---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Isaiah 51"
description: "CHAPTER 51   :-. ENCOURAGEMENT TO THE
FAITHFUL REMNANT
OF ISRAEL TO TRUST
IN GOD FOR
DELIVERANCE, BOTH
FROM THEIR LONG
BABYLONIAN EXILE,
AND FROM THEIR
PR"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/isaiah/51"
---

CHAPTER 51

. ENCOURAGEMENT TO THE
FAITHFUL REMNANT
OF ISRAEL TO TRUST
IN GOD FOR
DELIVERANCE, BOTH
FROM THEIR LONG
BABYLONIAN EXILE,
AND FROM THEIR
PRESENT DISPERSION.

**1. me**—the God of your fathers.
**ye . . . follow after
righteousness**—the godly portion of the nation; shows this ([Proverbs 15:9](../../../kjv/proverbs/15/9);
[1 Timothy 6:11](../../../kjv/1-timothy/6/11)). "Ye follow
righteousness," seek it therefore from Me, who "bring it
near," and that a righteousness "not about to be abolished"
([Isaiah 51:6](../../../kjv/isaiah/51/6); [Isaiah 51:7](../../../kjv/isaiah/51/7));
look to Abraham, your father ([Isaiah 51:7](../../../kjv/isaiah/51/7)), as a sample of how righteousness before Me is to be
obtained; I, the same God who blessed him, will bless you at last
([Isaiah 51:3](../../../kjv/isaiah/51/3)); therefore trust in
Me, and fear not man's opposition ([Isaiah 51:7](../../../kjv/isaiah/51/7);
[Isaiah 51:8](../../../kjv/isaiah/51/8); [Isaiah 51:12](../../../kjv/isaiah/51/12);
[Isaiah 51:13](../../../kjv/isaiah/51/13)). The mistake of the
Jews, heretofore, has been, not in that they "followed after
righteousness," but in that they followed it "by the works
of the law," instead of "by faith," as Abraham did
([Romans 9:31](../../../kjv/romans/9/31); [Romans 9:32](../../../kjv/romans/9/32);
[Romans 10:3](../../../kjv/romans/10/3); [Romans 10:4](../../../kjv/romans/10/4);
[Romans 4:2-5](../../../kjv/romans/4/2-5)).
**hole of . . . pit**—The
idea is not, as it is often quoted, the inculcation of humility, by
reminding men of the fallen state from which they have been taken,
but that as Abraham, the *quarry,* as it were (compare [Romans 4:2-45](../../../kjv/romans/4/2-45)), whence their nation was hewn, had been called out of a
strange land to the inheritance of Canaan, and blessed by God, the
same God is able to deliver and restore them also (compare [Romans 4:2-45](../../../kjv/romans/4/2-45)).

**2. alone**—translate, "I
called him when he was but one" (). The argument is: the same God who had so blessed "one"
individual, as to become a mighty nation ([Genesis 12:1](../../../kjv/genesis/12/1);
[Genesis 22:7](../../../kjv/genesis/22/7)), can also increase and
bless the small remnant of Israel, both that left in the Babylonish
captivity, and that left in the present and latter days ([Genesis 22:7](../../../kjv/genesis/22/7)); "the residue" ([Isaiah 13:8](../../../kjv/isaiah/13/8);
[Isaiah 13:9](../../../kjv/isaiah/13/9)).

**3. For**—See for the argument,
see on [Isaiah 51:5](../../../kjv/isaiah/51/5).
**the garden of the
Lord**—restoration of the primeval paradise ([Genesis 2:8](../../../kjv/genesis/2/8);
[Ezekiel 28:13](../../../kjv/ezekiel/28/13); [Revelation 2:7](../../../kjv/revelation/2/7)).
**melody**—*Hebrew,*
"psalm." God's praises shall again be heard.

**4. my people**—the Jews. This
reading is better than that of GESENIUS:
"O peoples . . . nations," namely, the Gentiles. The Jews
are called on to hear and rejoice in the extension of the true
religion to the nations; for, at the first preaching of the Gospel,
as in the final age to come, it was *from Jerusalem* that the
gospel law was, and is, to go forth ().
**law . . . judgment**—the
gospel dispensation and institutions (, "judgment").
**make . . . to rest**—establish
firmly; found.
**light,** &c.— ().

