24 Thus saith H559 the LORD, H3068 thy redeemer, H1350 and he that formed H3335 thee from the womb, H990 I am the LORD H3068 that maketh H6213 all things; that stretcheth forth H5186 the heavens H8064 alone; that spreadeth abroad H7554 the earth H776 by myself;
Thus saith H559 God H410 the LORD, H3068 he that created H1254 the heavens, H8064 and stretched them out; H5186 he that spread forth H7554 the earth, H776 and that which cometh out H6631 of it; he that giveth H5414 breath H5397 unto the people H5971 upon it, and spirit H7307 to them that walk H1980 therein:
And forgettest H7911 the LORD H3068 thy maker, H6213 that hath stretched forth H5186 the heavens, H8064 and laid the foundations H3245 of the earth; H776 and hast feared H6342 continually H8548 every day H3117 because H6440 of the fury H2534 of the oppressor, H6693 as if H834 he were ready H3559 to destroy? H7843 and where is the fury H2534 of the oppressor? H6693
Thus saith H559 the LORD H3068 that made H6213 thee, and formed H3335 thee from the womb, H990 which will help H5826 thee; Fear H3372 not, O Jacob, H3290 my servant; H5650 and thou, Jesurun, H3484 whom I have chosen. H977
Which alone spreadeth out H5186 the heavens, H8064 and treadeth H1869 upon the waves H1116 of the sea. H3220
Who coverest H5844 thyself with light H216 as with a garment: H8008 who stretchest out H5186 the heavens H8064 like a curtain: H3407
Thus saith H559 the LORD H3068 the King H4428 of Israel, H3478 and his redeemer H1350 the LORD H3068 of hosts; H6635 I am the first, H7223 and I am the last; H314 and beside H1107 me there is no God. H430
For thus saith H559 the LORD H3068 that created H1254 the heavens; H8064 God H430 himself that formed H3335 the earth H776 and made H6213 it; he hath established H3559 it, he created H1254 it not in vain, H8414 he formed H3335 it to be inhabited: H3427 I am the LORD; H3068 and there is none else.
Mine hand H3027 also hath laid the foundation H3245 of the earth, H776 and my right hand H3225 hath spanned H2946 the heavens: H8064 when I call H7121 unto them, they stand up H5975 together. H3162
And G2532 to make G5461 all G3956 men see G5461 what G5101 is the fellowship G2842 of the mystery, G3466 which G3588 from G575 the beginning of the world G165 hath been hid G613 in G1722 God, G2316 who G3588 created G2936 all things G3956 by G1223 Jesus G2424 Christ: G5547
And G2532 they sung G103 a new G2537 song, G5603 saying, G3004 Thou art G1488 worthy G514 to take G2983 the book, G975 and G2532 to open G455 the seals G4973 thereof: G846 for G3754 thou wast slain, G4969 and G2532 hast redeemed G59 us G2248 to God G2316 by G1722 thy G4675 blood G129 out of G1537 every G3956 kindred, G5443 and G2532 tongue, G1100 and G2532 people, G2992 and G2532 nation; G1484
For G3754 by G1722 him G846 were G2936 all things G3956 created, G2936 that are in G1722 heaven, G3772 and G2532 that are in G1909 earth, G1093 visible G3707 and G2532 invisible, G517 whether G1535 they be thrones, G2362 or G1535 dominions, G2963 or G1535 principalities, G746 or G1535 powers: G1849 all things G3956 were created G2936 by G1223 him, G846 and G2532 for G1519 him: G846 And G2532 he G846 is G2076 before G4253 all things, G3956 and G2532 by G1722 him G846 all things G3956 consist. G4921
And, G2532 Thou, G4771 Lord, G2962 in G2596 the beginning G746 hast laid the foundation G2311 of the earth; G1093 and G2532 the heavens G3772 are G1526 the works G2041 of thine G4675 hands: G5495 They G846 shall perish; G622 but G1161 thou G4771 remainest; G1265 and G2532 they all G3956 shall wax old G3822 as G5613 doth a garment; G2440 And G2532 as G5616 a vesture G4018 shalt thou fold G1667 them G846 up, G1667 and G2532 they shall be changed: G236 but G1161 thou G4771 art G1488 the same, G846 and G2532 thy G4675 years G2094 shall G1587 not G3756 fail. G1587
Thus saith H559 the LORD, H3068 the Redeemer H1350 of Israel, H3478 and his Holy One, H6918 to him whom man H5315 despiseth, H960 to him whom the nation H1471 abhorreth, H8581 to a servant H5650 of rulers, H4910 Kings H4428 shall see H7200 and arise, H6965 princes H8269 also shall worship, H7812 because of the LORD H3068 that is faithful, H539 and the Holy One H6918 of Israel, H3478 and he shall choose H977 thee.
