1  Judah's sins, Isa 1:1-4.
Her judgments, Isa 1:5-9.
Her worship is rejected, Isa 1:10-15.
Exhortations to repentance, promises of grace and mercy, threatenings of sore judgments, and complaints by reason of their backsliding, Isa 1:16-31.

1:1 Vision - Or, the visions; the word being here collectively used: the sense is, this is the book of the visions or prophecies. As prophets were called Seers, Isa 9:9, so prophecies are called visions, because they were as clearly and certainly represented to the prophets minds, as bodily objects are to mens eyes. Saw - Foresaw and foretold. But he speaks, after the manner of the prophets, of things to come, as if they were either past or present. Judah - Principally, but not exclusively. For he prophecies also concerning Egypt and Babylon, and divers other countries; yet with respect to Judah.The days - ln the time of their reign. Whence it may be gathered, that Isaiah exercised his prophetical office above fifty years altogether.

1:2 Hear - He directs his speech to those senseless creatures, that he might awaken the Israelites, whom he hereby proclaims to be so dull and stupid that they were past hearing, and therefore calls in the whole creation of God to bear witness against them. The Lord - This is his plea against them, of the equity whereof he is willing that all the creatures should be judges.

1:3 Know - Me their owner and master. Knowing is here taken practically, as it is usually in scripture, and includes reverence and obedience.

1:4 A seed - The children of wicked parents, whose guilt they inherit, and whose evil example they follow. Corrupters - Heb. that corrupt themselves, or others by their counsel and example. Backward - Instead of proceeding forward and growing in grace.

1:5 Head - The very head and heart of the body politick, from whence the plague is derived to all the other members.

1:7 In your presence - Which your eye shall see to torment you, when there is no power in your hands to deliver you. As - Heb. as the overthrow of strangers, that is, which strangers bring upon a land which is not likely to continue in their hands, and therefore they spare no persons, and spoil and destroy all things, which is not usually done in wars between persons of the same, or of a neighbouring nation.

1:8 Is left - Is left solitary, all the neighbouring villages and country round about it being laid waste.

1:10 Of Sodom - So called for their resemblance of them in wickedness.The law - The message which I am now to deliver to you from God, your great lawgiver.

1:11 To me - Who am a spirit, and therefore cannot be satisfied with such carnal oblations, but expect to have your hearts and lives, as well as your bodies and sacrifices, presented unto me. Blood - He mentions the fat and blood, because these were in a peculiar manner reserved for God, to intimate that even the best of their sacrifices were rejected by him.

1:12 To appear - Upon the three solemn feasts, or upon other occasions.Who required - The thing I commanded, was not only, nor chiefly, that you should offer external sacrifices, but that you should do it with true repentance, with faith in my promises, and sincere resolutions of devoting yourselves to my service.

1:13 The solemn meeting - The most solemn day of each of the three feasts, which was the last day.

1:15 Blood - You are guilty of murder, and oppression.

1:16 Wash - Cleanse your hearts and hands.

1:17 Learn - Begin to live soberly, righteously, and godly.Judgment - Shew your religion to God, by practising justice to men.Judge - Defend and deliver them.

1:19 If - If you are fully resolved to obey all my commands.Shall eat - Together with pardon, you shall receive temporal and worldly blessings.

1:21 The city - Jerusalem, which in the reign of former kings was faithful to God. An harlot - Is filled with idolatry. Murderers - Under that one gross kind, he comprehends all sorts of unrighteous men and practices.

1:23 Rebellious - Against me their sovereign Lord. Companions of thieves - Partly by giving them connivance and countenance, and partly by practising the same violence, and cruelty, and injustice that thieves used to do. Gifts - That is, bribes given to pervert justice.

1:25 And purge - I will purge out of thee, those wicked men that are incorrigible, and for those of you that are curable, I will by my word, and by the furnace of affliction, purge out all that corruption that yet remains in you.

1:26 Thy counsellors - Thy princes shall hearken to wise and faithful counsellors. Called faithful - Thou shalt be such.

1:27 Redeemed - Shall be delivered from all their enemies and calamities. With - Or, by judgment, that is, by God's righteous judgment, purging out those wicked and incorrigible Jews, and destroying their unmerciful enemies. Converts - Heb. her returners, those of them who shall come out of captivity into their own land.Righteousness - Or, by righteousness, either by my faithfulness, in keeping my promise, or by my goodness.

1:29 The oaks - Which, after the manner of the Heathen, you have consecrated to idolatrous uses. Gardens - In which, as well is in the groves, they committed idolatry.

1:31 The strong - Your idols, which you think to be strong and able to defend you. As tow - Shall be as suddenly and easily, consumed by my judgments, as tow is by fire. The maker - Of the idol, who can neither save himself nor his workmanship.

2  A prophecy of Christ's kingdom, and the calling of the Gentiles, Isa 2:1-5.
And rejection of the Jews for their idolatry and pride, Isa 2:6-9.
The great majesty and power of God, and his terrors on the wicked; with an exhortation to fear God, and not to trust in man, Isa 2:10-22.

2:1 The word - Or, the matter or thing, as this Hebrew word commonly signifies; the prophecy or vision.

2:2 In the last days - In the times of the Messiah. For Christ's institutions were to continue to the end of the world. The mountain - The temple of the Lord which is upon mount Moriah; which yet is not to be understood literally of that material temple, but mystically of the church of God; as appears from the flowing of all nations to it, which was not to that temple, nor indeed was fulfilled 'till that temple was destroyed. Exalted - Shall be placed and settled in a most conspicuous and glorious manner, being advanced above all other churches and kingdoms.

2:3 The law - The new law, the doctrine of the gospel, which is frequently called a law, because it hath the nature and power of a law, obliging us no less to the belief and practice of it, than the old law did.

2:4 He - Christ shall set up his authority among all nations, not only giving laws to them, but doing what no other can do, convincing their consciences, changing their hearts, and ordering their lives. Rebuke - By his word and Spirit, convincing the world of sin; and by his judgments upon his implacable enemies, which obstruct the propagation of the gospel.

2:5 The light - Take heed that you do not reject that light which is so clear that even the blind Gentiles will discern it.

2:6 Therefore - For the following reasons. Thou - Wilt certainly forsake and reject. Thy people - The body of that nation.Because - Their land is full of the idolatrous manners of the eastern nations, the Syrians and Chaldeans. Philistines - Who were infamous for those practices. They please - They delight in their company, and conversation, making leagues, and friendships, and marriages with them.

2:7 Treasures - They have heaped up riches, and still are greedily pursuing after more.

2:9 The great man - Men of all ranks fall down and worship idols.

2:10 Enter - Such calamities are coming upon you, that you will be ready to hide yourselves in rocks and caves of the earth, for fear of the glorious and terrible judgments of God.

2:12 The day - The time of God's taking vengeance upon sinners.

2:13 The cedars - The cedars and oaks on the mountains shall be either thrown down by furious winds or earthquakes, or torn in pieces by thunder and lightning; and the stately houses built with cedars and oaks, shall be destroyed.

2:14 Hills - To which men used to betake themselves in times of danger.

2:15 Wall - To which you trusted for your defence.

2:16 Tarshish - The ships of the sea, as that word is used, Psa 48:7, whereby you fetched riches from the remote partsof the world.

2:19 They - The idolatrous Israelites.

2:20 Shall cast - Into the meanest and darkest places, in which moles and bats have their abode.

2:22 Cease ye - Never admire or place your trust in man.Breath - Whose breath is quickly stopped and taken away.Wherein - What excellency is in him, considered in himself, and without dependence on God?

3  Great confusion on both people and rulers for their sin and impudence in it, Isa 3:1-9.
Peace to the righteous, and misery to the wicked, Isa 3:10-11.
The oppression and covetousness of the rulers, Isa 3:12-15.
The pride of women, and its judgments, Isa 3:16-26.

3:2 The judge - The civil magistrates. The ancient - Whose wisdom was increased by long experience.

3:5 Oppressed - By thy command or permission of such childish rulers.

3:6 Thou hast - We are utterly undone, and have neither food nor raiment; but thou hast something left to support the dignity which we offer to thee. Under thine hand - To heal it.

3:7 An healer - A repairer of the ruins of the state.

3:9 The shew - Their pride, and wantonness, and impiety m manifestly shews itself in their very looks. They declare - They act it publickly, casting off all fear of God and reverence to men. Rewarded - Procured a fit recompense for their wickedness, even utter ruin.

3:10 Say ye - O ye priests and Levites, that God will be their safeguard and portion.

3:12 Women - Weak and effeminate rulers. They - Thy rulers civil and ecclesiastical.

3:13 Standeth - He will shortly and certainly stand up as a judge, to enquire into the cause, and to give sentence. To judge - To defend and deliver them.

3:14 Ancients - The princes or rulers; such were commonly chosen out of those who were in ripe years. Eaten - Destroyed instead of preserving the church and commonwealth of Israel. Spoil - The goods which you have violently taken away from the poor.

3:16 The daughters - The women; (hitherto he reproved the men).A tinkling - By some ornaments which they wore upon their shoes.

3:17 Secret paths - By giving her into the power of those enemies that shall strip her of all her raiment.

3:18 Cauls - It is agreed by all, that this and several words that follow, were ornaments used in those times. And it is of no concern, exactly to understand the nature and differences of them. The moon - There were in ancient times, and at this day there are some ornaments worn, which carry a manifest resemblance to the moon or half moon.

3:20 Tablets - He seems to mean boxes of perfumes.

3:21 Nose - jewels - Which were fastened to the head, and hung down upon the forehead to the beginning of the nose.

3:22 Pins - Of silver or gold, either used to curl the hair, or fastened and worn in the hair.

3:23 Glasses - The looking - glasses, as we call them, tho' in truth they were not made of glass, but of bright and burnished brass.

3:24 Girdle - Which were fine and costly, and useful to gird their garments about them. A rent - Torn and tattered garments. Burning - By the heat of the sun, to which they are now commonly exposed, from which they used formerly to guard themselves with the utmost care.

3:26 Gates - The gates of Zion or Jerusalem, which, by a figure, are said to lament, to imply the great desolation of the place; that there would be no people to go out and come in by the gates, as they used to do. Shall sit - Like a mournful woman bewailing the loss of her husband and children.

4  In the extremity of evils, Christ's glorious kingdom should appear to those who are left alive, Isa 4:1-2.
They shall be holy, Isa 4:3.
Purged, Isa 4:4.
A glory and a defence upon them, Isa 4:5.
A sanctuary from evils, Isa 4:6.

4:1 In that day - In that calamitous time. Seven - Many. A certain number for an uncertain. One man - Because few men shall survive that dreadful stroke. Only - Own us for thy wives. Our reproach - Virginity was esteemed a reproach; children, the usual fruit of marriage, being both an honour to their parents, and a blessing of God, especially to that people, from some of whose loins the Messiah was to spring.

4:2 In that day - About that time: when the Lord shall have washed away the filth of Zion, by those dreadful judgments now described.The branch - The Messiah. The earth - The land which for the sins of the people was made barren, upon their return to Christ shall recover its fertility. Under this one mercy he includes all temporal blessings, together with spiritual and eternal. For them - That shall survive all the forementioned calamities.

4:3 Holy - Shall be really holy. Jerusalem - Of the people living in or belonging to Jerusalem.

4:4 When - This shall be accomplished when God hath throughly cleansed the Jewish nation from their sins. The blood - The blood - guiltiness, and especially that of killing the Lord of life. Burning - This is opposed to the former legal way of purification, which was by water.The Holy Spirit of old accompanied the preaching of the gospel, and did this work in part, and will do it fully. This spirit may well be called a spirit of judgment, because it executes judgment in the church, and in the consciences of men, separating the precious from the vile, convincing men of sin, and righteousness, and judgment. And the same spirit may be fitly called the spirit of burning, because he doth burn up and consume the dross which is in the church, and in the hearts of men, and inflames the souls of believers with love to God, and zeal for his glory.

4:5 Create - Will in a marvellous manner produce, as it were by a new creation. A cloud - A pillar of cloud and fire, like that wherewith he directed the Israelites, when they came out of Egypt: whereby he implies, that God would be their protector, and their glory.The glory - Upon all that church and people, which God will make so glorious; upon all holy assemblies of sincere Christians.

4:6 And there - Or, he, the Lord, shall be a tabernacle, to defend them from the heat of the sun, and other injuries of the weather.

5  Israel, God's vineyard, his mercies, and their faithfulness, should be laid waste, Isa 5:1-7.
Judgments upon covetousness, Isa 5:8-10.
Upon drunkards, and the lascivious, Isa 5:11-12.
The great misery of the Jews, Isa 5:13-17.
Judgments on impiety, scoffers at God's threatnings, those who corrupt the notions of good and ill, strong - drinkers, and unjust judges, Isa 5:18-23.
God's anger, and the Chaldeans army against them, Isa 5:24-30.

5:1 Now - I will record it to he a witness for God, and against you, as Moses did his song, Deu 31:19 Isa 5, Deu 32:1, .To - To the Lord of the vineyard. Of my beloved - Not devised by me, but inspired by God. Vineyard - His church. Hill - Hills being places most commodious for vines.

5:2 He gathered - He removed all hindrances, and gave them all the means of fruitfulness. A tower - For the residence of the keepers.

5:6 Nor digged - Vine - dressers use to dig up and open the earth about the roots of the vines. The meaning is, I will remove my ministers, who used great care and diligence to make you fruitful. Thorns - I will give you up to your own lusts. No rain - I will deprive you of all my blessings.

5:7 Pleasant - In whom God formerly delighted. A cry - From the oppressed, crying to men for help, and to God for vengeance.

5:8 Alone - That they alone may be the lords and owners, and all others only their tenants and servants.

5:9 In mine ears - I heard God speak what I am about to utter.

5:10 One bath - Of wine. The bath contained about eight gallons.Thus an acre did not yield one gallon. An ephah - Which was of the same quantity with the bath, only the bath was the measure of liquid things, the ephah of dry things; and a ephah was the tenth part of an homer.So instead of the increase which that fruitful land commonly yielded, they should loose nine parts of their seed.

5:12 The harp - They give up themselves wholly to luxury.The work - What God hath lately done, and is yet doing, and about to do among them; his grievous judgments, partly inflicted, and partly threatened, which required another course of life.

5:13 No knowledge - No serious consideration of God's works, and of their own duty and danger. Honourable men - Who thought themselves quite out of the reach of famine.

5:14 And he - That spends all his days in mirth and jollity.

5:15 The mighty - All of them, both high and low, shall be brought to destruction.

5:16 Exalted - By the execution of this just judgment.Sanctified - Shall appear to be an holy God, by his righteous judgments.

5:17 Then - When God shall have finished that work of judgment.The lambs - The poor and harmless people, who shall be left in the land when the rich are carried into captivity. Manner - Or, by their fold, as this word is manifestly used, Mic 2:12, the only place of scripture, except this, in which this word is found. Waste places - The lands left by their owners. Fat ones - Of the rich and great men. Strangers - The poor Israelites, who were left to be vine - dressers and husbandmen, Ki2 25:12, who are called strangers, because they were so, inreference to that hand, not being the proper owners of it.

5:18 That draw - That are not only drawn to sin by the allurements of the world; but are active and illustrious in drawing sin to themselves.Cords - Or, with cords of lying, as the last word frequently signifies, with vain and deceitful arguments and pretences, whereby sinners generally draw themselves to sin. A rope - With all their might, as beasts commonly do that draw carts with ropes.

5:19 Let him - God, in whose name thou and other prophets are always threatening us. This was the plain language of their actions; they lived as if they were of this opinion. The Holy One - They scornfully repeated the title usually given by the prophets to God.

5:20 To them - That take away the difference between good and evil; that justify wicked men and things, and condemn piety, or righteous persons.

5:22 To mingle - To drink: the antecedent being put for the consequent: for they mingled it in order to drinking.

5:23 Take away - Pronounce sentence against him.

5:24 Rottenness - They shall be like a tree which not only withers in its branches, but dies and rots at the roots, therefore is past recovery.Dust - Shall be resolved into dust, and yield no fruit.

5:26 An ensign - To call them together for his service.From far - To the Chaldeans; for even Babylon is called a far country, chap.Isa 39:3.And he saith nations, because the Chaldean army was made up of several nations. Will hiss - Or, will whistle unto, or for them: will gather them together by his word. as shepherds gather their sheep. He intimates how easily and speedily God can do this work.From the ends - Which is not to be understood strictly, but with a latitude, from very remote places.

5:27 Nor sleep - They shall all be watchful and diligent to take all opportunities of executing my judgments. Nor latchet - I will take all impediments out of their way.

5:28 Bent - Who are every way furnished and ready for my work, waiting only for my command. Flint - Because they shall not be broken or battered by the length or stonyness and ruggedness of the way. Whirlwind - For the swiftness of their march, and for the force and violence of their chariots in battle.

5:29 Roar - Which signifies both their cruelty, and their eagerness to devour the prey.

5:30 Sorrow - Darkness; that is, sorrow; the latter word explains the former. The heavens - When they look up to the heavens, as men in distress usually do, they see no light there.

6  The glory of the Lord, Isa 6:1-4.
Isaiah is terrified, Isa 6:5.
Is confirmed for his message, Isa 6:6-8.
The people's obstinacy unto desolation, Isa 6:9-12.
A remnant shall be saved, Isa 6:13.

6:1 I saw - In a vision. The Lord - The Divine Majesty as he subsisteth in three persons. His train - His royal and judicial robe; for he is represented as a judge.

6:2 Stood - As ministers attending upon their Lord. Seraphim - An order of holy angels, thus called from fire and burning, which this word properly signifies; to represent either their nature, which is bright and glorious, subtile, and pure; or their property, of fervent zeal for God's service and glory. Covered - Out of profound reverence.

6:3 Cried - Singing in consort. Holy - This is repeated thrice, to intimate the Trinity of persons united in the Divine essence. Glory - Of the effects and demonstrations of his glorious holiness, as well as of his power, wisdom, and goodness.

6:4 The posts - Together with the door itself. Such violent motions were commonly tokens of God's anger. Smoak - Which elsewhere is a token of God's presence and acceptance, but here of his anger.

6:5 l am - I am a great sinner, as many other ways, so particularly by my lips. I am an unclean branch of an unclean tree; besides my own uncleanness, I have both by my omissions and commissions involved myself in the guilt of their sins. Have seen - The sight of this glorious and holy God gives me cause to fear that he is come to judgment against me.

6:6 Flew - By God's command. A coal - Both a token and an instrument of purification. The altar - Of burnt - offering.

