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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 33:13-24

Here is a preface that commands attention; and it is fit that all should attend, both near and afar off, to what God says and does (Isa. 33:13): Hear, you that are afar off, whether in place or time. Let distant regions and future ages hear what God has done. They do so; they will do so from the scripture, with as much assurance as those that were near, the neighbouring nations and those that lived at that time. But whoever hears what God has done, whether near or afar off, let them... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 33:23

Thy tacklings are loosed ,.... Or "are left" F8 So the word is interpreted by Kimchi and Ben Melech. ; forsaken by the mariners, as being of no use and service: they could not well strengthen their mast ; with ropes to make it stand upright: they could not spread the sail ; upon the mast, without which they could not proceed. This is spoken to and of the enemies of the church; most interpreters understand it of the Assyrians, who are compared to a ship in great distress at sea,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 33:23

Thy tacklings are loosed - Here the Assyrians are represented under the figure of a ship wrecked by a violent storm; and the people on the beach, young, old, feeble, and diseased, gathering the spoil without any to hinder them. Kimchi, who understands the whole of this chapter of Hezekiah and the king of Assyria, says, "There are others of our rabbins who apply it all to the days of the Messiah." Their mast "Thy mast" - For תרנם tornam , "their mast, "the Syriac reads תרניך ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 33:13-24

REFLECTIONS ON ASSYRIA 'S OVERTHROW VIEWED AS ACCOMPLISHED . The prophet's first thought is , how wonderfully the overthrow has manifested the might of God ( Isaiah 33:13 ). Next, how it must thrill with fear the hearts of the wicked among his people ( Isaiah 33:14 ). Thirdly, how the righteous are by it placed in security, and can look back with joy to their escape, and can with confidence look forward to a future of happiness and tranquil lily ( Isaiah 33:15-24 ).... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 33:17-24

The reign of Hezekiah. Amidst all the agitation caused by the invasion of Sennacherib, and his perfidy, "the voices of true prophets were raised with power, pointing to the imperishable elements in the true community, and proclaiming the approach of a great crisis, the crushing weight of which should alight only on the faithless, whether among the Assyrians or in Judah" (Ewald). Here we find a reflection of the excitement of the time. I. THE GLORY OF THE KING . His beauty is a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 33:18-24

Happy times. A very pleasant picture is this of a nation or of a Church on which the full blessing of God is resting. There are several elements in its prosperity. I. A SENSE OF THE DIVINE MERCY . "The people … shall be forgiven their iniquity" ( Isaiah 33:24 ). A sense of pardoned sin and of reconciliation to God is at the foundation of all true peace, all sacred joy, and all holy usefulness. II. THE MAINTENANCE or DEVOTIONAL HABITS . Zion is to be always known... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 33:23

Thy tacklings are loosed . The comparing of God to a river has led to the representation of Judah's enemies as warships ( Isaiah 33:21 ). This causes Judah herself to be viewed as a ship—a badly appointed ship, which has to contend with one whose equipment is perfect. The prophet's thoughts have traveled back to the existing state of things. They could not well strengthen their mast ; rather, they cannot hold firm the lower part of their mast . The mast had its lower extremity... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 33:23

Thy tacklings - This is evidently an address to Sennacherib. The mention of the war-galley and the ship seems to have suggested the application of the figure to the enemies of the Jews, and particularly to Sennacherib. The prophet, therefore, compares the Assyrian to a ship that was rendered unserviceable; whose sails were unfastened, and whose mast could not be made firm, and which was therefore at the mercy of winds and waves. The Hebrew which is rendered here ‘thy tacklings are loosed,’... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 33:23-24

Isaiah 33:23-24. Thy tacklings are loosed This apostrophe of the prophet is directed to the hostile nation. Having designed their army under the notion of a gallant ship, (Isaiah 33:21,) he here represents their undone condition by the metaphor of a ship, tossed in a tempestuous sea, having her cables broke, and all her tacklings loose, so that she could have no benefit of her masts and sails; and therefore is quickly swallowed up. They could not strengthen their mast Namely, the... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Isaiah 33:1-24

Assyria defeated; Jerusalem blessed (33:1-24)In speaking again about the current situation, Isaiah announces God’s judgment on the Assyrians. They have plundered greedily and acted treacherously (33:1). Isaiah cries to God to save Jerusalem, so that the enemy armies will flee and the Jerusalemites can seize the goods left behind (2-4). Assured that God will act, the prophet praises him before the actual victory. God gives his people security and wisdom, and they respond with reverence and trust... read more

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