Joseph Addison Alexander

Isaiah Translated and Explained Joseph Addison Alexander

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1856 edition. Excerpt: ...of God's purposes of mercy to mankind in general. The literal fulfilment of the last clause in its primary sense is clear from such statements as the one in Esther 8: 17. 2. And nations shall take them and bring them to their place, and the house of Israel shall take possession of them on Jehovah's land for male and female servants, and (thus) they (the Israelites) shall be the captors of their captors, and rule over their oppressors. The first clause is rendered somewhat obscure by the reference" of the pronoun them to different subjects, first the Jews and then the gentiles, Most interpreters are agreed that it relates to the part taken by the gentiles in the restoration of the Jews. To a Hebrew reader the word would convey the idea, not of bare possession merely, but of permanent possession, rendered perpetual by hereditary succession. The word is used in this sense, and with special reference to slaves or servants, in Lev. 25: 46. The simple meaning of this promise seems to be that the church or chosen people and the other nations should change places, the oppressed becoming the oppressor, and the slave the master. This of course admits both an external and internal fulfilment. In a lower sense and on a smaller scale it was accomplished in the restoration of the Jews from exile; but its full accomplishment is yet to come. 3. And it shall be (or come to pass) in the day of Jehovah1 s causing thee to rest from thy toil (or suffering), and from thy commotion (or disquietude), and from the hard service which was wrought by thee (or imposed upon thee). In this verse and tie following context, the Prophet, in order to reduce the general promise of the foregoing verse to a more graphic and impressive form, recurs to the downfall of Babylon, as the...