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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE PROPHET ISAIAH

CHAPTER TWO:
THOSE HUMBLED AND THOSE EXALTED ON YHWH’S DAY

Isaiah 2:1-5 – The Future of Jerusalem and Judah

IS2:1 This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw in a vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem: 94

94	Concerning Judah and Jerusalem: The subject of the vision and the fulfillment of the prophecy deal with Judah and Jerusalem. Some would give it a wider application without specific support.

IS2:2 During the latter periods of time 95 it shall come to pass that the mountain of the House of Y^eH^oW^aH 96 shall be established as the summit of all mountains, 97 exalted above the hills. Then all ethnic groups 98 will flow like a river to it. 99

95

During the latter periods of time: Or, LXX [KJV; IB]: in the last days; JPS: in the days to come; RHM: in the after part of the days; NJB: in will happen in the final days. The Greek LXX uses ESKHATAIS HEMERAIS [last days; end times]. See 2 Timothy 3:1 on the same words. The Hebrew is [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #319, 3117] Many automatically jump to the conclusion that this must deal with the end-times described in Revelation.

96

Mountain of the House of YeHoWaH: Or, JPS: The Mount of the LORD’s House; RHM: house of Yahweh; NJB: mountain of Yahweh’s house. These and the words that follow also appear in Micah 4:1+. The term refers to God’s Temple on Mount Zion overlooking Jerusalem. It seems likely that the fulfillment occurs with the return of the Israelite captives from Babylon to rebuild Jerusalem and her Temple. See Nehemiah and Ezra. Additionally, many believe the words also apply to the exaltation of the Spiritual Temple of the Church. [See Nazarene Commentary 2000© notes on 1 Corinthians 3:9; Ephesians 2:19-22; Hebrews 3:1, 6; 1 Peter 2:5; Revelation 11:1-3.]

97

Established as the summit of all mountains: Or, NJB: will rise higher than the mountains; KJV: established in the top of the mountains; RHM: set up as the head of the mountains; JPS: stand firm above the mountains; LXX: shall be glorious… on the top of the mountains. This may be a spiritual way of viewing the rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem during the 5th Century. It could also apply to the New Jerusalem [Isaiah 65:17-19] as seen by John in Revelation chapters 19, 21, 22. [For details see the book Nazarene Apocalypse 2000©.]

98

Ethnic groups: Or, nations, Gentiles, non-Jews. The Hebrew is GOYIM [Strong’s #1471] and the Greek ETHNE from which the English “ethnic” comes. Compare Paul’s association of the “nations” with the Spiritual Temple [the Church] in Ephesians chapter 2. For more details see the work Commentary On Ephesians.

99	Will flow like a river to it: Or, LXX: come to it; JPS: gaze on it with joy; KJV: flow to it; NJB: stream to it.

IS2:3 Many peoples will go, 100 and they will tell others: 101 “All of you, come, and let us ascend 102 to the mountain of Y^eH^oW^aH, to the House of the God of Jacob. Then He may teach us His ways, 103 and we will walk in His paths. 104 For out of Zion law will go forth, 105 and the word of Y^eH^oW^aH 106 out of Jerusalem.

100	Many peoples will go: Or, NJB: come to it; JPS: shall go.

101	They will tell others: Or, LXX: and say.

102	Let us ascend: Or, NJB: let us go up.

103	He may teach us His ways: Or, LXX: tell us his way; JPS: instruct us in His ways. The purpose of this ascent to God’s exalted House is divine education. Compare John 6:44, 45.

104	We will walk in His paths: Or, NJB: so that we may walk in his paths. As a result of the education mention before they must be a willing to follow God’s way. See Psalm 119:105.

