Verse 1
Thus saith the LORD. See App-82.
The heaven, &c. Quoted in Acts 7:49. Compare 1 Kings 8:27. 2 Chronicles 6:18.
the = this. Hebrew. zeh.
ye: i.e. the future builders of the house.
the place of My rest: i.e. rest in satisfaction. The Temple was for sacrifice and atonement (2 Chronicles 2:6), not for dwelling. Compare Acts 7:48.
Verse 2
saith the LORD = [is] Jehovah"s oracle.
poor = wretched, or lowly, Hebrew. "ani. See note on "poverty", Proverbs 6:11.
trembleth at = careth anxiously for. Compare Isaiah 66:5.
Verse 3
cut off = breaketh.
oblation = gift, or meal offering. Hebrew. minchah.
swine"s blood. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 14:8. Leviticus 11:7). Compare Isaiah 65:4.
burneth incense = maketh a memorial of frankincense. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 2:2). App-92.
chosen. See note on Isaiah 1:29.
their soul = they. Note the Introversion beginning with the last clause of Isaiah 66:3, and including Isaiah 66:4,
They delight, &c.
I also will choose, &c.
When I called, &c.
When I spake, &c.
They chose, &c.
I delighted not.
Verse 4
did = have done.
Verse 6
A voice, &c. Compare Zechariah 12:3-6; Zechariah 14:3. Compare Isaiah 42:14.
rendereth recompence. Compare Isaiah 65:6.
Verse 7
she brought forth. This is the birth of the new nation. These are the "birth pangs" (or "sorrows") of Matthew 24:8. In Revelation 12:1, Revelation 12:2 we have one part of the type in the person of Messiah. Here is the other part of the type
a man child = a male, as in Revelation 12:5.
Verse 8
who. Some codices, with four early printed editions, Septuagint, and Vulgate, read "and who".
a nation: i.e. the righteous nation of Isaiah 26:2. Referred to in Isaiah 66:7. Matthew 21:43.
at once = at a stroke.
children = sons.
Verse 9
saith thy God. See note on Isaiah 1:11.
Verse 10
Rejoice ye with Jerusalem. The promises, of Isaiah 1:27; Isaiah 2:1-5, are now at length to be fulfilled.
mourn. As for one lost, or dead. See note on Isaiah 3:26.
Verse 12
Gentiles = nations.
then shall ye suck. The promises of Isaiah 49:22 and Isaiah 60:4 are again renewed.
Verse 13
one = a man. Hebrew. "ish. App-14.
in Jerusalem. Not in the Church. Compare Isaiah 1:1.
Verse 14
when ye see this = as soon as ye see this.
Verse 16
a11 flesh. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Part), for all mankind.
Verse 17
gardens. Compare Isaiah 1:29, and Isaiah 65:3.
tree: i.e. the Asherah.
tree, &c. See notes on next page.
abomination. Hebrew. shakaz. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 7:2). Occurs in Isaiah only here; Leviticus thirteen times (Isaiah 7:2; Isaiah 11:9, Isaiah 11:11, Isaiah 11:11, Isaiah 11:13, Isaiah 11:13, Isaiah 11:20, Isaiah 11:23, Isaiah 11:41, Isaiah 11:42, Isaiah 11:43; Isaiah 20:25); and Ezekiel 8:10. Not the same word as in Isaiah 65:4. App-92.
mouse. Reference to Pentateuch, where it is forbidden (Leviticus 11:29). App-92. Elsewhere, only in 1 Samuel 6:4, 1 Samuel 6:6, 1 Samuel 6:11, 1 Samuel 6:18.
be consumed = come to an end.
Verse 18
thoughts = devices.
I will gather. Compare Joel 3:2. Zephaniah 3:8.
sign. See note on Isaiah 7:11
send: as missionaries.
those that escape: i.e. the remnant of saved Israel
Tarshish. put for the far west.
Pul. Lud = Phut. Lud, put for African peoples. They are mentioned together, as serving in the Egyptian armies (Ezekiel 30:5).
Tubal = the Scythian tribes.
Javan. Put for the Greeks settled in Asia Minor.
isles = maritime countries. See note on Isaiah 11:11.
Verse 20
shall bring. Not into the Church, but back to the Holy Land.
an offering = a gift offering. Hebrew. minchah. App-43.
swift beasts: carriages, as required by the Structure of Isaiah 66:20 :
q | horses.
x | in chariots and litters.
q | upon mules.
r | in carriages.
"Swift beasts" is Hebrew. kirkaroth, from karar, to move in a circle; hence, may mean (like English car) any vehicle on wheels. It is never used of animals. There is nothing to suggest "swaying furnaces", as suggested by some, to mean "locomotives".
holy. See note On Exodus 3:5.
as = according as.
bring an offering, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Lev 2, &c.) App-92.
Verse 21
them. i.e. Israel.
priests and for Levites. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 17:9). See notes on Ezekiel 43:19; Ezekiel 44:10, Ezekiel 44:13, Ezekiel 44:15. App-92.
priests. Thus completing the fulfilment of Exodus 19:6.
and. Some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read this "and" in the text.
Verse 22
new heavens, &c. See note on Isaiah 65:17.
Verse 23
new moon. sabbath. Reference to Pentateuch. and the law concerning them (Numbers 10:10; Numbers 28:11-15). App-92. Compare Psalms 81:3, Psalms 81:4.
before Me. Reference to Pentateuch, implying centralized worship, as in Exodus 20:3, Exodus 20:5. Deuteronomy 26:3, Deuteronomy 26:5. App-92. Compare Isaiah 1:12.
Verse 24
men. Hebrew, plural of "Enosh. App-14.
transgressed. Hebrew. pasha". App-44.
their worm. Quoted in Mark 9:44. Referred by our Lord to Gehenna, of which the fires in the valley of Hinnom were an illustration. Hebrew. tola", the maggot bred from putrid substances. See Exodus 16:20. Deuteronomy 28:39. Job 25:6 (second word). Psalms 22:6. Psalms 14:11 (second word); Isaiah 41:14; Isaiah 66:24; and Jonah 4:7, which are all the occurrences of tola" in O.T. In the synagogue use, Isaiah 66:23 is repeated after Isaiah 66:24, so that the book may end with comfort. Compare end of Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, and Malachi.
an abhorring. The Hebrew occurs only here.