Isaiah 44:21-28 WEB

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 44:27

God is the one who dried up the Red Sea during the Exodus. He could likewise dry up rivers in the future to bring His will to pass (cf. Isaiah 48:21). Herodotus wrote that Cyrus overthrew Babylon by diverting the Euphrates River that ran under its walls. He then used the riverbed to storm the city. Young claimed that cuneiform records from the region have shown that Herodotus’ account was in error. [Note: Young, 3:191.] God’s promises covered both the rebuilding of Judah’s cities (Isaiah 44:26;... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 44:28

God announced that Cyrus would be the person who would allow Jerusalem to be rebuilt and the temple foundations relaid. The mention of his name climaxes this prophecy (Isaiah 44:24-28). Cyrus would be the Lord’s shepherd, the one who would lead the Israelites back into their land by permitting its restoration. He would carry out all God’s desire (cf. Isaiah 41:2-3; Isaiah 41:25).The title "My Shepherd" was one that God used of the Davidic kings (cf. 2 Samuel 5:2; 1 Kings 22:17; Ezekiel 34:23).... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 44:1-28

The Impotence of Idols1-23. The reproach of God’s people shall be entirely removed. Jehovah the Eternal, who rules the events of history, contrasted with the futile gods of the heathen. 24-28. This great Jehovah pledges the restoration of His people through Cyrus.2. Jesurun] i.e. ’upright,’ a symbolic name of Israel (Deuteronomy 32:15), indicating its ideal character. Fear not] i.e. on account of past failure and apparent inability to realise the future which God sets before you. 3. Cp. Isaiah... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Isaiah 44:21

(21) Remember these.—Better, these things—i.e., the whole argument against idolatry. In contrast with the blind worshippers of idols, Israel is addressed in its ideal character as the “servant of Jehovah” with all the emphasis of iteration.Thou shalt not be forgotten of me.—The LXX., Vulg., and some other versions take the verb as middle, thou shalt not forget, but the evidence for the passive sense preponderates, to say nothing of its greater fitness in connection with the next verse, and its... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Isaiah 44:22

(22) I have blotted out, as a thick cloud.—Better, mist. The Authorised Version half suggests the idea that it is the cloud that hides the sins from view. What is meant is that the sins of Israel are put away, as the sun and wind drive away the mists and fogs (Job 30:15); and that this is, in idea at least, if not in time, prior to the conversion as that which makes it possible. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Isaiah 44:23

(23) The Lord hath done it.—The pronoun supplied in the Authorised Version refers to the redemption of Isaiah 44:22; but the word may be taken absolutely in the sense hath done mightily.Ye lower parts of the earth.—These, as in Ephesians 4:9, are equivalent to Sheol, or Hades. Even they, commonly thought of as echoing no song of praise (Psalms 6:5; Psalms 88:12; Isaiah 38:18), are invited to join in the great doxology. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Isaiah 44:24

(24) Thus saith the Lord.—A new section begins, which is carried on to the end of Isaiah 45:0. The contrast between the foreknowledge of Jehovah and the no-knowledge of the worshippers of idols culminates in the proclamation, in Isaiah 44:28, of the name of the deliverer and his restoration of the Temple.That spreadeth abroad the earth by myself.—The Hebrew written text gives the more emphatic reading: that spreadeth forth the earth; who was with me? (Comp. Isaiah 40:13; Isaiah 63:3; and Job... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Isaiah 44:25

(25) That frustrateth the tokens of the liars.—Better, of the praters—i.e., the false prophets of Babylon. It is implied that they, after the manner of the false seers of Judah (Jeremiah 23:16-17), predicted for the kings of Babylon a time of prosperity and peace. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Isaiah 44:26

(26) That confirmeth the word of his servant.—The parallelism of “servant” in the singular with “messengers” in the plural suggests the thought that the prophet is not speaking of himself, but of Israel, as the ideal “servant of the Lord,” the prophetic nation represented by the individual “messengers” or prophets. Comp. as to the word Isaiah 42:19; Malachi 3:1, and that prophet’s own name (“my messenger”). read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Isaiah 44:27

(27) That saith to the deep—i.e., to the Euphrates. The words find a literal fulfilment in the strategical operation by which Cyrus turned the river from its usual bed into the Sepharvaim channel, and thus enabled his soldiers to cross on foot (Herod. i. 191). Symbolically the words may mean simply the destruction of the power of Babylon, of which its river was the emblem. (Comp. Revelation 16:12.) read more

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 44:27

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 44:28

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 44:1-28

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Isaiah 44:21

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Isaiah 44:22

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Isaiah 44:23

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Isaiah 44:24

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Isaiah 44:25

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Isaiah 44:26

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Isaiah 44:27

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