Isa 45:8, 51:5 | JFB | STEP | 8. Drop —namely, the fertilizing rain ( ). skies —clouds; lower than the "heavens." righteousness —that is, the dews of the Holy Spirit, whereby "righteousness" shall "spring up." (See latter end of the verse). earth —figuratively for the hearts of men on it, opened for receiving the truth by the Holy Ghost ( ). them —the earth and the heavens. HORSLEY prefers: "Let the earth open, and let salvation and justice grow forth; let it bring them forth together; I the Lord have created him " ( ). MAURER translates, "Let all kinds of salvation (prosperity) be fruitful" ( ). The revival of religion after the return from Babylon suggests to the prophet the diffusion of Messiah's Gospel, especially in days still future; hence the elevation of the language to a pitch above what is applicable to the state of religion after the return.

Isaiah 45:8

8. Drop—namely, the fertilizing rain (Ps 65:12).

skies—clouds; lower than the "heavens."

righteousness—that is, the dews of the Holy Spirit, whereby "righteousness" shall "spring up." (See latter end of the verse).

earth—figuratively for the hearts of men on it, opened for receiving the truth by the Holy Ghost (Ac 16:14).

them—the earth and the heavens. HORSLEY prefers: "Let the earth open, and let salvation and justice grow forth; let it bring them forth together; I the Lord have created him" (Isa 45:13). MAURER translates, "Let all kinds of salvation (prosperity) be fruitful" (Ps 72:3, 6, 7). The revival of religion after the return from Babylon suggests to the prophet the diffusion of Messiah's Gospel, especially in days still future; hence the elevation of the language to a pitch above what is applicable to the state of religion after the return.

Isaiah 51:5

5. righteousness . . . near—that is, faithful fulfilment of the promised deliverance, answering to "salvation" in the parallel clause (Isa 46:13; 56:1; Ro 10:8, 9). Ye follow after "righteousness"; seek it therefore, from Me, and you will not have far to go for it (Isa 51:1).

arms—put for Himself; I by My might.

judge— (Isa 2:3, 4; Ps 98:9).

isles, &c.— (Isa 60:9).

arm— (Ro 1:16), "the power of God unto (the Gentiles as well as the Jews) salvation."