Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 7. The parched ground "The glowing sand"] br sharab; this word is Arabic, as well as Hebrew, expressing in both languages the same thing, the glowing sandy plain, which in the hot countries at a distance has the appearance of water. It occurs in the Koran, chap. 24.: "But as to the unbelievers, their works are like a vapor in a plain, which the thirsty traveler thinketh to be water, until, when he cometh thereto, he findeth it to be nothing. " Mr. Sale's note on this place is, "The Arabic word serab signifies that false appearance which in the eastern countries is often seen on sandy plains about noon, resembling a large lake of water in motion, and is occasioned by the reverberation of the sun beams: 'by the quivering undulating motion of that quick succession of vapours and exhalations which are extracted by the powerful influence of the sun.'-Shaw, Trav. p. 378. It sometimes tempts thirsty travelers out of their way; but deceives them when they come near, either going forward, (for it always appears at the Same distance,) or quite vanishing. " Q.
Curtius has mentioned it: "Arenas vapor aestivi solis accendit; camporumque non alia, quam vasti et profundi aequoris species est." - Lib. vii., c. 5. Dr. Hyde gives us the precise meaning and derivation of the word. "Dictum nomen Barca hqrbh habberakah, splendourem, seu splendentem regionem notat; cum ea regio radiis solaribus tam copiose collustretur, ut reflexum ab arenis lumen adeo intense fulgens, a longinquo spectantibus, ad instar corporis solaris, aquarum speciem referat; et hinc arenarum splendour et radiatio, (et lingua Persica petito nomine,) dicitur serab, i.e., aquae superficies seu superficialis aquarum species. " Annot. in Peritsol., cap. ii.
"Shall spring forth"] The h he in hxbr rebitseh seems to have been at first m mem in MS. Bodl., whence Dr. Kennicott concludes it should be µyxbr rebitsim. But instead of this word the Syriac, Vulgate, and Chaldee read some word signifying to grow, spring up, or abound. Perhaps hxrp paretsah, or wxrp paretsu, or ryxjh Årp parats hachatsir, as Houbigant reads. - L.
Matthew Henry Commentary
- God's vengeance against the enemies of his church. (Is. 34:1-8) Their desolation. (Is. 34:9-17)
Is. 34:1-8 Here is a prophecy of the wars of the Lord, all which ar both righteous and successful. All nations are concerned. And as the have all had the benefit of his patience, so all must expect to fee his resentment. The description of bloodshed suggests tremendous idea of the Divine judgments. Idumea here denotes the nations at enmity with the church; also the kingdom of antichrist. Our thoughts cannot reac the horrors of that awful season, to those found opposing the church of Christ. There is a time fixed in the Divine counsels for the deliverance of the church, and the destruction of her enemies. We mus patiently wait till then, and judge nothing before the time. Throug Christ, mercy is exercised to every believer, consistently with justice, and his name is glorified.
Is. 34:9-17 Those who aim to ruin the church, can never do that, but will ruin themselves. What dismal changes sin can make! It turns fruitful land into barrenness, a crowded city into a wilderness. Let u compare all we discover in the book of the Lord, with the dealings of providence around us, that we may be more diligent in seeking the kingdom of God and his righteousness. What the mouth of the Lord ha commanded, his Spirit will perform. And let us observe how the evidences of the truth continually increase, as one prophecy afte another is fulfilled, until these awful scenes bring in more happ days. As Israel was a figure of the Christian church, so the Edomites their bitter enemies, represent the enemies of the kingdom of Christ God's Jerusalem may be laid in ruins for a time, but the enemies of the church shall be desolate for ever _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew והיה1961 השׁרב8273 לאגם98 וצמאון6774 למבועי4002 מים4325 בנוה5116 תנים8577 רבצה7258 חציר2682 לקנה7070 וגמא׃1573
