Bible Commentaries
Isaiah 49

Verse 1

isles = maritime countries.

people = peoples.

hath called. Fulfilled in Matthew 1:18 . Luke 1:28 .

Me. The Messiah prophesied of in Isaiah 7:14 . Neither Isaiah, nor Israel, nor the Church.

Verse 2

mouth . . . the shadow . . . band. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia.

sword. Compare Revelation 1:16 ; Revelation 2:12 , Revelation 2:16 ; Revelation 19:15 .

polished: or, pointed.

shaft = arrow.

hid Me. Thirty years at Nazareth.

Verse 3

My Servant. See note on Isaiah 37:36 .

Israel = Prince of GOD. Messiah making this use of, and applying the name to Himself. Israel could not "raise up" Israel (Isaiah 49:6 ). Christ is called"Israel" in the same way that He is called "David"; and Psalms 24:6 , "Jacob".

Verse 4

I said , or thought: i.e. said to Myself.

strength = strength (to endure). Hebrew. koah. Not the same word as in Isaiah 49:5 .

for nought. Hebrew. tohu . See note on Isaiah 24:10 , "confusion".

judgment = vindication.

work = recompense.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

Verse 5

saith. Some codices, with Septuagint and Syriac, read "thus saith".

not. Hebrew text = l'o = not; but marked in margin to be read lo = to Him, which is confirmed by the list of such readings in the Massorah. If (in "be not gathered"), the negative be read, then the "though" and the "yet" must be retained; but if the preposition with suffix be read, then the rendering of the clause will be "to bring Jacob again to Him, and that Israel unto Him might be gathered, and I be glorious", &c. Probably both readings may be correct, for Israel was not gathered at His first coming (John 1:11 ), but will be at His second coming.

strength = strength (for victory). Not the same word as in Isaiah 49:4

Hebrew. 'azaz.

Verse 6

light = small.

I will also give, &c. Quoted in Luke 2:32 .Acts 13:47; Acts 13:47

Gentiles = nations. Hebrew. goyim. Compare Isaiah 42:6 . Therefore not the secret (or Mystery) of the Epistle to the Ephesians. Compare Genesis 12:3 .Luke 2:29-32 .

Thou. This cannot be Israel, for it is expressly fulfilled in Christ.

Salvation. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Effect), App-6 , for the Saviour Who wrought salvation.

Verse 7

Redeemer = Kinsman Redeemer. Hebrew. go'el . See note on Isaiah 41:14 and Exodus 6:6 .

Whom man despiseth = Whom their (i.e. Israel's) soul (Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 ) despiseth. Compare Isaiah 53:3 .Psalms 42:5 , Psalms 42:6 . Matthew 26:67 . 1 Corinthians 2:14 .

nation. Hebrew. goi : i.e. a heathen nation. So called here for its unbelief and rejection of the Messiah.

a servant of rulers. Compare Psalms 2:2 .Matthew 27:41 .

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

Verse 8

an acceptable time = a time of acceptance. Quoted in a 2 Corinthians 6:2 .

heard = answered.

a covenant of the People = the covenant of a People. Compare Isaiah 42:6 , Isaiah 42:7 . Hebrew. am , not goi as in Isaiah 49:7 .

established the earth = raise up the land.

desolate. See note on Isaiah 1:7 .

Verse 9

That Thou mayest say. This cannot be the nation, but the Messiah.

Go forth. Compare Isaiah 42:7 ; Isaiah 61:1 .

to. Some codices, with two early printed editions, Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "and to".

Verse 10

They shall not hunger, &c. Quoted in Revelation 7:16 .

shall He guide them = shall He cause them to rest.

Verse 11

highways. See note on Isaiah 7:3 .

Verse 12

Sinim. Probably = China. Occurs only here.

Verse 13

Sing = Shout in triumph.

break forth into singing. See note on Isaiah 14:7 .

comforted His People. Compare Isaiah 40:1 ; Isaiah 51:3 .

Verse 14

Zion said. Figure of speech Prolepsis . This sets at rest the conflicting interpretations.

forsaken. See note on Isaiah 1:4 .

my LORD*. One of the 134 places where the Sopherim changed "Jehovah of the primitive text to Adonai. App-32 .

Verse 15

Can a woman, &c. Figures of speech Erotesis and Pathopoeia.

will I not forget. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .

Verse 16

graven. Denoting permanence.

the palms, &c. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .

Verse 17

children = sons.

Verse 18

bride. First occurrence in this connection.

Verse 20

which thou shalt have. other = of thy childlessness, or, of whom thou wast bereaved.

Verse 21

Then = And.

Who . . . where? Figure of speech Erotesis.

Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos.

these. Some codices, with Septuagint and Vulgate, read "and these", or "these therefore".

had they been = were they?

Verse 22

the Lord GOD. Hebrew Adonai Jehovah. See App-4 .

lift up Mine hand. Idiom for "call". Figure of speech Anthropopatheia.

Gentiles = nations.

people = peoples.

arms = bosom: the folds of the garment forming a large natural pocket; but children were, and still are, usually carried astride the shoulder as soon as they can sit.

daughters shall be carried. Showing the care they shall receive, for girls are usually left to shift for themselves. See note on Isaiah 60:4 .

Verse 23

queens = princesses.

lick up, &c. Denoting subjection and submission, as in Genesis 3:14 . Compare Psalms 72:9 and Micah 7:17 .

thou shalt know. Ref to Pentateuch (Exodus 6:7 ). App-92 .

wait for me. Reference to Pentateuch (same word as in Genesis 49:18 ).

Verse 24

the prey. Reference to Pentateuch (Numbers 31:11 , Numbers 31:12 , Numbers 31:26 , Numbers 31:27 , Numbers 31:32 ). Occurs elsewhere only in the next verse and Psalms 22:15 .

mighty = a mighty one (singular) Hebrew. gibbor. App-14 .

Verse 25

captives = captivity. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), for "captives".

terrible = tyrant or ruthless one.

Verse 26

sweet wine. Heb 'asis = new wine, the product of the same year. App-27 .

all flesh shall know. Compare Isaiah 40:5 ; Isaiah 52:10 .

am thy Saviour: or, am saving thee.

the mighty One of Jacob. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 49:24 ): only here and Isaiah 60:16 . Nowhere else except Psalms 132:2 , Psalms 132:5 .