Bible Commentaries

Isaiah 61-62. The Coming Year of Grace.

Isaiah 61:1-4. The prophet speaks of his "call" in language reminiscent of the "Servant Songs." "Yahweh's spirit abides with me, because He has ordained me. He has sent me to bring glad news to the distressed; to proclaim freedom to the Jews in bondage; to herald the year of favour to those who love Yahweh, which shall prove a day of vengeance upon His foes; to comfort all mourners, giving them a ‘coronal for a coronach' (so Box, bringing out a word-play in Heb.), festal unguents for mourning attire, and songs for sighs. They shall be called ‘Terebinths of Triumph' (‘righteousness') planted by Yahweh for His glory. They shall rebuild the cities that have long been desolate ruins."

Isaiah 61:1. meek: Heb. may mean either "poor" or "pious"; parallelism favours mg.

Isaiah 61:3. the garment of: should precede "mourning."

Isaiah 61:5-11. The prophet now addresses the people directly. Men of other nations shall serve as labourers at their bidding and call them "Yahweh's priests," or "Servants of our God," recognising Yahweh as such. As a priestly caste they will enjoy the wealth of the peoples, as priestly tithe, and deck (so emend "boast"; cf. LXX) themselves in their splendours. This privileged treatment is justified. For as their (so emend "your") shame was in double measure, and ignominy their lot (emending "for confusion . . . portion"), they shall have in their own land a double portion and everlasting joy. For Yahweh loves justice, and hates iniquitous plundering; so He will recompense His wronged people, making with them a covenant (cf. Isaiah 55:3). Their descendants shall be so prosperous that all nations shall recognise their pre-eminent blessedness. As surely as the seed germinates in the soil shall their triumph arrest the eyes of the nations.

Isaiah 61:10. Seems to be misplaced. Zion rejoices because Yahweh has clothed her with deliverance and victory like a begarlanded bridegroom or a bejewelled bride.