And they remembered H2142 that God H430 was their rock, H6697 and the high H5945 God H410 their redeemer. H1350
For thou hast possessed H7069 my reins: H3629 thou hast covered H5526 me in my mother's H517 womb. H990 I will praise H3034 thee; for I am fearfully H3372 and wonderfully made: H6395 marvellous H6381 are thy works; H4639 and that my soul H5315 knoweth H3045 right well. H3966 My substance H6108 was not hid H3582 from thee, when I was made H6213 in secret, H5643 and curiously wrought H7551 in the lowest parts H8482 of the earth. H776 Thine eyes H5869 did see H7200 my substance, yet being unperfect; H1564 and in thy book H5612 all my members were written, H3789 which in continuance H3117 were fashioned, H3335 when as yet there was none H259 of them.
Even every one H3605 that is called H7121 by my name: H8034 for I have created H1254 him for my glory, H3519 I have formed H3335 him; yea, I have made H6213 him.
Hearken H8085 unto me, O house H1004 of Jacob, H3290 and all the remnant H7611 of the house H1004 of Israel, H3478 which are borne H6006 by me from the belly, H990 which are carried H5375 from the womb: H7356 And even to your old age H2209 I am he; and even to hoar hairs H7872 will I carry H5445 you: I have made, H6213 and I will bear; H5375 even I will carry, H5445 and will deliver H4422 you.
Listen, H8085 O isles, H339 unto me; and hearken, H7181 ye people, H3816 from far; H7350 The LORD H3068 hath called H7121 me from the womb; H990 from the bowels H4578 of my mother H517 hath he made mention H2142 of my name. H8034
Did not he that made H6213 me in the womb H990 make H6213 him? and did not one H259 fashion H3559 us in the womb? H7358
And I will feed H398 them that oppress H3238 thee with their own flesh; H1320 and they shall be drunken H7937 with their own blood, H1818 as with sweet wine: H6071 and all flesh H1320 shall know H3045 that I the LORD H3068 am thy Saviour H3467 and thy Redeemer, H1350 the mighty One H46 of Jacob. H3290
For thy Maker H6213 is thine husband; H1166 the LORD H3068 of hosts H6635 is his name; H8034 and thy Redeemer H1350 the Holy One H6918 of Israel; H3478 The God H430 of the whole earth H776 shall he be called. H7121
Thou shalt also suck H3243 the milk H2461 of the Gentiles, H1471 and shalt suck H3243 the breast H7699 of kings: H4428 and thou shalt know H3045 that I the LORD H3068 am thy Saviour H3467 and thy Redeemer, H1350 the mighty One H46 of Jacob. H3290
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Isaiah 44
Commentary on Isaiah 44 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 44
Isa 44:1-28. Continuation of the Previous Chapter.
1-5. Yet—Though thou hast sinned, yet hear God's gracious promise as to thy deliverance.
chosen—(Isa 41:8).
2. (Isa 43:1, 7).
formed … from … womb—(So Isa 44:24; Isa 49:1, 5). The sense is similar to that in Isa 1:2, "I have nourished and brought up children."
Jesurun—A diminutive term of endearment applied to Israel. The full title of affection was Israelun; contracted it became Jeshurun, with an allusion to the Hebrew root, jashar, "upright," "perfect" (see on Isa 42:19, note on "He that is perfect") [Gesenius], (De 32:15).
3. (Isa 41:18).
him … thirsty—rather, "the land" (Isa 35:6, 7), figuratively for man thirsting after righteousness (Mt 5:6).
floods—the abundant influences of the Holy Spirit, stronger than "water."
spirit—including all spiritual and temporal gifts, as the parallel, "blessing," proves (Isa 11:2; 32:15).
seed—(Isa 59:21).
