Bible Commentaries
Isaiah 2

Verse 1

The word that = That which. Compare Micah 4:1-3 , written seventeen years later.

saw = saw in vision See note on Isaiah 1:1 .

concerning Judah, &c. The repetition of Isaiah 1:1 shows that Isa 1 is to be regarded as a summary Introduction to the whole book,

Verse 2

in the last days: i.e. the days of Messiah.

mountain of the LORD'S house. Psalms 24:3 . Compare Psalms 68:15 . See note on Ezekiel 28:16 . the LORD'S = Jehovah's. App-4 .

all nations. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Genus) = many from all nations.

flow = stream. Same word as in Jeremiah 31:12 .

Verse 3

people = peoples.

go up. Note the Figure of speech Zeugma . The second verb must be supplied (enter into).

to the house = "[and enter] into the house", &c The "and" is read in some codices, with two early printed editions, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate.

God. Hebrew. Elohim.

paths. Hebrew. orah Occurs in the "former" portion here, Isaiah 3:12 , &c. and in the "latter" portion, Isaiah 40:14 ; Isaiah 41:3 .

the law = law (no Art.) See note on Isaiah 1:10 .

Verse 4

swords. spears. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Part), for all kinds of weapons; while plowshares and pruning-hooks put by the same Figure, for all implements of peace. The signs are Figures, but the things signified are literal.

Verse 5

house of Jacob. Generally has regard to the natural seed of Jacob, while Israel has regard to the spiritual. See notes on Gen 33:28 ; Genesis 43:6 ; Genesis 45:26 , Genesis 45:28 . The expression occurs nine times in Isaiah, six before Isaiah 40:0 : (Isaiah 2:6 , Isaiah 2:6 ; Isaiah 8:17 ; Isaiah 10:20 ; Isaiah 14:1 ; Isaiah 29:22 ), and three after Isaiah 40:0 : (Isaiah 46:3 ; Isaiah 48:1 ; Isaiah 58:1 ). See App-79 .

Verse 6

Therefore. Or, For.

replenished: or, full of divinations.

from the east. Especially diviners and mediums from an evil spirit (an ob). Compare Leviticus 19:31 ; Leviticus 20:6 . Deuteronomy 18:11 . 1 Samuel 28:3-7 ; and below, Isaiah 8:9 ; Isaiah 19:3 ; Isaiah 29:4 , where ob occurs.

soothsayers. Reference to Pentateuch Leviticus 19:26 (observe times). Deuteronomy 18:10 , Deuteronomy 18:14 (observers of times). Same word in all four cases. Hebrew. 'anan. Occurs only here in the "former" portion, and only in Isaiah 57:3 (sorceress) in the "latter" portion.

please themselves = join hands with.

children = young children.

strangers. Hebrew. nakar = unknown persons; hence, foreigners.

Verse 8

idols = nothings. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 26:1 .Deuteronomy 17:14-19; Deuteronomy 17:14-19 ). App-92 .

Verse 9

mean man. Hebrew. 'addm. App-14 . Contrasting

great man. Hebrew. 'ish . App-14 . society's extremes

Verse 10

fear = dread. Compare 2 Thessalonians 1:9 , 2 Thessalonians 1:10 .

Verse 11

lofty = proud. Note the Figure of speech Synonymia to impress us with the far-reaching object and effect of Jehovah's dealings in "the day of the LORD", recorded in verses: Isaiah 2:11-17 . Hebrew. gabah. Same word as "high" (Isaiah 2:15 ), and "loftiness" (Isaiah 2:17 ). Not the same word as "lofty" (Isaiah 2:12 ).

humbled = -lowered. Note the Figure of speech Synonymia , in Isaiah 2:11 and Isaiah 2:17 . Hebrew. shaphal. Same word as "brought low" (Isaiah 2:12 ), "made low" (Isaiah 2:17 ). Hebrew = each shall be, &c.

and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton ( App-6 ).

haughtiness. Hebrew. rum. Same word as "lofty" (Isaiah 2:12 ), "high" (verses: Isaiah 2:13 , Isaiah 2:14 ).

men. Hebrew, plural of 'enosh. App-14 .

bowed down = brought low. Hebrew. sliahah. Same word as in Isaiah 2:17 .

exalted. Hebrew. sagab. Same word as in Isaiah 2:17 .

