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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 66:16

By fire and by his sword (see the introductory paragraph). The "sword of Jehovah" is spoken of also in Isaiah 27:1 and Isaiah 34:5 , Isaiah 34:6 (comp. Revelation 19:15 , Revelation 19:21 ). Will the Lord plead with all flesh; rather, will the Lord judge all flesh (comp. Jeremiah 25:31 , where the same phrase occurs). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 66:16

The slain of the Lord. While it is doubtful as to what special juncture the prophet refers when he says that" the slain of the Lord shall be many," it is painfully and practically certain that at all times these slain ones are many. For— I. THE VICTIMS OF SIN ARE THE SLAIN OF THE LORD . The laws which work the penalty they suffer are God's laws. It is under his administration that pain, weakness, impotence, trouble, sorrow, death, slay guilty souls. These are his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 66:17

They that sanctify … themselves in the gardens (comp. Isaiah 1:29 ; Isaiah 65:3 ; and see the comment on the latter passage). Behind one tree in the midst; literally, behind one in the midst. It seems quite impossible that "one" can mean "one tree," when no tree has been mentioned, and gardens do not necessarily contain trees. The marginal rendering, "one after another," is also impossible. The "one in the midst" must have been either a hierophant who directed the ceremonies (Gesenius,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 66:17

Vain attempts to sanctify self. "They that sanctify themselves. shall be consumed together." The prophetic allusion is to those who attempted secure themselves by "fearing the Lord, and serving other gods." They wanted to secure all possible Israelite privileges, yet wanted to sanctify themselves by means of the heathen rites which were the fashion of their times. "Such a blending of incompatible elements was eminently characteristic of the reign of Manasseh." The things specially noticed... 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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 66:15-16

Isaiah 66:15-16. For, behold, &c. Here the prophet comes more particularly to show the nature of that indignation which should be exercised toward God’s enemies. The passage, it must be observed, is metaphorical, “exhibiting God as about to take vengeance on the enemies of his church, under the figure of a commander and warrior, as well as of a judge, armed at all points, severely to punish those who have provoked his indignation: see Isaiah 63:1, &c.; Revelation 18:8; and... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 66:17

Isaiah 66:17. They that sanctify themselves, &c. “Behold,” says Vitringa, “the reason of the great severity above mentioned, namely, a base and abominable departure from God, represented under a certain kind of idolatry and detestable superstition, of all others the most odious and contrary to the institutions of the ancient religion.” It is evident the passage is to be understood figuratively, like those in Isaiah 66:3, and in Isaiah 65:3-4; Isaiah 65:11, on which see the notes. And... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Isaiah 66:7-24

New people and a new age (66:7-24)Usually there is a long period of development before a group of people becomes a nation, but the new nation Israel will appear suddenly and unexpectedly, like a baby born before the due date (7-9). As with the birth of a baby, there is much rejoicing over the birth of the new nation (10-11). The ‘baby’ grows strong and active because God is the one who nourishes it. Under the controlling hand of God, Israel prospers (12-14).While Israel enjoys God’s blessings,... read more

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