HORSLEY.] languisheth because there are none to cultivate it now. 8. (Revelation, 18. 22.). 9. with a song-the usual accompaniment of feasts. strong drink-(Note, ch. 5. 11.). “Date wine.” Thanksgiving for the Overthrow CHAPTER XXV. ISAIAH, XXV, XXVI. of the Apostate Faction. 65. 17; 60. 19, simultaneously with the corrupt polity, mountain-Zion: Messiah's kingdom was to begin, and of men); or rather, the invisible rulers of the darkness is to have its central seat hereafter, at Jerusalem, as of this world, as the antithesis to "kings of the earth" the common country of "all nations" (ch. 2. 2, &c.). all shows. Angels, moreover, preside as it were over people-(ch. 56. 7; Daniel, 7. 14; Luke, 2. 10.). feastkingdoms of the world (Daniel, 10. 13, 20, 21.). 22. in image of felicity (Psalm 22, 26, 27; Matthew, 8. 11; Luke, the pit-rather, for the pit. [HORSLEY.] "In the 14. 16; Revelation, 19. 9; cf. Psalm 36. 8; 87.). fat things dungeon." [MAURER.] Image from captives thrust delicacies; the rich mercies of God in Christ (ch. together into a dungeon. prison-i.e., as in a prison. 55. 2; Jeremiah, 31. 14; Job, 36. 16.). wines on the lees This sheds light on the disputed passage, 1 Peter, 3. 19,-wine which has been long kept on the lees; i.e., the where also the prison is fig. The "shutting up" of the oldest and most generous wine (Jeremiah, 48. 11.). Jews in Jerusalem under Nebuchadnezzar, and again marrow-the choicest dainties (Psalm 63. 5.). well refined under Titus, was to be followed by a visitation of mercy-cleared of all dregs. 7. face of... covering-image "after many days"-seventy years in the case of the from mourning, in which it was usual to cover the former-the time is not yet elapsed in the case of the face with a veil (2 Samuel, 15. 30.). "Face of covering," latter. HORSLEY takes "visited" in a bad sense, viz., i.e., the covering itself: as Job, 41. 13, "the face of his in wrath, as in ch. 26. 14; cf. ch. 29. 6; the punishment garment," the garment itself. The covering or veil is being the heavier in the fact of the delay. Probably a the mist of ignorance as to a future state, and the way double visitation is intended, deliverance to the elect, to eternal life, which enveloped the nations (Ephesians, wrath to hardened unbelievers; as v. 23 plainly con- 4. 18 and the unbelieving Jew (2 Corinthians, 3. 15.). templates judgments on proud sinners symbolised by The Jew, however, is first to be converted before the the "sun" and "moon." 23. (Jeremiah, 3. 17.). Still conversion of "all nations:" for it is "in this mounfuture: of which Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusa- tain," viz., Zion, that the latter are to have the veil lem amidst hosannas was a pledge. his ancients the taken off (Psalm 102. 13, 15, 16, 21, 22; Romans, 11. 12.). elders of His people; or in general, His ancient people, 8. Quoted in 1 Corinthians, 15. 54, in support of the the Jews. After the overthrow of the world-kingdoms, resurrection. swallow up... in victory. completely Jehovah's shall be set up with a splendour exceeding and permanently "abolish" (2 Timothy, 1. 10; Revelathe light of the sun and moon under the previous order tion, 20. 14; 21. 4; cf. Genesis, 2. 17; 3. 22.). rebukeof things (ch. 60. 19, 20.). (cf. Mark, 8. 38; Hebrews, 11. 26.). 9. "After death has been swallowed up for ever, the people of God, who have been delivered from the hand of death, shall say to the Lord, Lo, this is our God, whom unbelievers regarded as only a man." [JEROME.] "The words are so moulded as to point us specially to the person of the Son of God who 'saces' us; as He vouchsafed to Israel temporal saving, so to His elect He appears for the purpose of conferring eternal salvation." [VITRINGA.] The Jews, however, have a special share in the words, This is our God (Note, v. 6.). In day... glad rejoice," cf. Psalm 118. 24, which refers to the second coming of Jesus (cf. Psalm 118. 