Isaiah 61:4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 61:4-9

Promises are here made to the Jews now returned out of captivity, and settled again in their own land, which are to be extended to the gospel church, and all believers, who through grace are delivered out of spiritual thraldom; for they are capable of being spiritually applied. I. It is promised that their houses shall be rebuilt (Isa. 61:4), that their cities shall be raised out of the ruins in which they had long lain, and be fitted up for their use again: They shall build the old wastes;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 61:4

And they shall build the old wastes ,.... The captives set at liberty, and who are called trees of righteousness, and the planting of the Lord; righteous and good men, who shall be employed in the spiritual building of the church in Gospel times, and especially in the latter day; for here begins an account of the benefits and blessings the church of Christ should partake of, particularly at the time of the calling and conversion of the Jews: after having described the work and office of the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 61:4

"And they that spring from thee" - A word is lost here likewise. After ובנו ubanu , "they shall build," add ממך mimmecha , they that spring from thee. Four MSS. have it so, (two of them ancient), and one of mine has it in the margin, and it is confirmed by Isaiah 58:12 , where the sentence is the very same, this word being here added. Kimchi makes the same remark: "the word ממך mimmecha is omitted here; but is found in Isaiah 58:12 ." The desolations of many generations - ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 61:1-9

Message of grace to Zion. I. THE ANOINTING OF THE MESSENGER . Under the Law, the priests were anointed ( Exodus 29:7 ; Le 7:36), and also the kings ( 1 Samuel 9:16 ; 1 Samuel 10:1 ; 1 Samuel 16:13 ). It was the sign of appointment to a high office or commission from God. Hence, by a figure, it is applied to the appointment of Elisha to the prophetic office ( 1 Kings 19:16 ), and to the designation of Cyrus as the instrument of the purpose of Jehovah. Similarly, in 1 John... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 61:1-12

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 61:4

They shall build the old wastes. (On the "waste" condition, not of Jerusalem only, but of the cities of Judith generally, see Isaiah 44:26 ; Isaiah 49:8 , Isaiah 49:19 ; Isaiah 64:10 , Isaiah 64:11 , etc.) The first step in the recovery of Israel from the misery of the Captivity would be a return to Palestine, and a general restoration of the ruined towns. It was a ruin of "many generations," having commenced, probably, with the invasion of Pharaoh-Necho in b.c. 608, and being... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 61:4

Restoration. "They shall build the old wastes." All waste is wicked. It is so in war. Even taken at its lowest estimate, think of the ruin of glorious temples, and exquisite sculptures, and works of art,—all ground to dust, as Mr. Ruskin says, by mere human rage. Florence, and many of the Southern cities, have been the war-fields of Europe. What waste! There genius toiled; there multitudes, in sweat of brow, built the aqueduct and decorated the capitol; and there, from time to time, the rude... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 61:4-9

GOD 'S PURPOSE OF DEALING GRACIOUSLY WITH ISRAEL . Having proclaimed the objects of his own mission, "the Servant" proceeds to declare God's gracious purposes towards Israel. Taking the Captivity period for his standpoint, he promises, first, the restoration of the cities of Judah ( Isaiah 61:4 ), and then a flourishing time in which Jews and Gentiles shall dwell together in one community peacefully and gloriously, Israel having a certain pre-eminence ( Isaiah 61:5-9 ). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 61:4

And they shall build the old wastes - (See the notes at Isaiah 58:12). read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 61:4-5

Isaiah 61:4-5 . They shall build the old wastes See on chap. 58:12. As this is evidently to be understood of gospel times, the meaning seems to be, that the establishment of Christianity in the world should repair the decays of true religion, of genuine piety and virtue, which had been at a very low ebb, not only in the Gentile nations, which were all idolatrous, but also among the Jews, for many centuries. By the ministry of John the Baptist, of our Lord, and his apostles, many thousands... read more

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