Isaiah 65:6

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 65:1-7

The apostle Paul (an expositor we may depend upon) has given us the true sense of these verses, and told us what was the event they pointed at and were fulfilled in, namely, the calling in of the Gentiles and the rejection of the Jews, by the preaching of the gospel, Rom. 10:20, 21. And he observes that herein Esaias is very bold, not only in foretelling a thing so improbable ever to be brought about, but in foretelling it to the Jews, who would take it as a gross affront to their nation, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 65:6

Behold, it is written before me ,.... This account of their sins; it was in his sight and constant remembrance, and punishment for them was determined by him, written in the book of his decrees: I will not keep silence ; but threaten with destruction, and not only threaten, but execute; plead against them really, as well as verbally, with sore judgments: but will recompense, even recompense into their bosom ; full and just recompence of punishment for all their transgressions, as it... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 65:6

Behold, it is written before me - Their sin is registered in heaven, calling aloud for the punishment due to it. I will - recompense into their bosom - The bosom is the place where the Asiatics have their pockets, and not in their skirts like the inhabitants of the west. Their loose flowing garments have scarcely any thing analogous to skirts. Into their bosom - For על al , ten MSS. and five editions have אל el . So again at the end of this verse, seventeen MSS. and four... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 65:1-7

SECTION XI .— GOD 'S ANSWER TO THE EXILES ' PRAYER ( Isaiah 65:1-25 .) ISRAEL 'S SUFFERINGS THE JUST MEED OF THEIR SINS . God's mercy is such that it even overflows upon those who are outside the covenant ( Isaiah 65:1 ). It has been offered to Israel, but Israel has rejected it . Their rebellion, their idolatries, and their pride have caused, and must continue to cause, their punishment ( Isaiah 65:2-7 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 65:1-7

The offensiveness and the doom of sin. The passage brings out in a very graphic form— I. THE OFFENSIVENESS OF SIN . 1 . Assumption. "Walking after their own thoughts" instead of reverently inquiring God's will ( Isaiah 65:2 ). 2 . Positive disobedience in the manner of Divine worship ( Isaiah 65:3 ). 3 . Superstitious practices , implying discontent with the disclosures God had made in his holy Word ( Isaiah 65:4 ). 4 . Irreligious self-indulgence ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 65:1-10

Threatenings and promises. Both, as it would appear, addressed to the chosen people, though many, including St. Paul, apply the earlier part of the passage to the conversion of the Gentiles. There is a polytheistic party, and a party of true believers in the nation. I. GOD BEFOREHAND WITH MEN . He "allows himself to be consulted;" he "offers answers," or "is heard" by those who came not to consult him. He was "at hand to those who did not seek him." To a nation that did not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 65:6

It is written before me. The misconduct of his people is "written" in God's book, which lies open "before him," so that their sin is ever in his sight (comp. Psalms 56:8 ; Malachi 3:16 ; Revelation 20:12 ). I will not keep silence (comp. Psalms 1:3 ). "Keeping silence" is a metaphor for complete inaction. But will recompense , etc.; rather, until I have recompensed , yea , recompensed [ them ] into their bosoms (comp. Luke 6:38 ). Gifts were given and received into... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 65:6

Men's sins recorded in God's book. As far back as the time of Moses, God announced through him that men's sins were "laid up in store with him, and sealed up among his treasures" ( Deuteronomy 32:34 ). The later prophets ( Malachi 3:16 ), with the Psalms ( Psalms 56:8 ), and the Revelation of St. John ( John 20:12-15 ), speak of "a book," or "books, of remembrance," which contain the record of human frailty. Jeremiah says, "The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, and with the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 65:6

Behold, it is written before me - That is, the crimes of which they had been guilty, or the sentence which would be consequent thereon. The allusion is to the custom of having the decrees of kings recorded in a volume or on a table, and kept in their presence, so that they might be seen and not forgotten. An allusion to this custom of opening the books containing a record of this kind on trials, occurs in Daniel 7:10, ‘The judgment was set, and the books were opened.’ So also Revelation 20:12,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 65:5-6

Isaiah 65:5-6. Who say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me Though they were so exceedingly guilty, yet they pretended to singular sanctity, so that they would not suffer others to come near or touch them. The reader will observe that the crime of hypocrisy is here decried, and every one that is acquainted with the gospels will easily see that the character of the Pharisees and their followers is drawn in this passage; see Luke 18:10. And there cannot be a more lively description of... read more

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