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Selected Verse: Isaiah 56:9 - Strong Concordance
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Isa 56:9 |
Strong Concordance |
All ye beasts [02416] of the field [07704], come [0857] to devour [0398], yea, all ye beasts [02416] in the forest [03293]. |
| |
King James |
All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the forest. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
beasts--Gentile idolatrous nations hostile to the Jews, summoned by God to chastise them (Jer 12:7-9; Jer 50:17; Eze 34:5): the Chaldeans and subsequently the Romans. The mention of the "outcasts of Israel" (Isa 56:8) brings in view the outcasting, caused by the sins of their rulers (Isa 56:10-12).
to devour--namely, Israel. |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
All ye beasts of the field - This evidently commences a new subject, and refers to some invasion of the land of Judea. In the previous chapter, the prophet had comforted the people by the assurance of the coming of the Messiah, and by the fact that they should be enlarged by the accession of the Gentiles. He proceeds here to a more disagreeable part of the subject. The design is, to reprove particularly the sins of the rulers of the people, and to assure them that such conduct would incur the vengeance of heaven. The sins reproved are indolence and inattention to duty Isa 56:10-12; a spirit of self-indulgence and of slumber, avarice and selfishness, and luxury and intemperance. The vengeance here referred to, Lowth supposes to be the invasion of the land by the Chaldeans, and perhaps by the Romans. Grotius supposes that it refers to the Egyptians, and to bands of robbers from the Chaldeans, Syrians, Moabites, and Ammonites. Vitringa strangely enough refers it to the barbarous nations which broke in upon the Christian church to lay it waste and destroy it during the decline of the Roman empire, particularly the Huns, Saracens, Turks, Turcomans, Tartars, etc. But the connection seems to demand that it should be understood of some events, not far distant from the time of the prophet, which would be a proper punishment of the crimes then existing. According to this interpretation, the reference here, I suppose, is to the invasion of the land by the Chaldeans. They would come as wild beasts, to spread terror and devastation before them. And so great were the national crimes, that the prophet calls on them to come and devour all before them. The comparison of invaders to wild beasts is not uncommon in the Scriptures. Thus Jer 12:9 -
Mine heritage is unto me as a speckled bird,
The birds round about are against her;
Come ye, assemble all the beasts of the field,
Come to devour.
So Jer 50:17 -
Israel is a scattered sheep;
The lions have driven him away;
First the king of Assyria hath devoured him,
And last this Nebuchadrezzar, king of Babylon, hath broken his bones.
See also Isa 9:11. |
| Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78] |
| It is a question whether Isa 56:9 forms the commencement of a fresh prophecy, or merely the second half of the prophecy contained in Isa 56:1-8. We decide, for our part, in favour of the former. If Isa 56:9. formed an antithetical second half to the promising first half in Isa 56:1-8, we should expect to find the prophets and leaders of Israel, whose licentiousness and want of principle are here so severely condemned, threatened with destruction in the heathen land, whilst true proselytes and even eunuchs were brought to the holy mountain. But we meet with this antithesis for the first time in Isa 57:13, where we evidently find ourselves in the midst of another prophetic address. And where can that address commence, if not at Isa 56:9, from which point onwards we have that hard, dull, sharp, and concise language of strong indignation, which recals to mind psalms written "in a thundering style" (Psalter, i. 80) and the reproachful addresses of Jeremiah, and which passes again in Isa 57:11. into the lofty crystalline language peculiar to our prophet's "book of consolation?" The new prophetic address commences, like Isa 55:1, with a summons. "All ye beasts of the field, come near! To devour, all ye beasts in the forest!" According to the accentuation before us (לכל mercha, כלח־יתו tiphchah), the beasts of the field are summoned to devour the beasts in the forest. This accentuation, however, is false, and must be exchanged for another which is supported by some MSS, viz., לכל tiphchah, כלח־יתו mercha, and ביער Beth raphatum. It is true that even with these accents we might still