**5. righteousness . . . near**—that
is, faithful fulfilment of the promised deliverance, answering to
"salvation" in the parallel clause ([Isaiah 46:13](../../../kjv/isaiah/46/13);
[Isaiah 56:1](../../../kjv/isaiah/56/1); [Romans 10:8](../../../kjv/romans/10/8);
[Romans 10:9](../../../kjv/romans/10/9)). Ye follow after
"righteousness"; seek it therefore, from Me, and you will
not have far to go for it ([Romans 10:9](../../../kjv/romans/10/9)).
**arms**—put for Himself; *I
by My might.*
**judge**— ([Isaiah 2:3](../../../kjv/isaiah/2/3);
[Isaiah 2:4](../../../kjv/isaiah/2/4); [Psalms 98:9](../../../kjv/psalms/98/9)).
**isles,** &c.— ([Psalms 98:9](../../../kjv/psalms/98/9)).
**arm**— ([Psalms 98:9](../../../kjv/psalms/98/9)), "the power of God unto (the Gentiles as well as the
Jews) salvation."

**6.** ([Isaiah 40:6](../../../kjv/isaiah/40/6);
[Isaiah 40:8](../../../kjv/isaiah/40/8); [Psalms 102:26](../../../kjv/psalms/102/26);
[Hebrews 1:11](../../../kjv/hebrews/1/11); [Hebrews 1:12](../../../kjv/hebrews/1/12)).
**vanish away**—literally,
"shall be torn asunder," as a *garment* [MAURER];
which accords with the context.
**in like manner**—But
GESENIUS, "Like a
gnat"; like the smallest and vilest insect. JEROME
translates, as *English Version,* and infers that "in like
manner" as man, the heavens (that is, the sky) and earth are not
to be annihilated, but changed for the better ([Hebrews 1:12](../../../kjv/hebrews/1/12)).
**righteousness**—My
faithfully fulfilled promise (see on [Hebrews 1:12](../../../kjv/hebrews/1/12)).

**7. know righteousness**—(See on
[Isaiah 51:5](../../../kjv/isaiah/51/5)).

**8.** (See on ; [Job 4:18-20](../../../kjv/job/4/18-20)).
Not that the *moth eats men up,* but they shall be destroyed by
as insignificant instrumentality as the moth that eats a garment.

**9.** Impassioned prayer of the
exiled Jews.
**ancient days**— ().
**Rahab**—poetical name for
Egypt (see on [Isaiah 51:3](../../../kjv/isaiah/51/3)).
**dragon**—*Hebrew,
tannin.* The crocodile, an emblem of Egypt, as represented on
coins struck after the conquest of Egypt by Augustus; or rather here,
"its king," Pharaoh (see on [Isaiah 51:3](../../../kjv/isaiah/51/3); [Psalms 74:13](../../../kjv/psalms/74/13); [Psalms 74:14](../../../kjv/psalms/74/14);
[Ezekiel 32:2](../../../kjv/ezekiel/32/2), *Margin;* [Ezekiel 32:2](../../../kjv/ezekiel/32/2)).

**10. it**—the arm.
**Art not Thou the same
Almighty power that . . . ? dried the sea**—the Red Sea ([Isaiah 43:16](../../../kjv/isaiah/43/16);
[Exodus 14:21](../../../kjv/exodus/14/21)).

**11.** ().
**Therefore**—assurance of
faith; or else the answer of Jehovah corresponding to their prayer.
As surely as God redeemed Israel out of Egypt, He shall redeem them
from Babylon, both the literal in the age following, and mystical in
the last ages ([Revelation 18:20](../../../kjv/revelation/18/20);
[Revelation 18:21](../../../kjv/revelation/18/21)). There shall be a
second exodus ([Isaiah 11:11-16](../../../kjv/isaiah/11/11-16);
[Isaiah 27:12](../../../kjv/isaiah/27/12); [Isaiah 27:13](../../../kjv/isaiah/27/13)).
**singing**—image from the
custom of singing on a journey when a caravan is passing along the
extended plains in the East.
**everlasting joy**— ([Isaiah 27:13](../../../kjv/isaiah/27/13)).
**sorrow . . . flee away**—
([Revelation 21:4](../../../kjv/revelation/21/4)).