6:7 Laid it - So as only to touch my lips, and not to burn them; which God could easily effect. Lo - This is a sign that I have pardoned and purged the uncleanness of thy lips.

6:8 Who - To deliver the following message. The change of the number, I and us, is very remarkable; and both being meant of one and the same Lord, do sufficiently intimate a plurality of persons in the Godhead.

6:9 Perceive not - The Hebrew words are imperative; yet they are not to be taken as a command what the people ought to do, but only as a prediction what they would do. The sense is, because you have so long heard my words, and seen my works, to no purpose, and have hardened your hearts, and will not learn nor reform, I will punish you in your own kind, your sin shall be your punishment. I will still continue my word and works to you, but will withdraw my Spirit, so that you shall be as unable, as now you are unwilling, to understand.

6:10 Fat - Stupid and senseless. This making of their hearts fat, is here ascribed to the prophet, as it is ascribed to God in the repetition of this prophecy, Joh 12:40, because God inflicted this judgment upon them by the ministry of the prophet, partly by way of prediction, foretelling that this would be the effect of his preaching; and partly by withdrawing the light and help of his Spirit. Heavy - Make them dull of hearing. Lest - That they may not be able, as before they were not willing to see. Convert - Turn to God.

6:11 Lord - An abrupt speech, arising from the prophet's great passion and astonishment: how long shall this dreadful judgment last?Until - Until this land be totally destroyed, first by the Babylonians, and afterward by the Romans.

6:12 Removed - Hath caused this people to be carried away captive into far countries. A forsaking - 'Till houses and lands be generally forsaken of their owners.

6:13 A tenth - A small remnant reserved, that number being put indefinitely. Return - Out of the Babylonish captivity, into their own land. Eaten - That remnant shall be devoured a second time, by the kings of Syria, and afterwards by the Romans. Yet - Yet there shall be another remnant, not such an one as that which came out of Babylon, but an holy seed, who shall afterwards look upon him whom they have pierced, and mourn over him. When - Who when their leaves are cast in winter, have a substance within themselves, a vital principle, which preserves life in the root of the tree, and in due time sends it forth into all the branches.The support - Of the land or people, which, were it not for the sake of these, should be finally rooted out.

7  Ahaz afraid of Rezin and Pekah, is comforted by Isaiah, Isa 7:1-9.
Refusing to chuse a sign, Christ is promised for one, Isa 7:10-16.
His judgment should come by Assyria, Isa 7:17-25.

7:1 Ahaz - A most wicked king: yet no prophecies are more comfortable than those which were delivered in his time; God so ordering it for the encouragement of the faithful that lived under his impious reign.

7:2 David - Ahaz, and his relations. He calls them the house of David, to intimate that the following comfortable message was sent to Ahaz, not for his own sake, but for the sake of his worthy progenitor David. Ephraim - The kingdom of the ten tribes, commonly called Ephraim, because that was the most numerous of all. Moved - With fear, arising from a consciousness of their own guilt, and their enemies strength.

7:3 Thy son - Whose very name carried in it a sign and pledge of the promised deliverance, signifying, The remnant shall return.Fuller's field - Whither he probably went to take care about the waters which thence were brought into the city, to secure them to himself, or keep them from the enemy, as Hezekiah afterward did, Ch2 32:3-4.

7:4 Be quiet - Settle thy mind by the belief of that joyful message which I am now to deliver thee from the Lord. Fire - brands - They are not whole fire - brands, but small pieces or ends of them, taken out of the fire, in which there is more smoak than fire. They have more of shew and terror, than of strength. Pekah, king of Israel, he calls only the son of Remaliah, to intimate, that he was unworthy the name of king, as having got that title by usurpation, and the murder of his master, Ki2 15:25.

7:6 Let us - Break their power and kingdom and subdue it to ourselves.

7:7 It - Their evil counsel.

7:8 Damascus - Damascus shall still continue the capital of the kingdom of Syria; and therefore Jerusalem shall not become a part of Rezin's dominion: but he shall keep within his own bounds, and be king of Damascus only.

7:9 Samaria - Samaria shall continue to be the chief city if the kingdom of Israel, and Pekah shall not conquer Jerusalem.If - If you do not believe this, but seek to the Assyrians for succour, ye shall be consumed thereby.

7:12 I will not - By asking a sign, as if I questioned the truth of his word: but this was deep hypocrisy.

7:13 David - He reproves them all, because they were the king's counsellors. Is it a small thing - Is it not wickedness enough.My God - To vex God's prophets and people, with your oppressions and horrid impieties. And by your ingratitude and unbelief, and disobedience of his commands.

7:14 Therefore - Because you despise me, and the sign which I now offer to you, God of his own free grace will send you a more honourable messenger, and give you a nobler sign. A sign - Of your deliverance.But how was this birth, which was not to happen 'till many ages after, a sign of their deliverance from present danger? This promised birth supposed the preservation of that city, and nation and tribe, in and of which the Messiah was to be born; and therefore there was no cause to fear that ruin which their enemies now threatened. Immanuel - God with us; God dwelling among us, in our nature, Joh 1:14. God and man meeting in one person, and being a mediator between God and men. For the design of these words is not so much to relate the name by which Christ should commonly he called, as to describe his nature and office.

7:15 Butter - The common food of children in that country. He - The virgin's son. Know - To discern between things good and evil.

7:16 Yea - Not only this land shall be preserved until the virgin's son shall be born, but thine enemies land shall be sorely scourged, and these two kings destroyed within a very little time. This child - Shear - Jashub, whom in all probability the prophet pointed at, and who was brought hither by God's special command, ver. Isa 7:3. for this very use.The land - The lands of Syria and Israel. Forsaken - So far shall Pekah and Rezin be from conquering thy land, that they shall lose their own lands, and their lives too; which they did within two years after this time, being both slain by the king of Assyria.

7:17 Shall bring - But altho' God will deliver you at this time, yet he will requite all your wickedness. Thee - For part of this Assyrian storm fell in Ahaz's reign. And - Upon thy sons and successors, the kings of Judah. Days - Calamities. Departed - When ten tribes revolted from thy father's house. The king - Who may well be called their plague or calamity, as he is called the rod of God's anger, chap.Isa 10:5.

7:18 The fly - The flies. So he calls these enemies, to imply their great numbers. In - In their extremity, where they go out into the sea.Rivers - Of the river Nile, which may be called rivers, either for its greatness, or because towards the end of it, it is divided into seven streams. When the Chaldeans had in good measure subdued the Egyptians, it is probable great numbers of the Egyptian soldiers listed themselves in the Chaldean army, and with them invaded the land of Judah. The bee - The Assyrian army, compared to bees, as for their numerous forces and orderly march, so for their fierce attempts and mischievous effects. Assyria - In the empire of Assyria, or Babylon; for these two were united into one empire, and therefore in scripture are promiscuously called sometimes by one title, and sometimes by the other.

7:19 Valleys - Such as they found fruitful, but made desolate.Rocks - To which possibly the Israelites fled for refuge.Bushes - Which he mentions because flies and bees use frequently to rest there; and to intimate, that no place should escape their fury.

7:20 Shave - Utterly spoil, as shaving takes away the hair.Hired - By Ahaz, who did hire them, Ki2 16:7-8. And so the prophet notes the just judgment of God, in scourging them with a rod of their own making. By - By the successive kings of the Assyrian empire, Sennacherib, Esarhaddon, and especially by Nebuchadnezzar.The head - By these metaphorical expressions he signifies the total destruction of their state, from head to foot, from the highest to the lowest.

7:21 Sheep - They who formerly used to keep great herds of cattle, and many flocks of sheep, shall esteem it a happiness if they can keep but one cow and two sheep.

7:22 Abundance - Because they shall have large pastures, by reason of the great scarcity of cattle. Butter - Which the poorer sort had formerly used to sell, to procure them cheaper food for themselves: but now the land should be so destitute of people, that there were none to whom they could sell them.

7:23 Of silver - Each of the thousand vineyards might have been sold or let for a thousand shekels, which was the yearly rent of some excellent vineyards.

7:24 With arrows - Either to hunt, or to defend themselves from wild beasts, which commonly abide in desolate grounds.

7:25 Digged - That used to be digged and dressed for the planting of vines, or other choice fruit - trees. The fear - That they might be freed from briars and thorns. Cattle - All sorts of cattle may enter, and feed there, the fences being broken down, and the owners slain, or carried into captivity.

8  Syria and Israel should be subdued by Assyria, Isa 8:1-4.
Judah also should be afflicted, Isa 8:5-8.
God's judgments irresistible, and to be feared, Isa 8:9-13.
The Lord is a sanctuary to the godly, a stone of stumbling to the wicked, Isa 8:14-15.
The prophecy sure, God to be waited on, necromancers not to be consulted, but the prophecy, their misery, Isa 8:16-22.

8:1 A roll - Or, a great volume, because the prophecy to be written in it was large, and God would have it written in large and legible characters. Pen - With such a pen as writers use.Concerning - Concerning that thing which is signified by the name of the child, which is here mentioned by way of anticipation.

8:3 Prophetess - To his own wife, so called, because the wife of a prophet.

8:4 To cry - To speak and to know his parents; which is within the space of two years. And his agrees with the other prophecy, chap.Isa 7:16.Before the child shall know to refuse the evil and chuse the good, which requires a longer time than to distinguish his parents, and suits well to Shear - Jashub, who, being born some years before, was capable of that farther degree of knowledge, as soon as this was capable of the lower degree. Before - In his presence, and by himself and his forces.

8:6 This people - The people of Israel, of whom he last spake, who rejoiced not only in their own king, but also in the assistance of so powerful an ally as Rezin. Shiloah - That small brook which ran by Jerusalem. Hereby he understands the munitions and strength of the Jews, which their enemies derided.

8:7 The river - Of Euphrates, called the river, for its eminent greatness; whereby he understands the Assyrian forces.Glory - His numerous and puissant army. He - This great river shall overflow its own proper channels. That is, this great monarch shall enlarge his dominions, and add the lands of Syria and Israel to them.

8:8 Reach - So that they shall be in great danger of being desired.He persists in the metaphor of a river swelling so high as to reach to a man's neck, and be ready to overwhelm him. Such was the danger of Judah's land, when Sennacherib took all the fenced cities of Judah, Ki2 18:13,and sent his army against Jerusalem. Wings - Of his forces, or of the wings of his army, as they still are called. My land - Of the land of Judah, so called because the Messiah, who is called Immanuel, should be born there. And this is added emphatically for the consolation of God's people, to assure them, that notwithstanding this dreadful scourge, yet God would make a difference between Israel and Judah, and whereas Israel should not be a people, Judah should be restored, for the sake of the Messiah, to be the place of his birth and ministry.

8:9 Ye people - Syrians and Israelites. All ye - Whosoever you be, who conspire against Immanuel's land. Gird - Prepare yourselves for war. Broken - This is repeated for the greater assurance of the thing, and the comfort of God's people.

8:11 Spake - With a vehement and more than ordinary inspiration.In the way - Of the generality of the people of Judah; whose eminent danger and calamity he foretells.

8:12 Say not - Thou Isaiah, and my children, do not consent to this confederacy with the king of Assyria. Their fear - That thing which they fear, that, if they do not call in the Assyrian succours, they shall be destroyed by those two potent kings.

8:13 Sanctify - Give him the glory of his power, and goodness, and faithfulness, by trusting to his promises. Let him - Let God, and not the kings of Syria and Israel be the object of your fear.

8:14 Sanctuary - A sure refuge to all that truly fear him, and rely upon him. A stone - An occasion of sin and ruin, at whom they will take offence and stumble, so as to fall and be broken. To both - To the two kingdoms, that of the ten tribes, and that of the two tribes.Jerusalem - Which are distinctly mentioned, as a wonderful thing, because Jerusalem was the seat of the temple, and of God's solemn worship, where all the means of knowledge and grace were in greatest plenty, where the thrones of civil and ecclesiastical judicature were established, where the most wise and learned doctors had their constant abode. And that such a place and people should reject Immanuel when he should appear, was so strange an occurrence, that the prediction of it was highly necessary, lest otherwise, when it came to pass, it should shake the faith of all who did believe on him; whereas now the accomplishment hereof was a notable confirmation of their faith.

8:15 Many - Not all; for there shall be a remnant, as was foretold, chap.Isa 4:2 Isa 8, Isa 6:13, .Stumble - At that stone or rock, mentioned, ver.Isa 8:14.This was accomplished at the coming of the Messiah, whom the Jews rejected to their own destruction.

8:16 The testimony - By the testimony and the law or doctrine, he understands one and the same thing, as he doth also, ver. Isa 8:20, the word of God, and especially that which is the main scope thereof, the doctrine of the Messiah, which, though now professed by all the Israelites, shall be disowned by the generality of them, when the Messiah shall come. Bind up and seal are to be understood prophetically, declare and prophesy, that it shall be bound up and sealed.Moreover, bind up and seal, design the same thing. Security and secrecy, signifying, that it should certainly be fulfilled, yet withal kept secret from the unbelieving Jews. By the disciples he means those who were taught of God.

8:17 Yet - Yet, notwithstanding this dreadful prophecy concerning the rejection of Israel. Wait - I will cast my care upon him, and expect the accomplishment of his promise, in sending the Messiah, and in conferring upon me and all believing Israelites all his mercies and blessings. Hideth - That now withdraws his favour and blessings, from the people of Israel.

8:18 Behold - These words are literally spoken by Isaiah concerning himself, but mystically concerning Christ; and therefore they are fitly ascribed to Christ, Heb 2:13.The children - His spiritual children, whom he had either begotten or brought up by his ministry. Wonders - Are a gazing flock, for our folly in believing God's promises. From the Lord - Which comes to pass by the wise providence of God. Zion - Where the temple now was, and where the Messiah was to set up his kingdom.

8:19 And when they - The Israelites, who are fallen from God, into superstition and idolatry. You - My children, whom the prophet arms against the common temptation. Mutter - That speak with a low voice, as these two words signify, which they affected to do, speaking rather inwardly in their bellies, than audibly with their mouths.Should not - This answer the prophet puts into their mouths, doth not every nation, in cases of difficulty, seek to their gods? Much more should we do so, that have the only true God for our God. For the living - That is, for living men to enquire of the living God, is proper and reasonable; but it is highly absurd for them to forsake him, and to seek dead idols, either to the images, or to the spirits of dead men, which are supposed to speak in them.

8:20 To the law - Let this dispute between you and them be determined by God's word, which is here and in many other places called the law, to signify their obligation to believe and obey it; and the testimony, because it is a witness between God and man, of God's will, and of man's duty. They - Your antagonists. No light - This proceeds from the darkness of their minds, they are blind, and cannot see.

8:21 It - Their own land. Hungry - Sorely distressed, and destitute of food, and all necessaries. Their king - Either because he doth not relieve them; or because by his foolish counsels, he brought them into these miseries. God - Their idol, to whom they trusted, and whom they now find unable to help them. Look - To heaven for help.

8:22 Earth - Finding no help from heaven, they turn their eyes downward, looking hither and thither for comfort.

9  Joy in the midst of affliction, Isa 9:1-5.
The birth, person, office, and kingdom of Christ, Isa 9:6-7.
Judgments for their pride, Isa 9:8-12.
For their impenitency and hypocrisy, Isa 9:13-21.

9:1 Nevertheless - The calamity of this land and its inhabitants shall be great, yet not such as that which was brought upon it by the king of Assyria, who at first indeed dealt more gently with them, but afterwards rooted them out. He - God. Zebulun - These parts are particularly mentioned, because this storm fell most heavily upon them; but under them the other parts of the land are understood. Afterward - By Shalmaneser, who took Samaria, and carried Israel into captivity, Ki2 17:5-6. Of which calamity, though yet to come, he speaks asif it were past, as the manner of the prophet is. The sea - In that part of the land which borders upon the sea, the lake Genesareth, upon which the portions of Zebulun and Naphtali bordered. Galilee - Or, Galilee of the Gentiles, namely, the upper Galilee, so called because it bordered upon the Gentiles.

9:2 The people - Israel and Judah. Darkness - The expression is general and so may well comprehend both calamity and ignorance, idolatry and profaneness, in which those parts were eminently involved.Have seen - Shall see at the coming of the Messiah.

9:3 Thou hast - Thou hast made good thy promise to Abraham concerning the multiplication of his seed, by gathering in the Gentiles to the Jews. Before thee - In thy presence, and in the place of thy worship.

9:4 The yoke - His burdensome yoke. The staff - The staff or staves by which he was forced to carry burdens upon his shoulders.The rod - Wherewith he beat him. Oppressor - Of all his oppressors, but especially of sin and the devil. As - When God destroyed the Midianites in so admirable a manner by three hundred men.

9:5 Noise - With the triumphant exclamations of the conqueror, and the bitter lamentations of the conquered, and the different cries of the same persons, sometimes conquering, and sometimes conquered. Blood - With great difficulty and slaughter. But - But this victory which God's people shall have over all their enemies, shall be more terrible to their adversaries, whom God will utterly consume, as it were by fire.

9:6 For - Having spoken of the glorious light, and joy, and victory of God's people, he now proceeds to shew the ground of it. Us - Unto us Jews, of whom Christ was born, and to whom he was primarily sent.A child - The Messiah by the consent of interpreters, not only Christian, but Jewish: for so the ancient Hebrew doctors understood the place, and particularly the Chaldee paraphrast; although the latter Jews, out of opposition to Christ, wrest it to Hezekiah.Which extravagant conceit, as it hath no foundation in this or any other text of scripture, so it is fully confuted by the following titles, which are such as cannot without blasphemy and nonsense be ascribed to Hezekiah, nor indeed to any mere mortal man, as we shall see. Is born - Or, shall be born, as the prophets generally speak. The government - Of God's people, to whom he is given. Shoulders - Upon him, or in his hands. He mentions shoulders, because great burdens are commonly laid upon men's shoulders. His name - This is not to be taken for a description of his name, but of his glorious nature and qualities. Wonderful counsellor - And so Christ is, because he hath been the counsellor of his church in all ages, and the author and giver of all those excellent counsels delivered not only by the apostles, but also by the prophets, and hath gathered and enlarged, and preserved his church, by admirable counsels and methods of his providence, and, in a word, hath in him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, Col 2:3.Mighty God - This title can agree to no man but Christ, who was God as well as man, to whom the title of God or Jehovah is given, both in the Old and New Testament. And it is a true observation, that this Hebrew word El is never used in the singular number, of any creature, but only of the almighty God. The father - The father of eternity. Who, though as man he was then unborn, yet was and is from everlasting to everlasting.

