Isaiah 66:11

Isa 66:11 That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.

Ver. 11. That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations.] Zion is not only a fruitful mother, but a joyful nurse. God giveth her the blessings both of the belly and of the breasts; and these breasts of hers are full strutting with the sincere milk of the word, that rational milk, {1Pe 2:2} the sweet and precious promises of the gospel. These "breasts of consolation" we must suck, as the babe doth the mother’s dug, as long as he can get a drop out of it, and then sucks still till more cometh. Let us suck the blood of the promises, saith one, as a dog that hath got the blood of the bear - he hangs on, and will hardly be beaten off. Let us extort and oppress the promises, saith another, descanting upon this text, as a rich man oppresseth a poor man, and getteth out of him all that he hath; so deal thou with the promises, for they are rich - there is a price in them; consider it to the utmost, wring it out. The world layeth forth her two breasts, or botches rather, of profit and pleasure, and hath enough to suck them, though they can never thereby be satisfied. And shall alma mater Ecclesia, the nourishing mother of thye Church want those that shall milk out and be delighted with the abundance of her glory?

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.

That is, may rejoice for all the benefits that God bestoweth upon his Church.

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

suck-- (Isa 60:5, Isa 60:16; Isa 61:6; Isa 49:23).

abundance--Hebrew, "the ray-like flow of her opulence," that is, with the milk spouting out from her full breasts (answering to the parallel, "breast of her consolations") in ray-like streams [GESENIUS].

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 11. With the abundance of her glory - "From her abundant stores."] For מזיז mizziz, from the splendour, two MSS. and the old edition of 1488, have מזיו mizziv; and the latter ז zain is upon a rasure in three other MSS. It is remarkable that Kimchi and Sal. ben Melec, not being able to make any thing of the word as it stands in the text, say it means the same with מזיו mizziv; that is, in effect, they admit of a various reading, or an error in the text. But as Vitringa observes, what sense is there in sucking nourishment from the splendour of her glory? He therefore endeavours to deduce another sense of the word זיז ziz; but, as far as it appears to me, without any authority. I am more inclined to accede to the opinion of those learned rabbins, and to think that there is some mistake in the word; for that in truth is their opinion, though they disguise it by saying that the corrupted word means the very same with that which they believe to be genuine. So in Isa 41:24 they say that אפע apha, a viper, means the same with אפס ephes, nothing; instead of acknowledging that one is written by mistake instead of the other. I would propose to read in this place מזין mizzin or מזן mizzen, which is the reading of one of De Rossi's MS., (instead of מזיז meziz,) from the stores, from זון zun, to nourish, to feed; see Ge 45:23; 2Ch 11:23; Ps 144:13. And this perhaps may be meant by Aquila, who renders the word by απο παντοδαπιας with which that of the Vulgate, ab omnimoda gloria, and of Symmachus and Theodotion, nearly agree. The Chaldee follows a different reading, without improving the sense; מיין meyin, from the wine. - L.

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

(11) That ye may suck . . .—The figure takes a new and bolder form. The friends who visit the rejoicing mother are invited to take their place with the new-born child, and to share his nurture. The underlying thought is, of course, that the heathen nations who had been friendly to Zion were to become converts, and be incorporated with her citizens.

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

11. Comp. ch. Isa_60:16.

abundance] The Heb. word (zîz) is of uncertain interpretation. It is found again only in Psa_50:11; Psa_80:13 in the phrase “beast of the field” (zîz sâday). It is doubtful, however, if the word there be identical with that in this verse. A perfect parallelism (with “breast”) would be obtained if we might translate by “udder.” Ewald and Cheyne adopt this translation, Ewald without remark, Cheyne with a reference to the Assyrian and the vulgar Arabic, where a word zîzâh is said to mean “udder” (see his Comm. p. 174, and Origin of the Psalter, pp. 472 f.).

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.

