HAYDOCK CATHOLIC BIBLE COMMENTARY ON THE OLD TESTAMENT

ISAIAS 66

CHAPTER LXVI.

Ver. 1. House. This is a prophecy that the temple should be cast off. Ch. --- Isaias alludes to the return of the captives, as to a figure of the Church. They had flattered themselves with the idea of building a magnificent temple. God regards it not, as long as they follow their own wills and cherish pride. C. --- He is pleased with the piety of his servants, which may be exhibited any where, though the temple is the most proper place. See Acts vii. and xiv. After the gospel, the sacrifices of the law became unlawful. W.

Ver. 3. He. Sept. "the wicked who." H. --- Ox. This is a prophecy, that the sacrifices which were offered in the old law, should be abolished in the new; and that he offering of them should be a crime. Ch. --- Without the proper dispositions, sacrifice only displeases God. C. --- Brain, or slay. H. --- Incense. To offer it in the way of a sacrifice; (Ch.) or to remind God of his people. The expression is popular, but energetic. Lev. ii. 2, 9. and vi. 15. --- Ways, to please themselves, and to bind me. But I will not have a divided heart. C. i. 11. and lviii. 3. C.

Ver. 4. Mockeries. I will turn their mockeries upon themselves; and will cause them to be mocked by their enemies. Ch.

Ver. 5. Brethren, the Idumeans, &c. or the Jews, who would not believe in Christ.

Ver. 6. Lord, who is about to quit the temple, and to abandon the Jews to their internal dissensions, and to the arms of the Romans. Many prodigies announced this judgment. C. --- One Jesus cried for seven years and five months, "Woe to the temple," &c. At last he cried, "Woe to myself;" when he was shot dead. Jos. Bel. vii. 12. Tacit. Hist. v. --- Angels were heard crying in the temple, "Let us go hence." Jos. --- There was contradiction in the city. Ps. liv. S. Jer. W.

Ver. 7. Before, &c. This relates to the conversion of the Gentiles, who were born as it were all on a sudden to the Church of God. Ch. --- Sion furnished the first preachers of the Gospel. H.

Ver. 8. Day. Shall a whole nation be born at once? Twelve fishermen effect the most surprising change in the manners of the world.

Ver. 9. God. His grace converts the nations. C.

Ver. 10. For her. Ye shall be comforted, (H.) when the captives return, and the gospel is propagated.

Ver. 12. You. S. Paul fed the weak with milk. 1 Cor. iii. 2. Heb. v. 12. and 1 Pet. ii. 2.

Ver. 14. Herb, in baptism and the resurrection. --- Enemies, the Chaldees, infidel Jews, and all the reprobate. v. 15. How many miracles were wrought by Christian preachers! Persecutors have come to an untimely end. C. --- Before judgment, the world shall be consumed. W.

Ver. 16. Many. Few are chosen. H. --- All the wicked shall perish eternally. M.

Ver. 17. Within the court, or gardens, where they purified themselves, foolishly supposing that this would remove their crimes, as the pagans did. S. Jer. Tert. Bapt. v. --- Instead of gate, S. Jerom wrote unam, "one," moon or Hecate, which is obviously derived from Heb. Achat. C. lvii. 8. and lxv. 11. Chal. Syr. &c. "gardens, one after another with those who eat," &c. --- Mouse, or "field-rat," (Bochart) all declared unclean; (Lev. xi. 7. 29. C.) or, "the dor-mouse," (S. Jer.) which was looked upon as a delicacy by the Romans. Varro iii. 15. Pliny xxxvi. 1.

Ver. 18. Gather them, thoughts, &c. All is personified in poetry. The Gentiles shall witness my judgments. C.

Ver. 19. Sign; the cross, which Christ left to enlighten us, (Ezec. ix. S. Jer. W.) or the gospel, with the power of working miracles. Some Jews shall be saved, and shall preach to others, as God's servants. --- Sea. Heb. "Tharsis, to Phul in Thebais, Lud, (Ethiopians. Bochart) who were expert archers." Sept. "Mosoch." --- Italy. Heb. "Thubal;" denoting Italy, Spain, Iberia, &c. --- Greece. Heb. "Javan;" who peopled Ionia and the Archipelago. Islands, near Asia, (C.) and all distant places. Parkhurst, p. 4. H. --- Men of all nations shall be converted, and brought by angels to the Church. S. Jer. W.

Ver. 20. Brethren, as the converts may justly be styled. C. --- Coaches, (carrucis.) Heb. circaroth, (H.) "dromedaries," (Bochart) "with songs of praise." Chal. &c. The precise import is unknown. Truth shall shew its sweet force. --- Offering; the first-fruits, brought by all with great solemnity. Deut. xxvi. 4. and 2 Thes. ii. 12. C.

Ver. 21. Of them, Gentiles; (v. 19.) some of whom alone will be properly priests, though all enjoy the title in a figurative sense. 1 Pet. ii. 9. The Jews strive in vain to elude this text. C. --- Under the law, one family alone enjoyed this honour: but Christ chooses the most deserving pastors. W.

Ver. 22. Name. The faith and morals of Christianity shall subsist for ever, like the gospel, which is termed the new heavens. C. lxv. 17. Mat. xvi. 18.

Ver. 23. Sabbath. Grotius explains this of the Gentiles, who should come to Jerusalem. But this was never realized before the propagation of the gospel. The Jews came thrice a-year. Christians shall attend the sacred mysteries every week. Ex. xiii. 14. Mal. i. 11.

Ver. 24. Men; rebellious Jews and persecutors, who perish miserably. --- Flesh. Josephus (Bel. vi. 16.) describes the horrors of the last siege of Jerusalem. The prophet may allude to the fires kept up in the vale of Hinnon; (C. xxx. 33.) and our Saviour applies this text to the damned. Mark ix. 43. All shall condemn them. C.

Accedat lacrymis odium, dignusque puteris

Ut mala cum tuleris plurima, plura feras. Ovid in Ibin.