9:7 No end - His peaceable and happy government shall be extended to all the ends of the earth. The throne - Which was promised to David, and to his seed for ever. For ever - From the beginning of it to all eternity. The zeal - This great work shall be brought to pass by almighty God, out of that fervent affection which he hath to his own glory, to the honour of his son, and to his people.

9:8 The Lord - The prophet, having inserted some consolatory passages for God's faithful people, returns to his former comminution against the rebellious Israelites. And - Heb. it fell, that is, it shall fall, in the prophetical style. It shall certainly be accomplished.

9:9 Know - They shall know whether my word be true or false.Even - The people of the ten tribes, and particularly Ephraim, the proudest of them all. Samaria - The strongest place, and the seat of the king and court.

9:10 Stones - We have received some damage; but, we doubt not we shall quickly repair it with advantage.

9:11 Therefore - To chastise your pride, and defeat your hopes.Set up - The Assyrians, who, presently after this prophecy, prevailed against him, Ki2 16:7.He mentions Rezin, because he was confederate with Ephraim.Join - So that they shall invade him from several quarters.His - Not Rezin's, but Ephraim.

9:12 Syrians - For though Rezin, king of Syria was destroyed, yet the body of the nation survived, and submitted themselves to the king of Assyria, and upon his command invaded Israel afterwards.Before - Heb. on the east: for Syria stood eastward from Israel.Behind - On the western side of the land of Israel. Devour - Like wild beasts.

9:13 Him - To God.

9:14 Head - High and low. Branch - The goodly branches of tall trees, the mighty and noble. Rush - The bulrush, the weakest and meanest persons. One day - All together, one as well as another.

9:15 The prophet - Whose destruction he mentions, not as if it were a punishment to them to be deprived of such persons, but partly to shew the extent of the calamity, that it should reach all sorts of persons; and partly to beat down their vain presumptions of peace and prosperity, by shewing that those false prophets, which had fed their vain hopes, should perish, and their false prophecies with them. Tail - The basest part of the whole people.

9:16 The leaders - Their false prophets. Cause - By false doctrines and evil counsels and persuasions. Destroyed - Shall certainly perish.

9:17 No joy - Shall not rejoice over them to do them good.Fatherless - Who are the special objects of his care and pity, and much less upon others. Every one - Not precisely; for there were seven thousand elect persons among them, when they seemed to Elijah to be universally corrupt, but the body of the people. Hypocrite - For though they professed to worship God, yet indeed they had forsaken him. Folly - Wickedness.

9:18 Burneth - Shall burn you, as it follows, shall devour.Thorns - The low and mean persons; for these are opposed to the thickets of the forest, in the next clause. Forest - In the wood, where the trees are tall, and stand thick, having their bows entangled together, which makes them more ready both to catch and to spread the fire.Smoak - Sending up smoak like a vast furnace.

9:21 Manasseh - Though more near and dear to one another than any other tribe, being both sons of Joseph.

10  The woe of unjust oppressors, Isa 10:1-4.
Of Assyria for their pride and ambition, his folly in it, Isa 10:5-19.
A remnant of Israel shall be saved, and that speedily, Isa 10:20-27.
Sennacherib marching toward Jerusalem, Isa 10:28-31.
His judgment, Isa 10:32-34.

10:1 Woe - Unto those magistrates who make unjust laws, and give unjust sentences. Grievousness - Grievous things, such unjust decrees as cause grief and vexation to their subjects.

10:2 Judgment - From obtaining a just sentence.

10:3 From far - From the Assyrians. This he adds, because the Israelites, having weakened the Jews and being in amity with the Assyrians their next neighbours, were secure. Leave - To be kept safe for your use. Glory - Your wealth.

10:4 Without me - Without my favour and help, which you have forfeited.Shall bow down - Notwithstanding all your succours.

10:5 O Assyrian - This is God's invitation to him to take the charge, and set upon the work. The rod - The instrument of mine anger, wherewith I shall chastise my people. Anger - Mine anger against my people puts the weapons of war into their hand.

10:6 Send him - By my providence, giving him both occasion and inclination to this expedition.

10:7 Howbeit - He doth not design the execution of my will, but only to enlarge his own empire. Which is seasonably added, to justify God in his judgments threatened to the Assyrian. To cut off - To sacrifice multitudes of people to his own ambition and covetousness.

10:8 Kings - Equal for power and wealth, and glory, to the kings of other nations.

10:9 Is not - Have not I conquered one place as well as another, the stronger as well as the weaker? Samaria - Or, shall not Samaria be as Damascus? Shall I not take that, as I have done this city?

10:10 The kingdoms - Which worshipped their own idols, and vainly imagined that they could protect them from my power. He calls the gods of the nations, not excepting Jerusalem, idols, by way of contempt, because none of them could deliver their people out of his hands, and because he judged them to be but petty gods, far inferior to the sun, which was the god of the Assyrians.

10:12 Wherefore - Because of this impudent blasphemy. His work - Of chastising his people so long as he sees fit. Looks - His insolent words and carriage.

10:13 Removed - I have invaded their lands, and added them to my own dominions, Pro 22:28.Put down - Deprived of their former glory and power.

10:14 Eggs - Which the dam left in her nest. Gathered - All the riches of the earth. An hyperbole not unusual in the mouths of such persons. Peeped - As birds do, which, when they see the robbing of their nest, express their grief and anger, by hovering about them, and by mournful cries.

10:15 The ax - How absurd is it, for thee, who art but an instrument in God's hand, to blaspheme thy Lord and master, who has as great power over thee, as a man hath over the ax wherewith he heweth?

10:16 The Lord - The sovereign Lord of thine and all other armies, shall strip him and all his princes, of their wealth, and might, and glory; and destroy his numerous army, as the fire doth those combustible things which are cast into it.

10:17 The light - That God who is and will be a comfortable light to his people. A fire - To the Assyrians. Thorns - His vast army, which is no more able to resist God, than dry thorns and briars are to oppose the fire.

10:18 The glory - Of his great army, which may not unfitly be compared to a forest, for the numbers of men, who stood as thick as trees do in a forest. Field - Of his soldiers, who stood as thick as ears of corn in a fruitful field. Soul and body - Totally, both inwardly and outwardly.They shall be - Like that of an army when their standard - bearer is slain or flees away, which strikes a panic into the whole army.

10:19 The rest - The remainder of that mighty host.

10:20 And such - Such Jews as shall be preserved from that sweeping Assyrian scourge. Stay - Shall no more trust to the Assyrians for help.

10:22 A remnant - Or, a remnant only. The consumption - The destruction of Israel was already decreed by the fixed counsel of God, and therefore must needs be executed, and like a deluge overflow them. Righteousness - With justice, and yet with clemency, inasmuch as he has spared a considerable remnant of them, when he might have destroyed them utterly.

10:23 In the midst - In all the parts of the land, not excepting Jerusalem, which was to be preserved in the Assyrian invasion.

10:24 Therefore - This is an inference, not from the words immediately foregoing, but from the whole prophecy. Seeing the Assyrian shall be destroyed. Smite - He shall afflict, but not destroy thee. Egypt - As the Egyptians formerly did.

10:25 Indignation - Mine anger towards the Assyrian. Cease - As anger commonly does when vengeance is fully executed.

10:26 Stir up - Shall send a destroying angel. Midian - Whom God slew suddenly and unexpectedly, in the night. Oreb - Upon which one of their chief princes was slain, and nigh unto which the Midianites were destroyed. The sea - To divide it, and make way for thy deliverance, and for the destruction of the Egyptians.

10:27 Burden - The burden of the Assyrian.The anointing - Possibly this may be understood of David, who is often mentioned in scripture by the name of God's anointed; and for whose sake, God gave many deliverances to the succeeding kings and ages, as is expressly affirmed, Ki1 11:32, Ki1 11:34. God declares that he would give this very deliverance from the Assyrian, for David's sake, Ki2 19:34 Isa 10, Ki2 20:6, .But the Messiah is principally intended, of whom David was but a type; and who was in a particular manner anointed above his fellows, as is said, Psa 45:7. For he is the foundation of all the promises, Co2 1:20, and of all the deliverances and mercies granted to God'speople in all ages.

10:28 He - Here the prophet returns to the Assyrian invasion; which he describes, after the manner of the prophets, as a thing present, and sets down the several stages by which he marched towards Jerusalem.He, Sennacherib, king of Assyria, is come, in his way to Jerusalem. Laid up - Leaving such things there as were less necessary, that so he might march with more expedition.

10:29 Fled - The people fled to Jerusalem for fear of the Assyrian.

10:30 Daughter - Jerusalem was the mother city, and lesser towns are commonly called her daughters.

10:32 Shake - By way of comminution.

10:33 The bough - The top - bough, Sennacherib, with a most terrible stroke.

10:34 Iron - Or, as with iron, as the trees of the forest are cut down with instruments of iron. Lebanon - Or, his Lebanon, the Assyrian army, which being before compared to a forest, and being called his Carmel in the Hebrew text, ver. Isa 10:18, may very fitly upon the same ground, be called his Lebanon here.

11  Christ, a branch cut of the root of Jesse, endued with the spirit of the Lord, should set up a kingdom by the preaching of his word, Isa 11:1-5.
The members of his church should live in peace and unity, Isa 11:6-9.
And be victorious over their enemies: and to him should the Gentiles seek, Isa 11:10-16.

11:1 And - And having said that the Assyrian yoke should be destroyed because of the anointing, he now explains who that anointed person was.The stem - Or, stump: for the word signifies properly a trunk cut off from the root. By which he clearly implies, that the Messiah should be born of the royal house of David, at that time when it was in a most forlorn condition, like a tree cut down, and whereof nothing is left but a stump or root under ground. Of Jesse - He doth not say of David, but of Jesse, who was a private and mean person, to intimate, that at the time of Christ's birth the royal family should be reduced to its primitive obscurity.

11:2 Wisdom - It is not needful, exactly to distinguish these two gifts; it is sufficient that they are necessary qualifications for a governor, and a teacher, and it is evident they signify perfect knowledge of all things necessary for his own and peoples good, and a sound judgment, to distinguish between things that differ. Counsel - Of prudence, to give good counsel; and of might and courage, to execute it. Knowledge - Of the perfect knowledge of the whole will and counsel of God, as also of all secret things, yea of the hearts of men. Fear - A fear of reverence, a care to please him, and lothness to offend him.

11:3 In the fear - He shall not judge rashly and partially, but considerately and justly, as the fear of God obliges all judges to do.Judge - Of persons or causes. After the sight - According to outward appearance, as men do, because they cannot search mens hearts.Reprove - Condemn or pass sentence against a person.His ears - By uncertain rumours or suggestions.

11:4 Judge - Defend and deliver them. Reprove - Or condemn their malicious enemies. Thy rod - With his word, which is his scepter, and the rod of his power, Psa 110:2, which is sharper than a sword, Heb 4:12, by the preaching whereof he subdued the world to himself, and will destroy his enemies, Th2 2:8.This he adds farther, to declare the nature of Christ's kingdom, that it is not of this world.

11:5 The girdle - It shall adorn him, and be the glory of his government, as a girdle was used for an ornament, Isa 3:24, and as an ensign of power, Job 12:18, and it shall constantly cleave to him in all his administrations, as a girdle cleaveth to a man's loins.

11:6 The wolf - The creatures shall be restored to that state of innocency in which they were before the fall of man. Men of fierce, and cruel dispositions, shall be so transformed by the grace of Christ, that they shall become gentle, and tractable. A child - They will submit their rebellious wills to the conduct of the meanest persons that speak to them in Christ's name.

11:7 Feed - Together, without any danger or fear. Straw - The grass of the earth, as they did at first, and shall not devour other living creatures.

11:9 My holy mountain - In Zion, in my church. The sea - The channel of the sea.

11:10 A root - A branch growing upon the root. Ensign - Shall grow up into a great tree, shall become an eminent ensign. The people - Which not only the Jews, but all nations, may discern, and to which they shall resort. Rest - His resting - place, his temple or church, the place of his presence and abode. Glorious - Shall be filled with greater glory than the Jewish tabernacle and temple were; only this glory shall be spiritual, consisting in the plentiful effusions of the gifts, and graces, of the Holy Spirit.

11:11 The second - The first time, to which this word second relates, seems to be the deliverance out of Babylon: and then this second deliverance must be in the days of the Messiah.To recover - From all places far and near, into which either the ten tribes or the two tribes were carried captives. Pathros was a province in Egypt.

11:12 Nations - All nations, Jews and Gentiles.Out - casts - That were driven out of their own land, into foreign parts.Israel - Of the ten tribes.

11:13 Ephraim - Of the ten tribes, frequently called by the name of Ephraim. Of enemies they shall be made friends. The adversaries - Not the body of Ephraim, for they are supposed to be reconciled, and they shall not be cut off, but live in love with Judah, as we see by the next clause; but those few of them who continue in their enmity together with all the rest of their adversaries.

11:14 Fly - It is a metaphor from birds and beasts of prey.Spoil - They shall subdue them, which is to be understood of the spiritual victory which the Messiah shall obtain by his apostles and ministers over all nations.

11:15 Destroy - Shall not only divide it, as of old, but dry it up, that it may be an high - way. The sea - The Red Sea, which may well be called the Egyptian sea, both because it borders upon Egypt, and because the Egyptians were drowned in it, which is called a tongue in the Hebrew text, Jos 15:2, Jos 15:5, as having some resemblance with a tongue: for which reason the name of tongue hath been given by geographers to promontories of land which shoot forth into the sea, as this sea did shoot out of the main ocean into the land. Rivers - Nile.Seven streams - For which it is famous in all authors.

11:16 As it was - As there was another high - way from Egypt. All impediments shall be removed, and a way made for the return of God's Israel from all parts of the world. He mentions Assyria, because thither the ten tribes were carried, whose case seemed to be most desperate.

12  A thanksgiving of the faithful for their redemption, Isa 12:1-6.

12:1 In that day - When this great work of the reduction of Israel, and conversion of the Gentiles is fulfilled.

12:2 God - My salvation hath not been brought to pass by man, but by the almighty power of God.

12:3 With joy - Your thirsty souls shall be filled with Divine graces and comforts, which you may draw from God, in the use of gospel - ordinances.

13  God's armies, Isa 13:1-5.
The destruction of Babylon by the Persians and Medes, their great distress, anguish, and utter desolation, Isa 13:6-22.

13:1 The burden - This title is commonly given to sad prophecies, which indeed are grievous burdens to them on whom they are laid. Babylon - Of the city and empire of Babylon by Cyrus.

13:2 A banner - To gather soldiers together. Mountain - Whence it may be discerned at a considerable distance. Withal he seems to intimate, that their enemies should come from the mountainous country of Media.Them - To the Medes. Shake - Beckon to them with your hand, that they may come to this service, that they may go and fight against Babylon, and take it, and so enter in to the palaces of the king, and his princes.

13:3 Sanctified ones - The Medes and Persians, so called, because they were set apart by God, for this holy work of executing his just vengeance. Mighty ones - Those whom I have made mighty for this work.Highness - Or, as others render it, in my glory, in the doing of that work which tends to the advancement of my glory. Tho' the Medes had no regard to God, but only to their own ends.

13:4 Nations - The Medes and Persians and other nations, which served under them in this war.

13:5 Thy come - From the ends of the earth under heaven, which is not to be understood strictly. The weapons - The Medes and Persians, who were but a rod in God's hand, and the instruments of his anger.Land - Of Babylon.

13:7 Amazed - To see so impregnable a city as Babylon, so easily and unexpectedly taken. Flames - Heb. faces of flame, inflamed with rage and torment.

13:9 Behold - Divers words are heaped together, to signify the extremity of his anger.

13:10 Constellations - Which consist of many stars, and therefore give a greater sight. Darkened - All things shall look darkly and dismally; men shall have no comfort or hope. Going forth - As soon as he rises.As soon as they have any appearance or hope of amendment, they shall be instantly disappointed.

13:11 The world - The Babylonish empire, which is called the world, as the Roman empire afterwards was, because it was extended to a great part of the world.

13:12 More precious - The city and nation shall be so depopulated.

13:13 Therefore - A poetical and prophetical description of great horrors and confusions, as if heaven and earth were about to meet together.

13:14 It - Babylon. A roe - Fearful in itself, especially when it is pursued by the hunter. A sheep - In a most forlorn condition.Every man - Those soldiers of other nations, whom she had hired to assist her.

13:15 Found - In Babylon, at the taking of it.

13:17 Medes - Under whom he comprehends the Persians. Not delight - Which is to be understood comparatively. They shall more eagerly pursue the destruction of the people, than the getting of spoil.

13:18 Bows - Under which are comprehended, other weapons of war.Dash - Or, shalt pierce the young men through, as the Chaldee, renders it.

13:19 Glory - Which once was the most noble of all the kingdoms.Beauty - The beautiful seat of the Chaldean monarchy shall be totally and irrecoverably destroyed.

13:20 Inhabited - After the destruction threatened shall be fully accomplished. Arabian - Who dwelt in tents, and wandered from place to place, where they could find pasture.

13:21 Satyrs - The learned agree, that these are frightful and solitary creatures.

13:22 Prolonged - Beyond the time appointed by God.

14  Israel shall be delivered from the Babylonish captivity, their triumph over Babylon, Isa 14:1-13.
God's purpose against Assyria, Isa 14:14-27.
Palestina threatened, Isa 14:28-32.

14:1 Chuse - Will renew his choice of them; for he had rejected them.

14:2 Rule - Which they literally did, after their return into their own land. But this was more eminently verified in a spiritual sense, in the days of the gospel.

14:4 Golden city - As they used to call themselves; which therefore he expresses here in a word of their own language.

14:6 Anger - With rigour and not with clemency. None - Neither the Babylonians themselves, nor their confederates.

14:7 The earth - The subjects of that vast empire, who groaned under their cruel bondage.

14:8 The trees - Which were felled for the service of her pride and luxury, but now are suffered to stand.

14:9 Thrones - From their graves, which he seems to call their thrones by way of irony: the only thrones now left to them. Thrones both paved and covered with worms, instead of their former thrones, adorned with gold and precious stones.

14:11 Thy pomp - All thy glory is buried with thee. Viols - All thy musical instruments, which were much used in Babylon, and were doubtless used in Belshazzar's solemn feasts, Dan 5:1, at which time the city was taken; to which possibly the prophet here alludes. The worm - Instead of those stately carpets upon which thou didst frequently tread.

14:12 Fallen - From the height of thy glory. Lucifer - Which properly is a bright star, that ushers in the morning; but is here metaphorically taken for the mighty king of Babylon. Son - The title of son is given in scripture not only to a person or thing begotten or produced by another, but also to any thing which is related, to it, in which sense we read of the son of a night, Jon 4:10, a son of perdition, Joh 17:12, and, which is more agreeable, to the present case, the sons of Arcturus, Job 38:32.

