Isaiah 52:10-15

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 52:14

As many were astonished at thee "As many were astonished at him" - For עליך aleicha read עליו alaiv . So the Syriac, Chaldee, and Vulgate in a MS.; and so likewise two ancient MSS. His visage was so marred more than any man - Most interpreters understand this of the indignities offered to our blessed Lord: but Kimchi gives it another turn, and says, "It means the Jewish people, whom are considered by most nations as having an appearance different from all the people of the earth.... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 52:15

So shall he sprinkle many nations - I retain the common rendering, though I am by no means satisfied with it. " יזה yazzeh , frequent in the law, means only to sprinkle: but the water sprinkled is the accusative case; the thing on which has על al or אל el . Θαυμασονται, ό , makes the best apodosis. ינהג yenahag would do. ינהרו yinharu is used Isaiah 2:2 ; Jeremiah 31:12 ; Jeremiah 51:14 , but is unlike. 'Kings shall shut,' etc., is good, but seems to want a first... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 52:1-12

The redemption of Jerusalem. I. THE SUMMONS . It comes from the Divine representatives. She had been called upon to arise and to stand up, and now she is to put on her strength and her robes. "Strength returns to Zion when the arm of Jehovah is mighty within her." It is useless to counterfeit the semblance of strength which does not exist. Nor is strength merely a matter of the will; but there ever is a secret fund of strength in the hearts of those who know that God has not forsaken... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 52:7-12

A VISION OF THE DAY OF DELIVERANCE . The prophet sees the messenger come bounding over the mountains of Judaea, to bring the news to Jerusalem that her deliverance is come ( Isaiah 52:7 ). The angelic watchers sing with joy ( Isaiah 52:8 ). The prophet calls upon the waste places of Jerusalem to do the same, and dwells on the greatness of the mercy wrought ( Isaiah 52:9 , Isaiah 52:10 ). Finally, he exhorts the exiles to avail themselves of the permission to quit Babylon,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 52:10

The nations … the ends of the earth . It may well add to the general joy that the work wrought for Israel is not "a thing done in a corner," but one on which the eyes of the" nations" have been turned. and to which the attention of" the ends of the earth" has been called (comp. Isaiah 41:5 ). The holy arm of Jehovah, made bare for battle, has been seen far and wide. The world has stood to gaze at the contest between Persia and Babylon. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 52:10

The world taught through God's dealings with his people. In every age God's elect people are set in the world's eye; God's ways with them are revelations of himself to all onlookers. The world is educated, elevated, by means of its elect nations, just as the social range, the Church sentiment, the doctrinal beliefs, and the family life are raised and toned by God's elect sons and daughters. In this sense "no man liveth unto himself;" no national experience is limited to the nation; God's... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 52:11

Go ye out from thence ; i.e. "from Babylon"—the standpoint of the prophet in the present chapter being Jerusalem. When the time came, earnest exhortations to depart would be found not superfluous, for there would be an indisposition on the part of some to quit their possessions, and of others to affront the perils of the way. Touch no unclean thing. Bring with you none of the Babylonian idols, none of the Babylonian charms, spells, and the like (see the comment on Isaiah 47:9 ). Be ye... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 52:11

The special need of purity in them that bear the vessels of the Lord. It is the duty of all to avoid impurity, to "touch no unclean thing," to "perfect holiness in the fear of God." But a special purity is required of those who, by holding any sacred office, are brought nearer to God than others, and as it were serve continually in his presence. Hence the numerous directions in the Jewish Law with respect to the priests—their consecration, their ablutions, their vestments, their sin... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 52:11

Cleanness a condition of service. "Be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord." The expression recalls the importance attached in the Jewish economy to the preparation of the priests and Levites for solemn tabernacle engagements. They were required to "sanctify themselves" before undertaking any ritual service, because the impression of the holiness of the work must rest on them, and be made through them upon the people. So when the captives were about to return to their own land, as... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 52:11-12

Christian pilgrimage. We may regard the departure and journey of the Israelites from Babylon to Jerusalem as pictorial of our departure from the "far country" of sin for the heavenly Zion. Thus considered, we are taught— I. THAT ENTRANCE ON THE NEW PATH SHOULD BE AN ACT OF OBEDIENCE AS WELL AS WISDOM . It was an eminently wise thing on the part of the Israelites to return to Jerusalem. Whatever interests, pecuniary or social, they may have formed in exile,... read more

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