105

Out of Zion law will go forth: Or, LXX: go forth the law; JPS: instruction will come forth from Zion; RHM: a law; NJB: the Law will issue from Zion. The divine education is paralleled with “law” or instruction. This “law” surely includes that “new commandment” given by the Nazarene Master. [John 15:11-17]

106

The word of YeHoWaH: Or, NJB: word of Yahweh. The Greek LXX uses LOGOS. [John 1:1] When Israel returned to Jerusalem and rebuilt the Temple destroyed by the Babylonians, “law” began to go forth. [See Ezra.] In a grander way the “word of YHWH” went forth form Jerusalem during the days of the Nazarene Master. [John chapters 5-8]

IS2:4 Then He will judge among all the ethnic groups. 107 He will be the arbitrator to many peoples. 108 They will have to beat their swords into ploughshares, 109 and their spears into pruning-hooks. Nation will not lift up the sword against another nation, nor will they learn war any more. 110

107

He will judge among all the ethnic groups: Or, LXX: he will judge among the nations; RHM: he will judge between the nations. For details on the subject of “judgment” see the Biblical Article God and Judgment. Compare notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000© on Acts 17:31; Romans chapter 2; 1 Corinthians 6:1, 2; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 20:4. If this be viewed as involving the New Jerusalem [Isaiah 65:17-19] then this judgment could involve both the parousia-judgment at the Return of Christ [Matthew 25:31-46] and the Last Judgment of all humanity. [Revelation 20:11-14] God will judge all humanity by means of His Son. [John 5:22]

108	He will be the arbitrator to many peoples: Or, KJV: rebuke; RHM: be umpire to many peoples; JPS: arbitrate. On RHM use of “umpire” see Nazarene Commentary 2000© notes on Colossians 3:15. Regarding such judgment see Romans 14:9-12. All humanity will be judged. [Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14]

109	They will have to beat their swords into ploughshares: Compare such “peace” as described in Ephesians 2:11-18. These words appear on a plaque in front of the United nations building in New York. God’s people will be peacemakers. [Matthew 5:9; Romans 12:18]

110	Nor will they learn war any more: God’s people are characterized by no longer learn or waging war. [2 Corinthians 10:3, 4]

IS2:5 All of you, O house of Jacob, come, and let us all walk in the light [Revelation 21:23] of Y^eH^oW^aH.” 111

111

Let us all walk in the light of YeHoWaH: Or, NJB: walk in Yahweh’s light. Such “walk” – or conduct, lifestyle – is the result of learning from the “word of YHWH.” It is possible Revelation 21:23 echoes this as the subject there involves the “nations” as here in Isaiah. Compare also 1 John 1:7. [Psalm 119:105; Isaiah 60:19]

Isaiah 2:6-9 – Abandoned and Unpardonable

IS2:6 For You have abandoned Your people, 112 the house of Jacob. 113 All because they have become filled with Eastern ideas 114 – and the use of mysterious arts like those of the Philistines 115 – and the customs of foreigners. 116

112

You have abandoned Your people: Or, NJB: rejected; KJV: forsaken. Despite the future exaltation of Jehovah’s House and the future education of His People, Isaiah now describes the state of affairs between God and Isaiah during his times. Such “people” will be restored as Isaiah processed. However, the same is repeated with regard to the “generation” of Christ’s time. [Matthew 12:39, 41, 42, 45; 16:4; 17:17; 23:36; see notes on Romans 9:3] By means of the New Israel of God the True Jews will be saved. [Romans 2:28, 29; 9:6; chapter 11; Galatians 3:29; 6:16; Revelation 7:4; 21:12]

113	House of Jacob: See Jeremiah 31:31-35 and Hebrews 8:7-13.

114

Filled with Eastern ideas: Or, LXX: as at the beginning with divinations; JPS: full [of practices] from the East; RHM: full of the East; KJV: replenished from the east; NJB: full of sorcerers. To God’s people of any period there are great dangers in Eastern beliefs and practices. These involve the dread of demons that must be placated by every means of religious customs. Modern examples may be seen in Hinduism, Buddhism, animism and other pagan rituals and doctrines. See Moses’ condemnation of related practices in Deuteronomy 18:9-13. [Isaiah 47:9] This would include astrology [Daniel 2:27; 4:7; 5:7, 11; Matthew 2:1] as well as the use of drugs in spiritism. [See notes on Galatians 5:20 and Revelation 22:15.] Compare examples in Acts chapter 19. It is a sad fact that more and more Christians in modern times also get involved in “Eastern ideas.”

