John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 3. And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off , etc.] That are in the most distant parts of the world; not only the isles afar off, but the remotest parts of the continent, the American nations found out since. In ( Isaiah 2:4), it is, “and he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people”; that is, the King Messiah, as Aben Ezra, Kimchi, and Ben Melech. Some render it, “it shall judge”, etc. and interpret it either of the Church, the mountain of the Lord’s house; or of the word and doctrine of the Lord; or of the Lord in the church, by the ministry of the word, The phrase, “afar off”, is not in ( Isaiah 2:4); which the Targum interprets “for ever”, and the “strong nations” of strong kings; signifying that the kingdom of Christ should not only be to the ends or the earth, but should endure for ever, unto distant time, even till it shall be no more; as well as shall reach to distant lands, as to situation, and to the Gentiles afar off, as to state and condition; (see Ephesians 2:14); and they shall beat their swords into plough shares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up a sword against nation , neither shall they learn war any more ; which as yet has never been fulfilled; but will be the case when Christ’s kingdom appears in its glory, and the kingdoms of this world become his, and all the enemies of the church are destroyed; (see Gill on “ Isaiah 2:4”). These words are by the Jews f134 applied to the days of the Messiah.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-8 - The nations have not yet so submitted to the Prince of Peace, as to beat their swords into ploughshares, nor has war ceased. But very precious promises these are, relating to the gospel church, which wil be more and more fulfilled, for He is faithful that has promised. Ther shall be a glorious church for God set up in the world, in the las days, in the days of the Messiah. Christ himself will build it upon rock. The Gentiles worshipped their idol gods; but in the period spoke of, the people will cleave to the Lord with full purpose of heart, an delight in doing his will. The word "halteth," describes those who wal not according to the Divine word. The collecting the captives from Babylon was an earnest of healing, purifying, and prospering the church; and the reign of Christ shall continue till succeeded by the everlasting kingdom of heaven. Let us stir up each other to attend the ordinances of God, that we may learn his holy ways, and walk in them receiving the law from his hands, which, being written in our hearts by his Spirit, may show our interest in the Redeemer's righteousness.
Original Hebrew ושׁפט8199 בין996 עמים5971 רבים7227 והוכיח3198 לגוים1471 עצמים6099 עד5704 רחוק7350 וכתתו3807 חרבתיהם2719 לאתים855 וחניתתיהם2595 למזמרות4211 לא3808 ישׂאו5375 גוי1471 אל413 גוי1471 חרב2719 ולא3808 ילמדון3925 עוד5750 מלחמה׃4421
