Isaiah as a Mini-Bible

Isaiahchapter 61

11 verses · ASV

This chapter sends 217 cross-references outward and receives 418 — heaviest partner: Isaiah.

Chapter summary

The chapter opens with a Spirit-anointed speaker: "The Spirit of the Lord Jehovah is upon me; because Jehovah hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek" — sent to bind the broken-hearted, proclaim liberty to captives, and announce the year of Jehovah's favor (61:1-2), the text Jesus reads in the Nazareth synagogue and declares fulfilled (Luke 4:18-21). The mission works reversal in Zion: a garland for ashes, oil of joy for mourning. The people rebuild ancient wastes while strangers tend their flocks; they are named "the priests of Jehovah" and eat the wealth of the nations. Instead of shame they receive a double portion, and Jehovah, who loves justice, makes an everlasting covenant with them. A rejoicing voice closes the chapter, clothed in garments of salvation, as righteousness springs up before all nations like growth in a garden.

Drafted from Matthew Henry, Calvin, Gill, Clarke, JFB, and Barnes.

Context

Prophecy · Isaiah — see the Isaiah overview for the book's full setting.

1–11 Isaiah as a Mini-Bible

1 The Spirit of the Lord Jehovah is upon me; because Jehovah hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

2 to proclaim the year of Jehovah’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

3 to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of Jehovah, that he may be glorified.

4 And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.

5 And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and foreigners shall be your plowmen and your vine-dressers.

6 But ye shall be named the priests of Jehovah; men shall call you the ministers of our God: ye shall eat the wealth of the nations, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.

7 Instead of your shame ye shall have double; and instead of dishonor they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess double; everlasting joy shall be unto them.

8 For I, Jehovah, love justice, I hate robbery with iniquity; and I will give them their recompense in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.

9 And their seed shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which Jehovah hath blessed.

10 I will greatly rejoice in Jehovah, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with a garland, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

11 For as the earth bringeth forth its bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord Jehovah will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.

Continue: Isaiah 62 →