Teks -- Isaiah 56:2 (NET)

56:2 The people who do this will be blessed, the people who commit themselves to obedience, who observe the Sabbath and do not defile it, who refrain from doing anything that is wrong.

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Wesley: Isa 56:2 - The man

Every man not only Jews but Gentiles, as it is explained in the following verses.

Wesley: Isa 56:2 - The sabbath

The sabbath seems to be put here, as sacrifice is elsewhere, for the whole worship of God.

JFB: Isa 56:2

(Luk 12:43).

JFB: Isa 56:2 - the man

Hebrew, enosh, "a man in humble life," in contradistinction to Hebrew, ish, "one of high rank." Even the humblest, as "the stranger" and "the eunuch" (Isa 56:4, Isa 56:6), are admissible to these privileges.

JFB: Isa 56:2 - this . . . it

What follows: "keeping the Sabbath," &c. (Isa 58:13-14; Eze 20:12). A proof that the Sabbath, in the spirit of its obligation, was to be binding under the Gospel (Isa 66:23). That gospel times are referred to is plain, from the blessing not being pronounced on the man who observed the sacrificial ritual of the Jewish law.

JFB: Isa 56:2 - layeth hold

Image from one grasping firmly some precious object which he is afraid of having forcibly snatched from him. The "Sabbath" here includes all the ordinances of divine worship under the new gospel law.

JFB: Isa 56:2 - keepeth . . . hand . . . from . . . evil

The observance of the second table of the law; as the "Sabbath" referred to the first table. Together, they form the whole duty of man, the worship of God and a holy life.

Clarke: Isa 56:2 - That keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it

That keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it - Kimchi has an excellent note here. "The Sabbath is sanctified when it is distinguished in dignity; and separated from other days

1.    As to the body, in meat, drink, and clean clothing

2.    As to the soul, that it be empty of worldly occupations, and be busily employed in the words of the law and wisdom, and in meditation on the works of the Lord.

The rabbins say, "Jerusalem had never been destroyed, had not the Sabbaths been profaned in it."

Calvin: Isa 56:2 - Happy is the man that shall do this // Keeping the Sabbath // So that he may not profane it // And keeping his hand, that he may abstain from all that is evil

2.Happy is the man that shall do this When he calls those persons “happy” who, having embraced this doctrine, devote themselves to walk uprightly, he indirectly leads us to conclude that many will be deaf or disobedient; but, lest their wickedness or indifference should retard the elect, he recommends the exhortation which he has given from the advantage which it yields. Thus, in order that believers may abandon all delay, he exclaims that they are “happy” to whom it hath been given ⁹⁵ to possess such wisdom.

Keeping the Sabbath We have said that the words “justice” and “judgment,” in the preceding verse, include all the duties of the second table; but here he mentions the Sabbath, which belongs to the first table. I reply, as I have already mentioned briefly, that they who live inoffensively and justly with their neighbors, testify that they serve God; and therefore we need not wonder that the Prophet, after having glanced at the second table, mentions also the first; for both ought to be joined together In a word, Isaiah declares that he who shall obey God by keeping his law perfectly shall be “happy;” for the salvation and the righteousness of God shall belong to him. Since, therefore, men wander at random amidst their contrivances, and adopt various methods of worshipping God, he shows that there is only one way, that is, when men endeavor to frame and regulate their life by the injunction of the Law; for otherwise they will weary themselves in vain by taking other roads. In short, this is a remarkable passage, showing that nothing pleases God but keeping the Law.

If the question be put, “Can men obtain righteousness and salvation by their own works?” the reply will be easy; for the Lord does not offer salvation to us, as if he had been anticipated by our merits, (for, on the contrary, we are anticipated by him,) but offers himself freely to us, and only demands that we, on our part, draw near to him. Since therefore he willingly invites us, since he offers righteousness through free grace, we must make every effort not to be deprived of so great a benefit.

