Bible Commentaries
Isaiah 32

Verse 1

Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

a king. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 17:14 , Deuteronomy 17:16 ). App-92 .

in = for, in the interest of.

Verse 2

And. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton in verses: Isaiah 32:2-5 , emphasizing every detail.

man. Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .

wind. Hebrew. ruach . App-9 .

rivers of water. Hebrew. palgei-mayim. Channels for irrigation in a garden. See notes on Proverbs 21:1 .Psalms 1:3 .

weary = thirsty.

Verse 4

The heart also = And the heart: preserving the Figure of speech Polysyndeton (Isaiah 32:2 ).

Verse 5

vile . . . villany. Note the Figure of speech, Paronomasia ( App-6 ). Hebrew. nabal nebalah.

iniquity. Hebrew. 'aven . App-6

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah . App-4

soul. Hebrew. nephesh . App-13

Verse 7

instruments also of the churl. Note the Figure of speech Paronomasia . Hebrew. vekelay kelayv. English chattels of the churl.

evil. Hebrew. ra'a' . App-44 .

deviseth = counselleth.

wicked. Hebrew. rasha . App-44 .

devices = plans.

poor = wretched. Hebrew. anah . See note on Proverbs 6:11 .

needy = helpless, weak in will and wealth. Hebrew. ebyon . See note on Proverbs 6:11 .

Verse 8

liberal = noble: freehearted, freehanded.

Verse 9

ye women. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Species), "women" being put for the whole nation, now reduced by sin to utter weakness; or, a special message, as in Isaiah 3:16-26 .

hear my voice. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 4:33 , Deuteronomy 4:36 ), App-92 .

careless = confident. Hebrew. batah . App-69 . Used here of self-confidence, in irony.

Verse 12

pleasant fields =fields of desire. Figure of speech. Enallage . App-6

Verse 14

forsaken = neglected.

left. See note on "forsake", Isaiah 1:4 .

forever. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Whole), Put for a prolonged period. Note the limitation by the word "until" in the next verse.

Verse 15

spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 . Compare Joel 2:28 . Ezekiel 36:25-27 .

poured. Hebrew. 'arah. Occurs in Isaiah 3:17 ; Isaiah 22:6 , and here in the "former" portion; and in Isaiah 53:12 , the "latter" portion.

Verse 17

work = tillage. assurance = confidence. Hebrew. b a t ah ( App-69 ) Same word as careless (Isaiah 32:9 ), but not in irony.

Verse 19

hail, coming down. Note the Figure of speech Paronomasia , for emphasis. Hebrew. ubarad beredeth; Eng. hail hailing.

Verse 20

Blessed = O the happinesses of you, &c. The second of the three occurring in Isaiah. See note on Isaiah 30:18 . Compare Isaiah 56:2 .