10 His watchmen H6822 are blind: H5787 they are all ignorant, H3045 they are all dumb H483 dogs, H3611 they cannot H3201 bark; H5024 sleeping, H1957 lying down, H7901 loving H157 to slumber. H5123
Then said H559 I, Ah, H162 Lord H136 GOD! H3069 behold, the prophets H5030 say H559 unto them, Ye shall not see H7200 the sword, H2719 neither shall ye have famine; H7458 but I will give H5414 you assured H571 peace H7965 in this place. H4725 Then the LORD H3068 said H559 unto me, The prophets H5030 prophesy H5012 lies H8267 in my name: H8034 I sent H7971 them not, neither have I commanded H6680 them, neither spake H1696 unto them: they prophesy H5012 unto you a false H8267 vision H2377 and divination, H7081 and a thing of nought, H457 H434 and the deceit H8649 of their heart. H3820
And G1161 he spake G2036 a parable G3850 unto them, G846 G3385 Can G1410 the blind G5185 lead G3594 the blind? G5185 shall they G297 not G3780 both G297 fall G4098 into G1519 the ditch? G999 The disciple G3101 is G2076 not G3756 above G5228 his G846 master: G1320 but G1161 every one G3956 that is perfect G2675 shall be G2071 as G5613 his G846 master. G1320
For the Son of man is as G5613 a man G444 taking a far journey, G590 who left G863 his G846 house, G3614 and G2532 gave G1325 authority G1849 to his G846 servants, G1401 and G2532 to every man G1538 his G846 work, G2041 and G2532 commanded G1781 the porter G2377 to G2443 watch. G1127 Watch ye G1127 therefore: G3767 for G1063 ye know G1492 not G3756 when G4219 the master G2962 of the house G3614 cometh, G2064 at even, G3796 or G2228 at midnight, G3317 or G2228 at the cockcrowing, G219 or G2228 in the morning: G4404 Lest G3361 coming G2064 suddenly G1810 he find G2147 you G5209 sleeping. G2518 And G1161 what G3739 I say G3004 unto you G5213 I say G3004 unto all, G3956 Watch. G1127
Woe G3759 unto you, G5213 ye blind G5185 guides, G3595 which G3588 say, G3004 Whosoever G3739 G302 shall swear G3660 by G1722 the temple, G3485 it is G2076 nothing; G3762 but G1161 whosoever G3739 G302 shall swear G3660 by G1722 the gold G5557 of the temple, G3485 he is a debtor! G3784 Ye fools G3474 and G2532 blind: G5185 for G1063 whether G5101 is G2076 greater, G3187 the gold, G5557 or G2228 the temple G3485 that sanctifieth G37 the gold? G5557 And, G2532 Whosoever G3739 G1437 shall swear G3660 by G1722 the altar, G2379 it is G2076 nothing; G3762 but G1161 whosoever G3739 G302 sweareth G3660 by G1722 the gift G1435 that is upon G1883 it, G846 he is guilty. G3784 Ye fools G3474 and G2532 blind: G5185 for G1063 whether G5101 is greater, G3187 the gift, G1435 or G2228 the altar G2379 that sanctifieth G37 the gift? G1435 Whoso therefore G3767 shall swear G3660 by G1722 the altar, G2379 sweareth G3660 by G1722 it, G846 and G2532 by G1722 all things G3956 thereon. G1883 G846 And G2532 whoso shall swear G3660 by G1722 the temple, G3485 sweareth G3660 by G1722 it, G846 and G2532 by G1722 him that dwelleth G2730 therein. G846 And G2532 he that shall swear G3660 by G1722 heaven, G3772 sweareth G3660 by G1722 the throne G2362 of God, G2316 and G2532 by G1722 him that sitteth G2521 thereon. G1883 G846 Woe G3759 unto you, G5213 scribes G1122 and G2532 Pharisees, G5330 hypocrites! G5273 for G3754 ye pay tithe G586 of mint G2238 and G2532 anise G432 and G2532 cummin, G2951 and G2532 have omitted G863 the weightier G926 matters of the law, G3551 judgment, G2920 G2532 mercy, G1656 and G2532 faith: G4102 these G5023 ought ye G1163 to have done, G4160 and not G3361 to leave G863 the other G2548 undone. G863 Ye blind G5185 guides, G3595 which strain at G1368 a gnat, G2971 and G1161 swallow G2666 a camel. G2574 Woe G3759 unto you, G5213 scribes G1122 and G2532 Pharisees, G5330 hypocrites! G5273 for G3754 ye make clean G2511 the outside G1855 of the cup G4221 and G2532 of the platter, G3953 but G1161 within G2081 they are full G1073 of G1537 extortion G724 and G2532 excess. G192 Thou blind G5185 Pharisee, G5330 cleanse G2511 first G4412 that which is within G1787 the cup G4221 and G2532 platter, G3953 that G2443 the outside G1622 of them G846 may be G1096 clean G2513 also. G2532