Verse 12

the day of the LORD. This is the first of twenty occurrences. In sixteen it is simply " y6m Jehovah " (Isaiah 13:6 , Isaiah 13:9 . Ezekiel 13:5 .Joel 1:15 ; Joel 2:1 , Joel 2:11 ; Joel 2:3 , Joel 2:14 (Hebrews 4:14 ). Amos 5:18 , Amos 5:20 . Obadiah 1:15 .Zephaniah 1:7 , Zephaniah 1:14 , Zephaniah 1:14 .Malachi 4:5; Malachi 4:5 ). In four passages it is with Lamed (= L)

prefixed = for or to : viz. Isaiah 2:12 .Ezekiel 30:3 .Zechariah 14:1 ; Zechariah 14:17 = a day known to Jehovah. In other places it is combined with other words, such as "wrath", "vengeance". In the N.T. it occurs four times: viz. 1 Thessalonians 5:2 . 2 Thessalonians 2:2 (see note). 2 Peter 3:10 . Revelation 1:10 (see note). Thus the expression is stamped with the number "four" (see App-10 ); for "the day of the LORD" is the day when everything done will be to abase man and exalt Jehovah. Now it is "man's day" (1 Corinthians 4:3 , see note), when man exalts himself, and bows God out of the world He has created.

the LORD of hosts. See note on 1 Samuel 1:3 .

proud = arrogant. Hebrew. ga'ah. Note the Figure of speech Synonymia .

lofty = haughty. Hebrew ( rum). Same word as "haughtiness" (verses: Isaiah 2:11 , Isaiah 2:17 ), "high" (verses: Isaiah 2:13 , Isaiah 2:14 ). Note the Figure of speech Synonymia .

and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton ( App-6 ), emphasizing each of the details in verses: Isaiah 2:11-18 ,

lifted up = self-satisfied. Hebrew. nas'a . Same as verses: Isaiah 2:13 , Isaiah 2:14 .

brought low. Hebrew. shaphal . Same word as "humbled" (Isaiah 2:11 ). Note the Figure of speech Synonymia .

Verse 13

high. Hebrew. rum.

Same word as "haughtiness" (verses: Isaiah 2:11 , Isaiah 2:17 ); "lofty"(Isaiah 2:12 ); "high" (Isaiah 2:14 ).

Verse 15

high . Hebrew. gabah. Same word as "lofty" (Isaiah 2:11 ); "loftiness" (Isaiah 2:17 ).

Verse 16

ships of Tarshish. Occurs in the "former"portion only here and Isaiah 23:1 , Isaiah 23:14 ; and in the "latter" portion only in Isaiah 60:9 .

Tarshish. See note on 1 Kings 10:22 .

pleasant = desirable.

Verse 17

loftiness. Hebrew. gabah. Same word as "lofty" (Isaiah 2:11 ).

made low. Hebrew. shaphal . Same word as "humbled" (v Isaiah 2:11 ), "brought low" (Isaiah 2:12 ).

Verse 21

tops = fissures or crevices. Compare Revelation 6:12-17 .

Verse 22

Cease ye = Let go.

breath, &c. Hebrew. neshamah ( App-16 ). Occurs twice in the "former" portion (Isaiah 2:22 ; Isaiah 30:33 ) and twice in the "latter "portion (Isaiah 42:5 ; Isaiah 57:16 , "soul"). App-79 : Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 2:7 ).

for wherein. ? Figure of speech Erotesis , for emphasis.

accounted of = reckoned on. Compare Psalms 146:3 , Psalms 146:4 .Jeremiah 17:5 .