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

2:19 “When He arises to make the earth tremble” The first VERBAL “arise” (BDB 877, KB 1086, QalINFINITIVE CONSTRUCT) can denote1. appear on the scene, Exod. 1:8; Deut. 34:10; Jdgs. 5:7; II Kgs. 23:252. arise for action (from His throne), Num. 10:35; II Chr. 6:41; Job 31:14; Ps. 76:9; 132:8The second VERBAL “tremble” (BDB 791, KB 888, Qal INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT) describes physicalcreation as its creator approaches (cf. 13:13; 24:1,19,20; Ps. 18:7; 68:7-8; Hag. 2:6). YHWH can comefor blessing or judgment. In this context it is for judgment!2:20-21 To clarify the first line of v. 10, humans will try to hide from God1. in caves in the rocks (cf. v. 21)2. in holes in the groundThey will try to get rid of their precious idols1. cast away to moles (the meaning of the word is uncertain. LXX has “vanities”; REB has“dung-beetles”; JPSOA has “flying foxes” [a type of bat, therefore, parallel to the next line ofpoetry]. It seems to be related to the VERB “to dig” [BDB 343])2. cast away to batsThese two verses have a series of INFINITIVE CONSTRUCTS.1. to worship (lit, “bow down”), BDB 1005, KB 295, Hishtaphel INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT2. to the moles (lit. “to dig”), BDB 343, KB 340, Qal INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT3. to go into, BDB 97, KB 112, Qal INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT4. arises, BDB 877, KB 1086, Qal INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT, same form as v. 19 (line 5)5. tremble (lit. “to frighten,” BDB 791, KB 888, Qal INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT, same as v. 19 (line5)In the IVP Bible Background Commentary “a Sumerian Hymn of Enheduanna to the goddessInanna from the third millennium depicts gods fluttering away like bats to their caves from thegoddess’s terrible presence” (p. 588). This means that it must remain a possibility that it is the idolsthemselves that were carried down by insects (beetles) or digging animals seeking refuge from thecoming of YHWH because they could not move themselves.2:22 YHWH commands respect for human life (“cease,” BDB 292, KB 292, Qal IMPERATIVE) becauseit is contingent of God’s gift of life (“breath,” ruah). Mankind is transitory (cf. Ps. 144:3-4). This is atruth that atheistic humanism needs to hear!52