26, with Luke, 13. 35.). "Waited" is characteristic of God's people in all ages (Genesis, 49. 18; Titus, 2. 13.). 10. rest as its permanent protector: on "hand" in this sense cf. Ezra, 7. 6, 28. Moab-whilst Israel is being protected the foe is destroyed; Moab is the representative of all the foes of God's people. under him-rather, in his own place or country (Exodus, 10. 23; 16. 29.). for the dunghil! — rather, in the water of the dung-heap in which straw was trodden to make it manure (Psalm 83. 10.). HORSLEY translates, either, "in the waters of Madmenah," viz., for the making of bricks; or, as LXX., "as the threshing floor is trampled by the corn-arag' (see Margin, Micah, 4. 11, 12, 13.). 11. he-Jehovah shall spread His hands to strike the foe on this side and on that, with as little effort as a swimmer spreads forth his arms to cleave a passage through the water. [CALVIN.] (Zechariah, 5. 3.). LowтH takes "he" as Moab, who, in danger of sinking, shall strain every nerve to save himself: but Jehovah (and "he") shall cause him to sink ("bring down the pride" of Moab, ch. 16. 6.). with the spoils of... hands-lit., the craftilyacquired spoils of his (Moab's) hands. [BARNES.] Moab's pride, as well as the sudden gripe of his hands (viz., whereby he tries to save himself from drowning). [LOWTH.] "Together with the joints of his hands," .e., though Moab struggle against Jehovah hand and foot. [MAURER.) 12. fortress-the strongholds of Moab, the representative of the foes of God's people. [BARNES.] Babylon. [MAURER.] The society of infidels represented as a city (Revelation, 11. 8.). CHAPTER XXVI. Ver. 1-12. CONTINUATION OF CHAP. XXIV. THANKSGIVING FOR THE OVERTHROW OF THE APOSTATE FACTION, AND THE SETTING UP OF JEHOVAH's THRONE ON ZION. The restoration from Babylon, and re-establishment of the theocracy, was a type and pledge of this. 1. wonderful-(ch. 9. 6.). counsels of old -(ch. 42. 9; 46. 10;); purposes planned long ago: here, as to the deliverance of His people. truth-Hebrew, Amen: covenant-keeping, faithful to promises: the peculiar characteristic of Jesus (Revelation, 3. 14.). 2. a city... heap-Babylon, type of the seat of antichrist, to be destroyed in the last days (cf. Jeremiah, 31. 37, with Revelation, 18., followed, as here, by the song of the saints' thanksgiving in Revelation, 19.). "Heaps" is a graphic picture of Babylon and Nineveh, as they now are. palace-Babylon regarded, on account of its splendour, as a vast palace. But MAURER translates, a citadel. of strangers-foreigners, whose capital preeminently Babylon was, the metropolis of the pagan world. "Aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers from the covenants of promise" (ch. 29. 5; Ephesians, 2. 12; see in contrast, Joel, 3. 17.). never be built (ch. 13. 19, 20, &c.). 3. strong people-This cannot apply to the Jews; but, other nations on which Babylon had exercised its cruelty (ch. 14. 12) shall worship Jehovah, awed by the judgment inflicted on Babylon (ch. 23. 18.). city-not Babylon, which shall then be destroyed, but collectively for the cities of the surrounding nations. 4. the poor . needy-the Jews, exiles from their country (ch. 26. 6; 41. 17.). heat-calamity (ch. 4. ; 32. 2.). blast-i.e., wrath. storm-a tempest of rain, a winter flood, rushing against and overthrowing the wall of a house. 5. Translate, "As the heat in a dry land [is brought down by the shadow of a cloud, so] thou shalt bring down the tumult [the shout of triumph over their enemies] of strangers (foreigners); and as the heat by the shadow of the cloud [is brought low] so the branch (the offspring) of the terrible ones shall be brought low." PARKHURST translates the Hebrew for branch," the exulting song. JEROME translates the last clause, "And as when the heat burns under a cloud, thou shalt make the branch of the terrible ones to wither" the branch withering even under the friendly shade of a cloud typifies the wicked brought to ruin, not for want of natural means of prosperity, but by the immediate act of God. 6. in this ... Ver. 1-21. CONNECTED WITH CHAPTERS XXIV, and XXV. SONG OF PRAISE OF ISRAEL AFTER BEING RESTORED TO THEIR OWN LAND. As the overthrow of the apostate faction is described in ch. 25., so the peace Israel's Song of Praise ISAIAH, XXVI. after their Restoration. of the faithful is here described under the image of a | all blessings, temporal and spiritual, opposed to their well fortified city. 1. strong city-Jerusalem, strong previous trials (Psalm 138. 