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Selected Verse: Isaiah 50:4 - Strong Concordance
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Isa 50:4 |
Strong Concordance |
The Lord [0136] GOD [03069] hath given [05414] me the tongue [03956] of the learned [03928], that I should know [03045] how to speak [05790] a word [01697] in season to him that is weary [03287]: he wakeneth [05782] morning [01242] by morning [01242], he wakeneth [05782] mine ear [0241] to hear [08085] as the learned [03928]. |
| |
King James |
The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
Messiah, as "the servant of Jehovah" (Isa 42:1), declares that the office has been assigned to Him of encouraging the "weary" exiles of Israel by "words in season" suited to their case; and that, whatever suffering it is to cost Himself, He does not shrink from it (Isa 50:5-6), for that He knows His cause will triumph at last (Isa 50:7-8).
learned--not in mere human learning, but in divinely taught modes of instruction and eloquence (Isa 49:2; Exo 4:11; Mat 7:28-29; Mat 13:54).
speak a word in season-- (Pro 15:23; Pro 25:11). Literally, "to succor by words," namely, in their season of need, the "weary" dispersed ones of Israel (Deu 28:65-67). Also, the spiritual "weary" (Isa 42:3; Mat 11:28).
wakeneth morning by morning, &c.--Compare "daily rising up early" (Jer 7:25; Mar 1:35). The image is drawn from a master wakening his pupils early for instruction.
wakeneth . . . ear--prepares me for receiving His divine instructions.
as the learned--as one taught by Him. He "learned obedience," experimentally, "by the things which He suffered"; thus gaining that practical learning which adapted Him for "speaking a word in season" to suffering men (Heb 5:8). |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
The Lord God hath given me - This verse commences a new subject, and the deliverer is directly introduced as himself speaking. The reasons why this is supposed to refer to the Messiah, have been given in the analysis to the chapter. Those reasons will be strengthened by the examination of the particular expressions in the passage, and by showing, as we proceed in the exposition, in what way they are applicable to him. It will be assumed that the reference is to the Messiah; and we shall find that it is a most beautiful description of his character, and of some of the principal events of his life. This verse is designed to state how he was suited for the special work to which he was called. The whole endowment is traced to Yahweh. It was he who had called him; he who had given him the tongue of the learned, and he who had carefully and attentively qualified him for his work.
The tongue of the learned - Hebrew, 'The tongue of those who are instructed;' that is, of the eloquent; or the tongue of instruction (παιδείας paideias, Septuagint); that is, he has qualified me to instruct others. It does not mean human science or learning; nor does it mean that any other had been qualified as he was, or that there were any others who were learned like him. But it means that on the subject of religion he was eminently endowed with intelligence, and with eloquence. In regard to the Redeemer's power of instruction, the discourses which he delivered, as recorded in the New Testament, and especially his sermon on the mount, may be referred to. None on the subject of religion ever spake like him; none was ever so well qualified to instruct mankind (compare Mat 13:54).
That I should know how to speak a word in season - The Hebrew here is, 'That I might know how to strengthen with a word the weary;' that is, that he might sustain, comfort, and refresh them by his promises and his counsels. How eminently he was suited to alleviate those who were heavy laden with sin and to comfort those who were burdened with calamities and trials, may be seen by the slightest reference to the New Testament, and the most partial acquaintance with his instructions and his life. The weary here are those who are burdened with a sense of guilt; who feel that they have no strength to bear up under the mighty load, and who therefore seek relief (see Mat 11:28).
He wakeneth morning by morning - That is, he wakens me every morning early. The language is taken from an instructor who awakens his pupils early, in order that they may receive instruction. The idea is, that the Redeemer would be eminently endowed, under the divine instruction and guidance, for his work. He would be one who was, so to speak, in the school of God; and who would be qualified to impart instruction to others.
He wakeneth mine ear - To awaken the ear is to prepare one to receive instruction. The expressions, to open the ear, to uncover the ear, to awaken the ear, often occur in the Scriptures, in the sense of preparing to receive instruction, or of disposing to receive divine communications. The sense here is plain. The Messiah would be taught of God, and would be inclined to receive all that he imparted.
