Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 7. The instruments also of the churl are evil "As for the niggard, his instruments are evil"] His machinations, his designs. The paronomasia, which the prophet frequently deals in, suggested this expression wylk ylkw vechelai kelaiv. The first word is expressed with some variety in the MSS. Seven MSS. read ylykw vekili, one lkw vechol, another ylwkw vecoli.
To destroy the poor with lying words "To defeat the assertions of the poor in judgment"] A word seems to have been lost here, and two others to have suffered a small alteration, which has made the sentence very obscure. The Septuagint have happily retained the rendering of the lost word, and restored the sentence in all its parts: kai diaskedasai logouv tapeinwn en krisei fpmb wyba yrbd rphlw ulehapher dibrey ebyon bemishpat, "And disperse the words of the poor in judgment. " They frequently render the verb rph haphar by diaskedasai, A MS. reads rbdlw uledabber, which gives authority for the preposition l lamed, to, necessary to the sense, and the Septuagint, Syriac, and Chaldee read fpmb bemishpat, IN judgment.
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 וכלי3596 כליו3627 רעים7451 הוא1931 זמות2154 יעץ3289 לחבל2254 ענוים6035 באמרי561 שׁקר8267 ובדבר1696 אביון34 משׁפט׃4941
