The Prophet and His Day: Isaiah 1-39 - Free Bible Commentary

} “O scoffers” This is a CONSTRUCT (“men,” BDB 35 and “scorning” BDB 539). They are mentionedoften in Proverbs (i.e., 1:22; 29:8). How surprising that this refers to the leaders of Judah and Jerusalemwho should have known better and trusted more! Crisis reveals true leadership or lack of it.28:15 “We have made a covenant with death” Isaiah sarcastically characterizes the thoughts of theleaders of Jerusalem. This refers to a treaty (i.e., “covenant,” BDB 136, see Special Topic at 1:19 andthe rare term, “pact,” BDB 302, cf. v. 18) that Judah made with the Egyptians (cf. 30:1-7). It is atheological play on God’s word through Moses of providing His people with a choice of life or death inDeut. 30:15-20 (see notes from Deuteronomy online at www.freebiblecommentary.org.). In thisinstance, the choice involved choosing protection from an earthly military source or trusting in God.They chose death.} “Sheol” This refers to the holding place of the dead and is synonymous with the Greek term “Hades.”See Special Topic at 5:14.}NASB “overwhelming scourge”NKJV, NRSV “overflowing scourge”NJB “scourging flood”JB “destructive whip”LXX “the rushing storm”REB “raging flood”The first term is a PARTICIPLE (BDB 1009, KB 1474, Qal ACTIVE). It is the second term thatpresents options (NIDOTTE, vol. 4, pp. 64-65)1. 4)–, BDB 1009, “overflow,” cf. 8:8; 10:22 (i.e., an invading army)2. )&–, BDB 1002, “scourge,” “whip,” cf. I Kgs. 12:11,14} “passes by” This VERB (BDB 716, KB 778) is either a Qal IMPERFECT (qere) or a Qal PERFECT(kethiv, cf. 26:20). The VERB means “to pass over,” “to pass through,” or “to pass by.” It is used thirtyfourtimes in Isaiah in this literary unit (i.e., chapters 28-35, cf. 28:15,18,19 [twice]; 29:5; 31:9; 33:8,21;34:10; 35:8).} “For we have made falsehood our refuge and we have concealed ourselves with deception”What a tragedy for God’s people: a self induced state of trusting in the arm of flesh!1. falsehood, BDB 469, cf. v. 17 (common in Psalms and Proverbs)2. deception, BDB 1005, cf. 9:15; 32:7; 44:20; 57:4; 59:3,13 (common in Psalms and Proverbs,used often in Jeremiah)The VERB form of “refuge” (BDB 340) denotes placing confidence and trust in something orsomeone. It is often used of taking refuge in YHWH.1. YHWH as the rock, Deut. 32:37; Ps. 18:22. YHWH as a mother bird, Ruth 2:12; Ps. 36:7; 57:1; 61:4; 91:43. YHWH as shield, II Sam. 22:3,31; Ps. 18:30; 144:2; Pro. 30:54. in Him, Ps. 2:12; 5:11; 7:1; 11:1; 16:1; 25:20; 31:1,19; 34:8,22; 37:40; 57:1; 64:10; 71:1;118:8,9; 141:8; Isa. 57:13; Nah. 1:75. YHWH’s right hand, Ps. 17:76. Zion, Isa. 14:327. YHWH’s name, Zeph. 3:12278