Isaiah 56:2

2 Blessed is the man, that doeth this, and the son of (a) man, that shall take (hold of) this; keeping the sabbath, that he defoul not it, keeping his hands, that he do not any evil. (Blessed is the person, who doeth this, and those who shall take hold of this; keeping the sabbath, so that they do not defile it, and keeping their hands clean, so that they do not do any evil.)

Isaiah 56:2 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 56:2

Blessed is the man that doth this
That does justice, and keeps judgment; he hereby exercises a good conscience both towards God and men; he enjoys communion with God in his ways, worship, and ordinances, he attends unto, and has an evidence of his right to eternal happiness: and the son of man that layeth hold on it;
on the salvation of Christ, and his righteousness; which supposes a sense of the insufficiency of a man's own righteousness, a view of the excellency and suitableness of Christ's righteousness; and is expressive of a strong act of faith upon it, embracing and retaining it as a man's own: that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it;
by doing any servile work on it, and attending to all religious duties, private or public. This is put for the whole of instituted worship under the Gospel dispensation, and for any day or time in which the church of Christ meet together for religious worship: and keepeth his hand from doing any evil;
committing any sin against God, or doing injury to the persons or properties of men, including the whole of moral duty.

Isaiah 56:2 In-Context

1 The Lord saith these things, Keep ye doom, and do ye rightfulness, for why mine health is nigh, that it come, and my rightfulness, that it be showed. (The Lord saith these things, Do ye justly, and do ye righteously, for my deliverance, or my salvation, is near, so that it shall come, and my righteousness, so that it shall be shown.)
2 Blessed is the man, that doeth this, and the son of (a) man, that shall take (hold of) this; keeping the sabbath, that he defoul not it, keeping his hands, that he do not any evil. (Blessed is the person, who doeth this, and those who shall take hold of this; keeping the sabbath, so that they do not defile it, and keeping their hands clean, so that they do not do any evil.)
3 And say not the son of a comeling, that cleaveth fast to the Lord, saying, By parting the Lord shall part me from his people; and a gelding, either a chaste man, say not, Lo! I am a dry tree. (And the son of a newcomer, or of a foreigner, who cleaveth firmly to the Lord, say not, By separating the Lord shall separate me from his people; and a eunuch, or a chaste man, say not, Lo! I am a dry tree.)
4 For the Lord saith these things to geldings, that keep my sabbaths, and choose what things I would, and hold (fast to) my bond of peace. (For the Lord saith these things to the eunuchs, who keep my sabbaths, and choose what things I would, and hold firm to my covenant.)
5 I shall give to them a place in mine house, and (with)in my walls, and the best name, (yea, better than that) of sons and daughters; I shall give to them a name everlasting, that shall not perish (I shall give them an everlasting name, that shall not perish).
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.