Isaías 51
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Isaías 51
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS There is a series of IMPERATIVES which call on God's covenant people to awake spiritually and respond appropriately. listen, pay attention, Isa. 51:1,4,7,21 awake, Isa. 51:9[thrice], 17[twice] look, lift up your eyes, Isa. 51:1-2,6 This emphasis is continued in Isa. 52. The subject matter of this context is moved along by a series of rhetorical questions: Isa. 51:9-10,12-14; 52:5
Isaías 51:1-3
51:1 "Listen" This is the Hebrew word Shema (BDB 1033, KB 1570). It means "hear so as to do." The IMPERATIVE is recurrent in Isaiah! This same word starts the famous monotheistic prayer of Deuteronomy 6:4-6. ▣ "you who. . ." This is speaking to the faithful covenant people (cf. Isa. 50:10). There are three descriptive phrases. who pursue righteousness, Isa. 51:1 who seek the Lord, Isa. 51:1 who have the law in their hearts, Isa. 51:7 It is possible that the MT "deliverance" (BDB 841, NASB, "righteousness") is parallel to YHWH in line 2, therefore, it may be a title, "The Righteous One" (SPECIAL TOPIC: DESCRIPTIVE TITLES FOR GOD). The "you who. . ." would speak of the faithful who pursue God, line 1 seek God, line 2 (see SPECIAL TOPIC: Seek the Lord [OT]) ▣ "the rock. . .the quarry" This refers to Abraham and Sarah (cf. Isa. 51:2; Gen. 17:15-17) The geographical location of Abraham's call (i.e. Ur of the Chaldees) was the same as the location of the Babylonian captives (Channel Chebar). YHWH had promised to bless Abraham and his seed (cf. Gen. 12:1-3; 15:1-11; 18:18; 22:16-18). 51:2 "who gave birth to you in pain" This refers to normal childbirth (cf. Gen. 3:16). ▣ "I blessed him and multiplied him" YHWH promised two things: to bless Abraham ‒ BDB 138, KB 159, Piel IMPERFECT to multiply him ‒ BDB 915, KB 1176, Hiphil IMPERFECT God promised Abraham a land and a seed. He was told his descendants would be like dust of the earth (Gen. 13:16; 28:14; Num. 23:10) stars of the heavens (Gen. 15:5; 22:17; 26:4) sand of the seashore (Gen. 22:17; 32:12 From Isaiah, Micah, and the NT, we learn that Abraham's family would be even larger than anyone dreamed. It will include believing "Gentiles and Jews" (cf. Rom. 2:28-29; 3:21-31; 4:1-25; Gal. 3:1-29; 6:16; Eph. 2:11-3:13). In this historical context, the covenant people, who were promised a large population, were in exile and their numbers were low. They were discouraged and needed to hear YHWH's covenant promises to Abraham. again. SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT PROMISES TO THE PATRIARCHS 51:3 "the Lord will comfort Zion" The VERB "comfort" (BDB 636, KB 688, Piel PERFECT) appears twice in line 1 and line 2. This is a recurrent theme of this section of Isaiah (cf. Isa. 40:1 [twice]; 49:13; 51:3 [twice],12,19; 52:9; 54:11; 61:2; 66:13 [thrice]). Its basic meaning in Piel is "to comfort," to "console." In this historical context, this means to bring the captivity to an end and restore them to the fertile Promised Land (cf. Isa. 40:1). This is a re-institution by God of the covenant of Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 27-28. It is a second exodus. SPECIAL TOPIC: COMFORT ▣ "waste places. . .wilderness. . .desert like the garden of the Lord" Physical beauty and fruitfulness are a sign of God's blessing (cf. Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 27-29). The mentioning of Eden implies not only abundance but intimate fellowship with a present God (i.e. Gen. 3:8; see John H. Walton, ANE Thought and the OT, pp. 124-125)! Eden was a sanctuary of God (cf. John H. Walton, ANE Thought and the OT, p. 124, and The Lost World of Genesis One: An Ancient Cosmology). SPECIAL TOPIC: EDEN ▣ "Joy and gladness. . .thanksgiving and sound of a melody" This reflects a happy social life, which is also a sign of God's blessing.
