Digital Logos Edition
Edward J. Young’s classic 3-volume commentary engages in a line-by-line exegesis of the Book of Isaiah, setting interpretation firmly in the context of Isaiah’s archaeological, cultural, and intellectual background. Young allows the prophet to speak for himself and to expound his message for the present age. Written primarily for the minister, Sunday school teacher and general layperson, the theologically conservative commentary provides very few Hebrew words in the main body of the text. However, in order to serve those pastors, teachers and students who do know the Hebrew language, Young has provided technical material in the footnotes or in special notes.
Volume 2 covers chapters 19-39.
The Book of Isaiah: vol. 2, Chapters 19-39 was an inauguratory volume of the New International Commentary Series on the Old Testament!
“No enemy is too powerful for the God of Jacob to conquer.” (Page 44)
“If the events described in this and the preceding chapter occurred about two years before those depicted in chapters 36–37, why did Isaiah place these chapters after 36–37? This question is addressed in Appendix II. The prophet mentions Babylon, for he is preparing the reader for the fortieth chapter. What is presented in that chapter has as its background the events described here. It is against the dark background of despair presented in this chapter that Isaiah can utter his gracious words of comfort with which the fortieth chapter begins.” (Page 538)
“Against the background of the nation’s vain and misplaced confidence in its false security Isaiah utters one of the grandest Messianic prophecies in his entire work.” (Page 284)
“Rather, the entire emphasis of this chapter is that when the Lord comes He will bring about a radical change in the world. Just as the desert will no longer be a desert but will blossom like the rose, so also will the blind see. All these expressions simply indicate in beautiful fashion how far-reaching and thoroughly radical will be the change that the coming of the Lord accomplishes.” (Page 451)
“Isaiah is not asserting that because a man walks in righteousness, he will be delivered from punishment. Rather, he is merely describing those who do escape the judgment. The ground for the deliverance must be found only in the sovereign, electing love and decree of God, and not in any human merit.” (Page 418)
The first really significant example of a thoroughly scholarly conservative commentary since Keil and Delitzsch
—Moody Monthly
The special value of this book lies in the fullness and depth of the exposition and the erudition of the footnotes…These alone justify its purchase by the layman, the minister, and the student.
—The Evangelical Quarterly