Bible Commentary

Isaiah 51:17

The Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 51:17

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

Awake, awake (comp. and ). Isaiah marks the breaks in his prophecy, sometimes by a repetition of terminal clauses, which have the effect of a refrain (; , , ; ; and ; ); sometimes by a repetition of initial clauses of a striking character (, , ; ; ; ; ; ,; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; , , ; , , , etc.

). Here we have thrice over "Awake, awake"—not, however, an exact repetition in the Hebrew, but a near approach to it each summons forming the commencement of a new paragraph or subsection. Which hast drunk at the hand of the Lord the cup of his fury.

The cup of God's fury was poured out on Jerusalem when the city was taken by Nebuchadnezzar, the temple, the royal palace, and the houses of the nobles burnt (), the walls broken down (), and the bulk of the inhabitants carried away captive to Babylon.

"The cup of God's fury" is an expression used by Jeremiah (). The dregs of the cup; rather, perhaps, the goblet-cup (Cheyne), or the out-swollen cup. It is the fulness of the measure of Jerusalem's punishment, not its character, which is pointed at.

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commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 51:1-23EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryMatthew Henry on Isaiah 51:17-23God calls upon his people to mind the things that belong to their everlasting peace. Jerusalem had provoked God, and was made to taste the bitter fruits. Those who should have been her comforters, were their own torment…Matthew HenrycommentaryJerusalem's Affliction. (b. c. 706.)JERUSALEM'S AFFLICTION. (B. C. 706.) God, having awoke for the comfort of his people, here calls upon them to awake, as afterwards, Isaiah 52:1. It is a call to awake not so much out of the sleep of sin (though that als…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 51:17-23Encouragement for Jerusalem. The prophet, or chorus of prophets, is supposed to salute the holy city with a cheering cry. I. PICTURES OF DISTRESS. The draught from the cup of Divine wrath. "The cup of his fury"—"the gob…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 51:17-23AN ADDRESS OF THE PROPHET TO JERUSALEM. The comfort afforded to Israel generally is now concentrated on Jerusalem. Her condition during the long period of the Captivity is deplored, and her want of a champion to assert…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 51:17-23Spiritual stupefaction. The passage presents one of the most pitiable of all possible spectacles—a nation reduced to utter helplessness and prostration, lying like one that is brought down by intoxication to a motionles…Joseph S. Exell and contributors