Bible Commentaries
Isaiah 51

Verse 1

Hearken. Note the call to hear. See Structure, above.

are = were.

hole of the pit = the hollow of the quarry.

Verse 2

Look = Look well: as in Isaiah 51:1 . Figure of speech Hermeneia , by which Isaiah 51:2 interprets Isaiah 51:1 .

Abraham . . . Sarah. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 12:0 , &c.; Genesis 24:36 ).

alone. Compare Ezekiel 33:24 .Malachi 2:15 .

Verse 3

waste places. Compare Isaiah 40:1 ; Isaiah 49:13 .

like Eden. Reference to Pentateuch, (Genesis 2:0 and Genesis 3:0 ). App-92 . Elsewhere, only here; Joel 2:3 ; and six times in Ezekiel.

like the garden of the LORD. This is a quotation from Genesis 13:10 . App-92 .

melody = music or Psalmody.

Verse 4

law: i.e. the law of Moses, which was Jehovah's revealed instruction. Compare Ma Isaiah 1:4 , Isaiah 1:4 ,

make . . . to rest = establish.

the people = peoples.

Verse 5

isles = maritime countries. See note on Isaiah 11:11 .

wait. Compare Isaiah 42:4 ; Isaiah 60:9 .

trust = hope. Hebrew. yahal. App-69 . Not the same word as in Isaiah 50:10 .

Verse 6

shall = will have.

in like manner = so. There is no ancient authority for "as a gnat", as some render it.

Verse 7

know = take note of.

men = mortal men.

Verse 9

Awake. Same word as in Isaiah 52:1 . Not the same as in Isaiah 51:17 . Note the Figure of speech Epizeuxis (for emphasis).

arm . Figure of speech Anthropopatheia.

Bahab = Egypt. Compare Psalms 87:4 ; Psalms 89:10 .

dragon = crocodile.

Verse 10

dried the sea. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 14:29 ). ransomed = redeemed (by price, or blood). Hebrew. ga'al. Compare Exodus 6:6 .

Verse 11

redeemed = redeemed (by power). Hebrew. padah. See note on Exodus 13:13 .

come with singing. Compare Isaiah 35:10 .

mourning = sighing. See notes on Isaiah 21:2 .

Verse 12

man. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .

Verse 13

stretched forth the heavens. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 1:0 and Genesis 2:0 ).

as if he were. A special reading called Sevir ( App-34 ), with some codices, two early printed editions, and Syriac, read "who was": referring doubtless to the Antichrist's effort in "the great tribulation".

Verse 15

divided the sea. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 14:21 ).

The LORD of hosts. See note on 1 Samuel 1:3 .

Verse 16

put My words in thy mouth. See note on Isaiah 50:4 ("that I should know"). Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 18:18 ). App-92 .

that: i.e. in order that.

Verse 17

Awake = Rouse thee. Not the same form as in Isaiah 51:9 with Isaiah 52:1 .

Verse 20

Thy sons have fainted. Note the Alternation in this verse. Thus: "fainted at the head", &c, and "they lie as a wild bull", &c.

Verse 21

wine. Hebrew. yayin. App-27 .

Verse 22

thy LORD the LORD = thy Adonim Jehovah. See App-4 .

Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos.

no more drink it again. All this refers therefore to the final restoration of Israel.

Verse 23

thy soul = thee. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .