2:1 The word Prophets were messengers or ambassadors who brought a word from God to the people. Similarly, messengers from a king would travel to a subject kingdom and recite the words given to them by their masters. In Isa 36:4, an officer from Assyria sends a message to Hezekiah stating that he speaks on behalf of the king of Assyria.

that Isaiah son of Amoz saw May refer to all of v. 2, the poetic section in 2:2–4:6, or to chs. 2–12 as a whole.

2:2 the future of the days While this can refer to an indeterminate future time, the prophets often used this term to refer to a time when the world would be set right and people would begin worshiping the one true God again (see Jer 48:47; 49:39; Ezek 38:16; Hos 3:5).

the mountain of the house of Yahweh Refers to Mount Zion as God’s abode (see note on Isa 1:8).

the highest of the mountains Psalm 48:1–2 refers to Zion as God’s holy mountain and praises its height. The image of Jerusalem or Zion as a very high mountain also occurs in Psa 78:68–69; Ezek 40:2; and Zech 14:10. Ancient Israelites viewed Zion as the superior place to worship in the ancient world.

Cosmic Garden and Mountain Imagery in the Old Testament

All of the nations shall travel to him While Isaiah’s message was directed at Judah, he looks ahead to a day when God’s salvation will be for all the nations, not just Israel.

2:3 may he teach us part of his ways Judah has turned away from God’s teaching, but one day all the nations will seek it eagerly.

instruction shall go out from Zion Divine decrees originated on God’s holy mountain. Similarly, Canaanite mythology has Baal issuing decrees from Mount Zaphon. See note on Isa 1:8; note on v. 2.

2:4 He shall judge between the nations God’s mountain will be a center for international justice. From there, God’s sovereignty over all things will be acknowledged.

They shall beat their swords into ploughshares Judah has been under threat of war for years; one day, God’s righteous reign on earth will be accompanied by international peace. Weapons of war will be refashioned into agricultural implements.

2:5 let us walk in the light of Judah is urged to repent in response to the depicted peaceful future; continuing on their own in pride and self-reliance will only bring judgment.

2:6 you have forsaken your people Israel has abandoned God, so God has abandoned them.

of soothsayers like the Philistines The Philistines used signs, omens, and other natural phenomena to foretell the future. Israel’s reliance on magic and divination violated their covenant with Yahweh. The Philistines were Israel’s neighbors to the west on the Mediterranean coast.

Philistines

the offspring of foreigners The people of Judah put their faith in foreign alliances rather than God.

2:7 land is filled with Their economic and military strength is emphasized with silver, gold, treasures, horses, and chariots—typical worldly resources in which people put their faith.

2:8 idols The people of Judah have misplaced faith in human-made idols that have no power.

the work of their hands Isaiah 44:9–20 expands on the futility of worshiping something made by people.

2:9 you must not forgive them Isaiah interjects with a very human response: Those who reject God should get what they deserve. The interjection to withhold forgiveness indicates the prophet’s recognition that God may or may not show mercy.

2:10 hide yourself in the dust The time for repentance has passed—all the people can do is take cover in the rocks, dust, caverns, and cliffs. This imagery occurs again in Isa 2:19 and 2:21.

the terror of Yahweh The earthly presence of Yahweh is terrifying, even when He is not mobilized for judgment (see chs. 6; Exod 20:18–19).

2:11 Yahweh alone will be exalted The pride and ambition of people will be nothing compared to the exaltation of Yahweh. This phrase also occurs in Isa 2:11 and 2:17. Both verses are poetically similar, and provide a type of repetitive refrain to the passage.

2:13 cedars of Lebanon A highly prized building material symbolizing earthly wealth and splendor (1 Kgs 5:6; Ezek 27:5).

the large trees of Bashan Another prized building resource symbolic of material wealth and power (Ezek 27:6).

2:16 the ships of Tarshish Symbolic of wealth produced by economic trade. The references in Isa 2:13–14 to Lebanon, Bashan, and the trading ships from Tarshish (see text note) focus on the primary wealth-building industries for the nations around Israel and Judah. Ezekiel’s oracles against the king of Tyre in Ezek 27 also reference these three areas in association with the power and wealth of the Phoenicians.

2:20 the rodents and to the bats During the impending judgment, the people of Judah will hide in caves. Thus they will abandon their idols of silver and gold to the creatures who make their homes underground.

2:22 Turn away from humanity This section opens in Isa 2:5 with an appeal for Israel to repent and turn to God. It ends with an appeal to turn away from people who cannot do what God can—truly help them. Compare Job 7:17.

who has breath in its nostrils Refers to the idea that people must breathe to live. God breathed life into the first man, Adam (Gen 2:7). God alone can be a lasting help because as an eternal being, He is not limited by death. He is the one who can take away breath and give it. Compare Job 7:7.