Isaiah 64:1-3 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 64:1-12

ISRAEL 'S PRAYER CONTINUED AND CONCLUDED . Not content with praying God to look upon them once more with favour ( Isaiah 63:15 ), Israel now asks for a theophany, or manifestation of the Divine Presence, such as they have experienced in the times of old, and such as shall suffice to strike terror into the hearts of their enemies ( Isaiah 64:1-4 ). With profound humility confessing their manifold and grievous iniquities, they beseech God once more, as their Father and Maker,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 64:2

As when the melting fire burneth , etc.; rather, as when fire kindles brushwood , and makes water to boil. Connect the similes with the last clause of Isaiah 64:1 . The mountains shall be as powerless to resist Jehovah, as brushwood or water to resist fire. To make thy Name known (comp. Isaiah 63:12 ). Such an "epiphany" as the Church prays for would make the Name of Jehovah known far and wide, exalting him high above all gods, and causing "the nations"— i.e. the whole heathen... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 64:3

When thou didst terrible things (comp. Deuteronomy 10:21 ; 2 Samuel 7:23 ; Psalms 49:4 ; Psalms 106:22 ). The phrase, as Mr. Cheyne remarks, is a "standing" one for the wonders of the Exodus. Which we looked not for; i.e. which transcended our utmost expectations. Thou earnest down (see Exodus 19:11 , Exodus 19:20 ). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 64:1

Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens - That is, in view of the considerations urged in the previous chapter. In view of the fact that the temple is burned up Isaiah 64:11; that the city is desolate; that the land lies waste, and that thine own people are carried captive to a distant land. The phrase ‘rend the heavens,’ implies a sudden and sublime descent of Yahweh to execute vengeance on his foes, as if his heart was full of vengeance, and the firmament were violently rent asunder at his... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 64:2

As when the melting fire burneth - Margin, ‘The fire of meltings.’ Lowth renders it, ‘As when the fire kindleth the dry fuel.’ So Noyes, ‘As fire kindleth the dry stubble.’ The Septuagint render it: Ὡς κηρὸς ἀπὸ προσώπου πυρὸς τήκεται Hōs kēros apo prosōpou puros tēketai - ‘As wax is melted before the fire.’ So the Syriac renders it. The Hebrew word rendered here in the margin ‘meltings’ (המסים hămâsı̂ym), properly means, according to Gesenius, brushwood, twigs. So Saddias renders... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 64:3

When thou didst terrible things - In delivering the people from Egypt, and in conducting them to the promised land.Which we looked not for - Which we had never before witnessed, and which we had no right to expect.Thou camest down - As on Mount Sinai.The mountains flowed down - (See the notes above). The reference is to the manifestations of smoke and fire when Yahweh descended on Mount Sinai (see Exodus 19:18). read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 64:1-2

Isaiah 64:1-2. O that thou wouldest rend the heavens This God is said to do, or to bow the heavens, and come down, when he gives a very signal display of his power. It is a metaphor taken from men who, when they would resolutely and effectually help a person in distress, break through every opposition and obstacle. That the mountains might flow down, &c. Or, melt; that all impediments might be removed out of the way. There seems to be an allusion to God’s coming down upon mount... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 64:3-4

Isaiah 64:3-4. When thou didst terrible things This may relate to what he did first in Egypt, and afterward in the wilderness; which we looked not for Such things as we could not have expected; the mountains flowed down See Exodus 19:18; Deuteronomy 32:22; Psalms 18:7, with the notes. But Lowth proposes another interpretation, which he thinks agrees better with what follows, namely, When thou shalt do terrible and unexpected things, when thou shalt come down, (and visibly interpose for... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Isaiah 64:1-12

A prayer for Israel (63:7-64:12)The prophet’s prayer for God’s suffering people begins by recalling God’s great acts of love in the past (7). Because Israel was his people, God saved them from slavery in Egypt, though when they rebelled against him, they were punished (8-10). Nevertheless, God forgave them. Therefore, asks the prophet, could not this God of mercy and love, who has done such great things for Israel in the past, also save his people from captivity in Babylon now (11-14)?It seems... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Isaiah 64:1

Oh, &c. Figure of speech Euche. Isaiah 6:0 4 is joined to Isaiah 6:0 3 by the Massoretic pointing. flow down = quake. The reference is to Sinai in these verses. Compare Psalms 68:7 , Psalms 68:8 . Judges 5:4 , Judges 5:5 . read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 64:1-12

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 64:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 64:3

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 64:1

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 64:2

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 64:3

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 64:1-2

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 64:3-4

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Isaiah 64:1-12

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Isaiah 64:1

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