14:13 I - I will advance myself above the state of a weak man.Above - Above all other kings and potentates; or, above the most eminent persons of God's church. North - This is added as a more exact description of the place of the temple; it stood upon mount Moriah, which was northward from the hill of Zion strictly so called.

14:14 Like - In the uncontrolableness of my power, and the universal extent of my dominion.

14:17 Cried not - Whereby he signifies both his irresistible power, and his continued cruelty.

14:18 All - That is, other things most commonly do. Lie - Are buried in their own sepulchres, having stately monuments erected to their memory.

14:19 Cast out - Or, cast from thy grave or burying - place.Which very probably happened to Belshazzar, when his people had neither opportunity nor heart to bestow an honourable interment upon him, and the conquerors would not suffer them to do it.Like - Like a rotten twig of a tree, which he that prunes the trees, casts away. Raiment - Which, being mangled, and besmeared with mire, and blood, was cast away with contempt. Go down - Who being slain, are cast into some pit. He saith, to the stones of the pit, because when dead bodies are cast in thither, men use to throw an heap of stones upon them. Trodden - Neglected, like such a carcase. And this might literally happen to Belshazzar's dead body.

14:20 Joined - Not buried as they are. Slain - Thou hast exercised great tyranny and cruelty, not only to thine enemies, but even to thine own subjects. The seed - Such as Belshazzar was, being descended from that Nebuchadnezzar who had made such horrid slaughters and devastations in the world, merely to gratify his own insatiable lusts, and who had been so impious towards God and his temple, and so bloody towards his church and people. Renowned - Or, shall not be renowned for ever: although I have long borne with thee and thy family.

14:21 Children - Cut off all the branches of the royal family.Rise - Not recover their former power.

14:22 Remnant - The remembrance of those that are dead, and the persons of those who yet survive.

14:23 Bittern - A great water fowl, which delights in solitary places, as also in watery grounds. Such as those were about Babylon.Pools - The ground about Babylon was of itself very moist, because of the great river Euphrates, running by it, which was kept from overflowing the country with charge and labour; this being neglected, when the city was destroyed, it was easily turned into pools of water.

14:24 Saying - This verse does not only concern Babylon's destruction, but also the overthrow of Sennacherib and the Assyrian host, which was a pledge of the destruction of the city and empire of Babylon.

14:25 My land - In Judea, which is my land in a peculiar manner.Mountains - In my mountainous country, for such Judea was, especially about Jerusalem.

14:26 The earth - Upon this vast empire, now in the hands of the Assyrians, and shortly to come into the hands of the Babylonians.The hand - The providence of God executing his purpose.

14:28 This burden - This following burdensome prophecy concerning the Philistines, who in Ahaz's time, made an inroad into Judah, and took divers of their cities.

14:29 Of him - Most understand this of Uzziah, who did then much mischief, Ch2 26:3-6. But he was dead thirty - two years before this time, and therefore their joy for his death was long since past. Others understand it of Ahaz: but he was so far from smiting them, that he was smitten by them. We may understand this of the royal race of Judah, who had been a terrible scourge to them, whose rod might be said to be broken, because that scepter was come into the hands of slothful princes.A serpent - From the root of David shall come Hezekiah, who, like a serpent, shall sting thee to death, as he did, Ki2 18:8.

14:30 The poor - The people of the Jews, who are brought to extreme poverty. The title of first - born is given to persons or things which are most eminent in their kinds, as to the people of Israel, Exo 4:22,to David, Psa 89:27 Isa 14, Job 18:13, and here to persons eminently poor. Feed - Shall have plenty of provisions. Kill - I will utterly destroy thee both root and branch.

14:31 Gate - The gate is put for the city. City - City is here put collectively for their cities. The north - From Chaldea.A smoak - A grievous judgment and calamity. Times - When God's appointed time shall come, not one of all that numerous army shall desert his colours, or lag behind the rest.

14:32 What - What shall a Jew say to the people of other nations, who shall enquire concerning the state of Zion, when not only the Philistines, but even the Jews themselves, shall fall by the hands of the same enemy? That - They shall give them this answer, That although Zion at present be in a very distressed condition, yet she stands upon a firm foundation, and God who first founded her, will restore her, and his poor despised people shall resort to her, as to a strong refuge.

15  The Destruction of Moab, Isa 15:1-9.

15:1 The burden - A prophecy of the destruction of the Moabites, the inveterate enemies of the Jews, begun by the Assyrian, and finished by the Babylonian emperors. In a night - Suddenly and unexpectedly.Ar - The chief city of Moab. Kir - Another eminent city of Moab.

15:2 Bajith - Which signifies an house. It is supposed to be some eminent house or temple of their idols. Dibon - Another city of Moab.To weep - To offer their supplications with tears to their idols for help.Medeba - Two considerable cities, anciently belonging to the Moabites.Beard - The hair of their heads and beards was shaved, as was usual in great mournings.

15:3 On the tops - Which were made flat, to which men used to go up, to cry to God in heaven, or to men for help.

15:4 Heshbon - Two other Moabitish cities. Jahaz - Another city in the utmost borders of Moab. Soldiers - Who use to be the most courageous.

15:5 Moab - Tho' they are a most vile nation. Zoar - Zoar was a town bordering upon Moab. Of destruction - Such a cry as men send forth when they are just falling into the pit of destruction.

15:6 Waters - Watery grounds being very fruitful, are commonly most inhabited; but now they also, much more the dry and barren grounds, shall be desolate and without inhabitant.

15:7 They - Their enemies. Brook - Possibly he means some such river which ran into Euphrates, and so gave them opportunity of carrying their spoils by water unto Babylon.

15:8 The cry - Their cry fills all the parts of the country.

15:9 More - More than hath been already mentioned. Lions - God shall send lions to find out those that escape the fury of men.

16  The Moabites exhorted to entertain kindly the banished Jews, Isa 16:1-5.
They are threatened for their pride and arrogance, Isa 16:6-8.
The prophet bewaileth them, Isa 16:9-11.
Their judgment, Isa 16:12-14.

16:1 Send - The prophet continues his prophecy against Moab, and gives them counsel what to do, to prevent, if possible, the desolation.Make your peace with God, by sacrifice, for all your injuries done to him, and to his people. Sela - An eminent city of Moab, seated upon a rock.Unto the mount - Unto the temple upon mount Zion.

16:2 Cast out - Which knows not whither to go. Arnon - Which was the border of the land of Moab, where they were, with design to flee out of their land, tho' they knew not whither.

16:3 Take counsel - Consider seriously what course to take.Shadow - Or, as the shadow of the night, large and dark, as the shadow of the earth is in the night - season. Conceal and protect my people in the time of their distress. The out - casts - Those of my people who are driven out of their land. Wandereth - Unto their enemies.

16:4 Mine out - casts - Whom tho' I have sorely chastened, yet I own for my people. At an end - Shall shortly be destroyed, and then thou wilt not lose the fruit of thy kindness. The present tense is put for the future.

16:5 In mercy - By my mercy. I am now punishing their sins, yet I will deliver them for my own mercy's sake. The throne - The kingdom of Judah. He - Their king. In truth - That is, firmly and constantly; for truth is often put for the stability and certainty of a thing, as Ch2 32:1 Isa 16, Pro 11:18, .Tabernacle - ln the house, or palace, which is called a tent, or tabernacle, with respect to the unsettledness of David's house, which now indeed was more like a tabernacle than a strong palace.Seeking - Searching out the truth of things with care and diligence.Hasting - Neither denying, nor yet delaying justice.

16:6 We - The prophet having spoken to the Moabites, now turns his speech to God's people. The sense is, I do not expect that my counsels will have any good effect upon Moab; they will still carry themselves insolently and outrageously. His lies - His vain imaginations, and false and crafty counsels, shall not take effect.

16:7 Moab - One Moabite shall howl or lament to or for another.Kirhareseth - An ancient and eminent city of Moab, which was preserved when their other cities were ruined, and therefore the destruction of it was more lamented. Stricken - Or, broken, overthrown or destroyed.

16:8 The lords - The Assyrians or Chaldeans, the great rulers of the eastern nations. Plants - The choicest vines. Under which one particular he seems to understand, not only all other fruits and goods, but even their choicest people. They - The lords of the heathen are come as far as Jazer, which is the utmost border of Moab. Wandered - The Moabites fled for their lives, and wandered hither and thither in the wilderness of Moab. Branches - Her people, called plants before.Stretched - Driven from their own homes, and dispersed into several countries. The sea - Over the Dead - sea, which was the border of Moab. They were forced to flee out of their own country to save their lives.

16:9 Sibmah - I will bewail Sibmah, as I did bewail Jazer, which was destroyed before Sibmah. Fallen - Those joyful shouts which were customary in the time of harvest and vintage, shall cease.

16:10 Treaders - In those times they used to squeeze out the juice of their grapes by treading them with their feet.

16:11 My bowels - Thro' compassion. In excessive grief, the bowels are sometimes rolled together, so as to make an audible noise.

16:12 When - When it shall appear that all their other devotions are vain. His sanctuary - To the temple of his great god Chemosh.But - His god can neither hear nor help him.

16:13 Since - Since the beginning of God's revelation to me concerning Moab, hitherto.

16:14 The Lord - Hath made this farther discovery of his mind to me.Three years - This may well be understood of some great blow given to the Moabites, either by Sennacherib, or his son Esarhaddon, from which notwithstanding they recovered and flourished again 'till Nebuchadnezzar compleated their destruction. Hireling - Within three years precisely counted; for hirelings are very punctual in observing the time for which they are hired. The glory - Their strength, and wealth, and other things in which they glory, shall be made contemptible to those who formerly admired them. With - With the great numbers of their people, of which they boasted.

17  Damascus, Samaria, Israel, and their cities, to be ruined by the Assyrians, Isa 17:1-5.
A remnant shall consider and repent, Isa 17:6-8.
The rest plagued for their impiety, Isa 17:9-11.
The woe of Israel's enemies, Isa 17:12-14.

17:1 Damascus - Both of that city and kingdom. A heap - This was fulfilled by Tiglath - pilneser, Ki2 16:9, although afterwards it was re - edified.

17:2 Aroer - Of that part of Syria, called Aroer, from a great city of that name. These cities were possessed by the Reubenites and Gadites, whom Tiglath - pilneser carried into captivity, Ch1 5:26.These he mentions here, as he doth Ephraim in the next verse, because they were confederate with Syria against Judah. Afraid - Because the land shall be desolate, and destitute of men who might disturb them.

17:3 The fortress - All their fortresses; the singular number being put for the plural. Remnant - The remainders of Damascus and Syria shall be an headless body, a people without a king. Of Israel - Syria shall have as much glory as Israel; that is, neither of them shall have any at all.

17:5 Gathereth - Taking care, as far as may be, that all may be gathered in, and nothing left. So shall the whole body of the ten tribes be carried away captive, some few gleanings only being left. Rephaim - A very fruitful place near Jerusalem.

17:6 Yet - Some few Israelites were left after their captivity, who joined themselves to Judah, and were carried captive to Babylon with them, from whence also they returned with them.

17:7 A man - Those few men that are left. Look - They shall sincerely respect, and trust, and worship God, and God only.

17:8 Not look - Not trust to them, or to worship offered to idols upon them. The work - Their own inventions. Groves - Which were devised by men, as fit places for the worship of their gods. Images - Worshipped in their groves.

17:9 In - The day of Jacob's trouble, of which he spake ver. Isa 17:4.Uppermost branch - Which he that prunes the tree neglects, because he esteems it useless and inconsiderable. Left - Which they (the Canaanites) left or forsook because of (or for fear of) the children of Israel. And this was a fit example, to awaken the Israelites to a serious belief of this threatening, because God had inflicted the same judgment upon the Canaanites, for the same sins of which they were guilty.

17:10 Thou - O Israel. The rock - That God who was thy only sure defence. Plants - Excellent flowers and fruit - trees. Strange - Fetched from far countries, and therefore highly esteemed.

17:11 In the day - Thou shalt from day to day, beginning early in the morning, use all diligence that what thou hast planted may thrive.But - When this grievous calamity shall come, all your harvest shall be but one heap.

17:12 Woe - This is a new prophecy, added for the comfort of God's people. Many - Combined together against Judah. Seas - Who invade my land and people with great force, as the sea does when it enters into the land by a breach.

17:14 Behold - At even there is great terror among God's people, for fear of their enemies; and before the morning comes, their enemies are cut off.

18  God in defence of his church and punishing her enemies, will destroy the Ethiopians, Isa 18:1-6.
An access thereby shall be to the church, Isa 18:7.

18:1 The lord - Either Ethiopia beyond Egypt; or of Egypt.Wings - The title of wings is given, in scripture, to divers things which have some kind of resemblance to wings, as to the battlements of an house or temple, to an army, and to the sails of a ship, as this word is here commonly understood. And shadowing with wings is nothing else but overspread or filled with them. Which title may be given either to Ethiopia or Egypt, in regard of the great numbers either of their armies, or of their ships or vessels sailing upon the sea or rivers.Besides - Situated on both sides of the Nile. Rivers - Called rivers, in the plural number, either for its greatness, or for the many rivulets that run into it, or for the various streams into which it is divided.

18:2 Sendeth - That at this time are sending ambassadors, to strengthen themselves with alliances. Bulrushes - Both the Egyptians and Ethiopians, used boats of rushes or reeds, which were more convenient for them than those of wood, because they were both cheaper and swifter, and lighter for carriage from place to place. These seem to be the words of the prophet, who having pronounced a woe against the land hitherto described, here continues his speech, and gives a commission from God to these messengers, to go to this nation scattered, etc Then he calls to all nations to be witnesses of the message sent, ver. Isa 18:3, and then the message follows in the succeeding verses. Messengers - Whom I have appointed for this work, and tell them what I am about to do with them.Scattered - Not by banishment but in their habitations. Which agrees well to the Ethiopians, for the manner of their habitation, which is more scattered than that of other people. Peeled - Having their hair plucked off. This is metaphorically used in scripture, for some great calamity, whereby men are stripped of all their comforts. And this title may be given to them prophetically, to signify their approaching destruction.Terrible - Such were the Egyptians, and Ethiopians, as appears both from sacred and profane histories. Meted - Meted out as it were with lines to destruction. Trodden - By Divine sentence, and to be trodden down by their enemies. The rivers - Which may be understood of the Assyrians or Babylonians breaking in upon them like a river, and destroying their land and people.

18:3 When - When God shall gather together the nations, as it were by the lifting up of an ensign, or by the sound of a trumpet, to execute his judgments upon this people.

18:4 Rest - I will not bestir myself, to help this people. God is said in scripture to rest, or sit still, when he doth not work on the behalf of a person or people. Dwelling - place - In heaven, the place where God dwells. Harvest - The sense is, that God would look upon them with as uncomfortable an influence as the sun with a clear heat upon the herbs, which are scorched and killed by it; and as a cloud of the dew, which brings dew or rain, in the heat of harvest, when it is unwelcome and hurtful.

18:5 For - Before they receive the end of their hopes. When - When the bud or flower is turned into a grape, which gives hopes of good vintage. He - The Lord. The branches - Instead of gathering the grapes, shall cut down the tree, and throw it into the fire.

18:6 Thy - The branches being cut down and thrown upon the ground, with the unripe grapes upon them. Left - They shall lie upon the earth, so that either birds or beasts may shelter themselves with them, or feed on them, both summer and winter.

18:7 In that time - At or after that time, when the judgment shall be compleatly executed. A people - The people of whom I am speaking shall present themselves, and their sacrifices, to the true God.

19  The confusion of Egypt, their intestine dissention, their idols deceive them, cruel lords over them, waters fail them, their trade dead, their princes and counselors made foolish, their terror before the Lord, Isa 19:1-17.
The calling of Egypt to the church, Isa 19:18-22.
The covenant of Egypt, Assyria and Israel, Isa 19:23-25.

19:1 Rideth - As a general in the head of his army. A swift cloud - This phrase shews that the judgment should come speedily, unexpectedly, and unavoidably. Shall be moved - So far shall they be from helping the Egyptians, that they shall tremble for themselves.

19:2 I will set - Egypt was now one kingdom, but not many years after this time it was divided into twelve kingdoms, between whom there were many and cruel wars.

19:3 The spirit - Their courage.

19:4 A fierce king - Psammetichus, who being at first one of those twelve kings, waged war with the rest, and subdued them, and conquered all the land of Egypt and ruled it with rigour.

19:5 The waters - Which may be understood either,

1. Metaphorically, of the taking away of their dominion or commerce, etc or rather,
2. Properly, as may be gathered from the following words. For as the river Nile, when it had a full stream, and free course, did pour forth a vast quantity of waters by its seven famous mouths into the sea, so when that was dried up, which is expressed in the next clause, those waters did truly and properly fail from the sea.

19:6 Rivers - The rivers (those rivulets by which the waters of Nile were distributed into several parts of the land) shall be turned far away, as they must needs be, when the river which fed them was dried up. Brooks - The several branches of the river Nile, which were a great defence to Egypt. Reeds - Which were useful to them for making their boats. Whither - As they commonly do for want of water.

19:7 Paper - reeds - These by a needle, or other fit instrument, were divided into thin and broad leaves, which being dried and fitted, were used at that time for writing; and consequently was a very good commodity.By brooks - And much more what was sown in more dry and unfruitful places.

19:8 Mourn - Because they could catch no fish; which was a great loss to the people, whose common diet this was.

19:9 They - That make fine linen, which was one of their best commodities.

19:10 Thereof - Of Egypt, or of the Egyptians. They shall lose their hopes; for the fishes in them shall die for want of water.

19:11 Zoan - The chief city, in which the king and court frequently resided. How - Why do you put such foolish words into Pharaoh's mouth?I am the son - Wisdom is heredity and natural to me.

19:13 Noph - Another chief city, and one of the kings seats, called also Moph, and by latter authors, Memphis. The stay - Their chief counsellors. Tribes - Of the provinces, which he calls by a title borrowed from the Hebrews, in whose language he spake and wrote this prophecy.

19:14 Mingled - Or, hath poured out or given them to drink.To err - In all their designs and undertakings. Staggereth - When he is so drunk, that he reels to and fro, and vomits up his drink.

19:15 Head, etc - All people, both high and low, shall be at their wits end.

19:16 Women - Feeble and fearful. Because - Because they shall perceive that they do not fight with men only, but with the Lord of hosts, who now lifts up his hand against them, as he did against their forefathers.