adhere to the view favoured by Jewish commentators, viz., that the beasts of the field are to be devoured by the beasts of the forest, if this view yielded any admissible sense (compare, for example, that supported by Meyer, "Ye enemies, devour the scattered ones of my congregation"), and had not against it the synonymous parallelism of שדי חיתו and ביער חיתו (Isa 43:20; Psa 104:11, Psa 104:20; cf., Gen 3:14). But there remains another view, according to which ביער כל־חיתו is a second vocative answering to שׂדי כל־חיתו. According to the Targum, what is to be devoured is the great body of heathen kings attacking Jerusalem; according to Jerome, Cyril, Stier, etc., the pasture and food provided by the grace of God. But what follows teaches us something different from this. Israel has prophets and shepherds, who are blind to every coming danger, and therefore fail to give warning of its approach, because they are sunken in selfishness and debauchery. It resembles a flock with a keeper, and therefore an easy prey (Eze 34:5); and the meaning of the appeal, which is certainly addressed to the nations of the world, the enemies of the people of God, is this: "Ye have only to draw near; ye can feed undisturbed, and devour as much as ye please." This is the explanation adopted by most of the more modern commentators. In Jer 12:9, which is founded upon this ("Assemble all ye beasts of the field, bring them hither to devour"), it is also Jerusalem which is assigned as food to the heathen. The parallel in Isa 56:9 is both synonymous and progressive. The writer seeks for rare forms, because he is about to depict a rare inversion of the proper state of things. חיתו (with the first syllable loosely closed) is the antiquated form of connection, which was admissible even with ביּער following (cf., Isa 5:11; Isa 9:1-2; Sa2 1:21). On אתיוּ (= אתוּ), see at Isa 21:12 (cf., Isa 21:14). |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| Come - This is a prediction of Israel's destruction by their cruel enemies. The prophet having largely discoursed concerning the Messiah, and his kingdom, and having encouraged the Gentiles with God's gracious promises made to them, now proceeds to terrify the unbelieving Jews, and to shew that as the Gentiles would believe, and be saved, so they would reject their Messiah, and be destroyed. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
All ye beasts of the field - Here manifestly begins a new section. The prophet in the foregoing chapters, having comforted the faithful Jews with many great promises of God's favor to be extended to them, in the restoration of their ruined state, and in the enlargement of his Church by the admission of the Gentiles; here on a sudden makes a transition to the more disagreeable part of the prospect, and to a sharp reproof of the wicked and unbelievers; and especially of the negligent and faithless governors and teachers, of the idolaters and hypocrites, who would still draw down his judgments upon the nation. Probably having in view the destruction of their city and polity by the Chaldeans, and perhaps by the Romans. The same subject is continued in the next chapter; in which the charge of corruption and apostasy becomes more general against the whole Jewish Church. Some expositors have made great difficulties in the 9th verse of this chapter, where there seems to be none. It is perfectly well explained by Jeremiah, Jer 12:7, Jer 12:9, where, having introduced God declaring his purpose of punishing his people, by giving them up as a prey to their enemies the Chaldeans, a charge to these his agents is given in words very nearly the same with those of Isaiah in this place: -
"I have forsaken my house; I have deserted my heritage;
I have given up the beloved of my soul into the hands of her enemies. -
Come away, be gathered together, all ye beasts of the field;
Come away to devour."
All ye beasts in the forest "All ye beasts of the forest" - Instead of ביער baiyaar, three MSS. have יער yaar, without the preposition; which seems to be right, and is confirmed by all the ancient Versions. |
10 His watchmen [06822] are blind [05787]: they are all ignorant [03045], they are all dumb [0483] dogs [03611], they cannot [03201] bark [05024]; sleeping [01957], lying down [07901], loving [0157] to slumber [05123].
11 Yea, they are greedy [05794] [05315] dogs [03611] which can [03045] never have [03045] enough [07654], and they are shepherds [07462] that cannot understand [0995]: they all look [06437] to their own way [01870], every one [0376] for his gain [01215], from his quarter [07097].
