Isaiah 44:3-4

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 44:4

They shall spring up as among the grass . The LXX . have, "As grass among the waters;" and this reading is followed by Bishop Lowth, Ewald, and Mr. Cheyne. But there does not seem to be any necessity for departing from the existing Hebrew text. As willows . There is some doubt whether the Hebrew word used ( 'ereb ) is rightly translated "willows." The modern yarab seems certainly not to be a "willow," but rather a species of Viburnum . It is, however, most strictly a water-plant,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 44:3

For I will pour water - Floods, rivers, streams, and waters, are often used in the Scriptures, and especially in Isaiah, to denote plenteous divine blessings, particularly the abundant influences of the Holy Spirit (see the note at Isaiah 35:6-7). That it here refers to the Holy Spirit and his influences, is proved by the parallel expressions in the subsequent part of the verse.Upon him that is thirsty - Or rather, ‘on the thirsty land.’ The word צמא tsâmē' refers here rather to land, and the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 44:4

And they shall spring up - The idea is, that as plants and trees planted by water-courses, and in well-watered fields, grow and flourish, so should their children grow in virtue, hope, piety, and zeal.As among the grass - They shall spring up and flourish as the grass does when abundantly watered from heaven. On the meaning of the unusual form of the word בבים bebēyn, in the Hebrew (“in among”), see Vitringa and Rosenmuller. The ב (b) here is undoubtedly an error of the transcriber for כ (k)... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 44:3-5

Isaiah 44:3-5. I will pour water My Spirit, as it is expounded in the latter part of the verse, frequently compared to water in the Scriptures; upon him that is thirsty That is destitute of it, and that sincerely and earnestly desires it; and my blessing upon thine offspring All the blessings of my covenant, especially those of a spiritual nature. This promise seems to have been made with a design to raise the minds and hearts of the Jews from carnal and worldly things, to which they... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Isaiah 44:1-28

Israel’s God and man-made gods (44:1-28)Not only is God willing to forgive his people, but he wants to pour out the power of his Spirit upon them so that new spiritual life will spring up within them. This will enable them to evangelize the Gentiles, who will then join the descendants of Jacob in worshipping the God of Israel (44:1-5). Israel’s redeemer is the only God. He knows the end from the beginning and his people can depend on him always (6-8).In contrast to the one true and living God... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Isaiah 44:3

I will pour, &c. These promises all refer to the day of Israel's future restoration. spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 . For this promise, see Ezekiel 36:25-30 ; Ezekiel 39:29 . Compare Isaiah 32:15 ; Isaiah 59:21 .Joel 2:28 . Zechariah 12:10 . It began at Pentecost (Acts 2:16 ); but the kingdom was then rejected (Acts 28:25 , Acts 28:26 ), and the promise is now in abeyance. Compare Joel 2:28 , "afterward". read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Isaiah 44:4

as willows, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Numbers 24:6 ). App-92 . water courses. See note on "streams", Isaiah 30:25 . read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Isaiah 44:3-5

Isaiah 44:3-5. For I will pour water— A general promise of help and protection appearing less efficacious, God promises something more great and sublime to his church: for when that church might appear to apprehend nothing but destruction amid so many calamities, the Almighty promises to it, both a remarkable enlargement of its body, that is, the mystical body of Christ, and also the spiritual blessings of the gifts of the Holy Ghost, to be poured forth abundantly upon the enlarged church. This... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 44:3

3. ( :-). him . . . thirsty—rather, "the land" (Isaiah 35:6; Isaiah 35:7), figuratively for man thirsting after righteousness (Isaiah 35:7- :). floods—the abundant influences of the Holy Spirit, stronger than "water." spirit—including all spiritual and temporal gifts, as the parallel, "blessing," proves (Isaiah 11:2; Isaiah 32:15). seed— (Isaiah 32:15- :). read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 44:4

4. they—thy "seed" and "offspring" ( :-). as among—needlessly inserted in English Version. Rather, "The seed shall spring up as willows among the grass beside canals of water" [HORSLEY]. Or, "They shall spring up among the grass (that is, luxuriantly; for what grows in the midst of grass grows luxuriantly) as willows by the water-courses," which makes the parallel clauses better balanced [MAURER]. read more

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