To hear as the learned - Many translate the phrase here 'as disciples,' that is, as those who are learning. So Lowth; 'With the attention of a learner.' So Noyes; 'In the manner of a disciple.' The Septuagint renders it, 'He has given me an ear to hear.' The idea is, probably, that he was attentive as they are who wish to learn; that is, as docile disciples. The figure is taken from a master who in the morning summons his pupils around him, and imparts instruction to them. And the doctrine which is taught is, that the Messiah would be eminently qualified, by divine teaching, to be the instructor of mankind. The Chaldee paraphrases this, 'Morning by morning, he anticipates (the dawn), that he may send his prophets, if perhaps they my open the ears of sinners, and receive instruction.' |
| Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78] |
| He in whom Jehovah came to His nation, and proclaimed to it, in the midst of its self-induced misery, the way and work of salvation, is He who speaks in Isa 50:4 : "The Lord Jehovah hath given me a disciple's tongue, that I may know how to set up the wearied with words: He wakeneth every morning; wakeneth mine ear to attend in disciple's manner." The word limmūdı̄m, which is used in the middle of the verse, and which is the older word for the later talmidı̄m, μαθηταί, as in Isa 8:16; Isa 54:13, is repeated at the close of the verse, according to the figure of palindromy, which is such a favourite figure in both parts of the book of Isaiah; and the train of thought, "He wakeneth morning by morning, wakeneth mine ear," recals to mind the parallelism with reservation which is very common in the Psalms, and more especially the custom of a "triolet-like" spinning out of the thoughts, from which the songs of "degrees" (or ascending steps, shı̄r hamma‛ălōth) have obtained their name. The servant of Jehovah affords us a deep insight here into His hidden life. The prophets received special revelations from God, for the most part in the night, either in dreams or else in visions, which were shown them in a waking condition, but yet in the more susceptible state of nocturnal quiet and rest. Here, however, the servant of Jehovah receives the divine revelations neither in dreams nor visions of the night; but every morning (babbōqer babbōqer as in Isa 28:19), i.e., when his sleep is over, Jehovah comes to him, awakens his ear, by making a sign to him to listen, and then takes him as it were into the school after the manner of a pupil, and teaches him what and how he is to preach. Nothing indicates a tongue befitting the disciples of God, so much as the gift of administering consolation; and such a gift is possessed by the speaker here. "To help with words him that is exhausted" (with suffering and self-torture): עוּת, Arab. gât̬, med. Vav, related to אוּשׁ, חוּשׁ, signifies to spring to a person with words to help, Aq. ὑποστηρίσαι, Jer. sustentare. The Arabic gât̬, med. Je, to rain upon or water (Ewald, Umbreit, etc.), cannot possibly be thought of, since this has no support in the Hebrew; still less, however, can we take עוּת as a denom. from עת, upon which Luther has founded his rendering, "to speak to the weary in due season" (also Eng. ver.). דּבר is an accusative of more precise definition, like אשׁר in Isa 50:1 (cf., Isa 42:25; Isa 43:23). Jerome has given the correct rendering: "that I may know how to sustain him that is weary with a word." |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| Given me - This and the following passages may be in some sort understood of the prophet Isaiah, but they are far more evidently and eminently verified in Christ, and indeed seem to be meant directly of him. The tongue - All ability of speaking plainly, and convincingly, and persuasively. Weary - Burdened with the sense of his, deplorable condition. Wakeneth - Me, from time to time, and continually. To hear - He by his Divine power assists me to the practice of all his commands and my duties, with all attention and diligence. |
8 Though [2539] he were [5607] a Son [5207], yet learned he [3129] obedience [5218] by [575] the things which [3739] he suffered [3958];
35 And [2532] in the morning [4404], rising up [450] a great while [3029] before day [1773], he went out [1831], and [2532] departed [565] into [1519] a solitary [2048] place [5117], and there [2546] prayed [4336].
25 Since the day [03117] that your fathers [01] came forth out [03318] of the land [0776] of Egypt [04714] unto this day [03117] I have even sent [07971] unto you all my servants [05650] the prophets [05030], daily [03117] rising up early [07925] and sending [07971] them:
28 Come [1205] unto [4314] me [3165], all [3956] ye that labour [2872] and [2532] are heavy laden [5412], and I [2504] will give [373] you [5209] rest [373].
3 A bruised [07533] reed [07070] shall he not break [07665], and the smoking [03544] flax [06594] shall he not quench [03518]: he shall bring forth [03318] judgment [04941] unto truth [0571].
65 And among these [01992] nations [01471] shalt thou find no ease [07280], neither shall the sole [03709] of thy foot [07272] have rest [04494]: but the LORD [03068] shall give [05414] thee there a trembling [07268] heart [03820], and failing [03631] of eyes [05869], and sorrow [01671] of mind [05315]:
66 And thy life [02416] shall hang [08511] in doubt before [05048] thee; and thou shalt fear [06342] day [03119] and night [03915], and shalt have none assurance [0539] of thy life [02416]:
67 In the morning [01242] thou shalt say [0559], Would God it were [05414] even [06153]! and at even [06153] thou shalt say [0559], Would God it were [05414] morning [01242]! for the fear [06343] of thine heart [03824] wherewith thou shalt fear [06342], and for the sight [04758] of thine eyes [05869] which thou shalt see [07200].
