Isaiah 41:7

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 41:1-9

That particular instance of God's care for his people Israel in raising up Cyrus to be their deliverer is here insisted upon as a great proof both of his sovereignty above all idols and of his power to protect his people. Here is, I. A general challenge to the worshippers and admirers of idols to make good their pretensions, in competition with God and opposition to him, Isa. 41:1. Isa. is renewed (Isa. 41:21): Produce your cause. The court is set, summonses are sent to the islands that lay... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 41:7

So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith ,.... The carpenter, when he had made a wooden image, encouraged and hastened the goldsmith, or the "finer", as some render it, to do his part, in covering it with plates of gold or silver: and he that smootheth with the hammer him that smote the anvil ; he that beat out thin plates of gold and silver with the hammer, in order to decorate the wooden god, encouraged the smith at the forge, that smote on the anvil, there making nails for the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 41:7

That it should not be moved "That it shall not move" - Five MSS., (two ancient), and the ancient Versions, add the conjunction ו vau , "and, "reading ולא velo , "and not, "which seems to be right. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 41:1-7

ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DELIVERER , AND EFFECT ON THE SURROUNDING NATIONS . Isaiah returns to the standpoint of Isaiah 40:9-11 . A deliverer of Israel is about to appear. The nations are therefore summoned to attend, and consider the facts ( Isaiah 40:1 ). He will carry all before him ( Isaiah 40:2 , Isaiah 40:3 ), being raised up by God ( Isaiah 40:4 ). The nations will tremble, and seek the protection of their idol-deities ( Isaiah 40:5-7 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 41:1-7

Argument with the nations. Jehovah calls the countries to "come silently" unto him. Let the people pluck up what strength they may have, and let the cause between them and Jehovah come to the tribunal of reason. Have the idols any spiritual power? or is Jehovah only the true God? 1. THE VICTORIOUS CAREER OF CYRUS . This great man has, in the prophet's thought, a vocation from God. He is the minister of the Divine righteousness ( Isaiah 42:6 ; Isaiah 45:13 ). Cyrus is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 41:1-7

The false refuge and the true. In the regulation of his life, a wise man will give a large place to the consideration of what resources he will have in the times of great emergency. For he knows that such times must come to him as they come to all men, and when they come there is urgent and even terrible need of a refuge to which the stricken soul may flee. We are here reminded of— I. THE REFUGE WHICH IS FALSE , AND WHICH WILL FAIL US . ( Isaiah 41:5-7 .) We smile... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 41:6-7

Man's devices to do without God. A curious and interesting fact is connected with the reference in this passage to hammering an idol into shape. Ancient hammers had no handles; the workman held in his hand the metal piece with which he worked. In all the copies of Egyptian figures engaged in various arts, there does not appear to be one representation of a handled hammer. Mr. Osburn, remarking on this, says, "The jar occasioned to the nerves of the hand by this violent contact of metal... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 41:7

The carpenter , etc. (comp. Isaiah 40:19 , Isaiah 40:20 for the variety of workmen employed in the production of idols). Each encourages the others to manufacture a right good god. When all is done, there is, however, need of soldering, and of nails, that the wretched object may be kept erect, and not show its weakness by falling, like Dagon, upon its own threshold ( 1 Samuel 5:4 ). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 41:7

So the carpenter - (See the note at Isaiah 40:19).Encouraged the goldsmith - Margin, ‘The founder’ (see the note at Isaiah 40:19). The word properly means one who melts or smelts metals of any kind; and may be applied either to one who works in gold, silver, or brass. The image here is that of haste, anxiety, solicitude. One workman in the manufacture of idols encouraged another, in order that the idols might be finished as soon as possible, and that thus the favor of the gods might be... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Isaiah 41:1-29

The living God and idols (41:1-29)At that time Cyrus of Persia had been expanding his empire. He had conquered all the countries to the north and east, and was now threatening Babylon. The prophet imagines God calling the nations to assemble before him and asking them a question: who is it that has stirred up Cyrus to carry out this conquest? The answer: Yahweh (41:1-4).As the armies of Cyrus approach these nations the people panic, and in their distress call upon their gods for protection.... read more

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