Verse 1

Islands, near Asia, whose conversion Isaias often predicts, (Calmet) as he does that of all nations. (Haydock) --- God continues to prove his divinity, (Calmet) expostulating with idolaters, whose conversion is insinuated, and among the rest that of Britain, which is the most renowned island in Europe. (Bristow, anot. 11.) (Worthington)

Verse 2

Just one. Septuagint, "justice." Christ, (Eusebius; St. Jerome) Abraham, (Chaldean; Grotius) or Cyrus, whose conquests were effects of God's providence, ver. 10., and chap. xlv. --- Kings. Cyrus liberated Persia, conquered Babylon and all Asia.

Verse 3

Feet. His march and victories shall be so rapid, like those of Alexander the Great, Daniel viii. 5.

Verse 4

Beginning. Disposing all things, as the conquests of Cyrus, announced so long before by name, evince. --- Last. Alpha and Omega, Apocalypse i. 8., and xxii. 13.

Verse 5

Islands. People of Asia Minor, Genesis x. 5. (Calmet) --- The Babylonians made a league with the most potent king Crœsus, to oppose the young conqueror. (Xenophon B. i.)

Verse 7

Moved. Thus the nations conspire against Cyrus (Calmet) and the Messias. (Haydock)

Verse 10

Upheld thee. Cyrus shall gain the victory, and give thee liberty.

Verse 14

Dead. Though you were in the grave, I could protect you. Captivity is often represented under this idea. (Calmet) --- You who are despised, fear not, since Christ will protect and reward you. (Worthington)

Verse 15

Chaff. Cambyses perished on the mountains of Judea, (Haydock) and the Machabees gained many victories over the Syrians, Micheas iv. 13., and Ezechiel xxxix. (Calmet) --- They are here meant, as their exploits resembled those of Cyrus. (Houbigant)

Verse 18

Waters. The captives shall be refreshed in the deserts, chap. xxxv. 6., and xliii. 20. (Calmet)

Verse 19

The thorn. In Hebrew, the shitta or settim, a tree resembling the whitethorn. (Challoner) (St. Jerome) --- A fragrant shade shall speedily rise up, Baruch v. 6. (Calmet)

Verse 21

Thing. Add "strong," forte, (Haydock) any good proof of idolatry.

Verse 23

Good. The prescience and power of God prove his divinity. Can idols produce any thing similar? (Calmet) --- None can tell what will happen, unless God reveal it. (Worthington)

Verse 24

Work. All that you can do or promise. Hebrew, "your work is worse than a viper."

Verse 25

Sun. Cyrus had a Persian for his father, and a Mede for his mother; thus uniting both nations, (Calmet) so that he was styled a mule by an ancient oracle. (Eusebius, præp. ix. 41.) --- These countries lay to the north-east of Judea. (Calmet)

Verse 26

Just, or "the just one," (Haydock) that we may recognise Cyrus at once. --- Your words. He addresses the idols. You cannot dive into futurity. (Calmet)

Verse 28

I. Isaias, (Menochius) or God, (Haydock) pronounces sentence against the speechless idols. (Menochius)

Verse 31

CHAPTER XLI.