Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 8. 10. Hath not given forth upon usury] ty al űnb beneshech lo yitten. űn nasach signifies to bite; usury is properly so termed, because it bites into and devours the principal. Usury signifies, with us, exacting unlawful interest for money; and taking the advantage of a man's necessities to advance him cash on exorbitant profit. This bites the receiver in his property, and the lender in his salvation.
11. Neither hath taken any increase] In lending has not required more than was lent; and has not taken that product of the cash lent, which was more than the value for its use. This may be a part of the tenth article.
12. That hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity] Never associates with those who act contrary to justice and equity; his hand or influence being never found among evil workers.
13. Hath executed true judgment between man and man] Being neither swayed by prejudice, fear, nor favour.
These thirteen points concern his social and civil relations.
Matthew Henry Commentary
- Jerusalem like an unfruitful vine.
If a vine be fruitful, it is valuable. But if not fruitful, it is worthless and useless, it is cast into the fire. Thus man is capable of yielding a precious fruit, in living to God; this is the sole end of his existence; and if he fails in this, he is of no use but to be destroyed. What blindness then attaches to those who live in the tota neglect of God and of true religion! This similitude is applied to Jerusalem. Let us beware of an unfruitful profession. Let us come to Christ, and seek to abide in him, and to have his words abide in us _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew בנשׁך5392 לא3808 יתן5414 ותרבית8636 לא3808 יקח3947 מעול5766 ישׁיב7725 ידו3027 משׁפט4941 אמת571 יעשׂה6213 בין996 אישׁ376 לאישׁ׃376
