Isaiah 40

Ver. 1. — O islands;] See notes on chap. xi. 11; xlii. 4.

— let the people renew their strength.] This seems to be a charge to the nations to make use of their utmost strength in defending their idolatry in the proposed debate. Vitringa.

Isaiah 40:19

19. The workman melteth a graven image, &c.] The passage may be translated thus: “The workman overspreads the graven image,” (of wood namely, mentioned in the next verse,) “even the refiner, or goldsmith, spreadeth it over with gold, and casteth sheets of silver.” of the LORD, or being † his counsellor hath taught him?

Isaiah 40:22

22. — stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain.] See note on Gen. i. 6.

Isaiah 40:31

31. — as cagles.] See note at Ps. ciii. 5. Chap. XLI. In this and the following chapters, God is introduced as pleading his own cause against the Before CHRIST about 712.