Isaiah 6:11

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 6:9-13

God takes Isaiah at his word, and here sends him on a strange errand?to foretel the ruin of his people and even to ripen them for that ruin?to preach that which, by their abuse of it, would be to them a savour of death unto death. And this was to be a type and figure of the state of the Jewish church in the days of the Messiah, when they should obstinately reject the gospel, and should thereupon be rejected of God. These verses are quoted in part, or referred to, six times, in the New... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 6:11

Then said I, Lord, how long ?.... That is, how long will this blindness, hardness, stupidity, and impenitence, remain with this people, or they be under such a sore judgment of God upon them: and he answered, until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate ; until there is not an inhabitant in the cities of Judea, nor in Jerusalem, the metropolis of the land, nor a single man in any house in them; which denotes the utter... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 6:11

Be utterly desolate "Be left" - For תשאה tishaeh , the Septuagint and Vulgate read תשאר tishshaer . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 6:1-13

The prophet's call and consecration. There are turning-points in life which give a meaning to the whole of its after-course. A light may be given to the 'mind at such moments by which it may have to steer its course for years. In moments of despondency the man of God will fall back on memory, and encourage himself by the recollection that, having once received and followed Divine guidance, that guidance will not desert him in the future. Such was this moment in the history of Isaiah. Life... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 6:8-13

THE PROPHET ENTRUSTED WITH A SPECIAL MISSON . We do not know what special call Isaiah had had previously. Perhaps he had been brought up in the "schools of the prophets." Perhaps, when the "word of the Lord" came to him, he had accepted the fact as sufficient call. Now, however, he had, in vision, a clear and distinct call and mission (verses 8, 9). He was told to "go," and instructed as to what he was to say (verses 9, 10). As before (Isaiah 1-5.), while in the main he was to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 6:9-13

The shadow of sacred truth. We may view these words in— I. THEIR NATIONAL ASPECT . Thus regarded, they point to: 1. Painful and guilty obduracy. The prophet should speak, but the people would disregard; all that was froward and perverse in them would repel and reject the Divine message; their reception of the truth would only end in spiritual deterioration and greater moral distance than ever from deliverance ( Isaiah 6:9 , Isaiah 6:10 ). 2. Protracted impenitence and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 6:11

Then said I, Lord, how long? Either, "How long am I to continue this preaching?" or, "How long is this blindness and callousness of the people to continue?" Isaiah assumes that he has not heard as yet God's final purpose; that there is some merciful intention kept in reserve, which is to take effect after the close of the period of judgment. The cities … the houses; rather, cities … houses . An entire desolation of the whole land, and extermination of its inhabitants, is not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 6:11-13

The loving-kindness of God shown in his judgments. "I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right , and flat thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me," says the psalmist ( Psalms 119:75 ). No doubt, at last God must simply punish the obdurate and impenitent; but for the most part he sends his judgment upon men in mercy, either to turn them from their sins, or to refine and improve their characters. I. EVEN WHEN GOD SIMPLY PUNISHES , IT IS IN LOVING - KINDNESS TO ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 6:11

How long - The prophet did not dare to pray that this effect should not follow. He asked merely therefore “how long” this state of things must continue; how long this message was to be delivered, and how long it should be attended with these painful effects.Until the cities ... - They will remain perverse and obstinate until the land is completely destroyed by divine judgments. Still the truth is to be proclaimed, though it is known it will have no effect in reforming the nation. This refers,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 6:11-12

Isaiah 6:11-12. Then said I, Lord, how long? An abrupt speech, arising from the prophet’s great passion and astonishment: how long shall this dreadful judgment last? Until the cities be wasted, &c. Until this land be totally destroyed, first by the Babylonians, and afterward by the Romans. And the Lord have removed men far away Hath caused this people to be carried away captive into far countries. And there be a great forsaking Till houses and lands be generally forsaken of their... read more

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