Again, because the Sabbath, as Moses declares, (Exo 31:13) and as Eze 20:12 repeats, was the most important symbol of the worship of God, so by that figure of speech in which a part is taken for the whole, and which is called a synecdoche, the Sabbath includes all the exercises of religion. But we must view the Sabbath in connection with everything that attends it; for God does not rest satisfied with outward ceremony, or delight in our indolence, but demands from us earnest self­denial, that we may be entirely devoted to his service.

So that he may not profane it This clause is commonly rendered, “That he may not profane it;“ and literally it runs thus, “From profaning it;“ and therefore we have thought it proper to prefix the word “so” to the clause, “So that he may not profane it,” in order to remove all ambiguity.

And keeping his hand, that he may abstain from all that is evil He now adds another synecdoche, to describe the duties which men owe to each other. The amount of it is, that there is no other way of serving God aright but by sincere piety and a blameless life, as he has also included in these two parts the rule of leading a holy life. In a word, it is an exposition of true righteousness which is contained in the Law of the Lord, that we may acquiesce in it; for in vain do men seek any other road to perfection. Here also are thrown down all false worship and superstitions, and, finally, everything that is contrived by men in opposition to the word of God.

TSK: Isa 56:2 - Blessed // layeth // keepeth the // keepeth his

Blessed : Psa 1:1-3, Psa 15:1-5, Psa 106:3, Psa 112:1, Psa 119:1-5, Psa 128:1; Luk 11:28, Luk 12:43; Joh 13:17; Rev 22:14

layeth : Isa 56:4; Pro 4:13; Ecc 7:18

keepeth the : Isa 58:13; Exo 31:13-16; Lev 19:30; Neh 13:17; Jer 17:21, Jer 17:22; Eze 20:12, Eze 20:20

keepeth his : Psa 34:14, Psa 37:27, Psa 119:101; Pro 4:27, Pro 14:16, Pro 16:6, Pro 16:17; Rom 12:9

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: Isa 56:2 - Blessed is the man // That layeth hold on it // That keepeth the sabbath, from polluting it // Keepeth his hand // From doing any evil

Blessed is the man every man, not only Jews, but Gentiles, or strangers, as it is explained in the following verses. That were this ; judgment and justice, mentioned Isa 56:1 .

That layeth hold on it or, that holdeth it fast ; that is resolute and constant in so doing; that not only begins well, but perseveres in it.

That keepeth the sabbath, from polluting it that guardeth the sabbath from profanation, and doth not defile it, either by forbidden practices, or by the neglect of commanded duties. And the sabbath seems to be put here, as sacrifice is elsewhere, synecdochically for the whole worship of God, whereof this is an eminent part, and the bond of all the rest.

Keepeth his hand which being the great instrument of action, is put for all the kinds and means of action.

From doing any evil to wit, to one’ s neighbour, as it is more fully expressed, Psa 15:3 .

Haydock: Isa 56:2 - Sabbath

Sabbath. All the Jewish festivals, (Calmet) as well as those of the Christian Church, (Haydock) and the whole law. (Worthington)

Gill: Isa 56:2 - Blessed is the man that doth this // and the son of man that layeth hold on it // that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it // and keepeth his hand from doing any evil

Blessed is the man that doth this,.... That does justice, and keeps judgment; he hereby exercises a good conscience both towards God and men; he enjoys communion with God in his ways, worship, and ordinances, he attends unto, and has an evidence of his right to eternal happiness:

and the son of man that layeth hold on it; on the salvation of Christ, and his righteousness; which supposes a sense of the insufficiency of a man's own righteousness, a view of the excellency and suitableness of Christ's righteousness; and is expressive of a strong act of faith upon it, embracing and retaining it as a man's own:

that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it; by doing any servile work on it, and attending to all religious duties, private or public. This is put for the whole of instituted worship under the Gospel dispensation, and for any day or time in which the church of Christ meet together for religious worship:

and keepeth his hand from doing any evil; committing any sin against God, or doing injury to the persons or properties of men, including the whole of moral duty.