Isaiah 40:18-31 NIV

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 40:26

Lift up your eyes on high ,.... From the earth, and the inhabitants of it, even those of the greatest power and influence in it, to the heavens above, those that are visible to the eye: and behold who hath created these things ; that are seen in the heavens, the sun, moon, and stars; consider the Creator of them, what a glorious Being he must be; what power he must be possessed of; what dazzling light he must dwell in; what glory and majesty he must be clothed with; and how infinitely... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 40:27

Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel ,.... The Jews, supposed to be in captivity, are here meant, according to Jarchi and Kimchi; whom the prophet reproves, for murmuring at the calamities and afflictions there endured by them; but it may be the church and people of God, in Gospel times, are here intended, being under suffering circumstances, either under Rome Pagan, or Rome Papal; not only inwardly repining, but openly complaining and uttering, as follows: my way is hid from... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 40:28

Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard ?.... From the history of the church in all ages; from the experience of all good men; from their own knowledge and observation; from the Scriptures, and the prophets, the interpreters of them; both that what is before suggested is wrong, and that what follows is true, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary ? or, "the God of the world"; that has made it, and upholds it, and governs... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 40:29

He giveth power to the faint ,.... Who are ready to faint under afflictions, because they have not immediate deliverance, or their prayers are not answered at once, or promises not fulfilled as they expected; to such he gives fresh supplies of spiritual strength; he strengthens their faith, and enlarges their views, to behold the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living, and confirms his blessings and promises of grace unto them, Psalm 27:13 . The Targum is, "who giveth wisdom to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 40:30

Even the youths shall faint and be weary ,.... Such as are in the prime of their strength, and glory in it, yet through the hand of God upon them, by one disease or another, their strength is weakened in the way; or they meet with that which they are not equal to, and sink under, and are discouraged, and obliged to desist. Some think the Babylonians and Chaldeans are here meant, the enemies of Israel, and by whom they were carried captive. The Targum interprets this clause, as well as the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 40:31

But they that wait upon the Lord ,.... As children on their parents, to do them honour, to obey their commands, and receive food and blessings from them; as servants on their masters, to know their pleasure, do their work, and have their wages; as clients on their patrons, to have advice of them, put their cause into their hands, and know how it goes; and as beggars at the door, who knock and wait, tell their case and wait, meet with repulses, yet keep their place, and continue waiting: such... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 40:19

And casteth silver chains "And forgeth for it chains of silver" - For צורף tsoreph , the participle, twenty-seven MSS., five ancient, and three editions, read צרף tsaraph , pret. third person. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 40:20

Chooseth a tree that will not rot - For what? To make a god out of it! The rich we find made theirs of gold and silver; the poor man was obliged to put up with a wooden god! From the words "he that hath no oblation chooseth a tree," we may learn that the gold and silver necessary to make the graven image was first dedicated, and then formed into a god! How stupid is idolatry! Strange that these people did not perceive that there could be no help in these molten and wooden idols! read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 40:21

Have ye not known - On this verse Kimchi has a very interesting comment, an extract of which I subjoin. "The whole world may be considered as a house built up; heaven its roof; the stars its lamps; and the fruits of the earth its table spread. The Master of the house is God, blessed for ever; and man is the steward into whose hand all the business of the house is given. If he always consider in his heart that the Master of the house is continually over him, and that he keeps his eye upon his... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 40:22

As a curtain "As a thin veil" - "It is usual in the summer season, and upon all occasions when a large company is to be received, to have the court sheltered from heat or inclemency of the weather by a velum, umbrella, or veil, as I shall call it; which being expanded on ropes from one side of the parapet wall to the other, may be folded or unfolded at pleasure. The psalmist seems to allude to some covering of this kind in that beautiful expression of spreading out the heavens like a... read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 40:26

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 40:27

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 40:28

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 40:29

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 40:30

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 40:31

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 40:19

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 40:20

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 40:21

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 40:22

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