8.). 13. other lords-temin Jehovah's protection: type of the new Jerusalem poral; heathen kings (2 Chronicles, 12. 8; 28. 5, 6). (Psalm 48. 1-3,), contrasted with the overthrow of the Nebuchadnezzar, &c. Spiritual also, idols and lusts ungodly foe (v. 4-7, 12-14; Revelation, 22. 2, 10-12, &c.). (Romans, 6. 16-18.). by thee only-it is due to thee alone, Balvation ... walls-(ch. 60. 18; Jeremiah, 3. 23; Zecha- that we again worship thee as our Lord. [MAURER.] riah, 2.5.). MAURER translates, "Jehovah makes His "(We are) thine only, we will celebrate thy name." help serve as walls," &c. (ch. 33. 20, 21, &c.). bulwarks- [HORSLEY.] The sanctifying effect of affliction (Psalm the trench with the antemural earth-works exterior to 71. 16; 119. 67, 71.). 14. They-The "other lords" or the wall. 2. Address of the returning people to the tyrants (v. 13.). shall not live-viz., again. deceasedgates of Jerusalem (type of the heavenly city, Hebrews, Hebrew, Rephaim; powerless, in the land of shades (ch. 12. 22;); (Psalm 24. 7, 9; 118. 19.). Antitypically (Revela-14. 9, 10.). therefore-i.e., inasmuch as. Cf. "therefore" tion, 22. 14; 21. 25, 27.). righteous nation-that had not (Genesis, 18. 5; 19. 8.). 15. hast-prophetical preterite apostatised during the captivity. HORSLEY translates, (ch. 9. 3.). hast removed... far...ends of... earth"The nation of the Just One," viz., the Jews. 3. mind rather, "Thou hast extended far all the borders of the stayed-(Psalm 112. 7, 8.). Jesus can create "per- land." [VITRINGA.] 16. visited - sought-poured out fect peace" within thy mind though storms of trial rage (Psalm 62. 8), as a vessel emptying out all its contents. without (ch. 57. 19; Mark, 4. 39;); as a city kept securely prayer-lit., a whispered prayer, Margin, a secret sighby a strong garrison within, though besieged withouting to God for help (cf. Jeremiah, 13. 17; Deuteronomy, (so Philippians, 4. 7.). "Keep," lit., guard as with a 8. 16.). 17. An image of anguish accompanied with garrison. HORSLEY translates, (God's) workmanship expectation, to be followed by joy that will cause the (the Hebrew does not probably mean "mind," but "a anguish utterly to be forgotten. Zion, looking for dething formed," Ephesians, 2. 10.), so constantly "sup- liverance, seemingly in vain, but really about to be ported:" or else "formed and supported (by thee) thou gloriously saved (Micah, 4. 9, 10-13; 5. 1-3; John, 18, 21, shalt preserve(it, viz., the righteous nation)in perpetual 22.). 18. brought forth wind-MICHAELIS explains this peace." 4. Lord Jehovah-Hebrew, Jah Jehovah. The of the disease called empneumatosis. Rather, "wind" union of the two names expresses in the highest degree is a figure for that which proves an abortive effort. God's unchanging love and power (cf. Psalm 68. 4.). The "we" is in antithesis to "thy," "my" (v. 19,), what This passage, and ch. 12. 2; Exodus, 6. 3; Psalm 83. 18, we vainly attempt, God will accomplish. not wrought are the four in which English Version retains the ... deliverance in... earth-lit., the land (Judea) is not JEHOVAH of the original. MAURER translates, "For made security, i.e., is not become a place of security JAH (the eternal unchangeable One, Exodus, 3. 14,), is from our enemies. nor... world.. fallen-the JEHOVAH, the rock of ages" (cf. ch.45.17; Deuteronomy, "world." at large, is in antithesis to "the earth." .. 