**12. comforteth**— ([Isaiah 51:3](../../../kjv/isaiah/51/3);
[Isaiah 40:1](../../../kjv/isaiah/40/1)).
**thou**—Zion.
**son of man**—frail and
dying as his *parent Adam.*
**be made as grass**—wither
as grass ([Isaiah 40:6](../../../kjv/isaiah/40/6); [Isaiah 40:7](../../../kjv/isaiah/40/7)).

**13.** ([Isaiah 40:12](../../../kjv/isaiah/40/12);
[Isaiah 40:26](../../../kjv/isaiah/40/26); [Isaiah 40:28](../../../kjv/isaiah/40/28)),
the same argument of comfort drawn from the omnipotence of the
Creator.
**as if . . . ready,**
c.—literally, "when he directs," namely, his arrow, to
destroy ([Psalms 21:12](../../../kjv/psalms/21/12) [Psalms 7:13](../../../kjv/psalms/7/13);
[Psalms 11:2](../../../kjv/psalms/11/2)) [MAURER].

**14. captive exile**—literally,
one *bowed down* as a captive () [MAURER]. The
scene is primarily Babylon, and the time near the close of the
captivity. Secondarily, and antitypically, the mystical Babylon, the
last enemy of Israel and the Church, in which they have long
suffered, but from which they are to be gloriously delivered.
**pit**—such as were many
of the ancient dungeons (compare [Jeremiah 38:6](../../../kjv/jeremiah/38/6);
[Jeremiah 38:11](../../../kjv/jeremiah/38/11); [Jeremiah 38:13](../../../kjv/jeremiah/38/13);
[Genesis 37:20](../../../kjv/genesis/37/20)).
**nor . . . bread . . . fail**—
([Isaiah 33:16](../../../kjv/isaiah/33/16); [Jeremiah 37:21](../../../kjv/jeremiah/37/21)).

**15. divided . . . sea**—the Red
Sea. The same *Hebrew* word as "make to rest" (). Rather, "that terrify the sea," that is,
restrain it by My rebuke, "when its waves roar" [GESENIUS].
The *Hebrew* favors MAURER,
"that terrify the sea so that the waves roar." The sense
favors GESENIUS ([Jeremiah 5:22](../../../kjv/jeremiah/5/22);
[Jeremiah 31:35](../../../kjv/jeremiah/31/35)), or *English Version*
([Isaiah 51:9](../../../kjv/isaiah/51/9); [Isaiah 51:10](../../../kjv/isaiah/51/10),
which favors the special reference to the exodus from Egypt).

**16.** Addressed to Israel,
embodied in "the servant of Jehovah" (), Messiah, its ideal and representative Head, through whom
the elect remnant is to be restored.
**put my words in thy
mouth**—true of Israel, the depository of true religion, but
fully realized only in Israel's Head and antitype, Messiah ([Isaiah 49:2](../../../kjv/isaiah/49/2);
[Isaiah 50:4](../../../kjv/isaiah/50/4); [Isaiah 50:5](../../../kjv/isaiah/50/5);
[Isaiah 59:21](../../../kjv/isaiah/59/21); [Deuteronomy 18:18](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/18/18);
[John 3:34](../../../kjv/john/3/34)).
**covered . . . in . . . shadow
of . . . hand**—protected thee (see on [John 3:34](../../../kjv/john/3/34)).
**plant**—rather, "fix"
as a tabernacle; so it ought to be rendered ([John 3:34](../../../kjv/john/3/34)). The "new creation," now going on in the
spiritual world by the Gospel ([John 3:34](../../../kjv/john/3/34)), and hereafter to be extended to the visible world, is
meant ([Isaiah 65:17](../../../kjv/isaiah/65/17); [Isaiah 66:22](../../../kjv/isaiah/66/22);
compare [Isaiah 13:13](../../../kjv/isaiah/13/13); [2 Peter 3:10-13](../../../kjv/2-peter/3/10-13)).
**Zion**—Its restoration is
a leading part in the new creation to come ([Isaiah 65:17](../../../kjv/isaiah/65/17);
[Isaiah 65:19](../../../kjv/isaiah/65/19)).

