Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 6. Among the smooth stones of the stream "Among the smooth stones of the valley"] The Jews were extremely addicted to the practice of many superstitious and idolatrous rites, which the prophet here inveighs against with great vehemence. Of the worship of rude stones consecrated, there are many testimonials of the ancients. They were called baituloi and baitulia probably from the stone which Jacob erected at Beth-el, pouring oil upon the top of it. This practice was very common in different ages and places. Arnobius, lib. i., gives an account of his own practice in this respect before he became a Christian: Si quando conspexeram lubricatum lapidem, et ex olivi unguine sordidatum; tanquam inesset vis praesens, adulabar, affabar, et beneficia poscebam nihil sentiente de trunco. "When I have met with a smooth stone, smeared with oil, supposing a spiritual power to be connected with it, I worshipped it, paid my addresses to it, and requested blessings, "&c. Clemens Alex., Strom. lib. vii., speaks of a worshipper of every smooth stone in a proverbial way, to denote one given up to superstition. And accordingly Theophrastus has marked this as one strong feature in the character of the superstitious man: kai twn liparwn liqwn twn en taiv triodoiv pariwn, ek thv lhkuqou elaiou katacein, kai epi gonata peswn kai proskunhsav apallattesqai. "Passing by the anointed stones in the streets, he takes out his phial of oil, and pours it on them; and having fallen on his knees, and made his adorations, he departs. " Kimchi says: "When they found a beautiful polished stone in a brook or river, they paid Divine adoration to it. " This idolatry is still prevalent among the Hindoos. The stone which is the object of their adoration is called salgram.
They are found about eighty miles from the source of the river Sown, in the viceroyalty of Bahar, on the coast of Bengal. Ayeen Akbery vol. ii. p. 29.
Matthew Henry Commentary
- A charge to keep the Divine precepts. (Is. 56:1,2) Blessings promised (Is. 56:3-8) Reproof to the careless watchmen, the teachers and ruler of the Jews. (Is. 56:9-12)
Is. 56:1,2 The Lord tells us what are his expectations of duty from us Be honest and just in all dealings. Also strictly observe the sabbat day. To have the blessing of God upon employments all the week, make conscience of keeping the sabbath holy. Have nothing to do with sin Blessed is the man that keeps his hand from all things displeasing to God and hurtful to his own soul. Those who, through the Spirit, wai for the hope of righteousness by faith, will be found walking in way of holy obedience.
Is. 56:3-8 Unbelief often suggests things to discourage believers against which God has expressly guarded. Spiritual blessings ar unspeakably better than having sons and daughters; for children are care, and may prove a grief and shame, but the blessings we partake of in God's house, are comforts which cannot be made bitter. Those wh love the Lord truly, will serve him faithfully, and then his commandments are not grievous. Three things are promised. Assistance: will not only bid them welcome, but incline them to come. Acceptance and comfort: though they came mourning to the house of prayer, the shall go away rejoicing. They shall find ease by casting their care and burdens upon God. Many a sorrowful spirit has been made joyful in the house of prayer. The Gentiles shall be one body with the Jews that, as Christ says, John 10:16, there may be one fold and on Shepherd. Thanks be to God that none are separated from him except be wilful sin and unbelief; and if we come to him, we shall be accepte through the sacrifice of our great High Priest.
Is. 56:9-12 Desolating judgments are called for; and this severe rebuk of the rulers and teachers of the Jewish church, is applicable to othe ages and places. It is bad with a people when their shepherds slumber and are eager after the world. Let us pray the Great Shepherd to sen us pastors after his own heart, who will feed us with knowledge, tha we may rejoice in his holy name, and that believers may be daily adde to the church _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew בחלקי2511 נחל5158 חלקך2506 הם1992 הם1992 גורלך1486 גם1571 להם1992 שׁפכת8210 נסך5262 העלית5927 מנחה4503 העל5921 אלה428 אנחם׃5162
