Commentaries:
Adam Clarke
They shall justify the righteous - This is a very important passage, and is a key to several others. The word tsadak is used here precisely in the same sense in which St. Paul sometimes uses the corresponding word , not to justify or make just, but to acquit, declare innocent, to remit punishment, or give reasons why such a one should not be punished; so here the magistrates hitsdiku , shall acquit, the righteous - declare him innocent, because he is found to be righteous and not wicked: so the Septuagint: they shall make righteous the righteous - declare him free from blame, not liable to punishment, acquitted; using the same word with St. Paul when he speaks of a sinner' s justification, i. e., his acquittance from blame and punishment, because of the death of Christ in his stead.
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