Historical chapter commentary
Verse 1. And. Notwithstanding the sins of his people, God will deliver them, that they may be his witnesses. verse 10. Calmet.—Name. As an intimate friend, ( Bible.) or slave. Calmet. 49:1. Calmet.—God grants grace without any preceding merit. Worthington.—Forerius explains this mostly of the Gentile church, though it regards the converted Jews. Houbig.
Verse 2. Waters. In every emergency, God will protect thee, ( Calmet.) as he did the three children. Bible.—He will suffer none to perish, without their own fault. Hence the Church still continues pure. Worthington.
Verse 3. Ethiopia. Hebrew “Chus,” the isle of Meroe, (Grot.) or the country bordering on the Red Sea. Calmet. 45:14. These were given to indemnify Cyrus. They obtained their liberty to return home, after 40 years. Ezekiel 29:11.
Verse 4. Eyes, by a gratuitous choice.—Men. Chaldees, and so forth
Verse 5. East. Babylon.—West. The island beyond the Mediterranean.
Verse 6. North. Assyria.—South. Egypt. The captives returned from these countries under Cyrus, Alex. and so forth so that before the coming of Christ, Judea was as well peopled as ever. Calmet.
Verse 7. Calleth. Hebrew “is called by my name.” Prot. Bible.—My people’s chastisements and liberation prove my divine perfections.
Verse 8. Ears. Yet will not hear, ( Calmet.) or who are miraculously healed. Bible.—It seems rather to mean idolatrous nations, (verse 9. Calmet.) or rebellious Jews. Forer. Houbigant.
Verse 9. Former. The pagans were little acquainted with antiquity. Such researches lead to the knowledge of the true religion. Bible.—Truth, if they can produce any true prophecy.
Verse 10. Witnesses. The history of the Israelites was sufficient to shew who was God. Calmet.—Thus the establishment of Christianity manifests its truth. Saint Augustine de Civ. Dei. xxii. 6.—Septuagint add, “and I am witness.” Bible.
Verse 12. One idol, to announce what would happen.
Verse 14. Bars. Septuagint “fugitives.” Theodot. “strong ones.”—Glorying. Septuagint “shall be bound in ships,” to be sent beyond the Caspian Sea. Calmet.—Cyrus was victorious for the sake of God’s people; for he will not neglect his Church. Worthington.
Verse 16. Waters. of the Jordan and the Red Sea, in the latter of which Pharao perished. verse 17.
Verse 19. New. I shall work the like miracles as were seen in the wilderness.
Verse 20. Chosen. We know not that rivers were found in Arabia. But the people were equally favoured. Christ facilitates the road to heaven by his example and graces, while the most savage tempers are changed in baptism.
Verse 23. Incense. My kindness is gratuitous. In a strange land, thou couldst not offer sacrifice. See Calmet. 48:9 and 49:1. Calmet.
Verse 24. Iniquities. Thou hast shewn the greatest ingratitude. Bible.—Yet I will save thee.
Verse 26. Thyself. God condescends to act thus with men. Calmet. 41:20. Osee 4:1.
Verse 27. First father. Adam, (Liran.) or rather Abraham sinned, by diffidence, (Genesis 15:8. Saint Jerome) or was formerly an idolater. Joshua 24:2. Geneb. A. 2049 Saint Augustine de Civ. Dei. 12. Calmet. Tirinus.—Teachers. Lit. “interpreters,” ( Bible.) Moses and Aaron. Numbers 20:9. Calmet.—All the patriarchs and teachers sinned, till Christ, the immaculate lamb, appeared. Adam engaged all in guilt. Worthington.
Verse 28. Profaned, or declared such, ( Bible.) Nadab, and so forth (Leviticus 10:1. Calmet.) or Moses and Aaron. Menochius.—Septuagint “and the princes defiled my holy things.” Bible.—Slaughter. Hebrew “anathema.” Yet I will re-establish all. Calmet.