Isaiah 50:6-11

6 I gave my body to [the] smiters, and my cheeks to [the] pullers; I turned not away my face from men blaming, and spitting on me. (I gave my body to the strikers, and my cheeks to the hair-pullers; I did not turn my face away from those who shamed me, and who spat upon me.)
7 The Lord God is mine helper, and therefore I am not shamed; therefore I have set my face as a stone made hard, and I know that I shall not be shamed.
8 He is nigh, that justifieth me (He is near, who justifieth me); who against-saith me? stand we together. Who is mine adversary? nigh he to me.
9 Lo! the Lord God is mine helper; who therefore is he that condemneth me? Lo! all shall be defouled as a cloth, and a moth shall eat them (Lo! they all shall be defiled like a cloak, and a moth shall eat them up).
10 Who of you dreadeth the Lord, and heareth the voice of his servant? Who(ever) went in darknesses, and light is not to him, hope he in the name of the Lord, and trust he on his God (and trust he in his God).
11 Lo! all ye kindling fire, and gird with flames, go in the light of your fire, and in the flames which ye have kindled to you. This is made of mine hand to you, ye shall sleep in sorrows. (Lo! all ye kindling a fire, and gird with flames, go in the light of your own fire, and in the flames which ye have kindled for yourselves. This is made by my hand for you, and ye shall sleep in sorrows.)

Isaiah 50:6-11 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 50

This chapter is a prophecy of the rejection of the Jews, for their neglect and contempt of the Messiah; and of his discharge of his office as Mediator, and fitness for it. The rejection of the Jews is signified by the divorce of a woman from her husband, and by persons selling their children to their creditors; which is not to be charged upon the Lord, but was owing to their own iniquities, Isa 50:1, particularly their disregard of the Messiah, and inattention to him, as if he was an insufficient Saviour; whereas his power to redeem is evident, from his drying up the sea and rivers below, and clothing the heavens above with black clouds, and eclipsing the luminaries thereof, Isa 50:2,3, his fitness for his prophetic office is expressed in Isa 50:4. His obedience to his Father, and his patience in sufferings, while performing his priestly office, Isa 50:5,6, and his faith and confidence in the Lord, as man and Mediator, that he should be helped, carried through his work, and acquitted; and not be confounded, overcome, and condemned, Isa 50:7-9, and the chapter is closed with an exhortation to the saints to trust in the Lord in the darkest times; and a threatening to such who trust in themselves, and in their own doings, Isa 50:10,11.

Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.