Arise, H6965 go H3212 to Nineveh, H5210 that great H1419 city, H5892 and cry H7121 against it; for their wickedness H7451 is come up H5927 before H6440 me. But Jonah H3124 rose up H6965 to flee H1272 unto Tarshish H8659 from the presence H6440 of the LORD, H3068 and went down H3381 to Joppa; H3305 and he found H4672 a ship H591 going H935 to Tarshish: H8659 so he paid H5414 the fare H7939 thereof, and went down H3381 into it, to go H935 with them unto Tarshish H8659 from the presence H6440 of the LORD. H3068 But the LORD H3068 sent out H2904 a great H1419 wind H7307 into the sea, H3220 and there was a mighty H1419 tempest H5591 in the sea, H3220 so that the ship H591 was like H2803 to be broken. H7665 Then the mariners H4419 were afraid, H3372 and cried H2199 every man H376 unto his god, H430 and cast forth H2904 the wares H3627 that were in the ship H591 into the sea, H3220 to lighten H7043 it of them. But Jonah H3124 was gone down H3381 into the sides H3411 of the ship; H5600 and he lay, H7901 and was fast asleep. H7290 So the shipmaster H7227 H2259 came H7126 to him, and said H559 unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? H7290 arise, H6965 call H7121 upon thy God, H430 if so be that God H430 will think H6245 upon us, that we perish H6 not.
The days H3117 of visitation H6486 are come, H935 the days H3117 of recompence H7966 are come; H935 Israel H3478 shall know H3045 it: the prophet H5030 is a fool, H191 the spiritual H7307 man H376 is mad, H7696 for the multitude H7230 of thine iniquity, H5771 and the great H7227 hatred. H4895 The watchman H6822 of Ephraim H669 was with my God: H430 but the prophet H5030 is a snare H6341 of a fowler H3352 in all his ways, H1870 and hatred H4895 in the house H1004 of his God. H430
Give H5414 not sleep H8142 to thine eyes, H5869 nor slumber H8572 to thine eyelids. H6079 Deliver H5337 thyself as a roe H6643 from the hand H3027 of the hunter, and as a bird H6833 from the hand H3027 of the fowler. H3353 Go H3212 to the ant, H5244 thou sluggard; H6102 consider H7200 her ways, H1870 and be wise: H2449 Which having no guide, H7101 overseer, H7860 or ruler, H4910 Provideth H3559 her meat H3899 in the summer, H7019 and gathereth H103 her food H3978 in the harvest. H7105 How long wilt thou sleep, H7901 O sluggard? H6102 when wilt thou arise H6965 out of thy sleep? H8142 Yet a little H4592 sleep, H8142 a little H4592 slumber, H8572 a little H4592 folding H2264 of the hands H3027 to sleep: H7901
And I will make thy tongue H3956 cleave H1692 to the roof of thy mouth, H2441 that thou shalt be dumb, H481 and shalt not be to them a reprover: H376 H3198 for they are a rebellious H4805 house. H1004 But when I speak H1696 with H854 thee, I will open H6605 thy mouth, H6310 and thou shalt say H559 unto them, Thus saith H559 the Lord H136 GOD; H3069 He that heareth, H8085 let him hear; H8085 and he that forbeareth, H2310 let him forbear: H2308 for they are a rebellious H4805 house. H1004
