Isaiah 24

Isaiah 24:1

Earth. After the ten preceding threats, the prophet denounces destruction to the whole world, (Worthington) at the day of judgment; though he may also allude to the desolation of the promised land, as our Saviour joins both in the same prediction, Matthew xxiv. (Calmet)

Isaiah 24:2

Priest. All distinctions shall be disregarded. (Worthington) — When Jerusalem was taken, all became captives.

Isaiah 24:4

Weakened: Joakim, &c., are made prisoners. The greatest monarchs must come before God’s tribunal.

Isaiah 24:6

Sin. Towards the end of the world iniquity will abound, and men shall rage against each other, Matthew xxiv. (Worthington) — They will also feel the effects of sin. — Mad: abandoned to their passions, (Deuteronomy xxviii. 28.) excepting only the elect. (Menochius) — Few. The Chaldeans permitted only a few of the poorest sort to remain, 2 Paralipomenon xxix. 10.

Isaiah 24:9

The drink. Hebrew shecar, “palm wine.”

Isaiah 24:10

Vanity. Jerusalem, (Calmet) or any other city, will be all in confusion. (Haydock) — In, as was the case in times of mourning, Jeremias ix. 21. (Calmet)

Isaiah 24:14

Sea. The few elect (ver. 13.) being rescued from the misery of the world, shall praise God. (Haydock) — They are exhorted to lift up their heads, Luke xxi. 28. (Menochius)

Isaiah 24:15

Instruction. The Church is like an island, compared with the rest of the world; or it preaches the gospel to all nations, and to the islands, like Great Britain. (Worthington) — Apostolic men are required to preach incessantly to all sorts of people. Hebrew, “in light;” or Pagnin, “in vales.” (Menochius)

Isaiah 24:16

I said. The prophet, or any other, may speak thus in the latter days. (Calmet) — Myself. I cannot recount what horrid pains I beheld. (St. Jerome) (Menochius) (2 Corinthians xii. 4.)

Isaiah 24:17

Snare. He alludes to the methods of taking wild beasts, Job xviii. 11. — Opened, as they were in the days of Noe[Noah]. (Calmet) — All sorts of misery hang over us.

Isaiah 24:18

CHAPTER XXIV.

Isaiah 24:20

Night, unexpectedly, (Haydock) and with the utmost speed. (Calmet)

Isaiah 24:21

High. The stars, which in many places of the Scripture are so called. Some commentators explain that these words here signify the demons of the air. (Challoner) — The apostate angels will be judged, 1 Corinthians vi. 6., and Matthew xxiv. 29.

Isaiah 24:22

Visited. Hence Origen (Prin. iii. 6., &c.) took occasion to assert, that the damned would one day be released, though the Scripture so often declares the contrary. The prophet speaks of the future liberation of the Jews; (Calmet) or he intimates that after many days, yea throughout eternity, the reprobate will still be punished. (Menochius)

Isaiah 24:23

Blush: he[be] turned into blood, Joel ii. 10. Dreadful calamities shall ensue, to usher in the great day of judgment. (Calmet)