Isaiah 26
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Jeremiah, by the commend of God, goes into the court of the Lord's house; and foretells the destruction of the temple and city, if not prevented by the speedy repentance of the people, Jer 26:1-7. By this unwelcome prophecy his life was in great danger; although saved by the influence of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, who makes a masterly defense for the prophet, Jer 26:8-18. Urijah is condemned, but escapes to Egypt; whence he is brought hack by Jehoiakim, and slain, Jer 26:20-23. Ahikam befriends Jeremiah, Jer 26:24.
Open source ↗CONNECTED WITH THE TWENTY-FOURTH AND TWENTY-FIFTH CHAPTERS. SONG OF PRAISE OF ISRAEL AFTER BEING RESTORED TO THEIR OWN LAND. (Isa. 26:1-21) strong city--Jerusalem, strong in Jehovah's protection: type of the new Jerusalem (Psa 48:1-3), contrasted with the overthrow of the ungodly foe (Isa 26:4-7, Isa 26:12-14; Rev 22:2, Rev 22:10-12, &c.). salvation . . . walls-- (Isa 60:18; Jer 3:23; Zac 2:5). MAURER translates, "Jehovah makes His help serve as walls" (Isa 33:20-21, &c.). bulwarks--the trench with the antemural earthworks exterior to the wall.
Open source ↗In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah,.... When great things shall be done: for the church and people of God; and when antichrist and all their enemies are destroyed, as mentioned in the preceding chapter Isa 25:1; then this song shall be sung expressed in this throughout; which the Targum calls a "new" song, an excellent one, as the matter of it shows; and which will be sung in the land of Judah, the land of praise in the congregation of the saints, the professors and confessors of the name of Jesus: in Mount Zion, the church of God below, Psa 149:1, we have a strong city; not an earthly one, as Jerusalem; so the Jewish writers, Jarchi, Aben Ezra, and Kimchi, interpret it; nor the heavenly city, which God has prepared and built, and saints are looking for, and are citizens of: but rather the holy city, the New Jerusalem, described in Rev 21:2 or however, the church of Christ, as in the latter day; which will be a "strong" one, being of the Lord's founding, establishing, keeping, and defending; and whose strength will greatly lie in the presence of God, and his protection of it; in the number of its citizens, which will be many, when Jews and Gentiles are converted; and in their union one with another, and the steadfastness of their faith in Christ; when a "small one", as the church is now, shall become a "strong nation", Isa 60:22, salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks; instead of walls, ditches, parapets, counterscarps, and such like fortifications; what they are to cities, that is salvation to the church and people of God; it is their safety and security: as God the Father is concerned in it, it flows from his love, which is unchangeable; it is by an appointment of his, which is unalterable; is secured by election grace, which stands no…
Open source ↗Thus the second hymnic echo has its confirmation in a prophecy against Moab, on the basis of which a third hymnic echo now arises. Whilst on the other side, in the land of Moab, the people are trodden down, and its lofty castles demolished, the people in the land of Judah can boast of an impregnable city. "In that day will this song be sung in the land of Judah: A city of defence is ours; salvation He sets for walls and bulwark." According to the punctuation, this ought to be rendered, "A city is a shelter for us;" but עז עיר seem rather to be connected, according to Pro 17:19, "a city of strong, i.e., of impregnable offence and defence." The subject of ישׁית is Jehovah. The figure indicates what He is constantly doing, and ever doing afresh; for the walls and bulwarks of Jerusalem (chēl, as in Lam 2:8, the small outside wall which encloses all the fortifications) are not dead stone, but yeshuâh, ever living and never exhausted salvation (Isa 60:18). In just the same sense Jehovah is called elsewhere the wall of Jerusalem, and even a wall of fire in Zac 2:9 - parallels which show that yeshuâh is intended to be taken as the accusative of the object, and not as the accusative of the predicate, according to Isa 5:6; Psa 21:7; Psa 84:7; Jer 22:6 (Luzzatto).