That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breast of her consolations,.... This, according to our version, expresses the end of the church's friends being called together to rejoice with her, that they might partake of her joys and comforts, delights and pleasures: but the words may be better rendered, either, according to Kimchi's sense, "therefore shall ye suck" (t), &c.; because ye have mourned for her, and because ye have rejoiced with her; or rather, as Noldius (u), "because ye suck", &c.; partake of her privileges and ordinances, so give a reason why they should rejoice with her. "Breast" is put for "breasts", as Jarchi observes; for as the church is represented as a woman, and as a teeming woman, she has two breasts as such, grown and fashioned, and full of milk of consolation; for "breast of her consolations" is the same as "her breasts of consolation"; see Sol 4:5, these are either Christ and his Spirit. Christ is a full breast of comfort to his people, in the greatness of his person, and the riches of his grace; in his precious blood, perfect righteousness, atoning sacrifice, and great salvation; if there be any comfort it is in him, and abounds by him. The Holy Spirit is another breast of consolation, another Comforter, by giving knowledge of the free grace gifts of God; by showing the things of Christ; by opening and applying the precious promises of the Gospel; by shedding the love of God in the heart; by witnessing to the saints their adoption, and by sealing them up unto the day of redemption. Or the covenant, and its blessings and promises: the covenant is a full breast of comfort, yields much both in life and at death; its blessings are sure mercies, blessings indeed, spiritual ones, and he that has an interest in them has enough, has all things; the promises of it are great, precious, sure, and unconditional, and afford strong consolation to the heirs of them. Or the Holy Scripture, and its two Testaments, the Old and New, which are exactly alike as two breasts; agree in the person and offices of Christ, and in all the doctrines of grace, and are full of the sincere milk of the word, and of spiritual consolation. Or the two ordinances of baptism and the Lord's supper; which agree with each other; come from the same author; relate to the same things, the sufferings and death of Christ; and to be partook of by the same persons: baptism leads to the blood of Christ for cleansing and pardon; to the burial of Christ it represents, there to behold all sins buried with him; and to the resurrection of Christ for justification, and so is a means of much spiritual comfort; as it was to the eunuch, who from thence went on his way rejoicing: the Lord's supper is another breast of consolation, it is a feast of fat things; it represents the broken body and bloodshed of Christ, whose flesh is meat indeed, and his blood drink indeed, and so is a means of spiritual nourishment and comfort. These breasts are to be "sucked"; the mouth of faith is to be laid unto them; Christ is to be applied unto for fresh supplies of grace and comfort; the covenant and its promises are to be laid hold upon, and all the goodness in them to be pressed and got out; the Scriptures are to be diligently read and searched, and the ordinances to be frequently attended on, and fervent prayer to be incessantly used, and not restrained till the blessing is given; and such who do so are sooner or later "satisfied", filled to the full. How satisfying are Christ and his grace! the covenant of grace, its blessing and promises! the doctrine of the Gospel, and the ordinances of it! these are the goodness of God's house, with which his people are satisfied, even as with marrow and fatness, Psa 36:8,

that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory; or, "for" or "because ye milk out", "may" or "shall milk out" (w); that is, press with the hand of faith the above breasts of consolation, and get out from them all the comfort that is laid up in them: and so

be delighted with the abundance of her glory; or, "the brightness of it" (x); Christ is the glory of his church; it is his presence with her, his grace and righteousness bestowed on her, which give her abundance of glory; and he it is in whom she glories: the Spirit of God, as a spirit of glory, rests upon her, and his grace makes her all glorious within; it is her glory to be interested in the covenant of grace, its promises and blessings, and to have the word and ordinances; her breasts are her glory, and she will have abundance of it in the latter day; see Isa 66:12, all which greatly "delight" the lovers and friends of Zion; a sight of Christ and his fulness, and a view of God as their Covenant God, are exceeding delightful; the doctrines of the Gospel are pleasant words, and the ways or ordinances of Christ are ways of pleasantness; and particularly the church in the latter day, enjoying all these to the full, and having the glory of God upon her, will be very delightful to behold.

(t) "pro eo quod, vel quia sugetis", Gataker. (u) "Quia sugitis", Concord. Ebr. Part. p. 521. (w) . (x) "propter splendorem gloriae ejus", Pagninus; "a splendore", Munster, Montanus. So R. Sol. Urbin. Ohel Moed, fol. 36. 2.

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

That ye may suck - The same figure occurs in Isa 60:16; and substantidally in Isa 49:23. See the note at those places.

That ye may milk out - The image is an obvious one. It means that they who sympathized with Zion would be nourished by the same truth, and comforted with the same sources of consolation.

