Isaiah 57

Isaiah 57:1

merciful = kind.

from the evil to come = from the presence of the calamity.

evil = calamity. Hebrew. ra’a’. App-44: i.e. the calamity referred to in Jeremiah 22:10. See 2 Kings 22:16-20.

Isaiah 57:2

He: i.e. the righteous man.

they: i.e. the men of grace.

in = upon,

beds = couches.

his uprightness = his straight path.

Isaiah 57:3

sorceress. See note on Isaiah 2:6 (“soothsayer”).

Isaiah 57:4

children = offspring.

transgression: i.e. inborn transgression. Hebrew. pasha’. App-44.

seed of falsehood = false seed. Figure of speech Enallage.

Isaiah 57:5

with idols = with the sacred trees: i.e. the Asherahs. See App-42.

slaying the children. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 18:21); to Molech (1 Kings 11:7. 2 Kings 17:16, 2 Kings 17:17); or to Baal (Jeremiah 19:5. Ezekiel 16:20; Ezekiel 23:39. Hosea 13:1).

Isaiah 57:6

the smooth stones, &c. = the open places. Judah still in the land. None of the things mentioned in verses: Isaiah 57:5-7 found in Babylonia.

thy. This and all the Pronouns in verses: Isaiah 57:6-8 are Feminine.

drink offering . . . meat offering. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 29:40, Exodus 29:41, &c. Numbers 15:1-10). Compare 1 Kings 12:32, 1 Kings 12:33.

I receive comfort. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia.

Isaiah 57:8

remembrance = symbols.

where thou sawest it = a hand thou hast seen: as beckoning.

Isaiah 57:9

the king. Or, the idol, as in Isaiah 30:33. 1 Kings 11:7.

hell. Hebrew. Sheol. App-35.

Isaiah 57:10

found . . . hand = found [by the length of thy journeys] a hand to mouth life.

Isaiah 57:12

for. Some codices, with two early printed editions, omit “for”, and read “and thy works, they will not profit thee”.

Isaiah 57:13

criest. In distress.

thy companies. The paramours of Isa 57:8.

wind. Hebrew. ruach. App-9.

vanity. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), for vain men. Compare Psalms 144:4. James 4:14.

putteth his trust = fleeth for refuge to. Hebrew. hasah. See App-69.

holy. See note on Exodus 3:5.

Isaiah 57:14

Cast ye up = Make a highway. Figure of speech Epizeuxis.

Isaiah 57:15

lofty = lifted up. Same word as Isaiah 6:1 (“exalted One”).

That inhabiteth = inhabiting.

Isaiah 57:16

souls = breathing things. Hebrew. neshamah. App-16. See note on Isaiah 2:22 (“breath”).

Isaiah 57:17

I hid Me. Compare Isaiah 45:15; Isaiah 59:2; Isaiah 64:7.

Isaiah 57:18

lead = (gently) lead.

mourners. See note on “mourn” (Isaiah 3:26).

Isaiah 57:19

Peace, peace. Figure of speech Epizeuxis, for great emphasis = perfect peace (as in Isaiah 26:3), or great prosperity.

Isaiah 57:20

wicked = lawless. Hebrew. rasha’. App-44,

the troubled sea = the sea when tossed.

when = for.

Isaiah 57:21

no peace. Compare Isaiah 48:22.