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Isaiah 57:1-21 open_in_new
2. The peace of the grave is better than the condition of unrest under their rulers (Isaiah 57:1).
Shall enter.. shall rest] RV 'entereth.. rest.'
3, 5. Sons, etc.] i.e. descendants, perpetuating the character of their ancestors. Seed, etc.] i.e. through your idolatry violating the mystical union between Jehovah and His people: cp. Ezekiel 16:44.
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Isaiah 57:4 open_in_new
Sport yourselves] implying that they find delight in the misfortune of the servants of Jehovah.
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Isaiah 57:5 open_in_new
Enflaming] The word describes the excitement attending the orgies which accompanied the celebration of heathen rites: cp. 1 Kings 18:26; 1 Kings 18:28. Slaying, etc.] referring to human sacrifices practised under Ahaz and Manasseh (2 Chronicles 28:3; 2 Kings 21:6).
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Isaiah 57:6 open_in_new
An allusion to stone-worship (Jeremiah 3:9). Large stones, such as those referred to, were fetiches of the Semitic races in early times, and were thought to be abodes of a deity: cp. the action of Jacob, Genesis 28:11; Genesis 28:18. Thy lot] whereas Jehovah was their true portion (Jeremiah 10:16; Psalms 16:5). Should.. these?] RV 'shall I be appeased for these things?'
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Isaiah 57:7 open_in_new
Thy bed] Idolatry is in OT. commonly figured as adultery (Exodus 34:15; Deuteronomy 31:16); hence bed is put for the place of idol-worship.
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Isaiah 57:8 open_in_new
Remembrance] RV 'memorial,' i.e. idolatrous inscription, in place of the memorial of God's law (Deuteronomy 6:9).
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Isaiah 57:9 open_in_new
The figure is that of a woman trying to attract admirers. Judah had coquetted with foreign kings, especially with the king of Assyria (2 Kings 16:7; 2 Kings 16:10). Or perhaps for the king we should read 'Moloch'; the reference then is to idolatry, as in the preceding vv.
Messengers] RV 'ambassadors.' Unto hell] i.e. Hades, put for the lowest abasement.
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Isaiah 57:10 open_in_new
In the greatness] RV 'with the length.' Hast found.. hand] RV 'didst find a quickening of thy strength,' i.e. Judah imagined her power increased by foreign alliances.
Grieved] RV 'faint.'
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Isaiah 57:11 open_in_new
Of whom] i.e. heathen gods. Lied] in outwardly recognising Jehovah, while in heart faithless to Him.
Of old] RV 'of long time.'
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Isaiah 57:12 open_in_new
Ironical.
And thy works, etc.] RV 'and as for. thy works, they shall not profit thee.'
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Isaiah 57:13 open_in_new
Companies] RM 'rabble,' alluding to the numerous gods introduced. Vanity, etc.] RV 'a breath shall carry them away.'
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Isaiah 57:14 open_in_new
Let all barriers to the return be removed.
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Isaiah 57:15 open_in_new
Jehovah remembers and will restore the faithful among the exiles.
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Isaiah 57:16 open_in_new
For the spirit should fail] i.e. mankind could not survive God's judgments.
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Isaiah 57:17 open_in_new
God hid His face and was angry, in order to turn His people from their sins. Covetousness] cp. Jeremiah 6:13; Amos 8:4.
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Isaiah 57:18 open_in_new
His ways] of repentance.
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Isaiah 57:19 open_in_new
I create, etc.] i.e. Jehovah gives men occasion to praise Him. Far off.. near] referring to the dispersed Israelites, those far off from Jerusalem, and those near to it: cp. Daniel 9:7.