APOCALYPTIC COMMENTARY
Isaiah Institute Translation
Isaiah 56
Jehovah curses the blind watchmen of his people but exalts his servants who hold fast to his covenant.
1 Thus says Jehovah:Observe justice and perform righteousness,for my salvation will soon comewhen my righteousness is revealed.
2 Blessed is the man who does so—the person who holds fast to them—who keeps the Sabbath without profaning it,who stays his hand from doing any evil.
3 Let not the foreigner who adheres to Jehovah say,Jehovah will surely exclude me from his people.And let not the eunuch say, I am but a barren tree.
4 For thus says Jehovah:As for the eunuchs who keep my Sabbathsand choose to do what I will—holding fast to my covenant—
5 to them I will give a handclasp and a namewithin the walls of my housethat is better than sons and daughters;I will endow them with an everlasting namethat shall not be cut off.
6 And the foreigners who adhere to Jehovahto serve him,who love the name of Jehovah,that they may be his servants—all who keep the Sabbath without profaning it,holding fast to my covenant—
7 these I will bring to my holy mountainand gladden in my house of prayer.Their offerings and sacrificesshall be accepted on my altar,for my house shall be knownas a house of prayer for all nations.
8 Thus says my Lord Jehovah,who gathers up the outcasts of Israel:I will gather others to those already gathered.
9 All you wild beasts, you animals of the forest,come and devour!
10 Their watchmen are altogether blind and unaware;all of them are but dumb watchdogs unable to bark,lolling seers fond of slumber.
11 Gluttonous dogs, and insatiable,such indeed are insensible shepherds.They are all diverted to their own way,every one after his own advantage.
12 Come, they say, let us get wineand have our fill of liquor.For tomorrow will be like today, only far better!
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people, who reveals his servant, his arm of righteousness, at the time his coming to the earth draws near.
green
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness, who establishes righteousness among Jehovah's elect to prepare them for Jehovah' coming to reign on the earth.
blue
(1) Jehovah's everlasting covenant with his elect; and (2) Jehovah's end-time servant, who acts as its mediator and administers its ordinances when empowering additional servants of Jehovah.
blue
(1) Jehovah's everlasting covenant with his elect; and (2) Jehovah's end-time servant, who acts as its mediator as did Moses and exemplifies the offering of an acceptable sacrifice to Jehovah.
blue
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12
Comparative Translation
Isaiah 56
Jehovah curses the blind watchmen of his people but exalts his servants who hold fast to his covenant.
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people, who reveals his servant, his arm of righteousness, at the time his coming to the earth draws near.
green
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness, who establishes righteousness among Jehovah's elect to prepare them for Jehovah' coming to reign on the earth.
blue
(1) Jehovah's everlasting covenant with his elect; and (2) Jehovah's end-time servant, who acts as its mediator and administers its ordinances when empowering additional servants of Jehovah.
blue
(1) Jehovah's everlasting covenant with his elect; and (2) Jehovah's end-time servant, who acts as its mediator as did Moses and exemplifies the offering of an acceptable sacrifice to Jehovah.
