Isaiah 1:21

“How is the faithful city become a harlot! &c.] The city of Jerusalem, in which were the temple, and the pure worship of God, and was in the tribe of Judah, which ruled with God, and was very faithful with the saints when the ten tribes revolted, and fell in with the sin of Jeroboam; but now, in Isaiah’s time, was become like a treacherous wife to her husband, unfaithful to the Lord, went after other lovers, committed spiritual adultery, that is, idolatry, with stocks and stones; and in the times of Christ were a wicked and an adulterous generation, corrupting the word and worship of God; (see <401239>Matthew 12:39) (<401509>Matthew 15:9) it was full of judgment; strict justice was exercised…”

“faithful--as a wife (Isa 54:5; Isa 62:5; Hos 2:19-20). harlot-- (Eze 16:28-35). righteousness lodged-- (Pe2 3:13). murderers--murderous oppressors, as the antithesis requires (see on Isa 1:15; Jo1 3:15).”

“How is - This is an expression of deploring, or lamenting. It indicates that that had occurred which was matter of grief. The prophet had stated the principles of the divine government; had urged the people to reason with God; and had affirmed his willingness to pardon. But it was seen that they would not repent. They were so wicked and perverse, that there was no hope of their reformation. His mind is full of this subject; he repeats the charge of their wickedness Isaiah 1:21-23, and states what must be the consequences. The faithful city - Jerusalem. It is represented here under the image of a wife - once faithful to her husband; once a devoted and attached partner. Jerusalem was thus…”

“The city - Jerusalem, which in the reign of former kings was faithful to God. An harlot - Is filled with idolatry. Murderers - Under that one gross kind, he comprehends all sorts of unrighteous men and practices. Isaiah 1:23”

“1:21 The image of Jerusalem as a prostitute represents Judah’s unfaithfulness to God (see Jer 3:6-14; Ezek 16:25-26; Hos 1–3).”

“the faithful: Isa 48:2; Neh 11:1; Psa 46:4, Psa 48:1, Psa 48:8; Hos 11:12; Zac 8:3; Heb 12:22 become: Jer 2:20, Jer 2:21, Jer 3:1; Lam 1:8, Lam 1:9; Ezek. 16:1-63, 22:1-23:49; Luk 13:34; Rev 11:2, Rev 11:8 it was full: Isa 5:7; Sa2 8:15; Ch2 19:9; Eze 22:3-7; Mic 3:2, Mic 3:3; Zep 3:1-3; Act 7:52 Isaiah 1:22”

“"How is she become a harlot, the faithful citadel! she, full of right, lodged in righteousness, and now-murderers." It is the keynote of an elegy (kinah) which is sounded here. איכה, and but rarely איך, which is an abbreviated form, is expressive of complaint and amazement. This longer form, like a long-drawn sigh, is a characteristic of the kinah. The kinoth (Lamentations) of Jeremiah commence with it, and receive their title from it; whereas the shorter form is indicative of scornful complaining, and is characteristic of the mâshōl (e.g., Isa 14:4, Isa 14:12; Mic 2:4). From this word, which gives the keynote, the rest all follows, soft, full, monotonous, long drawn out and slow, just in…”