**17. Awake, awake, stand up, O
Jerusalem,** c.— ([Isaiah 52:1](../../../kjv/isaiah/52/1)).
**drunk**—Jehovah's wrath
is compared to an intoxicating draught because it confounds the
sufferer under it, and makes him fall ([Job 21:20](../../../kjv/job/21/20)
[Psalms 60:3](../../../kjv/psalms/60/3); [Psalms 75:8](../../../kjv/psalms/75/8);
[Jeremiah 25:15](../../../kjv/jeremiah/25/15); [Jeremiah 25:16](../../../kjv/jeremiah/25/16);
[Jeremiah 49:12](../../../kjv/jeremiah/49/12); [Zechariah 12:2](../../../kjv/zechariah/12/2);
[Revelation 14:10](../../../kjv/revelation/14/10)); ("poured out
without mixture"; rather, "the pure wine juice mixed with
intoxicating drugs").
**of trembling**—which
produced trembling or intoxication.
**wrung . . . out**—drained
the last drop out; the dregs were the sediments from various
substances, as honey, dates, and drugs, put into the wine to increase
the strength and sweetness.

**18.** Following up the image in
[Isaiah 51:17](../../../kjv/isaiah/51/17), intoxicated and
confused by the cup of God's anger, she has none to guide her in her
helpless state; she has not yet awakened out of the sleep caused by
that draught. This cannot apply to the Babylonish captivity; for in
it they had Ezekiel and Daniel, Ezra and Nehemiah, as "guides,"
and soon awoke out of that sleep; but it applies to the Jews now, and
will be still more applicable in their coming oppression by
Antichrist.

**19. two**—classes of evils, for
he enumerates *four,* namely, *desolation* and *destruction*
to the land and state; *famine* and *the sword* to the
people.
**who shall be sorry for
thee**—so as to give thee effectual relief: as the parallel
clause, "By whom shall I comfort thee?" shows ().

**20. head of all . . . streets**—
([Lamentations 2:19](../../../kjv/lamentations/2/19); [Lamentations 4:1](../../../kjv/lamentations/4/1)).
**wild bull**—rather,
"oryx" [JEROME],
or gazelle [GESENIUS], or
wild goat [BOCHART];
commonly in the East taken in a net, of a wide sweep, into which the
beasts were hunted together. The streets of cities in the East often
have gates, which are closed at night; a person wishing to escape
would be stopped by them and caught, as a wild animal in a net.

**21. drunken . . . not with wine**—
([Isaiah 29:9](../../../kjv/isaiah/29/9); compare [Isaiah 51:17](../../../kjv/isaiah/51/17);
[Isaiah 51:20](../../../kjv/isaiah/51/20), here; [Isaiah 51:20](../../../kjv/isaiah/51/20)).

**22. pleadeth . . . cause**—
([Psalms 35:1](../../../kjv/psalms/35/1); [Jeremiah 50:34](../../../kjv/jeremiah/50/34);
[Micah 7:9](../../../kjv/micah/7/9)).
**no more drink it**— ([Micah 7:9](../../../kjv/micah/7/9)). This cannot apply to Israel after the return from
Babylon, but only to them after their final restoration.

**23.** ([Isaiah 49:26](../../../kjv/isaiah/49/26);
[Jeremiah 25:15-29](../../../kjv/jeremiah/25/15-29); [Zechariah 12:2](../../../kjv/zechariah/12/2)).
**Bow down that . . . go
over**—Conquerors often literally trod on the necks of conquered
kings, as Sapor of Persia did to the Roman emperor Valerian ([Joshua 10:24](../../../kjv/joshua/10/24);
[Psalms 18:40](../../../kjv/psalms/18/40); [Psalms 66:11](../../../kjv/psalms/66/11);
[Psalms 66:12](../../../kjv/psalms/66/12)).

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