Historical chapter commentary
Verse 1. Give. This fresh discourse continues to Calmet. 56:9 relating to the Messias, who is introduced speaking to all the world. Acts 13:47 and 2 Corinthians 6:2. Some apply a part to Cyrus, Isaias, or the Baptist, as to his figures. Calmet.—The prophet has foretold the conversion of the Gentiles, as he now does, like an evangelist. Saint Jerome—Many Jews will embrace the gospel at the end of time. Worthington.
Verse 2. Sword, penetrating the very soul, (Hebrews 4:12) and slaying the wicked. Revelation 1:16 and 2 Thessalonians 2:8. Without Christ, his ministers can apply this sword to little purpose. Cyrus cut asunder the bonds of the captives by his decree. Calmet.—Grotius improperly explains all of Isaias. Houbigant.
Verse 3. Glory. In the Church, God is adored in spirit and truth. Isaias is ordered thus to address the Israelites.
Verse 4. God. He will reward the labours of his ministers, though the people be obstinate. The prophets and our Saviour frequently complain. Calmet. 65:2. Mar. 9:18.
Verse 5. Will not. Hebrew Septuagint and so forth “to be gathered.” Bible.—The original text, independent of the Masorets, may have the sense of the Vulg. Yet there are other proofs of the synagogue’s rejection. Calmet.—Prot. “though Israel be not gathered, yet,” and so forth Margin, or “that Israel may be gathered, and I may,” and so forth Bible.
Verse 6. Earth. Saint Paul, explains this of Christ, (Acts 13) who said, Go teach all nations. Matthew 28. Isaias was one of his first preachers.
Verse 7. Despised, Christ, Cyrus, or Isaias; though it refer chiefly to our Saviour.
Verse 9. Ways. The captives shall find every convenience. Calmet.
Verse 12. South. Hebrew Sinim; ( Bible.) China, (Saint Jerome) or rather Sin, or Pelusium, and Sinai, in Egypt and Arabia. Septuagint “Persians.” Calmet.
Verse 14. Sion, the Jews, who will at last be converted in great numbers. Houbigant.
Verse 16. Hands, which were nailed to the cross. Septuagint “I have delineated thy walls on my hands, and thou art before me always.” Bible.—The Assyrians wore such characters on their hands or necks. Lucian. Leviticus 19:28. Calmet.—Christ will always love his Church, which is of all times and nations. Worthington.
Verse 17. Of thee. Sanballat, and so forth shall yield to Zorobabel, Nehemias, and so forth
Verse 19. Inhabitants. The country was better peopled, ( Calmet.) and Jerusalem enlarged under the Machabees. Jos. Bel. verse 6.
Verse 20. Barrenness, of which thou complainest. He alludes to the captives who returned, and to Christian converts. Menochius.
Verse 22. Shoulders. Thus the Syrians commonly carried children astride. Cotovic. xiv.
Verse 23. Nurses. The Persian kings favoured the captives. The greatest monarchs bow before the prelates of the Church, ( Menochius.) and kiss the Pope’s toe. They venerate relics, ( Bible.) and greatly enrich the Church. Calmet.
Verse 24. Strong. Can I force the Babylonians to yield? Surely, and the devil also. Lu. 11:21.—Mighty. Hebrew “just,” in lawful war. Septuagint “unjustly.”
Verse 26. Flesh. They shall attack one another. Calmet.—Neriglissor slew Evil-merodac. Beros. c. Ap. i.—Gobrias and Gadatas betrayed and killed Baltassar. Xenoph. iv. 5. and 7. Calmet.—In their fury they shall tear their own flesh. Menochius.