11 A word [01697] fitly [0212] [0655] spoken [01696] is like apples [08598] of gold [02091] in pictures [04906] of silver [03701].
23 A man [0376] hath joy [08057] by the answer [04617] of his mouth [06310]: and a word [01697] spoken in due season [06256], how good [02896] is it!
54 And [2532] when he was come [2064] into [1519] his own [846] country [3968], he taught [1321] them [846] in [1722] their [846] synagogue [4864], insomuch that [5620] they [846] were astonished [1605], and [2532] said [3004], Whence [4159] hath this man [5129] this [3778] wisdom [4678], and [2532] these mighty works [1411]?
28 And [2532] it came to pass [1096], when [3753] Jesus [2424] had ended [4931] these [5128] sayings [3056], the people [3793] were astonished [1605] at [1909] his [846] doctrine [1322]:
29 For [1063] he taught [1321] [2258] them [846] as [5613] one having [2192] authority [1849], and [2532] not [3756] as [5613] the scribes [1122].
11 And the LORD [03068] said [0559] unto him, Who hath made [07760] man's [0120] mouth [06310]? or who maketh [07760] the dumb [0483], or deaf [02795], or the seeing [06493], or the blind [05787]? have not I the LORD [03068]?
2 And he hath made [07760] my mouth [06310] like a sharp [02299] sword [02719]; in the shadow [06738] of his hand [03027] hath he hid [02244] me, and made [07760] me a polished [01305] shaft [02671]; in his quiver [0827] hath he hid [05641] me;
7 For the Lord [0136] GOD [03069] will help [05826] me; therefore shall I not be confounded [03637]: therefore have I set [07760] my face [06440] like a flint [02496], and I know [03045] that I shall not be ashamed [0954].
8 He is near [07138] that justifieth [06663] me; who will contend [07378] with me? let us stand [05975] together [03162]: who is mine adversary [01167] [04941]? let him come near [05066] to me.
5 The Lord [0136] GOD [03069] hath opened [06605] mine ear [0241], and I was not rebellious [04784], neither turned away [05472] back [0268].
6 I gave [05414] my back [01460] to the smiters [05221], and my cheeks [03895] to them that plucked off [04803] the hair: I hid [05641] not my face [06440] from shame [03639] and spitting [07536].
1 Behold my servant [05650], whom I uphold [08551]; mine elect [0972], in whom my soul [05315] delighteth [07521]; I have put [05414] my spirit [07307] upon him: he shall bring forth [03318] judgment [04941] to the Gentiles [01471].
28 Come [1205] unto [4314] me [3165], all [3956] ye that labour [2872] and [2532] are heavy laden [5412], and I [2504] will give [373] you [5209] rest [373].
54 And [2532] when he was come [2064] into [1519] his own [846] country [3968], he taught [1321] them [846] in [1722] their [846] synagogue [4864], insomuch that [5620] they [846] were astonished [1605], and [2532] said [3004], Whence [4159] hath this man [5129] this [3778] wisdom [4678], and [2532] these mighty works [1411]?
23 Thou hast not brought [0935] me the small cattle [07716] of thy burnt offerings [05930]; neither hast thou honoured [03513] me with thy sacrifices [02077]. I have not caused thee to serve [05647] with an offering [04503], nor wearied [03021] thee with incense [03828].
25 Therefore he hath poured [08210] upon him the fury [02534] of his anger [0639], and the strength [05807] of battle [04421]: and it hath set him on fire [03857] round about [05439], yet he knew [03045] not; and it burned [01197] him, yet he laid [07760] it not to heart [03820].
1 Thus saith [0559] the LORD [03068], Where is the bill [05612] of your mother's [0517] divorcement [03748], whom I have put away [07971]? or which of my creditors [05383] is it to whom I have sold [04376] you? Behold, for your iniquities [05771] have ye sold [04376] yourselves, and for your transgressions [06588] is your mother [0517] put away [07971].
19 From the time [01767] that it goeth forth [05674] it shall take [03947] you: for morning [01242] by morning [01242] shall it pass over [05674], by day [03117] and by night [03915]: and it shall be a vexation [02113] only to understand [0995] the report [08052].
13 And all thy children [01121] shall be taught [03928] of the LORD [03068]; and great [07227] shall be the peace [07965] of thy children [01121].
16 Bind up [06887] the testimony [08584], seal [02856] the law [08451] among my disciples [03928].
4 The Lord [0136] GOD [03069] hath given [05414] me the tongue [03956] of the learned [03928], that I should know [03045] how to speak [05790] a word [01697] in season to him that is weary [03287]: he wakeneth [05782] morning [01242] by morning [01242], he wakeneth [05782] mine ear [0241] to hear [08085] as the learned [03928].