4. they—thy "seed" and "offspring" (Isa 44:3).
as among—needlessly inserted in English Version. Rather, "The seed shall spring up as willows among the grass beside canals of water" [Horsley]. Or, "They shall spring up among the grass (that is, luxuriantly; for what grows in the midst of grass grows luxuriantly) as willows by the water-courses," which makes the parallel clauses better balanced [Maurer].
5. The third clause answers in parallelism to the first, the fourth to the second.
I am the Lord's—(Jer 50:5; 1Co 6:19, 20; 2Co 8:5).
call himself by the name of Jacob—The Gentiles (as the result of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Israel, the Lord's "seed," first) shall join themselves to the children of Jacob, in order to worship their God (compare Isa 43:7; Ps 49:11). Or, "calls," that is, invokes and celebrates the name of Jacob, attaches himself to his nation and religion [Maurer], (Ps 24:6).
subscribe … hand unto … Lord—in solemn and public covenant, pledging himself to God's service (compare Ne 9:38), before "witnesses" (Heb 12:1), after the manner of a civil contract (Jer 32:10, 12, 44). So the Christian in the sacraments [Barnes]. Literally, "shall fill his hand with letters (Ex 32:15; Eze 2:10) in honor of Jehovah"; or "shall write upon his hand, I am Jehovah's" (compare Isa 49:16; Re 13:16); alluding to the puncture with ink on the hand, whereby a soldier marked himself as bound to his commander; and whereby the Christians used to mark themselves with the name of Christ [Lowth]. The former view is simpler.
surname himself … Israel—Maurer and Gesenius interpret this as the Hebrew sanctions, answering to their rendering of the parallel second clause, "calls blandly (speaks in honorable terms of) the name of Israel." Retaining English Version, we must, from the Hebrew understand it thus, "Surname himself by the honorable name of Israel" (Isa 45:4).
6. Here follows an argument for Jehovah, as the only God, and against the idols, as vanity (see on Isa 41:4; Isa 43:1; Isa 43:10-12).
7. Who but God can predict future events and declare also the order and time of each (see on Isa 41:22, 23; Isa 45:21)?
call—"openly proclaim" (Isa 40:6) things to come [Maurer]. Or, "call forth" the event; command that it happen (Isa 46:11; 48:15), [Barnes].
set … in order—There is no chance or confusion; all events occur in the order best fitted to subserve God's plans.
for me—It is FOR God that all things exist and take place (Re 4:11). But Maurer translates, "Let him set it forth (Job 37:19) to me."
since … ancient people—I have given the Jews predictions of the future ever since I appointed them as My people in ancient times; therefore they were qualified to be His witnesses (Isa 44:8). As to their being God's "ancient (everlasting) people," see De 32:7-9; Jer 31:3; the type of the redeemed Church (Eph 1:4).
8. be afraid—literally, "be astounded," or "distracted with fear."
from that time—namely, from the time that "I appointed the ancient people" (Isa 44:7). From the time of Abraham's call, his family were the depositories of the predictions of the Redeemer, whereas the promise of Cyrus was not heard of till Isaiah's time; therefore, the event to the prediction and accomplishment of which God appeals in proof of His sole Godhead, is the redemption of man by a descendant of Abraham, in whose person "the ancient people" was first formally "appointed." The deliverance of the Jews, by Cyrus, is mentioned afterwards only as an earnest of that greater mercy [Horsley].
no God—Hebrew, tsur, "rock" (De 32:4); that is, a stronghold to take refuge in, and a solid foundation to build on.
9. (Isa 40:18, 20; 41:29).
delectable things—the idols in which they take such pride and delight.
not profit—(Hab 2:18).
they are their own witnesses—contrasted with, "Ye are My witnesses" (Isa 44:8). "They," that is, both the makers and the idols, are witnesses against themselves, for the idols palpably see and know nothing (Ps 115:4-8).
that they may be ashamed—the consequence deducible from the whole previous argument, not merely from the words immediately preceding, as in Isa 28:13; 36:12. I say all this to show that they are doomed to perish with shame, which is their only fitting end.
