Isaiah 61:8

Isa 61:8 For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.

Ver. 8. For I the Lord love judgment, &c.] One rendereth it roundly thus, For I the Lord love right; I hate rapine by iniquity - q.d., therefore I will right and repay the wrongs and damages done to my people. Neither is it for any one to think to expiate his bad deeds by his good, to set off with God, and to make him amends. In the times of Popery, indeed, men were taught so to do; they were persuaded that God would accept rapinam in holocaustum, and they practised accordingly: as did the French fury Brunbildis, who founded many colleges; and our King Stephen, who built many monasteries: eo scilicet beneficio maleficia sun expiaverunt, saith mine author. How much better Selymus, the great Turk, who, being on his death bed moved by Pyrrhus, his favourite, to bestow the great wealth taken from the Persian merchants in various places of his empire upon some notable hospital for relief of the poor, refused so to do, and forthwith commanded restitution thereof to be made to the rightful owners. {a}

And I will direct their work in truth,] i.e., In sincerity: there shall be good actions and good aims; which two make a good Christian. Some render the words thus, And I will give them according to their work in truth; making "in truth" to be God’s oath - q.d., truly and without all doubt, I will perform my promises: you have mine oath and my covenant both for your better assurance.

{a} Turkish History, fol. 567.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Isa 61:8-9. For I the Lord love judgment — I will do them right, for I love justice in myself, and in them that practise it. I hate robbery for burnt- offerings — I hate all things gotten by injustice, though they be for sacrifice. As God will not accept of that which cost nothing, so much less of that which is the effect of rapine and oppression. And I will direct their work in truth — I will lead them so, that they shall do all things in sincerity. They shall do good works with good intentions, and to good ends: they shall love truth, and walk in truth, and serve God in spirit and truth. I will make an everlasting covenant with them — Though they have broken covenant with me, yet I will renew my ancient covenant made with their fathers, confirmed with the blood of the Messiah; and it shall be everlasting, never to be abrogated. And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles — That is, eminently; a promise of the increase of the church: such shall be their prosperity and multiplying, that they shall be known abroad by their great increase: or else the meaning is, the church shall have a seed of the Gentiles; whereas the church has been confined to one corner of the world, now it shall remain in one nation alone no more, but shall fill all the nations of the earth. All shall acknowledge they are the seed which the Lord hath blessed — Such shall be the visible characters of God’s love to them, and of God’s grace in them.

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

61:8 Those who belong to the community of God’s people are to imitate the character of God, who loves justice (see Mic 6:8) and hates wrongdoing (Isa 33:15).

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

I will not receive their offerings which are extortioners, deceivers, hypocrites, or that deprive me of my glory.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

judgment--justice, which requires that I should restore My people, and give them double in compensation for their sufferings.

robbery for burnt offering--rather, from a different Hebrew root, the spoil of iniquity [HORSLEY]. So in Job 5:6. Hating, as I do, the rapine, combined with iniquity, perpetrated on My people by their enemies, I will vindicate Israel.

direct . . . work in truth--rather, "I will give them the reward of their work" (compare Isa 40:10, Margin; Isa 49:4, Margin; Isa 62:11, Margin).

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Verse 8. I hate robbery for burnt-offering - "Who hate rapine and iniquity"] The Syriac, and Chaldee prefix the conjunction ו vau, instead of the preposition ב beth, to עולה olah, which they render iniquity or oppression; and so the Septuagint, αδικιας. The difference lies in the punctuation; בעולה beolah, in a burnt-offering בעולה beavelah, in iniquity. The letters are the same in both words. Five of De Rossi's MSS. confirm this reading.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

(8) I hate robbery for burnt offering.—The Authorised Version follows the Vulg, and Luther, but the words, commonly applied as condemning the formal sacrifices of the wicked, do not fit in with the context, and it is better to take the rendering of the LXX. and the Targum, I hate robbery with violence, as referring to the spoliation which Israel had suffered at the hands of the Chaldæans.

I will direct their work in truth.—Better—the word for “work” standing, as in Lev_19:13, Eze_29:20, for its reward—I will appoint their recompense in faithfulness.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

8. Jehovah’s righteousness demands this reversal of the present relations of Israel and the heathen.

I hate robbery &c.] Render with R.V. I hate robbery with iniquity, and I will give them their recompense in truth (i.e. faithfully). Instead of שׂלָה (= burnt-offering) we must point עו̇לָה (= iniquity). The translation of the A.V. would shut us up to a wrong interpretation of the prophet’s thought. The robbery to which he refers is not that practised by Israelites on God (Mal_3:8-9), but the iniquitous treatment of Israel by its foes.

an everlasting covenant] Cf. ch. Isa_55:3.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

