Isaiah 34:17

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 34:9-17

This prophecy looks very black, but surely it looks so further than upon Edom and Bozrah. 1. It describes the melancholy changes that are often made by the divine Providence, in countries, cities, palaces, and families. Places that have flourished and been much frequented strangely go to decay. We know not where to find the places where many great towns, celebrated in history, once stood. Fruitful countries, in process of time, are turned into barrenness, and pompous populous cities into... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 34:17

And he hath cast the lot for them ,.... The Targum adds, "by his word:' and his hand hath divided it unto them by line ; the same adds, "by his will.' The allusion is to the dividing of the land of Canaan by lot and line, to the children of Israel, for their inheritance and possession; and in like manner, it is suggested, shall Rome and its territories be distributed to those wild beasts and birds of prey, and everyone shall know and take its proper place and portion: they shall... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 34:1-17

SECTION 11. THE DIVINE JUDGMENT ON THE WORLD , AND THE GLORY OF THE CHURCH CONSEQUENT UPON IT ( Isaiah 34:1-17 ; Isaiah 35:1-10 .). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 34:1-17

The sins and punishment of Edom. The Edomites appear in the blackest colors in the descriptions of the prophets. And in this oracle their punishment is represented in the horrible desolation of their land. I. THEIR SINS . Their cruelty is above all stigmatized. At the siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar they helped to plunder the city and slaughter the poor Jews. Their conduct on this occasion was never forgotten ( Psalms 137:1-9 .). In Obadiah we have the feelings about them... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 34:16-17

The Divine Word and human woe. These words are called forth by— I. ANTICIPATED INCREDULITY . The prophet thinks that the solemn threatenings he has uttered will not be credited. He seems to say, "You heard these awful utterances, but you will not heed them; you will indulge the thought that they are nothing more than a fanatic's dream; you think in your hearts that they will never be fulfilled; you imagine that you can afford to disregard them; but you are mistaken, there will be the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 34:17

He hath cast the lot for them . God, who allots to all the nations of the earth their several countries, has now allotted Idumea to the unclean beasts and birds and reptiles which have been mentioned; henceforth it is formally assigned to them as their habitation. It is throughout to be understood that Idumea stands for the world power, which resists God and will be finally abased and put to shame. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 34:17

And he hath cast the lot for them - He hath assigned to them the land of Edom to be occupied by them as their portion. This language is taken from the fact that countries were commonly apportioned, particularly among conquerors, by the lot. In this way Judea was divided among the tribes of Israel Numbers 26:55-56.His hand hath divided it unto them by line - He has marked out, as a surveyor does, the land of Edom as the dwelling-place of the beasts of the forest. A land was usually surveyed and... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 34:16-17

Isaiah 34:16-17. Seek ye out of the book of the Lord Here the prophet confirms the preceding prediction; and, “to convict hypocrites, and confirm the pious, assures them of the certain completion of his prophecy.” He terms it, and his other prophecies, The book of the Lord. as being a part of divine revelation; and he supposes they would be extant at the time of the completion of their contents, and therefore invites all men to seek into and consider them in all their parts, in order... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Isaiah 34:1-17

34:1-35:10 MORE ABOUT JUDGMENT AND SALVATIONJerusalem’s final triumph over Assyria is followed by further pictures of God’s final judgment on the world and the blessings that will follow. (See notes on the introduction to 24:1-27:13.) God’s enemies in this section are represented by one of Israel’s most ancient enemies, Edom.Punishment of the wicked (34:1-17)God calls sinners together to hear his judgment and receive his punishment. This judgment affects people worldwide, and involves the... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Isaiah 34:16-17

Isaiah 34:16-17. Seek ye out of the book, &c.— This period contains the confirmation of the preceding sentence; wherein the prophet, to convict the hypocrites, and confirm the pious, assures them of the certain completion of this prophesy. The scene of his discourse is so constructed, as if the prophesy was now fulfilled; when the prophet, supposing that his prophesy would still be extant at the time of the completion, invites all men of doubtful faith to seek into and consider this book or... read more

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