blue
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King James Version
KJV
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Isaiah Institute Translation
IIT
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Masoretic Text
HEB
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| Thus saith the Lord, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed. | 1 | Thus says Jehovah:Observe justice and perform righteousness,for my salvation will soon comewhen my righteousness is revealed. | כֹּה אָמַר יְהוָה שִׁמְרוּ מִשְׁפָּט וַעֲשׂוּ צְדָקָה כִּי־קְרוֹבָה יְשׁוּעָתִי לָבוֹא וְצִדְקָתִי לְהִגָּלוֹת ׃ |
| Blessed is the man that doeth 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. | 2 | Blessed is the man who does so—the person who holds fast to them—who keeps the Sabbath without profaning it,who stays his hand from doing any evil. | אַשְׁרֵי אֱנוֹשׁ יַעֲשֶׂה־זֹּאת וּבֶן־אָדָם יַחֲזִיק בָּהּ שֹׁמֵר שַׁבָּת מֵחַלְּלוֹ וְשֹׁמֵר יָדוֹ מֵעֲשׂוֹת כָּל־רָע ׃ |
| Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the Lord, speak, saying, The Lord hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree. | 3 | Let not the foreigner who adheres to Jehovah say,Jehovah will surely exclude me from his people.And let not the eunuch say, I am but a barren tree. | וְאַל־יֹאמַר בֶּן־הַנֵּכָר הַנִּלְוָה אֶל־יְהוָה לֵאמֹר הַבְדֵּל יַבְדִּילַנִי יְהוָה מֵעַל עַמּוֹ וְאַל־יֹאמַר הַסָּרִיס הֵן אֲנִי עֵץ יָבֵשׁ ׃ |
| For thus saith the Lord unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; | 4 | For thus says Jehovah:As for the eunuchs who keep my Sabbathsand choose to do what I will—holding fast to my covenant— | כִּי־כֹה אָמַר יְהוָה לַסָּרִיסִים אֲשֶׁר יִשְׁמְרוּ אֶת־שַׁבְּתוֹתַי וּבָחֲרוּ בַּאֲשֶׁר חָפָצְתִּי וּמַחֲזִיקִים בִּבְרִיתִי ׃ |
| Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off. | 5 | to them I will give a handclasp and a namewithin the walls of my housethat is better than sons and daughters;I will endow them with an everlasting namethat shall not be cut off. | וְנָתַתִּי לָהֶם בְּבֵיתִי וּבְחוֹמֹתַי יָד וָשֵׁם טוֹב מִבָּנִים וּמִבָּנוֹת שֵׁם עוֹלָם אֶתֶּן־לוֹ אֲשֶׁר לֹא יִכָּרֵת ׃ |
| Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the Lord, to serve him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; | 6 | And the foreigners who adhere to Jehovahto serve him,who love the name of Jehovah,that they may be his servants—all who keep the Sabbath without profaning it,holding fast to my covenant— | וּבְנֵי הַנֵּכָר הַנִּלְוִים עַל־יְהוָה לְשָׁרְתוֹ וּלְאַהֲבָה אֶת־שֵׁם יְהוָה לִהְיוֹת לוֹ לַעֲבָדִים כָּל־שֹׁמֵר שַׁבָּת מֵחַלְּלוֹ וּמַחֲזִיקִים בִּבְרִיתִי ׃ |
| Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people. | 7 | these I will bring to my holy mountainand gladden in my house of prayer.Their offerings and sacrificesshall be accepted on my altar,for my house shall be knownas a house of prayer for all nations. | וַהֲבִיאוֹתִים אֶל־הַר קָדְשִׁי וְשִׂמַּחְתִּים בְּבֵית תְּפִלָּתִי עוֹלֹתֵיהֶם וְזִבְחֵיהֶם לְרָצוֹן עַל־מִזְבְּחִי כִּי בֵיתִי בֵּית־תְּפִלָּה יִקָּרֵא לְכָל־הָעַמִּים ׃ |
| The Lord God which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him. | 8 | Thus says my Lord Jehovah,who gathers up the outcasts of Israel:I will gather others to those already gathered. | נְאֻם אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה מְקַבֵּץ נִדְחֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל עוֹד אֲקַבֵּץ עָלָיו לְנִקְבָּצָיו ׃ |
| All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the forest. | 9 | All you wild beasts, you animals of the forest,come and devour! | כֹּל חַיְתוֹ שָׂדָי אֵתָיוּ לֶאֱכֹל כָּל־חַיְתוֹ בַּיָּעַר ׃ |
| His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. | 10 | Their watchmen are altogether blind and unaware;all of them are but dumb watchdogs unable to bark,lolling seers fond of slumber. | צֹפָו (צֹפָיו) עִוְרִים כֻּלָּם לֹא יָדָעוּ כֻּלָּם כְּלָבִים אִלְּמִים לֹא יוּכְלוּ לִנְבֹּחַ הֹזִים שֹׁכְבִים אֹהֲבֵי לָנוּם ׃ |
| Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter. | 11 | Gluttonous dogs, and insatiable,such indeed are insensible shepherds.They are all diverted to their own way,every one after his own advantage. | וְהַכְּלָבִים עַזֵּי־נֶפֶשׁ לֹא יָדְעוּ שָׂבְעָה וְהֵמָּה רֹעִים לֹא יָדְעוּ הָבִין כֻּלָּם לְדַרְכָּם פָּנוּ אִישׁ לְבִצְעוֹ מִקָּצֵהוּ ׃ |
| Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant. | 12 | Come, they say, let us get wineand have our fill of liquor.For tomorrow will be like today, only far better! | אֵתָיוּ אֶקְחָה־יַיִן וְנִסְבְּאָה שֵׁכָר וְהָיָה כָזֶה יוֹם מָחָר גָּדוֹל יֶתֶר מְאֹד ׃ |
Interactive Concordance
Isaiah 56
Jehovah curses the blind watchmen of his people but exalts his servants who hold fast to his covenant.
