Isaiah 62
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace - These are the words of Jehovah declaring his purpose relative to the events predicted in the preceding chapter. Thou shalt be called by a new name - Viz., Christian - or, as in the fourth verse, חפצי בה chephtsi bah, "my delight is in her" - because she has now received that command, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; Hear Him."
Open source ↗INTERCESSORY PRAYERS FOR ZION'S RESTORATION, ACCOMPANYING GOD'S PROMISES OF IT, AS THE APPOINTED MEANS OF ACCOMPLISHING IT. (Isa 62:1-12) I--the prophet, as representative of all the praying people of God who love and intercede for Zion (compare Isa 62:6-7; Psa 102:13-17), or else Messiah (compare Isa 62:6). So Messiah is represented as unfainting in His efforts for His people (Isa 42:4; Isa 50:7). righteousness thereof--not its own inherently, but imputed to it, for its restoration to God's favor: hence "salvation" answers to it in the parallelism. "Judah" is to be "saved" through "the Lord our (Judah's and the Church's) righteousness" (Jer 23:6). as brightness--properly the bright shining of the rising sun (Isa 60:19; Isa 4:5; Sa2 23:4; Pro 4:18). lamp--blazing torch.
Open source ↗For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest,.... By Zion and Jerusalem, the church in Gospel times is meant, as it often is in this book, and elsewhere; see Heb 12:22, for whose glory, prosperity, and safety, a concern is here expressed. Some take them to be the words of God himself, as the Targum and Kimchi; who seems to be silent and at rest, and even as it were asleep, when he does not arise and exert himself on the behalf of his people; but here he declares he would not be as one silent and at rest, nor let the kingdoms and nations of the world be at rest until the deliverer of his people was come, either Cyrus the type, or Christ the antitype: others take them to be the words of Israel in captivity, as Aben Ezra; though he afterwards observes they are the words of God, or of the church of God, soliciting her own restoration, prosperity, and glory: but they are the words of the prophet, expressing his great love and affection for the church, and his importunate desire of her happiness, intimating that he would never leave off praying for it till it was completed; not that he expected to live till the Messiah came, or to see the glory of the latter day, and of the church in it; but the sense is, that he would continue praying for it without ceasing as long as he lived, and he knew his prayers and his prophecies would live after he was dead; and that there would be persons raised up in the church that would succeed him in this work, till all the glorious things promised and prophesied of should be accomplished: until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness; meaning either till the church's innocence is made as clear as the brightness of the sun at noonday, and she is vindicated from the calumnies and reproaches cast upon…
Open source ↗Nearly all the more recent commentators regard the prophet himself as speaking here. Having given himself up to praying to Jehovah and preaching to the people, he will not rest or hold his peace till the salvation, which has begun to be realized, has been brought fully out to the light of day. It is, however, really Jehovah who commences thus: "For Zion's sake I shall not be silent, and for Jerusalem's sake I shall not rest, till her righteousness breaks forth like morning brightness, and her salvation like a blazing torch. And nations will see they righteousness, and all kings thy glory; and men will call thee by a new name, which the mouth of Jehovah will determine. And thou wilt be an adorning coronet in the hand of Jehovah, and a royal diadem in the lap of thy God." It is evident that Jehovah is the speaker here, both from Isa 62:6 and also from the expression used; for châshâh is the word commonly employed in such utterances of Jehovah concerning Himself, to denote His leaving things in their existing state without interposing (Isa 65:6; Isa 57:11; Isa 64:11). Moreover, the arguments which may be adduced to prove that the author of chapters 40-66 is not the speaker in Isa 61:1-11, also prove that it is not he who is continuing to speak of himself in Isa 62:1-12 Jehovah, having now begun to speak and move on behalf of Zion, will "for Zion's sake," i.e., just because it is Zion, His own church, neither be silent nor give Himself rest, till He has gloriously executed His work of grace. Zion is now in the shade, but the time will come when her righteousness will go forth as nōgah, the light which bursts through the night (Isa 60:19; Isa 59:9; here the morning sunlight, Pro 4:18; compare shachar, the morning red, Isa 58:8); or till her salvation is like a torch which…
