Isaiah 56:9-12 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 56:9-12

From words of comfort the prophet here, by a very sudden change of his style, passes to words of reproof and conviction, and goes on in that strain, for the most part, in the three following chapters; and therefore some here begin a new sermon. He had assured the people that in due time God would deliver them out of captivity, which was designed for the comfort of those that should live when God would do this. Now here he shows what their sins and provocations were, for which God would send... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 56:9

All ye beasts of the field, come to devour ,.... Which may be understood either literally of savage beasts being called to devour the slain, signifying a great slaughter that should be made, like that in Revelation 19:17 to which the fowls of the heaven are invited, as to a supper; and so Kimchi interprets it of such creatures being called to feed upon the carcasses in the camp of Gog and Magog, agreeably to Ezekiel 39:17 , but it seems better to understand it figuratively of people and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 56:10

His watchmen are blind ,.... A sad character of watchmen; who, of all men, ought to have good sight, to see who is coming, to discover an enemy, to discern approaching danger, and so be capable of giving notice thereof. This some apply to the Scribes and Pharisees, who are often called blind guides, and blind leaders of the blind, Matthew 15:14 and well suits the character of the Popish clergy, bishops, and priests, those ecclesiastical watchmen, whose business should be to look after the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 56:11

Yea, they are greedy dogs ,.... Or "strong of soul" F25 עזי נפש "fortes animo", Montanus; "fortes anima, sub. appetente", Vatablus; "sunt valido appetitu", Vitringa. ; of great appetites, and are never satisfied: or "strong of body"; the soul is sometimes put for the body; large bodied, fat bellied men, such as the priests, monks, and friars, that live upon the fat of the land; gluttons, epicures, men of a canine appetite, like dogs, which can never have enough; know not... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 56:12

Come ye, say they ,.... Either to their fellow bishops and priests, when got together, jovially carousing; or to the common people, encouraging them in luxury and intemperance: I will fetch wine ; out of his cellar, having good store of it, and that of the best, hence called "priests' wine"; and so, at Paris and Louvain, the Popish priests called their wine "vinum theologicum": and we will fill ourselves with strong drink ; fill their bellies and skins full of it till drunken with... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 56:9

All ye beasts of the field - Here manifestly begins a new section. The prophet in the foregoing chapters, having comforted the faithful Jews with many great promises of God's favor to be extended to them, in the restoration of their ruined state, and in the enlargement of his Church by the admission of the Gentiles; here on a sudden makes a transition to the more disagreeable part of the prospect, and to a sharp reproof of the wicked and unbelievers; and especially of the negligent and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 56:10

His watchmen are blind - Kimchi observes, "The flock is intrusted to the care of these watchmen. The wild beasts come; these dogs bark not; and the wild beasts devour the flock. Thus they do not profit the flock. Yea, they injure it; for the owner trusts in them, that they will watch and be faithful; but they are not. These are the false teachers and careless shepherds." Dumb dogs, they cannot bark - See note on Isaiah 62:6 . Sleeping "Dreamers" - הזים hozim , ενυπνιαζομενοι ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 56:11

Greedy dogs - Insatiably feeding themselves with the fat, and clothing themselves with the wool, while the flock is scattered, ravaged, and starved! O what an abundance of these dumb and greedy dogs are there found hanging on and prowling about the flock of Christ! How can any careless, avaricious, hireling minister read this without agitation and dismay? read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 56:12

I will fetch wine "Let us provide wine" - For אקחה ekchah , first person singular, an ancient MS. has נקחה nikchah , first person plural; and another ancient MS. has אק ak upon a rasure. So the Syriac, Chaldee, and Vulgate render it. The spirit of this Epicurean sentiment is this: Let us indulge ourselves in the present time to the utmost, and instead of any gloomy forebodings of the future, let us expect nothing but increasing hilarity for every day we shall live. Thus they, ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 56:9

Beasts of the field … beasts in the forest; i.e. "all wild beasts of whatever kind"—all the enemies of God's flock (see Jeremiah 12:9 ; Ezekiel 34:8 ). Come to devour. Make haste, now is your opportunity. The people have none to protect them, and will be an easy prey. Come, set to work; devour. read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 56:9-12

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 56:9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 56:10

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 56:11

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 56:12

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 56:9

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 56:10

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 56:11

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 56:12

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 56:9

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