12 Come [0857] ye, say they, I will fetch [03947] wine [03196], and we will fill [05433] ourselves with strong drink [07941]; and to morrow [04279] shall be as this day [03117], and much [03966] more [03499] abundant [01419].
8 The Lord [0136] GOD [03069] which gathereth [06908] the outcasts [01760] of Israel [03478] saith [05002], Yet will I gather [06908] others to him, beside those that are gathered [06908] unto him.
5 And they were scattered [06327], because there is no shepherd [07462]: and they became meat [0402] to all the beasts [02416] of the field [07704], when they were scattered [06327].
17 Israel [03478] is a scattered [06340] sheep [07716]; the lions [0738] have driven him away [05080]: first [07223] the king [04428] of Assyria [0804] hath devoured [0398] him; and last [0314] this Nebuchadrezzar [05019] king [04428] of Babylon [0894] hath broken his bones [06105].
7 I have forsaken [05800] mine house [01004], I have left [05203] mine heritage [05159]; I have given [05414] the dearly beloved [03033] of my soul [05315] into the hand [03709] of her enemies [0341].
8 Mine heritage [05159] is unto me as a lion [0738] in the forest [03293]; it crieth out [05414] [06963] against me: therefore have I hated [08130] it.
9 Mine heritage [05159] is unto me as a speckled [06641] bird [05861], the birds [05861] round about [05439] are against her; come [03212] ye, assemble [0622] all the beasts [02416] of the field [07704], come [0857] to devour [0402].
11 Therefore the LORD [03068] shall set up [07682] the adversaries [06862] of Rezin [07526] against him, and join [05526] his enemies [0341] together [05526];
17 Israel [03478] is a scattered [06340] sheep [07716]; the lions [0738] have driven him away [05080]: first [07223] the king [04428] of Assyria [0804] hath devoured [0398] him; and last [0314] this Nebuchadrezzar [05019] king [04428] of Babylon [0894] hath broken his bones [06105].
9 Mine heritage [05159] is unto me as a speckled [06641] bird [05861], the birds [05861] round about [05439] are against her; come [03212] ye, assemble [0622] all the beasts [02416] of the field [07704], come [0857] to devour [0402].
10 His watchmen [06822] are blind [05787]: they are all ignorant [03045], they are all dumb [0483] dogs [03611], they cannot [03201] bark [05024]; sleeping [01957], lying down [07901], loving [0157] to slumber [05123].
11 Yea, they are greedy [05794] [05315] dogs [03611] which can [03045] never have [03045] enough [07654], and they are shepherds [07462] that cannot understand [0995]: they all look [06437] to their own way [01870], every one [0376] for his gain [01215], from his quarter [07097].
12 Come [0857] ye, say they, I will fetch [03947] wine [03196], and we will fill [05433] ourselves with strong drink [07941]; and to morrow [04279] shall be as this day [03117], and much [03966] more [03499] abundant [01419].
14 The inhabitants [03427] of the land [0776] of Tema [08485] brought [0857] water [04325] to him [07125] that was thirsty [06771], they prevented [06923] with their bread [03899] him that fled [05074].
12 The watchman [08104] said [0559], The morning [01242] cometh [0857], and also the night [03915]: if ye will enquire [01158], enquire [01158] ye: return [07725], come [0857].
21 Ye mountains [02022] of Gilboa [01533], let there be no dew [02919], neither let there be rain [04306], upon you, nor fields [07704] of offerings [08641]: for there the shield [04043] of the mighty [01368] is vilely cast away [01602], the shield [04043] of Saul [07586], as though he had not been anointed [04899] with oil [08081].
1 Nevertheless the dimness [04155] shall not be such as was in her vexation [04164], when [06256] at the first [07223] he lightly afflicted [07043] the land [0776] of Zebulun [02074] and the land [0776] of Naphtali [05321], and afterward [0314] did more grievously afflict [03513] her by the way [01870] of the sea [03220], beyond [05676] Jordan [03383], in Galilee [01551] of the nations [01471].