Open source ↗The prophet here tells us, I. What he will do for the church. A prophet, as he is a seer, so he is a spokesman. This prophet resolves to perform that office faithfully, Isa 62:1. He will not hold his peace; he will not rest; he will mind his business, will take pains, and never desire to take his ease; and herein he was a type of Christ, who was indefatigable in executing the office of a prophet and made it his meat and drink till he had finished his work. Observe here, 1. What the prophet's resolution is: He will not hold his peace. He will continue instant in preaching, will not only faithfully deliver, but frequently repeat, the messages he has received from the Lord. If people receive not the precepts and promises at first, he will inculcate them and give them line upon line. And he will continue instant in prayer; he will never hold his peace at the throne of grace till he has prevailed with God for the mercies promised; he will give himself to prayer and to the ministry of the word, as Christ's ministers must (Act 6:4), who must labour frequently in both and never be weary of this well-doing. The business of ministers is to speak from God to his people and to God for his people; and in neither of these must they be silent. 2. What is the principle of this resolution - for Zion's sake, and for Jerusalem's, not for the sake of any private interest of his own, but for the church's sake, because he has an affection and concern for Zion, and it lies near his heart. Whatever becomes of his own house and family, he desires to see the good of Jerusalem and resolves to seek it all the days of his life, Psa 122:8, Psa 122:9; Psa 118:5. It is God's Zion and his Jerusalem, and it is therefore dear to him, because it is so to God and because God's glory is interested in its pr…
Open source ↗62:1-12 The servant here commits himself to proclaiming the good news continuously until the glory of Zion is realized.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
צִיּוֹן (Tsîyôwn, H6726) — Tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of Jerusalem חָשָׁה (châshâh, H2814) — to hush or keep quiet יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine שָׁקַט (shâqaṭ, H8252) — to repose (usually figurative) צֶדֶק (tsedeq, H6664) — the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… נֹגַהּ (nôgahh, H5051) — brilliancy (literally or figuratively) יְשׁוּעָה (yᵉshûwʻâh, H3444) — something saved, i.e. (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity לַפִּיד (lappîyd, H3940) — a flambeau, lamp or flame בָּעַר (bâʻar, H1197) — to kindle, i.e. consume (by fire or by eating); to be(-come) brutish
Open source ↗גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… צֶדֶק (tsedeq, H6664) — the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king כָּבוֹד (kâbôwd, H3519) — properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… חָדָשׁ (châdâsh, H2319) — new נָקַב (nâqab, H5344) — to puncture, literally (to perforate, with more or less violence) or figuratively (to… פֶּה (peh, H6310) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech);… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,…
Open source ↗עֲטָרָה (ʻăṭârâh, H5850) — a crown תִּפְאָרָה (tiphʼârâh, H8597) — ornament (abstractly or concretely, literally or figuratively) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God מְלוּכָה (mᵉlûwkâh, H4410) — something ruled, i.e. a realm צָנִיף (tsânîyph, H6797) — a head-dress (i.e. piece of cloth wrapped around) כַּף (kaph, H3709) — the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with…
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) עָזַב (ʻâzab, H5800) — to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etc. אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) שְׁמָמָה (shᵉmâmâh, H8077) — devastation; figuratively, astonishment קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… חֶפְצִי בָּהּ (Chephtsîy bâhh, H2657) — Cheptsi-bah, a fanciful name for Palestine בָּעַל (bâʻal, H1166) — to be master; hence, to marry יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God חָפֵץ (châphêts, H2654) — properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to…
Open source ↗בָּחוּר (bâchûwr, H970) — properly, selected, i.e. a youth (often collective) בָּעַל (bâʻal, H1166) — to be master; hence, to marry בְּתוּלָה (bᵉthûwlâh, H1330) — a virgin (from her privacy); sometimes (by continuation) a bride; also (figuratively) a… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… חָתָן (châthân, H2860) — a relative by marriage (especially through the bride); figuratively, a circumcised child… מָשׂוֹשׂ (mâsôws, H4885) — delight, concretely (the cause or object) or abstractly (the feeling) כַּלָּה (kallâh, H3618) — a bride (as if perfect); hence, a son's wife אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… שׂוּשׂ (sûws, H7797) — to be bright, i.e. cheerful
Open source ↗פָּקַד (pâqad, H6485) — to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care… שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,… חוֹמָה (chôwmâh, H2346) — a wall of protection יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine תָּמִיד (tâmîyd, H8548) — properly, continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as… חָשָׁה (châshâh, H2814) — to hush or keep quiet יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… לַיִל (layil, H3915) — properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e. night; figuratively, adversity זָכַר (zâkar, H2142) — properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to remember; by implication, to mention;… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God דְּמִי (dᵉmîy, H1824) — quiet