32. 15; 1 Samuel, 2. 2.). 5. lofty city-Babylon; repre- Judea. The world at enmity with the city of God has sentative of the stronghold of the foes of God's people not been subdued. But MAURER explains “fallen.” in all ages (ch. 25. 2, 12; 13. 14.). 6. poor-(ch. 25. 4.). according to Arabic idiom, of the birth of a child, the once afflicted Jewish captives. "Foot shall tread," which is said to fall when being born; "inhabitants of is fig. for exulting in the fall of God's enemies (Revela- the world (Israel, ch. 24. 4; not the world in general) tion, 18. 20.). 7. uprightness-rather, is direct, i.e., is are not yet born:" i.e., the country as yet lies desolate, directed by God to a prosperous issue, however many and is not yet populated. 19. In antithesis to v. 14. be their afflictions in the mean time (as in the case "They (Israel's foes) shall not live," "thy (Jehovah's) of the Jewish exiles); the context requires this sense dead men (the Jews) shall live," i.e., primarily, be (Psalm 34. 19; Proverbs, 3. 6; 11. 6) MAURER: thus restored spiritually (ch. 54. 1-3,), civilly, and nationally "way" means God's dealings with the righteous (Psalm (v. 15:); whereas thy foes shall not; ultimately, and in 37. 23.). most upright-(Deuteronomy, 32. 4.). dost the fullest scope of the prophecy, restored to life weigh-(1 Samuel, 2. 3; Proverbs, 5. 21.). Rather, thou literally (Ezekiel, 37. 1-14; Daniel, 12. 2.). together with dost make plain and level [MAURER), removing all my dead body-rather, my dead body, or bodies (the obstacles (ch. 40. 3, 4.). 8. way of thy judgments-we Jewish nation personified, which had been spiritually have waited for thy proceeding to punish the enemy (v. and civilly dead; or the nation as a parent, speaking of 9. 10.). [MAURER.] HORSELY translates v. 7, 8, "The the bodies of her children individually, Note, v. 9, "I.” path of the Just One is perfectly even; an even road "My"): Jehovah's "dead" and "my dead" are one thou wilt level for the Just One, even the path of thy and the same. (HORSLEY.] However, as Jesus is the laws, O Jehovah. We have expected thee." name antitype to Israel (Matthew, 2. 15,). English Version remembrance-the manifested character of God by gives a true sense, and one ultimately contemplated which He would be remembered (ch. 64. 5; Exodus, 3. in the prophecy: Christ's dead body being raised again 15.). 9. With... soul... I-lit., I... my soul, in ap- is the source of Jehovah's people (all, and especially position; the faithful Jews here speak individually. believers, the spiritual Israelites) also being raised The overthrow of the foe, and the restoration of the (1 Corinthians, 15. 20-22.). awake-(Ephesians, 6. 14.). Jews, are to follow upon prayer on the part of the spiritually. in dust-prostrate and dead, spiritually latter and of all God's people (ch. 62. 1-4, 6, 7; Psalm and nationally; also literally (ch. 25. 12; 47. 1.). dew102. 13-17.). in the night-(Psalm 63, 6; Song of Solomon, which falls copiously in the East and supplies some3. 1.). world... learn... righteousness-the remnant what the want of rain (Hosea, 14. 5.). cast out... dead left after judgments (Psalm 58. 10, 11; Zechariah, 14. 16.). i.e., shall bring them forth to life again. 20. enter 10. uprightness-rather, as in v. 7, prosperity, answer- ... chambers-When God is about to take vengeance ing to "favour" in the parallelism, and in antithesis to on the ungodly, the saints shall be shut in by Him in "judgments in the earth" (v. 9;): where prosperity a place of safety, as Noah and his family were in the attends the wicked as well as the just. "he will not days of the flood (Genesis, 7. 16,), and as Israel was learn righteousness," therefore judgments must be sent commanded not to go out of doors on the night of the that he may "learn" it. [MAURER.] 11. lifted up-to slaying of the Egyptian first-born (Exodus, 12, 22, 23; punish the foes of God's people. They who will not see Psalm 31. 