2 The people [05971] that walked [01980] in darkness [02822] have seen [07200] a great [01419] light [0216]: they that dwell [03427] in the land [0776] of the shadow of death [06757], upon them hath the light [0216] shined [05050].
11 Woe [01945] unto them that rise up early [07925] in the morning [01242], that they may follow [07291] strong drink [07941]; that continue [0309] until night [05399], till wine [03196] inflame [01814] them!
9 All ye beasts [02416] of the field [07704], come [0857] to devour [0398], yea, all ye beasts [02416] in the forest [03293].
9 Mine heritage [05159] is unto me as a speckled [06641] bird [05861], the birds [05861] round about [05439] are against her; come [03212] ye, assemble [0622] all the beasts [02416] of the field [07704], come [0857] to devour [0402].
5 And they were scattered [06327], because there is no shepherd [07462]: and they became meat [0402] to all the beasts [02416] of the field [07704], when they were scattered [06327].
14 And the LORD [03068] God [0430] said [0559] unto the serpent [05175], Because thou [0859] hast done [06213] this, thou art cursed [0779] above all cattle [0929], and above every beast [02416] of the field [07704]; upon thy belly [01512] shalt thou go [03212], and dust [06083] shalt thou eat [0398] all the days [03117] of thy life [02416]:
20 Thou makest [07896] darkness [02822], and it is night [03915]: wherein all the beasts [02416] of the forest [03293] do creep [07430] forth.
11 They give drink [08248] to every beast [02416] of the field [07704]: the wild asses [06501] quench [07665] their thirst [06772].
20 The beast [02416] of the field [07704] shall honour [03513] me, the dragons [08577] and the owls [01323] [03284]: because I give [05414] waters [04325] in the wilderness [04057], and rivers [05104] in the desert [03452], to give drink [08248] to my people [05971], my chosen [0972].
1 Ho [01945], every one that thirsteth [06771], come [03212] ye to the waters [04325], and he that hath no money [03701]; come [03212] ye, buy [07666], and eat [0398]; yea, come [03212], buy [07666] wine [03196] and milk [02461] without money [03701] and without price [04242].
11 And of whom hast thou been afraid [01672] or feared [03372], that thou hast lied [03576], and hast not remembered [02142] me, nor laid [07760] it to thy heart [03820]? have not I held my peace [02814] even of old [05769], and thou fearest [03372] me not?
9 All ye beasts [02416] of the field [07704], come [0857] to devour [0398], yea, all ye beasts [02416] in the forest [03293].
13 When thou criest [02199], let thy companies [06899] deliver [05337] thee; but the wind [07307] shall carry them all away [05375]; vanity [01892] shall take [03947] them: but he that putteth his trust [02620] in me shall possess [05157] the land [0776], and shall inherit [03423] my holy [06944] mountain [02022];
1 Thus saith [0559] the LORD [03068], Keep [08104] ye judgment [04941], and do [06213] justice [06666]: for my salvation [03444] is near [07138] to come [0935], and my righteousness [06666] to be revealed [01540].
2 Blessed [0835] is the man [0582] that doeth [06213] this, and the son [01121] of man [0120] that layeth hold [02388] on it; that keepeth [08104] the sabbath [07676] from polluting [02490] it, and keepeth [08104] his hand [03027] from doing [06213] any evil [07451].
3 Neither let the son [01121] of the stranger [05236], that hath joined [03867] himself to the LORD [03068], speak [0559], saying [0559], The LORD [03068] hath utterly [0914] separated [0914] me from his people [05971]: neither let the eunuch [05631] say [0559], Behold, I am a dry [03002] tree [06086].