115	Use of mysterious arts like those of the Philistines: Or, KJV: soothsayers; RHM: hidden arts. See Leviticus 19:31; Psalm 106:35. [1 Samuel 6:2]

116

Customs of foreigners: Or, LXX: many strange children born to them; JPS: abound in customs of the aliens; NJB: overrun with strangers. Israel succumbed to the outside influences of the pagans from other nations with their various forms of spiritism and divination. For this God’s People are abandoned.

IS2:7 Their land is filled with silver and gold. 117 There is no end to their treasures. Their land is filled with horses and they have chariots without end.

117	Silver and gold: Ancient as well as modern peoples mine their silver and gold to cover their idols.

IS2:8 Their land is filled with idols, and they prostrate themselves before the work of their own hands, 118 what their own fingers made.

118	Work of their own hands: Likely the absurdity of bowing in worship before something made by humans. Isaiah repeats similar accusations throughout. [1 John 5:21]

IS2:9 So a lowly human being bows down, and even a great person stoops [to worship]. 119 Because of this, [O God], do not pardon them! 120

119	Stoops [to worship]: Or, NJB: bow down; KJV: humbleth himself; RHM: stoopeth low; JPS: brought low; LXX: the great man is humbled; NJB: human nature has been humbled, humankind brought low. Possibly a sarcasm of the humiliation of such a great person before the hand-made idol.

120	Do not pardon them: Or, LXX: I will not pardon them; JPS: do not forgive them; NJB: do not raise them up again. [Exodus 20:7; Joshua 24:19; Jeremiah 18:23; Mark 3:29] Israel cannot expect pardon or forgiveness for their idolatry adopted from the nations around them.

Isaiah 2:10-17 – Arrogant Peoples Will See Yehowah Exalted

IS2:10 Enter into the rock 121 and conceal yourself in the dust of earth 122 [Revelation 6:15] because of the awesome horror of Y^eH^oW^aH 123 and His magnificent brilliance.[2 Thessalonians 1:9] 124

121	Enter into the rock: Or, NJB: go into the rock; JPS: go deep into; LXX: enter ye into the rocks.

122	Conceal yourself in the dust of earth: Or, LXX: hide yourselves; JPS: bury yourselves in the ground; RHM: enter into; NJB: go into the rock. The language may be echoed by Revelation 6:15 and may provide an interpretative paraphrase.

123	Awesome horror of YeHoWaH: Or, NJB: the terror of Yahweh; KJV: for fear of the LORD; RHM: terribleness of Yahweh; JPS: terror of; LXX: fear of. The latter in LXX uses PHOBOU from which the English “phobia” comes.

124

His magnificent brilliance: Or, LXX: the glory of his might; JPS: His dread majesty; RHM: His majestic splendour; KJV: the glory of his majesty; NJB: brilliance of his majesty. The Greek LXX TES DOXES TES ISKHUOS AUTOU is exactly the same as 2 Thessalonians 1:9. This may be an interpretative paraphrase with an application to the visible appearance of Yehowah’s Son at his parousia. [1Thessalonians 4:15-17]

IS2:11 The arrogant eyes of lowly humans will be humiliated. 125 The haughtiness 126 of great persons will be made to bow down. For Y^eH^oW^aH alone will be exalted in that Day.

