Bible Commentaries
E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes
Isaiah 51
Hearken. Note the call to hear. See Structure, above.
are = were.
hole of the pit = the hollow of the quarry.
Look = Look well: as in Isaiah 51:1. Figure of speech Hermeneia, by which Isaiah 51:2 interprets Isaiah 51:1.
Abraham . . . Sarah. Reference to Pentateuch (Gen 12, &c.; Genesis 24:36).
alone. Compare Ezekiel 33:24. Malachi 2:15.
waste places. Compare Isaiah 40:1; Isaiah 49:13.
like Eden. Reference to Pentateuch, (Gen 2 and Gen 3). App-92. Elsewhere, only here; Joel 2:3; and six times in Ezekiel.
like the garden of the LORD. This is a quotation from Genesis 13:10. App-92.
melody = music or Psalmody.
law: i.e. the law of Moses, which was Jehovah's revealed instruction. Compare Ma Isaiah 1:4, Isaiah 1:4,
make . . . to rest = establish.
the people = peoples.
isles = maritime countries. See note on Isaiah 11:11.
wait. Compare Isaiah 42:4; Isaiah 60:9.
trust = hope. Hebrew. yahal. App-69. Not the same word as in Isaiah 50:10.
shall = will have.
in like manner = so. There is no ancient authority for "as a gnat", as some render it.
Awake. Same word as in Isaiah 52:1. Not the same as in Isaiah 51:17. Note the Figure of speech Epizeuxis (for emphasis).
arm. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia.
Bahab = Egypt. Compare Psalms 87:4; Psalms 89:10.
dragon = crocodile.
dried the sea. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 14:29). ransomed = redeemed (by price, or blood). Hebrew. ga"al. Compare Exodus 6:6.
redeemed = redeemed (by power). Hebrew. padah. See note on Exodus 13:13.
come with singing. Compare Isaiah 35:10.
mourning = sighing. See notes on Isaiah 21:2.
stretched forth the heavens. Reference to Pentateuch (Gen 1 and Gen 2).
as if he were. A special reading called Sevir (App-34), with some codices, two early printed editions, and Syriac, read "who was": referring doubtless to the Antichrist's effort in "the great tribulation".
divided the sea. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 14:21).
The LORD of hosts. See note on 1 Samuel 1:3.
put My words in thy mouth. See note on Isaiah 50:4 ("that I should know"). Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 18:18). App-92.
that: i.e. in order that.
Thy sons have fainted. Note the Alternation in this verse. Thus: "fainted at the head", &c, and "they lie as a wild bull", &c.
thy LORD the LORD = thy Adonim Jehovah. See App-4.
Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos.
no more drink it again. All this refers therefore to the final restoration of Israel.
thy soul = thee. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.
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