4 And they shall build H1129 the old H5769 wastes, H2723 they shall raise up H6965 the former H7223 desolations, H8074 and they shall repair H2318 the waste H2721 cities, H5892 the desolations H8074 of many H1755 generations. H1755
And they that shall be of thee shall build H1129 the old H5769 waste places: H2723 thou shalt raise up H6965 the foundations H4146 of many H1755 generations; H1755 and thou shalt be called, H7121 The repairer H1443 of the breach, H6556 The restorer H7725 of paths H5410 to dwell in. H3427
And he said, H559 It is a light thing H7043 that thou shouldest be my servant H5650 to raise up H6965 the tribes H7626 of Jacob, H3290 and to restore H7725 the preserved H5341 H5336 of Israel: H3478 I will also give H5414 thee for a light H216 to the Gentiles, H1471 that thou mayest be my salvation H3444 unto the end H7097 of the earth. H776 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. Thus saith H559 the LORD, H3068 In an acceptable H7522 time H6256 have I heard H6030 thee, and in a day H3117 of salvation H3444 have I helped H5826 thee: and I will preserve H5341 thee, and give H5414 thee for a covenant H1285 of the people, H5971 to establish H6965 the earth, H776 to cause to inherit H5157 the desolate H8074 heritages; H5159
And I will sanctify H6942 my great H1419 name, H8034 which was profaned H2490 among the heathen, H1471 which ye have profaned H2490 in the midst H8432 of them; and the heathen H1471 shall know H3045 that I am the LORD, H3068 saith H5002 the Lord H136 GOD, H3069 when I shall be sanctified H6942 in you before their eyes. H5869 For I will take H3947 you from among H4480 the heathen, H1471 and gather H6908 you out of all countries, H776 and will bring H935 you into your own land. H127 Then will I sprinkle H2236 clean H2889 water H4325 upon you, and ye shall be clean: H2891 from all your filthiness, H2932 and from all your idols, H1544 will I cleanse H2891 you. A new H2319 heart H3820 also will I give H5414 you, and a new H2319 spirit H7307 will I put H5414 within H7130 you: and I will take away H5493 the stony H68 heart H3820 out of your flesh, H1320 and I will give H5414 you an heart H3820 of flesh. H1320
Thus saith H559 the Lord H136 GOD; H3069 In the day H3117 that I shall have cleansed H2891 you from all your iniquities H5771 I will also cause you to dwell H3427 in the cities, H5892 and the wastes H2723 shall be builded. H1129 And the desolate H8074 land H776 shall be tilled, H5647 whereas it lay desolate H8077 in the sight H5869 of all that passed by. H5674 And they shall say, H559 This H1977 land H776 that was desolate H8074 is become like the garden H1588 of Eden; H5731 and the waste H2720 and desolate H8074 and ruined H2040 cities H5892 are become fenced, H1219 and are inhabited. H3427 Then the heathen H1471 that are left H7604 round about H5439 you shall know H3045 that I the LORD H3068 build H1129 the ruined H2040 places, and plant H5193 that that was desolate: H8074 I the LORD H3068 have spoken H1696 it, and I will do H6213 it.
And I will bring again H7725 the captivity H7622 of my people H5971 of Israel, H3478 and they shall build H1129 the waste H8074 cities, H5892 and inhabit H3427 them; and they shall plant H5193 vineyards, H3754 and drink H8354 the wine H3196 thereof; they shall also make H6213 gardens, H1593 and eat H398 the fruit H6529 of them. And I will plant H5193 them upon their land, H127 and they shall no more be pulled up H5428 out of their land H127 which I have given H5414 them, saith H559 the LORD H3068 thy God. H430
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Isaiah 61
Commentary on Isaiah 61 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 61
Isa 61:1-11. Messiah's Offices: Restoration of Israel.
Messiah announces His twofold commission to bring gospel mercy at His first coming, and judgments on unbelievers and comfort to Zion at His second coming (Isa 61:1-9); the language can be applied to Isaiah, comforting by his prophecies the exiles in Babylon, only in a subordinate sense.
1. is upon me; because … hath anointed me—quoted by Jesus as His credentials in preaching (Lu 4:18-21). The Spirit is upon Me in preaching, because Jehovah hath anointed Me from the womb (Lu 1:35), and at baptism, with the Spirit "without measure," and permanently "abiding" on Me (Isa 11:2; Joh 1:32; 3:34; Ps 45:7; with which compare 1Ki 1:39, 40; 19:16; Ex 29:7). "Anointed" as Messiah, Prophet, Priest, and King.
good tidings—as the word "gospel" means.
the meek—rather, "the poor," as Lu 4:18 has it; that is, those afflicted with calamity, poor in circumstances and in spirit (Mt 11:5).
proclaim liberty—(Joh 8:31-36). Language drawn from the deliverance of the Babylonian captives, to describe the deliverance from sin and death (Heb 2:15); also from the "liberty proclaimed" to all bond-servants in the year of jubilee (Isa 61:2; Le 25:10; Jer 34:8, 9).
opening of the prison—The Hebrew rather is, "the most complete opening," namely, of the eyes to them that are bound, that is, deliverance from prison, for captives are as it were blind in the darkness of prison (Isa 14:17; 35:5; 42:7) [Ewald]. So Lu 4:18 and the Septuagint interpret it; Lu 4:18, under inspiration, adds to this, for the fuller explanation of the single clause in the Hebrew, "to set at liberty them that are bruised"; thus expressing the double "opening" implied; namely, that of the eyes (Joh 9:39), and that of the prison (Ro 6:18; 7:24, 25; Heb 2:15). His miracles were acted parables.
