Isaiah 51:17 to Isaiah 52:12. The Sorrow of Jerusalem, which shall Give Place to Joy.
Isaiah 51:17-20. The prophet, obviously familiar with the vision of Jeremiah 25:15, pictures Jerusalem as staggering under the stupefaction caused by the draught which Yahweh in His anger has compelled her to drink. Two pairs of evils (expressed in Heb. by word-plays) have befallen her, and who is there to comfort her (read who shall for how shall I with VSS). Under the fury of Yahweh her sons are like an antelope exhausted by its vain struggles in the net.
Isaiah 51:18. Apparently a quotation added by a scribe.
Isaiah 51:21-23. But Jerusalem shall no more drink of the stupefying draught; the oppressor who, like an eastern conqueror striding over the prostrate bodies of his captive foes, has arrogantly afflicted her shall be compelled to drink it instead.
Isaiah 51:23. thy soul: render, thee; soul in Heb. often means self.
Isaiah 52:1 f. With evidently designed contrast to Isaiah 47, where Babylon is bidden sit in the dust and remove her fair apparel, Zion is exhorted to awake and put on garments of beauty. She shall no longer be the slave of the uncircumcised (Chaldæ an): let her rise from the dust and free herself from her bonds.
Isaiah 52:2. sit thee down: i.e. on a throne (cf. Isaiah 47:1). But read, arise, O captive Jerusalem. The continuation of Isaiah 52:2 has disappeared and been replaced by Isaiah 52:3-6.
Isaiah 52:3-6, which breaks the exhortation to Zion, resumed in Isaiah 52:7, is marked by a view of Israel's history different from that of 2 Is., contains late phrases, and is, unlike its context, in prose; it is therefore a late addition. Yahweh assures His people that they were delivered to their oppressors for no fault, and not for money shall they be ransomed. To Egypt they went originally as guests (Genesis 45:9-20); nor had Assyria just cause for oppressing them. Now, what do I find here My people unjustly taken away, My Temple overthrown, My name constantly spurned! In the day of reckoning My people shall know the meaning of that name, and that it is I who am now speaking to them.
Isaiah 52:3. sold: in the sense of Judges 11:14.
Isaiah 52:5. they. howl: difficult in form and meaning, not supported by LXX. Of several emendations my temple is cast down is accepted above.
Isaiah 52:6. behold it is I: these words belong to the beginning of Isaiah 52:7, but read simply behold.
Isaiah 52:7-9. Behold, he who brings glad news of deliverance is speeding over the mountains. All the watchers from the city shout for joy because, so near that they can look in His face (eye to eye), they behold Yahweh approaching to reign in Zion. Let the ruined city break forth into exultant song!
Isaiah 52:7. Read, Behold, hastening upon the mountains. reigneth: i.e. is about to assume his position as king.
Isaiah 52:8. Read simply, All thy watchmen lift up, etc. shall see. when: render, see. how (mg.).
Isaiah 52:9. waste places: ruins.
Isaiah 52:10-12. Yahweh has thrown back the clinging garment that might hamper His arm, and all the world shall see the deliverance He will work.. Let the exiles depart from Babylon, the people and the priests, who bear the sacred vessels, alike having made themselves ceremonially pure. Nor shall their departure be a hurried flight like the Exodus from Egypt, for Yahweh will be both vanguard and rearguard.