Isaiah 41:1-4

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 41:1

Keep silence before me, O islands ,.... The great controversy in the world after the coming of Christ, which is expressly spoken of in the preceding chapter, was, as Cocceius observes, whether he was a divine Person; this was first objected to by the Jews, and afterwards by many that bore the Christian name; some, in the times of the apostles, especially the Apostle John; and others in later ages; some affirmed that he was a mere man, as Ebion and Cerinthus; others that he was a created God,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 41:2

Who raised up the righteous man from the east ,.... The Targum interprets this of Abraham; and so the Talmud F8 T. Bab. Sabbat, fol. 156. 2. Bava Bathra, fol. 15. 1. Sanhedrin, fol. 108. 2. and Taanith, fol. 21. 1. ; and this way go most Jewish and Christian commentators, and to him the characters agree; he was a righteous man, believed in Christ for righteousness, had the righteousness of faith when circumcised, did justice, and wrought righteousness himself, and required his children... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 41:3

He pursued them, and passed safely ..... Went on in his work, pursued his great design in subduing the souls of men, and bringing them to the obedience of Christ; and though he had so many enemies, he "passed on safely"; God did not suffer them to set upon him, to do him any harm, even though he was exposed to perils by sea and land, by thieves and robbers, by his own countrymen and Heathens, in city and country, and even by false brethren; see Acts 18:10 , it is in the future tense, "he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 41:4

Who hath wrought and done it ,.... Contrived and effected it, formed the scheme, and brought it to pass; namely, raising up the righteous man from the east, and succeeding him in the manner described: calling the generations from the beginning ? or rather here begins the answer to the above question, which may be rendered, he that calleth the generations from the beginning F11 קורא הדורות מראש "ille qui vocat vel vocavit generationes ab inito", Munster, Tigurine version. So... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 41:1

Keep silence before me, O islands "Let the distant nations repair to me with new force of mind" - Εγκαινιζεσθε , Septuagint. For החרישו hacharishu , be silent, they certainly read in their copy החדישו hachadishu , be renewed; which is parallel and synonymous with כח יחלפו yechalephu coach , "recover their strength;" that is, their strength of mind, their powers of reason; that they may overcome those prejudices by which they have been so long held enslaved to idolatry. A MS.... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 41:2

The righteous man - The Chaldee and Vulgate seem to have read צדיק tsaddik . But Jerome, though his translation has justum , appears to have read צדק tsedek ; for in his comment he expresses it by justum, sive justitiam . However, I think all interpreters understand it of a person. So the Septuagint in MS. Pachom. εκαλεσεν αυτον , "he hath called him;" but the other copies have αυτην , her. They are divided in ascertaining this person; some explain it of Abraham, others of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 41:3

And passed safely "He passeth in safety" - The preposition seems to have been omitted in the text by mistake; the Septuagint and Vulgate seem to have had it in their copies; εν ειρηνῃ , to pace, בשלום beshalom , "prosperously." It is so in one of De Rossi's MSS. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 41:4

Who hath wrought and done it "Who hath performed and made these things" - A word is here lost out of the text. It is sups plied by an ancient MS., אלה elleh , "these things; "and by the Septuagint, ταυτα ; and by the Vulgate, haec ; and by the Chaldee, אלן elin ; all of the same meaning. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 41:1

Keep silence before me, O islands . God is the speaker. The "islands," or maritime lands of Western Asia, are to be silent before him, pondering the facts with a view to future argument. "Then let them speak" (see Isaiah 41:21-29 ). Let the people renew their strength ; rather, the peoples or the nations ; i.e. the inhabitants of the maritime tracts. To judgment; i.e. to a discussion,, which shall terminate in a right verdict. read more

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