And he maketh my mouth as a sharp sword, In the shadow of His hand He hath hid me, And He maketh me for a clear arrow, In His quiver He hath hid me.Isaiah 49:2 Additional Translations
Clarke's Commentary on the BibleAnd he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword "And he hath made my mouth a sharp sword" - The servant of God, who speaks in the former part of this chapter, must be the Messiah. If any part of this character can in any sense belong to the prophet, yet in some parts it must belong exclusively to Christ; and in all parts to him in a much fuller and more proper sense. Isaiah's mission was to the Jews, not to the distant nations, to whom the speaker in this place addresses himself. "He hath made my mouth a sharp sword;" "to reprove the wicked, and to denounce unto them punishment," says Jarchi, understanding it of Isaiah. But how much better does it suit him who is represented as having "a sharp two-edged sword going out of his mouth," Revelation 1:16; who is himself the Word of God; which word is "quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart;" Hebrews 4:12. This mighty Agent and Instrument of God, "long laid up in store with him, and sealed up among his treasures," is at last revealed and produced by his power, and under his protection, to execute his great and holy purposes. He is compared to a polished shaft stored in his quiver for use in his due time. The polished shaft denotes the same efficacious word which is before represented by the sharp sword. The doctrine of the Gospel pierced the hearts of its hearers, "bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." The metaphor of the sword and the arrow, applied to powerful speech, is bold, yet just. It has been employed by the most ingenious heathen writers, if with equal elegance, not with equal force. It is said of Pericles by Aristophanes, (see Cicero, Epist. ad Atticum, 12:6): -
Οὑτως εκηλει, και μονος των ῥητορων
Το κεντρον εγκατελειπε τοις ακροωμενοις.
Apud. Diod. lib. xii.
His powerful speech
Pierced the hearer's soul, and left behind
Deep in his bosom its keen point infixed.
Pindar is particularly fond of this metaphor, and frequently applies it to his own poetry: -
Επεχε νυν σκοπῳ τοξον,
Αγε, θυμε. τινα βαλλομεν
Εκ μαλθακας αυτε φρε-
νος ευκλεας οΐστους
Ἱεντες - ;
Olymp. 2:160.
continued...
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
he hath made
Isaiah 11:4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth...
Psalm 45:2-5 You are fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into your lips: therefore God has blessed you for ever...
Hosea 6:5 Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth...
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword...
Revelation 1:16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two edged sword...
Revelation 2:12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things said he which has the sharp sword with two edges;
Revelation 19:15 And out of his mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron...
in the
Isaiah 42:1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; my elect, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit on him...
Isaiah 51:16 And I have put my words in your mouth, and I have covered you in the shadow of my hand, that I may plant the heavens...
Psalm 91:1 He that dwells in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
Luke 23:46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into your hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus...
made me. The polished shaft, says Bp. Lowth, denotes the same efficacious word which is before represented by the sharp sword. The doctrine of the gospel pierced the hearts of its hearers, 'bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.'
Isaiah 50:4 The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary...
Isaiah 61:1-3 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on me; because the LORD has anointed me to preach good tidings to the meek...
Psalm 45:5 Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; whereby the people fall under you.
Jeremiah 1:18 For, behold, I have made you this day a defended city, and an iron pillar, and brazen walls against the whole land...
Jeremiah 15:19,20 Therefore thus said the LORD, If you return, then will I bring you again, and you shall stand before me...
Isaiah 49:2 Parallel Commentaries
Arrow Close Concealed Hand Hid Hidden Keeping Kept Maketh Mouth Polished Quiver Secret Select Shade Shadow Shaft Sharp Sharpened SwordArrow Close Concealed Hand Hid Hidden Keeping Kept Maketh Mouth Polished Quiver Secret Select Shade Shadow Shaft Sharp Sharpened SwordTHE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica®.Isaiah 49:2 Mobile Bible
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