Isa 49:20, 54:2, Mic 7:12 | JFB | e4.org | 20. children . . . after . . . other —rather, "the children of thy widowhood," that is, the children of whom thou hast been bereft during their dispersion in other lands (see on ) [MAURER ]. again —rather, "yet." give place —rather, "stand close to me," namely, in order that we may be the more able to dwell in in the narrow place [HORSLEY ]. Compare as to Israel's spiritual children, and the extension of the gospel sphere, . But (compare ) shows that her literal children are primarily meant. GESENIUS translates, "Make room."

‏ Isaiah 49:20

20. children . . . after . . . other—rather, "the children of thy widowhood," that is, the children of whom thou hast been bereft during their dispersion in other lands (see on Isa 47:8) [MAURER].

again—rather, "yet."

give place—rather, "stand close to me," namely, in order that we may be the more able to dwell in in the narrow place [HORSLEY]. Compare as to Israel's spiritual children, and the extension of the gospel sphere, Ro 15:19, 24; 2Co 10:14-16. But Isa 49:22 (compare Isa 66:20) shows that her literal children are primarily meant. GESENIUS translates, "Make room."

‏ Isaiah 54:2

2. (Isa 49:19, 20; Jer 31:31-36, 38, 39). Thy children shall be so many that thy borders must be extended to contain them.

curtains—the cloth forming the covering of the tent.

spare not—give abundantly the means for the enlargement of the Church (2Co 9:5-7).

cords . . . stakes—The more the tent is enlarged by lengthening the cords by which the cloth covering is fastened to the ground, the more the stakes supporting the tent need to be strengthened; the Church is not merely to seek new converts, but to strengthen those she has in the faith. The image is appropriate, as the tabernacle was the symbol of the old Israelitish Church (see on Isa 33:20).

‏ Micah 7:12

12. In that day also—rather, an answer to the supposed question of Zion, When shall my walls be built? "The day (of thy walls being built) is the day when he (that is, many) shall come to thee from Assyria," &c. [LUDOVICUS DE DIEU]. The Assyrians (including the Babylonians) who spoiled thee shall come.

and from the fortified cities—rather, to suit the parallelism, "from Assyria even to Egypt." (Matzor may be so translated). So Assyria and Egypt are contrasted in Isa 19:23 [MAURER]. CALVIN agrees with English Version, "from all fortified cities."

from the fortress even to the river—"from Egypt even to the river" Euphrates (answering in parallelism to "Assyria") [MAURER]. Compare Isa 11:15, 16; 19:23-25; 27:13; Ho 11:11; Zec 10:10.