Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary-4 Verse 1-4. But in the last days it shall come to pass] These four verses contain, says Bp. Newcome, a prophecy that was to be fulfilled by the coming of the Messiah, when the Gentiles were to be admitted into covenant with God, and the apostles were to preach the Gospel, beginning at Jerusalem, Luke xxiv. 47; Acts ii. 14, &c., when Christ was to be the spiritual Judge and King of many people, was to convince many nations of their errors and vices, and was to found a religion which had the strongest tendency to promote peace. Bp. Lowth thinks that "Micah took this passage from Isaiah;" or the Spirit may have inspired both prophets with this prediction; or both may have copied some common original, the words of a prophet well known at that time. The variations (few and of little importance) may be seen in the notes on the parallel passages, Isa. ii. 2, &c.; to which the reader is requested to refer.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 2. And many nations shall come, and say, come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob , etc.] In ( Isaiah 2:3); it is, “many people”, etc. the sense is the same; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths ; the teacher is the King Messiah, as Kimchi observes; the great Prophet of his people, the teacher sent from God; and will in the last days teach men by his Spirit and word, in a very plentiful manner, and with great success: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem ; these, according to Kimchi, are the words of the prophet, and not of the people, that encourage one another to go up to the house of the Lord; but the sense is much the same; for they contain a reason why the people of different nations would encourage one another to go to the house of the Lord, that they might learn his ways, and walk in his statutes, because here the word of the Lord is preached; the word which comes from God, and is concerning him, his love and grace to men; the word of peace and righteousness, of life and salvation, by Jesus Christ: and each of the doctrines of grace intended by the “law” or “doctrine” of the Lord; the doctrines of God’s everlasting love, of election in Christ, and redemption by him; of justification by his righteousness, pardon by his blood, and satisfaction by his atonement; as well as of regeneration by the Spirit of God, and of perseverance in grace: in these, and others, now shall all the Lord’s people be taught more clearly, distinctly, and comfortably; all shall know him, from the least to the greatest; and not only their light and knowledge, under such a teacher and such will be very great, but their practice will be answerable to it; as they will be instructed in all the ways of the Lord, and in the methods of his grace, so they will walk in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless; (see Gill on “ Isaiah 2:3”).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-8 - The nations have not yet so submitted to the Prince of Peace, as to beat their swords into ploughshares, nor has war ceased. But very precious promises these are, relating to the gospel church, which wil be more and more fulfilled, for He is faithful that has promised. Ther shall be a glorious church for God set up in the world, in the las days, in the days of the Messiah. Christ himself will build it upon rock. The Gentiles worshipped their idol gods; but in the period spoke of, the people will cleave to the Lord with full purpose of heart, an delight in doing his will. The word "halteth," describes those who wal not according to the Divine word. The collecting the captives from Babylon was an earnest of healing, purifying, and prospering the church; and the reign of Christ shall continue till succeeded by the everlasting kingdom of heaven. Let us stir up each other to attend the ordinances of God, that we may learn his holy ways, and walk in them receiving the law from his hands, which, being written in our hearts by his Spirit, may show our interest in the Redeemer's righteousness.
Original Hebrew
והלכו 1980 גוים 1471 רבים 7227 ואמרו 559 לכו 1980 ונעלה 5927 אל 413 הר 2022 יהוה 3069 ואל 413 בית 1004 אלהי 430 יעקב 3290 ויורנו 3384 מדרכיו 1870 ונלכה 1980 בארחתיו 734 כי 3588 מציון 6726 תצא 3318 תורה 8451 ודבר 1697 יהוה 3069 מירושׁלם׃ 3389
