The wolf also shall, etc. "Then shall the wolf," etc. - The idea of the renewal of the golden age, as it is called, is much the same in the Oriental writers with that of the Greeks and Romans: - the wild beasts grow tame; serpents and poisonous herbs become harmless; all is peace and harmony, plenty and happiness: - Occidet et serpens, et fallax herba veneni Occidet. Vega. Eclog. 4:24. read more
In this verse a word is omitted in the text, יחדו yachdav , together; which ought to be repeated in the second hemistich, being quite necessary to the sense. It is accordingly twice expressed by the Septuagint and Syriac. read more
The cockatrice' den - This is supposed, both by the Targum and by Kimchi, to mean the pupil of this serpent's eye. "When," says Kimchi, "he is in the mouth of his den, in an obscure place, then his eyes sparkle exceedingly: the child, seeing this, and supposing it to be a piece of crystal, or precious stone, puts forth his hand to take it. What would be very dangerous at another time, shall be safe in the days of the Messiah; for the serpent will not hurt the child." read more
The spiritual nature of Messiah's perfections. It was certainly not from Isaiah that the Jews derived their notion that the Messiah would be a mighty temporal prince, the leader of armies, who would break the yoke of Rome from off their shoulders, and give them dominion over all the nations of the earth. Isaiah does, indeed, announce him as a King ( Isaiah 32:1 ), and could do no less, since he was indeed "King of kings, and Lord of lords." But he ever puts forward his spiritual character,... read more
Characteristics of Jesus Christ. The expression of the prophet, "The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him," has a very close correspondence with the New Testament references to Jesus Christ ( Matthew 3:16 ; Luke 4:1 , Luke 4:14 , Luke 4:18 ; John 3:34 ). This full possession by our Lord of the Spirit of God revealed itself, and is still found, in these particulars which the prophecy indicates. I. His PERFECT PIETY . In him dwelt the "fear of the Lord" without measure ( ... read more
A RENEWED PROPHECY OF MESSIAH AND OF HIS KINGDOM . This chapter is closely connected with the preceding. With the final destruction of Assyria, which, being cut down, sends out no shoot ( Isaiah 10:33 , Isaiah 10:34 ), is contrasted the recuperative energy of Israel, which, though equally leveled with the ground ( Isaiah 9:18 , Isaiah 9:19 ), shall spring afresh into life, and "renew its youth." The recovery is connected—or rather identified with the coming of... read more
The coming of the Messiah. I. HIS ORIGIN . "From Ishai's worn stem a shoot will sprout forth, and a green branch burst forth from his roots." From the stock of David, now fallen very low, the coming Deliverer will arise in all the vigor of youth. Seldom does the great man come but of some pure and generous strain of blood. Like some stream which, long hidden underground, reappears again in the daylight, or some vein of precious ore, recovered after some extensive "fault," so it was... read more
The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him (comp, Matthew 3:16 ; Luke 2:40 ; Luke 4:1 , Luke 4:14 , Luke 4:18 ; John 3:34 , etc.). The human nature of our Lord required, and received abundantly, the sanctifying and enlightening influences of the Holy Spirit. These influences were not in him transient or occasional, as in too many men, who more or less " resist the Spirit," but permanent and enduring. They " rested upon " him; from first to last never quitted, and never will... read more
Christ's enduements by the Spirit. The prophetic conception of Messiah is of a man, specially endowed and fitted for his mission by God's Spirit. The figures that help prophetic vision are David, endowed with the spirit of rule and of song; and Solomon, endowed with the spirit of wisdom. And the New Testament bids us think of Christ as having the Spirit, not by measure , but without measure—the fullness of God dwelling in him ( Colossians 1:19 ; Colossians 2:9 ). Compare the beginning... read more
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Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 11:5
The girdle "The cincture" - All the ancient Versions, except that of Symmachus, have two different words for girdle in the two hemistichs. It is not probable that Isaiah would have repeated אזור azer , when a synonymous word so obvious as חגור chagor occurred. The tautology seems to have arisen from the mistake of some transcriber. The meaning of this verse is, that a zeal for justice and truth shall make him active and strong in executing the great work which he shall undertake. See... read more