The Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 27:8

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Our translators have entirely mistaken the meaning of this verse. The proper rendering is, In measure, when thou puttest her away, thou wilt contend with her; he sighed with his keen breath in the day of the east wind.

"In measure" means "with forbearance and moderation"—the punishment being carefully adjusted to the degree of the offence. God was about to "put Judah away"—to banish her into a far country; but still he would refrain himself—he would "not suffer his whole displeasure to arise," or give her over wholly to destruction.

In the day of the east wind, or of the national catastrophe, when his breath was fierce and hard against his people, he would "sigh" at the needful chastisement. As Dr. Kay well says, "Amid the rough and stern severity which he breathed into the tempest, there was an undertone of sadness and grief."

More for Isaiah 27:8

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 27:1-11God's treatment of the rebellious and the righteous. Amid the different and difficult interpretations and the numerous and dubious applications given to these verses, we may discern some truths respecting God's treatmen…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 27:1-13EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 27:1-13In that day. We have here a general picture of the events which precede the condition of the inauguration of a new era. I. THE FIGHT WITH THE MONSTER OR MONSTERS. We cannot enter into the subject of this symbolism, in r…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryMatthew Henry on Isaiah 27:6-13In the days of the gospel, the latter days, the gospel church shall be more firmly fixed than the Jewish church, and shall spread further. May our souls be continually watered and kept, that we may abound in the fruits…Matthew Henry commentaryCorrection and Compassion. (b. c. 718.)CORRECTION AND COMPASSION. (B. C. 718.) Here is the prophet again singing of mercy and judgment, not, as before, judgment to the enemies and mercy to the church, but judgment to the church and mercy mixed with that judg…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 27:7-11THE COMING JUDGMENT UPON JUDAH A CHASTISEMENT IN WHICH MERCY IS BLENDED WITH JUSTICE. A coming judgment upon Judah has been one of the main subjects of Isaiah's prophecy from the beginning. It has been included in the c…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 27:7-9Judgments and chastisements. These verses set forth two modes of apprehending the afflictions and sorrows of life, and help us in estimating the distinction between the modes. We may say that it sets forth God's ways wi…Joseph S. Exell and contributors