Isaiah 25
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
This chapter contains a summary of the judgments denounced by Jeremiah against Judah, Babylon, and many other nations. It begins with reproving the Jews for disobeying the calls of God to repentance, Jer 25:1-7; on which account their captivity, with that of her neighboring nations, during seventy years, is foretold, Jer 25:8-11. At the expiration of that period, (computing from the invasion of Nebuchadnezzar in the fourth year of Jehoiakim, to the famous edict of the first year of Cyrus), an end was to be put to the Babylonian empire, Jer 25:12-14. All this is again declared by the emblem of that cup of wrath which the prophet, as it should seem in a vision, tendered to all the nations which he enumerates, Jer 25:15-29. And for farther confirmation, it is a third time repeated in a very beautiful and elevated strain of poetry, Jer 25:30-38. The talent of diversifying the ideas, images, and language, even when the subject is the same, or nearly so, appears no where in such perfection as among the sacred poets.
Open source ↗CONTINUATION OF THE TWENTY-FOURTH CHAPTER. THANKSGIVING FOR THE OVERTHROW OF THE APOSTATE FACTION, AND THE SETTING UP OF JEHOVAH'S THRONE ON ZION. (Isa 25:1-12) wonderful-- (Isa 9:6). counsels of old-- (Isa 42:9; Isa 46:10). Purposes planned long ago; here, as to the deliverance of His people. truth--Hebrew, Amen; covenant-keeping, faithful to promises; the peculiar characteristic of Jesus (Rev 3:14).
Open source ↗O Lord, thou art my God,.... Not by creation and providence only, but by covenant and grace. This is the first and foundation blessing of grace, and secures all the rest; in this true happiness consists, and is preferable to every other enjoyment; the knowledge of it is come at in effectual calling, and by the witnessing of the Spirit; it is the highest attainment of grace to be assured of it; and though it is not always seen and known, it will always remain, and will be the glory of the New Jerusalem state, Rev 21:3. These are the words, Aben Ezra says, either of the prophet, or of the ancients, before whom the Lord will reign, Isa 24:23. Kimchi says of the latter, which seems very probable, these are the elders and representatives of the church; see Rev 11:16. I will exalt thee; the Lord God, Father, Son, and Spirit; the Father, by attributing the whole of salvation to his love and free favour; the Son, by ascribing deity to him, by making use of him in all his offices of Prophet, Priest, and King, and by giving him the glory of salvation wrought out by him; the Spirit, in his person, and the operations of his grace. Christ, in particular, will be exalted in this state as King of saints, and because of his having taken to himself his reigning power, Rev 11:15. I will praise thy name; celebrate his perfections, confess him before men, praise him for all his benefits; this is one way of exalting him, and is the great work of New Testament saints, and especially in the latter day; see Rev 19:1. for thou hast done wonderful things; this respects not so much the wonderful things in nature and grace, either in creation and providence, or in redemption and effectual calling; but what will be done in the latter day; as the conversion of the Jews and Gentiles, the destruction…
Open source ↗The first echo is Isa 25:1-8, or more precisely Isa 25:1-5. The prophet, whom we already know as a psalmist from Isa 12:1-6, now acts as choral leader of the church of the future, and praises Jehovah for having destroyed the mighty imperial city, and proved Himself a defence and shield against its tyranny towards His oppressed church. "Jehovah, Thou art my God; I will exalt Thee, I will praise Thy name, that Thou hast wrought wonders, counsels from afar, sincerity, truth. For Thou hast turned it from a city into a heap of stones, the steep castle into a ruin; the palace of the barbarians from being a city, to be rebuilt no more for ever. Therefore a wild people will honour Thee, cities of violent nations fear Thee. For Thou provedst Thyself a stronghold to the lowly, a stronghold to the poor in his distress, as a shelter from the storm of rain, as a shadow from the burning of the sun; for the blast of violent ones was like a storm of rain against a wall. Like the burning of the sun in a parched land, Thou subduest the noise of the barbarians; (like) the burning of the sun through the shadow of a cloud, the triumphal song of violent ones was brought low." The introductory clause is to be understood as in Psa 118:28 : Jehovah (voc.), my God art Thou. "Thou hast wrought wonders:" this is taken from Exo 15:11 (as in Psa 77:15; Psa 78:12; like Isa 12:2, from Exo 15:2). The wonders which are now actually wrought are "counsels from afar" (mērâcōk), counsels already adopted afar off, i.e., long before, thoughts of God belonging to the olden time; the same ideal view as in Isa 22:11; Isa 37:26 (a parallel which coincides with our passage on every side), and, in fact, throughout the whole of the second part. It is the manifold "counsel" of the Holy One of Israel (Isa 5:19; Isa…
