Isaiah56
King James Version · Public Domain
1Thus saith the Lord, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.
2Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil.
3Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the Lord, speak, saying, The Lord hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.
4For thus saith the Lord unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant;
5Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.
6Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the Lord, to serve him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;
7Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.
8The Lord God which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.
9All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the forest.
10His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.
11Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.
12Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.
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.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
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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