
Text -- Isaiah 58:11 (NET)




Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics



collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)
Wesley: Isa 58:11 - -- Like a shepherd. And he adds continually to shew that his conduct and blessing shall not be momentary, or of a short continuance, but all along as it ...
Like a shepherd. And he adds continually to shew that his conduct and blessing shall not be momentary, or of a short continuance, but all along as it was to Israel in the wilderness.

Thou shalt have plenty, when others are in scarcity.

Wesley: Isa 58:11 - -- This may be spoken in opposition to the sad effects of famine, whereby the flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen, and the bones that were not...
This may be spoken in opposition to the sad effects of famine, whereby the flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen, and the bones that were not seen, stick out.

Wesley: Isa 58:11 - -- If thou relieve the poor, thou shalt never be poor, but as a well - watered garden, always flourishing.
If thou relieve the poor, thou shalt never be poor, but as a well - watered garden, always flourishing.

Wesley: Isa 58:11 - -- Heb. deceive not, a metaphor which farther notes also the continuance of this flourishing state, which will not be like a land - flood, or brooks, tha...
Heb. deceive not, a metaphor which farther notes also the continuance of this flourishing state, which will not be like a land - flood, or brooks, that will soon be dried up with drought. Thou shalt be fed with a spring of blessing, that will never fail.
(Isa 41:17-18). Literally, "drought," that is, parched places [MAURER].

JFB: Isa 58:11 - -- Rather, "strengthen" [NOYES]. "Give thee the free use of thy bones" [JEROME], or, "of thy strength" [HORSLEY].
Rather, "strengthen" [NOYES]. "Give thee the free use of thy bones" [JEROME], or, "of thy strength" [HORSLEY].

JFB: Isa 58:11 - -- Hebrew, "deceive not"; as streams that disappoint the caravan which had expected to find water, as formerly, but find it dried up (Job 6:15-17).
Hebrew, "deceive not"; as streams that disappoint the caravan which had expected to find water, as formerly, but find it dried up (Job 6:15-17).
Clarke -> Isa 58:11
Clarke: Isa 58:11 - -- And make fat thy bones "And he shall renew thy strength"- Chaldaeus forte legit יחכיף עצמתך yachaliph otsmathecha ; confer cap . Isa ...
And make fat thy bones "And he shall renew thy strength"- Chaldaeus forte legit
Calvin -> Isa 58:11
Calvin: Isa 58:11 - -- 11.And Jehovah will always conduct thee He now describes more clearly what he had spoken briefly and figuratively, that God will be their guide, so t...
11.And Jehovah will always conduct thee He now describes more clearly what he had spoken briefly and figuratively, that God will be their guide, so that they shall be in want of nothing for a full abundance of blessings. God is said to “conduct” us, when we actually feel that he goes before us, as if he were placed before our eyes.
And will satisfy thy soul in drought The Prophet adds that the aid promised shall not be of short duration, because God never forsakes his people in the middle of the journey, but continues his kindness towards them with unwearied regularity, and for this reason promises that they shall be satisfied amidst the deepest poverty; because God never is in want of any benefits for relieving their poverty, and his act of blessing is of more value than the most abundant rains of the whole year. And yet he does not promise to believers a rich and abundant produce of fruits, or a plentiful harvest, but that God will nourish them, though the earth yield no food. In this way he bids them depend on God’s assistance and be satisfied with it, though they be not altogether free from the distresses of famine. In this sense he adds, —
And will make fat thy bones He does not say that they shall be fully and highly fattened, but that they shall be so lean that the “bones” shall protrude even through the skin. Thus he gives the appellation of” bones” to those who have been worn bare by hunger or famine, men who have hardly anything remaining but dry skin and “bones;” and he means that the Jews will have to contend with want of all things and with leanness, till God shall restore them.
Of the same import are the metaphors which he adds, a watered garden, and a spring of waters. Isaiah cannot satisfy himself in describing the kindness of God, which he displays towards his sincere worshippers, that men may not seek anywhere else than in themselves the causes of barrenness. It amounts to this, that this fountain of God’s kindness never dries up, but always flows, if we do not stop its course by our own fault.
TSK -> Isa 58:11
TSK: Isa 58:11 - -- the Lord : Isa 49:10; Psa 25:9, Psa 32:8, Psa 48:14, Psa 73:24; Joh 16:13; 1Th 3:11
and satisfy : Isa 33:16; Job 5:20; Psa 33:19, Psa 34:9, Psa 34:10,...
the Lord : Isa 49:10; Psa 25:9, Psa 32:8, Psa 48:14, Psa 73:24; Joh 16:13; 1Th 3:11
and satisfy : Isa 33:16; Job 5:20; Psa 33:19, Psa 34:9, Psa 34:10, Psa 37:19; Jer 17:8; Hos 13:5
drought : Heb. droughts
make fat : Psa 92:14; Pro 3:8, Pro 11:25, Pro 13:4, Pro 28:25
be like : Isa 61:11; Son 4:15; Jer 31:12; Eze 36:35
fail : Heb. lie, or deceive, Job 6:15-20

collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)
Barnes -> Isa 58:11
Barnes: Isa 58:11 - -- And the Lord shall guide thee continually - Yahweh will go before you and will lead you always. And satisfy thy soul in drought - (See th...
And the Lord shall guide thee continually - Yahweh will go before you and will lead you always.
And satisfy thy soul in drought - (See the notes at Isa 41:17-18). The word rendered ‘ drought’ (Margin, ‘ droughts;’ Hebrew,
And make fat thy bones - Lowth, ‘ Shall renew thy strength.’ Noyes, ‘ Strengthen thy bones.’ Jerome renders it, ‘ Shall liberate thy bones.’ The Septuagint ‘ Thy bones shall be made fat.’ The idea is undoubtedly that of vigorous prosperity, and of strength. Job Job 21:24 expresses a similar idea of a strong man dying:
‘ His watering places for flocks abound with milk,
And his bones are moist with marrow.’
For the propriety of this translation, which differs from the common version, see my notes on Job, in loc . The word used here (
And thou shalt be like a watered garden - Syriac, ‘ Like paradise.’ This is a most beautiful image to denote continued prosperity and blessedness - an image that would be particularly striking in the East. The ideas of happiness in the Oriental world consisted much in pleasant gardens, running streams, and ever-flowing fountains, and nothing can more beautifully express the blessedness of the continued favor of the Almighty. The following extract from Campbell (African Light), may illustrate this passage: ‘ In a hot climate, where showers seldom fall, except in what is called the rainy season, the difference between a well and ill watered garden is most striking. I remember some gardens in Africa, where they could lead no water upon them, the plants were all stinted, sickly, or others completely gone, only the hole left where the faded plant had been. The sight was unpleasant, and caused gloom to appear in every countenance; they were pictures of desolation. But in other gardens, to which the owners could bring daily supplies of water from an overflowing fountain, causing it to traverse the garden, every plant had a green, healthy appearance, loaded with fruit, in different stages toward maturity, with fragrant scent proceeding from beds of lovely flowers; and all this produced by the virtue God hath put into the single article of water.’
Whose waters fail not - Margin, ‘ Lie,’ or ‘ Deceive.’ Hebrew,
My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook,
As the stream of brooks they pass away.
But in the supplies which God makes for his people there is no such deception. The fountains of pardon, peace, and joy are ever open and ever full. The streams of salvation are always flowing. The weary pilgrim may go there at any season of the year, and from any part of a desolate world, and find them always full, refreshing, and free. However far may be the pilgrimage to them from amidst the waste and burning climes of sin, however many come to slake their thirst, and however frequently they come, they find them always the same. They never fail; and they will continue to flow on to the end of time.
Poole -> Isa 58:11
Poole: Isa 58:11 - -- Shall guide thee viz. like a shepherd, Psa 23:1-3 ; or, as the Vulgate; shall give thee rest; and so it may relate to the rest that God would give th...
Shall guide thee viz. like a shepherd, Psa 23:1-3 ; or, as the Vulgate; shall give thee rest; and so it may relate to the rest that God would give them in Judea, upon their return from captivity, as answering to their complaints in Babylon, Lam 5:5 . And he adds continually, to show that his conduct and blessing shall not be momentary, or of a short continuance, but all along, as he did to Israel in the wilderness, not leaving them till he brought them into Canaan.
Drought Heb. droughts ; or, drought of droughts; which being in the plural number, notes extremity of drought; Psa 78:72 , skilfulnesses , that is, great skill; and Pro 1:20 , wisdoms, i. e. excellent wisdom; and consequently great scarcity and famine. The meaning is, that when thy lot shall fall in the extremity of such a condition, either as to time or place, he will abundantly satisfy thy soul, i.e. thee, by a synecdoche; thou shalt have plenty, when others are in scarcity.
Make fat thy bones or, make nimble ; and so the expression relates to bones full of marrow, which causeth agility and nimbleness, a state of health and strength: see Pro 15:30 . Or it notes cheerfulness, which is often the cause of bones well covered with fat; therefore a broken or a sorrowful spirit is said to dry up the bones, Pro 17:22 . This may be spoken in opposition to the sad effects of famine, whereby the flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen, and the bones that were not seen stick out , Job 33:21 ; they cleave to the skin, Psa 102:5 . And thus it may have respect to their afflicted estate in Babylon, where they complain that their bones were broken, Lam 3:4 ; but now in their return their bones should not only be made whole, but strong, and in good condition: see Ps 51 8 . Our English Annotations, after divers senses given, choose to close with the vulgar translation, he will deliver, or set free thy bones , and so the word doth signify, Pro 11:8,9 . Some make each expression of these promises to answer as suitable and conditional rewards of their several duties: e.g. If thou conduct the cast-outs and harbourless to thy house, Isa 58:7 , God will guide and conduct thee continually. If thou draw forth thy soul to the hungry, so as to satisfy them, Isa 58:10 , God will satisfy thee in a time of drought, and in famine thou shalt have sufficient, Psa 33:19 . If thou let the oppressed go free, and break every yoke, Isa 58:6,9 , then God will make thy bones to rejoice, by delivering them from their burdens; i.e. if thou wilt free them, he will free thee. And if thou continue thus to draw forth thy soul, that it be ever running to the refreshing of the needy, thou gault be as a spring of waters that shall never fail thee, but like the widow’ s oil, ever flowing. If thou relieve the poor, thou shalt never be poor, but as a well-watered garden, always flourishing: see Pro 3:9 10 .
Like a watered garden like a garden for the pleasure and beauty of it, a paradise; like a garden watered for the continual flourishing of thy estate; there shall be no withering or decay upon thy prosperous condition, Psa 1:3 , contrary to what is said of the wicked, Psa 37:2,10,20,35,36 . And thus Jeremiah speaks of the return of this same people, Jer 31:12 .
Like a spring of water, whose water’ s fail not Heb. deceive not ; a metaphor which further notes also the continuance of this flourishing state, which will not be like a land flood, or brooks, that will soon be dried up with drought; see Job 6:15 ; but will be fed with a spring of blessing that will never fail: a very significant metaphor; it being the nature of springs, spontaneously and freely, as it were, to pour out their bowels to all that upon their wants come to receive it; neither is ever scanty, but flows still like fresh milk to the breast the more it is drawn; hence God is called a Fountain of goodness.
Haydock -> Isa 58:11
Haydock: Isa 58:11 - -- Fail. Alexandrian Septuagint adds, "and thy bones as a flower shall spring and grow fat, and shall inherit ages of ages." St. Jerome says this is n...
Fail. Alexandrian Septuagint adds, "and thy bones as a flower shall spring and grow fat, and shall inherit ages of ages." St. Jerome says this is not in the best copies. (Haydock)
Gill -> Isa 58:11
Gill: Isa 58:11 - -- And the Lord shall guide thee continually,.... With his counsel, by his word, and by his Spirit, and that night and day; as he guided the Israelites t...
And the Lord shall guide thee continually,.... With his counsel, by his word, and by his Spirit, and that night and day; as he guided the Israelites through the wilderness with the pillar of cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by night: or, "cause thee to rest" k; from adversity, from persecution; to have spiritual rest in Christ now, and eternal rest hereafter:
and satisfy thy soul in drought; or, "in drynesses" l; in an exceeding dry time; when in a dry and thirsty land; when thirsting after Christ and his grace, Christ and his righteousness; after more knowledge of him, communion with him, and conformity unto him; after the word and ordinances; after the presence of God in them; and after more spiritual light, knowledge, and experience:
and make fat thy bones; with the good report of the Gospel, Pro 15:30 that is, quicken, comfort, refresh, and strengthen the soul, and make it fat and flourishing in spiritual things, by means of Gospel ordinances. The Targum is,
"and shall quicken thy body with life everlasting;''
or give rest to thy bones, as others m:
and thou shalt be like a watered garden; like a "garden", the church of Christ is separated from others, by electing, redeeming, and efficacious grace; and like a "watered" one, watered by the Lord himself, and the dews of his grace, and by the ministry of the word; whereby the plants that are planted in it thrive and flourish, lift up their heads, shoot up and grow, and bring forth fruit:
and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not; as there is in every believer a well of living water springing up unto everlasting life, not of themselves, but from Christ, and which is very abundant, and never fails; so there is in the church a spring of the living waters of Gospel doctrines, and of Gospel ordinances; here runs the river of divine love, which makes glad the city of God; here Christ is the fountain of gardens; and here the Spirit and his graces are communicated; all which remain, and never fail; see Psa 87:7.

expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

expand allCommentary -- Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis -> Isa 58:1-14
TSK Synopsis: Isa 58:1-14 - --1 The prophet, being sent to reprove hypocrisy, shews the difference between a counterfeit fast and a true.8 He declares what promises are due unto go...
MHCC -> Isa 58:3-12
MHCC: Isa 58:3-12 - --A fast is a day to afflict the soul; if it does not express true sorrow for sin, and does not promote the putting away of sin, it is not a fast. These...
Matthew Henry -> Isa 58:8-12
Matthew Henry: Isa 58:8-12 - -- Here are precious promises for those to feast freely and cheerfully upon by faith who keep the fast that God has chosen; let them know that God will...
Keil-Delitzsch -> Isa 58:8-12
Keil-Delitzsch: Isa 58:8-12 - --
The prophet now proceeds to point out the reward of divine grace, which would follow such a fast as this, consisting of self-renouncing, self-sacrif...
Constable: Isa 56:1--66:24 - --V. Israel's future transformation chs. 56--66
The last major section of Isaiah deals with the necessity of livin...

Constable: Isa 56:1--59:21 - --A. Recognition of human inability chs. 56-59
It is important that God's people demonstrate righteousness...

Constable: Isa 58:1--59:21 - --2. The relationship of righteousness and ritual chs. 58-59
The structure of this section is simi...

Constable: Isa 58:1-14 - --What God wants ch. 58
Again Isaiah presented the folly of simply going through a system ...