20; 83. 3.). The saints are calmly and conshall be made to "see" to their cost (ch. 5. 12.). their fidently to await the issue (Exodus, 14. 13, 14.). 21. envy at the (ie., thy) people-LowTH translates, "They (Micah, 1. 3; Jude, 14.). disclose... blood-(Genesis, 4 10, shall see with confusion thy zeal for thy people." fire 11; Job. 16. 18; Ezekiel, 24. 7. 8.). All the innocent blood of enemies-i.e., the fire to which thine enemies are shed, and all other wrongs done, so long seemingly with doomed (ch. 9. 18.). 12. peace-God's favour, including impunity, shall then be avenged (Revelation, 16. 6.). Destruction of Leviathan and CHAPTER XXVII. ISAIAH, XXVII, XXVIII. " Entire Purgation of the Church. (Jeremiah, 41. 17, 18.). Cf. as to the future restoration, on fire-burn them as fuel: "women" are specified. Ver. 1-13. CONTINUATION OF CHAPTERS XXIV., as probably it was their office to collect fuel and kindle XXV., XXVI. At the time when Israel shall be de- the fire for cooking. no understanding-as to the ways livered, and the ungodly nations punished, God shall of God (Deuteronomy, 32, 28, 29; Jeremiah, 5. 21; Hosea, punish also the great enemy of the church. 1. sore- 4. 6.). 12. Restoration of the Jews from their disperrather, hard, well-tempered. leviathan-lit., in Arabic, sion, described under the image of fruits shaken from the twisted animal, applicable to every great tenant of trees and collected. beat off-as fruit beaten off a tree with a stick (Deuteronomy, 24. 20,), and then gathered. the waters, sea-serpents, crocodiles, &c. In Ezekiel, 29. 3; 32. 2; Daniel, 7. 1, &c.; Revelation, 12. 3, &c., poten-river-Euphrates. stream of Egypt-on the confines of tates hostile to Israel are similarly described; antitypi- Palestine and Egypt (Numbers, 34. 5; Joshua, 15. 4, cally and ultimately Satan is intended (Revelation, 47.), now Wady el-Arisch, Jehovah's vineyard, Israel, 20. 10.). piercing-rigid. [LowTH.] Flying. [MAURER extended according to His purpose from the Nile to and LXX.] Long, extended, viz., as the crocodile which the Euphrates (1 Kings, 4. 21, 24; Psalm 72. 8.). one by cannot readily bend back its body. [HOUBIGANT.] one-gathered most carefully, not merely as a nation crooked-winding. dragon- Hebrew, tenin: the croco- but as individuals. 13. great trumpet-image from the dite. sea-the Euphrates, or the expansion of it near trumpets blown on the first day of the seventh month Antitypically, the gospel trumpet Babylon. 2. In that day when leviathan shall be to summon the people to a holy convocation (Levidestroyed, the vineyard (Psalm 80. 8,), the church of ticus, 23. 24.). God, purged of its blemishes, shall be lovely in God's (Revelation, 11. 15; 14. 6) which the Jews shall hearken eyes: to bring out this sense the better, LowTH, by to in the last days (Zechariah, 12. 10; 13. 1.). As the changing a Hebrew letter, reads pleasant, lovely, for Passover in the first month answers to Christ's cruci"red wine." sing-a responsive song. [LOWTH.] unto fixion, so the day of atonement and the idea of "salher-rather, concerning her (Note, ch. 5. 1;); viz., the vation" connected with the feast of tabernacles in the Jewish state. [MAURER.] 3. lest any hurt it-attack it. same seventh month, answers to the crowning of "re[MAURER.] Lest ought be wanting in her. [HORSLEY.] demption" at His second coming: therefore redemption 4. Fury is not in me-i.e., I entertain no longer anger is put last in 1 Corinthians, 1. 30. Assyria-whither towards my vine. who would set. . . in battle-i.e., the ten tribes had been carried: Babylonia is mainly would that I had the briers, &c. (the wicked foe; ch. 9. meant to which Assyria at that time belonged; the two However, Assyria" is designedly used to 18; 10. 17; 2 Samuel, 23. 