19:17 A terror - Because of their manifold injuries against Judah, for which they now apprehend God is calling them to account.Determined - Because God is now about to execute his appointed judgments.It - Against Egypt.

19:18 In that day - After that time. In the times of the gospel.Five - A considerable number of their chief cities: a certain number being put for an uncertain. Speak - Profess the Jewish religion, agree with them in the same mind; which is fitly signified by speaking the same language. Swear - This implies the dedication, and yielding up of a person or thing to the Lord, by a solemn vow, or covenant. One - Not one of the five, but another city, the sixth city. As divers cities shall be converted and saved, so some other cities shall continue in their impenitency, and be destroyed.

19:19 An altar - The altar is put for the worship of God, as it is in many places both of the Old and New Testament. And nothing is more common in the prophets than to speak of gospel - worship in the phrases of the law. Pillar - A monument of the true religion. Here also he alludes to the ancient custom of erecting pillars to God. The border - As before, in the midst of it. The meaning is, There shall be evidences of their piety in all places.

19:20 It - The altar or pillar last mentioned. A witness - To testify that they own the Lord for their God. Cry - Being sorely distressed, they shall turn unto the true God. A great one - A great or mighty Saviour, even Christ.

19:21 Shall sacrifice - Shall worship God spiritually; which yet is signified by typical phrases.

19:22 Smite - God will afflict them and by those afflictions will convert and save them.

19:23 Assyria - They who were implacable enemies one to another, and both to the church of God, shall now be reconciled and united together in the service of God, and love to his church. Serve - The Lord.

19:24 The third - The third party, in that sacred league, whereby all of them oblige themselves to serve God. Egypt - These are named, because they were the most obstinate enemies to God's church, but they are here put for all the Gentiles. A blessing - This is peculiar to Israel, who is not only a third party, but is the most eminent of the three, as being the fountain, by which the blessing is conveyed to the other two; because Christ was to be born of them, and the gospel - church and ordinances were first established among them, and from them derived to the Gentiles. The land - Or, of those lands, Egypt and Assyria, between which Israel lay.

19:25 Whom - That is, which people, Israel, Egypt, and Assyria; of whom he speaks as of one people, because they are all united into one church. My people - This title, and those which follow, that were peculiar to the people of Israel, shall now be given to these and all other nations.

20  The captivity of Egypt and Ethiopia represented, to take off the Jews from seeking to them for help, Isa 20:1-6.

20:1 Sargon - Sennacherib, who, before he came to Jerusalem, came up against and took all the walled cities of Judah, of which Ashdod might be reckoned one, as being in the tribe of Judah.

20:2 Sackcloth - Which he wore in token of his grief for the calamities that were already come upon Israel, and were coming upon Judah.Naked - Not wholly naked, but without his upper garment, as slaves and prisoners used to do, whose posture he was to represent. Bare - foot - After the manner of mourners and captives.

20:3 Three years - Not constantly, but when he went abroad among the people, to whom this was appointed for a sign. A sign - When this judgment should come, namely, three years after this prophecy.

20:4 Uncovered - Having their garments cut off by the middle.

20:5 They - All that shall trust to them. But under this general expression the Israelites, seem to be principally intended.

20:6 Of the country - Of this land, in which the prophet was, and to whose inhabitants, these words were uttered. Such - So vain is our hope placed upon such a people as are unable to deliver themselves.

21  The prophet's fear and trouble at his vision of Babylon's ruin, the Medes and Persians, Isa 21:1-4.
He mocketh Babel, Isa 21:5-9.
Edom scorning the prophet is called to repentance, Isa 21:11-12.
The time of Arab's calamity set, Isa 21:13-17.

21:1 The plain - Of Babylon, which lay in a very plain country. And the title of the sea might well be given to the waters of Babylon, because of the great plenty and multitude of them. South - In those parts which lay southward from Judea, where there were many and great deserts.Pass through - As meeting with no opposition. It - The burden or judgment. Desert - From Media and Persia; a great desert lay between them and Chaldea. A terrible land - From the Medes, a warlike and formidable people.

21:2 A vision - A vision or prophecy, containing dreadful calamities which were to fall upon Babylon. The spoiler - The Medes and Persians used treachery as well as force against Babylon.Elam - Persia, so called, because Elam was an eminent province of Persia, bordering upon the Medes. Besiege - Namely, Babylon, ver. Isa 21:9.The sighing - The sighing and groaning of God's people, and other nations under the oppressions of that cruel empire.

21:3 My loins - Which he mentions with respect to the following similitude of child - bearing. Pangs - Sharp and grievous pains.

21:4 The night - In which I used to have sweet repose. He seems to have had this vision in a night. But withal this signified that horror and destruction, which should befal the Babylonians in a night of feasting and jollity. He - God, who shewed him that vision.

21:5 Prepare - Furnish it with meats and drinks. The prophet foretells what the Babylonians would be doing when their enemies were at their doors. Watch - To give us notice of any approaching danger, that in the meantime we may more securely indulge ourselves. Princes - Of Babylon: arise from the table and run to your arms. Shield - Prepare yourselves and your arms for the approaching battle. The shield is put for all their weapons of offence and defence. They used to anoint their shields with oil, to preserve and polish them, and to make them slippery.

21:6 Go set - This was now done only in a vision, but it signified what should be done really afterwards.

21:7 A chariot - Hereby he signifies the variety and abundance of warlike provisions which the Medes and Persians should have for their expedition, and particularly of chariots, whereof some were for the carriage of necessary things, and others for the battle.

21:8 A lion - The watchmen cried out, I see also a lion marching before the horsemen and chariots: which they suppose to represent Cyrus or Darius marching in the head of their armies. My lord - The watchman speaks to the prophet, who had set him in this station.Whole nights - According to thy command I have stood, and do yet stand continually, both day and night, upon my watch - tower.

21:9 Men - Not fitted with goods, but provided with men to fight.He - The prophet, who here gives an explication of the vision.He - God, by the hands of Cyrus.

21:10 Threshing - Threshing is put for the corn threshed; and the corn threshed for people sorely afflicted. This is probably spoken of Babylon.The corn - Which I will cause to be threshed upon the floor. You - Unto you my people; for all the prophecies, even concerning other nations, were published to them, and for their use and comfort.

21:11 Dumah - Of Edom or Idumea. He - The people of Dumah, one of them in the name and by the appointment of the rest. Me - To the watchman: the prophet delivers his prophecy in the form of a dialogue between the people and the watchman. Seir - Out of Edom, which is frequently called Seir. Watchman - The watchman of Edom, whom they had set as people use to do in times of great danger. Night - The people are supposed to come to him very early in the morning, to enquire what had happened in the night; which shews a state of great perplexity and fear. Night - The repetition of the words, shew the greatness of their solicitude.

21:12 The night - The night is past without any mischief, and the light of the morning is approaching; but tho' the morning is coming, it will be gone, and the night will return, and your fears with it. Come - If you will enquire, enquire: I perceive your danger is not past, and there will be occasion for farther enquiries. Therefore return, come - Come to me the next morning, and so from morning to morning.

21:13 Forest - Not as you used to do, in the houses or tents of the Arabians: whereby he implies, that that populous country should be a wilderness. Companies - In those parts travellers then did, and still do, go together in companies. Dedanim - These were merchants, who used to trade with Tyre, and their way lay thro' Arabia.

21:14 Tema - A part of Arabia. Fled - Whereby he implies, that those other Arabians, against whom this prophecy is principally directed, should be reduced to great scarcity, and forced to flee for their lives, from a bloody enemy.

21:16 A year - From the time of this prophecy: an exact year.Glory - Their power, and riches, and all things wherein they used to glory. This was executed by the Assyrians.

22  The anguish of Judah, the prophet much grieved, Isa 22:1-5.
By the Persians, Medes, and Assyrians, Isa 22:6-7.
He reproves their human wisdom, Isa 22:8-11.
And profane joy, Isa 22:12-13.
Which God would certainly punish, Isa 22:14.
Shebnah's deprivation for his pride, Isa 22:15-19.
Eliakim put in his place, his glory, Isa 22:20-25.

22:1 The valley - Of Judah; and especially of Jerusalem, called a valley, because great part of it flood in a valley; and the valley of vision, because of the many and clear visions or revelations of God's mind, in that place. House - tops - As they used to do in times of great consternation, that they might look, to and cry to heaven for help.

22:2 Noises - Of joyful shouts. Tumultuous - Through revelling and jollity. Battle - But either by famine or pestilence in the siege, or in their flight.

22:3 Rulers - Zedekiah and his chief commanders, whose flight he foretells. Found - That remain there with Zedekiah in the siege; for those who had fled to the Chaldeans saved their lives and liberties.Bound - In fetters, Jer 52:11.Fled - Who fled from Jerusalem, but were pursued and overtaken by their enemies, and bound, as others had been.

22:4 Look away - Take off your eyes and thoughts from me, and leave me alone.

22:5 Treading down - In which my people are trodden under foot by their enemies. By the Lord - Not only men, but God himself fought against them.Walls - Of the strong cities of Judah. Mountains - With such loud and dismal outcries as should reach to the neighbouring mountains.

22:6 Elam - The Persians, who now, and for a long time after, were subject to the Assyrian and Chaldean emperors. Quiver - Being expert bowmen. Horsemen - As some fought on foot, so others fought from chariots and horses. Kir - The Medes, so called from Kir, an eminent city and region of Media. Uncovered - Prepared it and themselves for the battle.

22:7 Valleys - Valleys were the most proper places for the use of chariots. Gate - To assist the footmen while they made their assault, and to prevent those who endeavoured to escape.

22:8 He - The enemy. Covering - He took those fenced cities, which were a covering or safe - guard both to the people of Judah, and to Jerusalem. The armour - Thy trust was placed in the arm of flesh.The forest - More fully called the house of the forest of Lebanon, Ki1 7:2,not because it was built in Lebanon, for it was in Jerusalem; but because it was built of the trees of Lebanon.

22:9 Seen - That is, observed in order to the reparation of them.The waters - That you might both deprive the enemy of water, and supply the city with it.

22:10 Numbered - That they might exactly know their own strength.The houses - Which stood upon or without the walls, and so gave their enemies advantage, and hindered the fortifying the city.

22:11 Thereof - Of Jerusalem, expressed in the foregoing verse.Him - God, who made it a city, and the place of his special presence and worship. Long ago - Which may be added to aggravate their sin, in distrusting that God, who had now for a long time given proof of his care and kindness in defending this city.

22:12 Call - By his providence, and by his precepts requiring these things in such times. Baldness - By plucking or shaving off the hair of their heads, as was usual in great sorrows.

22:13 Let us, etc - A most perverse and desperate conclusion.

22:14  'Till ye die - You shall feel the sad effects of this, as long asyou live.

22:16 What - What right hast thou to this place and office?Whom - What kindred or relations? For the Jews say, he was a stranger by birth; which is the more probable, because his pedigree is not mentioned in any of those places of scripture where he is named.On high - In an high and eminent place. An habitation - He erected a stately house to live in, and a stately sepulchre to receive him when he died. And these two are fitly joined together, because their sepulchres were commonly built in or near their houses.A rock - A fit place both for strength and state.

22:17 Will carry - Will cause thee to be carried into captivity by a strong hand. Cover - This may be an allusion to the ancient custom of covering the faces of condemned persons.

22:18 Thy chariots - Thy glorious chariots where thou didst ride in great state at Jerusalem, shall be turned into shame to thyself, and to thy master.

22:19 He - The Lord; such sudden changes of persons being very usual in these writings.

22:20 Call - By my powerful providence.

22:21 Girdle - There was a peculiar sort of robe and girdle which was the badge of his office. A father - He shall govern them with fatherly care and affection.

22:22 The key - The government, the power of opening and shutting, of letting men into it, or putting them out of it, whereof a key is a fit emblem. Shoulder - He mentions the shoulder rather than the hand, in which keys are commonly carried, from some ceremony then in use, of carrying a key upon the shoulder of the officer of state.

22:23 Fasten - I will establish the power in his hands.Sure place - In the strong walls, or solid timber, in the house.He shall be - By his prudent and righteous government he shall procure great glory, to all that have any relation to him.

22:24 The glory - Of his own kindred and family, who shall all depend upon him, and receive glory from him; of the house of David, which is called his father's house, because he was of the blood - royal.The offspring - Great and small, the children and grand - children of his father's house, the meanest of them shall receive a lustre from their relation to him. All vessels - All sorts of vessels, great or small, mean or precious, may be hanged upon him, without any fear of falling.

22:25 The nail - Shebna, who seemed to be so. The burden - All those wicked officers that were advanced and supported by his power.

23  The destruction of Tyre, from God, for their pride, Isa 23:1-14.
The time of her rising again, Isa 23:15-17.
And conversion to God, Isa 23:18.

23:1 Of Tyre - The prophecy of the heavy calamity and destruction of Tyre. Tyre was, according to this prophecy, destroyed; first by Nebuchadnezzar, and afterwards by Alexander the great. And tho' this prophecy seemed directly to respect the former destruction, yet it seems to have some reference to the latter also; only it is intimated, that after seventy years, Tyre should recover some former power and glory, before her second and final destruction. Howl - To which howling and lamenting is ascribed by a known figure. No house - So effectually wasted, that there is not an house left in it, nor any merchants or others that go into it, for traffick. Chittim - He mentions the land of Chittim, because this was an eminent place for shipping and trading, and therefore doubtless had great dealings with Tyre. It may here be put for all other countries which traded with her. It is not necessary to determine what Chittim is; it is sufficient to know, that it was a seafaring place in the Midland Sea.

23:2 Be still - Heb. be silent, boast no more of thy wealth and power. The isle - Of Tyre, which was an island, 'till Alexander joined it to the continent. The title of islands is often given by the Hebrews to places bordering upon the sea. That pass - That are a sea - faring people. Replenished - With manners, and commodities.

23:4 Zidon - Zidon was a great city near Tyre, strongly united to her by commerce and league, and called by some the mother of Tyre, which they say, was built and first inhabited by a colony of the Sidonians. The sea - That part of the sea in which Tyre was, and from which ships and men were sent into all countries.The strength - Tyre might be called the strength of the sea, because it defendeth that part of the sea from piracies and injuries.I travel not - I, who was so fruitful, that I sent forth colonies into other countries (of which Carthage was one), am now barren and desolate.

23:5 Waters - By the sea, which is very fitly called the great waters, understand, cometh, or is brought to her. The seed - The corn of Egypt, wherewith Egypt abounded. Sihor is the same as the Nile. The harvest - The plentiful harvest of corn which comes from the inundation of the Nile; emphatically called the river.The revenue - Is as plentifully enjoyed by her, as if it grew in her own territories. A mart - A place to which all nations resort for traffick.

23:7 Antiquity - Being built before Joshua's time, Jos 19:29.Her feet - Whereas before, like a delicate lady, she would not set her foot to the ground, but used to be carried in stately chariots.To sojourn - To seek for new habitations.

23:8 Who - This is the word of God, and not of man. The crowning city - Which was a royal city, and carried away the crown from all other cities. Princes - Equal to princes for wealth, and power, and reputation.

23:9 The Lord - This is the Lord's own doing. To stain - God's design is by this example to abase the pride of all the potentates of the earth.

23:10 Pass through - Tarry no longer in thy own territories, but flee through them, into other countries, for safety and relief.As a river - Swiftly, lest you be prevented. Tarshish - O Tyre, which might well be called daughter of Tarshish, that is, of the sea, as that word is used, ver. Isa 23:1, and elsewhere, because it was an island, and therefore as it were, born of the sea, and nourished and brought up by it.

23:11 He - The Lord. Shook - Heb. he made the kingdoms to tremble; the neighbouring and confederate kingdoms, who might justly quake at her fall, for the dreadfulness and unexpectedness of the thing; and because Tyre was a bulwark, and a refuge to them. A commandment - Hath put this design into the hearts of her enemies, and given them courage to attempt, and strength to execute it.

23:12 Virgin - So he calls her, because she had hitherto never borne the yoke of a conquering enemy. Zidon - Tyre may be called the daughter of Zidon, because she was first built and possessed by a colony of the Zidonians. No rest - Thither thine enemies shall pursue thee, and there shall they overtake the.

23:13 Behold - Thou Tyrians, cast your eyes upon the Chaldeans or Babylonians; who tho' now flourishing, grow far more glorious and potent, even the glory of kingdoms, yet shall certainly be brought to utter ruin. This people - The Chaldeans at first were not a people, not formed into any commonwealth or kingdom, 'till Nimrod, the head and founder of the Assyrian monarchy, built Babel, Gen 10:9-10, now the head of the Chaldean monarchy; which he built for those people, who then lived in tents, and were dispersed here and there in waste places.He - The Lord. To ruin - Will infallibly bring that great empire to ruin. He speaks of a future thing as if it were already past.

23:14 Your strength - The city of Tyre, where you found safety and wealth.

23:15 Forgotten - Neglected and forsaken. Seventy years - During the time of the Jewish captivity in Babylon. Tyre was taken by Nebuchadnezzar, Jer 27:3, Jer 27:8, Eze 26:7, a little after the taking of Jerusalem and was restored by the favour of the Persian monarchs after the return of the Jews. One king - One royal race of Nebuchadnezzar, including his son, and his son's son, in whom his family and kingdom were to expire. Sing - She shall by degrees return to her former traffick, whereby she shall easily entice the merchants of the world to trade with her, as harlots use to entice men by lascivious songs.

23:16 Go about - As harlots use to do. Thou harlot - So he calls Tyre, because she enticed the merchants to deal with her by various artifices, and even by dishonest practices, and because of the great and general uncleanness which was committed in it.

23:17 Visit - In mercy. Her hire - The Hebrew word properly signifies, the hire of an harlot. Fornication - Shall trade promiscuously with people of all nations, as harlots entertain all comers.

23:18 Holiness - This is a prophecy concerning the conversion of the Tyrians to the true religion. Laid up - Either out of covetousness, or for their pride and luxury, as they formerly did; but now they shall freely lay it out upon pious and charitable uses. Shall be - For the support and encouragement of the ministers of holy things, who shall teach the good knowledge of the Lord. Although this does not exclude, but rather imply their liberality in contributing to the necessities of all Christians.

24  Judgments on Judah for their defilements and transgression, Isa 24:1-12.
A remnant shall praise God, Isa 24:13-15.
God, by his judgments on his people and their enemies, will advance his kingdom, Isa 24:16-23.

24:1 The land - Of Canaan. Waste - He will shortly make it waste, first by the Assyrians, and then by the Chaldeans.Turneth - Brings it into great disorder and confusion.

