Bible Commentaries
Isaiah 61

Verse 1

The Spirit, &c. Quoted in Luke 4:18 , Luke 4:19 . The speaker id therefore the Messiah.

Spirit. Hebrew ruach. App-9 .

the Lord. Hebrew Adonai Jehovah. See App-4 . Some codices, with two early printed editions, Septuagint, and Vulgate, omit "Adonai".

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

anointed. Matthew 3:17 , with the Divine formula of consecration, "This is My Son", for the office of Prophet; Matthew 17:5 for the office of Priest; Psalms 2:7 and Hebrews 1:5 , for the office of King.

meek = oppressed, or lowly ones.

bind up. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia .

the opening of the prison = an opening of the understanding or heart, instead of prison doors. Occurs only here. Heb, pekah-koah , referring to the opening of the vision.

Verse 2

the acceptable year = the year of acceptance, or jubilee year (Leviticus 25:9 , Leviticus 25:10 ). We may render: - A year of good-pleasure for Jehovah, [But] A day of vengeance for our God.

and the day of vengeance. Compare Isaiah 59:17 ; Isaiah 63:4 . This is a notable example of how to rightly divide "the Word of truth", when we observe that the Messiah, in quoting this prophecy concerning Himself in Luke 4:18 , Luke 4:19 , "closed the book", and did not go on to quote further in Isa 61:20 , because the former part of the prophecy referred to the then present time, and not to the future Dispensation of judgment. The Heb, accent separates these two clauses, indicated by "[But]", above. Note that the vengeance is assigned to a "day", in contrast with "year".

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

mourn. See note on Isaiah 3:26 , and compare Matthew 5:4 .

Verse 3

To appoint = to set (as a permanent, irrevocable thing).

beauty. ashes. Note the emphasis put on this by the Figure of speech Paronomasia . pe'er. 'epher .

beauty = an ornament, or nuptial tiara.

ashes: as put on the head, as a sign of mourning (2 Samuel 13:19 ).

spirit of heaviness = heavy spirit. Hebrew. ruach . App-9 .

trees of righteousness. Reference to Isaiah 60:21 .

He. All is for Jehovah's glory.

Verse 4

build = rebuild. Compare Amos 9:11 , Amos 9:12 .Acts 15:16 .

wastes = deserted (cities).

desolations = places of silence. See note on Isaiah 1:7 .

Verse 5

strangers = foreigners.

the alien = an unknown people.

Verse 6

Be shall be named, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 19:6 ).

the Ministers of our God. Reference to the technical phrase, common in the Law. See Exodus 28:35 .Numbers 16:9 . Deuteronomy 10:8 ; Deuteronomy 17:12 , &c.

the Gentile = nations.

Verse 7

shame . . . double. Note the Alternation:

double = "double [honour]". Not as in Isaiah 40:2 . See note there.

confusion = reproach, or disgrace. everlasting joy. See note on Isaiah 44:7 .

Verse 8

judgment = justice.

I hate robbery, &c. Showing that the sacrificial System was in operation at the time when this prophecy was given.

direct their work = make their recompense.

in truth. See note on Isaiah 10:20 .

everlasting covenant. See note on "ancient", Isaiah 44:7 .

Verse 9

people = peoples.

Verse 10

soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13

with the robe. A special various reading called Sevir ( App-84 ), with some codices, one early printed edition, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate read "and with a robe". This necessitates conformity with the Hebrew text: "With the garments of salvation will He, &c, And with a robe of righteousness will He", &c.

a = the.

decketh himself, &c. = adorneth himself (with a turban such as worn by priests).

Verse 11

the LORD* GOD = Adonai Jehovah. This is one of the 134 places where the Sopherlm changed "Jehovah" of the primitive text to "Adonai"; but both words have been retained instead of the one : namely, Jehovah.