Open source ↗נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) דְּמִי (dᵉmîy, H1824) — quiet כּוּן (kûwn, H3559) — properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a… שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine תְּהִלָּה (tᵉhillâh, H8416) — laudation; specifically (concretely) a hymn אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God שָׁבַע (shâbaʻ, H7650) — to seven oneself, i.e. swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times) יָמִין (yâmîyn, H3225) — the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more… זְרוֹעַ (zᵉrôwaʻ, H2220) — the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force עֹז (ʻôz, H5797) — strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise) אִם (ʼim, H518) — used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if,… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) דָּגָן (dâgân, H1715) — properly, increase, i.e. grain מַאֲכָל (maʼăkâl, H3978) — an eatable (includ. provender, flesh and fruit) אֹיֵב (ʼôyêb, H341) — hating; an adversary בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… נֵכָר (nêkâr, H5236) — foreign, or (concretely) a foreigner, or (abstractly) heathendom שָׁתָה (shâthâh, H8354) — to imbibe (literally or figuratively) תִּירוֹשׁ (tîyrôwsh, H8492) — must or fresh grape-juice (as just squeezed out); by implication (rarely) fermented wine
Open source ↗אָסַף (ʼâçaph, H622) — to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. remove (destroy, leave… אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) הָלַל (hâlal, H1984) — to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make ashow, to… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God קָבַץ (qâbats, H6908) — to grasp, i.e. collect שָׁתָה (shâthâh, H8354) — to imbibe (literally or figuratively) חָצֵר (châtsêr, H2691) — a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls) קֹדֶשׁ (qôdesh, H6944) — a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
Open source ↗עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… שַׁעַר (shaʻar, H8179) — an opening, i.e. door or gate פָּנָה (pânâh, H6437) — to turn; by implication, to face, i.e. appear, look, etc. דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… סָלַל (çâlal, H5549) — to mound up (especially a turnpike); figurative, to exalt; reflexively, to oppose (as by… מְסִלָּה (mᵉçillâh, H4546) — a thoroughfare (as turnpiked), literally or figuratively; specifically a viaduct, a… סָקַל (çâqal, H5619) — properly, to be weighty; but used only in the sense of lapidation or its contrary (as if… אֶבֶן (ʼeben, H68) — a stone רוּם (rûwm, H7311) — to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively) נֵס (nêç, H5251) — a flag; also a sail; by implication, a flagstaff; generally a signal; figuratively, a…
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… קָצֶה (qâtseh, H7097) — an extremity אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) בַּת (bath, H1323) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and… צִיּוֹן (Tsîyôwn, H6726) — Tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of Jerusalem יֶשַׁע (yeshaʻ, H3468) — liberty, deliverance, prosperity בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) שָׂכָר (sâkâr, H7939) — payment of contract; concretely, salary, fare, maintenance; by implication, compensation,… פְּעֻלָּה (pᵉʻullâh, H6468) — (abstractly) work פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and…
Open source ↗קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… קֹדֶשׁ (qôdesh, H6944) — a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… גָּאַל (gâʼal, H1350) — to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property, marry his widow,… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God דָּרַשׁ (dârash, H1875) — properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by… עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… עָזַב (ʻâzab, H5800) — to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etc.
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.
Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD. Wake up as in days past, as in generations of old. Was it not You who cut Rahab to pieces, who pierced through the dragon?
In Your good pleasure, cause Zion to prosper; build up the walls of Jerusalem.
May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not exalt Jerusalem as my greatest joy!
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
And many nations will come and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways, so that we may walk in His paths.” For the law will go forth from Zion and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may spread quickly and be held in honor, just as it was with you.
And the LORD will take possession of Judah as His portion in the Holy Land, and He will once again choose Jerusalem.