24:2 It shall be - The approaching calamity shall be universal, without any distinction of persons or ranks; the priests themselves having been partakers of the peoples sins, shall also partake with them in their plagues. The seller - The purchaser of lands shall have no more left than he that hath sold all his patrimony; and all persons shall be made equal in beggary and slavery.

24:4 The world - The land of Judea. The majesty - Not only common people, but the high and lofty ones.

24:5 Defiled - By the wickedness of its people. The laws - The laws of God. Ordinance - God's ordinances concerning his worship and service; the singular being put for the plural. Covenant - The covenant made between God and Abraham, and all his posterity, which was everlasting, both on God's part, who, upon the conditions therein expressed, engaged himself to be a God to them and to their seed forever; and on Israel's part, who were obliged thereby to constant and perpetual obedience thro' all generations.

24:6 The curse - The curse of God threatened to transgressors.Burned - Are consumed by the wrath of God, which is commonly compared to fire.

24:7 Mourneth - Because there are none to drink it.Grief is ascribed to senseless creatures by a figure usual in all authors.Languisheth - Because there are no people left to dress it, or gather its grapes. The merry - hearted - That made their hearts merry with wine.

24:8 Tabrets - Which they used in their feasts. The noise - The word properly signifies a confused clamour, such as drunken men make.

24:9 Bitter - Because of the fears and miseries wherewith it is mixed.

24:10 The city - Jerusalem, and other cities; for the singular word may be here taken collectively. A city of confusion or disorder, breaking all the laws and orders which God had established among them.Shut up - Because the inhabitants are either dead, or gone into captivity.

24:11 A crying - Such was their gross sensuality and sottishness, that instead of crying for their sins, they did only howl for their corn, and wine, and oil, Hos 7:14.

24:13 When - When this judgment shall be executed, there shall be left a remnant; as there are some few olives or grapes left after the vintage is over.

24:14 They - The remnant shall sing for the glorious power and goodness of God, manifested in their deliverance. The sea - From the isles of the sea; from those parts beyond the sea into which, they were carried captive.

24:15 In distress - When you are in the furnace of affliction. In the isles - In remote countries, beyond the sea, which in scripture are commonly called isles.

24:16 From - From all the parts of the earth in which the Jews are or shall be. Songs - Of joy and praise. Glory - Or, glory be to the righteous. The Lord, the righteous one. But - In the midst of these joyful tidings, I discern something which gives me cause of lamentation. My leanness - I faint and pine away for grief, for the following reason. Treacherously - The Jews, who have been frequently guilty of great perfidiousness towards God, are now acting the same part.Even the Hebrew doctors expound this place of the perfidiousness of some Jews in the times of the Messiah. And it is not strange that so sad a sight made the prophet cry out, My leanness, etc He repeats it to shew the horridness of the crime.

24:17 The snare - Great and various judgments, some actually inflicted, and others justly feared.

24:18 Fleeth - Upon the report of some terrible evil.The foundations - Both heaven and earth conspire against him. He alludes to the deluge of waters which God poured down from heaven, and to the earthquakes which he often causes below.

24:19 The earth - This is repeated again, to shew the dreadfulness and, certainty of these judgments, and to awaken the stupid Israelites.

24:20 A tent - Which is easily and commonly carried from place to place.

24:22 Gathered - By God's special providence, in order to their punishment. And thus the unbelieving Jews were generally gathered together at Jerusalem, to their solemn feast, when Titus came and besieged, and destroyed them. Shut up - As malefactors, which are taken in several places, are usually brought to one common prison. After - After the apostate Jews shall have been shut up in unbelief, and in great tribulations for many ages together, they shall be convinced of their sin in crucifying the Messiah, and brought home to God and Christ by true repentance.

24:23 The sun - All earthly powers and glories shall be obscured with the far greater splendor of Christ, the king of kings, at whose feet even the kings of the earth shall fall down and worship. The Lord - The Messiah, who, tho' man, yet is also God, and the Lord of hosts.Shall reign - Shall come in the flesh, and set up his kingdom, first in Jerusalem, and afterward in all other nations. Before - Before his ministers, who are in some sort the courtiers of the King of Glory.But the ancients are here put for the whole church, in whose name and for whose service they act.

25  God glorious in his judgments on Babel, Isa 25:1-5.
and his people's salvation, Isa 25:6-12.

25:1 O Lord - The prophet reflecting upon those great and glorious prophecies which he had delivered, interrupts the course of his prophecies, and breaks forth into a solemn celebration of God's wonderful works.Thy counsels - From which all thy works proceed, and which thou hast from time to time revealed to thy prophets and people, which were of old, being conceived from all eternity, are true and firm, and shall certainly be accomplished.

25:2 A city - Which is put for cities: or of enemies of God and his people. And under the name cities he comprehends their countries and kingdoms. Strangers - The royal cities, in which were the palaces of strangers, of Gentiles. No city - Their cities and palaces have been or shall be utterly and irrecoverably destroyed.

25:3 Shall fear - Thy stoutest enemies observing thy wonderful works, shall be converted, or at least forced to tremble before thee.

25:4 For - For thou hast defended thy poor and helpless people.As a storm - Makes a great noise, but without any effect.

25:5 The noise - The tumultuous noise, as the word properly signifies; the rage and furious attempts of those Heathen nations that fought against God's people. As the heat - With as much ease as thou dost allay the heat of a dry place, by the shadow of thy clouds, or by the rain which falls from black and shadowy clouds. The branch - The arm or power, as a branch is the arm of a tree.

25:6 And - In mount Zion, in God's church. All people - Both Jews and Gentiles. A feast - A feast made up of the most delicate provisions, which is manifestly meant of the ordinances, graces, and comforts given by God in his church. Of wines - Which have continued upon the lees a competent time, whereby they gain strength, and are afterwards drawn off, and refined.

25:7 The face - The covering of the face. The veil - The ignorance of God, and of the true religion, which then was upon the Gentiles, and now is upon the Jews.

25:8 He - Christ will by his death destroy the power of death, take away the sting of the first death, and prevent the second.In victory - Heb. unto victory; so as to overcome it perfectly; which complete victory Christ hath already purchased for, and will in due time actually confer upon his people. Rebuke - The reproach and contempt cast upon his faithful people by the ungodly world.

25:9 Our God - Our Messiah, long since promised, and for whom we have waited long, is come into the world, bringing salvation with him.

25:10 Rest - The powerful and gracious presence, of God shall have its constant and settled abode. Moab - The Moabites are put for all the enemies of God's church.

25:11 He - The Lord, whose power they shall be no more able to resist, than the waters can resist a man that swims. Spread - To smite and destroy them. The spoils - With all their wealth which they have gained by rapine, and spoiling of God's people.

25:12 And - All thy fortifications, in which thou trustest.

26  A song of praise and confidence in God, for the blessings of righteousness, judgments on their enemies, and favour to his people: their chastisement, repentance, and hope, Isa 26:1-21.

26:1 In that day - When God shall do such glorious works, as are described in the foregoing chapter. Sung - In the church of God.A city - Jerusalem, or the church, which is often compared to a city.For walls - God's immediate and saving protection shall be to his church instead of walls.

26:2 The gates - Of the city, mentioned ver. Isa 26:1.The nation - The whole body of righteous men, whether Jews or Gentiles. For he seems to speak here, as he apparently did in the foregoing chapter, of the times of the gospel.Keepeth truth - Which is sincere in the true religion.

26:4 For ever - In all times and conditions.

26:5 On high - He speaks not so much of height of place, as of dignity and power, in which sense also he mentions the lofty city in the next clause. Lofty city - Which may be understood either of proud Babylon, or of all the strong and stately cities of God's enemies.

26:6 The needy - God will bring it under the feet of his poor, and weak, and despised people.

26:7 Thou - O God, who art upright in all thy ways, and therefore a lover of uprightness, and of all upright men, dost weigh (examine) the path of the just, the course of his actions, and, which is implied, dost approve of them, and therefore direct them to an happy issue.

26:9 In the night - When others are sleeping, my thoughts and desires are working towards God. Early - Betimes in the morning. For - And good reason it is that we should thus desire and seek thee in the way of thy judgments, because this is the very design of thy judgments, that men should thereby be awakened to learn and return to their duty; and this is a common effect, that those who have been careless in prosperity, are made wiser and better by afflictions.

26:10 Will not learn - This is the carriage of thy people; but the course of wicked men is directly contrary in all conditions: for if thou dost spare them, they will not accept of that gracious invitation to repentance. In the land - Even in God's church, and among his people, where righteousness is taught and practised. Will not behold - Tho' God gives such plain discoveries of his majesty and glory, not only in his word, but also in works, and especially in this glorious work of his patience and mercy to wicked men, yet they will not acknowledge it.

26:11 Will not see - And they are guilty of the same obstinate blindness when thou dost smite and punish them, which is commonly signified by lifting up the hand. They shall see - They shall know that by sad experience, which they would not learn by easier ways.These - Such fire or wrath as thou usest to pour forth upon thine implacable enemies.

26:12 Our works - All the good works done by us, are the effects of thy grace.

26:13 Other lords - Others besides thee, and besides those governors who have been set up by thee, even foreign and heathen lords.By thee - By thy favour and help. Will we - Celebrate thy praise.

26:14 Rise - Those tyrants are destroyed; they shall never live or rise again to molest us.

26:15 The nation - This nation seems to be the people of Israel.Removed - Thou hast removed thy people out of their own land, and suffered them to be carried captive to the ends of the earth.

26:16 They - Thy people. Visited - Come into thy presence, with their prayers and supplications.

26:17 Like - Such was our anguish and danger.

26:18 We - We have had the torment of a woman in child - bearing, but not the comfort of a living child, for we have brought forth nothing but wind; all our labours and hopes were unsuccessful. The world - The Assyrians, or our other enemies.

26:19 Thy - The prophet here turns his speech to God's people, and gives them a cordial in their distress. Thy dead men are not like those, ver. Isa 26:14, for they shall not live; but thine shall live. You shall be delivered from all your fears and dangers. My dead body - As I myself, who am one of these dead men, shall live again; you shall be delivered together with me. Awake - Out of your sleep, even the sleep of death, you that are dead and buried in the dust. Thy dew - The favour and blessing of God upon thee. The dew - Which makes them grow and flourish.

26:20 Shut thy doors - Withdraw thyself from the world, and pour out thy prayers to God in thy closet. Indignation - The dreadful effects of God's anger, mentioned in the following verse.

26:21 Cometh - Cometh down from heaven. To punish - All the enemies of God, and of his people. Her slain - The innocent blood which hath been spilled upon the earth shall be brought to light, and severely revenged upon the murderers.

27  God's care over his vineyard, Isa 27:1-6.
His chastisements on them, Isa 27:7-9.
His severe judgments against them, Isa 27:10-11.
Their return, Isa 27:12-13.

27:1 Leviathan - By this leviathan, serpent and dragon (for all signify the same thing) be understands some powerful enemy or enemies of God, and of his church or people, which may well be called by these names, partly for their great might, and partly for the great terror and destruction which they cause upon the earth. The piercing - Which by its sting pierces deeply into mens bodies. Crooked serpent - Winding and turning itself with great variety and dexterity. Whereby he seems to signify the craftiness and activity of this enemy, whose strength makes it more formidable.

27:2 In that day - When this enemy shall be destroyed.A vineyard - My church and people, of red wine, of the choicest and best wine, which in those parts was red.

27:3 I keep it - I will protect my church from all her enemies, and supply her with all necessary provisions.

27:5 Or - Or if at any time fury seem to be in me against my people.Let him - My people. Take hold - Which he may by humble prayer not only restrain from doing him hurt, but engage to do him good.

27:6 Take root - To be firmly settled in their possessions.Fruit - Their posterity shall seek habitations in other countries, and replenish them with people. But this seems to be understood of the spiritual seed of Jacob.

27:7 Hath he - He hath not dealt so severely with his people, as he hath dealt with their enemies, whom he hath utterly destroyed.Of them - Of those who were slain by God on the behalf of Israel.

27:8 In measure - With moderation. When - When the vine shooteth forth its luxuriant branches, he cuts them off, but so as not to destroy the vine. Contend - God is said to contend with men, when he executes his judgments upon them, Amo 7:4.Stayeth - He mitigates the severity of the judgment. In the day - In the time when he sends forth his east - wind; which he mentions because that wind in those parts was most violent and most hurtful.

27:9 By this - By this manner of God's dealing with them.When - Which sin of Jacob's shall be purged, when he shall truly repent of all his sins, and especially of his idolatry. Altar - Their idolatrous altars. Possibly he may say the altar, with respect to that particular altar, which Ahaz had set upon the place of God's own altar; and this prophecy might be delivered in Ahaz's time, while that altar stood.Chalk - stones - When he shall break all those goodly altars in pieces.Not stand - Shall be thrown down with contempt.

27:10 Yet - Yet before this glorious promise be fulfilled, a dreadful and desolating judgment shall come. The city - Jerusalem and the rest of the defenced cities in the land. The habitation - The most inhabited and populous places. The calf - This is put for all sorts of cattle, which may securely feed there, because there shall be no men left to disturb them.

27:11 Broken - That there may be no hopes of their recovery.Women - He mentions women, because the men would be destroyed.Not understanding - They know not the things which concerns their peace, but they blindly and wilfully go on in sin. Therefore - Thus he overthrows their conceit that God would never destroy the work of his own hands.

27:12 Beat out - It is a metaphor from grain which was beaten out with a rod or staff, and then carefully gathered and laid up. From - From Euphrates to the Nile, which were the two borders of the land of promise. All the Israelites who are left in the land.One by one - Which signifies, God's exact care of them.

27:13 Trumpet - God shall summon them altogether by sound of trumpet, by an eminent call of his providence. He alludes to the custom of calling the Israelites together with trumpets.

28  The drunkenness of Ephraim bringeth destruction on them, a remnant shall be honourable, Isa 28:1-8.
Their unteachableness, Isa 28:9-13.
Their mock at God's threatening, Isa 28:14-15.
Christ a sure foundation to believers, Isa 28:16.
And destruction to the mockers, who are exhorted to amend, Isa 28:17-22.
God's providence, its work and seasons towards the church, under the figure of a husbandman, Isa 28:23-29.

28:1 Pride - That proud and insolent kingdom. Drunkards - Having many and excellent vines among them, they were much exposed to this sin.Ephraim - Of the kingdom of the ten tribes. Who are - Who have their common abode. The head - Samaria, might well be called the head, as being seated upon a mountain, and the head of the kingdom, and the head of the fat valleys, because it was encompassed with many fat and rich valleys.

28:2 A strong one - The king of Assyria. Shall cast down - The crown of pride. The hand - By the hand of God, which shall strengthen him in this work.

28:3 Trodden - The expression is emphatical; the crown which was upon their own heads, shall be trodden under the feet of others; and they, whose drunkenness made them fall to the ground, shall be trodden down there.

28:4 He eateth - Which, as soon as a man sees he plucks it off, and devours it, as soon as he can get it into his hand. And so shall it be with Ephraim's glory, which his enemies shall devour greedily.

28:5 In that day - When the kingdom of Israel shall be destroyed.A diadem - God shall give eminent glory and beauty, to the kingdom of Judah.

28:6 To them - Who not only drive their enemies from their land, but pursue them into their own lands, and besiege them in their own cities.

28:7 But - Judah is guilty of the same sins with Israel, therefore they also must expect the same calamities; of which he speaks afterward. The prophet - The teachers, who should have been patterns of sobriety to the people. They err - The prophets miscarry in their sacred employment. Stumble - The priests mistake in pronouncing the sentence of the law, which was their duty.

28:9 He - God. Them - Who is there among this people that are willing to be taught the knowledge of God? A minister may as soon teach an infant as these men.

28:10 For - They must be taught like little children, because of their great dullness. Line - One line of the book after another, as children are taught to read.

28:11 Another tongue - By people of a strange language, whom he shall bring among them, seeing they will not hear him speaking, by his prophets, in their own language.

28:12 This - This doctrine. The rest - The only way, in which you will find rest.

28:13 Here a little - As this method has been used and was altogether necessary for them; so it still is, and for the future shall be. As they were children in understanding, they shall still continue to be such; they shall be ever learning, and never come to the knowledge of the truth. That - This will be the event, or consequence of their sin: they will fall backward, which is the worst, and most dangerous way of falling; and so be broken to pieces.

28:15 Said - In your hearts. We - We are as safe from death, and hell, or the grave, as if they had entered into covenant with us.The scourge - The judgment of God. Through - The land. For - We shall secure ourselves by lying and dissimulation.

28:16 Therefore - Because your refuges are so vain, and deceitful; therefore I will direct you to a surer refuge, which God hath laid in Zion. But if you despise that refuge; then know, that I will lay judgment to the line, etc I lay - I have promised it, and will, in the fulness of time, perform it. In Zion - In my church.A foundation - Upon which I will build my church. A stone - The Messiah. Tried - Which I have tried, and approved as every way sufficient. Corner - stone - Uniting the several parts of the building together. Sure - Upon whom you may securely rest. Believeth - This promise. Shall not - Hastily catch at any way of escaping danger, but shall patiently wait upon God in his way, 'till he deliver him.

28:17 Plummet - I will execute just judgment, as it were by a line and plummet annexed to it; that is, with exactness and care: I will severely punish, and utterly destroy all who reject that stone. For the line and plummet, or the plumb - line, was not only used in erecting buildings, but also in pulling them down; those parts of the building being thus marked out, which were to be demolished.

28:19 Pass over - It shall not only come to you, but it shall abide upon you; and when it hath passed over you, it shall return again to you, morning after morning; and shall follow you day and night, without giving you the least respite. The report - So dreadful shall the judgment be, that it shall strike you with horror, when you only hear the rumour of it.

28:20 For - For those lying refuges, to which you trust, will not be able to give you that protection, which you expect from them; no more than a man can stretch himself upon a bed that is too short for him.

28:21 Perazim - Where he fought against the Philistines, Isa 5:20.Gibeon - Where he fought against the Canaanites, Jos 10:10, etc and afterwards against the Philistines, Ch1 14:16.Strange work - For this work of bringing total destruction upon Israel, was contrary to the benignity of his own nature, and to the usual way of dealing with his people.

28:22 Lest - Lest thereby you make the judgments of God sure and unavoidable. For - God hath assured me, that he will utterly destroy the people of Israel.

28:24 Doth - The plowman doth not spend all his time in plowing the ground; but he has several times for several works. And so God has his times and seasons for several works, and his providence is various at several times, and towards several people. Therefore those scoffing Israelites were guilty of great folly, in flattering themselves, because of God's long patience towards them; for God will certainly take a time to thresh, and break them with his judgments, as at present he plowed and harrowed them, and so prepared them for it by his threatenings.Open - Understand, all day. Break - Which they used to do with a kind of harrow.