Open source ↗It is said in the close of the foregoing chapter that the Lord of hosts shall reign gloriously; now, in compliance with this, the prophet here speaks of the glorious majesty of his kingdom (Psa 145:12), and gives him the glory of it; and, however this prophecy might have an accomplishment in the destruction of Babylon and the deliverance of the Jews out of their captivity there, it seems to look further, to the praises that should be offered up to God by the gospel church for Christ's victories over our spiritual enemies and the comforts he has provided for all believers. Here, I. The prophet determines to praise God himself; for those that would stir up others should in the first place stir up themselves to praise God (Isa 25:1): "O Lord! thou art my God, a God in covenant with me." When God is punishing the kings of the earth upon the earth, and making them to tremble before him, a poor prophet can go to him, and, with a humble boldness, say, O Lord! thou art my God, and therefore I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name. Those that have the Lord for their God are bound to praise him; for therefore he took us to be his people that we might be unto him for a name and for a praise, Jer 13:11. In praising God we exalt him; not that we can make him higher than he is, but we must make him to appear to ourselves and others than he does. See Exo 15:2. II. He pleases himself with the thought that others also shall be brought to praise God, Isa 25:3. "Therefore, because of the desolations thou hast made in the earth by thy providence (Psa 46:8) and the just vengeance thou hast taken on thy and thy church's enemies, therefore shall the strong people glorify thee in concert, and the city (the metropolis) of the terrible nations fear thee." This may be understood, 1. Of those pe…
Open source ↗25:1-12 The second part of the Little Apocalypse (see study note on 24:1–27:13) describes praise for God’s judgment (25:1-5, 11-12) and salvation (25:6-9). 25:1-5 Isaiah here praises God for protecting the needy (see 12:1-6).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… רוּם (rûwm, H7311) — to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively) יָדָה (yâdâh, H3034) — physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship… שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application פֶּלֶא (peleʼ, H6382) — a miracle עֵצָה (ʻêtsâh, H6098) — advice; by implication, plan; also prudence רָחוֹק (râchôwq, H7350) — remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used… אֱמוּנָה (ʼĕmûwnâh, H530) — literally firmness; figuratively security; morally fidelity אֹמֶן (ʼômen, H544) — verity
Open source ↗שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… גַּל (gal, H1530) — something rolled, i.e. a heap of stone or dung (plural ruins), by analogy, a spring of… בָּצַר (bâtsar, H1219) — to gather grapes; also to be isolated (i.e. inaccessible by height or fortification) קִרְיָה (qiryâh, H7151) — building; a city מַפָּלָה (mappâlâh, H4654) — something fallen, i.e. a ruin אַרְמוֹן (ʼarmôwn, H759) — a citadel (from its height) זוּר (zûwr, H2114) — to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be aforeigner, strange, profane;… עוֹלָם (ʻôwlâm, H5769) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or… בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively)
Open source ↗עַז (ʻaz, H5794) — strong, vehement, harsh עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… כָּבַד (kâbad, H3513) — to be heavy, i.e. in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous,… קִרְיָה (qiryâh, H7151) — building; a city עָרִיץ (ʻârîyts, H6184) — fearful, i.e. powerful or tyrannical גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… יָרֵא (yârêʼ, H3372) — to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten
Open source ↗מָעוֹז (mâʻôwz, H4581) — a fortified place; figuratively, a defence דַּל (dal, H1800) — properly, dangling, i.e. (by implication) weak or thin אֶבְיוֹן (ʼebyôwn, H34) — destitute צַר (tsar, H6862) — narrow; (as a noun) a tight place (usually figuratively, i.e. trouble); also a pebble ;… מַחֲסֶה (machăçeh, H4268) — a shelter (literally or figuratively) זֶרֶם (zerem, H2230) — a gush of water צֵל (tsêl, H6738) — shade, whether literal or figurative חֹרֶב (chôreb, H2721) — drought or desolation רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,… עָרִיץ (ʻârîyts, H6184) — fearful, i.e. powerful or tyrannical קִיר (qîyr, H7023) — a wall (as built in a trench)
Open source ↗כָּנַע (kânaʻ, H3665) — properly, to bend the knee; hence, to humiliate, vanquish שָׁאוֹן (shâʼôwn, H7588) — uproar (as of rushing); by implication, destruction זוּר (zûwr, H2114) — to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be aforeigner, strange, profane;… חֹרֶב (chôreb, H2721) — drought or desolation צִיוֹן (tsîyôwn, H6724) — a desert צֵל (tsêl, H6738) — shade, whether literal or figurative עָב (ʻâb, H5645) — properly, an envelope, i.e. darkness (or density, 2 Chronicles 4:17); specifically, a… זָמִיר (zâmîyr, H2159) — a twig (as pruned) עָרִיץ (ʻârîyts, H6184) — fearful, i.e. powerful or tyrannical עָנָה (ʻânâh, H6030) — properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond;…