Isaías 51:4-8
51:4-8 Notice the number of times in English that the PERSONAL PRONOUNS appear (i.e. "Me," "My," "I"). They refer to both YHWH and His Servant. SPECIAL TOPIC: MY SERVANT 51:4 Notice the parallelism of lines 1 and 2. The IMPERATIVES: pay attention ‒ BDB 904, KB 1151, Hiphil IMPERATIVE give ear ‒ BDB 24, KB 27, Hiphil IMPERATIVE Lines 3 and 4 are also parallel. Notice again YHWH's teachings (Torah, BDB 435) are meant to bless: Israel (i.e. "O My people. . .O My nation") the world (cf. Isa. 42:6; 49:6; 60:1,3); notice the PLURAL "peoples" in Isa. 51:5b (JPSOA footnote mentions that several Hebrew MSS also have the PLURAL) and "coastlands" in Isa. 51:5c; they wait expectantly for YHWH's Servant There are some Hebrew MSS that have "O peoples. . .O nations." The PLURAL would reenforce the PLURAL of v. 4d and v. 5b,c. God's heart is for the whole world (i.e. humans made in HIs image and likeness, cf. Gen. 1:26-27). SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN ▣ "for a light of the peoples" This is a recurrent theme (cf. Is. 42:6; 49:6; 51:4; 60:1,3; Luke 2:32; Acts 13:47; 26:23). ▣ "law. . .justice" These two NOUNS (BDB 435 and BDB 1048) are also parallel. They speak of YHWH's truth and will for mankind that is now available to all (i.e. Scripture, revelation). 51:5 "My righteousness is near, My salvation has gone forth" The first phrase has no VERB. The VERB in the second line is BDB 422, KB 425, Qal PERFECT. This VERB is used of something "going out" from YHWH. His word ‒ Isa. 45:23 His word ‒ Isa. 48:3 His law ‒ Isa. 51:4 His salvation ‒ Isa. 51:5 His word ‒ Isa. 55:11 This line of poetry is paralleled in Isa. 46:13. YHWH is ready to act in and through His Servant to reach the whole world. Verse 5 addresses the spiritual hunger of the Gentile nations (cf. Isa. 2:2-4). Israel must be warned of complacency. Many Judeans returned to Palestine trusting God but many more did not! Those who hunger for God will find Him available. Those who do not will find Him a Judge! ▣ " My arms" This is anthropomorphic language like Isa. 51:9; 52:10. God does not have a body. This is imagery of God's activity in history. SPECIAL TOPIC: GOD DESCRIBED AS HUMAN (anthropomorphism) ▣ "the peoples" See full note at Isa. 45:22. 51:6 "the sky will vanish like smoke" Heaven and earth were YHWH's two witnesses (cf. Deut. 4:26; 30:19; 31:28; 32:1; Isa. 1:2) but even they will pass away (cf. Isa. 34:4; 65:17; 66:22; Matt. 24:35; 2 Pet. 3:10). There will be a new heaven and a new earth coming (cf. Isa. 65:17; 66:22; 2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21:1). I hope you will look at my latest commentary on Revelation (2024). I have become a Partial Preterist. ▣ "in like manner" NASB (footnote), NKJV, NRSV "gnats" TEV, REB "flies" "vermin" "as well" "like these things" This is a very difficult phrase. This term (BDB 485 I, 3. c.) in the PLURAL is often translated "gnats" (NIDOTTE, vol. 2, p. 665). The fleeting nature of this creation and its inhabitants is contrasted with YHWH's eternality. ▣ "My salvation shall be forever" The last two lines of v. 6 are parallel. The eternality of God is compared to the finitude of humanity and this world (cf. Isa. 51:12; 40:6-8; Job 14:1-2; Ps. 90:5-6; 103:15-18; Matt. 24:35; Heb. 1:10-12; 1 Pet. 1:24-25). SPECIAL TOPIC: SALVATION (OT) 51:7 "Listen" This is another call to attention (cf. Isa. 51:1). ▣ "you who. . ." Notice how God's people are characterized. you who know righteousness, Isa. 51:7a (see SPECIAL TOPIC: RIGHTEOUSNESS) a people in whose heart is My law, Isa. 51:7b (i.e. the new cvoenant of Jer. 31:31-34; see SPECIAL TOPIC: HEART) In light of this knowledge they do not fear ‒ Isa. 51:7c, BDB 431, KB 432, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense are not dismayed ‒ Isa. 51:7d, BDB 369, KB 365, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense ▣ "A people in whose heart is My law" In the writings of Moses this idiom of intimate and constantly available truth is used in Deut. 6:6 in Wisdom Literature (cf. Prov. 3:3; 7:3; Ps. 37:31; 40:8) in Prophetic Literature (cf. Isa. 51:7; Jer. 17:1) See John H. Walton, ANE Thought and the OT, pp. 257-258, which discusses the New Covenant of Jer. 31:31-34. ▣ "Do not fear the reproach of man" If God be for us, who can be against us? (cf. v. 12; Rom. 8:31-39). The word "man" in vv. 7,12 is "Enosh" (BDB 60). Robert Girdlestone, Synonyms of the OT, pp. 51-52, thinks it denotes humankind in contrast to Deity (i.e. Job 10:4; 33:12; Isa. 7:13; 29:13; 51:7,12). 51:8 "moth. . .grub" Several animals are mentioned in this context (cf. Isa. 51:6 [NASB footnote], "gnats"). In Isa. 14:11 and 66:24 "worms" are used as a symbol for death and destruction. Nature takes away instead of giving! ▣ "My righteousness. . .My salvation" These were parallel in Isa. 51:5 also. There they went forth but here they remain forever. What a contrast between the fate of unbelievers and believers and the current heaven and earth damaged by sin and the new heaven and earth with no sin! SPECIAL TOPIC: FOREVER ('olam) SPECIAL TOPIC: RIGHTEOUSNESS SPECIAL TOPIC: SALVATION (OT)
Isaías 51:9-11
51:9 "Awake, awake, put on strength" These triple IMPERATIVES call for action. The Jewish Study Bible, p. 888, thinks vv. 9-11 are the exiles' words addressed to YHWH. action on God's part, Isa. 51:9 action on Israel's part, Isa. 51:17 (cf. Isa. 52:1,11) ▣ "awake as in the days of old" This is an allusion to YHWH's activity (i.e. "O arm of the Lord") in creation (see SPECIAL TOPIC: WATERS/SEA) in the Exodus (cf. v. 10; Exod. 6:6; Deut. 4:34; 5:15; 26:8) ▣ NASB, NRSV "cut in pieces" "cut. . .apart" "smash" "slay" "split" "cut" ‒omit‒ REB, JPSOA "hacked. . .in pieces" The MT has "cut in pieces" (חצב, BDB 345, KB 342, Hiphil ACTIVE PARTICIPLE), but possibly it is related to Isa. 51:1, "hewn" (BDB 345, KB 342, Qal PASSIVE PERFECT). God defeated all opposition to His will in creation and the Exodus (cf. Gen. 15:12-22), and now again He has accomplished His purpose by a new exodus of His people out of the bondage of exile. The DSS of Isaiah sees the basic root as מחצ (BDB 563, KB 571), which means "wound severely." In Job 26:12, this VERB is used of YHWH striking Rahab. ▣ "Rahab. . .dragon" These words (BDB 923 and BDB 1072) bring to mind several acts of YHWH. YHWH's defeat of the mythical sea monster ‒ Isa. 51:9; Job 9:13; 26:12-13; Ps. 74:13; 89:10; 148:7 YHWH deliverancee of Israel from Egypt based on the imagery of the twisting Nile River ‒ Isa. 30:7; 51:9-10; Ps. 87:4; Ezek. 29:3 "the proud" (NASB, BDB 923) or enemies of YHWH ‒ Ps. 40:4 Number 1 is also designated by the term "dragon" (BDB 49) in Job 7:12. Bible interpreters must be conscious of the hyperbolic imagery of Bible authors to communicate truth. This text describing both initial creation and the Exodus is a good example. Notice the imagery the OT uses to describe this. Exod. 14:21 Exod. 15:8 Isa. 51:9-10 For a good read about biblical imagery, see G. B. Caird, The Language and Imagery of the Bible, especially pp. 208-210 D. Brent Sandy, Plowshares and Pruning Hooks: Rethinking the Language of Biblical Prophecy and Apocalyptic SPECIAL TOPIC: GREAT RED DRAGON, II. SPECIAL TOPIC: LEVIATHAN 51:10 "Was it not You. . ."Verses 9-10 have two rhetorical questions that expect a "yes" answer. ▣ "the great deep" This (BDB 1062) was also a mythological term used in the Sumerian and Babylonian creation accounts. In the Bible it is not a god (cf. Gen. 1:2) but depth of water—tiamat (BDB 1062, Isa. 63:13). SPECIAL TOPIC: CREATION AND FLOOD ACCOUNTS IN THE ANE ▣ "a pathway for the redeemed to cross" This is an obvious allusion to the splitting of the Red Sea during the Exodus from