connection of [Hebrew: hvrh] with [Hebrew: mN], which is rather
uncommon, may be most simply explained by viewing the instruction
as proceeding from its object. "The ways of the Lord" are the ways
in which He would have men to walk,--that mode of life which is
well-pleasing to Him. The contrast of it is walking in one's own ways.
Is. liii. 6,--regulating of one's life according to the desires of
one's own corrupt heart.--The last words, "For from Zion, etc.," are
not to be conceived of as spoken by the people, stirring up and
encouraging one another, but by the prophet. They state the reason why
the people are so anxious to go to Zion; and this accounts also for the
circumstance that Zion is so emphatically placed at the beginning. Zion
shall, at that time, be the residence of the true God, and proved to be
such by glorious revelations; and from it His commands go forth over
the whole earth. [Hebrew: ica], "to go out," stands here, as in ver. 1,
in the sense of "to go forth." As the sphere for the going forth of the
law from Zion is not limited, it must be considered in as wide an
extent as possible; in harmony with the preceding words, [Pg 447]
according to which we must think of "people," "many nations," as being
comprehended within this sphere.--We must not overlook the fact that
the article is awanting before [Hebrew: tvrh], and that the law is not
more strictly defined as the law of God. It is intended, in the first
place, only to indicate that despised and desolate Zion is to be the
seat of legislation for the whole earth. The law itself is then more
strictly defined as the word of God. Many interpreters understand
[Hebrew: tvrh] here as meaning religion in general;[2] the going forth
is explained by them of its spreading itself. From Zion, true religion
is to extend over all the nations; and hence it is that to Zion the
eyes of all of them are directed. Thus, _e.g._, _Theodoret_, who
remarks: "This is the preaching of the Gospel, which began at
Jerusalem, and from thence, as from its source, flowed over all the
earth, offering drink to those who came to it in faith." But [Hebrew:
tvr] never signifies "doctrine," "religion," any more than does
[Hebrew: mwpT]: it is always used as meaning "law;" and this sense of
it can with the less propriety be departed from here, as the people,
according to what precedes, flow to Zion not in order to seek religion
in general, but laws for their conduct in life. But even if we were