Isaiah 56WEB
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Isaiah56

World English Bible · Public Domain

1Yahweh says: “Maintain justice and do what is right, for my salvation is near and my righteousness will soon be revealed.

2Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who holds it fast; who keeps the Sabbath without profaning it and keeps his hand from doing any evil.”

3Let no foreigner who has joined himself to Yahweh speak, saying, “Yahweh will surely separate me from his people.” Do not let the eunuch say, “Behold, I am a dry tree.”

4For Yahweh says, “To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, choose the things that please me, and hold fast to my covenant,

5I will give them in my house and within my walls a memorial and a name better than of sons and of daughters. I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off.

6Also the foreigners who join themselves to Yahweh to serve him, and to love Yahweh’s name, to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath from profaning it, and holds fast my covenant,

7I will bring these to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all peoples.”

8The Lord Yahweh, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, says, “I will yet gather others to him, in addition to his own who are gathered.”

9All you animals of the field, come to devour, all you animals in the forest.

10His watchmen are blind. They are all without knowledge. They are all mute dogs. They can’t bark— dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber.

11Yes, the dogs are greedy. They can never have enough. They are shepherds who can’t understand. They have all turned to their own way, each one to his gain, from every quarter.

12“Come,” they say, “I will get wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and tomorrow will be as today, great beyond measure.”

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Isaiah 56.

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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.

Cross References

Isaiah 56
v7Matthew 21:13quotation

Directly quotes "my house shall be called the house of prayer" when cleansing the temple.

Supported by JFB

Excludes eunuchs and strangers from the congregation, which Isaiah 56 declares is now reversed.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v3Acts 8:27fulfillment

Fulfillment of the eunuch of Ethiopia turning to the Lord and being accepted under the Gospel.

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v7Ephesians 2:11-13fulfillment

Paul's description of Gentiles, once far off, brought near through Christ, fulfilling inclusion of strangers.

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v8John 10:16fulfillment

Jesus speaks of gathering other sheep not of this fold, fulfilling gathering of strangers.

Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB

v2Ezekiel 20:12thematic

Highlights the Sabbath as a sign of God's covenant and holiness, parallel to Isa 56.

Supported by JFB

v2Isaiah 58:13thematic

Parallel text in Isaiah elaborating on what it means to keep the Sabbath from polluting it.

Supported by JFB

v7Malachi 1:11thematic

Prophesies that God's name will be great among the Gentiles, with pure spiritual offerings accepted.

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v71 Peter 2:5typology

Believers as a holy priesthood offering up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Supported by JFB

v2Luke 12:43thematic

Declares that servant blessed whom his master finds doing his will upon his arrival.

Supported by JFB

v6Acts 11:23thematic

Exhorts believers to cleave unto the Lord with purpose of heart, parallel to joining oneself.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v7Romans 12:1typology

Exhorts believers to present their bodies as a living sacrifice, the spiritual fulfillment of temple offerings.

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v9Jeremiah 12:9thematic

Uses identical imagery of calling the beasts of the field to assemble and devour.

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v10Ezekiel 3:17thematic

Contrasts the unfaithful blind watchmen with Ezekiel's charge as a faithful watchman for Israel.

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v11Micah 3:11thematic

Condemns greedy heads who judge for reward and prophets who divine for money.

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v10Matthew 23:16-26thematic

Jesus denounces the scribes and Pharisees as "blind guides," matching Isaiah's description of blind watchmen.

Supported by JFB