Then I came H935 to them of the captivity H1473 at Telabib, H8512 that dwelt H3427 by the river H5104 of Chebar, H3529 and I sat H3427 where they sat, H3427 and remained H3427 there astonished H8074 among H8432 them seven H7651 days. H3117 And it came to pass at the end H7097 of seven H7651 days, H3117 that the word H1697 of the LORD H3068 came unto me, saying, H559 Son H1121 of man, H120 I have made H5414 thee a watchman H6822 unto the house H1004 of Israel: H3478 therefore hear H8085 the word H1697 at my mouth, H6310 and give them warning H2094 from me. When I say H559 unto the wicked, H7563 Thou shalt surely H4191 die; H4191 and thou givest him not warning, H2094 nor speakest H1696 to warn H2094 the wicked H7563 from his wicked H7563 way, H1870 to save his life; H2421 the same wicked H7563 man shall die H4191 in his iniquity; H5771 but his blood H1818 will I require H1245 at thine hand. H3027
And I have seen H7200 folly H8604 in the prophets H5030 of Samaria; H8111 they prophesied H5012 in Baal, H1168 and caused my people H5971 Israel H3478 to err. H8582 I have seen H7200 also in the prophets H5030 of Jerusalem H3389 an horrible thing: H8186 they commit adultery, H5003 and walk H1980 in lies: H8267 they strengthen H2388 also the hands H3027 of evildoers, H7489 that none H376 doth return H7725 from his wickedness: H7451 they are all of them unto me as Sodom, H5467 and the inhabitants H3427 thereof as Gomorrah. H6017
For from the least H6996 of them even unto the greatest H1419 of them every one is given H1214 to covetousness; H1215 and from the prophet H5030 even unto the priest H3548 every one dealeth H6213 falsely. H8267 They have healed H7495 also the hurt H7667 of the daughter H1323 of my people H5971 slightly, H7043 saying, H559 Peace, H7965 peace; H7965 when there is no peace. H7965
I went H5674 by the field H7704 of the slothful, H376 H6102 and by the vineyard H3754 of the man H120 void H2638 of understanding; H3820 And, lo, it was all grown over H5927 with thorns, H7063 and nettles H2738 had covered H3680 the face H6440 thereof, and the stone H68 wall H1444 thereof was broken down. H2040 Then I saw, H2372 and considered it well: H7896 H3820 I looked H7200 upon it, and received H3947 instruction. H4148 Yet a little H4592 sleep, H8142 a little H4592 slumber, H8572 a little H4592 folding H2264 of the hands H3027 to sleep: H7901 So shall thy poverty H7389 come H935 as one that travelleth; H1980 and thy want H4270 as an armed H4043 man. H376
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Isaiah 56
Commentary on Isaiah 56 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 56
Isa 56:1-12. The Preparation Needed on the Part of Those Who Wish to Be Admitted to the Kingdom of God.
1. judgment—equity. John the Baptist preached similarly a return to righteousness, as needed to prepare men for Messiah's first coming (Lu 3:3, 8-14). So it shall be before the second coming (Mal 4:4-6).
near to come—(Mt 3:2; 4:17), also as to the second coming (Isa 62:10, 11; Lu 21:28, 31; Ro 13:11, 12; Heb 10:25).
righteousness—answering to "salvation" in the parallel clause; therefore it means righteousness which bringeth salvation (Isa 46:13; Ro 3:25, 26).
2. (Lu 12:43).
the man—Hebrew, enosh, "a man in humble life," in contradistinction to Hebrew, ish, "one of high rank." Even the humblest, as "the stranger" and "the eunuch" (Isa 56:4, 6), are admissible to these privileges.
this … it—what follows: "keeping the Sabbath," &c. (Isa 58:13, 14; Eze 20:12). A proof that the Sabbath, in the spirit of its obligation, was to be binding under the Gospel (Isa 66:23). That gospel times are referred to is plain, from the blessing not being pronounced on the man who observed the sacrificial ritual of the Jewish law.
layeth hold—image from one grasping firmly some precious object which he is afraid of having forcibly snatched from him. The "Sabbath" here includes all the ordinances of divine worship under the new gospel law.
keepeth … hand … from … evil—The observance of the second table of the law; as the "Sabbath" referred to the first table. Together, they form the whole duty of man, the worship of God and a holy life.