Open source ↗To the prophecies of gospel grace very fitly is a song annexed, in which we may give God the glory and take to ourselves the comfort of that grace: In that day, the gospel day, which the day of the victories and enlargements of the Old Testament church was typical of (to some of which perhaps this has a primary reference), in that day this song shall be sung; there shall be persons to sing it, and cause and hearts to sing it; it shall be sung in the land of Judah, which was a figure of the gospel church; for the gospel covenant is said to be made with the house of Judah, Heb 8:8. Glorious things are here said of the church of God. I. That it is strongly fortified against those that are bad (Isa 26:1): We have a strong city. It is a city incorporated by the charter of the everlasting covenant, fitted for the reception of all that are made free by that charter, for their employment and entertainment; it is a strong city, as Jerusalem was, while it was a city compact together, and had God himself a wall of fire round about it, so strong that none would have believed that an enemy could ever enter into the gates of Jerusalem, Lam 4:12. The church is a strong city, for it has walls and bulwarks, or counterscarps, and those of God's own appointing; for he has, in his promise, appointed salvation itself to be its defence. Those that are designed for salvation will find that to be their protection, Pe1 1:4. II. That it is richly replenished with those that are good, and they are instead of fortifications to it; for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, if they are such as they should be, are its strength, Zac 12:5. The gates are here ordered to be opened, that the righteous nation, which keeps the truth, may enter in, Isa 26:2. They had been banished and driven out by the iniquity of t…
Open source ↗26:1-21 This section of the Little Apocalypse (see study note on 24:1–27:13) is a song of praise and a prayer for redemption. 26:1-6 The new community of God’s people is likened to the citizens of a city, securely held together by the Lord. They are righteous, faithful, peaceful, and trusting. 26:1 Our city refers to Zion, the eternal city of God, where the Lord is present to protect and bless his people (see 1:8, 27; see also Ps 46). Zion stands in direct contrast to the “mighty cities” of the nations (Isa 25:2; 26:5), which are helpless and are brought down to “ruins.” • The walls of God’s salvation protectively enclose his people; no one can hurt them again.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… שִׁיר (shîyr, H7892) — a song; abstractly, singing שִׁיר (shîyr, H7891) — to sing אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… עֹז (ʻôz, H5797) — strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise) עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… יְשׁוּעָה (yᵉshûwʻâh, H3444) — something saved, i.e. (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity שִׁית (shîyth, H7896) — to place (in a very wide application) חוֹמָה (chôwmâh, H2346) — a wall of protection חֵיל (chêyl, H2426) — an army; also (by analogy,) an intrenchment
Open source ↗פָּתַח (pâthach, H6605) — to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve שַׁעַר (shaʻar, H8179) — an opening, i.e. door or gate צַדִּיק (tsaddîyq, H6662) — just גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,… אֵמוּן (ʼêmûwn, H529) — established, i.e. (figuratively) trusty; also (abstractly) trustworthiness בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
Open source ↗נָצַר (nâtsar, H5341) — to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal,… שָׁלוֹם (shâlôwm, H7965) — safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health,… יֵצֶר (yêtser, H3336) — a form; figuratively, conception (i.e. purpose) סָמַךְ (çâmak, H5564) — to prop (literally or figuratively); reflexively, to lean upon or take hold of (in a… בָּטַח (bâṭach, H982) — figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure
Open source ↗בָּטַח (bâṭach, H982) — figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God עַד (ʻad, H5703) — properly, a (peremptory) terminus, i.e. (by implication) duration, in the sense of… יָהּ (Yâhh, H3050) — Jah, the sacred name עוֹלָם (ʻôwlâm, H5769) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or… צוּר (tsûwr, H6697) — properly, a cliff (or sharp rock, as compressed); generally, a rock or boulder;…
Open source ↗שָׁחַח (shâchach, H7817) — to sink or depress (reflexive or causative) יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… מָרוֹם (mârôwm, H4791) — altitude, i.e. concretely (an elevated place), abstractly (elevation, figuratively… שָׂגַב (sâgab, H7682) — to be (causatively, make) lofty, especially inaccessible; by implication, safe, strong;… קִרְיָה (qiryâh, H7151) — building; a city שָׁפֵל (shâphêl, H8213) — to depress or sink (expectation figuratively, to humiliate, intransitive or transitive) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) נָגַע (nâgaʻ, H5060) — properly, to touch, i.e. lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with… עָפָר (ʻâphâr, H6083) — dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud
Open source ↗רֶגֶל (regel, H7272) — a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda רָמַס (râmaç, H7429) — to tread upon (as a potter, in walking or abusively) עָנִי (ʻânîy, H6041) — depressed, in mind or circumstances פַּעַם (paʻam, H6471) — a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow) דַּל (dal, H1800) — properly, dangling, i.e. (by implication) weak or thin
Open source ↗אֹרַח (ʼôrach, H734) — a well-trodden road (literally or figuratively); also a caravan צַדִּיק (tsaddîyq, H6662) — just מֵישָׁר (mêyshâr, H4339) — evenness, i.e. (figuratively) prosperity or concord; also straightness, i.e.… יָשָׁר (yâshâr, H3477) — straight (literally or figuratively) פָּלַס (pâlaç, H6424) — properly, to roll flat, i.e. prepare (a road); also to revolve, i.e. weigh (mentally) מַעְגָּל (maʻgâl, H4570) — a track (literally or figuratively); also a rampart (as circular)
