1God again comforteth his church with gracious promises. 9The folly of the makers of idols. 21God exhorteth Israel to trust in his mercy, and promiseth restoration by Cyrus.
1YET now hear, O 1Jacob mya servant; and 2Israel, whom I have chosen:
1 By Jacob and Israel are meant here the elect among the Jews.
a Isa. 41:8; 43:5; Jer. 30:10; 46:27.
2 By Jacob and Israel are meant here the elect among the Jews.
2Thus saith the LORD that 3made thee, and 4formed thee 5from the womb, 6which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, 7Jesurun, whom I have chosen.
3 See Isa. 43 on verse 1.
4 See Isa. 43 on verse 1.
5 As if He wants to say: from that very time when thou wast conceived in thy mother’s womb. Or, from the time that thou camest out of thy mother’s belly into the world. See Judges 13 on verse 5.
6 That is, Who is wont to help thee.
7 See the annotation at Deut. 32:15 where Moses gives this name to the people of God.
3For I willb pour 8water upon him 9that is thirsty, and 10floods 11upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit 12upon thy seed, and my blessing 13upon thine offspring:
b Isa. 35:7; Joel 2:28; John 7:38; Acts 2:18.
8 That is, the Holy Spirit, as is later expounded in the verse.
9 That is, upon them who thirst after righteousness, Mat. 5:6.
10 This is the same which was said immediately before.
11 That is, upon them who have neither saving knowledge of God, nor are able to perform any good work.
12 That is, upon your posterity, sons and daughters.
13 Or, posterity. See Job 5 on verse 25. See also Isa. 22:24.
4And they shall spring up as 14among the grass, as willows by the water courses.
14 Or, as between the grass.
515One shall say, I am the LORD’S; and 16another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the LORD, and surname himself 17by the name of Israel.
15 The meaning is: Both believing Jews and also believing Gentiles shall flock unto the Lord, acknowledging Him for their Lord and Master, and residing under Him, as likewise appertaining to His church. See Psalm 87:4, etc.
16 The meaning is: Both believing Jews and also believing Gentiles shall flock unto the Lord, acknowledging Him for their Lord and Master, and residing under Him, as likewise appertaining to His church. See Psalm 87:4, etc.
17 That is, an Israelite, a believer, or a Christian, as believers are called in the New Testament. They are in a spiritual manner Israelites, and children of Abraham. See Rom. 4:11, 12; 11:26. Likewise Gal. 3:29; 6:16.
6Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and 18his redeemer the LORD of hosts; 19Icam the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.
18 Namely, of Israel.
19 God is without beginning and without end.
c Isa. 41:4; 48:12; Rev. 1:8, 17; 22:13.
7And 20who, as I, shall 21call, and shall declare it, and set it 22in order for me, since I appointed 23the ancient people? 24and the 25things that are coming, and shall come, let them shew unto 26them.
20 What god among the gods of the Gentiles.
21 When God calls a thing, it is there instantly; by His word He can bring forth even that which is not yet; He gives to all creatures a being by His word; He also upholds and governs all things by His almighty Providence, yea, He also, when it pleases Him, foretells things to come.
22 Namely, as I have created them at first and dispersed them abroad in several countries.
23 Namely, a chosen people, which shall live with Me forever, and be kept and preserved by Me without intermission, and be called by the preaching of My Word.
24 Other, notwithstanding that they their, etc. Isa. 41:22.
25 Namely, those false gods.
26 Their servants.
827Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have 28not I told thee 29from that time, and have declared it? ye are even 30my witnesses. Isd there a God beside me? yea, there is 31no God; I know not any.
27 Or, Be not dismayed, O ye My people, but trust in Me.
28 Namely, from that time that I appointed Me an everlasting people, verse 7.
29 Namely, that I am the only everlasting true God, as I, at all times, have made it appear.
30 As Isa. 43:10.
d Deut. 4:35, 39; 32:39; 1 Sam. 2:2; Isa. 45:21.
31 That is, no other God under Whose protection one may safely dwell and hide himself. See Deut. 32:4.
9¶They that make a 32graven image are all of them vanity; and 33their delectable things shall not profit; and they are 34their 35own 36witnesses; they see not, nor know; 37that 38they may be ashamed.
32 Understand among these all kinds of idolatrous images.
33 That is, their fairest and costliest ornaments, wherewith they are beautified and decorated. Or, understand here by delectable things their images, which they eagerly desire, and wherein they take delight.
