Bible Commentaries
Isaiah 66

Verse 1

House. This is a prophecy that the temple should be cast off. (Challoner) --- Isaias alludes to the return of the captives, as to a figure of the Church. They had flattered themselves with the idea of building a magnificent temple. God regards it not, as long as they follow their own wills and cherish pride. (Calmet) --- He is pleased with the piety of his servants, which may be exhibited any where, though the temple is the most proper place. See Acts vii., and xiv. After the gospel, the sacrifices of the law became unlawful. (Worthington)

Verse 3

He. Septuagint, "the wicked who." (Haydock) --- Ox. This is a prophecy, that the sacrifices which were offered in the old law, should be abolished in the new; and that he offering of them should be a crime. (Challoner) --- Without the proper dispositions, sacrifice only displeases God. (Calmet) --- Brain, or slay. (Haydock) --- Incense. To offer it in the way of a sacrifice; (Challoner) or to remind God of his people. The expression is popular, but energetic, Leviticus ii. 2, 9., and vi. 15. --- Ways, to please themselves, and to bind me. But I will not have a divided heart, chap. i. 11., and lviii. 3. (Calmet)

Verse 4

Mockeries. I will turn their mockeries upon themselves; and will cause them to be mocked by their enemies. (Challoner)

Verse 5

Brethren, the Idumeans, &c., or the Jews, who would not believe in Christ.

Verse 6

Lord, who is about to quit the temple, and to abandon the Jews to their internal dissensions, and to the arms of the Romans. Many prodigies announced this judgment. (Calmet) --- One Jesus cried for seven years and five months, "Woe to the temple," &c. At last he cried, "Woe to myself;" when he was shot dead. (Josephus, Jewish Wars vii. 12.) (Tacitus, Hist. v.) --- Angels were heard crying in the temple, "Let us go hence." (Josephus) --- There was contradiction in the city, Psalm liv. (St. Jerome) (Worthington)

Verse 7

Before, &c. This relates to the conversion of the Gentiles, who were born as it were all on a sudden to the Church of God. (Challoner) --- Sion furnished the first preachers of the Gospel. (Haydock)

Verse 8

Day. Shall a whole nation be born at once? Twelve fishermen effect the most surprising change in the manners of the world.

Verse 9

God. His grace converts the nations. (Calmet)

Verse 10

For her. Ye shall be comforted, (Haydock) when the captives return, and the gospel is propagated.

Verse 12

You. St. Paul fed the weak with milk, 1 Corinthians iii. 2., and Hebrews v. 12., and 1 Peter ii. 2.

Verse 14

Herb, in baptism and the resurrection. --- Enemies, the Chaldeans, infidel Jews, and all the reprobate, ver 15. How many miracles were wrought by Christian preachers! Persecutors have come to an untimely end. (Calmet) --- Before judgment, the world shall be consumed. (Worthington)

Verse 16

Many. Few are chosen. (Haydock) --- All the wicked shall perish eternally. (Menochius)

Verse 17

Within the court, or gardens, where they purified themselves, foolishly supposing that this would remove their crimes, as the pagans did. (St. Jerome) (Tertullian, Bapt. v.) --- Instead of gate, St. Jerome wrote unam, "one," moon or Hecate, which is obviously derived from Hebrew Achat, chap. lvii. 8., and lxv. 11. Chaldean, Syriac, &c., "gardens, one after another with those who eat," &c. --- Mouse, or "field-rat," (Bochart) all declared unclean; (Leviticus xi. 7, 29.; Calmet) or, "the dor-mouse," (St. Jerome) which was looked upon as a delicacy by the Romans. (Varro iii. 15.; Pliny, [Natural History?] xxxvi. 1.)

Verse 18

Gather them, thoughts, &c. All is personified in poetry. The Gentiles shall witness my judgments. (Calmet)

Verse 19

Sign; the cross, which Christ left to enlighten us, (Ezechiel ix.; St. Jerome; Worthington) or the gospel, with the power of working miracles. Some Jews shall be saved, and shall preach to others, as God’s servants. --- Sea. Hebrew, "Tharsis, to Phul in Thebais, Lud, (Ethiopians.; Bochart) who were expert archers." Septuagint, "Mosoch." --- Italy. Hebrew, "Thubal;" denoting Italy, Spain, Iberia, &c. --- Greece. Hebrew, "Javan;" who peopled Ionia and the Archipelago. Islands, near Asia, (Calmet) and all distant places. (Parkhurst, p. 4.) (Haydock) --- Men of all nations shall be converted, and brought by angels to the Church. (St. Jerome) (Worthington)

Verse 20

Brethren, as the converts may justly be styled. (Calmet) --- Coaches, (carrucis.) Hebrew circaroth, (Haydock) "dromedaries," (Bochart) "with songs of praise." (Chaldean, &c.) The precise import is unknown. Truth shall shew its sweet force. --- Offering; the first-fruits, brought by all with great solemnity, Deuteronomy xxvi. 4., and 2 Thessalonians ii. 12. (Calmet)

Verse 21

Of them, Gentiles; (ver. 19.) some of whom alone will be properly priests, though all enjoy the title in a figurative sense, 1 Peter ii. 9. The Jews strive in vain to elude this text. (Calmet) --- Under the law, one family alone enjoyed this honour: but Christ chooses the most deserving pastors. (Worthington)

Verse 22

Name. The faith and morals of Christianity shall subsist for ever, like the gospel, which is termed the new heavens, chap. lxv. 17., and Matthew xvi. 18.

Verse 23

Sabbath. Grotius explains this of the Gentiles, who should come to Jerusalem. But this was never realized before the propagation of the gospel. The Jews came thrice a-year. Christians shall attend the sacred mysteries every week, Exodus xiii. 14., and Malachias i. 11.

Verse 24

Men; rebellious Jews and persecutors, who perish miserably. --- Flesh. Josephus (Jewish Wars vi. 16.) describes the horrors of the last siege of Jerusalem. The prophet may allude to the fires kept up in the vale of Hinnon; (chap. xxx. 33.) and our Saviour applies this text to the damned, Mark ix. 43. All shall condemn them. (Calmet) Accedat lacrymis odium, dignusque puteris

Ut mala cum tuleris plurima, plura feras. (Ovid in Ibin.)

Verse 25

CHAPTER LXVI.