Isaiah 26:14-19
14. They--The "other lords" or tyrants (Is 26:13). shall not live--namely, again. deceased--Hebrew, "Rephaim"; powerless, in the land of shades (Is 14:9, 10). therefore--that is, inasmuch as. Compare "therefore" (Ge 18:5; 19:8). 15. hast--prophetical preterite (Is 9:3). hast removed ... far ... ends of ... earth--rather, "Thou hast extended far all the borders of the land" [Vitringa]. 16. visited--sought. poured out--(Psa 62:8), as a vessel emptying out all its contents. prayer--literally, "a whispered prayer," Margin, "a secret sighing" to God for help (compare Jr 13:17; De 8:16). 17. An image of anguish accompanied with expectation, to be followed by joy that will cause the anguish utterly to be forgotten. Zion, looking for deliverance, seemingly in vain, but really about to be gloriously saved (Mi 4:9, 10-13; 5:1-3; Joh 16:21, 22). 18. brought forth wind--Michaelis explains this of the disease empneumatosis. Rather, "wind" is a figure for that which proves an abortive effort. The "we" is in antithesis to "Thy," "my" (Is 26:19), what we vainly attempt, God will accomplish. not wrought ... deliverance in ... earth--literally, "the land (Judea) is not made security," that is, is not become a place of security from our enemies. neither ... world fallen--The "world" at large, is in antithesis to "the earth," that is, Judea. The world at enmity with the city of God has not been subdued. But Maurer explains "fallen," according to Arabic idiom, of the birth of a child, which is said to fall when being born; "inhabitants of the world (Israel, Is 24:4; not the world in general) are not yet born"; that is, the country as yet lies desolate, and is not yet populated. 19. In antithesis to Is 26:14, "They (Israel's foes) shall not live"; "Thy (Jehovah's) dead men (the Jews) shall live," that is, primarily, be restored, spiritually (Is 54:1-3), civilly and nationally (Is 26:15); whereas Thy foes shall not; ultimately, and in the fullest scope of the prophecy, restored to life literally (Eze 37:1-14; Da 12:2). together with my dead body--rather, "my dead body," or "bodies" (the Jewish nation personified, which had been spiritually and civilly dead; or the nation, as a parent, speaking of the bodies of her children individually, see on Is 26:9, "I," "My"): Jehovah's "dead" and "my dead" are one and the same [Horsley]. However, as Jesus is the antitype to Israel (Mt 2:15), English Version gives a true sense, and one ultimately contemplated in the prophecy: Christ's dead body being raised again is the source of Jehovah's people (all, and especially believers, the spiritual Israelites) also being raised (1Co 15:20-22). Awake--(Ep 5:14), spiritually. in dust--prostate and dead, spiritually and nationally; also literally (Is 25:12; 47:1). dew--which falls copiously in the East and supplies somewhat the lack of rain (Ho 14:5). cast out ... dead--that is, shall bring them forth to life again.
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