Verse 1
The word that = That which. Compare Micah 4:1-3, written seventeen years later.
saw = saw in vision See note on Isaiah 1:1.
concerning Judah, &c. The repetition of Isaiah 1:1 shows that Isa 1is to be regarded as a summary Introduction to the whole book,
Verse 2
in the last days: i.e. the days of Messiah.
mountain of the LORD"S house., Psalms 24:3. Compare Psalms 68:15. See note on Ezekiel 28:16. the LORD"S = Jehovah"s. App-4.
all nations. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Genus) = many from all nations.
flow = stream. Same word as in Jeremiah 31:12.
Verse 3
people = peoples.
go up. Note the Figure of speech Zeugma. The second verb must be supplied (enter into).
to the house = "[and enter] into the house", &c The "and" is read in some codices, with two early printed editions, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate.
God. Hebrew. Elohim.
paths. Hebrew. orah Occurs in the "former" portion here, Isaiah 3:12, &c. and in the "latter" portion, Isaiah 40:14; Isaiah 41:3.
the law = law (no Art.) See note on Isaiah 1:10.
Verse 4
swords. spears. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Part), for all kinds of weapons; while plowshares and pruning-hooks put by the same Figure, for all implements of peace. The signs are Figures, but the things signified are literal.
Verse 5
house of Jacob. Generally has regard to the natural seed of Jacob, while Israel has regard to the spiritual. See notes on Genesis 33:28; Genesis 43:6; Genesis 45:26, Genesis 45:28. The expression occurs nine times in Isaiah, six before Isa 40: (Isaiah 2:6, Isaiah 2:6; Isaiah 8:17; Isaiah 10:20; Isaiah 14:1; Isaiah 29:22), and three after Isa 40: (Isaiah 46:3; Isaiah 48:1; Isaiah 58:1). See App-79.
Verse 6
Therefore. Or, For.
replenished: or, full of divinations.
from the east. Especially diviners and mediums from an evil spirit (an ob). Compare Leviticus 19:31; Leviticus 20:6. Deuteronomy 18:11. 1 Samuel 28:3-7; and below, Isaiah 8:9; Isaiah 19:3; Isaiah 29:4, where ob occurs.
soothsayers. Reference to Pentateuch Leviticus 19:26 (observe times). Deuteronomy 18:10, Deuteronomy 18:14 (observers of times). Same word in all four cases. Hebrew. "anan. Occurs only here in the "former" portion, and only in Isaiah 57:3 (sorceress) in the "latter" portion.
please themselves = join hands with.
children = young children.
strangers. Hebrew. nakar = unknown persons; hence, foreigners.
Verse 8
idols = nothings. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 26:1. Deuteronomy 17:14-19). App-92.
Verse 9
mean man. Hebrew. "addm. App-14. Contrasting
great man. Hebrew. "ish. App-14. society"s extremes
Verse 10
fear = dread. Compare 2 Thessalonians 1:9, 2 Thessalonians 1:10.
Verse 11
lofty = proud. Note the Figure of speech Synonymia to impress us with the far-reaching object and effect of Jehovah"s dealings in "the day of the LORD", recorded in verses: Isaiah 2:11-17. Hebrew. gabah. Same word as "high" (Isaiah 2:15), and "loftiness" (Isaiah 2:17). Not the same word as "lofty" (Isaiah 2:12).
humbled = -lowered. Note the Figure of speech Synonymia, in Isaiah 2:11 and Isaiah 2:17. Hebrew. shaphal. Same word as "brought low" (Isaiah 2:12), "made low" (Isaiah 2:17). Hebrew = each shall be, &c.
and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton (App-6).
haughtiness. Hebrew. rum. Same word as "lofty" (Isaiah 2:12), "high" (verses: Isaiah 2:13, Isaiah 2:14).
men. Hebrew, plural of "enosh. App-14.
bowed down = brought low. Hebrew. sliahah. Same word as in Isaiah 2:17.
exalted. Hebrew. sagab. Same word as in Isaiah 2:17.
Verse 12
the day of the LORD. This is the first of twenty occurrences. In sixteen it is simply "y6m Jehovah" (Isaiah 13:6, Isaiah 13:9. Ezekiel 13:5. Joel 1:15; Joel 2:1, Joel 2:11; Joel 2:3, Joel 2:14 (Hebrews 4:14). Amos 5:18, Amos 5:20. Obadiah 1:15. Zephaniah 1:7, Zephaniah 1:14, Zephaniah 1:14. Malachi 4:5). In four passages it is with Lamed (= L)
prefixed = for or to : viz. Isaiah 2:12. Ezekiel 30:3. Zechariah 14:1; Zechariah 14:17 = a day known to Jehovah. In other places it is combined with other words, such as "wrath", "vengeance". In the N.T. it occurs four times: viz. 1 Thessalonians 5:2. 2 Thessalonians 2:2 (see note). 2 Peter 3:10. Revelation 1:10 (see note). Thus the expression is stamped with the number "four" (see App-10); for "the day of the LORD" is the day when everything done will be to abase man and exalt Jehovah. Now it is "man"s day" (1 Corinthians 4:3, see note), when man exalts himself, and bows God out of the world He has created.
the LORD of hosts. See note on 1 Samuel 1:3.
proud = arrogant. Hebrew. ga"ah. Note the Figure of speech Synonymia.
lofty = haughty. Hebrew (rum). Same word as "haughtiness" (verses: Isaiah 2:11, Isaiah 2:17), "high" (verses: Isaiah 2:13, Isaiah 2:14). Note the Figure of speech Synonymia.
and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton (App-6), emphasizing each of the details in verses: Isaiah 2:11-18,
lifted up = self-satisfied. Hebrew. nas"a. Same as verses: Isaiah 2:13, Isaiah 2:14.
brought low. Hebrew. shaphal. Same word as "humbled" (Isaiah 2:11). Note the Figure of speech Synonymia.
Verse 13
high. Hebrew. rum.
Same word as "haughtiness" (verses: Isaiah 2:11, Isaiah 2:17); "lofty"(Isaiah 2:12); "high" (Isaiah 2:14).
Verse 15
high. Hebrew. gabah. Same word as "lofty" (Isaiah 2:11); "loftiness" (Isaiah 2:17).
Verse 16
ships of Tarshish. Occurs in the "former"portion only here and Isaiah 23:1, Isaiah 23:14; and in the "latter" portion only in Isaiah 60:9.
Tarshish. See note on 1 Kings 10:22.
pleasant = desirable.
Verse 17
loftiness. Hebrew. gabah. Same word as "lofty" (Isaiah 2:11).
made low. Hebrew. shaphal. Same word as "humbled" (v Isaiah 2:11), "brought low" (Isaiah 2:12).
Verse 21
tops = fissures or crevices. Compare Revelation 6:12-17.
Verse 22
Cease ye = Let go.
breath, &c. Hebrew. neshamah (App-16). Occurs twice in the "former" portion (Isaiah 2:22; Isaiah 30:33) and twice in the "latter "portion (Isaiah 42:5; Isaiah 57:16, "soul"). App-79: Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 2:7).
for wherein. ? Figure of speech Erotesis, for emphasis.
accounted of = reckoned on. Compare Psalms 146:3, Psalms 146:4. Jeremiah 17:5.