Open source ↗אֹרַח (ʼôrach, H734) — a well-trodden road (literally or figuratively); also a caravan מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God קָוָה (qâvâh, H6960) — to bind together (perhaps by twisting), i.e. collect; (figuratively) to expect תַּאֲוָה (taʼăvâh, H8378) — a longing; by implication, a delight (subjectively, satisfaction, objectively, a charm) נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… זֵכֶר (zêker, H2143) — a memento, abstractly recollection (rarely if ever); by implication, commemoration
Open source ↗נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… אָוָה (ʼâvâh, H183) — to wish for לַיִל (layil, H3915) — properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e. night; figuratively, adversity רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,… קֶרֶב (qereb, H7130) — properly, the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial… שָׁחַר (shâchar, H7836) — properly, to dawn, i.e. (figuratively) be (up) early at any task (with the implication of… מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… תֵּבֵל (têbêl, H8398) — the earth (as moist and therefore inhabited); by extension, the globe; by implication,… לָמַד (lâmad, H3925) — properly, to goad, i.e. (by implication) to teach (the rod being an Oriental incentive) צֶדֶק (tsedeq, H6664) — the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity
Open source ↗חָנַן (chânan, H2603) — properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to… רָשָׁע (râshâʻ, H7563) — morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person בַּל (bal, H1077) — properly, a failure; by implication nothing; usually (adverb) not at all; also lest לָמַד (lâmad, H3925) — properly, to goad, i.e. (by implication) to teach (the rod being an Oriental incentive) צֶדֶק (tsedeq, H6664) — the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) נְכֹחָה (nᵉkôchâh, H5229) — properly, straightforwardness, i.e. (figuratively) integrity, or (concretely) a truth עֲוַל (ʻăval, H5765) — to distort (morally) רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… גֵּאוּת (gêʼûwth, H1348) — {arrogance or majesty; by implication, (concretely) ornament} יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), רוּם (rûwm, H7311) — to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively) חָזָה (châzâh, H2372) — to gaze at; mentally to perceive, contemplate (with pleasure); specifically, to have… בּוּשׁ (bûwsh, H954) — properly, to pale, i.e. by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be… קִנְאָה (qinʼâh, H7068) — jealousy or envy עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… אֵשׁ (ʼêsh, H784) — fire (literally or figuratively) צַר (tsar, H6862) — narrow; (as a noun) a tight place (usually figuratively, i.e. trouble); also a pebble ;… אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God שָׁפַת (shâphath, H8239) — to locate, i.e. (generally) hang on or (figuratively) establish, reduce שָׁלוֹם (shâlôwm, H7965) — safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health,… פָּעַל (pâʻal, H6466) — to do or make (systematically and habitually), especially to practise מַעֲשֶׂה (maʻăseh, H4639) — an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication,…
Open source ↗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… אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) זוּלָה (zûwlâh, H2108) — probably scattering, i.e. removal; used adverbially, except בָּעַל (bâʻal, H1166) — to be master; hence, to marry זָכַר (zâkar, H2142) — properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to remember; by implication, to mention;… שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,…
Open source ↗מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill חָיָה (châyâh, H2421) — to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive רָפָא (râphâʼ, H7496) — properly, lax, i.e. (figuratively) a ghost (as dead; in plural only) קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) פָּקַד (pâqad, H6485) — to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care… שָׁמַד (shâmad, H8045) — to desolate זֵכֶר (zêker, H2143) — a memento, abstractly recollection (rarely if ever); by implication, commemoration אָבַד (ʼâbad, H6) — properly, to wander away, i.e. lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
For I will be a wall of fire around it, declares the LORD, and I will be the glory within it.’”
No longer will violence be heard in your land, nor ruin or destruction within your borders. But you will name your walls Salvation and your gates Praise.
Behold, the LORD has proclaimed to the ends of the earth, “Say to Daughter Zion: See, your Savior comes! Look, His reward is with Him, and His recompense goes before Him.”
Blessed be the LORD, for He has shown me His loving devotion in a city under siege.
March around Zion, encircle her, count her towers,
the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of the bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those bringing thank offerings into the house of the LORD, saying: ‘Give thanks to the LORD of Hosts, for the LORD is good; His loving devotion endures forever.’ For I will restore the land from captivity as in former times, says the LORD.
And in that day it will be said, “Surely this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He has saved us. This is the LORD for whom we have waited. Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation.”
And they sang responsively with praise and thanksgiving to the LORD: “For He is good; for His loving devotion to Israel endures forever.” Then all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD had been laid.
In that day men will cast away to the moles and bats their idols of silver and gold— the idols they made to worship.
The proud look of man will be humbled, and the loftiness of men brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.