Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
in . . . gardens—Hebrew and the Septuagint rather require, "for (entering into) gardens," namely, to sacrifice there [MAURER].
behind one tree—rather, "following one," that is, some idol or other, which, from contempt, he does not name [MAURER]. VITRINGA, etc., think the Hebrew for "one," Ahhadh, to be the name of the god; called Adad (meaning One) in Syria (compare Acts 17:23). The idol's power was represented by inclined rays, as of the sun shining on the earth. GESENIUS translates, "following one," namely, Hierophant ("priest"), who led the rest in performing the sacred rites.
in . . . midst—namely, of the garden (see on Isaiah 65:3-4).
mouse—legally unclean (Leviticus 11:29) because it was an idol to the heathen (see on Isaiah 37:36; I Samuel 6:4). Translate, "the field mouse," or "dormouse" [BOCHART]. The Pharisees with their self-righteous purifications, and all mere formalists, are included in the same condemnation, described in language taken from the idolatries prevalent in Isaiah's times.
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing Isaiah 66:17:
Isaiah 65:3
Isaiah 65:4
Jeremiah 16:18
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