Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 5. The vile person shall no more be called liberal] The different epithets here employed require minute explanation.
The vile person-lbn nabal, the pampered, fattened, brainless fellow, who eats to live, and lives to eat; who will scarcely part with any thing, and that which he does give he gives with an evil eye and a grudging heart.
Liberal-bydn nadib; the generous, openhearted, princely man, who writes on all his possessions, For myself and mankind, and lives only to get and to do good.
The churl-ylyk kilai, the avaricious man; he who starves himself amidst his plenty, and will not take the necessaries of life for fear of lessening his stock.
Thus he differs from lbn nabal, who feeds himself to the full, and regards no one else; like the rich man in the Gospel. The avaricious man is called ylyk kilai, from yk ki, for, yl li, myself; or contracted from lk col, all, and yl li, to myself: all is mine; all I have is my own; and all I can get is for myself: and yet this man enjoys nothing; he withholds From back and belly too their proper fare:- O cursed lust of gold, when for thy sake The wretch throws up his interest in both worlds, First starved in this, then damned in that to come! Bountiful-[w shoa, he who is abundantly rich; who rejoices in his plenty, and deals out to the distressed with a liberal hand.
Matthew Henry Commentary
- The sin and folly of seeking help from Egypt. (Is. 31:1-5) God's car for Jerusalem. (Is. 31:6-9)
Is. 31:1-5 God will oppose the help sought from workers of iniquity Sinners may be convicted of folly by plain and self-evident truths which they cannot deny, but will not believe. There is no escaping the judgments of God; and evil pursues sinners. The Lord of hosts will com down to fight for Mount Zion. The Lion of the tribe of Judah wil appear for the defence of his church. And as birds hovering over their young ones to protect them, with such compassion and affection will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem. He will so defend it, as to secure it safety.
Is. 31:6-9 They have been backsliding children, yet children; let the return, and their backslidings shall be healed, though they have sun deep into misery, and cannot easily recover. Many make an idol of their silver and gold, and by the love of that are drawn from God; but thos who turn to God, will be ready to part with it. Then, when they have cast away their idols, shall the Assyrian fall by the sword of a angel, who strikes more strongly than a mighty man, yet more secretl than a mean man. God can make the stoutest heart to tremble. But if we keep up the fire of holy love and devotion in our hearts and houses, we may depend upon God to protect us and them _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew לא3808 יקרא7121 עוד5750 לנבל5036 נדיב5081 ולכילי3596 לא3808 יאמר559 שׁוע׃7771