1 Thus says Jehovah:Observe justice and perform righteousness,for my salvation will soon comewhen my righteousness is revealed.
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people, who reveals his servant, his arm of righteousness, at the time his coming to the earth draws near.
green
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness, who establishes righteousness among Jehovah's elect to prepare them for Jehovah' coming to reign on the earth.
blue
2 Blessed is the man who does so—the person who holds fast to them—who keeps the Sabbath without profaning it,who stays his hand from doing any evil.
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people, who reveals his servant, his arm of righteousness, at the time his coming to the earth draws near.
green
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness, who establishes righteousness among Jehovah's elect to prepare them for Jehovah' coming to reign on the earth.
blue
3 Let not the foreigner who adheres to Jehovah say,Jehovah will surely exclude me from his people.And let not the eunuch say, I am but a barren tree.
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people, who reveals his servant, his arm of righteousness, at the time his coming to the earth draws near.
green
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness, who establishes righteousness among Jehovah's elect to prepare them for Jehovah' coming to reign on the earth.
blue
4 For thus says Jehovah:As for the eunuchs who keep my Sabbathsand choose to do what I will—holding fast to my covenant—
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people, who reveals his servant, his arm of righteousness, at the time his coming to the earth draws near.
green
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness, who establishes righteousness among Jehovah's elect to prepare them for Jehovah' coming to reign on the earth.
blue
(1) Jehovah's everlasting covenant with his elect; and (2) Jehovah's end-time servant, who acts as its mediator and administers its ordinances when empowering additional servants of Jehovah.
blue
5 to them I will give a handclasp and a namewithin the walls of my housethat is better than sons and daughters;I will endow them with an everlasting namethat shall not be cut off.
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people, who reveals his servant, his arm of righteousness, at the time his coming to the earth draws near.
green
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness, who establishes righteousness among Jehovah's elect to prepare them for Jehovah' coming to reign on the earth.
blue
(1) Jehovah's everlasting covenant with his elect; and (2) Jehovah's end-time servant, who acts as its mediator and administers its ordinances when empowering additional servants of Jehovah.
blue
6 And the foreigners who adhere to Jehovahto serve him,who love the name of Jehovah,that they may be his servants—all who keep the Sabbath without profaning it,holding fast to my covenant—
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people, who reveals his servant, his arm of righteousness, at the time his coming to the earth draws near.
green
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness, who establishes righteousness among Jehovah's elect to prepare them for Jehovah' coming to reign on the earth.
blue
(1) Jehovah's everlasting covenant with his elect; and (2) Jehovah's end-time servant, who acts as its mediator and administers its ordinances when empowering additional servants of Jehovah.
blue
(1) Jehovah's everlasting covenant with his elect; and (2) Jehovah's end-time servant, who acts as its mediator as did Moses and exemplifies the offering of an acceptable sacrifice to Jehovah.
blue
7 these I will bring to my holy mountainand gladden in my house of prayer.Their offerings and sacrificesshall be accepted on my altar,for my house shall be knownas a house of prayer for all nations.
