Isaiah 65:2-4 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 65:2

I have spread out my hands. Not exactly in prayer, but in expostulation (comp. Proverbs 1:24 , "I have stretched out my hand," where the verb in the Hebrew is the same). All the day; or, all day long , as in Romans 10:21 ; i.e. continually, day after day, for years—nay, for centuries. A rebellions people (comp. Isaiah 30:1 ; and see also Isaiah 1:4 , Isaiah 1:23 ; Hosea 4:16 ; Jeremiah 5:23 ; Jeremiah 6:28 ). The "rebellions people" ( 'am sorer ) is undoubtedly... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 65:3

That sacrificeth in gardens (comp. Isaiah 1:29 ; Isaiah 57:5 ; Isaiah 66:17 ). The groves and "gardens" of Daphne, near Antioch. became famous in later times as the scene of idolatrous practices intimately bound up with the grossest and most shameless sensualism. We have few details of the ancient Syrian rites; but there is reason to believe that, wherever Astarte, the Dea Syra, was worshipped, whether at Daphne, or at Hierapolis, or at Balbek, or at Aphek, or at Damascus, or in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 65:4

Which remain among the graves . The rock tombs of Palestine seem to be meant. Persons " remained among" these, in spite of the ceremonial defilement thereby incurred, either with the object of raising the dead, and obtaining prophecies from them, or of getting prophetic intimations made to them in dreams (see Jerome's 'Comment.,' ad loc. ) . And lodge in the monuments ; or, in the crypts. " N'tsurim may refer to the mysteries celebrated in natural caves and artificial crypts"... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 65:2

I have spread out my hands - To spread out the hands is an action denoting invitation or entreaty Proverbs 1:24. The sense is, that God had invited the Jews constantly to partake of his favors, but they had been rebellious, and had rejected his offers.All the day - I have not ceased to do it. The Chaldee renders this, ‘I sent my prophets all the day to a rebellious people.’Unto a rebellious people - (See the notes at Isaiah 1:2). Paul renders this, Πρὸς λαον ἀπειθοῦντα καὶ ἀντιλέγοντα... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 65:3

A people - This verse contains a specification of the reasons why God had rejected them, and brought the calamities upon them.That provoketh me to anger - That is, by their sins. They give constant occasion for my indignation.Continually - (תמיד tâmı̂yd). It is not once merely, but their conduct as a people is constantly such as to excite my displeasure.To my face - There is no attempt at concealment. Their abominations are public. It is always regarded as an additional affront when an offence... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 65:4

Which remain among the graves - That is, evidently for purposes of necromancy and divination. They do it to appear to hold converse with the dead, and to receive communications from them. The idea in necromancy was, that departed spirits must be acquainted with future events, or at least with the secret things of the invisible world where they dwelt, and that certain persons, by various arts, could become intimate with them, or ‘familiar’ with them, and, by obtaining their secrets, be able to... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 65:2

Isaiah 65:2. I have spread out my hands This is applied to the Jews, Romans 10:21. I have stretched out my hands, I have used all means to reduce them; I have stretched out the hands of a passionate orator, to persuade them; of a liberal benefactor, to load them with my benefits: this I have done continually, in the whole course of my providence with them. To a rebellious people Yet they are a rebellious people. St. Paul expounds it by λαον απειθουντα και αντιλεγοντα , A people... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 65:3-4

Isaiah 65:3-4. A people that provoketh me to anger That the Jews are the people here intended, is without question: the prophet, speaking of the calling of the Gentiles, upon their rejection, enumerates some of their sins which were the causes thereof: for though their crucifying of Christ was the sin which was the principal or proximate cause, yet God visited on that generation their iniquities and the iniquities of their fathers together; they having, by the act of rejecting and... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Isaiah 65:1-16

God’s people: servants or rebels? (65:1-16)It was God’s desire that Israel seek him and enjoy his blessings, but instead the nation rebelled against him and stubbornly went its own way. Only a minority within Israel, along with those of Gentile nations who turned to Israel’s God, were really God’s people (65:1-2). As for the people of Israel as a whole, they had throughout their long history repeatedly made God angry. They sacrificed to other gods, consulted the spirits of the dead and ate... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Isaiah 65:2

good = right. Compare Psalms 36:4 . read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 65:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 65:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 65:4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 65:2

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 65:3

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 65:4

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 65:2

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 65:3-4

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Isaiah 65:1-16

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Isaiah 65:2

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