3. God welcomes all believers, without distinction of persons, under the new economy (Ac 10:34, 35).
joined … to … Lord—(Nu 18:4, 7). "Proselytes."
separated—Proselytes from the Gentiles were not admitted to the same privileges as native Israelites. This barrier between Jews and Gentiles was to be broken down (Eph 2:14-16).
eunuch—(Ac 8:27, &c.). Eunuchs were chamberlains over harems, or court ministers in general.
dry tree—barren (compare Lu 23:31); not admissible into the congregation of Israel (De 23:1-3). Under the Gospel the eunuch and stranger should be released from religious and civil disabilities.
4. please me—sacrifice their own pleasure to mine.
take hold—so "layeth hold" (see on Isa 56:2).
5. in mine house—the temple, the emblem of the Church (1Ti 3:15). They shall no longer be confined as proselytes were, to the outer court, but shall be admitted "into the holiest" (Heb 10:19, 20).
a place—literally, "a hand."
than of sons—Though the eunuch is barren of children (Isa 56:3), I will give him a more lasting name than that of being father of sons and daughters (regarded as a high honor among the Hebrews) (Joh 1:12; 10:3; 1Jo 3:1; Re 2:17; 3:12).
6. join … Lord—(Jer 50:6). Conditions of admission to the privileges of adoption.
7. Even them—(Eph 2:11-13).
to my holy mountain—Jerusalem, the seat of the Lord's throne in His coming kingdom (Isa 2:2; Jer 3:17).
joyful—(Ro 5:11).
burnt offerings … sacrifices—spiritual, of which the literal were types (Ro 12:1; Heb 13:15; 1Pe 2:5).
accepted—(Eph 1:6).
altar—(Heb 13:10), spiritually, the Cross of Christ, which sanctifies our sacrifices of prayer and praise.
house … for all people—or rather, "peoples." No longer restricted to one favored people (Mal 1:11; Joh 4:21, 23; 1Ti 2:8). To be fully realized at the second coming (Isa 2:2-4). No longer literal, but spiritual sacrifice, namely, "prayer" shall be offered (Ps 141:2; 51:17; Mal 1:11; Mt 21:13).
8. Jehovah will not only restore the scattered outcasts of Israel (Isa 11:12; Ps 147:2) to their own land, but "will gather others ('strangers') to him (Israel), besides those gathered" (Margin, "to his gathered"; that is, in addition to the Israelites collected from their dispersion), (Joh 10:16; Eph 1:10; 2:19).
9. beasts—Gentile idolatrous nations hostile to the Jews, summoned by God to chastise them (Jer 12:7-9; 50:17; Eze 34:5): the Chaldeans and subsequently the Romans. The mention of the "outcasts of Israel" (Isa 56:8) brings in view the outcasting, caused by the sins of their rulers (Isa 56:10-12).
to devour—namely, Israel.
10. His watchmen—Israel's spiritual leaders (Isa 62:6; Eze 3:17).
dumb dogs—image from bad shepherds' watchdogs, which fail to give notice, by barking, of the approach of wild beasts.
blind—(Mt 23:16).
sleeping, lying down—rather, "dreamers, sluggards" [Lowth]. Not merely sleeping inactive, but under visionary delusions.
loving to slumber—not merely slumbering involuntarily, but loving it.
11. greedy—literally, "strong" (that is, insatiable) in appetite (Eze 34:2, 3; Mic 3:11).
cannot understand—unable to comprehend the wants of the people, spiritually: so Isa 56:10, "cannot bark."
look to … own way—that is, their own selfish interests; not to the spiritual welfare of the people (Jer 6:13; Eze 22:27).
from his quarter—rather, "from the highest to the lowest" [Lowth]. "From his quarter"; that is, from one end to the other of them, one and all (Ge 19:4).
12. fetch wine—language of the national teachers challenging one another to drink. Barnes translates, "I will take another cup" (Isa 5:11).
to-morrow, &c.—Their self-indulgence was habitual and intentional: not merely they drink, but they mean to continue so.