Isaiah 51:19 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

Bible Comments

These two things; either,

1. Those which were now mentioned:

1. That she was drunk with the cup of God's wrath, Isaiah 51:17.

2. That she had none to support or comfort her in that condition, Or,

2. Those which here follow, which although they be expressed in four words, yet they may fitly be reduced to two things, the desolation or devastation of the land, and the destruction of the people, by famine and sword. So famine and sword are not named as new evils, but only as the particular ways or means of bringing the destruction there mentioned; and the words may be thus rendered, desolation and destruction, even (this Hebrew particle being oft taken expositively, whereof many instances have been given) famine (or, by famine) and sword. Or two, nay be put indefinitely for many, as double is put for abundantly more, Job 11:6 Isaiah 40:2, Isaiah 61:7 Malachi 9:12, and elsewhere. By whom shall I comfort thee ? I cannot find any man who is able to comfort and relieve thee.

Isaiah 51:19

19 These two things are come unto thee; who shall be sorry for thee? desolation, and destruction, and the famine, and the sword: by whom shall I comfort thee?