Isaiah 66:7

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 66:5-14

The prophet, having denounced God's judgments against a hypocritical nation, that made a jest of God's word and would not answer him when he called to them, here turns his speech to those that trembled at his word, to comfort and encourage them; they shall not be involved in the judgments that are coming upon their unbelieving nation. Ministers must distinguish thus, that, when they speak terror to the wicked, they may not make the hearts of the righteous sad. Bone Christiane, hoc nihil ad... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 66:7

Before she travailed, she brought forth ,.... That is, Zion, as appears from the following verse: lest it should be thought that the interest of Christ would be swallowed up and lost in the destruction of the Jews, this, and what follows, are said concerning the conversion of many of that people, both in the first times of the Gospel, and in the latter day, as well as concerning the calling of the Gentiles, and the uniting of both in one church state. Zion, or the church of God, is here... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 66:5-14

THE GODLY EXILES ENCOURAGED . The scoffs which have long greeted those who believed God's promises and expected the restoration of Zion, will be put to shame. The silence in which Zion has lain will be broken; she will be once more a city "full of stirs, a tumultuous city" ( Isaiah 22:2 ). Suddenly, without any pains of travail, she will bring forth; and her offspring will be "a nation born at once" ( Isaiah 66:8 ). The godly exiles are called upon to rejoice at the prospect ( ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 66:6-9

The enemies of Jehovah and his people. I. HE IS HEARD FROM HIS TEMPLE . With "a sound of uproar, a sound from the temple." He is issuing forth to render their deserts to his foes. "He will render to every man according to his deserts" is a great leading word in religion. God must be feared as well as loved—nay, cannot be truly loved unless feared. From that same seat whence go forth the sweet sounds of reconciliation, the sound of the gospel's silver trumpet, go forth the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 66:7-8

Before she travailed , etc. Without any long delay, without any labour pains, Zion will bring forth a man-child—a whole nation, which wilt be born at once, and not grow up by slow degrees. The occupation of Jerusalem by the great body of the returned exiles ( Ezra 2:1 ; Ezra 3:1 ) is intended. Such a second birth of a nation was strange, and without precedent (comp. Isaiah 42:9 ; Isaiah 43:19 ). Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? rather, can a land be brought... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 66:7

Before she travailed, she brought forth - That is, Zion. The idea here is, that there would be a great and sudden increase of her numbers. Zion is here represented, as it often is, as a female (see Isaiah 1:8), and as the mother of spiritual children (compare Isaiah 54:1; Isaiah 49:20-21). The particular idea here is, that the increase would be sudden - as if a child were born without the usual delay and pain of parturition. If the interpretation given of Isaiah 66:6 be correct, then this... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 66:7-8

Isaiah 66:7-8. Here begins a new paragraph of the prophet’s discourse, containing a description of the sudden and great increase of the Christian Church, upon God’s rejecting the Jews, and destroying their temple and worship: “the very destruction of the Jewish polity making way for the reception and spread of the gospel, inasmuch as it abated that opposition which the Jewish zealots all along made to its progress; and the abolishing the Jewish worship contributed very much to the abrogating... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Isaiah 66:7-24

New people and a new age (66:7-24)Usually there is a long period of development before a group of people becomes a nation, but the new nation Israel will appear suddenly and unexpectedly, like a baby born before the due date (7-9). As with the birth of a baby, there is much rejoicing over the birth of the new nation (10-11). The ‘baby’ grows strong and active because God is the one who nourishes it. Under the controlling hand of God, Israel prospers (12-14).While Israel enjoys God’s blessings,... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Isaiah 66:7

she brought forth. This is the birth of the new nation. These are the "birth pangs" (or "sorrows") of Matthew 24:8 . In Revelation 12:1 , Revelation 12:2 we have one part of the type in the person of Messiah. Here is the other part of the type a man child = a male, as in Revelation 12:5 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Isaiah 66:7

"Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man-child. Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall a land be born in one day? shall a nation be brought forth at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children. Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith Jehovah: shall I that cause to bring forth shut the womb? saith God."The student should not be confused with the profusion of Old Testament... read more

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