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Bible Commentaries
Isaiah 54

Dummelow's Commentary on the BibleDummelow on the Bible

Verses 1-8


Renewed Promises of Restoration

Isaiah 54:1-6. Zion addressed as a woman whose period of barrenness and affliction is over; the desolation and reproach of the exile are to be things of the past.

7-10. From His promise of mercy to Zion Jehovah will not go back.

11-17. The re-establishment of the city. Its security from enemies.

Isaiah 55:1-7. The prophet invites mankind to those blessings which Jehovah has covenanted; and exhorts to putaway obstacles to their enjoyment.

8-13. Jehovah’s promise is sure, and great joy and glory await His people.

Isaiah 56:1-2. They that do right shall be rewarded.

3-8. In the restored Jerusalem the privileges of God’s people shall be for all without distinction.

Verses 1-17

1. Married wife] referring to the days of Jerusalem’s prosperity.

2. The figure is that of a tent which must be enlarged to take in increasing numbers (Isaiah 33:20). The ultimate fulfilment is seen in the extension of the religion of Zion so as to embrace the nations in the Christian dispensation.

3. Break forth] RV ’spread abroad.’ Make the desolate cities, etc.] (cp. Isaiah 49:8; Isaiah 58:12; Isaiah 61:4) i.e. reoccupy cities which had suffered from Babylonian invasions.

4. Shame of thy youth] i.e. desertion of Jehovah for other gods in her earlier history.

Thy widowhood] the period of the exile, when Jehovah seemed to have f orsaken her.

5. Thine husband] and therefore faithful, even though Israel may be faithless.

6. Called thee] i.e. back again to take thy place as wife.

When.. refused] RV ’when she is cast off.’

7. A small moment] i.e. during the 70 years’ exile in Babylon: cp. Isaiah 26:20.

8. In a little wrath] ’in overflowing wrath’ (RV), i.e. in transient outburst.

9. Referring to Genesis 9:11

10. Covenant.. peace] RM ’covenant of peace.’

11. The restoration of Jerusalem. Fair colours] lit. ’antimony,’ to set off their brilliancy: mentioned elsewhere as used for painting the eyelids, to enhance the brilliancy of the eyes (2 Kings 9:3 RV).

12. Windows of agates] RV ’pinnacles of rubies.’ See similar symbolism in connexion with the new Jerusalern, Tobit 13:16-17; Revelation 21:19, etc.

13. The outward splendour is to be worthy of the citizens (Jeremiah 31:34).

15. They shall surely] RV ’they may.’ This refers to Zion’s enemies. Not by me] i.e. not at Jehovah’s bidding, as was the case with Sargon and Sennacherib, who were divinely appointed instruments of chastisement: cp. Isaiah 10:5; Isaiah 37:26. For thy sake] RV ’because of thee.’

16. I have created, etc.] and therefore they cannot work against My will.

17. This is the heritage] viz. the discomfiture of their enemies. Righteousness i.e. justification in the eyes of the world through Jehovah’s faithfulness to His promises.

Bibliographical Information
Dummelow, John. "Commentary on Isaiah 54". "Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/dcb/isaiah-54.html. 1909.
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