23 For the Lord, Yahweh of Armies, will make a full end, and that determined, in the midst of all the earth.
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
For the Lord God of hosts shall make a consumption. This repetition again wounds the self-complacency of those who proudly despised God. It was almost incredible that the Jews, to whom so many promises had been given, and with whom God had made an everlasting covenant, should perish, as it were, in an instant; and it appeared to be even inconsistent with the unchangeable nature of God. The Prophet therefore declares that the Lord is the author of this consumption, in order to repress the pride of wicked men, who, relying on their present prosperity, thought that they were beyond all danger, and, swelling with that confidence, ridiculed all threats and warnings. "God," says he, "will reduce your land to a desert, so that in the very midst it will be desolate, and will resemble a wilderness." In the midst of all the land. By the midst of the land he means its very heart, that is, its most fortified and best defended places. Some think that the word nhrtsh (neheratzah) is an adjective, determined; but for my part I view it as a substantive, consummation; [1] and in this sense it is used by Daniel and in other passages. (Daniel 9:27.) Paul quotes this passage, (Romans 9:28,) but in somewhat different words from what the Prophet uses; for he follows the ordinary translation which at that time was generally used. Though Paul wrote correctly and faithfully, and in accordance with the Prophet's real meaning, yet the words which he quotes from the Greek translation have led many to depart from what the Prophet actually meant. The Greek translator having used the word logos, (logos,) that is, a discourse, many have entered into discussions about the Gospel, and have said that it denotes the repeal of the law, because it puts an end to ceremonies and figures, and therefore that it is a short and concise discourse, by which we are freed from the burden of the law under which the people groaned. But that has nothing to do with the Prophet's meaning; for here he says that the consumption is a diminution, by which the people will be almost ruined. Paul's design is not different, and the Greek translators meant nothing else; for by logos (logos) they meant what is expressed by the Hebrew word dvr, (dabar.) Though the Prophet does not make use of the word dvr, (dabar,) yet the word which he uses means a thing consumed, that is, consumption, and the meaning of both words is the same. In short, Paul there repeats (Romans 9:28) what Isaiah had said in this passage about the future consumption of the people, and shows that this prediction was chiefly fulfilled in his own time, when the Jews were cut off from the kingdom of God on account of their ingratitude, and but a small remnant (Isaiah 1:9, 10:22) was preserved.
1 - The Author's version is, because a consumption and consummation will the Lord Jehovah of hosts make. -- Ed.
For the Lord God of hosts - Note, Isaiah 1:9.
Shall make a consumption - The Hebrew of this verse might be rendered, 'for its destruction is completed, and is determined on; the Lord Yahweh of hosts will execute it in the midst of the land.' Our translation, however, expresses the force of the original. It means that the destruction was fixed in the mind or purpose of God, and would be certainly executed. The translation by the Septuagint, which is followed in the main by the apostle Paul in quoting this passage, is somewhat different. 'For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness, for a short work will the Lord make in the whole habitable world' - ἐν τῇ οἰκουμένῃ ὅλῃ en tē oikoumenē holē; as quoted by Paul, 'upon the earth' - ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς epi tēs gēs. For the manner in which this passage is quoted by Paul, see the notes at Romans 9:27-28.
In the midst of all the land - That is, the land of Israel for the threatened judgment extended no further.
For the Lord GOD of hosts shall make a full end, even (r) determined, in the midst of all the land.
(r) God will destroy this land as he has determined and later save a small portion.
For the Lord God of hosts shall make a consumption,.... Not of the land of Judea, as at the destruction of Jerusalem; but the meaning is, that he that is Lord of all, who does what he pleases in the armies above and below, will execute and accomplish a precise and absolute decree of his, concerning the salvation of the remnant of his people; which is his decree of election, and that standing sure, not upon the foot of works, but his own sovereign will: hence their salvation is sure and certain, and not precarious;
even determined, in the midst of all the land; that is, the determined decree should be executed in the several parts of the land of Judea, where this remnant was; for which reason the Gospel was preached in the several cities of Judah, in order to accomplish it, both by Christ and his apostles.
even determined--"A consumption, and whatever is determined," or decreed [MAURER].
midst--Zion, the central point of the earth as to Jehovah's presence.
land--Israel. But the Septuagint, "in the whole habitable world." So English Version (Romans 9:28), "upon the earth."
In the midst - In all the parts of the land, not excepting Jerusalem, which was to be preserved in the Assyrian invasion.
*More commentary available at chapter level.