2. acceptable year—the year of jubilee on which "liberty was proclaimed to the captives" (Isa 61:1; 2Co 6:2).
day of vengeance—The "acceptable time of grace" is a "year"; the time of "vengeance" but "a day" (so Isa 34:8; 63:4; Mal 4:1). Jesus (Lu 4:20, 21) "closed the book" before this clause; for the interval from His first to His second coming is "the acceptable year"; the day of vengeance" will not be till He comes again (2Th 1:7-9).
our God—The saints call Him "our God"; for He cometh to "avenge" them (Re 6:10; 19:2).
all that mourn—The "all" seems to include the spiritual Israelite mourners, as well as the literal, who are in Isa 61:3 called "them that mourn in Zion," and to whom Isa 57:18 refers.
3. To appoint … to give—The double verb, with the one and the same accusative, imparts glowing vehemence to the style.
beauty for ashes—There is a play on the sound and meaning of the Hebrew words, peer, epher, literally, "ornamental headdress" or tiara (Eze 24:17), worn in times of joy, instead of a headdress of "ashes," cast on the head in mourning (2Sa 13:19).
oil of joy—Perfumed ointment was poured on the guests at joyous feasts (Ps 23:5; 45:7, 8; Am 6:6). On occasions of grief its use was laid aside (2Sa 14:2).
garment of praise—bright-colored garments, indicative of thankfulness, instead of those that indicate despondency, as sackcloth (Joh 16:20).
trees of righteousness—Hebrew, terebinth trees; symbolical of men strong in righteousness, instead of being, as heretofore, bowed down as a reed with sin and calamity (Isa 1:29, 30; 42:3; 1Ki 14:15; Ps 1:3; 92:12-14; Jer 17:8).
planting of … Lord—(See on Isa 60:21).
that he might be glorified—(Joh 15:8).
4. old wastes—Jerusalem and the cities of Judah which long lay in ruins (see on Isa 58:12).
5. stand—shall wait on you as servants (Isa 14:1, 2; 60:10).
6. But ye—as contrasted with the "strangers." Ye shall have no need to attend to your flocks and lands: strangers will do that for you; your exclusive business will be the service of Jehovah as His "priests" (Ex 19:6, which remains yet to be realized; compare as to the spiritual Israel, Isa 66:21; 1Pe 2:5, 9; Re 1:6; 5:10).
Ministers—(Eze 44:11).
eat … riches of … Gentiles—(Isa 60:5-11).
in their glory … boast yourselves—rather, "in their splendor ye shall be substituted in their stead"; ye shall substitute yourselves [Maurer].
7. double—Instead of your past share, ye shall have not merely as much, but "double" as much reward (Isa 40:2; Zec 9:12; compare the third clause in this verse).
confusion—rather, "humiliation," or "contumely."
rejoice—They shall celebrate with jubilation their portion [Maurer]. Transition from the second to the third person.
in their land—marking the reference to literal Israel, not to the Church at large.
everlasting joy—(Isa 35:10).
8. judgment—justice, which requires that I should restore My people, and give them double in compensation for their sufferings.
robbery for burnt offering—rather, from a different Hebrew root, the spoil of iniquity [Horsley]. So in Job 5:6. Hating, as I do, the rapine, combined with iniquity, perpetrated on My people by their enemies, I will vindicate Israel.
direct … work in truth—rather, "I will give them the reward of their work" (compare Isa 40:10, Margin; Isa 49:4, Margin; Isa 62:11, Margin) in faithfulness.
9. known—honorably; shall be illustrious (Ps 67:2).
people—rather, "peoples."
seed … blessed—(Isa 65:23).
10. Zion (Isa 61:3) gives thanks for God's returning favor (compare Lu 1:46, 47; Hab 3:18).
salvation … righteousness—inseparably connected together. The "robe" is a loose mantle thrown over the other parts of the dress (Ps 132:9, 16; 149:4; Re 21:2; 19:8).
decketh himself with ornaments—rather "maketh himself a priestly headdress," that is, a magnificent headdress, such as was worn by the high priest, namely, a miter and a plate, or crown of gold worn in front of it [Aquila, &c.]; appropriate to the "kingdom of priests," dedicated to the offering of spiritual sacrifices to God continually (Ex 19:6; Re 5:10; 20:6).
jewels—rather, "ornaments" in general [Barnes].
11. (Isa 45:8, 55:10, 11; Ps 72:3; 85:11).
bud—the tender shoots.
praise—(Isa 60:18; 62:7).