6,), before me! "I would go tribes were restored, and some of the ten accompanied through," or rather, "against them." 5. Or-Else: the them. only alternative, if Israel's enemies wish to escape being point ultimately to the future restoration of the ten "burnt together." strength-rather, the refuge which I fully, never yet accomplished (Jeremiah, 3. 18.). Egypt afford. [MAURER.] "Take hold,' refers to the horns-whither many had fled at the Babylonish captivity of the altar which fugitives often laid hold of as an asylum (1 Kings, 1. 50; 2. 28.). Jesus is God's "strength" or "refuge" which sinners must repair to and take hold of, if they are to have "peace" with God (ch. 45. 24; Romans, 5. 1; Ephesians, 2. 14; cf. Job, 22. 21.). 6. He-Jehovah. Here the song of the Lord as to His vineyard (v. 2-5) ends; and the prophet confirms the sentiment in the song, under the same image of a vine (cf. Psalm 92. 13-15; Hosea, 14. 5, 6.). Israel. . . fill.. those-Israelworld- (Romans, 11. 12.). 7. him. Israel's enemies. Has God punished His people as severely as He has those enemies whom He employed to chastise Israel? No! Far from it. Israel, after trials, He will restore: Israel's enemies He will utterly destroy at last. the slaughter of them that are slain by him-rather, "Is Israel slain according to the slaughter of the enemy's slain?" the slaughter wherewith the enemy is slain. [MAURER.] 8. In measure - Not beyond measure; in moderation (Job, 23. 6; Psalm 6. 1; Jeremiah, 10. 24; 30. 11; 46. 28.). when it shooteth-image from the vine; rather, passing from the image to the thing itself "when sending her away (viz., Israel to exile; ch. 50. 1, God only putting the adulteress away when He might justly have put her to death) thou didst punish her." [GESENIUS.] stayeth-rather, as Margin, "when He removeth it by His rough wind in the day," &c. east wind-especially violent in the East (Job, 27. 21; Jeremiah, 18. 17.). 9. By this-Exile of Israel (the "sending away," v. 8.). purged-expiated. [HORSLEY.] all the fruit- this is the whole benefit designed to be brought about by the chastisement, namely, the removal of his (Israel's) sin (viz., object of idolatry; Deuteronomy, 9. 21; Hosea, 10. 8.). when HeJehovah: at the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, His instrument. The Jews ever since have abhorred idolatry (cf. ch. 17. 8.). not stand up-shall rise no more. [HORSLEY.] 10. city Jeruzalem; the beating asunder of whose altars and images was mentioned in v. 9; (cf. ch. 24. 10-12.). calf feed-(ch. 17. 2,), it shall be a vast wild pasture. branches-resuming the image of the vine (v. 2, 6.). 11. boughs... broken off set -so the Jews are called (Romans, 11. 17, 19, 20.). 471 Ver. 1-29. CHAPS, XXVII. XXXIII. form almost one continuous prophecy concerning the destruction of Ephraim, the impiety and folly of Judah, the danger of their league with Egypt, the straits they would deliver them on their turning to Him: ch. 28. refers to be reduced to by Assyria from which Jehovah would the time just before the sixth year of Hezekiah's reign, proud crown of the the rest not very long before his fourteenth year. 1. crown of pride-Hebrew for " drunkards," &c. [HORSLEY], viz., Samaria, the capital of Ephraim, or Israel. "Drunkards," lit. (v. 7, 8; ch. 5. 11, 22; Amos, 4. 1; 6. 1-6) and metaphorically, like flower-"whose glorious beauty or ornament is a drunkards, rushing on their own destruction. beauty fading flower." Carrying on the image of "drunkards;" it was the custom at feasts to wreath the brow with flowers; so Samaria, "which is (not as English Version, "which are") upon the head of the fertile valley," i.e., situated on a hill surrounded with the rich valleys as as garlands often do, because Ephraim is now close to a garland (1 Kings, 16. 24;); but the garland is " fading." ruin (cf. ch. 16. 8:): fulfilled 721 B.C. (2 Kings, 17. 6, 24.). the 2. strong one-the Assyrian (ch. 10. 5.). cast down-viz., Ephraim (v. 1) and Samaria, its crown. with hand with violence (ch. 8. 11.). 3. crown. drunkards-rather, "the crown of the drunkards." 