34 Namely, of the servants of the idols.
35 Namely, the idols, wherein idolaters take delight.
36 That is, they convince them in their own conscience that they are vanities, and things of nought, while they see not, neither understand. See Psalm 115:5.
37 Or, therefore shall they be ashamed. This comes to pass by God’s Providence, in order that the idolaters would come to shame.
38 Namely, the idolaters.
1039Who hath formed 40a god, or molten a 41graven image 42that is profitable for nothing?
39 This seems to be a question propounded by the idolaters, which is answered in the next verses. Or, they may be taken for the words of God, Who derides the foolishness of idolaters.
40 That is, an idol, which, in the opinion of idolaters, is a god, but not in deed and truth.
41 See Isa. 40:19.
42 That is, which in reality is nothing but vanity.
11Behold, all 43his fellows shalle be ashamed: and the workmen, they are 44of men: let them 45all be gathered together, let them stand up; yet they 46shall fear, and they shall be ashamed together.
43 Or, their companions, namely, from the companions of idolaters, or of those who make unto themselves images to represent God by them.
e Psalm 97:7; Isa. 1:29; 42:17; 45:16.
44 Compare Hosea 8:6. Or, and the workmen more than other men. Or thus: the workmen shall be men no more, that is, they shall be snatched away from among men.
45 Namely, all idolaters, as Isa. 43:9.
46 Namely, when God shall visit them, and shall destroy their idols.
12Thef smith 47with the tongs both worketh 48in the coals, and fashioneth it with hammers, 49and worketh it with the strength of his arms: yea, 50he is hungry, and his strength faileth: he drinketh no water, and is 51faint.
f Jer. 10:3.
47 Or, with an axe; wherewith the carpenter hews down a tree to make an idol of it.
48 Other, in the flame.
49 Or, laboreth about it with the strength of his arm. Hebr. with the arm of his strength.
50 The meaning is: he is so zealous and so diligent in forging his idol, and he is so busied about it that he suffers hunger and want thereby (neglecting his other business), or, that he does not allow himself any time to eat or to drink.
51 Or, weary.
1352The carpenter 53stretcheth out his rule; he marketh 54it out 55with a line; 56he fitteth it with planes, and he marketh it out with the compass, and maketh it after the figure of a man, according to the beauty of a man; 57that it may remain in the house.
52 Hebr. the cutter or engraver of trees.
53 Namely, upon the tree, whereof he intends to make an idol.
54 Namely, the wood. Or, it, namely, the tree, and so in the sequel.
55 Namely, which is chalked over. Other, with a colored thread. Other, with red earth.
56 Or, he fashioneth it with the ax.
57 Or, that it may dwell in the house, that is, that it may be placed in the temple of the idols; or, else in a private house of a zealous idolater.
14He heweth him down cedars, and taketh the cypress and the oak, which 58he strengtheneth for himself among the trees of the forest: he planteth an 59ash, and the rain doth nourish it.
58 Or, encourageth himself, or, useth his strength, namely, to hew down the trees. Or, he lets the trees grow strong in the forest, namely, before he cuts them down and uses them to build therewith.
59 Or, elm tree.
1560Then shall it be for a man to burn: for he will take thereof, and warm himself; yea, he kindleth it, and baketh bread; yea, he 61maketh 62a god, and worshippeth it; he maketh it a graven image, and falleth down thereto.
60 That is, then these trees serve for fuel.
61 That is, of this tree, or of that wood.
62 That is, an idol, an image, which he esteems for his god.
16He burneth 63part thereof in the fire; with part thereof he 64eateth flesh; he roasteth roast, and is satisfied: yea, he warmeth himself, and saith, 65Aha, I am warm, 66I have seen the fire:
63 Namely, the half part of the tree.
64 The sense is: he boils or roasts flesh by it, which he intends to eat. Or, he sitteth by the fire and eateth his meat.
65 Or, Aha, I have warmed me.
66 That is, I have felt the heat or warmth of the fire. So it is said in John 8:51 never see death, for not to feel or taste death, etc.
17And the residue thereof he maketh a god, even his graven image: he falleth down unto it, and worshippeth it, and prayeth unto it, and saith, Deliver me; for thou art my god.
1867They have not known nor understood: for 68he hath 69shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand.
67 Namely, the idolaters.
68 Namely, the image, or the idol.
69 Namely, with false opinions and superstition, which do utterly blind their eyes. Other, for God hath shut their eyes, etc., as being an answer to the question of those who ask in amazement how it is possible that any man would be so blind to commit such abominable idolatry.