For I the Lord love judgment,.... To do that which is right and just himself, and to see it done by others, and therefore he will right the wrongs of his people; and whereas the Jews, though they have justly suffered his vengeance for their sins, yet being reproached and abused beyond measure by the Gentiles, among whom they are dispersed; the Lord will look in mercy upon them, and will deliver and save them, and bestow favours plentifully on them, as in the preceding verse: or the Lord loves strict justice and real righteousness, and will not be put off with an imperfect righteousness in the room of a perfect one, and much less an insincere and hypocritical one, such as that of the unbelieving Jews, the pharisaical sect of them; nothing less is acceptable to God than a perfect righteousness, which is adequate to the demands of law and justice; and such a righteousness is not to be found among men, only in his Son Jesus Christ, and with which he is well pleased, Isa 42:21,

I hate robbery for burnt offering; that which is stolen, though it be converted into a burnt offering: or, "with a burnt offering" (c); all immorality, this being put for the whole, along with ceremonial sacrifices; as if it could be atoned for by them, or would be connived at on account of them: or,

by burnt offering; expiation of theft, or any other sin, by the sacrifices of the law, being offered up without faith in Christ; and especially since the great sacrifice, the antitype of them, is offered up; and therefore God will have no more offered up, they are displeasing and hateful to him, Isa 1:12,

and I will direct their work in truth; appoint them work and service of a spiritual nature, and direct them, and enable them to perform it in spirit and in truth, in opposition to the carnal and shadowy ordinances of the ceremonial law; see Joh 4:23,

and I will make an everlasting covenant with them; that is, renew the everlasting covenant of grace with them, make it manifest unto them; apply the grace and bestow the blessings of it to and on them, Rom 11:25.

(c) "rapinam conjunctam holocausto", Junius & Tremellius.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

For I the Lord love judgment - That is, ‘I shall delight in rendering to my people what is right. It is right that they should enjoy my protection, and be favored with the tokens of my kindness. Loving justice and right, therefore, I will confer on them the privileges and blessings which they ought to enjoy, and which will be a public expression of my favor and love.’

I hate robbery for burnt-offering - There has been great variety in the interpretation of this phrase. Lowth renders it, ‘Who hate rapine and iniquity.’ Noyes, ‘I hate rapine and iniquity.’ Jerome, as in our translation, Et odio habens rapinam in holocausto. The Septuagint, Μισῶν ἁρπάγματα ἐξ ἀδικίας Misōn harpagmata ech adikias - ‘Hating the spoils of injustice.’ The Chaldee, ‘Far from before me be deceit and violence.’ The Syriac, ‘I hate rapine and iniquity.’ This variety of interpretation has arisen from the different views taken of the Hebrew בעולה be‛ôlâh. The Syriac evidently prefixed the conjunction, ו (v), “and,” instead of the preposition, ב (b), “with” or “for”; and, perhaps, also the Septuagint so read it. But this change, though slight, is not necessary in order to give a consistent rendering to the passage. The connection does not necessarily lead us to suppose that any reference would be made to ‘burnt-offering,’ and to the improper manner in which such offerings were made; but the idea is rather, that God hated rapine and sin; he hateth such acts as those by which his people had been removed from their land, and subjected to the evils of a long and painful captivity. And this is undoubtedly the sense of the passage. The Hebrew word עולה ‛ôlâh, usually without the ,ו means properly “a holocaust,” or “what is made to ascend” (from עלה ‛âlâh, to ascend) from an altar. But the word here is the construct form for עולה ‛avı̂lâh, “evil, wickedness”; whence our word “evil” (see Job 24:20; Psa 107:42). And the sense here is, hate rapine or plunder (גזל gāzēl) with iniquity;’ that is, accompanied, as it always is, with iniquity and sin. And hating that as I do, I will vindicate my people who have been plundered in this way; and who have been borne into captivity, accompanied with deeds of violence and sin.

And I will direct their work in truth - literally, ‘I will give them work in truth or faithfulness;’ that is, I will give them the reward of their work faithfully. They shall be amply recompensed for all that they have done and suffered in my cause.

And I will make - (See the notes at Isa 55:3).

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Holocaust. The pagans saw such things were improper victims. (Eusebius, præp. iv. 14.) --- Septuagint, "hate unjust plunder." (Haydock) --- Therefore will I subject the strangers to you, ver. 5. --- Truth. I will grant a sure reward. --- Covenant. These of Nehemias and the Machabees were soon forgotten: but Christ’s covenant shall abide for ever.

George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).

For I the Lord love judgment: q.d. They have suffered a great deal of hardship under their enemies, and I will do them right; for I love justice in myself, and in them that practise it. Or he gives a reason why he will recompense those strangers that did so freely minister to his people.