4. Rather, "the fading flower, their glorious beauty (v. 1), which is on the head of the fat (fertile) valley, shall be as the early fig." [G. V. SMITH.] Figs usually ripened in August; but earlier ones (Hebrew bikkurah, Spanish bokkore) in June, and were regarded as a delicacy (Jeremiah, 24. 2; Hosea, 9. 10; Micah, 7. 1.). while it is yet-i.e., immediately, without delay; describ ing the eagerness of the Assyrian Shalmaneser, not merely to conquer, but to destroy utterly Samaria; whereas other conquered cities were often spared. 5-13. The prophet now turns to Judah: a gracious promise to the remnant ("residue"); a warning lest through like sins Judah should share the fate of Samaria. ISAIAH, XXVIII, The Impiety of Judah. Christ is Promised. crown-in antithesis to the "fading crown" of Eph-, alone are in covenant with death (Job, 5. 23; Hosea, raim (v. 1, 3.). the residue primarily, Judah, in the 2. 18; 1 Corinthians, 3. 22.). overflowing scourge- two prosperous reign of Hezekiah (2 Kings, 18. 7., anti- metaphors: the hostile Assyrian armies like an overtypically, the elect of God: as He here is called their whelming flood. pass through-viz., through Judea on "crown and diadem," so are they called His (ch. 62. 3;); their way to Egypt, to punish it as the protector of a beautiful reciprocity. 6. Jehovah will inspire their Samaria (2 Kings, 17. 4.). lies-They did not use these magistrates with justice, and their soldiers with words, but Isaiah designates their sentiments by their strength of spirit. turn ... battle to ... gate-The true name (Amos, 2. 4.). 16. Lit., Behold me as Him defenders of their country who not only repel the foe who has laid: viz., in my divine counsels (Revelation, from themselves, but drive him to the gates of his own 13. 8:: none save I could lay it (ch. 63. 5.). stone-Jesus cities (2 Samuel, 11. 23; 2 Kings, 18. s.). 7. Though Christ: Hezekiah (MAURER), or the temple [EWALD), Judah is to survive the fall of Ephraim, yet "they do not realise the full significancy of the language; also" (the men of Judah) have perpetrated like sins to but only in type point to Him, in whom the prophecy those of Samaria (ch. 5. 3, 11,), which must be chastised receives its exhaustive accomplishnient; whether by God, erred. . . are out of the way-stagger... reel. Isaiah understood its fulness or not (1 Peter, 1. 11, 12), Repeated, to express the frequency of the vice. priest the Holy Ghost plainly contemplated its full fulfillment ... prophet-If the ministers of religion sin so grievously, in Christ alone; so in ch. 32. 1; cf. Genesis, 49. 24; how much more the other rulers (ch. 56. 10, 12.). vision Psalm 118. 22; Matthew, 21. 42; Romans, 10. 11; Ephe-even in that most sacred function of the prophet to sians, 2. 20. tried-both by the devil (Luke, 4. 1-15) and declare God's will revealed to them. judgment - the by men (Luke, 20. 1-38,), and even by God (Matthew, priests had the administration of the law committed 27. 46:): a stone of tested solidity to bear the vast superto them (Deuteronomy, 17. 9; 19. 17.). It was against structure of man's redemption. The tested righteousthe law for the priests to take wine before entering the ness of Christ gives its peculiar merit to His vicarious tabernacle (Leviticus, 10. 9; Ezekiel, 44. 21.). 9, 10. sacrifice. The connection with the context is, though Here the drunkards are introduced as scothingly com- a "scourge" shall visit Judea (v. 15,), yet God's gracious menting on Isaiah's warnings: "Whom will he (does purpose as to the elect remnant, and His kingdom of Isaiah presume to) teach knowledge? And whom will which "Zion" shall be the centre, shall not fail, because He make to understand instruction? Is it those (ie., it rests on Messiah (Matthew, 7. 24, 25; 2 Timothy, 2 does he take us to be) just weaned, &c.? For (he is 19.. precious lit., of preciousness: so in the Greek, constantly repeating, as if to little children) precept | 1 Peter, 2.7, He is preciousness. corner-stone-(1 Kings, upon precept," &c. line-a rule or law. [MAURER.] 