Verse 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.

Verse 2

forsook. See note on Isaiah 1:4.

God. Hebrew. Elohim.

justice = righteousness. Compare Ex. 21-23.

Verse 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.

Verse 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.

Verse 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.

Verse 6

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

Verse 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).

Verse 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.

Verse 9

cry. In distress.

Verse 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.

Verse 11

guide = (gently) guide.

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

make fat = invigorate.

Verse 12

build = rebuild. This is still future.

to dwell in: or, leading home.

Verse 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,

Verse 14

delight thyself = revel.

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