Isaiahchapter 56

12 verses · ASV

This chapter sends 234 cross-references outward and receives 256 — heaviest partner: Isaiah.

Chapter summary

Justice and sabbath-keeping frame the opening oracle: Jehovah's salvation is near, and blessing rests on the one who keeps the sabbath and refrains from evil (vv. 1-2). Two excluded classes are welcomed in: the foreigner joined to Jehovah and the eunuch who calls himself "a dry tree." Covenant-keeping eunuchs receive in God's house "a name better than of sons and of daughters," and foreigners who minister to Jehovah are brought to his holy mountain, "for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples" (v. 7) — the line Jesus quotes when cleansing the temple (Mark 11:17). Jehovah, who gathers Israel's outcasts, promises to gather still others (v. 8). The chapter pivots to indictment: Israel's watchmen are blind, "dumb dogs" that cannot bark, greedy shepherds bent on gain and strong drink (vv. 9-12).

Drafted from Matthew Henry, Calvin, Gill, Clarke, JFB, and Barnes.

Context

Prophecy · Isaiah — see the Isaiah overview for the book's full setting.

1 Thus saith Jehovah, Keep ye justice, and do righteousness; for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.

2 Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that holdeth it fast; that keepeth the sabbath from profaning it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil.

3 Neither let the foreigner, that hath joined himself to Jehovah, speak, saying, Jehovah will surely separate me from his people; neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.

4 For thus saith Jehovah of the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and hold fast my covenant:

5 Unto them will I give in my house and within my walls a memorial and a name better than of sons and of daughters; I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.

6 Also the foreigners that join themselves to Jehovah, to minister unto him, and to love the name of Jehovah, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from profaning it, and holdeth fast my covenant;

7 even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt-offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.

8 The Lord Jehovah, who gathereth the outcasts of Israel, saith, Yet will I gather others to him, besides his own that are gathered.

9 All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the forest.

10 His watchmen are blind, they are all without knowledge; they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber.

11 Yea, the dogs are greedy, they can never have enough; and these are shepherds that cannot understand: they have all turned to their own way, each one to his gain, from every quarter.

12 Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to-morrow shall be as this day, a day great beyond measure.

Continue: Isaiah 57 →