Isa 35:8, 60:21, Joe 3:17, Rev 21:27 | JFB | STEP | 8. highway —such a causeway ( raised way, from a Hebrew root, "to cast up") as was used for the march of armies; valleys being filled up, hills and other obstructions removed ( ; compare ). way of holiness —Hebraism for "the holy way." HORSLEY translates, "the way of the Holy One;" but the words that follow, and , show it is the way leading the redeemed back to Jerusalem, both the literal and the heavenly ( ); still Christ at His coming again shall be the Leader on the way, for which reason it is called, "The way of the Lord " ( ). it shall be for those: the wayfaring men —rather, "He (the Holy One) shall be with them, walking in the way" [HORSLEY ]. though fools —rather, "And (even) fools," that is, the simple shall not go astray, namely, because "He shall be with them" ( ).

Isaiah 35:8

8. highway—such a causeway (raised way, from a Hebrew root, "to cast up") as was used for the march of armies; valleys being filled up, hills and other obstructions removed (Isa 62:10; compare Isa 40:3, 4).

way of holiness—Hebraism for "the holy way." HORSLEY translates, "the way of the Holy One;" but the words that follow, and Isa 35:10, show it is the way leading the redeemed back to Jerusalem, both the literal and the heavenly (Isa 52:1; Joe 3:17; Re 21:27); still Christ at His coming again shall be the Leader on the way, for which reason it is called, "The way of the Lord" (Isa 40:3; Mal 3:1).

it shall be for those: the wayfaring men—rather, "He (the Holy One) shall be with them, walking in the way" [HORSLEY].

though fools—rather, "And (even) fools," that is, the simple shall not go astray, namely, because "He shall be with them" (Mt 11:25; 1Co 1:26-28).

Isaiah 60:21

21. all righteous— (Isa 4:3; 52:1; Re 21:27).

inherit . . . land— (Isa 49:8; 54:3; 65:9; Ps 37:11, 22; Mt 5:5).

branch of my planting— (Isa 61:3; Ps 92:13; Mt 15:13).

work of my hands—the converted Israelites (Isa 29:23; 45:11).

that I may be glorified—the final end of all God's gracious dealings (Isa 49:3; 61:3).

Joel 3:17

17. shall ye know—experimentally by the proofs of favors which I shall vouchsafe to you. So "know" (Isa 60:16; Ho 2:20).

dwelling in Zion—as peculiarly your God.

holy . . . no strangers pass through—to attack, or to defile, the holy city (Isa 35:8; 52:1; Zec 14:21). Strangers, or Gentiles, shall come to Jerusalem, but it shall be in order to worship Jehovah there (Zec 14:16).

Revelation of John 21:27

27. anything that defileth—Greek, "koinoun." A and B read [koinon,] "anything unclean."

in the Lamb's book of life—(See on Re 20:12; Re 20:15). As all the filth of the old Jerusalem was carried outside the walls and burnt there, so nothing defiled shall enter the heavenly city, but be burnt outside (compare Re 22:15). It is striking that the apostle of love, who shows us the glories of the heavenly city, is he also who speaks most plainly of the terrors of hell. On Re 21:26, 27, ALFORD writes a Note, rash in speculation, about the heathen nations, above what is written, and not at all required by the sacred text: compare Note, see on Re 21:26.