Thou shalt seek them - This denotes that it would be impossible to find them, for they should cease to exist. The whole verse, with the verse following, is emphatic, repeating in varied terms what was said before, and meaning that their foes should be entirely destroyed. read more
Isaiah 41:8-13. But thou, Israel, art my servant Thus the Gentiles show themselves to be the servants of their idols, and own them for their gods: but thou art my people, and I am and will be thy God. Jacob, whom I have chosen Out of the multitude of idolatrous nations, to be my peculiar people. The seed of Abraham my friend With whom I made a strict league of perpetual friendship: see Genesis 12:2-3; Genesis 15:1; Genesis 15:8. “The expressions are very endearing: it is honourable to... read more
The living God and idols (41:1-29)At that time Cyrus of Persia had been expanding his empire. He had conquered all the countries to the north and east, and was now threatening Babylon. The prophet imagines God calling the nations to assemble before him and asking them a question: who is it that has stirred up Cyrus to carry out this conquest? The answer: Yahweh (41:1-4).As the armies of Cyrus approach these nations the people panic, and in their distress call upon their gods for protection.... read more
Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. . Behold, all they, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 23:22 ). App-92 . they that strive = the men (Hebrew. 'ish, App-14 ) of thy strife: i.e. thine accusers. read more
them that contended = the men (Hebrew. 'ish) of thy contention. nothing. See note on Isaiah 5:8 . read more
Isaiah 41:8-13. But thou, Israel, &c.— The prophet here subjoins to his reproof of the nations, a consolation to the people of God, drawn from the same argument, as also he had done in the preceding section. See the analysis of this chapter. In order fully to understand this consolation, it is necessary to observe, that the scene of this exhortation is to be fixed in the midst of the period between the return of the people of God from Babylon, and the manifestation of the Son of God. To... read more
11. ashamed—put to the shame of defeat (compare Isaiah 54:17; Romans 9:33). read more
12. seek . . . and . . . not find—said of one so utterly put out of the way that not a trace of him can be found (Psalms 37:36). thing of naught—shall utterly perish. read more
13. (Deuteronomy 33:26; Deuteronomy 33:29). read more
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Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 41:11
All they that were incensed against thee - They who were enraged against thee, that is, the Chaldeans who made war upon you, and reduced you to bondage.Shall be ashamed and confounded - To be ashamed and confounded is often used as synonymous with being overcome and destroyed.They that strive with thee - Margin, as Hebrew, ‘The men of thy strife.’ The expression refers to their enemies, the Babylonians. read more