Isaiah 42:25 - Exposition

Therefore he hath poured upon him … the strength of battle ; i.e. for this cause, on account of their iniquities, did God bring upon his people the scourge of foreign war, and allow the Babylonians to waste Judaea, to destroy Jerusalem, and to lead into captivity the entire nation. It hath set him on fire ; rather, it ( i.e. the war)set him on fire. The reference is, perhaps, especially to the burning of Jerusalem by Nebuzaradan ( 2 Kings 25:9 ); but the phrase will cover also the general devastation of the land both before and after this event (Jeremiah 39-42.), He knew not ; rather, he took no notice ; he did not change his ways on account of the chastisement. The prophet's view is that Israel, as a whole, was not greatly bettered by the Captivity, at any rate up to the time which he takes for his standpoint, and at which he supposes him. self to be addressing them.