Bible Commentaries
E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes
Isaiah 2
The word that = That which. Compare Micah 4:1-3, written seventeen years later.
saw = saw in vision See note on Isaiah 1:1.
concerning Judah, &c. The repetition of Isaiah 1:1 shows that Isa 1is to be regarded as a summary Introduction to the whole book,
in the last days: i.e. the days of Messiah.
mountain of the LORD's house., Psalms 24:3. Compare Psalms 68:15. See note on Ezekiel 28:16. the LORD's = Jehovah"s. App-4.
all nations. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Genus) = many from all nations.
flow = stream. Same word as in Jeremiah 31:12.
people = peoples.
go up. Note the Figure of speech Zeugma. The second verb must be supplied (enter into).
to the house = "[and enter] into the house", &c The "and" is read in some codices, with two early printed editions, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate.
God. Hebrew. Elohim.
paths. Hebrew. orah Occurs in the "former" portion here, Isaiah 3:12, &c. and in the "latter" portion, Isaiah 40:14; Isaiah 41:3.
the law = law (no Art.) See note on Isaiah 1:10.
swords. spears. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Part), for all kinds of weapons; while plowshares and pruning-hooks put by the same Figure, for all implements of peace. The signs are Figures, but the things signified are literal.
house of Jacob. Generally has regard to the natural seed of Jacob, while Israel has regard to the spiritual. See notes on Genesis 33:28; Genesis 43:6; Genesis 45:26, Genesis 45:28. The expression occurs nine times in Isaiah, six before Isa 40: (Isaiah 2:6, Isaiah 2:6; Isaiah 8:17; Isaiah 10:20; Isaiah 14:1; Isaiah 29:22), and three after Isa 40: (Isaiah 46:3; Isaiah 48:1; Isaiah 58:1). See App-79.
Therefore. Or, For.
replenished: or, full of divinations.
from the east. Especially diviners and mediums from an evil spirit (an ob). Compare Leviticus 19:31; Leviticus 20:6. Deuteronomy 18:11. 1 Samuel 28:3-7; and below, Isaiah 8:9; Isaiah 19:3; Isaiah 29:4, where ob occurs.
soothsayers. Reference to Pentateuch Leviticus 19:26 (observe times). Deuteronomy 18:10, Deuteronomy 18:14 (observers of times). Same word in all four cases. Hebrew. "anan. Occurs only here in the "former" portion, and only in Isaiah 57:3 (sorceress) in the "latter" portion.
please themselves = join hands with.
children = young children.
strangers. Hebrew. nakar = unknown persons; hence, foreigners.
mean man. Hebrew. "addm. App-14. Contrasting
great man. Hebrew. "ish. App-14. society's extremes
lofty = proud. Note the Figure of speech Synonymia to impress us with the far-reaching object and effect of Jehovah's dealings in "the day of the LORD", recorded in verses: Isaiah 2:11-17. Hebrew. gabah. Same word as "high" (Isaiah 2:15), and "loftiness" (Isaiah 2:17). Not the same word as "lofty" (Isaiah 2:12).
humbled = -lowered. Note the Figure of speech Synonymia, in Isaiah 2:11 and Isaiah 2:17. Hebrew. shaphal. Same word as "brought low" (Isaiah 2:12), "made low" (Isaiah 2:17). Hebrew = each shall be, &c.
and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton (App-6).
haughtiness. Hebrew. rum. Same word as "lofty" (Isaiah 2:12), "high" (verses: Isaiah 2:13, Isaiah 2:14).
men. Hebrew, plural of "enosh. App-14.
bowed down = brought low. Hebrew. sliahah. Same word as in Isaiah 2:17.
exalted. Hebrew. sagab. Same word as in Isaiah 2:17.
the day of the LORD. This is the first of twenty occurrences. In sixteen it is simply "y6m Jehovah" (Isaiah 13:6, Isaiah 13:9. Ezekiel 13:5. Joel 1:15; Joel 2:1, Joel 2:11; Joel 2:3, Joel 2:14 (Hebrews 4:14). Amos 5:18, Amos 5:20. Obadiah 1:15. Zephaniah 1:7, Zephaniah 1:14, Zephaniah 1:14. Malachi 4:5). In four passages it is with Lamed (= L)
prefixed = for or to : viz. Isaiah 2:12. Ezekiel 30:3. Zechariah 14:1; Zechariah 14:17 = a day known to Jehovah. In other places it is combined with other words, such as "wrath", "vengeance". In the N.T. it occurs four times: viz. 1 Thessalonians 5:2. 2 Thessalonians 2:2 (see note). 2 Peter 3:10. Revelation 1:10 (see note). Thus the expression is stamped with the number "four" (see App-10); for "the day of the LORD" is the day when everything done will be to abase man and exalt Jehovah. Now it is "man's day" (1 Corinthians 4:3, see note), when man exalts himself, and bows God out of the world He has created.
the LORD of hosts. See note on 1 Samuel 1:3.
proud = arrogant. Hebrew. ga"ah. Note the Figure of speech Synonymia.
lofty = haughty. Hebrew (rum). Same word as "haughtiness" (verses: Isaiah 2:11, Isaiah 2:17), "high" (verses: Isaiah 2:13, Isaiah 2:14). Note the Figure of speech Synonymia.
and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton (App-6), emphasizing each of the details in verses: Isaiah 2:11-18,
lifted up = self-satisfied. Hebrew. nas"a. Same as verses: Isaiah 2:13, Isaiah 2:14.
brought low. Hebrew. shaphal. Same word as "humbled" (Isaiah 2:11). Note the Figure of speech Synonymia.
high. Hebrew. rum.
Same word as "haughtiness" (verses: Isaiah 2:11, Isaiah 2:17); "lofty"(Isaiah 2:12); "high" (Isaiah 2:14).
ships of Tarshish. Occurs in the "former"portion only here and Isaiah 23:1, Isaiah 23:14; and in the "latter" portion only in Isaiah 60:9.
Tarshish. See note on 1 Kings 10:22.
pleasant = desirable.
loftiness. Hebrew. gabah. Same word as "lofty" (Isaiah 2:11).
made low. Hebrew. shaphal. Same word as "humbled" (v Isaiah 2:11), "brought low" (Isaiah 2:12).
Cease ye = Let go.
breath, &c. Hebrew. neshamah (App-16). Occurs twice in the "former" portion (Isaiah 2:22; Isaiah 30:33) and twice in the "latter "portion (Isaiah 42:5; Isaiah 57:16, "soul"). App-79: Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 2:7).
for wherein. ? Figure of speech Erotesis, for emphasis.
accounted of = reckoned on. Compare Psalms 146:3, Psalms 146:4. Jeremiah 17:5.
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