Bible Commentaries
Isaiah 48

Verse 1

waters. Some codices, with three early printed editions, read "days".

swear by the name, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 6:13 ). App-92 .

the Lord. Hebrew. Jehovah.

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

in truth. See note on Isaiah 10:20 .

Verse 3

the former things, &c. Such as the birth of Isaac, the Exodus, &c.

Verse 4

thy neck, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 32:9 ).

Verse 6

see = look close into.

Verse 8

transgressor = rebel.

Verse 9

My name's. See note on Psalms 20:1 .

Verse 10

affliction = humiliation, or oppression.

Verse 11

For Mine own sake. Note the Figure of speech Epizeuxis , for great emphasis.

I will not give, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 20:5 ).

Verse 12

Jacob and Israel: i.e. the natural and spiritual seed. Some codices, with two early printed editions, read "Jacob my servant".

the first. the last. Compare Isaiah 41:4 ; Isaiah 44:6 .

Verse 13

spanned = stretched out.

stand up. To listen to my words.

Verse 14

them. Some codices, with two early printed editions, and Syriac, read "you".

him: i.e. Cyrus: Isaiah 45:1 ; Isaiah 46:10 , Isaiah 46:11 .

arm. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), for the judgment inflicted by it. Note also the Figure of speech Anthropopatheia.

Verse 15

I . . . I. Note the Figure of speech Epizeuxis.

Verse 16

not spoken in secret. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 30:11 ). Compare Isaiah 45:19 . App-92 .

and His Spirit, hath sent Me: or, hath sent both Me and His Spirit: i.e. the prophet, and His Spirit the inspirer of the message sent by Isaiah (compare Acts 28:25 ), "well spake the Holy Ghost by Isaiah", &c. Note the great doctrine of the Trinity.

Spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .

Verse 17

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

Verse 18

O that thou hadst, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 5:29 ), Compare Psalms 81:13 . Note Figure of speech App-6 and App-92 .

peace = well-being, or prosperity.

a = the.

Verse 19

as the sand. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 22:17 ; Genesis 32:12 ).

Verse 20

His servant. See note on Isaiah 37:35 .

Verse 21

He led them, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 8:2 ).

caused. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 17:6 . Numbers 20:11 ). App-92 .

Verse 22

no peace, &c. Compare Isaiah 57:20 .

the wicked = lawless ones: i.e. the wicked in Israel.