Isaiah 56:11-12 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 56:12

Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine . Here we have mention of a third defect. The prophets of the time are not only negligent of their duty, and covetous, but they are given to excess in wine and to long revels, such as even the heathen considered to be disgraceful (comp. Isaiah 28:7 , where both priests and prophets are taxed with habitual drunkenness). To-morrow shall be as this day; i.e. the drinking shall continue—we will have a two days' bout of it. And much more abundant; rather, ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 56:11

Yea, they are greedy dogs - Margin, ‘Strong of appetite.’ Literally, ‘Strong of soul’ (עזי־נפשׁ ‛azēy-nephesh. Jerome renders it, Canes impudentissimi. So the Septuagint, Κύνες ἀναιδεῖς τῇ ψυχῇ Kunes anaideis tē psuchē - ‘Dogs impudent in soul.’ They were greedy and insatiable in that which the soul or the appetite demands. The idea here is, that the prophets to whom reference is here made were sensual, and disposed to gorge themselves; living only for carnal indulgence, insensible to... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 56:12

Come ye, say they - (compare the notes at Isaiah 22:13). That is, one says to another, ‘I will fetch wine;’ or as we would say, ‘I will take another glass.’ The object is to describe a drinking-bout, or carousal, when the glass is shoved around, and there is drinking to excess. The language denotes the state of exhilaration and excitement when sitting at the table, and already under the influence of wine. This is not designed to be descriptive of the people at large, but of the ‘watchmen,’ or... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 56:11

Isaiah 56:11. Yea, they are greedy dogs Insatiably covetous: shepherds that cannot understand Hebrew, that know not to understand; that do not care, or love, or desire either to understand the word of God themselves, or to make the people understand it. They all look to their own way They regard neither God’s glory nor the people’s good, but only the satisfaction of their own base desires. Every one for his gain from his quarter In their several places and stations, as they have... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 56:12

Isaiah 56:12. Come ye, say they Unto their brethren, fellow-priests, or other jolly companions. We will fill ourselves We will drink, not only to delight, but even to drunkenness, as the word signifies. And tomorrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant Which shows their dreadful security and contempt of God, and of his judgments, and their abandoning of all care of their own or the people’s souls. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Isaiah 56:9-12

Corruption and idolatry (56:9-57:21)The Assyrian captivity of the northerners and the Babylonian captivity of the southerners did not include the whole populations. Those who were of no use to the conquerors were left behind, along with scattered country people who escaped the enemy. These and their descendants soon followed the old religious practices of the Canaanite people. They worshipped idols, offered human sacrifices to the god Molech, and practised fertility rites with religious... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Isaiah 56:11

greedy = strong of soul. Hebrew. nephesh ( App-13 ) = strong of appetite: i.e., as well rendered, "greedy". every one. Hebrew. 'I s h . App-14 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Isaiah 56:12

wine. Hebrew. yayin. App-27 . strong drink. Hebrew. shekar. App-27 . read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Isaiah 56:10-12

Isaiah 56:10-12. His watchmen— The prophet in these words paints in a lively manner the very corrupt government of the church. The consequence of which, is that deplorable state of the church described in the next section. Nothing can be more strong and expressive than the words of the prophet; he turns the subject before him into every form; and, as the greatest part of his discourse is metaphorical, he makes use of figures and emblems, as usual, most admirably adapted to express his meaning.... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 56:11

11. greedy—literally, "strong" (that is, insatiable) in appetite (Ezekiel 34:2; Ezekiel 34:3; Micah 3:11). cannot understand—unable to comprehend the wants of the people, spiritually: so Micah 3:11- :, "cannot bark." look to . . . own way—that is, their own selfish interests; not to the spiritual welfare of the people (Jeremiah 6:13; Ezekiel 22:27). from his quarter—rather, "from the highest to the lowest" [LOWTH]. "From his quarter"; that is, from one end to the other of them, one and all... read more