Egypt (cf. Exodus 14,15). God made a way. This is similar imagery to the "highway" repared by God for the exiles to return, as well as the believing nations (cf. Isa. 11:16; 19:23; 35:8; 40:3; 49:11; 62:10). ▣ "the ransomed of the Lord" This imagery of buying someone back is repeated in v. 11. v. 10 ‒ BDB 145 I, KB 169 I v. 11 ‒ BDB 804, KB 911 SPECIAL TOPIC: RANSOM/REDEEM 51:11 As God delivered His people from Egyptian bondage, so will He deliver His people from Assyrian and Babylonian exile! The descendants of Abraham will return to the Promised Land. SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT PROMISES TO THE PATRIARCHS ▣ "everlasting joy" The term "everlasting" is 'olam (BDB 761). See SPECIAL TOPIC: FOREVER ('olam). Isaiah uses it often to describe the new age. everlasting covenant, Isa. 24:5; 55:3; 61:8 YHWH an everlasting Rock, Isa. 26:4 everlasting joy, Isa. 35:10; 51:11; 61:7 the Everlasting God, Isa. 40:28 an everlasting salvation, Isa. 45:17 everlasting lovingkindness (Hesed), Isa. 54:8 everlasting sign, Isa. 55:13 an everlasting name, Isa. 56:5; 63:12,16 an everlasting light, Isa. 60:19,20 A negative-oriented use related to the eternal punishment of the wicked is found in Isa. 33:14, "an everlasting burning." Isaiah often uses "fire" to describe God's wrath (cf. Isa. 9:18,19; 10:16; 47:14), but only in Isa. 33:14 is it described as "everlasting." I have recently become aware of the diversity of opinion among the Church Fathers over the issue of eternal punishment. I hope you will take the time to look at my SPECIAL TOPIC: ETERNAL PUNISHMENT, but be prepared to be challenged! 51:11 "sorrow and sighing will flee away" What a wonderful promise of believers' future state of blessing. The fellowship of the Garden of Eden will be restored (cf. Isa. 25:8; 35:10; 60:20; 65:19; Rev. 7:17; 21:1,4).
Isaías 51:12-13
51:12 "man (BDB 60). . .the son of man (ben adam ‒ BDB 9 CONSTRUCT BDB 119)" This is an Hebraic way of referring to a human being (cf. Ps. 8:4; Ezek. 2:1). It became a later title for Jesus because it affirmed His humanity and because of Dan. 7:13, His Deity. SPECIAL TOPIC: THE SON OF MAN ▣ "who dies. . .like grass" The parallelism emphasizes the frailty and limited lifespan of humans (cf. Isa. 40:6,7; 51:6; Job 14:1-2; Ps. 90:5-6; 103:15; 1 Pet. 1:24). This context, like 1 Pet. 1:24-25, contrasts the power and eternality of God with that of His creation (i.e. YHWH as creator in Isa. 51:13; also see notes at Isa. 40:22; 45:12,18; 48:13; Ps. 104:2). 51:13 This may be a veiled allusion to the idolatry of God's people in worshiping Ba'al as creator, giver of life and fertility instead of YHWH. Their idolatry is what caused their exile and the actions of the oppressor which God allowed. SPECIAL TOPIC: FERTILITY WORSHIP OF THE ANE SPECIAL TOPIC: THE BEGINNING (physical and spiritual)
Isaías 51:14-16
51:14 These are descriptions of people in prison (i.e. imagery for exile) who will be set free, although the term "dungeon" ("pit" BDB 1001, KB 1472) can refer to the grave or Sheol ‒ Job 33:22,24,28; Ps. 16:10; 49:9 here the parallelism suggests "prison" 51:15 Like Isa. 51:9-11 this verse is an allusion to YHWH freeing His people from Egypt. Also, like Isa. 51:9,10, there is a veiled reference to Genesis 1, where YHWH divides and controls the waters. See full note at Isa. 51:10. SPECIAL TOPIC: WATERS/SEA ▣ "(the Lord of hosts is His name)" The term "hosts" can be used in two ways: YHWH as creator and controller of the stars and planets YHWH as military commander of the angels In a sense both possibilities are a reaction to Babylonian astral worship that turned the heavenly bodies into gods. SPECIAL TOPIC: LORD OF HOSTS 51:16 There are three Qal INFINITIVES in this verse. to establish (BDB 642, KB 694) to found or establish (BDB 413, KB 417) to say (BDB 55, KB 65) In context this