HAYDOCK CATHOLIC BIBLE COMMENTARY ON THE OLD TESTAMENT

ISAIAS 52

CHAPTER LII.

Ver. 1. Thee. Judea was no more laid waste by its ancient enemies. The persecution of Epiphanes did not continue long. Many have attacked the Church; but they cannot overcome her, nor will she cease to preach the truth, and to continue pure and holy.

Ver. 3. Money. The Chaldees acted impolitically in leaving the country without inhabitants, and Cyrus will derive no immediate advantage from your return. C. --- The Jews had not injured the Chaldees, nor mankind the devil. But both had offended God, who out of mercy paid their ransom. W.

Ver. 4. Assyrian. Pharao, (Sa. T.) or rather Nabuchodonosor, (C.) and the princes of Assyria, who acted tyrannically. H.

Ver. 5. Long, by the Chaldees, weak Jews, and strangers, who misconstrue my conduct towards my people, and represent it as the effect of injustice, or of weakness.

Ver. 6. Here. Jesus Christ appears, the Redeemer foretold so long before.

Ver. 7. Peace. He come like a conqueror to save his people. It may also be applied to the prophets and apostles, (C.) as S. Paul explains it. Rom. x. 15. M.

Ver. 8. Watchmen, prophets. The angels sung at the birth of Christ. Lu. ii. 14.

Ver. 10. Arm. The Saviour. Lu. i. 51.

Ver. 11. Lord, the Levites departing from Babylon. 1 Esd. i. 7. Num. iii. 6. and iv. 5. &c. C. --- S. Paul proves hence that communication with infidels in spiritual things is always unlawful. 2 Cor. vi. 17. W.

Ver. 13. Servant, Christ. In vain do the Jews attempt to apply this to any other. It is wonderful that Grotius should follow their steps, and understand Jeremias to be meant; though elsewhere he allows that the prophet speaks only of the Messias. De Verit. v. 19. --- This author has been of great prejudice to religion. The Chaldee and many modern Jews have been compelled by evidence to apply this to the Messias. See Geir. &c. Jesus was pleased to assume the form of a servant. Phil. ii. 7.

Ver. 14. Of men, who have disfigured the countenance of our Saviour with buffets, &c. The Jews would not receive him under this abject form, though it had been foretold equally with his elevation. C.

Ver. 15. Sprinkle with baptism, (H.) and his manifold graces. C. --- Sept. "so many nations shall wonder at him." H. --- Mouth, out of reverence. How many great princes have submitted to his yoke? C. --- Beheld. The Gentiles (M.) embrace the faith, at the sight of Christ's miracles. C.