Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 7. Of the increase] In the common Hebrew Bibles, and in many MSS., this word is written with the close or final µ hbrµl . But in twelve of Kennicott's MSS., and twelve of De Rossi's, it is written with the open m mem; but here it is supposed to contain mysteries, viz., that Jerusalem shall be shut up, closed, and confined, till the days of the Messiah.
This is an ilustrious prophecy of the incarnation of Christ, with an enumeration of those characters in which he stands most nearly related to mankind as their saviour; and of others by which his infinite majesty and Godhead are shown. He shall appear as a child, born of a woman, born as a Jew, under the law, but not in the way of ordinary generation. He is a Son given-the human nature, in which the fullness of the Godhead was to dwell, being produced by the creative energy of the Holy Ghost in the womb of the Virgin. See Matt. i. 20, 21, 23, 25, and Luke i. 35, and chap. vii. 14, and the notes on those passages. As being God manifested in the flesh, he was wonderful in his conception, birth, preaching, miracles, sufferings, death, resurrection, and ascension; wonderful in his person, and wonderful in his working. He is the Counsellor that expounds the law; shows its origin, nature, and claims; instructs, pleads for the guilty; and ever appears in the presence of God for men. He is the mighty God; God essentially and efficiently prevailing against his enemies, and destroying ours. He is the Father of eternity; the Origin of all by ing, and the Cause of the existence, and particularly the Father, of the spirits of all flesh. The Prince of peace-not only the Author of peace, and the Dispenser of peace, but also he that rules by peace, whose rule tends always to perfection, and produces prosperity. Of the increase of his government-this Prince has a government, for he has all power both in heaven and in earth: and his government increases, and is daily more and more extended, and will continue till all things are put under his feet. His kingdom is ordered-every act of government regulated according to wisdom and goodness; is established so securely as not to be overthrown; and administered in judgment and justice, so as to manifest his wisdom, righteousness, goodness, and truth. Reader, such is that Jesus who came into the world to save sinners! Trust in HIM! Chap. ix. 8-chap. x. 4. This whole passage reduced to its proper and entire form, and healed of the dislocation which it suffers by the absurd division of the chapters, makes a distinct prophecy, and a just poem, remarkable for the regularity of its disposition and the elegance of its plan. It has no relation to the preceding or following prophecy; though the parts, violently torn asunder, have been, on the one side and the other, patched on to them. Those relate principally to the kingdom of Judah, this is addressed exclusively to the kingdom of Israel. The subject of it is a denunciation of vengeance awaiting their crimes. It is divided into four parts, each threatening the particular punishment of some grievous offense-of their pride, of their perseverance in their vices, of their impiety, and of their injustice. To which is added a general denunciation of a farther reserve of Divine wrath, contained in a distich, before used by the prophet on a like occasion, chap. v. 25, and here repeated after each part. This makes the intercalary verse of the poem; or, as we call it, the burden of the song.
"Post hoc comma (cap. ix. 4) interponitur spatium unius lineae, in Cod. 2 et 3: idemque observatur in 245. in quo nullum est spatium ad finem capitis ix." Kennicott, Var. Lect.
"After this clause (ver. 4) is interposed the space of one line in Cod. 2 and 3. The same is likewise observed in Cod. 245, in which no space exists at the end of ver."
Matthew Henry Commentary
- Exhortations and warnings. (Is. 8:1-8) Comfort for those who fear God (Is. 8:9-16) Afflictions to idolaters. (Is. 8:17-22)
Is. 8:1-8 The prophet is to write on a large roll, or on a meta tablet, words which meant, "Make speed to spoil, hasten to the prey: pointing out that the Assyrian army should come with speed, and make great spoil. Very soon the riches of Damascus and of Samaria, citie then secure and formidable, shall be taken away by the king of Assyria The prophet pleads with the promised Messiah, who should appear in tha land in the fulness of time, and, therefore, as God, would preserve it in the mean time. As a gentle brook is an apt emblem of a mil government, so an overflowing torrent represents a conqueror an tyrant. The invader's success was also described by a bird of prey stretching its wings over the whole land. Those who reject Christ, wil find that what they call liberty is the basest slavery. But no enem shall pluck the believer out of Emmanuel's hand, or deprive him of his heavenly inheritance.
Is. 8:9-16 The prophet challenges the enemies of the Jews. Their efforts would be vain, and themselves broken to pieces. It concerns us in time of trouble, to watch against all such fears as put us upo crooked courses for our own security. The believing fear of God preserves against the disquieting fear of man. If we thought rightly of the greatness and glory of God, we should see all the power of ou enemies restrained. The Lord, who will be a Sanctuary to those wh trust in him, will be a Stone of stumbling, and a Rock of offence, to those who make the creature their fear and their hope. If the things of God be an offence to us, they will undo us. The apostle quotes this a to all who persisted in unbelief of the gospel of Christ, I Pet. 2:8 The crucified Emmanuel, who was and is a Stumbling-stone and Rock of offence to unbelieving Jews, is no less so to thousands who are calle Christians. The preaching of the cross is foolishness in their esteem his doctrines and precepts offend them.
Is. 8:17-22 The prophet foresaw that the Lord would hide his face; but he would look for his return in favour to them again. Though no miraculous signs, the children's names were memorials from God, suite to excite attention. The unbelieving Jews were prone to seek counsel i difficulties, from diviners of different descriptions, whose foolis and sinful ceremonies are alluded to. Would we know how we may seek to our God, and come to the knowledge of his mind? To the law and to the testimony; for there you will see what is good, and what the Lor requires. We must speak of the things of God in the words which the Holy Ghost teaches, and be ruled by them. To those that seek to familiar spirits, and regard not God's law and testimony, there shal be horror and misery. Those that go away from God, go out of the way of all good; for fretfulness is a sin that is its own punishment. The shall despair, and see no way of relief, when they curse God. And their fears will represent every thing as frightful. Those that shut their eyes against the light of God's word, will justly be left to darkness All the miseries that ever were felt or witnessed on earth, are a nothing, compared with what will overwhelm those who leave the words of Christ, to follow delusions _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew לםרבה4766 המשׂרה4951 ולשׁלום7965 אין369 קץ7093 על5921 כסא3678 דוד1732 ועל5921 ממלכתו4467 להכין3559 אתה853 ולסעדה5582 במשׁפט4941 ובצדקה6666 מעתה6258 ועד5704 עולם5769 קנאת7068 יהוה3068 צבאות6635 תעשׂה6213 זאת׃2063