verse should relate to the redeemed of returning Israel/Judah. However, the INFINITIVES are too powerful for human beings to accomplish. Therefore, it must refer to "the Servant," God's special Israelite, who will accomplish what Israel could not (JPSOA footnote translates this line as "I have chosen you to be a prophetic nation," cf. Isa. 49:2; 59:21). There is a fluidity in chapters 40-53 of the title "the Servant" from national Israel, Isa. 41:8-9; 42:1,19; 43:10, to an "individual," Isa. 49:1-7 and Isa. 52:13-53:12 (esp. LXX 52:14, "Him"). This, then, would refer to the establishing of the new heavens and earth (cf. vv. 6,9). ▣ "covered you with the shadow of My hand" See SPECIAL TOPIC: SHADOW 51:16b NASB, LXX "establish" NKJV, JPSOA, DSS, Vulgate "plant" (נטע) NRSV, TEV, Peshitta "stretching out" (נטה) "spread out" "fixed in place" The MT has "plant" (BDB 642, KB 694, Qal INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT). The UBS Text Project, p. 138, gives this an "A" rating. This reading is followed by the DSS, LXX, and Vulgate. The imagery of "establishing a plant" may refer to Exod. 15:17, where YHWH "established" His covenant people. ▣ "Zion" See SPECIAL TOPIC: ZION
Isaías 51:17-20
51:17-20 YHWH is encouraging His people to shake off His finished judgment and prepare to return to Jerusalem! Judgment has passed; keep your eyes on the future restoration work of YHWH. 51:17 "Rouse yourself! Rouse yourself! Arise, O Jerusalem" These are three IMPERATIVES in a row for emphasis (like v. 9). rouse ‒ Hithpolel or Hithpael (BDB 734, KB 802) #1 repeated for emphasis arise ‒ Qal (BDB 877, KB 1086) ▣ "the cup. . .the chalice" These two are parallel and refer to the idiom of judgment as a cup of strong drink to make one stagger and fall (cf. Isa. 29:9; 51:22; 63:6; Job 21:20; Ps. 60:3; 75:8; Jer. 25:15-17; Lam. 4:21; Ezek. 23:32-34). Also note its usage in the NT. of Jesus as sin bearer ‒ Matt. 20:22; 26:38-42; Mark 14:36; Luke 22:42; John 18:11 worshipers of the beast ‒ Rev. 14:10; 16:19; 19:15 SPECIAL TOPIC: CUP SPECIAL TOPIC: WINE AND STRONG DRINK 51:18 This verse speaks to the cultural expectation that one's children (esp. the oldest) would help their elderly parents. 51:19 Notice what has happened to the covenant people and now is happening to Babylon. devastation (BDB 994) destruction (BDB 991) famine (BDB 944) sword (BDB 352) There is no one to comfort Babylon; there is again One to comfort Abraham's seed (cf. Isa. 51:3,12; 40:1). 51:20 When Assyria and Babylon invaded a town they killed the old, young, and powerful at a prominently visible location (i.e. "the head of every street"). Now this evil act is being done to them.
Isaías 51:21-23
51:21-23 God (adon, YHWH) promises to take the judgment of His cup, which has devastated Israel and Judah and now give it to their tormentors. Assyria and Babylon will reap exactly what they sowed (cf. Isa. 17:10; 32:19; Gal. 6:7-10)! God is in charge of time and history! 51:22 "You will never drink it again" This is a good place to remind Bible readers about the conditional nature of most OT passages, even when the "if. . .then. . ." is not stated SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT these covenant people will experience military defeat and occupation again the Selucids the Romans (cf. Dan. 9:24-27) The Hebrew terms for eternity are fluid and must be interpreted in a specific context. SPECIAL TOPIC: FOREVER ('olam and aiōnios) 51:23a Some MSS add "and opressors" (i.e. LXX). Te UBS Text Project, p. 139. gives this addition a "C" rating, but chooses it as the most likely original text. ▣ "walk over you" This treading on the defeated dead is imagery of defeat depicted on Egyptian wall art (cf. IVP Bible Background Commentary, p. 633). "lie down" ‒ Qal IMPERATIVE (BDB 1005, KB 1457) "walk over you" ‒ Qal COHORTATIVE (BDB 716, KB 778)