HAYDOCK CATHOLIC BIBLE COMMENTARY ON THE OLD TESTAMENT

ISAIAS 24

CHAPTER XXIV.

Ver. 1. Earth. After the ten preceding threats, the prophet denounces destruction to the whole world, (W.) at the day of judgment; though he may also allude to the desolation of the promised land, as our Saviour joins both in the same prediction. Mat. xxiv. C.

Ver. 2. Priest. All distinctions shall be disregarded. W. --- When Jerusalem was taken, all became captives.

Ver. 4. Weakened: Joakim, &c. are made prisoners. The greatest monarchs must come before God's tribunal.

Ver. 6. Sin. Towards the end of the world iniquity will abound, and men shall rage against each other. Mat. xxiv. W. --- They will also feel the effects of sin. --- Mad: abandoned to their passions, (Deut. xxviii. 28.) excepting only the elect. M. --- Few. The Chaldees permitted only a few of the poorest sort to remain. 2 Par. xxix. 10.

Ver. 9. The drink. Heb. shecar, "palm wine."

Ver. 10. Vanity. Jerusalem, (C.) or any other city, will be all in confusion. H. --- In, as was the case in times of mourning. Jer. ix. 21. C.

Ver. 14. Sea. The few elect (v. 13.) being rescued from the misery of the world, shall praise God. H. --- They are exhorted to lift up their heads. Lu. xxi. 28. M.

Ver. 15. Instruction. The Church is like an island, compared with the rest of the world; or it preaches the gospel to all nations, and to the islands, like Great Britain. W. --- Apostolic men are required to preach incessantly to all sorts of people. Heb. "in light;" or Pagn. "in vales." M.

Ver. 16. I said. The prophet, or any other, may speak thus in the latter days. C. --- Myself. I cannot recount what horrid pains I beheld. S. Jer. M. 2 Cor. xii. 4.

Ver. 17. Snare. He alludes to the methods of taking wild beasts. Job xviii. 11. --- Opened, as they were in the days of Noe. C. --- All sorts of misery hang over us.

Ver. 20. Night, unexpectedly, (H.) and with the utmost speed. C.

Ver. 21. High. The stars, which in many places of the Scripture are so called. Some commentators explain that these words here signify the demons of the air. Ch. --- The apostate angels will be judged. 1 Cor. vi. 6. Mat. xxiv. 29.

Ver. 22. Visited. Hence Origen (Prin. iii. 6. &c.) took occasion to assert, that the damned would one day be released, though the Scripture so often declares the contrary. The prophet speaks of the future liberation of the Jews; (C.) or he intimates that after many days, yea throughout eternity, the reprobate will still be punished. M.

Ver. 23. Blush: he turned into blood. Joel ii. 10. Dreadful calamities shall ensue, to usher in the great day of judgment. C.