Isaiah 65

Isaiah 65:1

Me. God answers the preceding prayer, and announces the rejection of the synagogue, alluding to the armies which prevailed in the days of the Machabees. — Not. St. Paul explains this of the conversion of the Gentiles, Romans x. 20. (Calmet) — It cannot regard the Jews, who are spoken of in the next verse. (Worthington)

Isaiah 65:3

Gardens, to the impure Venus and Adonis. — Bricks, to the Manes. (Calmet) —Tegula porrectis satis est velata coronis Et spars'e6 fruges parvaque mica salis. (Ovid, Fast. x.)

Isaiah 65:4

Idols: to have dreams, (Strabo xvi.) and commit impurities. — Broth of swine’s flesh, which was prohibited, Leviticus xi. 7.

Isaiah 65:5

Unclean. Thus acted the hypocritical Pharisees. — Smoke. A just punishment of those who had sought the smoke of human applause.

Isaiah 65:6

Bosom: good measure, Luke vi. 38. Rewards and punishments will be eternal.

Isaiah 65:7

Hills. Some offered sacrifices to God, others to idols; both unlawfully. (Calmet)

Isaiah 65:8

Whole. The good grain is preserved amid the general corruption. (Haydock) — A few of the Jews were chosen to believe in Christ.

Isaiah 65:9

Mountains of Judea, (Deuteronomy iii. 25.) which the captives shall recover, as a figure of those who shall embrace the Christian faith.

Isaiah 65:10

CHAPTER LXV.

Plains. Hebrew Sharon, in the land of Basan. — Achor, near Jericho, called after Achan, (Calmet) who perhaps was more correctly styled Achor, Josue vii. 26., and Osee ii. 15. (Haydock)

Isaiah 65:11

Fortune. Hebrew, “Gad,” the sun, Genesis xxx. 11. — Upon it. Symmachus, “without me.” Septuagint, “to fortune.” Hebrew, “to Meni,” the moon, or Queen of heaven, Jeremias vii. 18., and xliv. 17. (Calmet)

Isaiah 65:12

Chosen. Free-will is clearly expressed, as rewards are, ver. 13. (Worthington)

Isaiah 65:13

Servants; Christians, (Calmet) particularly the elect. (Haydock) — When the Romans approached Jerusalem, the Christians retired to Pella, and had plenty. (Houbigant)

Isaiah 65:15

Execration. They can wish to be preserved from nothing worse. — Name. The faithful shall be no longer called Jews. (Calmet) — They shall be hated, while the name of Christian shall point out God’s servants. (Worthington)

Isaiah 65:16

Amen, or “of truth.” False gods shall be neglected. They shall not swear by them, as formerly, Sophonias i. 5. — Christ usually adopted the asseveration, Amen, Amen, to enforce his truths. (Haydock)

Isaiah 65:17

New earth, in eternity, (Clarius) or here indeed, (2 Peter iii. 3., &c. Houbigant) having purified the former by the general conflagration, which many assert will take place at the end of 6,000 years. (St. Jerome; St. Augustine, &c.) At the return of the captives, the country flourished again under the Machabees; (ver. 18.; Grotius) or rather the gospel changes the face of the earth, chap. lxvi. 22. (Calmet) (Forerius) — After the resurrection the qualities, and not the substance, of the world, will be changed. (Worthington)

Isaiah 65:20

Fill up. To die soon was deemed a misfortune, Psalm liv. 24., and Exodus xx. 12. Virtue is the measure of the Christian’s life, and God will reward those who labour even late, Matthew xx. 13. — Accursed. This age will not be spared. Both just and wicked shall be immortal in eternity. (Theodoret)

Isaiah 65:22

A tree. Septuagint, “of the tree of life,” Jeremias xviii. 8. (Calmet) — Continuance. Hebrew, “My elect shall long enjoy the works,” &c. (Haydock) — They shall not build for others to enjoy.

Isaiah 65:23

In. Hebrew, “for trouble.” Chaldean, “death.” Septuagint, “malediction.” The children shall not be cut off; and baptism shall secure their salvation.

Isaiah 65:25

Straw. People of the most perverse tempers shall become mild by the influence of the gospel, and shall dwell together in perfect concord. (Calmet) — Food, according to the sentence, Genesis iii. 14. (Menochius) — The devil’s power is abridged, chap. xi. 6. (Calmet) — The proudest Gentiles are converted, and adopt the mild manners of Christians, in fasting and mortification. (Worthington)