Isaiah 56:1-8 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

Reader Related Verse
Bible Comments

Isaiah 56:1-8. A Gracious Promise to Proselytes and Eunuchs. We find ourselves conscious in this oracle of a change of atmosphere and setting. The Temple is built, and the centre of an elaborate ritual. Refraining from evil and sabbath-keeping are equally yoked. We pass now to the oracles of Trito-Isaiah.

An exhortation to hold fast the ordinances of religion (judgement), based upon the imminence of Yahweh's vindicating intervention (my righteousness), is followed by a beatitude upon the man who obeys it. Let not the foreigner fear exclusion from the chosen people (separate is a technical term meaning to excommunicate), nor the eunuch, because he can have no posterity, refrain from joining them. For the eunuch who follows Yahweh's precepts (note again the emphasis on sabbath-keeping) a monument shall be erected in the Temple-precincts, indestructible and thus better than (mg.) posterity. Proselytes of whatever nation who keep His laws shall be admitted to the Temple courts (my holy mountain), share the joyous feasts, and have their offerings accepted. The Jerusalem community shall be increased not only by the return of the dispersed Jews but also by proselytes.

Isaiah 56:4. of: i.e. in reference to.

Isaiah 56:6. minister: not in the technical sense of exercising priestly functions.

Related Commentaries of Isaiah 56:1

Isaiah 56:1-8

1 Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment,a and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.

2 Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil.

3 Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.

4 For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant;

5 Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.

6 Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;

7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.

8 The Lord GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.