10. Who … ?—Sarcastic question: "How debased the man must be who forms a god!" It is a contradiction in terms. A made god, worshipped by its maker (1Co 8:4)!
11. his fellows—the associates of him who makes an idol; or of the idol (see De 7:26; Ps 115:8; Ho 4:17).
they are of men—They are mortal men themselves; what better, then, can the idol be than its maker?
gathered together … stand up—as in a court of justice, to try the issue between God and them (see on Isa 41:1; Isa 41:21).
yet—wrongly inserted in English Version. The issue of the trial shall be, "they shall fear," &c.
12. tongs—rather, "prepareth (to be supplied) an axe," namely, with which to cut down the tree designed as the material of the idol. The "smith" (Hebrew, "workman in iron") here answers to the "carpenter" (Hebrew, "workman in wood"). "He worketh it (the axe, not the idol, which was wood, not metal) in the coals," &c. The axe was wrought, not cast. The smith makes the axe for the carpenter.
hungry … drinketh no water—so eager is he to expedite his work while the iron is hot. If the god were worth anything, it would not let him grow "faint" with hunger and thirst. Williams, the missionary, states that the South Sea islanders when they make an idol abstain from food and drink.
13. After the smith's work in preparing the instruments comes the carpenter's work in forming the idol.
rule—rather, "line" [Barnes].
with a line—rather, a "pencil," [Horsley]. Literally, "red ochre," which he uses to mark on the wood the outline of the figure [Lowth]. Or best, the stylus or graver, with which the incision of the outline is made [Gesenius].
planes—rather, "chisels" or "carving tools," for a plane would not answer for carving.
compass—from a Hebrew root, "to make a circle"; by it, symmetry of form is secured.
according to … beauty of a man—irony. The highest idea the heathen could form of a god was one of a form like their own. Jerome says, "The more handsome the statue the more august the god was thought." The incarnation of the Son of God condescends to this anthropomorphic feeling so natural to man, but in such a way as to raise man's thoughts up to the infinite God who "is a spirit."
that it may remain in … house—the only thing it was good for; it could not hear nor save (compare Wisdom 13:15).
14. Description of the material out of which the idol is formed.
cypress—rather, from Hebrew root, "to be hard," the holm oak," an evergreen abundant in Palestine [Gesenius].
strengtheneth—literally, "and he getteth strength to himself in the trees of the forest;" that is, he layeth in a great store of timber [Lowth]. Or, "chooseth," as "madest strong for thyself," that is, hast chosen (Ps 80:15, 17) [Gesenius]. But English Version gives a good sense: "strengtheneth"; that is, rears to maturity; a meaning suitable also to the context of Ps 80:15, 17, where Israel is compared to a vine planted by Jehovah [Maurer].
rain doth nourish it—Though the man planted the tree, yet he could not make it grow. In preparing to make an idol, he has to depend on the true God for rain from heaven (Jer 14:22).
15. The same tree that furnishes the material for the god is in part used as fuel for a fire to cook his meals and warm himself!
thereto—rather, "he falleth down before them," that is, such images [Maurer].
16. part … part—not distinct parts, but the same part of the wood (compare Isa 44:17).
eateth—that is, cooks so as to eat (Isa 44:19).
I have seen—I feel its power.
18. he, &c.—God hath given them over to judicial blindness; not His direct physical, but His providential agency in administering His moral government, is meant (Isa 6:9, 10). "Shut," literally, "daubed," plastered up; it is an Eastern custom in some cases to seal up the eyes of offenders.
19. considereth—literally, "layeth it to heart," (Isa 42:25; Jer 12:11).
abomination—the scriptural term for an idol, not merely abominable, but the essence of what is so, in the eyes of a jealous God (1Ki 11:5, 7).
20. feedeth on ashes—figuratively, for the idolater delights in what is vain (Pr 15:14; Ho 12:1). "Feedeth on wind." There is an allusion, perhaps, also, to the god being made of a tree, the half of which was reduced to ashes by fire (Isa 44:15-17); the idol, it is implied, was no better, and could, and ought, to have been reduced to ashes like the other half.
deceived heart—The heart and will first go astray, then the intellect and life (Ro 1:28; Eph 4:18).
lie in … right hand—Is not my handiwork (the idol) a self-deceit?
