Bible Commentaries
Isaiah 57

Verse 1

merciful = kind.

from the evil to come = from the presence of the calamity.

evil = calamity. Hebrew. ra'a'. App-44 : i.e. the calamity referred to in Jeremiah 22:10 . See 2 Kings 22:16-20 .

Verse 2

He: i.e. the righteous man.

they: i.e. the men of grace.

in = upon,

beds = couches.

his uprightness = his straight path.

Verse 3

sorceress. See note on Isaiah 2:6 ("soothsayer").

Verse 4

children = offspring.

transgression: i.e. inborn transgression. Hebrew. pasha '. App-44 .

seed of falsehood = false seed. Figure of speech Enallage.

Verse 5

with idols = with the sacred trees: i.e. the Asherahs. See App-42 .

slaying the children. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 18:21 ); to Molech (1 Kings 11:7 . 2 Kings 17:16 , 2 Kings 17:17 ); or to Baal (Jeremiah 19:5 .Ezekiel 16:20 ; Ezekiel 23:39 . Hosea 13:1 ).

Verse 6

the smooth stones, &c. = the open places. Judah still in the land. None of the things mentioned in verses: Isaiah 57:5-7 found in Babylonia.

thy. This and all the Pronouns in verses: Isaiah 57:6-8 are Feminine.

drink offering . . . meat offering. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 29:40 , Exodus 29:41 , &c. Numbers 15:1-10 ). Compare 1 Kings 12:32 , 1 Kings 12:33 .

I receive comfort. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia.

Verse 8

remembrance = symbols.

where thou sawest it = a hand thou hast seen: as beckoning.

Verse 9

the king. Or, the idol, as in Isaiah 30:33 . 1 Kings 11:7 .

hell. Hebrew. Sheol. App-35 .

Verse 10

found . . . hand = found [by the length of thy journeys] a hand to mouth life.

Verse 12

for. Some codices, with two early printed editions, omit "for", and read "and thy works, they will not profit thee".

Verse 13

criest. In distress.

thy companies. The paramours of Isaiah 57:8 .

wind. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .

vanity. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), for vain men. Compare Psalms 144:4 .James 4:14 .

putteth his trust = fleeth for refuge to. Hebrew. hasah. See App-69 .

holy. See note on Exodus 3:5 .

Verse 14

Cast ye up = Make a highway. Figure of speech Epizeuxis.

Verse 15

lofty = lifted up. Same word as Isaiah 6:1 ("exalted One").

That inhabiteth = inhabiting.

Verse 16

souls = breathing things. Hebrew. neshamah. App-16 . See note on Isaiah 2:22 ("breath").

Verse 17

I hid Me. Compare Isaiah 45:15 ; Isaiah 59:2 ; Isaiah 64:7 .

Verse 18

lead = (gently) lead.

mourners. See note on "mourn" (Isaiah 3:26 ).

Verse 19

Peace, peace. Figure of speech Epizeuxis , for great emphasis = perfect peace (as in Isaiah 26:3 ), or great prosperity.

Verse 20

wicked = lawless. Hebrew. rasha'. App-44 ,

the troubled sea = the sea when tossed.

when = for.

Verse 21

no peace. Compare Isaiah 48:22 .