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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 58:1-2

When our Lord Jesus promised to send the Comforter he added, When he shall come he shall convince (John 16:7, 8); for conviction must prepare for comfort, and must also separate between the precious and the vile, and mark out those to whom comfort does not belong. God had appointed this prophet to comfort his people (Isa. 40:1); here he appoints him to convince them, and show them their sins. I. He must tell them how very bad they really were, Isa. 58:1. 1. He must deal faithfully and plainly... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 58:1

Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet ,.... These words are directed to the prophet; and so the Targum expresses it, "O prophet, cry with thy throat;' and so it is in the original, "cry with the throat" F4 קרא בגרון "clama in gutture", Pagninus, Montanus; "exclama gutture", Junius & Tremellius; "exclama pleno gutture", Piscator; "clama pleno gut ture", Cocceius. , which is an instrument of speech; and it denotes a loud, strong, vehement cry, when a man... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 58:1

Cry aloud, spare not - Never was a louder cry against the hypocrisy, nor a more cutting reproof of the wickedness, of a people professing a national established religion, having all the forms of godliness without a particle of its power. This chapter has been often appointed to be read on political fast days for the success of wars carried on for - God knows what purposes, and originating in - God knows what motives. Politically speaking, was ever any thing more injudicious? read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 58:1

Cry aloud ; literally, cry from the throat; "a plein gosier," as Calvin says. The command is addressed to the prophet by Jehovah, who will have him warn the people in such sort as to compel their attention. Lift up thy voice like a trumpet (comp. Hosea 8:1 ; Joel 2:1 ). The trumpet gives a note of alarm. Show my people their transgression ; i.e. "show them how they are especially offending me at this time" (see Micah 3:8 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 58:1-12

SECTION VI . PRACTICAL INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS , FOLLOWED BY A CONFESSION AND A PROMISE ( Isaiah 58:1-14 ; Isaiah 59:1-21 .). FORMALISM REBUKED AND INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN WITH RESPECT TO FASTING . As in the last section, so here, the prophet's eye seems to rest upon his contemporaries rather than upon the exiles; and to note the vices of the time, which have a general resemblance to those rebuked in Isaiah 1:1-31 . The whole Law seems to be in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 58:1-12

True and spurious fasting. Loudly, with all the strength of throat and as with trumpet-voice, the prophet is to cry and denounce the rebellion and the sins of the people. I. THEIR FORMALITY AND HYPOCRISY , They consult Jehovah daily; they apply to the prophet or the oracle; they offer prayer. They profess to desire to know God's ways, his commands, and his dealings with his people. Just as if they were a holy people, and were not really far in heart from God, they demand of him... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 58:1-12

Religion: its semblance, its substance, its reward. I. THE SEMBLANCE OF RELIGION . It argues nothing whatever against religion that there is a great deal of hypocrisy in the world; indeed, the absence would be a more formidable argument than the presence of it. For men imitate that which is most worthy of esteem, and if nobody-pretended to be religious it would be fair to conclude that religion itself was of very small account. Imitation implies the respect, and indicates the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 58:1

Cry aloud - Margin, ‘With the throat;’ that is, says Gesenius, with open throat, with full voice coming from the throat and breast; while one who speaks low uses only the lips and tongue 1 Samuel 1:13. The Chaldee here introduces the word prophet, ‘O prophet, cry aloud.’ The Septuagint renders it, ‘Cry with strength.’ (ἐν ἰσχύΐ en ischui).Spare not - That is, do not spare, or restrain the voice. Let it be full, loud, and strong.Lift up thy voice like a trumpet - Speak loud and distinct, so... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 58:1

Isaiah 58:1. Cry aloud Be faithful, plain, and earnest in thy addresses, remonstrances, reproofs, and exhortations to and among my people; and spare not Forbear not to speak whatsoever I command thee for their conviction and reformation. Lift up thy voice like a trumpet Be not afraid to exert thy voice and spend thy strength in this work. Give an alarm which all may hear. Show my people their transgressions Set their sins, all their sins, before them, in a true point of view, and with... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Isaiah 58:1-14

True religion (58:1-14)The Jews thought they were a righteous people because they carried out the daily rituals required by the law. The prophet is about to show them that in spite of all this they are still sinners. In fact, their attitude towards these rituals is their chief sin (58:1-2).For example, many practise fasting not because they are truly humble before God, but because they hope God will be impressed with their actions. But at the same time as they fast, they oppress their workers... read more

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