Bible Commentaries
Isaiah 41

Verse 1

islands = coast-lands. See note on Isaiah 11:11 .

renew. Same word as in Isaiah 40:31 .

strength = strength (to endure).

come near = draw nigh.

Verse 2

the righteous man from the east: i.e. Abraham. Compare Cyrus raised up from the north, Isaiah 41:25 .

kings: i.e. those mentioned in Genesis 14:1 , Genesis 14:8 , Genesis 14:9 . stubble = straw. Hebrew. kash, as in Isaiah 40:24 .

Verse 3

He pursued them: i.e. Abraham pursued them unto Dan. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 14:14 , Genesis 14:15 ). App-92 .

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

Verse 4

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

the first, and . . . last. Occurs here and Isaiah 44:6 ; Isaiah 48:12 . Thus, three times in Isaiah, and three times in the Apocalypse (Revelation 1:17 ; Revelation 2:8 ; Revelation 22:13 ).

with the last: i.e. He who called Abraham, the first, will be with the last (Messiah), Who is the subject of this prophecy.

I am he: or, I AM.

Verse 6

one = man. Hebrew. 'ish.

Verse 8

My servant. See note on Isaiah 37:35 for the three "servants" in Isaiah. This was Israel, as the seed of Abraham, not Cyrus (yet). Compare verses: Isaiah 41:21-29 .

chosen. See note on Isaiah 1:29 .

My friend. See note on 2 Chronicles 20:7 .

Verse 9

the chief men = the remote parts.

I have chosen thee. Genesis 12:1 .Joshua 24:2-4 .Nehemiah 9:7 . Acts 7:2-7 . Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 7:6 ; Deuteronomy 10:15 ; Deuteronomy 14:2 ). App-92 .

Verse 10

Fear thou not. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 31:6 , Deuteronomy 31:8 ).

be not dismayed = look not around. Some codices, with Syriac, read "and be not", &c. It is this that dismays (see notes on Psalms 73:0 and 77).

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

strengthen = strength (inherent, for activity). Hebrew. 'dmas. Not the same word as in Isaiah 41:1 and Isaiah 41:21 .

Verse 11

Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. .

Behold, all they, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 23:22 ). App-92 .

they that strive = the men (Hebrew. 'ish, App-14 ) of thy strife: i.e. thine accusers.

Verse 12

them that contended = the men (Hebrew. 'ish) of thy contention.

nothing. See note on Isaiah 5:8 .

Verse 14

thou worm. To emphasize the weakness of Israel; marked also by the Figure of speech Asterismos , "Behold".

men. Hebrew. methim. App-14 .

thy Redeemer. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 48:16 . Exodus 6:6 ; Exodus 15:13 ).

the Holy One of Israel See note on Isaiah 1:4 .

Verse 15

make thee = set thee for.

threshing instrument. See note on Isaiah 28:27 .

Verse 16

wind. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .

glory. See note on Isaiah 13:10 .

Verse 17

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

faileth. See note on Isaiah 19:5 .

hear = answer.

the God of Israel. See note on Isaiah 29:23 .

forsake. See note on Isaiah 1:4 .

Verse 18

open rivers, &c. Note that all these physical marvels must be accomplished by the miraculous power of God, not by the spirituality of His People. See note on Isaiah 35:1 .

Verse 20

and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton for emphasis.

Verse 21

saith the LORD. See note on Isaiah 1:11 .

strong = strong (for weight or importance). Hebrew. azam Not same word as in verses: Isaiah 41:1 , Isaiah 41:10 . Hebrew. 'amaz.

the King of Jacob. This title occurs only here. Heathen kings were the gods of their people. So Jehovah, the King of Jacob, was the God of Israel.

Verse 25

raised up one from the north: i.e. Cyrus. See App-57 . Compare Abraham (the other type was "from the east", Isaiah 41:2 ). This prophecy was made 137 years before its fulfilment. Compare Isaiah 44:28 ; Isaiah 45:1 .

come = speed.

shall he call upon My name. This is the counter part of Isaiah 45:3 , Isaiah 45:4 . Compare Ezra 1:2 and 2 Chronicles 36:22 , 2 Chronicles 36:23 .

My name = Me (emph.) See note on Psalms 20:1 .

princes. The title of Babylonian governors and prefects of provinces. Hebrew. seganim. Used once in Ezra (Isaiah 9:2 , "rulers"); nine times in Nehemiah (Isaiah 2:16 , Isaiah 2:16 ; Isa 4:14 , &c.); three times in Jeremiah (Isaiah 51:23 , Isa 51:28 , Isa 51:57 ); three times in Ezekiel (Isaiah 23:6 , Isaiah 23:12 , Isa 23:23 ). Always rendered "rulers" except here, which is the only occurrence in Isaiah. Cyrus (the Medo-Persian) did fulfill this on the Babylonian "princes".

Verse 27

The first shall say = From the first [I have said].

Verse 29

molten images. See note on Isaiah 30:22 .

wind = vanity. Hebrew. ruach ( App-9 ). See note on Isaiah 57:6 .

confusion. See note on Isaiah 24:10 .