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people, who reveals his servant, his arm of righteousness, at the time his coming to the earth draws near.
green
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness, who establishes righteousness among Jehovah's elect to prepare them for Jehovah' coming to reign on the earth.
blue
(1) Jehovah's everlasting covenant with his elect; and (2) Jehovah's end-time servant, who acts as its mediator and administers its ordinances when empowering additional servants of Jehovah.
blue
(1) Jehovah's everlasting covenant with his elect; and (2) Jehovah's end-time servant, who acts as its mediator as did Moses and exemplifies the offering of an acceptable sacrifice to Jehovah.
blue
8 Thus says my Lord Jehovah,who gathers up the outcasts of Israel:I will gather others to those already gathered.
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people, who reveals his servant, his arm of righteousness, at the time his coming to the earth draws near.
green
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness, who establishes righteousness among Jehovah's elect to prepare them for Jehovah' coming to reign on the earth.
blue
(1) Jehovah's everlasting covenant with his elect; and (2) Jehovah's end-time servant, who acts as its mediator and administers its ordinances when empowering additional servants of Jehovah.
blue
(1) Jehovah's everlasting covenant with his elect; and (2) Jehovah's end-time servant, who acts as its mediator as did Moses and exemplifies the offering of an acceptable sacrifice to Jehovah.
blue
9 All you wild beasts, you animals of the forest,come and devour!
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people, who reveals his servant, his arm of righteousness, at the time his coming to the earth draws near.
green
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness, who establishes righteousness among Jehovah's elect to prepare them for Jehovah' coming to reign on the earth.
blue
(1) Jehovah's everlasting covenant with his elect; and (2) Jehovah's end-time servant, who acts as its mediator and administers its ordinances when empowering additional servants of Jehovah.
blue
(1) Jehovah's everlasting covenant with his elect; and (2) Jehovah's end-time servant, who acts as its mediator as did Moses and exemplifies the offering of an acceptable sacrifice to Jehovah.
blue
10 Their watchmen are altogether blind and unaware;all of them are but dumb watchdogs unable to bark,lolling seers fond of slumber.
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people, who reveals his servant, his arm of righteousness, at the time his coming to the earth draws near.
green
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness, who establishes righteousness among Jehovah's elect to prepare them for Jehovah' coming to reign on the earth.
blue
(1) Jehovah's everlasting covenant with his elect; and (2) Jehovah's end-time servant, who acts as its mediator and administers its ordinances when empowering additional servants of Jehovah.
blue
(1) Jehovah's everlasting covenant with his elect; and (2) Jehovah's end-time servant, who acts as its mediator as did Moses and exemplifies the offering of an acceptable sacrifice to Jehovah.
blue
11 Gluttonous dogs, and insatiable,such indeed are insensible shepherds.They are all diverted to their own way,every one after his own advantage.
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people, who reveals his servant, his arm of righteousness, at the time his coming to the earth draws near.
green
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness, who establishes righteousness among Jehovah's elect to prepare them for Jehovah' coming to reign on the earth.
blue
(1) Jehovah's everlasting covenant with his elect; and (2) Jehovah's end-time servant, who acts as its mediator and administers its ordinances when empowering additional servants of Jehovah.
blue
(1) Jehovah's everlasting covenant with his elect; and (2) Jehovah's end-time servant, who acts as its mediator as did Moses and exemplifies the offering of an acceptable sacrifice to Jehovah.
blue
12 Come, they say, let us get wineand have our fill of liquor.For tomorrow will be like today, only far better!
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people, who reveals his servant, his arm of righteousness, at the time his coming to the earth draws near.
green
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness, who establishes righteousness among Jehovah's elect to prepare them for Jehovah' coming to reign on the earth.
blue
(1) Jehovah's everlasting covenant with his elect; and (2) Jehovah's end-time servant, who acts as its mediator and administers its ordinances when empowering additional servants of Jehovah.
blue
(1) Jehovah's everlasting covenant with his elect; and (2) Jehovah's end-time servant, who acts as its mediator as did Moses and exemplifies the offering of an acceptable sacrifice to Jehovah.
blue
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Apocalyptic Commentary
Isaiah 56
Jehovah’s appointing his servant to restore justice in the earth (Isaiah 9:7; 42:1-4) has a corollary in his sending him as a paradigm of righteousness that his people may live by that takes into account their current circumstances and the particular challenges they face (Isaiah 28:9-16; 58:6-14). Continuing Part VI of Isaiah’s Seven-Part Structure’s theme of covenantal loyalty, chapter 56 defines righteousness as keeping the terms of Jehovah’s covenant (vv 4, 6; cf. Isaiah 26:7-9; 42:21). Because all salvation in the form of covenant blessings stems from covenant keeping, “performing righteousness” is key.