21. Remember—"Be not like the idolaters who consider not in their heart" (Isa 44:19).
these—things just said as to the folly of idol-worship.
my servant—not like the idolaters, slaves to the stock of a tree (Isa 44:19). See Isa 44:1, 2.
thou … not … forgotten of me—Therefore thou oughtest to "remember" Me.
22. blotted out—the debt of thy sin from the account-book in which it was entered (Ex 32:32, 33; Re 20:12).
as a thick cloud—scattered away by the wind (Ps 103:12).
as a cloud—a descending gradation. Not only the "thick cloud" of the heavier "transgressions," but the "cloud" ("vapor" [Lowth], not so dense, but covering the sky as a mist) of the countless "sins." These latter, though not thought much of by man, need, as much as the former, to be cleared away by the Sun of righteousness; else they will be a mist separating us from heaven (Ps 19:12, 13; 1Jo 1:7-9).
return … for—The antecedent redemption is the ground of, and motive to, repentance. We do not repent in order that He may redeem us, but because He hath redeemed us (Zec 12:10; Lu 24:47; Ac 3:18,19). He who believes in his being forgiven cannot but love (Lu 7:43, 47).
23. Call to inanimate nature to praise God; for it also shall share in the coming deliverance from "the bondage of corruption" (Ro 8:20, 21).
done it—effected redemption for both the literal and spiritual Israel.
lower parts, &c.—antithetical to "heavens"; "mountains," "forest," and "tree," are the intermediate objects in a descending gradation (see Ps 96:11, 12).
24-28. Confirmation of His promises to the Church and Israel, by various instances of His omnipotence; among these the restoration of the Jews by Cyrus.
alone—literally, "Who was with Me?" namely, when I did it; answering to "by Myself," in the parallel clause (compare similar phrases, Ho 8:4; Joh 5:30) [Maurer].
25. tokens—prognostics; the pretended miracles which they gave as proofs of their supernatural powers.
liars—(Jer 50:36). Conjurers; or, astrologers; men leading a retired contemplative life in order to study divination by the signs of the stars [Vitringa].
backward—with shame at their predictions not being verified. "To turn away the face" is to frustrate defeat (Isa 36:9; 1Ki 2:15). The "wise men" are the diviners who, when Babylon was attacked by Cyrus, predicted his overthrow.
26. servant—in a collective sense, for the prophets in general, who foretold the return from Babylon; answering to "His messengers" (plural, in the parallel clause) [Maurer]. Antitypically, and ultimately, Messiah, who is the consummating embodiment of all the prophets and messengers of God (Mal 3:1; Mt 21:34, 36, 37; Joh 10:36); hence the singular, "His servant."
counsel—predictions; prophets' counsels concern the future (compare "counsellor," Isa 41:28).
Jerusalem—regarded prophetically, as lying in ruins.
27. Referring to the Euphrates, which was turned into a different channel, close to Babylon, by Cyrus, who thereby took the city. "The deep" is applied to Euphrates as "sea" (Jer 51:32, 36). "Rivers" refers to the artificial canals from the Euphrates made to irrigate the country; when it was turned off into a different bed (namely, a lake, forty miles square, which was originally formed to receive the superfluous water in an inundation), the canals became dry.
28. my shepherd—type of Messiah (Isa 40:11; Ps 23:1; 77:20; Eze 34:23).
all my pleasure—so Messiah (Isa 42:1; 53:10). This is the first time Cyrus is named expressly; and that, a hundred fifty years before the time when in 550 B.C. he began his reign. The name comes from the Persian khorschid, "the sun"; kings often taking their names from the gods; the sun was worshipped as a god in Persia.
saying—rather, "and that saith"; construed with God, not with Cyrus. God's word is instantaneously efficient in accomplishing His will.
to … to—or, "of Jerusalem … of the temple," as previously, the same Hebrew word is translated, "of Cyrus" [Barnes]. English Version is more graphic. Cyrus, according to Josephus, heard of this prophecy of Isaiah delivered so long before; hence he was induced to do that which was so contrary to Oriental policy, to aid in restoring the captive Jews and rebuilding their temple and city.