Isaiah 56

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 56:11

Yea, they are greedy dogs . Another defect is noted. Not only do they fail in the way of neglect of duty, but they are actively culpable. Being worldly and not spiritually minded, they are "greedy" after gain. Anciently, the taking of a gift, or fee, from those who came to consult them was regarded as no dishonour to the prophetic office ( Numbers 22:7 ; 1 Samuel 9:7 ; 1 Kings 14:3 ); but the nobler class of prophets declined to make a profit of their spiritual powers, and would... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 56:12

Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine . Here we have mention of a third defect. The prophets of the time are not only negligent of their duty, and covetous, but they are given to excess in wine and to long revels, such as even the heathen considered to be disgraceful (comp. Isaiah 28:7 , where both priests and prophets are taxed with habitual drunkenness). To-morrow shall be as this day; i.e. the drinking shall continue—we will have a two days' bout of it. And much more abundant; rather, ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 56

This chapter, to Isaiah 56:9, is evidently a continuation of the same general subject which is discussed in the previous chapters, and is closely connected with the great truths communicated in Isaiah 52:13-15, and Isaiah 53:1-12, respecting the work of the Messiah. The general design of the prophet seems to be to state the happy results which would follow his coming. In Isaiah 54:0, he states that that work would render the establishment and perpetuity of the church certain. In Isaiah 55:1-13,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 56:1

Thus saith the Lord - That is, in view of the fact that the kingdom of God was to come at no distant period. Yahweh states what was necessary to prepare themselves for it, and what was the character which he demanded of those who were disposed to embrace its offers, and who would be admitted to its privileges.Keep ye judgment - Margin, ‘Equity.’ Break off your sins, and be holy. A somewhat similar declaration was made by John the Baptist when he announced the coming of the Messiah: ‘Repent ye,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 56:2

Blessed is the man - Hebrew, ‘The blessings of the man’ (see Psalms 1:1). The sense is, ‘happy is the man.’ The word here rendered ‘man’ (אנושׁ 'ĕnôsh) usually denotes a man in humble life or in a subordinate rank, in contradistinction from אישׁ 'ı̂ysh, a man in elevated rank. As the object of the prophet here is particularly to say, that the ‘stranger’ and the ‘eunuch’ would be admitted to these privileges, it is possible that he designedly used a word denoting one in bumble life. The... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 56:3

Neither let the son of the stranger - The foreigner who shall become a proselyte to the true religion.That hath joined himself - That has embraced the true faith, and become a worshipper of the true God. It is evidently implied here that there would be such proselytes, and that the true religion would be extended so as to include and embrace them. The idea is, that they should be admitted to the same privileges with those who had been long recognized as the people of God.The Lord hath utterly... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 56:4

For thus saith the Lord unto the eunuchs - Even the eunuchs, who have hitherto been excluded from the privileges of the people of God, and who have been regarded as a separated and degraded people, shall be admitted to the same privileges as others.That keep my sabbaths - The word is used here in the plural, though the weekly Sabbath is probably particularly intended. It may be, however, that the word is used to represent religious observances in general (see the notes at Isaiah 56:2).And... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 56:5

Will I give in mine house - That is, they shalt be admitted to all the privileges of entering my house of prayer, and of being regarded as my true worshippers, and this shall be to them a more invaluable privilege than would be any earthly advantages. The word ‘house’ here refers undoubtedly to the temple, regarded as emblematic of the place of public worship in all ages.And within my walls - The walls of the city where God dwelt, referring primarily to the walls of Jerusalem. They should be... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 56:6

Also the sons of the stranger - (see the note at Isaiah 56:3). The conditions on which they should be admitted to the same privileges are specified, and are the following:1. They were to ‘join themselves to the Lord’ (see the note at Isaiah 56:3).2. This should be with a purpose to ‘serve him.’ Their aim and design should be to keep his commandments and to do his will.3. They were to ‘love the name of the Lord;’ that is, to love Yahweh himself, for the ‘name’ of the Lord is often used as... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 56:7

Even them will I bring to my holy mountain - (See the notes at Isaiah 2:3). That is, they should be admitted to the fellowship and privileges of his people.And make them joyful - In the participation of the privileges of the true religion, and in the service of God, they shall be made happy.In my house of prayer - In the temple - here called the house of prayer. The language here is all derived from the worship of the Jews, though the meaning evidently is, that under the new dispensation, all... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 56:11

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 56:12

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 56

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 56:1

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 56:2

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 56:3

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 56:4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 56:5

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 56:6

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 56:7

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