Isaiah 26:7

7 The way of a just man is rightful, the path of a just man is rightful to go (on). (The way of the just is right, or is straightforward, yea, the path of the just is straight and clear to go on.)

Isaiah 26:7 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 26:7

The way of the just [is] uprightness
Or, "the way for the just is uprightnesses" F19, most upright; the way which is appointed for him, and which he is directed to walk in, is a way of righteousness and holiness, and in which he does walk; he walks uprightly, according to the rules of the word, becoming the Gospel of Christ, and worthy of his calling: or, it is "evennesses"; a most plain and even way, in which men, though fools, shall not err, ( Isaiah 35:8 ) or, "the way" of the Lord "to the just is uprightnesses", or "evennesses"; most upright, or most even; there is no inequality in it, though sometimes so charged, ( Ezekiel 18:25 Ezekiel 18:29 ) it is entirely agreeable to justice, equity, and truth; regular and even, and suited to all his perfections of wisdom, goodness F20: thou most upright;
these words are addressed to God, and contain an appellation and description of him, who is upright, just, and true, and loves upright and righteous persons; so Kimchi and Ben Melech take the word to be in the vocative case, and as an address to God; though some render them, "he is upright" F21; that is, the just man is upright, whose way is uprightness; but the former sense best agrees with what follows: dost weigh the path of the just;
observe, consider, and approve of it, as being according to rule, and agreeable to his mind and will, ( Psalms 1:6 ) or, "thou dost level" or "make even the path of the just" {w}; remove all impediments and obstructions out of it, direct his goings, order his steps, and cause him to walk in a straight way, wherein he shall not stumble, ( Jeremiah 31:9 ) and so this is a reason given why the way of the just is even, because it is made so by the Lord himself.


FOOTNOTES:

F19 (Myrvym qydul xrwa) "via justo rectitudines", Vatablus.
F20 For this note, I am indebted to my learned, pious, and ingenious friend, the Rev. Mr. Hervey; see Theron and Aspasio, vol 2. Dialog. 13. p. 225. Ed 3.
F21 (rvy) "rectus est", De Dieu.
F23 (olpt) "aequabis", Vatablus. So Ben Melech explains it by (rvwy) , making a thing plain and even.

Isaiah 26:7 In-Context

5 For he shall bow down them that dwell on high, and he shall make low an high city; he shall make it low till to the earth; he shall draw it down till to the dust. (For he shall bow down those who be proud, or be haughty, and he shall make low a high city; he shall make it low unto the ground; he shall draw it down unto the dust.)
6 The foot of a poor man shall defoul it, and the steps of needy men shall defoul it. (The foot of the poor shall defile it, and the steps of the needy shall defile it.)
7 The way of a just man is rightful, the path of a just man is rightful to go (on). (The way of the just is right, or is straightforward, yea, the path of the just is straight and clear to go on.)
8 And in the way of thy dooms, Lord, we suffered thee; thy name, and thy memorial is in desire of soul. (And in the way of thy judgements, Lord, we followed thee; thy name and the remembrance of thee be our hearts? desire.)
9 My soul shall desire thee in the night, but also with my spirit in mine entrails; from the morrowtide I shall wake to thee. When thou shalt make thy dooms in [the] earth, all (the) dwellers of the world shall learn rightfulness. (My soul shall desire thee in the night, yea, my spirit in my bowels, or deep within; and early in the morning I shall look for thee. When thou shalt make thy judgements upon the earth, all the inhabitants of the world shall learn righteousness.)
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.