Isaiah 41

Isaiah 41:1

Islands, near Asia, whose conversion Isaias often predicts, (Calmet) as he does that of all nations. (Haydock) — God continues to prove his divinity, (Calmet) expostulating with idolaters, whose conversion is insinuated, and among the rest that of Britain, which is the most renowned island in Europe. (Bristow, anot. 11.) (Worthington)

Isaiah 41:2

Just one. Septuagint, “justice.” Christ, (Eusebius; St. Jerome) Abraham, (Chaldean; Grotius) or Cyrus, whose conquests were effects of God’s providence, ver. 10., and chap. xlv. — Kings. Cyrus liberated Persia, conquered Babylon and all Asia.

Isaiah 41:3

Feet. His march and victories shall be so rapid, like those of Alexander the Great, Daniel viii. 5.

Isaiah 41:4

Beginning. Disposing all things, as the conquests of Cyrus, announced so long before by name, evince. — Last. Alpha and Omega, Apocalypse i. 8., and xxii. 13.

Isaiah 41:5

Islands. People of Asia Minor, Genesis x. 5. (Calmet) — The Babylonians made a league with the most potent king Cr'9csus, to oppose the young conqueror. (Xenophon B. i.)

Isaiah 41:7

Moved. Thus the nations conspire against Cyrus (Calmet) and the Messias. (Haydock)

Isaiah 41:10

Upheld thee. Cyrus shall gain the victory, and give thee liberty.

Isaiah 41:14

Dead. Though you were in the grave, I could protect you. Captivity is often represented under this idea. (Calmet) — You who are despised, fear not, since Christ will protect and reward you. (Worthington)

Isaiah 41:15

Chaff. Cambyses perished on the mountains of Judea, (Haydock) and the Machabees gained many victories over the Syrians, Micheas iv. 13., and Ezechiel xxxix. (Calmet) — They are here meant, as their exploits resembled those of Cyrus. (Houbigant)

Isaiah 41:18

Waters. The captives shall be refreshed in the deserts, chap. xxxv. 6., and xliii. 20. (Calmet)

Isaiah 41:19

The thorn. In Hebrew, the shitta or settim, a tree resembling the whitethorn. (Challoner) (St. Jerome) — A fragrant shade shall speedily rise up, Baruch v. 6. (Calmet)

Isaiah 41:21

Thing. Add “strong,” forte, (Haydock) any good proof of idolatry.

Isaiah 41:23

Good. The prescience and power of God prove his divinity. Can idols produce any thing similar? (Calmet) — None can tell what will happen, unless God reveal it. (Worthington)

Isaiah 41:24

Work. All that you can do or promise. Hebrew, “your work is worse than a viper.”

Isaiah 41:25

Sun. Cyrus had a Persian for his father, and a Mede for his mother; thus uniting both nations, (Calmet) so that he was styled a mule by an ancient oracle. (Eusebius, pr'e6p. ix. 41.) — These countries lay to the north-east of Judea. (Calmet)

Isaiah 41:26

Just, or “the just one,” (Haydock) that we may recognise Cyrus at once. — Your words. He addresses the idols. You cannot dive into futurity. (Calmet)

Isaiah 41:28

I. Isaias, (Menochius) or God, (Haydock) pronounces sentence against the speechless idols. (Menochius)

Isaiah 41:31

CHAPTER XLI.