Jehovah’s revealing his righteousness—his servant (Isaiah 41:2)—is a sign that Jehovah’s coming as salvation is imminent: “I have brought near my righteousness; it is not now far off—my salvation shall no longer be delayed” (Isaiah 46:13; emphasis added); “Jehovah saw that there was no justice, and it displeased him. When he saw it, he wondered why there was no man, no one who would intervene. So his arm brought about salvation for him; his righteousness rallied to his cause” (Isaiah 59:15-16; emphasis added). Jehovah’s coming as salvation transforms the earth forever (Isaiah 62:1-2, 11-12).
Although Jehovah calls all peoples to covenantal righteousness (v 1), only “a man” here and “a person” there responds. A sure sign of covenant keeping is Sabbath observance (Exodus 20:8-11; 31:13), which involves desisting “from achieving your own ends on my holy day . . . considering the Sabbath a delight, the holy [day] of Jehovah venerable . . . refraining from your everyday pursuits—from occupying yourselves with your own affairs and speaking of [business] matters” (Isaiah 58:13). Still, covenant keeping consists not only of avoiding evil but of actively doing good (Isaiah 1:16-17; 48:17).
Because Israel’s God is no respecter of persons (2 Chronicles 19:7; Acts 10:34; Romans 2:11), foreigners and eunuchs—who comprise the lowest rung of society—needn’t suppose that even if they keep the terms of Jehovah’s covenant he still won’t acknowledge them as his people. Their keeping the Sabbath Day holy and “choosing to do what I will” are the essence of covenant keeping and make them as acceptable to him as his people who are natural-born. Not only does he bless them with the blessings of his covenant as he does them (v 7), but they may ascend to the highest spiritual categories.
Jehovah’s giving the righteous aliens among his people “a handclasp and a name” in his temple “that is better than sons and daughters” betokens the assurance of an eternal posterity beyond this life. As the promise of a name is inseparable from that of offspring (Isaiah 14:22; 48:19), Jehovah makes this promise with all whom he clasps by the hand and gives a new name in the pattern of an emperor to a vassal who proves loyal to him (Isaiah 40:26; 45:1-4): “‘As the new heavens and the new earth which I make shall endure before me,’ says Jehovah, ‘so shall your offspring and name endure’” (Isaiah 66:22).
While types from the past possess real historical roots, for them to fully typify an end-time scenario requires linking up such types with others within their larger end-time context. Those who hold fast to Jehovah’s covenant—his servant (Isaiah 42:6)—for example, are also those who come to Jehovah’s light (Isaiah 60:3), who inquire at his mouth (Isaiah 30:2), who hear his voice (Isaiah 28:23), who rally to his ensign (Isaiah 11:10), who know righteousness (Isaiah 51:1, 7), who receive an inheritance from his hand (Isaiah 34:17)—all of which terms are metaphorical pseudonyms of Jehovah’s servant.
Word links clarify the interrelationship of terms and concepts. The foreigners or Gentiles who “hold fast” to Jehovah’s covenant, for example, are identical with those who “hold fast” to righteousness and salvation (vv 1-2)—the two arms of God (Isaiah 51:5, 9)—uniting them in a common cause. These adhere to Jehovah and love his name in order to serve him and to be his “servants” or vassals. In its fullest sense, to “serve” Jehovah is thus to serve as proxy saviors to his people. As King Hezekiah offered prayer and sacrificed himself for Jehovah’s people (Isaiah 37:14-20; 38:1-6), so do they.
