ISAIAH 11-12

 

Chapter 11

v. 1 Stump is a contrast to the felled forest in 10:34.

v. 2a This distinguishes him from other kings of Judah.

v. 2 The Septuagint adds piety or godliness to make seven spirits of God—an idea developed further by Augustine and Thomas Aquinas. Probably the basis of Revelation 1:4.

The Hebrew text pairs up the spirits so that:

wisdom and understanding – for government

counsel and might – for war

knowledge and the fear of the Lord – for spiritual leadership

This plays out in vv. 3b-5 in the same order.

v. 3a How can one delight in the fear of the Lord? This is most important of the six spirits (?)

v. 3b Possible explanation of treatment of blindfolded Jesus in Mark 14:65. Rabbinical reasoning said that the Messiah would judge by the sense of smell.

v. 4 Similar language applied to Jesus in I Thessalonians 2:8. Power of the Word: reversal of the Creation.

vv. 6-9 describe paradise regained, either on earth or heaven.

v. 9 Almost identical language is found in Habakkuk 2:14 and Numbers 14:21.

v. 10 Messiah is both the root and descendant of the house of David (see v. 1). Revelation 22:16. Also the subject of debate in Matthew 22:41-45, etc.

v. 11 All four directions from Jerusalem are given.

What are the first and second gatherings?

It could be the Exodus (see v. 16) and/or return from Babylon and/or resettling of Israel in 1950's and/or a future regathering.

v. 10 Signal appears in verses 10 and 12 with different meanings.

v. 15 Tongue of Egyptian Sea may be the Red Sea that Jews crossed during the Exodus. Euphrates River drying up will provide passage out of Babylonian captivity.

Chapter 12 is a psalm that concludes the section rather than introducing a new one.

Structure:

vv. 1-2 begin “You will say on that day”

Center section: verse 3

vv. 4-6 begin “You will say on that day”

vv. 1-2 are addressed to an individual. Repetition of “salvation” may be a play on Isaiah's name so that he is the one being addressed. Vv. 3-6 are addressed to the collective people.

v. 2b quotes from the Song of the Sea in Exodus 15:2 showing the parallel to that event.

v. 2 LORD God = Ya Yahweh. Echoes revelation to Moses of the divine name.

Alternative translations: strength and might, or strength and song

v. 3 like the water drawing ceremony at the Feast of Succoth.