Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
The third clause answers in parallelism to the first, the fourth to the second.
I am the Lord's— (Jeremiah 50:5; I Corinthians 6:19-20; II Corinthians 8:5).
call himself by the name of Jacob—The Gentiles (as the result of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Israel, the Lord's "seed," first) shall join themselves to the children of Jacob, in order to worship their God (compare Isaiah 43:7; Psalms 49:11). Or, "calls," that is, invokes and celebrates the name of Jacob, attaches himself to his nation and religion [MAURER], (Psalms 24:6).
subscribe . . . hand unto . . . Lord—in solemn and public covenant, pledging himself to God's service (compare Nehemiah 9:38), before "witnesses" (Hebrews 12:1), after the manner of a civil contract (Jeremiah 32:10, Jeremiah 32:12, Jeremiah 32:44). So the Christian in the sacraments [BARNES]. Literally, "shall fill his hand with letters (Exodus 32:15; Ezekiel 2:10) in honor of Jehovah"; or "shall write upon his hand, I am Jehovah's" (compare Isaiah 49:16; Revelation 13:16); alluding to the puncture with ink on the hand, whereby a soldier marked himself as bound to his commander; and whereby the Christians used to mark themselves with the name of Christ [LOWTH]. The former view is simpler.
surname himself . . . Israel—MAURER and GESENIUS interpret this as the Hebrew sanctions, answering to their rendering of the parallel second clause, "calls blandly (speaks in honorable terms of) the name of Israel." Retaining English Version, we must, from the Hebrew understand it thus, "Surname himself by the honorable name of Israel" (Isaiah 45:4).
CONTINUATION OF THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER. (Isa. 44:1-28)
Yet—Though thou hast sinned, yet hear God's gracious promise as to thy deliverance.
chosen— (Isaiah 41:8).
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing Isaiah 44:5:
Leviticus 19:28
Psalms 87:5
Isaiah 43:7
Isaiah 45:4
Ephesians 3:15
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