Isaiah 61 Study Notes

61:5-6 Like chap. 60, this pronouncement repeats the themes of foreigners serving rather than oppressing the people of God as well as the wealth of the nations flowing to Jerusalem. The idea that all of God’s people will function as priests toward the nations points back to Ex 19:6 where God told Moses that the Israelites would be “my kingdom of priests and my holy nation.” Because of their failure to function in this way, God had brought judgment against his people.

61:7 Double portion seems to allude to the inheritance awarded to the firstborn (Gn 48:22; Dt 21:17).

61:8 According to 24:5, God’s devastating judgment had come on Israel because it had broken the permanent covenant, but now God will establish it anew with his restored people.

61:9 In the Abrahamic covenant, God promised that Abraham’s descendants would enjoy great blessing, which pointed to happiness and prosperity.

61:10 Isaiah broke out in a hymn of praise in response to the pronouncement he had just delivered. He used the theme of clothing to describe his taking on God’s salvation and righteousness. These were not just any clothes but the clothes of a bride. This image implies the metaphor of God as husband of his people.