Bible Commentaries
Isaiah 26

Verse 1

In that day: i.e. in the yet future day, when these judgments shall have been accomplished.

Judah. In Isaiah 2:0 6 we have the Song of Judah (Isaiah 26:1 ); in Isaiah 27:0 , the Song of Israel. Compare verses: Isaiah 26:6 , Isaiah 26:12 .

Verse 2

keepeth the truth = maintaineth fidelity. No Article. Compare Deuteronomy 32:20 . Occurs only here, in Isaiah.

Verse 3

perfect peace. Hebrew peace, peace. Figure of speech Epizeuxis , for emphasis, beautifully expressed In the Authorized Version. The same expression occurs in Isaiah 57:19 , indicating the unity of the book. See note on Isaiah 24:16 , and App-79 . Compare Isaiah 27:5 .

mind = thought.

trusteth = confideth. Hebrew. batah . See App-69 .

Verse 4

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

THE LORD. Hebrew Jah. App-4 . In Isaiah, only here and Isaiah 12:2 ; Isaiah 38:11 , Isaiah 38:11 .

JEHOVAH. One of the four passages where the Authorized Version transliterates the word instead of translating it. See note on Isaiah 12:2 , and App-48 .

everlasting strength = a rock of ages. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 32:4 , Deuteronomy 32:18 , Deuteronomy 32:30 , same word as here). See App-92 . Found only in Deuteronomy and as applied to God (see App-79 ); and here, and Isaiah 30:29 , in the "former" portion; and Isaiah 44:8 in the "latter" portion. Compare Habakkuk 1:12 .

1 Samuel 2:2 . 2 Samuel 23:3 , and Psalms.

Verse 5

bringeth down, &c. See note on Isaiah 25:12 .

ground = earth. Hebrew ' erez .

Verse 6

poor = wretched, afflicted. Here singular. Hebrew. amah . See note on Proverbs 6:11 .

needy = lowly ones.

Verse 7

way. See note on "path", Isaiah 2:3 .

the just = a just one.

uprightness = a perfect or level way.

weigh = ponder.

Verse 8

we waited. See note on Isaiah 25:9 .

soul. Hebrew. nephesh . App-13 .

remembrance. Reference to Pentateuch. Same as "memorial" in Exodus 3:15 . The words are quoted again in Psalms 102:12 ; Psalms 135:13 and Hosea 12:5 , and nowhere else. App-92 .

Verse 9

spirit. Hebrew. ruach . App-9 .

early = with the dawn.

when, &c. Hence the multitudes which come out of the great tribulation in Revelation 7:14-17 .

Verse 10

the wicked = a lawless one. Hebrew. rasha . App-44 .

Verse 11

the fire, &c. or, fire shall devour Thine adversaries (Revised Version)

Verse 12

ordain = arrange.

in us = for us. Compare Philippians 1:2 , Philippians 1:13 . App-4 .

lords = owners. Referring to the Canaanite oppressors of Israel and their false gods.

had dominion = domineered, or lorded it.

make mention = call upon.

Thy name = Thee. See note on Psalms 20:1 .

Verse 14

They are dead: i.e. the "other lords" of Isaiah 26:13 . Hebrew. methim . Not dead men, as such, for "all" men shall rise again (2 John 1:5; 2 John 1:5 :28 , John 5:29 . Acts 23:6 , Acts 23:8 ; Acts 24:15 . 1 Corinthians 15:22 .Revelation 20:4-6 , Revelation 20:13 ), but those referred to in Isaiah 26:13 .

deceased = the Rephaim . This is a proper name, and should not be translated. Where it is translated it is always rendered "giants" or "dead" (Isaiah 26:19 . Job 26:5 .Psalms 88:10 . Proverbs 2:18 ; Proverbs 9:18 ; Proverbs 21:16 . Proverbs 14:9 ); why not so here? or transliterated, as it is in Isaiah 17:5 .

they shall not rise. These Rephaim will not rise. They were the progeny of the fallen angels: these latter are kept "in prison" (1 Peter 3:19 ), in "chains" (2 Peter 2:4 .Jude 1:6; Jude 1:6 ), "reserved" unto judgment: but their progeny will "not rise"(verses: Isaiah 26:14 , Isaiah 26:19 ) or be judged, for they have been "visited", "destroyed", and:'perished". See App-23 and App-25 .

Verse 15

the nation: i.e. Israel. The future nation of Matthew 21:43 .

Verse 17

Like as a woman. &c. These refer to the birth-pangs of the Great Tribulation, which issue in the new nation.

Verse 18

neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen = nor did the inhabitants of the world come to the light: i.e. by being born. The Hebrew naphal, to fall, is used of birth, as Hebrew. nephel occurs only in Job 3:16 . Psalms 58:8 . Ecclesiastes 6:3 .

world = the inhabited world. Hebrew. tebel.

Verse 19

Thy dead men = Thy dead ones. Hebrew. methim, as in Isaiah 26:14 . These are very different from the dead in Isaiah 26:14 . They are Jehovah's dead. These shall rise.

my dead body shall. arise = my corpse (a noun of multitude).

shall they arise (plural verb): i.e. all the dead bodies of Jehovah's people. All these shall awake and sing (Psalms 17:15 ).

dwell in dust = lie in the dust: i.e. buried in the dust of the earth.

as the dew of herbs = like the dew upon herbs: i.e. revivifying them. Compare Isaiah 66:14 .

and = but; introducing the important contrast already expressed in Isaiah 26:14 .

cast ou t: or, cast away. Not yield up in resurrection. Whom will the earth thus cast away? See the answer in the word which follows.

the dead = the Rephaim. See note on Isaiah 26:14 , and App-23 and App-25 . These will "not rise".

Verse 20

Come = Go.

Verse 21

disclose her blood. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 4:10 , Genesis 4:11 ).