Covenanting with Jehovah—including sanctifying the Sabbath (vv 2, 4, 6)—thus unites his servants whatever their origins. Coordinating such historical types to determine their composite end-time counterparts, we may thus conclude that Jehovah’s “servants” are identical with his “servants” or vassals who are his people’s proxy saviors (Isaiah 63:17; 65:8), with Zion’s watchmen who herald Jehovah’s coming (Isaiah 52:8; 62:6-7), with the kings and queens of the Gentiles who gather his sons and daughters (Isaiah 49:22-23), and with Egypt’s covenanters who “know Jehovah” (Isaiah 19:18-21).
The idea of “loving” or invoking Jehovah’s “name” alludes to temple rites and ordinances through which those who covenant with him come to know Jehovah in person: “In the very passage of your ordinances we anticipate you, O Jehovah; the soul’s desire is to contemplate your name. My soul yearns for you in the night; at daybreak my spirit within me seeks after you. For when your ordinances are on the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness” (Isaiah 26:8-9); “Therefore shall my people come to know my name; in that day [they shall know] that I, who speak, am here” (Isaiah 52:6).
Those whom Jehovah gathers from exile to his “holy mountain” and gladdens in his “house of prayer” (v 7) ultimately include peoples of all nations (Isaiah 2:3; 25:6; 27:13; 30:29; 66:20). Their offerings and sacrifices (v 7) are acceptable on Jehovah’s altar precisely because they are what he requires under the terms of his covenant, more especially the Davidic Covenant (Isaiah 19:21; 38:3; 53:11-12; 60:7; 66:20). Although they are outcasts or exiles among the nations of the world, Jehovah acknowledges them as his people and gathers them home (Isaiah 11:12; 27:12-13; 43:5-8; 45:13; 57:1).
Typifying the leaders of Jehovah’s people who make a Covenant with Death instead of a Covenant of Life (Isaiah 28:15, 18), or Jehovah’s wife who turns adulterous (Isaiah 1:21; 50:1), are certain “watchmen”—prophets and seers—who occupy the highest rung of society. Because they epitomize “dumb watchdogs” and “lolling seers,” Jehovah replaces them with a righteous watchman—his servant—and other watchmen: “Go and appoint a watchman who reports what he sees” (Isaiah 21:6); “I have appointed watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem, who shall not be silent day or night” (Isaiah 62:6).
As the job of Jehovah’s watchmen is to report to his people what they see and hear (Isaiah 21:10; 48:16), those who are blind and unaware see and hear little of consequence and fail to warn his people: “Who is blind but my own servant, or so deaf as the messenger I have sent? Who is blind like those I have commissioned, as uncomprehending as the servant of Jehovah—seeing much but not giving heed, with open ears hearing nothing?” (Isaiah 42:19-20. The final fate of the blind watchmen, literally and figuratively, is to be devoured by wild beasts—a covenant curse (Isaiah 5:29; 15:9; 51:8).
Instead of portraying these watchmen as ones who feed and protect the flock (Isaiah 5:17; 40:11; 63:11), the imagery of shepherds as dogs characterizes them as predators and unclean animals (Psalm 22:16; 1 Kings 14:11; Matthew 7:6). Instead of warning of trouble as Jehovah’s Day of Judgment approaches, they resemble wanton herdsmen who scatter the sheep and feed themselves off the fattest (Jeremiah 23:1-2; 50:6-7; Ezekiel 34:1-8). Instead of serving as proxy saviors to Jehovah’s people under the terms of the Davidic Covenant (Isaiah 37:35; 63:17; 65:8), they look out for themselves.
Word links round out the shepherds’ recriminatory state: “These too have indulged in wine and are giddy with strong drink: priests and prophets have gone astray through liquor. They are intoxicated with wine and stagger because of strong drink; they err as seers, they blunder in their decisions” (Isaiah 28:7); “Procrastinate, and become bewildered; preoccupy yourselves, until you cry for help. Be drunk, but not with wine; stagger, but not from strong drink. Jehovah has poured out on you a spirit of deep sleep: he has shut your eyes, the prophets; he has covered your heads, the seers” (Isaiah 29:9-10).