1970And none considereth in his heart, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, 71I have burned part of it in the fire; yea, also I have baked bread 72upon the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh, and eaten it: and shall I make the residue thereof 73an abomination? shall I fall down 74to the stock of a tree?
70 The meaning is: The hearts of idolaters cleave so fast to their idols that they seem to be distracted and out of their wits.
71 Namely, the half part of that tree whereof I have made this god.
72 Hebr. upon his coals, that is, upon the coals which came from the wooden tree. See Job 41 on verse 21.
73 That is, an idol, which the true God loathes and abhors.
74 That is, before the block, or bough, or trunk of a tree.
2075He 76feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him 77aside, that he cannot 78deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a 79lie 80in my right hand?
75 Namely, the idolater.
76 Or, nourisheth himself with ashes, that is, he seeks comfort and refreshing in his idols, but all in vain; it is all one as if he would eat ashes to be satisfied therewith. See Job 13 on verse 12; Hosea 12:2.
77 Namely, from the true God, religion or worship of God. Or thus, the heart is deceived, it hath led him away.
78 Namely, from error and false religion.
79 Or, falsehood, or, deceit, that is, a deceitful matter or deceitful thing.
80 That is, through this false god with whom I associate.
21¶Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for 81thou art my servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, 82thou shalt not be forgotten of me.
81 All men are created to honor and serve God, but God had especially chosen Abraham and his seed, and given them His law for this very purpose Luke 1:74, 75.
82 Other, do not forget me, or, do not shew thyself forgetful of me.
2283I have blotted out, 84as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.
83 Compare Psalm 51:1; Isa. 43:25.
84 That is, as I can make the thick dark clouds to vanish away soon, so will I also blot out your sins.
23Sing, O 85ye heavens; 86for the LORD hath done it: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel.
85 In this verse the prophet turns his speech to the insensible creatures, as if he said: The work which the Lord shall show to His people shall be so great, that even the insensible and unreasonable creatures shall stand amazed at it. Compare Isa. 35:1.
86 Or, because the LORD hath done it, namely, because He has redeemed His people, as follows a little later.
24Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee 87from the womb, I am the LORD that 88maketh all things; thatg stretcheth forth the heavens alone; thath spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;
87 See verse 2.
88 Or, doeth, and so in the sequel of this verse, and verses 25 and 26.
g Job 9:8; Psalm 104:2.
h Isa. 40:22; 42:5; 45:12.
25That frustrateth the tokens 89of the liars, and maketh 90diviners mad; that turneth 91wise men 92backward, and 93maketh their knowledge foolish;
89 That is, of the idolaters, Or, of the interpreters of signs, prognosticators, etc., to whose vain predictions the Babylonians and Gentiles gave great heed.
90 See Prov. 16 on verse 10.
91 That is, those who account themselves to be wise. See Job 5 on verse 13.
92 That is, who reduces their enterprises to nothing.
93 Or, that turneth their art into folly.
26That confirmeth 94the word of his servant, and performeth 95the counsel 96of his messengers; 97that saith to Jerusalem, 98Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places 99thereof:
94 Which He has spoken by the mouth of His servant Isaiah, namely, that He would cause the city of Babel to be taken by Cyrus, and would bring His people again into their own country.
95 Namely, His counsel concerning the return of His people back again from the Babylonian captivity.
96 Which His messengers, the prophets, have declared unto His people, and shall yet declare.
97 Here the Lord declares Himself, showing of what counsel He spoke a little before.
98 Namely, after the deliverance from the Babylonian captivity, after they had lain most miserably in sackcloth and ashes for 70 years.
99 Namely, the ravaged places of the land of Judah.
27100That saith to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up thy rivers:
100 The meaning is: I am He Who says unto the deep, etc., that is, I will remove all hindrances that hinder the return of My people, being as great depths and rivers of waters, through which they would have to pass. Some are of the opinion that God has respect here unto that which Cyrus did, as if He said: I am He Who will put it into the mind of king Cyrus to divert the river Euphrates from the city of Babel, and to turn it another way, in order that he might enter into the city with his army.
28That saith of 101Cyrus, He 102is my shepherd, and shall perform 103all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.
101 An excellent king in Persia, who was born at least an hundred years after this prophecy.
102 That is, he is appointed by Me to show and behave himself as a shepherd, that is, as a gracious prince towards My people, especially to bring them out of the Babylonian captivity, and to settle them again in their own country. Compare Dan. 9:25.
103 Concerning the return of My people out of Babel into their native country.