Open source ↗הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6635) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army);… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… מִשְׁתֶּה (mishteh, H4960) — drink, by implication, drinking (the act); also (by implication) a banquet or (generally)… שֶׁמֶן (shemen, H8081) — grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness שֶׁמֶר (shemer, H8105) — something preserved, i.e. the settlings (plural only) of wine מָחָה (mâchâh, H4229) — properly, to stroke or rub; by implication, to erase; also to smooth (as if with oil),… זָקַק (zâqaq, H2212) — to strain, (figuratively) extract, clarify
Open source ↗בָּלַע (bâlaʻ, H1104) — to make away with (specifically by swallowing); generally, to destroy הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… לוֹט (lôwṭ, H3875) — a veil לוּט (lûwṭ, H3874) — to wrap up עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… מַסֵּכָה (maççêkâh, H4541) — properly, a pouring over, i.e. fusion of metal (especially a cast image); by implication,… נָסַךְ (nâçak, H5259) — to interweave, i.e. (figuratively) to overspread גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight…
Open source ↗בָּלַע (bâlaʻ, H1104) — to make away with (specifically by swallowing); generally, to destroy מָוֶת (mâveth, H4194) — death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades);… נֶצַח (netsach, H5331) — properly, a goal, i.e. the bright object at adistance travelled towards; hence… אֲדֹנָי (ʼĂdônây, H136) — the Lord (used as a proper name of God only) יְהֹוִה (Yᵉhôvih, H3069) — {YHWH} מָחָה (mâchâh, H4229) — properly, to stroke or rub; by implication, to erase; also to smooth (as if with oil),… דִּמְעָה (dimʻâh, H1832) — weeping פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… חֶרְפָּה (cherpâh, H2781) — contumely, disgrace, the pudenda עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… סוּר (çûwr, H5493) — to turn off (literal or figurative) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a…
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… קָוָה (qâvâh, H6960) — to bind together (perhaps by twisting), i.e. collect; (figuratively) to expect יָשַׁע (yâshaʻ, H3467) — properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e. (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God גִּיל (gîyl, H1523) — properly, to spin round (under the influence of any violent emotion), i.e. usually… שָׂמַח (sâmach, H8055) — probably to brighten up, i.e. (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome יְשׁוּעָה (yᵉshûwʻâh, H3444) — something saved, i.e. (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity
Open source ↗הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God נוּחַ (nûwach, H5117) — to rest, i.e. settle down; used in a great variety of applications, literal and… מוֹאָב (Môwʼâb, H4124) — Moab, an incestuous son of Lot; also his territory and descendants דּוּשׁ (dûwsh, H1758) — to trample or thresh מַתְבֵּן (mathbên, H4963) — straw in the heap בְּמוֹ (bᵉmôw, H1119) — in, with, by, etc. מַדְמֵנָה (madmênâh, H4087) — a dunghill מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
Open source ↗פָּרַשׂ (pâras, H6566) — to break apart, disperse, etc. יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), קֶרֶב (qereb, H7130) — properly, the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial… שָׂחָה (sâchâh, H7811) — to swim; causatively, to inundate שָׁפֵל (shâphêl, H8213) — to depress or sink (expectation figuratively, to humiliate, intransitive or transitive) גַּאֲוָה (gaʼăvâh, H1346) — arrogance or majesty; by implication, (concretely) ornament אׇרֳבָה (ʼorŏbâh, H698) — ambuscades
Open source ↗מִבְצָר (mibtsâr, H4013) — a fortification, castle, or fortified city; figuratively, a defender מִשְׂגָּב (misgâb, H4869) — defence, high fort (tower), refuge, Misgab, a place in Moab חוֹמָה (chôwmâh, H2346) — a wall of protection שָׁחַח (shâchach, H7817) — to sink or depress (reflexive or causative) שָׁפֵל (shâphêl, H8213) — to depress or sink (expectation figuratively, to humiliate, intransitive or transitive) נָגַע (nâgaʻ, H5060) — properly, to touch, i.e. lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) עָפָר (ʻâphâr, H6083) — dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
The LORD is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him.
You are my God, and I will give You thanks. You are my God, and I will exalt You.
God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?
Sing to the LORD a new song, for He has done wonders; His right hand and holy arm have gained Him the victory.
Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders You have done, and the plans You have for us— none can compare to You— if I proclaim and declare them, they are more than I can count.
I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom wears a priestly headdress, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
This also comes from the LORD of Hosts, who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom.
In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will,
“Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted over the earth.”
I declare the end from the beginning, and ancient times from what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’