Isaiah56
English Standard Version
1 the Lord: , and , my will , and my be .
2 is the who , and the of who holds it , who the , it, and his from any .
3Let the who has himself to the Lord , The Lord will me his ; and let the , , I am a .
4 the Lord: To the my , who the things me and hold my ,
5I will in my and within my a and a and ; I will them an shall be .
6And the who themselves the Lord, to to him, to the of the Lord, and to be his , who the and does it, and holds my —
7these I will to my , and make them in my of ; their and their will be my ; my shall be a of for .
8The God, who the of , , I will others him besides those already .
9 you of the , to — you in the .
10His are ; they are ; they are ; they , , lying , to .
11The have a ; they . But they are who have ; they have to their own , each to his own , and .
12 , they say, let me ; let us ourselves with ; and will be like this , .
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Isaiah 56.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: A charge to keep the Divine precepts. (1,2) . Blessings promised. (3-8). Reproof to the careless watchmen, the teachers and rulers of the Jews. (9-12).
vv1-2
The Lord tells us what are his expectations of duty from us. Be honest and just in all dealings. Also strictly observe the sabbath day. To have the blessing of God upon employments all the week, make conscience of keeping the sabbath holy. Have nothing to do with sin. Blessed is the man that keeps his hand from all things displeasing to God and hurtful to his own soul. Those who, through the Spirit, wait for the hope of righteousness by faith, will be found walking in ways of holy obedience.
vv3-8
Unbelief often suggests things to discourage believers, against which God has expressly guarded. Spiritual blessings are unspeakably better than having sons and daughters; for children are a care, and may prove a grief and shame, but the blessings we partake of in God's house, are comforts which cannot be made bitter. Those who love the Lord truly, will serve him faithfully, and then his commandments are not grievous. Three things are promised. Assistance: I will not only bid them welcome, but incline them to come. Acceptance, and comfort: though they came mourning to the house of prayer, they shall go away rejoicing. They shall find ease by casting their cares and burdens upon God. Many a sorrowful spirit has been made joyful in the house of prayer. The Gentiles shall be one body with the Jews, that, as Christ says, John 10:16, there may be one fold and one Shepherd. Thanks be to God that none are separated from him except by wilful sin and unbelief; and if we come to him, we shall be accepted through the sacrifice of our great High Priest.
vv9-12
Desolating judgments are called for; and this severe rebuke of the rulers and teachers of the Jewish church, is applicable to other ages and places. It is bad with a people when their shepherds slumber, and are eager after the world. Let us pray the Great Shepherd to send us pastors after his own heart, who will feed us with knowledge, that we may rejoice in his holy name, and that believers may be daily added to the church.
Key Words
כֹּה: properly, like this, i.e. by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
אָמַר: to say (used with great latitude)
שָׁמַר: properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.
מִשְׁפָּט: properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, individual or collective), including the act, the place, the suit, the crime, and the penalty; abstractly, justice, including a participant's right or privilege (statutory or customary), or even a style
עָשָׂה: to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
צְדָקָה: rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)
כִּי: (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
קָרוֹב: near (in place, kindred or time)
יְשׁוּעָה: something saved, i.e. (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity
בּוֹא: to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
Cross References
Isaiah 56Directly quotes "my house shall be called the house of prayer" when cleansing the temple.
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Excludes eunuchs and strangers from the congregation, which Isaiah 56 declares is now reversed.
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Fulfillment of the eunuch of Ethiopia turning to the Lord and being accepted under the Gospel.
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Paul's description of Gentiles, once far off, brought near through Christ, fulfilling inclusion of strangers.
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Jesus speaks of gathering other sheep not of this fold, fulfilling gathering of strangers.
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Highlights the Sabbath as a sign of God's covenant and holiness, parallel to Isa 56.
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Parallel text in Isaiah elaborating on what it means to keep the Sabbath from polluting it.
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Prophesies that God's name will be great among the Gentiles, with pure spiritual offerings accepted.
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Believers as a holy priesthood offering up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
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Declares that servant blessed whom his master finds doing his will upon his arrival.
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Exhorts believers to cleave unto the Lord with purpose of heart, parallel to joining oneself.
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Exhorts believers to present their bodies as a living sacrifice, the spiritual fulfillment of temple offerings.
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Uses identical imagery of calling the beasts of the field to assemble and devour.
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Contrasts the unfaithful blind watchmen with Ezekiel's charge as a faithful watchman for Israel.
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Condemns greedy heads who judge for reward and prophets who divine for money.
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Jesus denounces the scribes and Pharisees as "blind guides," matching Isaiah's description of blind watchmen.
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