Leupold Old Testament Commentaries: Isaiah
Overview
Originally published in two volumes, Leupold’s commentary begins with a nearly fifty page introduction covering topics as diverse as the historical situation at the time of Isaiah, biographical information on the prophet, a discussion of the current thoughts on authorship, Isaiah’s theology, and Isaiah’s prophecies in the light of the Dead Sea Scrolls. It is in the area of illuminating the Messianic prophecies and revealing the import of the historical passages and background that this exposition excels.
Top Highlights
“In 46:9 Israel is bidden to ‘remember the former things.’ So the present statement must be meant in the sense of letting the memory linger on the events of the past, of dwelling nostalgically on what happened in the good old days. So the thought is this: Let the grand past be overtopped by the more glorious future. Cultivate hope, not remembrance. The ‘new thing’ that is to be eagerly anticipated is the impending exodus from Babylon.” (Volume 2, Page 89)
“‘Wonderful-Counselor’ emphasizes primarily that he will be most effective in planning, in formulating a plan for action.” (Volume 1, Page 185)
“The point at issue is that Ahaz would be under necessity of believing if the sign asked came to pass, and Ahaz does not want to be under necessity of believing, strange as that may sound. He has a course of his own plotted. If the sign happens, this course must be abandoned. The pious sound of his answer masks a very stubborn unbelief.” (Volume 1, Pages 154–155)
“The immediate connection of the second, ‘Mighty-God,’ with the first is that the individual in question possesses the capacity for carrying out to the full all that his brilliant plans call for: He has nothing less than the full omnipotence of God at his command. What he devised, he is also well able to achieve. He is himself God.” (Volume 1, Pages 185–186)
“So Matthew construes it (Matt. 4:14–16) thinking in terms of the beginning of the Galilean ministry of Jesus. The ‘great light’ referred to is Jesus Christ in person, as we can now clearly see in the light of the fulfilment that the New Testament brings.” (Volume 1, Page 182)