Isaiah 51:19

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 51:17-23

God, having awoke for the comfort of his people, here calls upon them to awake, as afterwards, Isa. 52:1. It is a call to awake not so much out of the sleep of sin (though that also is necessary in order to their being ready for deliverance) as out of the stupor of despair. When the inhabitants of Jerusalem were in captivity they, as well as those who remained upon the spot, were so overwhelmed with the sense of their troubles that they had no heart or spirit to mind any thing that tended to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 51:19

These two things are come unto thee ,.... Affliction from the hand of God, though by means of enemies, and no friends to help, support, and comfort, as before hinted: or else this respects what follows, after it is said, who shall be sorry for thee ? lament or bemoan thee? they of the earth will rejoice and be glad, and others will not dare to show any concern outwardly, whatever inward grief may be in their breasts, Revelation 11:10 , desolation, and destruction, and the famine,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 51:19

These two things - desolation, and destruction, and the famine, and the sword - That is, desolation by famine, and destruction by the sword, taking the terms alternately: of which form of construction see other examples. De S. Poesi, Hebrews Prael. xix., and Prelim. Dissert. p. 30. The Chaldee paraphrast, not rightly understanding this, has had recourse to the following expedient: "Two afflictions are come upon thee, and when four shall come upon thee, depredation, and destruction, and the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 51:17-23

AN ADDRESS OF THE PROPHET TO JERUSALEM . The comfort afforded to Israel generally is now concentrated on Jerusalem. Her condition during the long period of the Captivity is deplored, and her want of a champion to assert her cause and raise her out of the dust is lamented ( Isaiah 51:17-20 ). After this, an assurance is given her that the miseries which she has suffered shall pass from her to her great enemy, by whom the dregs of the "cup of trembling" shall be drained, and the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 51:17-23

Encouragement for Jerusalem. The prophet, or chorus of prophets, is supposed to salute the holy city with a cheering cry. I. PICTURES OF DISTRESS . The draught from the cup of Divine wrath. "The cup of his fury"—"the goblet-cup of reeling." These are figures for the horror and bewilder-meat caused by a (great catastrophe. It is "to drink the wine of astonishment" ( Psalms 60:3 ; Ezekiel 23:2 ). Then there is utter helplessness. No guide for Jerusalem to be found in all... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 51:17-23

Spiritual stupefaction. The passage presents one of the most pitiable of all possible spectacles—a nation reduced to utter helplessness and prostration, lying like one that is brought down by intoxication to a motionless stupidity. We learn from this picture, and from the opening summons and concluding promise— I. THAT THE HUMAN SPIRIT AS WELL AS THE HUMAN BODY IS SUBJECT TO STUPEFACTION . It is a striking and suggestive fact that the very thing which at first... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 51:19

These two things. What are the "two things," it is asked, since four are mentioned— desolation, and destruction, and the famine, and the sword? The right answer seems to be that of Aben Ezra and Kimchi, that the two things are "desolation,'' or rather "wasting" within, produced by "famine;" and "destruction" without, produced by "the sword." Who shall be sorry for thee? rather, who will mourn with thee? Jerusalem is without friends; no man condoles with her over her misfortunes. God... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 51:19

These two things are come unto thee - Margin, ‘Happened.’ That is, two sources of calamity have come upon thee; to wit, famine and the sword, producing desolation and destruction; or desolation by famine, and destruction by the sword (see Lowth on Hebrew Poetry, Lect. xix.) The idea here is, that far-spread destruction had occurred, caused by the two things, famine and the sword.Who shall be sorry for thee? - That is, who shall be able so to pity thee as to furnish relief?Desolation - By... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 51:18-20

Isaiah 51:18-20. There is none to guide her, &c. When thou wast drunk with this cup, and couldest not direct or support thy steps, neither thy princes, nor prophets, nor priests, were able or willing to lead or uphold thee. These two things are come upon thee Those here following, which, although they be expressed in four words, yet may be fitly reduced to two things, namely, desolation by famine, and destruction by the sword. Who shall be sorry for thee Who is there left to take... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Isaiah 51:1-23

God of the impossible (51:1-23)To the captive Jews it must have seemed almost impossible to escape from the powerful grip of the tyrant Babylon, make the long journey over harsh territory and then rebuild their ruined country. God encourages them with reminders of the apparently impossible things he has done for them in the past. The very origin of Israel was something of a miracle. God built a nation out of one couple, even though the man and his wife were past the age when they might normally... read more

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