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The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
Verse 1. Amos. His name is written in a different manner, in Hebrew, from that of the third among the minor prophets, ( Worthington.) though Saint Augustine has confounded them.—Ezechias. He wrote this title towards the end of his life, or it was added by Esdras, and so forth
Hear, heavens, and listen, earth; for the LORD has spoken: “I have nourished and brought up children and they have rebelled against me.
Verse 2. Earth. He apostrophises these insensible things, ( Calmet.) because they contain all others, and are the most durable. Theod. Deuteronomy 31:1.
When rendered in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, “LORD” or “GOD” is the translation of God’s Proper Name (Hebrew “יהוה”, usually pronounced Yahweh).
The ox knows his owner, and the donkey his master’s crib; but Israel doesn’t know. My people don’t consider.”
Ah sinful nation, a people loaded with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the LORD. They have despised the Holy One of Israel. They are estranged and backward.
or, seed
Why should you be beaten more, that you revolt more and more? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.
Verse 5–7. Sad. This was spoken after Ozias had given way to pride, when the Ammonites, and so forth began to disturb Juda, (4 Kennicott. 15:37 and 2 Chronicles 27:7) under Joathan, who was a good prince, but young. Calmet.—Enemies. At the last siege, (Saint Jerome) or rather when Jerusalem was taken by the Chaldees. Calmet.—Many, from the highest to the lowest, had prevaricated: but God always preserved his Church. Worthington.
From the sole of the foot even to the head there is no soundness in it, but wounds, welts, and open sores. They haven’t been closed, bandaged, or soothed with oil.
Verse 5–7. Sad. This was spoken after Ozias had given way to pride, when the Ammonites, and so forth began to disturb Juda, (4 Kennicott. 15:37 and 2 Chronicles 27:7) under Joathan, who was a good prince, but young. Calmet.—Enemies. At the last siege, (Saint Jerome) or rather when Jerusalem was taken by the Chaldees. Calmet.—Many, from the highest to the lowest, had prevaricated: but God always preserved his Church. Worthington.
Your country is desolate. Your cities are burned with fire. Strangers devour your land in your presence and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers.
Verse 5–7. Sad. This was spoken after Ozias had given way to pride, when the Ammonites, and so forth began to disturb Juda, (4 Kennicott. 15:37 and 2 Chronicles 27:7) under Joathan, who was a good prince, but young. Calmet.—Enemies. At the last siege, (Saint Jerome) or rather when Jerusalem was taken by the Chaldees. Calmet.—Many, from the highest to the lowest, had prevaricated: but God always preserved his Church. Worthington.
The daughter of Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard, like a hut in a field of melons, like a besieged city.
Verse 8. Cucumbers. Or melons, which grew in the fields, and huts were erected for guards, till they were gathered.
Unless the LORD of Armies had left to us a very small remnant, we would have been as Sodom. We would have been like Gomorrah.
Hear the LORD’s word, you rulers of Sodom! Listen to the law of our God, you people of Gomorrah!
Verse 10. Sodom. Juda is so styled reproachfully, ( Calmet.) because the princes imitated the crimes of that devoted city. Ezekiel 16:49. Inf. chapter 2:6 and 3:9. Menochius.
The Hebrew word rendered “God” is “אֱלֹהִ֑ים” (Elohim).
“What are the multitude of your sacrifices to me?”, says the LORD. “I have had enough of the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed animals. I don’t delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of male goats.
Verse 11. Victims. Without piety, they are useless. God tolerated bloody victims to withdraw the people from idolatry, but he often shewed that they were not of much importance, in order that they might be brought to offer the sacrifice of the new law, which eminently includes all the rest. Saint Jerome Ps. xlix. 9. Am. verse 21. Jer. vi. 20. Theod.
When you come to appear before me, who has required this at your hand, to trample my courts?
Bring no more vain offerings. Incense is an abomination to me. New moons, Sabbaths, and convocations— I can’t stand evil assemblies.
My soul hates your New Moons and your appointed feasts. They are a burden to me. I am weary of bearing them.
Verse 14. Bearing. Hebrew, and so forth “pardoning,” ( Calmet.) or “bearing.” Septuagint “I will no longer pardon your sins.” Bible.
When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you. Yes, when you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood.
Wash yourselves. Make yourself clean. Put away the evil of your doings from before my eyes. Cease to do evil.
Verse 16. Wash. Interiorly. Calmet.—He seems to allude to baptism. Eus. Theod.
Learn to do well. Seek justice. Relieve the oppressed. Defend the fatherless. Plead for the widow.”
“Come now, and let’s reason together,” says the LORD: “Though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
Verse 18. Accuse me. If I punish you without cause.
If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good of the land;
but if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured with the sword; for the LORD’s mouth has spoken it.”
How the faithful city has become a prostitute! She was full of justice. Righteousness lodged in her, but now there are murderers.
Your silver has become dross, your wine mixed with water.
Verse 22. Water. There is no sincerity in commerce. Calmet.—Teachers give false interpretations of the law. Saint Jerome—Iniquity abounded before the destruction of Jerusalem by the Chaldees and Romans. Worthington.
Your princes are rebellious and companions of thieves. Everyone loves bribes and follows after rewards. They don’t defend the fatherless, neither does the cause of the widow come to them.
Therefore the Lord, GOD of Armies, the Mighty One of Israel, says: “Ah, I will get relief from my adversaries, and avenge myself on my enemies.
Verse 24. Ah! God punishes with regret. Menochius.—Comfort. I will take complete vengeance under Joathan, (4 Kennicott. 15:37.) Achaz, and so forth
The word translated “Lord” is “Adonai.”
I will turn my hand on you, thoroughly purge away your dross, and will take away all your tin.
Verse 25. Tin. I will reform abuses in the reign of Ezechias, but much more by establishing the Church of Christ, which shall be the faithful city. Calmet.
tin is a metal that is separated from silver during the refining and purification process.
I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you shall be called ‘The city of righteousness, a faithful town.’
Verse 26. Judges. The Jews explain this of the judges, and priests, who governed after the captivity; though it refer rather to the apostles, and so forth Saint Jerome Worthington.
Zion shall be redeemed with justice, and her converts with righteousness.
But the destruction of transgressors and sinners shall be together, and those who forsake the LORD shall be consumed.
For they shall be ashamed of the oaks which you have desired, and you shall be confounded for the gardens that you have chosen.
Verse 29. Idols. Prot. “oaks, which ye have desired, and ye shall be confounded for the gardens,” and so forth Bible.—the groves were sacred to Venus, and the gardens to Adonis, and were scenes of the greatest immorality and profanation. Calmet. 65:3.
For you shall be as an oak whose leaf fades, and as a garden that has no water.
The strong will be like tinder, and his work like a spark. They will both burn together, and no one will quench them.”
Verse 31. It. The efforts of Achan and Ezechias against the enemy proved in vain. Calmet.