I hate robbery; all things gotten by injustice, though it be for sacrifice. As God will not accept of that which cost nothing, so much less of that which is the effect of rapine and oppression; a foundation whereon most of our abbeys and monasteries were built, viz. to expiate some great crimes. And thus by making God a receiver, they did interpretatively make him a confederate. I will direct their work in truth; either, I will lead and guide them so that they shall do all things in sincerity; they shall do good works, and to good ends; they shall now love truth, and walk in truth, and serve him in spirit and truth: or, I will reward them: or, I will make their work stable and firm. Truth notes stability; See Poole "Isa 16:5"; work being here put metonymically for the reward of work, proportionably to their work.

I will make an everlasting covenant: q.d. Though you have broken covenant with me, and I have seemed to forsake you in giving you up to captivity; yet I will renew my ancient covenant made with your fathers, confirmed with the blood of Christ, and it shall be everlasting, never to be abrogated, viz. it shall be continued in the Gentiles that shall come in your rooms, that for breach of covenant were broken off.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

8. This verse connects with Isa_61:1-7 by the word for, to show the attitude of Jehovah — who, as God over all, now speaks — toward Israel and his former oppressors.

I the Lord love judgment — That which is right and just in the experience of my people, who have heretofore done evil, and have suffered by the hand of the oppressor. This, on God’s part, was right and just, but no thanks to the oppressor.

I hate robbery — The oppressor has punished with gross injustice, and in sheer selfishness. Burnt offering is, with good critics, now accounted as meaning injustice, (not from the Hebrew root once supposed.) Jehovah avers his hatred of injustice toward his people, whom, and for which injustice, he now compensates with another and glorious estate, as given in Isa_61:1-7.

Hereafter Jehovah will direct their work — their proper estate under Messiah — in truth. Reward shall be the order henceforth.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

For I the Lord love judgment. Either "the Servant" here identifies himself with Jehovah, or he cites a declaration of Jehovah which he has authority to announce. Jehovah will restore the Israelites to their land because he "loves judgment" (equivalent to "justice") and hates injustice. The Babylonian conquest, though a judgment sent by him, is, so far as the Babylonians are concerned, a wrong and a "robbery." I hate robbery for burnt offering; rather, I hate robbery with wickedness. (Job_5:16 Psa_58:3 Psa_64:7 Psa_92:1-6) The transplantation of nations was a gross abuse of the rights of conquest. I will direct their work in truth; rather, I will give them their recompense faithfully. As they have been wronged, they shall be righted; they shall be faithfully and exactly compensated for what they have suffered. Nay, more over and above this, God will give them the blessing of an "everlasting covenant". (comp. Isa_55:3)

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Love judgment - I will do them right, for I love justice in myself, and in them that practice it. Robbery - All things gotten by injustice, though it be for sacrifice. Direct - I will lead them so, that they shall do all things in sincerity. Everlasting covenant - Though you have broken covenant with me, yet I will renew my ancient covenant made with your fathers, confirmed with the blood of Christ, and it shall be everlasting, never to be abrogated.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

“For I am Jehovah, loving justice, hating (that which is) taken away unjustly, and I will give their hire truly, and an everlasting covenant I strike for them.” This verse is commonly applied to the violence practiced upon Israel by the Babylonians. (Compare Isa 42:24). It is rather an enunciation of the general truth, that the divine justice renders absolutely necessary the destruction of His obstinate enemies, and the deliverance of His people from oppression. (Compare 2Th 1:6-8).

Joseph Addison Alexander, The Prophecies of Isaiah (1846–1847; New York: Scribner, 1870–1878) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Their descendants will be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples

These two clauses mean the same thing. This can be stated in active form. AT: "People from other nations will know their descendants" (See: Parallelism and Active or Passive)

their offspring among the peoples

This clause assumes the same verb as the previous one. AT: "their offspring will be known among the peoples" (See: Ellipsis)

translationWords

Yahweh

love

just

faithful

eternity

covenant

descend

nation

offspring

people group

bless

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.

For I am the Lord, Who loves justice, hates robbery in a burnt offering Therefore, I do not accept burnt offerings from the heathens (the nations [Parshandatha, K’li Paz]), for they are all results of robbery.

and I will give their wage The wage of Israel, which shall be in truth. Alternatively, I will give the reward for the deeds they performed, for they suffered the derisions of the heathens (the nations [Mss. and K’li Paz]) for My honor in truth.

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.

For I, the Lord, love judgment, etc. I shall give them their reward, for I love righteousness; I hate robbing even in the burnt offering that is brought to me; therefore ונתתי פעלתם וגו׳ I will give them their reward, etc. As to פעלתם their reward comp. פעלת the wages (Lev. 19:13).

By these words the expression I hate robbing is explained; as if God said, I shall not rob them; for if I gave them not their reward, I should rob them of their wages.

Ibn Ezra on the Tanakh — English translations: “Sefaria Community Translation” (CC0 1.0 (public-domain dedication)); “Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009” (CC BY 4.0); and “Commentary of Ibn Ezra on Isaiah - trans. by M. Friedlander, 1873” (public domain). Text via Sefaria.