Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 1. Leviathan] The animals here men tioned seem to be the crocodile, rigid by the stiffness of the backbone, so that he cannot readily turn himself when he pursues his prey; hence the easiest way of escaping from him is by making frequent and short turnings: the serpent or dragon, flexible and winding, which coils himself up in a circular form: and the sea monster, or whale. These are used allegorically, without doubt for great potentates, enemies and persecutors of the people of God: but to specify the particular persons or states designed by the prophet under these images, is a matter of great difficulty, and comes not necessarily with in the design of these notes. R. D. Kimchi says, leviathan is a parable concerning the kings of the Gentiles: it is the largest fish in the sea, called also ynt tannin, the dragon, or rather the whale. By these names the Grecian, Turkish, and Roman empires are intended. The dragon of the sea seems to mean some nation having a strong naval force and extensive commerce. See Kimchi on the place.
Matthew Henry Commentary
- The Divine mercies encourage to confidence in God. (Is. 26:1-4) Hi judgments. (Is. 26:5-11) His people exhorted to wait upon Him. (Is 26:12-19) Deliverance promised. (Is. 26:20,21)
Is. 26:1-4 "That day," seems to mean when the New Testament Babylo shall be levelled with the ground. The unchangeable promise an covenant of the Lord are the walls of the church of God. The gates of this city shall be open. Let sinners then be encouraged to join to the Lord. Thou wilt keep him in peace; in perfect peace, inward peace outward peace, peace with God, peace of conscience, peace at all times in all events. Trust in the Lord for that peace, that portion, whic will be for ever. Whatever we trust to the world for, it will last onl for a moment; but those who trust in God shall not only find in him but shall receive from him, strength that will carry them to tha blessedness which is for ever. Let us then acknowledge him in all ou ways, and rely on him in all trials.
Is. 26:5-11 The way of the just is evenness, a steady course of obedience and holy conversation. And it is their happiness that God makes their way plain and easy. It is our duty, and will be ou comfort, to wait for God, to keep up holy desires toward him in the darkest and most discouraging times. Our troubles must never turn u from God; and in the darkest, longest night of affliction, with ou souls must we desire him; and this we must wait and pray to him for. We make nothing of our religion, whatever our profession may be, if we d not make heart-work of it. Though we come ever so early, we shall fin God ready to receive us. The intention of afflictions is to teac righteousness: blessed is the man whom the Lord thus teaches. But sinners walk contrary to him. They will go on in their evil ways because they will not consider what a God he is whose laws they persis in despising. Scorners and the secure will shortly feel, what now the will not believe, that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. They will not see the evil of sin; but they shall see Oh that they would abandon their sins, and turn to the Lord, that he may have mercy upon them.
Is. 26:12-19 Every creature, every business, any way serviceable to ou comfort, God makes to be so; he makes that work for us which seemed to make against us. They had been slaves of sin and Satan; but by the Divine grace they were taught to look to be set free from all forme masters. The cause opposed to God and his kingdom will sink at last See our need of afflictions. Before, prayer came drop by drop; now the pour it out, it comes now like water from a fountain. Afflictions brin us to secret prayer. Consider Christ as the Speaker addressing his church. His resurrection from the dead was an earnest of all the deliverance foretold. The power of his grace, like the dew or rain which causes the herbs that seem dead to revive, would raise his churc from the lowest state. But we may refer to the resurrection of the dead, especially of those united to Christ.
Is. 26:20,21 When dangers threaten, it is good to retire and lie hid when we commend ourselves to God to hide us, he will hide us eithe under heaven or in heaven. Thus we shall be safe and happy in the mids of tribulations. It is but for a short time, as it were for a littl moment; when over, it will seem as nothing. God's place is the mercy-seat; there he delights to be: when he punishes, he comes out of his place, for he has no pleasure in the death of sinners. But there is hardly any truth more frequently repeated in Scripture, than God' determined purpose to punish the workers of iniquity. Let us keep clos to the Lord, and separate from the world; and let us seek comfort i secret prayer. A day of vengeance is coming on the world, and before i comes we are to expect tribulation and suffering. But because the Christian looks for these things, shall he be restless and dismayed No, let him repose himself in his God. Abiding in him, the believer i safe. And let us wait patiently the fulfilling of God's promises _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew ביום3117 ההוא1931 יפקד6485 יהוה3068 בחרבו2719 הקשׁה7186 והגדולה1419 והחזקה2389 על5921 לויתן3882 נחשׁ5175 ברח1281 ועל5921 לויתן3882 נחשׁ5175 עקלתון6129 והרג2026 את853 התנין8577 אשׁר834 בים׃3220
