Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 2. As when the melting fire burneth "As the fire kindleth the dry fuel"] µysmh hatmasim. "It means dry stubble, and the root is smh hamas, "says Rabbi Jonah, apud Sal ben Belec in loc. Which is approved by Schultens, Orig. Hebrews p. 30.
"The fire kindling the stubble does not seem like enough to the melting of the mountains to be brought as a simile to it.
What if thus?] 'That the mountains might flow down at thy presence! As the fire of things smelted burneth, As the fire causeth the waters to boil-' There is no doubt of the Hebrew words of the second line bearing that version." -Dr. JUBB.
I submit these different interpretations to the reader's judgment. For my own part I am inclined to think that the text is much corrupted in this place. The ancient Versions have not the least traces of either of the above interpretations. The Septuagtnt and Syriac agree exactly together in rendering this line by, "As the wax melted before the fire, "which can by no means be reconciled with the present text. The Vulgate, for µysmh hamasim, read wsmy yemasu.
That the nations] For µywg goyim, the nations, four MSS. (one of them ancient) have µyrh harim, the mountains. - L.
Matthew Henry Commentary
- Christ's victory over his enemies. (Is. 63:1-6) His mercy toward his church. (Is. 63:7-14) The prayer of the church. (Is. 63:15-19)
Is. 63:1-6 The prophet, in vision, beholds the Messiah returning i triumph from the conquest of his enemies, of whom Edom was a type Travelling, not as wearied by the combat, but, in the greatness of his strength, prepared to overcome every opposing power. Messiah declare that he had been treading the wine-press of the wrath of God, Rev 14:19; 19:13, and by his own power, without any human help, he ha crushed his obstinate opposers, for the day of vengeance was determine on, being the appointed season for rescuing his church. Once, he appeared on earth in apparent weakness, to pour out his precious bloo as an atonement for our sins; but he will in due time appear in the greatness of his strength. The vintage ripens apace; the day of vengeance, fixed and determined on, approaches apace; let sinners see to be reconciled to their righteous Judge, ere he brings down their strength to the earth. Does Christ say, "I come quickly?" let ou hearts reply, "Even so, come; let the year of the redeemed come."
Is. 63:7-14 The latter part of this chapter, and the whole of the next seem to express the prayers of the Jews on their conversation. The acknowledge God's great mercies and favours to their nation. The confess their wickedness and hardness of heart; they entreat his forgiveness, and deplore the miserable condition under which they have so long suffered. The only-begotten Son of the Father became the Ange or Messenger of his love; thus he redeemed and bare them with tenderness. Yet they murmured, and resisted his Holy Spirit, despisin and persecuting his prophets, rejecting and crucifying the promise Messiah. All our comforts and hopes spring from the loving-kindness of the Lord, and all our miseries and fears from our sins. But he is the Saviour, and when sinners seek after him, who in other ages glorifie himself by saving and feeding his purchased flock, and leading the safely through dangers, and has given his Holy Spirit to prosper the labours of his ministers, there is good ground to hope they ar discovering the way of peace.
Is. 63:15-19 They beseech him to look down on the abject condition of their once-favoured nation. Would it not be glorious to his name to remove the veil from their hearts, to return to the tribes of his inheritance? The Babylonish captivity, and the after-deliverance of the Jews, were shadows of the events here foretold. The Lord looks dow upon us in tenderness and mercy. Spiritual judgments are more to be dreaded than any other calamities; and we should most carefully avoi those sins which justly provoke the Lord to leave men to themselves an to their deceiver. "Our Redeemer from everlasting" is thy name; the people have always looked upon thee as the God to whom they migh appeal. The Lord will hear the prayers of those who belong to him, an deliver them from those not called by his name _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew כקדח6919 אשׁ784 המסים2003 מים4325 תבעה1158 אשׁ784 להודיע3045 שׁמך8034 לצריך6862 מפניך6440 גוים1471 ירגזו׃7264
