Isaiah 51

Isaiah 51:1

Hearken. Note the call to hear. See Structure, above.

are = were.

hole of the pit = the hollow of the quarry.

Isaiah 51:2

Look = Look well: as in Isaiah 51:1. Figure of speech Hermeneia, by which Isaiah 51:2 interprets Isaiah 51:1.

Abraham . . . Sarah. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 12, &c.; Genesis 24:36).

alone. Compare Ezekiel 33:24. Malachi 2:15.

Isaiah 51:3

waste places. Compare Isaiah 40:1; Isaiah 49:13.

like Eden. Reference to Pentateuch, (Genesis 2 and Genesis 3). App-92. Elsewhere, only here; Joe 2:3; and six times in Ezekiel.

like the garden of the LORD. This is a quotation from Genesis 13:10. App-92.

melody = music or Psalmody.

Isaiah 51:4

law: i.e. the law of Moses, which was Jehovah’s revealed instruction. Compare Ma Isaiah 1:4, Isaiah 1:4,

make . . . to rest = establish.

the people = peoples.

Isaiah 51:5

isles = maritime countries. See note on Isaiah 11:11.

wait. Compare Isaiah 42:4; Isaiah 60:9.

trust = hope. Hebrew. yahal. App-69. Not the same word as in Isaiah 50:10.

Isaiah 51:6

shall = will have.

in like manner = so. There is no ancient authority for “as a gnat”, as some render it.

Isaiah 51:7

know = take note of.

men = mortal men.

Isaiah 51:9

Awake. Same word as in Isaiah 52:1. Not the same as in Isaiah 51:17. Note the Figure of speech Epizeuxis (for emphasis).

arm. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia.

Bahab = Egypt. Compare Psalms 87:4; Psalms 89:10.

dragon = crocodile.

Isaiah 51:10

dried the sea. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 14:29). ransomed = redeemed (by price, or blood). Hebrew. ga’al. Compare Exodus 6:6.

Isaiah 51:11

redeemed = redeemed (by power). Hebrew. padah. See note on Exodus 13:13.

come with singing. Compare Isaiah 35:10.

mourning = sighing. See notes on Isaiah 21:2.

Isaiah 51:12

man. Hebrew. ’adam. App-14.

Isaiah 51:13

stretched forth the heavens. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 1 and Genesis 2).

as if he were. A special reading called Sevir (App-34), with some codices, two early printed editions, and Syriac, read “who was”: referring doubtless to the Antichrist’s effort in “the great tribulation”.

Isaiah 51:15

divided the sea. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 14:21).

The LORD of hosts. See note on 1 Samuel 1:3.

Isaiah 51:16

put My words in thy mouth. See note on Isaiah 50:4 (“that I should know”). Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 18:18). App-92.

that: i.e. in order that.

Isaiah 51:17

Awake = Rouse thee. Not the same form as in Isaiah 51:9 with Isaiah 52:1.

Isaiah 51:20

Thy sons have fainted. Note the Alternation in this verse. Thus: “fainted at the head”, &c, and “they lie as a wild bull”, &c.

Isaiah 51:21

wine. Hebrew. yayin. App-27.

Isaiah 51:22

thy LORD the LORD = thy Adonim Jehovah. See App-4.

Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos.

no more drink it again. All this refers therefore to the final restoration of Israel.

Isaiah 51:23

thy soul = thee. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.