Isaiah 41

Isaiah 41:1

islands = coast-lands. See note on Isaiah 11:11.

renew. Same word as in Isaiah 40:31.

strength = strength (to endure).

come near = draw nigh.

Isaiah 41:2

the righteous man from the east: i.e. Abraham. Compare Cyrus raised up from the north, Isaiah 41:25.

kings: i.e. those mentioned in Genesis 14:1, Genesis 14:8, Genesis 14:9. stubble = straw. Hebrew. kash, as in Isaiah 40:24.

Isaiah 41:3

He pursued them: i.e. Abraham pursued them unto Dan. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 14:14, Genesis 14:15). App-92.

way. See note on “path. “Ch. Isaiah 2:3.

Isaiah 41:4

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

the first, and . . . last. Occurs here and Isaiah 44:6; Isaiah 48:12. Thus, three times in Isaiah, and three times in the Apocalypse (Revelation 1:17; Revelation 2:8; Revelation 22:13).

with the last: i.e. He who called Abraham, the first, will be with the last (Messiah), Who is the subject of this prophecy.

I am he: or, I AM.

Isaiah 41:6

one = man. Hebrew. ’ish.

Isaiah 41:8

My servant. See note on Isaiah 37:35 for the three “servants” in Isaiah. This was Israel, as the seed of Abraham, not Cyrus (yet). Compare verses: Isaiah 41:21-29.

chosen. See note on Isaiah 1:29.

My friend. See note on 2 Chronicles 20:7.

Isaiah 41:9

the chief men = the remote parts.

I have chosen thee. Genesis 12:1. Joshua 24:2-4. Nehemiah 9:7. Acts 7:2-7. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 7:6; Deuteronomy 10:15; Deuteronomy 14:2). App-92.

Isaiah 41:10

Fear thou not. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 31:6, Deuteronomy 31:8).

be not dismayed = look not around. Some codices, with Syriac, read “and be not”, &c. It is this that dismays (see notes on Psalms 73 and 77).

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.

strengthen = strength (inherent, for activity). Hebrew. ’dmas. Not the same word as in Isaiah 41:1 and Isaiah 41:21.

Isaiah 41:11

Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. .

Behold, all they, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 23:22). App-92.

they that strive = the men (Hebrew. ’ish, App-14) of thy strife: i.e. thine accusers.

Isaiah 41:12

them that contended = the men (Hebrew. ’ish) of thy contention.

nothing. See note on Isaiah 5:8.

Isaiah 41:14

thou worm. To emphasize the weakness of Israel; marked also by the Figure of speech Asterismos, “Behold”.

men. Hebrew. methim. App-14.

thy Redeemer. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 48:16. Exodus 6:6; Exodus 15:13).

the Holy One of Israel See note on Isaiah 1:4.

Isaiah 41:15

make thee = set thee for.

threshing instrument. See note on Isaiah 28:27.

Isaiah 41:16

wind. Hebrew. ruach. App-9.

glory. See note on Isaiah 13:10.

Isaiah 41:17

poor = wretched. Hebrew. ’anah. See note on Proverbs 6:11.

faileth. See note on Isaiah 19:5.

hear = answer.

the God of Israel. See note on Isaiah 29:23.

forsake. See note on Isaiah 1:4.

Isaiah 41:18

open rivers, &c. Note that all these physical marvels must be accomplished by the miraculous power of God, not by the spirituality of His People. See note on Isaiah 35:1.

Isaiah 41:20

and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton for emphasis.

Isaiah 41:21

saith the LORD. See note on Isaiah 1:11.

strong = strong (for weight or importance). Hebrew. azam Not same word as in verses: Isaiah 41:1, Isaiah 41:10. Hebrew. ’amaz.

the King of Jacob. This title occurs only here. Heathen kings were the gods of their people. So Jehovah, the King of Jacob, was the God of Israel.

Isaiah 41:25

raised up one from the north: i.e. Cyrus. See App-57. Compare Abraham (the other type was “from the east”, Isaiah 41:2). This prophecy was made 137 years before its fulfilment. Compare Isaiah 44:28; Isaiah 45:1.

come = speed.

shall he call upon My name. This is the counter part of Isa 45:3, Isaiah 45:4. Compare Ezra 1:2 and 2 Chronicles 36:22, 2 Chronicles 36:23.

My name = Me (emph.) See note on Psalms 20:1.

princes. The title of Babylonian governors and prefects of provinces. Hebrew. seganim. Used once in Ezra (Isaiah 9:2, “rulers”); nine times in Nehemiah (Isaiah 2:16, Isaiah 2:16; Isaiah 4:14, &c.); three times in Jeremiah (Isaiah 51:23, Isaiah 51:28, Isaiah 51:57); three times in Ezekiel (Isaiah 23:6, Isaiah 23:12, Isaiah 23:23). Always rendered “rulers” except here, which is the only occurrence in Isaiah. Cyrus (the Medo-Persian) did fulfill this on the Babylonian “princes”.

Isaiah 41:27

The first shall say = From the first [I have said].

Isaiah 41:29

molten images. See note on Isaiah 30:22.

wind = vanity. Hebrew. ruach (App-9). See note on Isaiah 57:6.

confusion. See note on Isaiah 24:10.