Isaiah 23:18

WEB

Her merchandise and her wages will be holiness to the Lord. It will not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise will be for those who dwell before the Lord, to eat sufficiently, and for durable clothing.

KJV

And her merchandise and her hire shall be holiness to the LORD: it shall not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise shall be for them that dwell before the LORD, to eat sufficiently, and for durable clothing.

Commentary

And her merchandise, and her hire,.... Or, "but her merchandise", &c. not the same as before; or, however, not as carried on at the same time, but many ages after, even in the times of the Gospel; for this part of the prophecy respects the conversion of the Tyrians, in the first ages of Christianity; this is prophesied of elsewhere, Psa 45:12 and was fulfilled in the times of the apostles, Act 11:19 and so Kimchi and Jarchi say this is a prophecy to be fulfi lled in the days of the Messiah (m); and then the trade of this people, and what they got by it, should be holiness to the Lord; that is, devoted, at least, great part of it, to holy uses and service; that is, in defraying of all expenses in carrying on the worship of God, for the maintenance of Gospel ministers, and for the supply and support of the poor saints: it shall not be treasured, nor laid up: in order to be laid out in pride and luxury; or to be kept as useless, to gratify a covetous disposition; or for posterity to come: for her merchandise shall be laid up for them, that dwell before the Lord; part of what should be gained by trading, at least, should be laid by for religious uses, as is directed, Co1 16:1 even for the relief of poor saints in general, who assemble together before the Lord, for the sake of his worship; and particularly for the support of the ministers of the Gospel, who stand before the Lord, and minister in holy things, in his name, to the people: to eat sufficiently; that they may have food convenient for them, and enough of it; or, in other words, have a sufficient maintenance, a comfortable supply of food for themselves and families, and raiment also; as follows: and for durable clothing; that they may have a supply of clothing, and never want a coat to put upon their backs. This prophecy, as it belongs to Gospel times, is a proof of the maintenance of Gospel ministers, that they ought to be liberally provided for; and care should be taken that they want not food and raiment, but have a fulness and sufficiency of both, and that which is convenient for them. (m) So in Midrash, Kohelet, fol. 62. 3. Next: Isaiah Chapter 24 Sacred Texts | Bible « Previous: John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible: Isaiah: Isaia... Index Next: John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible: Isaiah: Isaia... »