Isaiah 66

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 66:9

Shall I bring to the birth? - The sense of this verse is plain. It is, that God would certainly accomplish what he had here predicted, and for which he had made ample arrangements and preparations. He would not commence the work, and then abandon it. The figure which is used here is obvious; but one which does not render very ample illustration proper. Jarchi has well expressed it: ‘Num ego adducerem uxorem meam ad sellam partus, sc. ad partitudinem, et non aperirem uterum ejus, ut foetum suum... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 66:10

Rejoice ye with Jerusalem - The idea which is presented in this verse is, that it is the duty of all who love Zion to sympathize in her joys. It is one evidence of piety to rejoice in her joy; and they who have no true joy when God pours down his Spirit, and, in a revival of religion, produces changes as sudden and transforming as if the earth were suddenly to pass from the desolation of winter to the verdure and bloom of summer; or when the gospel makes rapid advances in the pagan world, have... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 66:11

That ye may suck - The same figure occurs in Isaiah 60:16; and substantidally in Isaiah 49:23. See the note at those places.That ye may milk out - The image is an obvious one. It means that they who sympathized with Zion would be nourished by the same truth, and comforted with the same sources of consolation.And be delighted with the abundance of her glory - Margin, ‘Brightness.’ Lowth renders this, ‘From her abundant stores.’ Noyes, ‘From the fullness of her glory.’ Jerome (the Vulgate), ‘And... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 66:12

For thus saith the Lord - This verse contains a promise of the conversion of the Gentiles, and the fact that what constituted their glory would be brought and consecrated to the church of God.I will extend - The word rendered, I will extend ( נטה nâṭâh) means properly to stretch out, as the hand or a measure; then to spread out or expand, as a tent is spread out, to which it is often applied Genesis 12:8; Genesis 26:5; or to the heavens spread out over our heads like a tent or a curtain... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 66:13

As one whom his mother comforteth - See the notes at Isaiah 49:15, where the same image occurs. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 66:14

And when ye see this - This great accession to the church from the Gentile world.Your bones shall flourish like an herb - This is an image which is often employed in the Scriptures. When the vigor of the body fails, or when it is much afflicted, the bones are said to be feeble or weakened, or to be dried Psalms 6:2; Psalms 51:8; Psalms 22:14, Psalms 22:17; Psalms 38:3; Lamentations 1:13; Proverbs 14:30; Proverbs 17:22. like manner, prosperity, health, vigor, are denoted by making the bones fat... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 66:15

For behold, the Lord will come with fire - The Septuagint reads this ‘As fire’ (ὡς πύρ hōs pur). Fire is a common emblem to denote the coming of the Lord to judge and punish his enemies Psalms 50:3 :Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence;A fire shall devour before him,And it shall be very tempestuous round about him.So Habakkuk 2:5 :Before him went the pestilence,And burning coals went forth at his feet.So Psalms 97:3 :A fire goeth before him,And burneth up his enemies round about.So... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 66:16

For by fire and by his sword - The sword is an instrument by which punishment is executed (see the notes at Isaiah 34:5; compare Romans 13:4).Will he plead with all flesh - Or rather, he will judge (נשׁפט nı̂shephaṭ), that is, he will execute his purposes of vengeance on all the human race. Of course, only that part is intended who ought to be subject to punishment; that is, all his foes.And the slain of the Lord shall be many - The number of those who shall be consigned to woe shall be... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 66:17

They that sanctify themselves - That is, who attempt to purify themselves by idolatrous rites, by ablutions, and lustrations. The design here is, to describe those who will be exposed to the wrath of God when he shall come to execute vengeance.And purify themselves in the gardens - (See the notes at Isaiah 65:3).Behind one tree in the midst - This passage has not a little exercised the ingenuity of commentators. It is quite evident that our translators were not able to satisfy themselves with... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 66:18

For I know their works - The word ‘know,’ says Lowth, is here evidently left out of the Hebrew text, leaving the sense quite imperfect. It is found in the Syriac; the Chaldee evidently had that word in the copy of the Hebrew which was used; and the Aldine and Complutensian editions of the Septuagint have the word. Its insertion is necessary in order to complete the sense; though the proof is not clear that the word was ever in the Hebrew text. The sense is, that though their abominable rites... read more

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 66:9

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 66:10

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 66:11

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 66:12

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 66:13

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 66:14

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 66:15

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 66:16

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 66:17

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 66:18

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