5. 17; 7. 9; Job, 38. 6;; the stone laid at the corner where The repetition of sounds in Hebrew tzav latzav, tzav two walls meet and connecting them: often costly. latzar, qav lagav, qav laquav, expresses the scorn of make haste-flee in hasty alarm; but LXX. have "be the imitators of Isaiah's speaking; he spoke stammering ashamed," so Romans, 9. 33, and 1 Peter, 2. 6, "be con(v. 11.). God's mode of teaching offends by its simpli- founded," substantially the same idea: he who rests on city the pride of sinners (2 Kings, 5, 11, 12; 1 Corinthians, Him shall not have the shame of disappointment, nor 1. 23.). Stammerers as they were by drunkenness, and flee in sudden panic (see ch. 30. 16; 32. 17.). 17. linechildren in knowledge of God, they needed to be spoken the measuring-line of the plummet. HORSLEY transto in the language of children, and "with stammering latcs, "I will appoint judgment for the rule, and lips" (cf. Matthew, 13. 13.). A just and merciful retri-justice for the plummet." As the corner-stone stands bution. 11. For-rather, Truly. This is Isaiah's reply to the scoffers: Your drunken questions shall be answered by the severe lessons from God conveyed through the Assyrians and Babylonians; the dialect of these, though Semitic, like the Hebrew, was so far different as to sound to the Jews like the speech of stammerers (cf. ch. 33. 19; 36. 11.). To them who will not understand God will speak still more unintelligibly. 12. Rather, "He (Jehovah) who hath said to them." this... the rest-reference may be primarily to "rest" from national warlike preparations, the Jews being at the time "weary" through various preceding calamities as the Syro-Israelite invasion (ch. 7. 8; cf. ch. 30. 15; 22. 8; 39. 2; 36. 1; 2 Kings, 18. 8.). But spiritually, the "rest" meant is that to be found in obeying those very "precepts" of God (v. 10) which they jeered at (cf. Jere-hear the mere report of it" [MAURER.] (1 Samuel, miah, 6. 16; Matthew, 11. 20.). 13. But rather, Therefore: viz., because "they would not hear" (v. 12.). that they might go-the designed result to those who, from a detect of the will, so far from profiting by God's mode of instructing, "precept upon precept," &c., made it into a stumbling-block (Hosea, 6. 5; 8. 12; Matthew, 13. 14.. go and fall-image appropriately from "drunk ards" (v. 7, 8, which they were) who in trying to "go" forward "fall backward." 14. scornful-(Note, v. 9, 10.). 15. said-virtually, in your conduct, if not in words. covenant-there may be a tacit reference to their confidence in their "covenant" with the Assyrians in the early part of Hezekiah's prosperous reign, before that he ceased to pay tribute to them, as if it ensured Judah from evil, whatever might befall the neighbouring Ephraim (v. 1.). The full meaning is shown by the language ("covenant with death-hell," or school) to apply to all lulled in false security spiritually (Psalm 12. 4; Ecclesiastes, 8. 8; Jeremiah, 8. 11; the godly 474 most perpendicular and exactly proportioned: so Jehovah, while holding out grace to believers in the Foundation-stone, will judge the scoffers (v. 15) according to the exact justice of the law (cf. James, 2. 13.. nail -divine judgments (ch. 30. 30; 32. 19.1. 18. disannulled obliterated, as letters traced on a waxen tablet are obliterated by passing the stilus over it. trodden down-passing from the metaphor in "scourge” to the thing meant, the army which treads down its enemies. 19. From the time, &c.-rather, "As often as it comes over i.e., passes through), it shall overtake you" [HORSLEY); like a flood returning from tune to time, frequent hostile invasions shall assail Judah, after the deportation of the ten tribes. vexation... hear ... report-rather, "It shall be a terror even to 3. 11.). But G. V. SMITH, "Hard treatment (HORSLEY, |