28:25 Made plain - By breaking the clods. The wheat - The best which he chuses for seed. Barley - That proportion of barley which he appointed.Place - Heb. in his border; each seed in a several place.

28:27 A threshing instrument - This then was made like a sledge shod with iron, which was drawn by men or beasts, over the sheafs of corn, to bruise them, and tear the grain out of them. A wheel - A lower wheel than a cart wheel, but of the same form, upon which possibly the threshing instrument was drawn.

28:28 Bruised - With a threshing instrument. Break it - Understand, forever. Horses - This was another way of threshing out the corn, by driving horses, or other cattle, over the sheaves to tread it.

28:29 This also - This part of the husbandman's discretion. These words contain the application of the similitude. The husbandman manages his affairs with common discretion; but God governs the world, and his church, with wonderful wisdom: he is great and marvellous, both in the contrivance of things, and in the execution of them.

29  The temple and city of Jerusalem destroyed, Isa 29:1-6.
Her enemies insatiable, Isa 29:7-8.
Their senselessness, Isa 29:9-12.
And deep hypocrisy, Isa 29:13-17.
These scorner and oppressor being cut off, the rest shall be converted, Isa 29:18-24.

29:1 The city - The royal city, and seat of David and his posterity.Set them - Go on in killing sacrifices from time to time, one year after another, whereby you think to appease me, but all shall be in vain.

29:4 And thou - Thou who now speakest so loftily, shall be humbled, and with a low voice, beg the favour of thine enemies. As one - Who, that they might possess the people with a kind of reverence and horror, used to deliver their answers with a low voice, from some cave under the ground.

29:5 Strangers - Whom thou hast hired to assist thee, as indeed they did, when the Chaldeans came against them. Terrible ones - Thy great commanders, and stout soldiers. It - This destruction of thy strangers, and terrible ones shall come to pass.

29:6 Thou - Thou, O Jerusalem. Fire - With dreadful judgments, which are frequently expressed by these metaphors.

29:8 His soul - His appetite or desire is unsatisfied. So - No less unsatisfied and insatiable; they shall be always thirsting after more of your blood.

29:9 Wonder - At the stupidity of this people. Cry - Cry out again and again through astonishment. They stagger - With giddiness or stupidity, which makes them like drunken men, insensible of their danger.

29:10 Dead sleep - Hardness of heart, and insensibleness of your danger. Seers - Your magistrates and ministers. Covered - With the veil of ignorance and stupidity.

29:12 Of all - Of all, your prophets. As a book - In which no man can read, while it is sealed up, as books then sometimes were, being made in the form of rolls. Delivered - Unsealed and opened.

29:13 Draw near - Namely, in acts of worship. With lips - With outward devotions. But - They do not pay me that love, and fear, and obedience, which I require. And - They worship me not in such a manner, as I have prescribed, but according to mens inventions, preferring the devices and traditions of their false prophets, before my institutions.

29:14 Hid - Shall disappear and vanish.

29:15 Seek deep - A metaphor from men, who use to dig deep into the earth, that they may hide any thing there. To hide - Vainly imagining, that they can deceive, not only men, but God, by their external professions. Who - Neither God nor man can discover us.

29:16 Surely - All your subtle devices, by which you turn yourselves into all shapes. As clay - It is no more to me, than the clay is to the potter, who can alter and dispose it as he sees fit.

29:17 As a forest - The forest of Lebanon, which was a barren mountain, shall by God's providence, become a fruitful and populous place; and these places which are now fruitful and populous, shall then become as barren and desolate, as that forest. This is a prophecy of the rejection of the Jews, and of the calling of the Gentiles.

29:18 Shall see - Being, by God's grace, brought out of gross, ignorance and wickedness, unto a clear and saving knowledge of the truth.

29:19 Meek - The humble and meek believers. Poor - Mean and despicable people, such as the Gentiles were in the opinion of the Jews, and such as the greatest part of the first Christians were.

29:20 That watch - That early and diligently apply themselves to the practice of wickedness.

29:21 That make a man - That condemn a man, as if he was a great criminal. For him - For God's faithful prophets and ministers.The gate - There the people used to assemble, both upon civil and sacred accounts, and there prophets used to deliver their prophecies.Turn - From his right. The just - The faithful ministers of God.Nought - Not for any great advantage, but for a trifle.

29:22 Redeemed - From manifold dangers, and especially from idolatry.Jacob - The Israelites or posterity of Jacob, who had great cause to be ashamed, for their continued infidelity, shall at last be brought back to the God of their fathers, and to their Messiah.Pale - Through fear of their enemies.

29:23 He seeth - When the believing seed of Jacob shall see those children, whom they have begotten to God, by the gospel, even the Gentiles. The work - The children, not of the flesh, but of the promise, whom I, by my almighty grace, have regenerated. In the midst - Incorporated with the Jews, into one and the same body.Shall sanctify - They shall glorify God, with them and for them.

29:24 That erred - Those Gentiles who erred from God's truth.Murmured - They that murmured at God's faithful teachers, shall now receive God's truth in the love of it.

30  The prophet threatens the people for their confidence in Egypt, Isa 30:1-7.
And contempt of God's word, Isa 30:8-11.
Wherefore they shall be destroyed, Isa 30:12-17.
God's mercies towards the church, Isa 30:18-26.
God's wrath and the peoples joy in the destruction of Assyria, Isa 30:27-33.

30:1 The rebellious - The Jews. Take counsel - That consult together. Cover - That seek protection. But not - Not such as by my spirit, speaking in my word, I have required them to do. That they may add - That unto all their sins, they may add distrust of my power and mercy, and put confidence in an arm of flesh.

30:2 Asked - Either by the priests or prophets.

30:4 His princes - The princes of Judah. Hanes - An eminent city of Egypt.

30:5 They - Both the messengers, and they who sent them.

30:6 The burden - The treasures, which were carried upon asses or camels, into Egypt, which lay southward from Judea. The land of trouble - Egypt, so called prophetically. From whence - This may be understood properly, but withal, seems to design the craft and cruelty of that people. They - The Jews. Their riches - To procure their assistance. Bunches - Upon the backs.

30:7 To her - To Jerusalem or Judah. Sit still - It is safer and better for them to sit quietly at home, seeking to me for help.

30:8 Write - This warning. Before - In their presence.Note it - So this was to be written twice over, once in a table, to be hanged up in some public place, that all present might read it; and again, in a book, that it might be kept for the use of posterity.The time to come - As a witness for me and against them.

30:11 Cause, etc - Do not trouble us with harsh messages from God.

30:12 And trust - In the wealth which you have gotten by oppression, and in your perverse course of sending to Egypt for help.

30:13 This iniquity - Of trusting to Egypt, shall be like a wall which is high, but swelling forth in some parts, which, upon the least accident, falls down suddenly.

30:14 He - God.

30:15 In returning - To God. Quietness - In sitting still, and quieting your minds. Confidence - Placed upon me, and my promises.

30:17  'Till - 'Till you be destroyed, and but a few of you left.

30:18 Wait - Patiently expect your repentance. Exalted - He will work gloriously. Judgment - Or mercy. That wait - In his way, with faith and patience.

30:19 Shall dwell - After a set time, they shall return to Jerusalem, and have a fixed abode. This was in part accomplished upon their return from Babylon; but more fully in the times of the gospel, when many of them were, and the whole body of them shall be brought into Christ's church.

30:21 Shall hear - Thou shalt hear the voice of God's word and spirit.Behind thee - A metaphor borrowed from shepherds, who use to follow their sheep, and recall them when they go out of the way.

30:22 Defile - To shew your contempt of it. Covering - The leaves or plates wherewith their images were frequently covered. Ornament - It was a costly and glorious robe.

30:23 Bread - Which shall be the fruit of thy own land and labour: and excellent for quality, which is called, fat, Deu 32:14, and abundant for quantity.

30:24 Clean provender - There should be such plenty of corn, that the very beasts, instead of straw, should eat corn; and that not in the ear, or with the straw, but the pure grain.

30:25 Hill - Which is commonly dry and barren. In the day - When God shall destroy the enemies of his people. The towers - The mighty potentates, who fought against God's people.

30:26 Sevenfold - As if the light of seven days were combined together in one. Healeth - When God shall effectually cure the wounds of his people, making Israel and Judah to be one, and making Jew and Gentile to be one fold under one shepherd.

30:27 Behold - Here he gives them an earnest of those greater mercies in times to come, by assuring them of the approaching destruction of the Assyrian forces. The name - The Lord himself. From far - From a remote place: even from heaven. Heavy - He will inflict heavy judgments upon them. Indignation - He hath pronounced a severe sentence against them, and will give command for the execution of it.

30:28 His breath - God's anger. A stream - Coming from him as vehemently, as a mighty torrent of waters. To sift - To shake and scatter, as it were with a sieve. The nations - The Assyrian army, which was made up of several nations. With - Not with an ordinary sieve, which casteth away the chaff only, but with a sieve, which should shake them so long and so vehemently, as to cast away altogether.A bridle - God will over - rule them by his powerful providence.To err - Whereas other bridles guide into the right way, this shall turn them out of the way, by giving them up to their own foolish counsels, which shall bring them to certain ruin.

30:29 A song - You shall have songs of praise. The night - He seems to have a particular respect to the solemnity of the passover, in which they spent some considerable part of the night in rejoicing, and singing psalms before the Lord. As when - Like the joy of one that is going up to the solemn feasts with musick.

30:30 His voice - His thunder, metaphorically taken for some terrible judgment. The lightning - Upon the Assyrian. With - With great wrath; which is signified by heaping so many words of the same signification together.

30:32 The rod - Heb. the founded rod, the judgment of God, called a founded rod, because it was firmly established, by God's immutable purpose. Him - Upon the Assyrian. With harps - Their destruction shall be celebrated by God's people, with joy and musick, and songs of praise. Of shaking - Or, shaking of the hand, of which kind of shaking this Hebrew word is constantly used. God will fight against them, and destroy them by his own hand. With it - With the army of the Assyrians.

30:33 Tophet - This was a place near Jerusalem, in which the idolatrous Israelites used to offer up their children to Moloch.It may be put, for any place of torment; and particularly it is put for hell. For the king - For the king of Assyria. Fire - He alludes to the ancient custom, of burning sacrifices, and particularly of burning children to Moloch. The breath - The immediate hand of God, or his word of anger. Brimstone - He seems to allude to that shower of fire and brimstone, Gen 19:24.

31  The folly and punishment of trusting in Egypt, Isa 31:1-3.
God will fight for Jerusalem, Isa 31:4-5.
If they will turn unto him, Isa 31:6-7.
The fall of Assyria, Isa 31:8-9.

31:1 Horses - For Egypt had many and choice horses.

31:2 He is safe - You think you are safe, in engaging the Egyptians; but God is not inferior to them in wisdom or strength, and therefore you have done foolishly, in preferring them before him, who will execute his judgments upon you, notwithstanding all the Egyptians can do.The help - The helpers, as it is explained in the next verse.

31:3 Flesh - Weak and frail.

31:4 For - Although you have done evil in sending to Egypt for help, yet the Lord himself will, of his own grace, give you that help which you do not deserve.

31:5 As birds - Which come from above, and so cannot be kept off; which fly swiftly, and engage resolutely, when their young ones are in danger.Passing over - The destroying angel shall pass over Jerusalem.

31:8 The sword - Not of any man, but of an angel. Discomfited - Heb.shall melt away, a great part of them being destroyed by the angel; and the hearts of the rest melting for fear.

31:9 He - Sennacherib shall flee away, from Jerusalem, to his strong city of Nineveh. The ensign - Of the Lord's ensign, which he hath lifted up against them. Whose fire - Who is, and will appear to be in Zion, like a fire to defend his people, and to consume their enemies.

32  Christ's kingdom and its blessings, Isa 32:1-8.
Careless women, shall be troubled, Isa 32:9-11.
And the land laid waste, Isa 32:12-14.
Until a restoration, Isa 32:16-20.

32:1 Behold - This seems to be a distinct prophecy from the former, and delivered before that which is related in the former chapters. The prophecies are not always set down in that order, in which the prophets delivered them. The foregoing prophecy was delivered, not in the time of Ahaz for he sent to the Assyrian, not the Egyptian, for help; it was Hezekiah, who rebelled against the king of Assyria, and was too prone to trust upon the staff of Egypt. But this seems to have been delivered in the time of Ahaz. A king - Hezekiah, a type of Christ, and Christ typified by him.

32:2 A man - Each of his princes. A hiding place - Unto the people under their government. The wind - From the rage and violence of evil men. As rivers - No less refreshing. As the shadow - In a dry and scorched country, which is called weary, because it makes travellers weary; as death is called pale in other authors, because it makes mens faces pale.

32:3 The eyes - The people, they shall not shut their eyes and ears against the good counsels and examples of their religious king and rulers, as they have done formerly: both princes and people shall be reformed.

32:4 The rash - Who were hasty in judging of things; which is an argument of ignorance and folly. The tongue - That used to speak of the things of God, darkly, and doubtfully; which though it was in part fulfilled in Hezekiah, yet was truly and fully accomplished only by Christ, who wrought this wonderful change in an innumerable company both of Jews and Gentiles.

32:5 The vile - Base and worthless men. Liberal - Shall no longer be reputed honourable, because of their high and honourable places, but wickedness shall be discovered where ever it is, and virtue manifested and rewarded. The churl - The sordid and covetous man; but under this one vice, all vices are understood, as under the opposite virtue of bountifulness; all virtues are comprehended.

32:6 Villainy - Men shall no longer be miscalled; for every one will discover what he is by his words and actions. Will work - He will, from time to time, be advising wickedness, that he may execute it when he hath opportunity. To practise - To do bad things, tho' with a pretence of religion and justice. To utter - To pass unjust sentence, directly contrary to the command of God. Cause the drink - Whereby they take away the bread and the drink of the poor.

32:7 Lying words - With false and unrighteous decrees. Even - When their cause is just and good.

32:9 Ye - That indulge yourselves in idleness and luxury.Careless - Who are insensible of your sin and danger.

32:10 The vintage shall fail - During the time of the Assyrian invasion. The gathering - Of the other fruits of the earth.

32:11 Strip - Put off your ornaments.

32:12 The teats - For the pleasant and fruitful fields, which like teats yielded you plentiful and excellent nourishment.

32:13 Yea - Upon that ground, where now your houses stand, in which you take your fill of mirth and pleasure.

32:14 Forsaken - Of God, and given up into their enemies hands.A joy - Desolate places, in which wild asses delight to be.

32:15 Until - Until the time come, in which God will pour, or, as the Hebrew word properly signifies, reveal, evidently and plentifully pour out his spirit from heaven upon his people, which was fully accomplished in the days of the Messiah. The fruitful field - God's people who were desolate, shall be revived and flourish, and their flourishing enemies shall be brought to destruction.

32:16 Judgment - Just judgment. Righteousness - Justice shall be executed in all the parts of the land.

32:17 The work - The effect of this shall be prosperity.Quietness - Tranquility, both of mind and outward estate.Assurance - Of God's mercy, and the fulfilling of his promises.

32:19 It shall hail - As my blessings shall be poured down upon my people, who, from a wilderness, are turned into a fruitful field, so my judgments (which are signified by hail, Isa 28:2, Isa 28:17, and elsewhere) shall fall upon them, who were a fruitful field, but are turned into a forest, upon the unbelieving and rebellious Jews.The city - Jerusalem, which, though now it was the seat of God's worship and people, yet he foresaw, would be the great enemy of the Messiah. Low - Heb. shall be humbled with humiliation: shall be greatly humbled, or brought very low.

32:20 Blessed - As the barren forest shall be destroyed, so the fruitful field shall be improved, and bring forth much fruit; which is signified by a declaration of the blessedness of them that sow in it. Waters - In all moist grounds, which are like to yield good fruit. But this also is to be understood of the times of the gospel, and of the great and happy success of the ministers of it. The ox - Which they employed in plowing and sowing the ground.

33  The destruction of the enemies of the church, who are derided, Isa 33:1-13.
Which terrifies the sinners in Zion, Isa 33:14.
The safety and privileges of the godly, Isa 33:23-24.

33:1 To thee - Sennacherib, who wasted the land of Judah.

33:2 O Lord - The prophet contemplating the judgment which was now coming upon God's people, directs his prayer to God for them.Their arm - Our arm or strength. The change of persons is frequent in prophetical writings. Every morning - When we offer the morning sacrifice, and call upon thee: which yet is not meant exclusively, as if he did not desire God's help at other times; but comprehensively, the morning being put for the whole day. The sense is, help us speedily and continually.

33:3 The noise - Which the angel shall make in destroying the army.The people - Those of the army, who escaped that stroke.The nations - The people of divers nations, which made up this army.

33:4 Your spoil - That treasure which you have raked together, by spoiling divers people. Gathered - By the Jews at Jerusalem, when you flee away. Like the caterpillar - As caterpillars gather and devour the fruits of the earth. As locusts - As locusts, especially when they are armed by commission from God, come with great force, and run hither and thither.

33:5 Exalted - By the destruction of so potent an army; and by the defence of this people.

33:6 Thy times - He turns his speech to Hezekiah. Thy throne shall be established upon the sure foundations of wisdom and justice.And strength - Thy strong salvation. The fear - Thy chief treasure is in promoting the fear and worship of God.

33:7 Behold - That the mercy promised might be duly magnified, he makes a lively representation of their great danger and distress.The ambassadors - Whom he shall send to beg peace of the Assyrian.Shall weep - Because they cannot obtain their desires.

33:8 The covenant - Sennacherib broke his faith, given to Hezekiah, of departing for a sum of money, Ki2 18:14, Ki2 18:17. Cities - The defenced cities of Judah, which he contemned, and easily took.

33:9 Mourneth - Being desolate and neglected. Hewn - By the Assyrians. Bashan - Two places eminent for fertility, are spoiled of their fruits.

33:11 Stubble - Instead of solid corn. Your great hopes and designs, shall be utterly disappointed. Your breath - Your rage against my people shall bring ruin upon yourselves.

33:12 The people - Shall be burnt as easily and effectually as chalk is burned to lime.

33:14 The sinners - This is spoken of the Jews. The prophet having foretold the deliverance of God's people, and the destruction of their enemies, gives a lively representation of the unbelieving condition, in which the Jews were, before their deliverance came. Who - How shall we be able to endure, or avoid the wrath of that God, who is a consuming fire; who is now about to destroy us utterly by the Assyrians, and will afterwards burn us with unquenchable fire?