125

The arrogant eyes of lowly humans will be humiliated: Or, LXX: the eyes of the Lord are high but man is low; JPS: Man’s haughty look shall be brought low; RHM: the lofty looks of mean men shall be humbled; NJB: human pride will lower its eyes. Throughout the Bible arrogance and pride are condemned. Research pride, haughty, arrogance. [Proverbs 16:18; Isaiah 13:11, 19; 14:11; 16:6; 23:9; 1 Timothy 3:6; 6:4; James 4:16]

126	Haughtiness: Or, pride.

IS2:12 For Y^eH^oW^aH of [angelic] armies’ Day will come upon every person who is arrogant and self-exalted. 127 They will all be abased and brought low. 128

127	Arrogant and self-exalted: Or, NJB: for all who are majestic and haughty; KJV: proud and lofty; RHM: high and lofty; JPS: proud and arrogant; LXX: proud and haughty. A warning to the prideful. [Isaiah 66:16; Jeremiah 25:31]

128	Abased and brought low: Or, LXX: they shall be brought down; JPS: against all that is lofty – so that it is brought low.

IS2:13 [That Day] will come upon 129 all the cedars of Lebanon who are high and lofty. And upon all the great trees of Bashan.

129	That Day will come upon: Isaiah uses some analogies or word-pictures for the arrogant.

IS2:14 And upon all of the lofty mountains, and all the exalted hills. IS2:15 And upon every soaring tower, and every walled fortress. IS2:16 And upon all the ships of Tarshish, 130 and upon all showy works of art. 131

130	Tarshish: That is, Spain, though some think it to be Sardinia. Or, LXX: every ship of the sea. See Genesis 10:4 for the first occurrence; 1 Kings 10:22; Psalms 48:7. Compare also Isaiah 23:1, 6, 10,14; 60:9; 66:19. Likely an allusion to arrogant businessmen.

131	Showy works of art: Or, NJB: everything held precious; KJV: pleasant pictures; RHM: desirable banners; JPS: gallant barks; LXX: display of fine ships. There are problems with the Hebrew, but the Greek may show the way.

IS2:17 The arrogant eyes of lowly humans will be humiliated. The haughtiness of great persons will be made to bow down. For Y^eH^oW^aH alone will be exalted in that Day.

Isaiah 2:18-22 – Idols Cast Off on that Awesome Day

IS2:18 And idols will completely pass away 132

132	And idols will completely pass away: Or, LXX: they shall hide all idols made with hands; JPS: vanish completely; RHM: wholly pass away; KJV: utterly abolished; NJB: idols shall disappear. At the end of the day all religions that use idols or images must loose them.

IS2:19 when they all enter into the caverns of the rocks and into the caves of dust [Revelation 6:15] – because of the awesome horror of Y^eH^oW^aH and His magnificent brilliance – when He rises up 133 to shake the earth with seismic shocks. 134 [Revelation 6:12]

133	When He rises up: Or, JPS: when He comes forth to overawe the earth.

134	Shake the earth with seismic shocks: Or, LXX: strike terribly; NJB: make the earth quake. The phrase and image, when combined with verse 10 may be alluded to in Revelation 6:12.

IS2:20 In that Day humankind will leave to the mice and bats 135 their silver idols and golden images – things they have made to worship.

135	Mice and bats: Or, moles; JPS: flying foxes; LXX: worship vanities. [Uncertain] Mice and bats live in caves and rock cracks. [Isaiah 30:22; 31:7] Note Luke 23:30.

IS2:21 So they may enter into the rocky cliffs 136 and the cracks of rock faces because of the awesome horror of Y^eH^oW^aH and His magnificent brilliance – when He rises up to shake the earth with seismic shocks.

136	May enter into the rocky cliffs: In times of great siege and war the Jews did enter into caves to hide their treasures.

IS2:22 For your own benefit stay away from human beings 137 with only a breath 138 in their nostrils, for why should you even rely on them? 139

137	Stay away from human beings: Or, JPS: cease to glorify man; RHM: cease ye from the son of earth; KJV: cease ye from man; NJB: have no more do with humankind. Perhaps alluding to “trusting in princes.” [See Psalm 146:3, 4.]

138	Breath: The Hebrew is NESHAMAH [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #5397] as at Genesis 2:7. [Psalm 146:3, 4]

139	Why should you even rely on them: Or, NJB: how much is this worth; KJV: wherein is he to be account of; RHM: for wherein to be reckoned upon is he; JPS: for by what does he merit esteem. The verse is lacking in LXX.