4 For thus saith [0559] the LORD [03068] unto the eunuchs [05631] that keep [08104] my sabbaths [07676], and choose [0977] the things that please [02654] me, and take hold [02388] of my covenant [01285];
5 Even unto them will I give [05414] in mine house [01004] and within my walls [02346] a place [03027] and a name [08034] better [02896] than of sons [01121] and of daughters [01323]: I will give [05414] them an everlasting [05769] name [08034], that shall not be cut off [03772].
6 Also the sons [01121] of the stranger [05236], that join [03867] themselves to the LORD [03068], to serve [08334] him, and to love [0157] the name [08034] of the LORD [03068], to be his servants [05650], every one that keepeth [08104] the sabbath [07676] from polluting [02490] it, and taketh hold [02388] of my covenant [01285];
7 Even them will I bring [0935] to my holy [06944] mountain [02022], and make them joyful [08055] in my house [01004] of prayer [08605]: their burnt offerings [05930] and their sacrifices [02077] shall be accepted [07522] upon mine altar [04196]; for mine house [01004] shall be called [07121] an house [01004] of prayer [08605] for all people [05971].
8 The Lord [0136] GOD [03069] which gathereth [06908] the outcasts [01760] of Israel [03478] saith [05002], Yet will I gather [06908] others to him, beside those that are gathered [06908] unto him.
9 All ye beasts [02416] of the field [07704], come [0857] to devour [0398], yea, all ye beasts [02416] in the forest [03293].
1 Thus saith [0559] the LORD [03068], Keep [08104] ye judgment [04941], and do [06213] justice [06666]: for my salvation [03444] is near [07138] to come [0935], and my righteousness [06666] to be revealed [01540].
2 Blessed [0835] is the man [0582] that doeth [06213] this, and the son [01121] of man [0120] that layeth hold [02388] on it; that keepeth [08104] the sabbath [07676] from polluting [02490] it, and keepeth [08104] his hand [03027] from doing [06213] any evil [07451].
3 Neither let the son [01121] of the stranger [05236], that hath joined [03867] himself to the LORD [03068], speak [0559], saying [0559], The LORD [03068] hath utterly [0914] separated [0914] me from his people [05971]: neither let the eunuch [05631] say [0559], Behold, I am a dry [03002] tree [06086].
4 For thus saith [0559] the LORD [03068] unto the eunuchs [05631] that keep [08104] my sabbaths [07676], and choose [0977] the things that please [02654] me, and take hold [02388] of my covenant [01285];
5 Even unto them will I give [05414] in mine house [01004] and within my walls [02346] a place [03027] and a name [08034] better [02896] than of sons [01121] and of daughters [01323]: I will give [05414] them an everlasting [05769] name [08034], that shall not be cut off [03772].
6 Also the sons [01121] of the stranger [05236], that join [03867] themselves to the LORD [03068], to serve [08334] him, and to love [0157] the name [08034] of the LORD [03068], to be his servants [05650], every one that keepeth [08104] the sabbath [07676] from polluting [02490] it, and taketh hold [02388] of my covenant [01285];
7 Even them will I bring [0935] to my holy [06944] mountain [02022], and make them joyful [08055] in my house [01004] of prayer [08605]: their burnt offerings [05930] and their sacrifices [02077] shall be accepted [07522] upon mine altar [04196]; for mine house [01004] shall be called [07121] an house [01004] of prayer [08605] for all people [05971].
8 The Lord [0136] GOD [03069] which gathereth [06908] the outcasts [01760] of Israel [03478] saith [05002], Yet will I gather [06908] others to him, beside those that are gathered [06908] unto him.
9 All ye beasts [02416] of the field [07704], come [0857] to devour [0398], yea, all ye beasts [02416] in the forest [03293].
9 Mine heritage [05159] is unto me as a speckled [06641] bird [05861], the birds [05861] round about [05439] are against her; come [03212] ye, assemble [0622] all the beasts [02416] of the field [07704], come [0857] to devour [0402].
7 I have forsaken [05800] mine house [01004], I have left [05203] mine heritage [05159]; I have given [05414] the dearly beloved [03033] of my soul [05315] into the hand [03709] of her enemies [0341].