33:15 He - Who is just in all his dealings. From hearing - Who will not hearken to any counsels, tending to shed innocent blood.From seeing - That abhors the very sight of sin committed by others, and guards his eyes from beholding occasions of sin.

33:16 On high - Out of the reach of danger. His waters - God will furnish him with all necessaries.

33:17 The king - First Hezekiah, and then Christ, triumphing over all enemies, and ruling his own people with righteousness.Very far - Thou shalt not be shut up in Jerusalem, but shalt have free liberty to go abroad with honour and safety.

33:18 Thine heart - This is a thankful acknowledgment of deliverance from their former terrors and miseries. Where - These words they spoke in the time of their distress. The scribe, whom we call muster - master, was to make and keep a list of the soldiers, and to call them together as occasion required: the receiver, received and laid out the money for the charges of the war; and he that counted the towers, surveyed all the parts of the city, and considered what towers or fortifications were to be made or repaired. And unto these several officers the people resorted, with great distraction and confusion.

33:19 A fierce - That fierce and warlike people, whom thou hast seen with terror, near the walls of Jerusalem, thou shalt see no more.A people - A foreign nation, whose language is unknown to thee.

33:20 Look upon - Contemplate Zion's glorious and peculiar privileges. Solemnities - This was the chief part of Zion's glory, that God was solemnly worshipped, and the solemn assemblies and feasts kept in her. Quiet - This was but imperfectly fulfilled in the literal Zion; but clearly and fully in the mystical Zion, the church of God, in the times of the gospel.

33:21 There - In and about Zion. Rivers - Tho' we have nothing but a small and contemptible brook to defend us; yet God will be as sure a defence to us, as if we were surrounded with great rivers.No galley - No ships of the enemies shall be able to come into this river to annoy them.

33:22 Is judge - To plead our cause against our enemies.Lawgiver - Our chief governor, to whom it belongs, to give laws, and to defend his people.

33:23 Tacklings - He directs his speech to the Assyrians; and having designed their army under the notion of a gallant ship, ver. Isa 33:21, he here represents their undone condition, by the metaphor of a ship, tossed in a tempestuous sea, having her cables broke, and all her tacklings loose, so that she could have no benefit of her masts and sails; and therefore is quickly swallowed up. The lame - They shall leave so many spoils behind them, that there shall be enough left for the lame, who come last to the spoil.

33:24 The inhabitant - Of Jerusalem. Sick - Shall have no cause to complain of any sickness or calamity. Forgiven - They shall not only receive from me a glorious temporal deliverance; but, which is infinitely better, the pardon of all their sins, and all those spiritual and everlasting blessings, which attend upon that mercy.

34  God's fury and wrath against his church's enemies, Isa 34:1-10.
Their land utterly desolate, Isa 34:11-15.
The certainly hereof, and duration, Isa 34:16-17.

34:2 All nations - Not only upon the Assyrians, but on all enemies of my people.

34:3 Cast out - Into the fields.

34:4 Dissolved - The sun, moon, and stars. So great shall be the confusion and consternation of mankind, as if all the frame of the creation were broken into pieces. It is usual for prophetic writers, both in the Old and New Testament, to represent great and general calamities, in such words and phrases, as properly agree to the day of judgment; as on the contrary, the glorious deliverances of God's people, in such expressions, as properly agree to the resurrection from the dead.

34:5 Bathed - In the blood of these people. Heaven - Where God dwells; in which this is said to be done, because it was there decreed and appointed. Idumea - Upon the Edomites, who, tho' they were nearly related to the Israelites, yet were their implacable enemies. But these are named for all the enemies of God's church, of whom they were an eminent type. The people - Whom I have cursed, and devoted to utter destruction, as the word properly signifies.

34:6 The sword - The metaphor is taken from a great glutton, who is almost insatiable. Rams - By lambs, and goats, and rams, he means people of all ranks and conditions, high and low, rich and poor. Bozrah - A chief city of Edom, and a type of those cities which should be most opposite to God's people.

34:7 The unicorns - It is confessed, this was a beast of great strength and fierceness; and it is used in this place to signify their princes and potentates, who shall be humbled and cast down. Them - With the lambs, and goats, and rams. Fatness - With the fat of the slain sacrifices, mingled with it.

34:8 For - This is the time which God hath fixed, to avenge the cause of his persecuted people.

34:9 The land - Idumea shall be dealt with, as Sodom and Gomorrah were.

34:10 For ever - It shall remain as a spectacle of God's vengeance to all succeeding ages.

34:11 Dwell - It shall be entirely possessed by those creatures which delight in deserts and waste places. Stretch - He shall use the line, or the stone or plummet joined to it, not to build them, but to mark them out to destruction, as workmen commonly use them to mark what they are to pull down.

34:12 None - They shall not find any willing to undertake the government. Nothing - Shall have no courage or strength left in them.

34:16 Seek - When this judgment is executed, if you pursue this prophecy, you will find, that all things exactly come to pass, as I have told you. His - My spirit, (such sudden changes of persons being frequent here) hath brought all these creatures together, as he formerly brought the creatures to Adam, and to Noah, by an instinct which he put into them.

34:17 Divided - He hath divided the land to them, as it were by lot and line, as Canaan was divided among the Israelites.

35  The joyful flourishing of Christ's kingdom, Isa 35:1-2.
The weak he strengthens and comforts, Isa 35:3-4.
His miracles, Isa 35:5-6.
The prosperity and peace of his people, Isa 35:7-10.

35:1 The solitary place - Emmanuel's land, or the seat of God's church and people, which formerly was despised like a wilderness, and which the rage of their enemies had brought to desolation, shall flourish exceedingly.

35:2 The excellency - The wilderness shall be as pleasant and fruitful as Lebanon, and Carmel, and Sharon.They - The inhabitants of the wilderness aforesaid.The glory - The glorious discoveries of God's power and goodness.

35:3 Strengthen - Ye ministers of God, comfort and encourage God's people, who are now ready to faint.

35:4 Your God - Tho' he seems to be departed, he will come to you, and abide with you. He will shortly come in the flesh, to execute vengeance upon the enemies of God.

35:5 Then - The poor Gentiles, who before were blind and deaf, shall now have the eyes and ears of their minds opened to see God's works, and to hear and receive his word.

35:7 Streams - The most dry and barren places shall be made moist and fruitful; which is principally meant of the plentiful effusion of God's grace upon such persons and nations, as had been wholly destitute of it.Rushes - Those dry and parched deserts, in which dragons have their abode, shall yield abundance of grass, and reeds, and rushes, which grow only in moist ground.

35:8 A way - The high - way and the way are not to be taken for two different ways, but for one and the same way, even a causey, which is raised ground, and a way. Holiness - The people (walking in it) shall be all righteous. For those - But this way shall be appropriated to those persons above - mentioned; the weak, and blind, and lame, whom God will lead and save. Though fools - The way shall be so plain and strait, that even the most foolish travellers cannot easily mistake it.

36  Sennacherib invades Judah, Isa 36:1.
He sends Rabshakeh, who by his blasphemous persuasions tempts Hezekiah to despair, and the people to revolt, Isa 36:2-22.
The history related here, and in the three following chapters, is, almost in the same words contained Ki2 36:18-20.
It is inserted here, to explain and confirm some of the foregoing predictions. It may seem to have first been written by this prophet, and from him taken into the book of Kings, to compleat that history.

37  Hezekiah mourns and sends to Isaiah to pray for them, Isa 37:1-5.
He comforts them, Isa 37:6-7.
Sennacherib called away against the king of Ethiopia, sends a blasphemous letter to Hezekiah, Isa 37:8-13.
His prayer, Isa 37:14-20.
Isaiah's prophecy, Isa 37:21-35.
An angel slays the Assyrians, Isa 37:36.
Sennacherib is slain at Nineveh by his own sons, Isa 37:37-38.

38  Hezekiah in his sickness receives from Isaiah a message of death, Isa 38:1.
By prayer, Isa 38:2-3.
hath his life lengthened; the sun goeth backward for a sign thereof, Isa 38:4-8.
His song of praise to God, Isa 38:9-20.

38:13 I reckon - When I could not rest all the night even 'till morning, my thoughts were presaging that God would instantly break me to pieces, and the like thoughts followed me from morning 'till evening.

38:16 By these - By thy promises, and thy performance of them; therefore it is not strange, that one word of God hath brought me back from the jaws of death.

38:18 Praise - The dead are not capable of glorifying thy name among men upon earth. They cannot expect nor receive the accomplishment of thy promised goodness in the land of the living.

38:20 Was ready - Was a present help.

39  The king of Babylon sends ambassadors with letters and a present to Hezekiah, who shews them his treasures, Isa 39:1-2.
Isaiah foretells the Babylonish captivity, Isa 39:4-7.
His resignation, Isa 39:8.

1:1 Надписание книги: перечисление царей, в царствование которых (740-696) протекала деятельность Исаии (ср Ki2 15-18 и Ch2 26-32). "Иуда и Иерусалим" здесь не географические названия, а наименования народа Божия, к которому обращены все пророчества Исаии, даже если в них говорится о Северном царстве и об иноземных народах.

1:2-14 Торжественная речь, в которой выражены основные идеи пророка. Поэтому она поставлена на первое место, тогда как о призвании Исаии говорится только в Ис 6. В ней кратко, в поэтической форме, описывается вся история Израиля. Данный текст был написан или в конце войны 735 г против сиро-ефремлян (Ki2 1-16) или в период осады Иерусалима и опустошения территории Иуды Сеннахиримом в 701 г. (ср Ис 36:1; 4 Цар 18:13сл).

1:4 "Святаго Израилева" - излюбленное Исаией наименование Бога.

1:5-6 Иудейское общество представляется пророку в виде больного тела: "голова" - правители; "сердце" - священники и левиты; народ - тело, на котором не осталось здорового места. Церковь относит ст Ис 1:6, как и аналогичные стт Ис 53:3сл, к Страстям Христовым.

1:10 "Князья Содомские" - правители избранного народа, вследствие своей греховности уподобившиеся содомлянам; "народ Гоморрский" - очень грешный народ (ср Иез 16:49).

1:11 Пророк обличает совершающих обряды без соответствующего внутреннего расположения (ср Ам 5:21-27). Хотя жертвоприношения и праздники установлены Богом и Исаия признает их необходимым выражением религиозного чувства (Ис 19:21, ср Ис 29:1сл), праведная жизнь гораздо ценнее в очах Божиих. Согласно блаж. Иерониму, жертвоприношения были установлены с целью возвысить ум человека до понимания необходимости "жертвы духовной".

1:15 "Ваши руки полны крови" - крови невинных, смешивающейся с кровью жертв.

1:18 Прощение грехов, как и суд (Пс 9:9), есть дело Божие (Исх 34:6; Ос 11:8-9). По Своей милости Бог прощает грех человеку, вследствие чего восстанавливается подлинное отношение между согрешившим и его Создателем. Всякий, даже самый тяжелый грех, может быть прощен, ибо милосердие Божие безгранично. Бог всегда прощает грешника, если тот признается и раскаивается в своих грехах в результате внутреннего обращения (Иер 3:14; Иез 18:30-32; ср Ис 31:6-7; Плач 5:21). Прощение грехов- один из признаков мессианской эры (Иер 31:34; ср Иез 36:25-26): это предсказание пророков полностью сбывается с пришествием Иисуса Христа.

1:20 "Меч пожрет вас" - нашествие врагов со всеми сопровождающими его бедствиями пока еще только угроза, которую можно отвести обращением.

1:26 В древности считалось, что личность и судьбу человека определяет его имя (ср имена Иакова и его сыновей - Быт 25:26; Быт 27:36; Gen 29:31-30:24и т.д.). Перемена имени означает перемену призвания (ср Авраам - Быт 17:5; Израиль - Быт 32:29и т.д.). Имена, которые нарицают пророки, являются как бы печатью на жизни людей (см Ис 7:3; ср Ис 10:21; Ис 7:14; Ис 8:1-3; ср Ис 8:18; Ос 1:4, Ос 1:6, Ос 1:9-11; Ос 2:1, Ос 2:23). Будущему Иерусалиму даются новые пророческие имена, напр " город правды, столица верная" (ст Ис 1:26; Ис 60:14; Ис 62:4-12; Иез 48:35). Согласно Исаии и Амосу, правда есть прежде всего беспристрастность в исполнении правосудия, а в более глубоком плане - причастность к правде-справедливости Самого Бога, через которую проявляется Его святость (Ис 5:16).

1:29 Свящ. "дубравы" были местами, где поклонялись идолам, следуя безнравственным религиозным обычаям, заимствованным у хананеев (ср Втор 12:2).

2:1-5 "Слово", главную часть которого мы находим и у Мих 4:1-3. В нем выражается верность Иерусалиму, центру откровения; в то же время оно проникнуто духом универсализма.

2:1-5 В мессианские времена.

2:6 "Чародеи... как у филистимлян" - гадание и чародеяние имело место во всех странах древнего Востока, даже в Израиле (1 Цар 28:3сл; Ис 8:19), несмотря на запрещения (Исх 22:18; Лев 19:31; Лев 20:27; Втор 18:10-11, Втор 18:14). О филистимских чародеях нам ничего не известно, есть только указание на них в 1 Цар 6:2.

3:1 "Позор" - очевидно армия была уничтожена или взята в плен. Многие женщины готовы стать женами оставшихся в живых мужчин, чтобы избежать одиночества и позора бесплодия.

3:2 "Отрасль" и "плод земли" обозначают или Мессию, или "уцелевших сынов Израиля". Они сравниваются с деревом, вновь расцветающим на палестинской земле.

3:3 Неверный Израиль будет наказан. Но Бог любит Свой народ и спасет небольшой "остаток" от меча завоевателей. Этот образ остатка, уже встречающийся у Амоса (Ам 3:12; Ам 5:15; Ам 9:8-10), появляется затем у Исаии (Ис 6:13; Ис 10:19-21; Ис 28:5-6; Ис 37:4= 4 Цар 19:4; Ис 37:31-32, ср Мих 4:7; Мих 5:3; Соф 2:7, Соф 2:9; Соф 3:12; Иер 3:14; Иер 5:18; Иез 5:3; Иез 9). Остаток жителей Иерусалима, очищенный и отныне верный, снова станет могущественным народом. После катастрофы 587 г. "остаток" окажется среди уведенных в плен (Иез 12:16; Вар 2:13), в плену он обратится (Иез 6:8-10; ср Втор 30:1-5), и тогда Бог соберет его для мессианского восстановления (Ис 11:11, Ис 11:16; Иер 23:3; Иер 31:7; Иер 50:20; Иез 20:37; Мих 2:12-13). После возвращения из плена "остаток", тоже ставший неверным, будет, согласно послепленным пророкам, частично истреблен и очищен (Зах 1:3; Зах 8:11; Агг 1:12; Авд 1:17= Иоил 2:32; Зах 13:8-9; Зах 14:2). В действительности, подлинным "Семенем" нового освященного Израиля (Ис 11:1, Ис 11:10; ср Ис 4:2; Иер 23:3-6), становится Христос. - В противоположность Израилю, у языческих народов не будет "остатка" (Ис 14:22, Ис 14:30; Ис 15:9; Ис 16:14; Иез 21:32; Ам 1:8; Авд 1:18).

3:14 "Виноградник" - образ народа Божия.

5:1 Притча или песня о винограднике, составленная Исаией в начале его пророческой деятельности, вероятно по образцу песен при сборе винограда. Образ виноградника, символизирующего Израиль, избранный и затем отверженный, встречается впервые у Осии Ос 10:1, затем у Иеремии (Иер 2:21; Иер 5:10; Иер 6:9; Иер 12:10) и Иезекииля (Иез 15:1-8; Иез 17:3-10; Иез 19:10-14; ср Пс 79:9-19; Ис 27:2-5). Христос возвращается к ней в притче о злых виноградарях (Mat 21:33-44п; ср проклятие смоковницы Мф 21:18-19). У Ин 15:1-2Он открывает тайну "истинной виноградной лозы".

5:16 "Святость Божия" (ср Ис 6:3) отделяет Бога от всех его творений. Бог пребывает на недосягаемой для них высоте и не может быть ими осквернен. Но эта трансцендентная святость проявляется в отношениях с людьми, в правде Божией, через которую открывается этический характер Его святости. Бог вознаграждает добрых и карает злых в час Своего "суда". Этой правде не противоречит милосердие, ибо Бог вершит правду и когда исполняет Свои обетования и когда прощает раскаявшемуся грешнику.

5:19 "Свое дело" - день Господень, который рассматривался как политическое торжество Израиля над всеми врагами (ср Ам 5:18).

6:1-13 Первое видение Исаии - призвание пророка; его датируют обычно 740 г. Этот текст положено читать как паремию на праздник Сретения Господня, ибо Церковь видит здесь предсказание о воплощении Сына Божия и принесении Его во Храм. Сидящий на престоле - Господь, единственный истинный Царь Израиля и мира (ср Откр 4:3-11). Во время видения Исаия слышал и видел духовным взором и духовным слухом. "Слышит Исаия глас Господа, хотя ничто не ударяло в телесный слух... ибо в уме тех, у кого он не развлечен и чист, какою-то неизреченной силою составляются образы, как будто они слышат в себе изглашаемое слово Божие, хотя ни воздух не передает, ни слух не принимает сих образов" (св. Василий Великий, толкование на пророка Исаию, VI).

6:2 "Серафимы", т.е. "пламенеющие" - небесные существа с человеческим лицом и шестью крыльями; они напоминают таинственные существа, несущие колесницу Ягве (Иез 1); в Иез 10они названы "херувимами" (ср Исх 25:18).

6:3 "Свят, свят, свят" - этот текст стал литургическим песнопением. "Святость Божия" составляет одну из центральных тем проповеди Исаии (Ис 1:4; Ис 5:19, Ис 5:24; Ис 10:17, Ис 10:20; Ис 41:14, Ис 41:16, Ис 41:20и т.д.). Святость Божия властно призывает человека к святости, т.е. к отделению от язычников (Лев 20:24) и к очищению от греха (стт Ис 6:5-7). Так человек становится причастным святости Божией.

6:4 "Курения", (или облако) - знак присутствия Бога на Синае (Исх 19:16), в Скинии (Исх 40:34-35), и в храме иерусалимском.

6:6 "Горящий уголь" причастен святости, сообщаемой жертвеннику. Огонь обычно сопровождает теофании на Синае (Исх 19:18; Втор 4:11-12, Втор 4:15, Втор 4:33, Втор 4:36). Этот огонь очистителен (ср Ис 1:25; Иер 6:29; Мф 3:11).