Bible Commentaries
Isaiah 65

Verse 1

I am found, &c. Quoted in Romans 10:20 , Romans 10:21 .

Behold Me. Figure of speech Epizeuxis. See note on Isaiah 24:16 .

a nation that was not called by My name. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 32:21 ), and to the Dispensation of the Acts.

Verse 2

good = right. Compare Psalms 36:4 .

Verse 3

provoketh Me to anger. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 32:21 , the same word, though not the same form). App-92 .

that sacrificeth in gardens. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 17:5 ).

upon altars of brick = upon the bricks: i.e. not on the golden altar of incense.

Verse 4

graves = tombs. Hebrew. keber. App-35 .

monuments = secret places. Probably in heathen temples.

eat swine's flesh. Reference to Pentateuch, where this was forbidden (Leviticus 11:7 . Deuteronomy 14:8 ). App-92 . Bones of swine were found at Gezer. See note on 1 Kings 9:15 .

broth. The reference is to a sacrificial feast of unclean food.

abominable things. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 7:18 ; Leviticus 19:7 ). The Hebrew word ( piggul ) is found only in Ezekiel 4:14 , beside these passages. App-92 .

Verse 6

it is written. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 32:35 .Leviticus 26:0 . Deuteronomy 32:0 ).

will recompense, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 32:35 , the same word, and is unique in its occurrence). App-92 .

Verse 7

iniquities. Hebrew. 'avah. App-44 .

Verse 8

Thus saith the LORD. Note the frequent occurrence of this expression in predicting these new things.

As = According as.

new wine. Hebrew. tirosh . App-27 . Here is further reference to the new Israel. See notes on Isaiah 65:1 .

My servants' sake. Some codices, with one early printed edition, and Septuagint, read "servant's (singular): i.e. Messiah (see note on Isaiah 37:35 ): = "for the sake of My servant".

Verse 9

a seed. A further reference to the new Israel of Isaiah 26:2 ; Isaiah 66:7 , Isaiah 66:8 . Matthew 21:43 .

Verse 10

Sharon. See note on Isaiah 33:9 . valley of Achor. As in Hosea 2:15 . The only two references to the history of Joshua 7:0 .

Verse 11

that troop. Hebrew Gad, the well-known Syrian god of "Fate".

furnish the drink offering = fill up the

mixed wine. Hebrew. mimsak. App-27 . Compare Jeremiah 7:18 .

that number. Hebrew. m'ni. Same as the god Manu (= Destiny) of the Assyrian inscriptions.

Verse 12

number = destroy. Hebrew. manithi. Figure of speech Paronomasia , with the name of the god, Meni.

Verse 13

Behold, &c. Figure of speech Asterismos ( App-6 ), for emphasis. Figure of speech Symploke. Luke 6:25 refers to the period prophesied here.

My servants. Refers to the new Israel of Isaiah 26:2 ; Isaiah 66:7 , Isaiah 66:8 . Matthew 21:43 .

Verse 14

vexation = breaking.

spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .

Verse 15

by another name: i.e. Hephzi-bah. See Isaiah 62:4 .

Verse 16

That = So that.

he who blesseth, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 22:18 ; Genesis 26:4 ).

truth = faithfulness. Compare 2 Corinthians 1:20 .

shall swear, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 6:13 ).

Verse 17

new heavens, &c. : i.e. new, in respect to the old. Not the "new" of 2 Peter 3:13 , or Revelation 21:1 . Note the contrast of this with the only two references to the history of Revelation 21:0 :

Isaiah 65:0 .

Name , Jerusalem (Hephzi'bah, Isaiah 65:18 )

Position , on mountain (Isaiah 65:25 ).

Privileges , Isaiah 65:18-20 .

Character , sinners there (Isaiah 65:20 ).

Character , prayer (Isaiah 65:24 ).

Employment , labour, planting, building (Isaiah 65:21 ).

Revelation 21:0 .

New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:2 ) ;

"great", "holy" (Revelation 21:10 ).

out of heaven (Revelation 21:2 ).

Revelation 21:4

no sinners (Revelation 21:27 ).

no temple (Revelation 21:22 ).

already built by God (Revelation 21:12-25 ; Revelation 22:3-5 ).

Verse 18

for ever. Chaldee Targum renders it "in the world of worlds": i.e. the most glorious world.

Verse 19

no more heard. Therefore not the restoration of Ezra-Nehemiah, or the Church of God now.

Verse 20

There. Some codices read "And there".

of days: i.e. of a few days.

child shall die = youth may die: i.e. neither early death, nor premature decay.

accursed = cut off. Compare Psalms 101:8 .

Verse 21

they shall build, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 26:16 . Deuteronomy 28:41 ).

Verse 22

elect = chosen.

Verse 23

They shall not labour in vain. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 28:41 , reversed). Compare Leviticus 26:16 . App-92 .

Verse 24

before they call, &c. A reference to Isaiah 30:19 . The blessing of Messiah (Psalms 21:3 ) now extended to the new Israel.

Verse 25

wolf, &c. As in Isaiah 11:6 , Isaiah 11:7 , Isaiah 11:9 , which is Millennial, not eternal.

together = as one. Hebrew ' echad . Same word as "one" in Deuteronomy 6:4 , i.e. one of others. Occurs in former part of Isaiah (Isaiah 4:1 ; Isaiah 5:10 ; Isaiah 6:2 , Isaiah 6:6 ; Isaiah 9:14 ; Isaiah 10:17 ; Isaiah 19:18 , &c.); and, in the latter part (Isaiah 47:9 ; Isaiah 51:2 , &c.) See App-79 .

dust. Never was the serpent's food. It is used as a powerful Figure of Speech, or Idiom, as in Psalms 72:9 Compare Proverbs 20:17 .

the serpent's, &c. = as for the serpent, dust shall be his food: i.e. the Old Serpent (Revelation 20:2 ), who brought in all the sin and misery to the world and to Israel, will then be bound (Revelation 20:1-3 ), and he will lick the dust, the symbol of his humiliation, disappointment, and defeat. Referring to the Figures of speech used in Genesis 3:14 . See App-19 .

in all My holy mountain. See note on Isaiah 11:9 .