And be delighted with the abundance of her glory - Margin, ‘Brightness.’ Lowth renders this, ‘From her abundant stores.’ Noyes, ‘From the fullness of her glory.’ Jerome (the Vulgate), ‘And that you may abound with delights from every kind of her glory.’ The Septuagint, ‘That sucking ye may be nourished from the commencement’ (Thompson); ‘or the entrance of her glory’ (ἀπὸ εἰσόδου δόξης αὐτῆς apo eisodou doxēs autēs). This variety of interpretation has arisen from the uncertain meaning of the word זיז zı̂yz, rendered ‘abundance.’ Gesenius supposes that it is derived from זוּז zûz, meaning:

1. To move;

2. To glance, to sparkle, to radiate, from the idea of rapid motion; hence, to flow out like rays, to spout like milk; and hence, the noun זיז zı̂yz, means a breast.

This derivation may be regarded as somewhat fanciful; but it will show why the word ‘brightness’ was inserted in the margin, since one of the usual significations of the verb relates to brightness, or to sparkling rays. Aquila renders it, Ἀπὸ παντοδαπίας Apo pantodapias - ‘From every kind of abundance.’ Symmachus, Ἀπὸ πλήθους Apo plēthou - ‘From the multitude.’ The word probably refers to the abundance of the consolations which Zion possessed. Lowth proposes to change the text; but without any authority. The Chaldee renders it, ‘That ye may drink of the wine of her glory;’ where they probably read יין yayin (“wine”), instead of the present reading.

Of her glory - The abundant favors or blessings conferred on Zion. The glory that should be manifested to her would be the knowledge of divine truth, and the provisions made for the salvation of people.

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

Jerusalem is here set out as the mother of us all, as indeed she was; for out of Zion went forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem, Isa 2:3. Christ was of the seed of Abraham, he was sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, and is called, Rom 15:8, the minister of the circumcision: they were the olive, the branches; the Gentiles but a wild olive, grafted in amongst them, Rom 11:17; we sucked at their breasts; Christ was first preached to them; the twelve, the seventy, were all of them. The breasts of her consolations: the gospel doctrine was their breasts of consolation. Christ was in the first place.

Her glory; the glory of the people Israel, though he was also a light to lighten the Gentiles, Luk 2:32; we are required to rejoice with Jerusalem. That ye may suck, and be satisfied, &c.; intimating that our joy should not be a mere act of charity to them, but a proper expression of our sense of God’s goodness to ourselves, who should suck and be satisfied from the glad tidings of the gospel first published unto them, and ourselves be enlightened from what was at first the glory of Israel.

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

That ye may suck. Restored Jerusalem will be as a mother to all who love her, to all who have mourned for her when she lay as it were. (1Sa_15:35 2Sa_14:2) She will have "milk" to give to all sincere milk of the Word" (1Pe_2:2) and from her both Jew and Gentile will "suck out no small advantage". (Psa_73:10) She will also impart to them from the abundance of her glory.

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

Consolations - The gospel doctrine was their breasts of consolation. Her glory - Christ was the glory of the people of Israel, though he was also a light to the Gentiles.

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

“That ye may suck and be satisfied from the breast of her consolations, that ye may milk out and enjoy yourselves from the fullness (or the full breast) of her glory.” Those who have sympathized with Zion in her joys and sorrows shall partake of her abundance and her glory. The figure of a mother is continued, but beautifully varied. ‘Suck and be satisfied, milk out and enjoy yourselves’, may be regarded as examples of hendiadys, meaning ‘suck to satiety and milk out with delight’; but no such change in the form of the translation is required or admissible. Glory includes wealth or abundance, but much more, viz. all visible superiority or excellence.

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

from the breast Heb. מִשֹּׁד, an expression of breasts (שָׁדַיִם).

you drink deeply Heb. תָּמֹצּוּ, sucer in French, to suck.

from her approaching glory Heb. מִזִּיז. From the great glory that is moving and coming nearer to her.

זִיז means esmoviment in O.F., movement.

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.

With the breast of her consolations. Comp. Thou shalt suck the breast of kings (60:16). A fulness of joy is meant by this expression; for consolations are here the opposite of mournings.

תמצו That you may milk out. Comp. מיץ the churning (Prov. 30:33), though of a different root.

מזיז R. Jonathan b. Uziel translates it מחמד from the best; R. Moses Hakkohen compares it with וזיז שדי the wild beasts of the field (Ps. 1. 11); but this explanation is forced. I explain the word to be hap. leg.

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.