TITLE OF THE WORK . It is questioned whether the title can be regarded as Isaiah's, or as properly belonging to the work, and it is suggested that it is rather a heading invented by a collector who brought together into a volume such prophecies of Isaiah as were known to him, the collection being a much smaller one than that which was made ultimately. In favor of this view it is urged read more
The vision (comp. Obadiah 1:1 ; Nahum 1:1 ). The term is probably used in a collective sense, but is also intended to suggest the intrinsic unity of the entire body of prophecies put forth by Isaiah. As prophets were originally called "seers" ( 1 Samuel 9:9 ), so prophecy was called "vision;" and this latter use continued long after the other. Isaiah the son of Amoz (comp. Isaiah 2:1 ; Isaiah 13:1 ; Isaiah 37:2 ; etc.; 2 Kings 20:1 ; 2 Chronicles 32:32 ). The signification... read more
The vision of Isaiah which he saw. The modern theory, that the prophetical gift was a mere "presentiment, "or" insight, "closely akin to that by which clear-sighted men of all times and nations have been able, in many respects, to forecast the coming course of events, is not very easily reconcilable with these words , "the vision of Isaiah which he scow ." As a commentator whose freedom from the shackles of tradition is beyond dispute observes, "With Isaiah, it" ( i.e. prophecy)... read more
The times and mission of Isaiah. God raises up the man for the age, giving him gifts for the particular work which the age may demand. History is not a mere faithful record of things done, but a wise and sympathetic estimate of men doing. A man has more power on us than a truth. A man is grander than any doctrine or any book. Christianity, as a mere system, is a powerless thing; it never quickened anybody from his death of trespasses and sins. The personal Christ is our life. In the sphere... read more
Ingratitude and intervention. The "vision of Isaiah" during the reigns of four kings of Judah (verse 1), and the declaration (verse 2) that "the Lord hath spoken" (or speaketh), suggests— I. THE FACT THAT GOD HAS INTERVENED AND DOES INTERVENE IN HUMAN AFFAIRS . 1. Such Divine intervention ought not to have been necessary . For God has so ordered everything around us, and has so constituted us ourselves, that there were abundant sources of truth and... read more
Jehovah arraigns his people. I. INGRATITUDE THE BASEST OF SINS . He, the Father, has been faithlessly forsaken by ungrateful sons. This is the worst form of ingratitude. "Filial ingratitude! Is it not as this mouth should tear this hand For lifting food to it?" ('King Lear.') It has been said that The wretch whom gratitude once fails to bind, To truth or honor let him lay no claim, But stand confess'd the brute disguised in man." But the brutes are grateful;... read more
Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth . "A grave and magnificent exorilium! All nature is invoked to hear Jehovah make complaint of the ingratitude of his people" (Rosenmüller). The invocation is cast in the same form with that so common in Deuteronomy ( Deuteronomy 4:26 ; Deuteronomy 30:19 ; Deuteronomy 31:28 ; Deuteronomy 32:1 ), and seems to indicate familiarity with that book. The idea extends widely among sacred and other poets (see Psalms 1:3 , Psalms 1:4 ; Micah 6:1 , ... read more
Sin as broken sonship. Literally, the verse reads, "Sons I have made great and high, and they have broken away from me." The later conception of the Jewish covenant embraced the ideas of fatherhood and sonship, and thus prepared for the revelation of the fatherhood of God in the teachings of the Lord Jesus, and for the apprehension of the "sonship of men" through Christ's own sonship. It is the point of impression, that this relation intensifies the guilt of the people's unfaithfulness and... read more
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Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 1:9
The Lord of hosts "Jehovah God of hosts" - As this title of God, צבאות יהוה Yehovah tsebaoth , "Jehovah of hosts, occurs here for the first time, I think it proper to note, that I translate it always, as in this place, "Jehovah God of hosts;" taking it as an elliptical expression for צבאות אלהי יהוה Yehovah Elohey tsebaoth . This title imports that Jehovah is the God or Lord of hosts or armies; as he is the Creator and Supreme Governor of all beings in heaven and earth, and disposeth... read more