Isaiah 58

Isaiah 58:1

Cry aloud = Hebrew “call with the throat”: i.e. deep down as in the oriental throat. It denotes not a wild cry, but solemnity with restraint. transgression = rebellion. Hebrew. pasha’ App-44.

the house of Jacob. See note on Isaiah 2:6.

Isaiah 58:2

forsook. See note on Isaiah 1:4.

God. Hebrew. Elohim.

justice = righteousness. Compare Ex. 21-23.

Isaiah 58:3

Wherefore . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis.

afflicted our soul. Reference to Pentateuch. This is a strictly Levitical technical expression (Leviticus 16:29, Leviticus 16:31; Leviticus 23:27, Leviticus 23:32. Numbers 29:7). This shows that the People were not in exile as alleged, but in the Land. See also the references to other observances below (Isaiah 58:13). Note that in Isaiah 58 and Isaiah 59 we have the reference to the Day of Atonement; in Isaiah 60 and Isaiah 61, to the Sabbatical and Jubilee years. Isaiah 60 refers to the feast of Tabernacles with its “ingathering” (verses: Isaiah 58:3-5, Isaiah 58:13), which followed the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 23:27, Leviticus 23:34).

soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13. Some codices, with one early printed edition, Aramaean, Septuagint, and Vulgate, read “souls” (plural)

Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos.

Isaiah 58:4

ye fast. Referring to Day of Atonement, which was still observed; and in the Land, not in exile, as alleged.

wickedness = lawlessness. Hebrew. rasha’ App-44.

ye shall not. Some codices, with two early printed editions, read “and ye shall not”.

to make = if ye would make.

Isaiah 58:5

chosen. See note on Isaiah 1:29.

a man. Hebrew. adam. App-14.

soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.

bulrush. See note on Isaiah 9:14.

the Lord. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

Isaiah 58:6

bands = pangs. See note on Psalms 73:4.

Isaiah 58:7

to deal = to break. The technical term for giving or partaking of food, as in Luke 24:30, Luke 24:35. Acts 2:42, Acts 2:46; Acts 20:7, Acts 20:11; Acts 27:36. 1 Corinthians 10:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24. Compare Job 42:11. Lamentations 4:4. Ezekiel 18:7; Ezekiel 24:17. Hosea 9:4.

bread. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Species), for all kinds of food.

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

hide not. Some codices, with two early printed editions, read “do not thou hide”.

thine own flesh. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 29:14).

Isaiah 58:8

thine health. Hebrew thy healing. Referring to the healing of wounds.

be = bring up.

rereward = rearguard. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 14:19, Exodus 14:20). Compare Isaiah 52:12.

Isaiah 58:9

cry. In distress.

Isaiah 58:10

draw out thy soul. Some codices, with Syriac, read “give out thy bread”.

be. Supply Ellipsis (of verb “become”). Or, we have the Figure of speech Oxymoron. See App-6.

Isaiah 58:11

guide = (gently) guide.

drought. Hebrew droughts (plural of majesty) = great drought.

make fat = invigorate.

Isaiah 58:12

build = rebuild. This is still future.

to dwell in: or, leading home.

Isaiah 58:13

thy foot. Some codices, with one early printed edition, read “thy feet” (plural)

from the sabbath. Reference to Pentateuch, as in Isaiah 56:2.

pleasure. Some codices, with three early printed editions, read “pleasures” (pl).

holy. See note on Exodus 3:5.

thine own words = vain words: or, keep making talk,

Isaiah 58:14

delight thyself = revel.

cause thee to ride, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 32:13; Deuteronomy 33:29).