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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 43:8-13

God here challenges the worshippers of idols to produce such proofs of the divinity of their false gods as even this very instance (to go no further) of the redemption of the Jews out of Babylon furnished the people of Israel with, to prove that their God is the true and living God, and he only. I. The patrons of idolatry are here called to appear, and say what they have to say in defence of their idols, Isa. 43:8, 9. Their gods have eyes and see not, ears and hear not, and those that make... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 43:8

Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears ,.... The Targum applies this to the bringing of the people of Israel out of Egypt; and others understand it of their deliverance from the Babylonish captivity; and some of the exclusion of them from the kingdom of heaven, and casting them into outward darkness, according to Matthew 8:12 , but it is rather to be understood of the conviction of them; though better of the Gentiles, and of the enlightening of them, who... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 43:9

Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled ,.... In one place, if it could be, in an open court of judicature; that their whole strength might be united together, and the most cogent arguments any of them are able to produce might be brought out; and that all might have an opportunity of hearing the cause fairly argued, and the point decided, and judge for themselves on which side truth lies: who among them can declare this, and show us former things ? what... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 43:8

Bring forth the blind people that have eyes "Bring forth the people, blind, although they have eyes" - I understand this of the Gentiles, as the verse following, not of the Jews. Their natural faculties, if they had made a proper use of them, must have led them to the knowledge of the being and attributes of the one true God; "for his eternal power and Godhead," if well attended to, are clearly seen in his works, ( Romans 1:20 ;), and would have preserved them from running into the folly... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 43:9

Who among them - Seven MSS., three ancient, and the first edition, 1486, with the Syriac and Vulgate, read בכם bechem , who among you, the present reading is preferable. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 43:8

Bring forth the blind people that have eyes . A tribunal is supposed to have been prepared, before which the contending parties are summoned to appear and plead. Israel is first summoned, as "a blind people that have eyes;" i.e. a people long blind ( Isaiah 29:18 ; Isaiah 35:5 ; Isaiah 42:7 , Isaiah 42:18 , Isaiah 42:19 ), who have now, to some extent, recovered their sight ( Isaiah 32:3 ; Isaiah 35:5 ), and are ready to witness for God. Next, the nations are summoned (see... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 43:8-11

Witnesses for God and against him. On the side of God, witnesses for him, assertors of his existence, his unity, his omnipotence, his providential direction of human affairs, are— II. HIS CHURCH IN ALL AGES , WHETHER JEWISH OR CHRISTIAN . 1 . It was the object of God, in calling the Israelites and tasking them his "peculiar people," to secure the result that he should not be "left without witness" ( Acts 14:17 ). Monotheists from the first, the children of Israel... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 43:8-13

A RENEWED CHALLENGE TO THE NATIONS . The nations are once more challenged (comp. Isaiah 41:1 , Isaiah 41:21-26 ) to set forth the claims of their gods against those of Jehovah. Israel is summoned on the one hand ( Isaiah 43:8 ); the nations on the other ( Isaiah 43:9 ). What prophecy can the nations produce, either old or new? The Israelites can abundantly witness on behalf of Jehovah ( Isaiah 43:10 ). Jehovah adds a further witness of himself ( Isaiah 43:11-13 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 43:8-13

The great controversy. The challenge of Isaiah 41:1-29 . is renewed, and Jehovah's claims are contrasted with those of the false gods. I. ASSEMBLING OF THE NATIONS . Israel is first brought forth by the ministers of justice. The people were once blind and deaf, but now are in possession of their faculties. And then, over against this small company of the faithful, the vast host of the heathen appears. And the challenge is issued—What god of the nations can produce predictions... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 43:9

All the nations ; rather, all ye nations. Israel is a witness on the one hand, a multitude of nations on the other, recalling the contention of Elijah with the four hundred priests of Baal ( 1 Kings 18:22 ). The people; rather, the peoples. Who among them can declare this? i.e. which of them can show any prediction made by their gods comparable to the one contained in Isaiah 43:1 -77 And show us former things. "Exhibit the past history of the world in well-attested documents"... read more

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