The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.
The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants - "is defiled," namely, with innocent blood (Genesis 4:11; Numbers 35:33; Psalms 106:38). Instead of "also," translate, with Piscator, For; or with Junius and Tremellius, Even: since this verse gives the reason for the judgment described in Isaiah 24:4. Chaanªpaah (H2610) means, 'has hypocritically transgressed,' as well as "is defiled;" 'has proved false to its religious profession.' It probably points, as the other verbs of the verse, to a great apostasy from an existing covenant or revelation; and such an apostasy from faith our Saviour foretells will fall upon professing Christendom in the last days. The Septuagint rises the same term here as Paul, in foretelling the advent of the wicked or lawless one, (2 Thessalonians 2:1-17) [eenomeese]. So the Chaldaic and Arabic; but the Vulgate as the English version.
They have transgressed the laws ... ordinance ... everlasting covenant. The moral laws, positive statutes, and national covenant, designed to be forever between God and them. Israel literal, and the spiritual Israel, or the whole professing Christian world, are meant.