Isaiah 56

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 56:8

The Lord God - This verse is a continuation of the promise made in the previous verses, that those of other nations would be united to the ancient people of God. The sense is, that Yahweh would not only gather back to their country those who were scattered abroad in other lands, but would also call to the same privileges multitudes of those who were now aliens and strangers.Which gathereth the outcasts of Israel - Who will collect again and restore to their own country those of the Jews who... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 56:9

All ye beasts of the field - This evidently commences a new subject, and refers to some invasion of the land of Judea. In the previous chapter, the prophet had comforted the people by the assurance of the coming of the Messiah, and by the fact that they should be enlarged by the accession of the Gentiles. He proceeds here to a more disagreeable part of the subject. The design is, to reprove particularly the sins of the rulers of the people, and to assure them that such conduct would incur the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 56:10

His watchmen - The prophet proceeds to specify the sins which had thus induced God to send the desolating armies of foreign nations. The first is specified in this verse, the apathy, indifference, and unfaithfulness, which prevailed among those who were appointed to guard their interests and defend the cause of truth. The word rendered ‘his watchmen’ (צפוּ tsophâv) is derived from צפה tsâphâh, “to look about; to view from a distance; to see afar.” It is applied appropriately to those who... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 56:11

Yea, they are greedy dogs - Margin, ‘Strong of appetite.’ Literally, ‘Strong of soul’ (עזי־נפשׁ ‛azēy-nephesh. Jerome renders it, Canes impudentissimi. So the Septuagint, Κύνες ἀναιδεῖς τῇ ψυχῇ Kunes anaideis tē psuchē - ‘Dogs impudent in soul.’ They were greedy and insatiable in that which the soul or the appetite demands. The idea here is, that the prophets to whom reference is here made were sensual, and disposed to gorge themselves; living only for carnal indulgence, insensible to... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 56:12

Come ye, say they - (compare the notes at Isaiah 22:13). That is, one says to another, ‘I will fetch wine;’ or as we would say, ‘I will take another glass.’ The object is to describe a drinking-bout, or carousal, when the glass is shoved around, and there is drinking to excess. The language denotes the state of exhilaration and excitement when sitting at the table, and already under the influence of wine. This is not designed to be descriptive of the people at large, but of the ‘watchmen,’ or... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 56

A.M. 3298. B.C. 706. The former part of this chapter seems to be closely connected with the preceding. After the exceeding great and precious promises of gospel grace there contained, typified by temporal deliverances, the prophet here, in the name of God, (1,) Gives a solemn charge to Jews and Gentiles to make conscience of their duty to God and man, as they hoped to have the benefit of these promises, Isaiah 56:1 , Isaiah 56:2 . (2,) Encourages strangers of the Gentiles to unite... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 56:1

Isaiah 56:1. Thus saith the Lord This verse, and the rest of this chapter, until Isaiah 56:9, seems to belong to the foregoing prophecy. From the consideration of God’s promises there made to the believing Jews and Gentiles, he here urges them to perform their duty to him. Keep ye judgment and do justice This phrase elsewhere generally signifies the duties which one man owes to another; but here it seems rather to signify the duties which men owe to God, as it is explained in the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 56:2

Isaiah 56:2. Blessed is the man Any, or every man, not only Jews but Gentiles, or strangers, as it is explained in the following verses. That doeth this That practiseth the judgment and justice, or the righteousness, mentioned Isaiah 56:1. That layeth hold on it Or, that holdeth it fast, as יחזיק בה may be rendered; that is, resolute and constant in so doing; that not only begins well, but perseveres in well-doing: that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it That doth not profane... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 56:3-5

Isaiah 56:3-5. Neither let the son of the stranger The Gentile, who by birth is a stranger to God, and to the commonwealth of Israel. That hath joined himself to the Lord That hath turned from dumb idols to the living God, and to true religion; speak, saying, The Lord hath separated me, &c. For such shall be as acceptable to me as the Israelites themselves, and the partition wall between Jews and Gentiles shall be taken down, and repentance and remission of sins shall be preached... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 56:6-7

Isaiah 56:6-7. The sons of the stranger that join themselves to the Lord That with purpose of heart cleave unto him, as is said Acts 11:23. To love the Lord, to be his servants To serve him out of love to him and to his worship. Them will I bring to my holy mountain To my house which stood upon mount Zion, including mount Moriah; and make them joyful By accepting their services, and comforting their hearts with the sense of my love; in my house of prayer In my temple, in and toward... read more

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 56:8

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 56:9

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 56:10

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 56:11

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 56:12

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 56

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 56:1

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 56:2

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 56:3-5

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 56:6-7

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