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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comJamieson Fausset Brown Commentary - Isaiah 66:17 - 66:17
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
in ... gardens - Hebrew and the Septuagint rather require, “for (entering into) gardens,” namely, to sacrifice there [Maurer].
behind one tree - rather, “following one,” that is, some idol or other, which, from contempt, he does not name [Maurer]. Vitringa, etc., think the Hebrew for “one,” Ahhadh, to be the name of the god; called Adad (meaning One) in Syria (compare Act 17:23). The idol’s power was represented by inclined rays, as of the sun shining on the earth. Gesenius translates, “following one,” namely, Hierophant (“priest”), who led the rest in performing the sacred rites.
in ... midst - namely, of the garden (see on Isa 65:3, Isa 65:4).
mouse - legally unclean (Lev 11:29) because it was an idol to the heathen (see on Isa 37:36; 1Sa 6:4). Translate, “the field mouse,” or “dormouse” [Bochart]. The Pharisees with their self-righteous purifications, and all mere formalists, are included in the same condemnation, described in language taken from the idolatries prevalent in Isaiah’s times.