Isaiah 56:3

“Neither let the son of the stranger, &c.] A Gentile, that is so by birth, the son of one that is an alien from the commonwealth of Israel, a stranger from the covenants of promise, and so had no right to come into the congregation of the Lord under the former dispensation; but now the middle wall of partition being broken down, in the times to which this prophecy belongs, such are encouraged to expect admission: that hath joined himself to the Lord; who, having a spiritual knowledge of him in Christ, loves him, believes in him, gives up himself to him, to walk in his ways and ordinances, and cleaves unto him with full purpose of heart; (see <234405>Isaiah 44:5 <240105>Jeremiah 1:5) such an…”

“God welcomes all believers, without distinction of persons, under the new economy (Act 10:34-35). joined . . . to . . . Lord-- (Num 18:4, Num 18:7). "Proselytes." separated--Proselytes from the Gentiles were not admitted to the same privileges as native Israelites. This barrier between Jews and Gentiles was to be broken down (Eph 2:14-16). eunuch-- (Act 8:27, &c.). Eunuchs were chamberlains over harems, or court ministers in general. dry tree--barren (compare Luk 23:31); not admissible into the congregation of Israel (Deu 23:1-3). Under the Gospel the eunuch and stranger should be released from religious and civil disabilities.”

“Neither let the son of the stranger - The foreigner who shall become a proselyte to the true religion. That hath joined himself - That has embraced the true faith, and become a worshipper of the true God. It is evidently implied here that there would be such proselytes, and that the true religion would be extended so as to include and embrace them. The idea is, that they should be admitted to the same privileges with those who had been long recognized as the people of God. The Lord hath utterly separated - Let him not esteem himself to be an outcast, or cut off from the privileges of the people of God. This language is used with reference to the opinion which prevailed among the Jews, that…”

“The stranger - The stranger, the Gentile, who by birth is a stranger to God, that hath turned from dumb idols to the living God. The eunuch - Who is here joined with the stranger, because he was forbidden to enter into the congregation of the Lord, Deu 23:1. Under these two instances he understands all those, who either by birth, or by any ceremonial pollution, were excluded from church privileges, and so he throws open the door to all true believers. A dry tree - A fruitless tree, accursed by God with the curse of barrenness. Isaiah 56:4”

“56:3-7 The blessing (56:2) would extend to eunuchs and to the Gentiles. 56:3 Foreigners who commit themselves to the Lord would become full participants in the covenant community. Previously, their participation had been carefully regulated (Deut 23:3, 7-8). • eunuchs: In the past, an emasculated person was excluded from the community (Deut 23:1). Both eunuchs and foreigners had no share in Israel’s holiness and were considered marginal to God’s kingdom. In the age to come, God would bring to the center those who had previously been marginalized (cp. Matt 20:16).”

“the son: Num 18:4, Num 18:7; Deu 23:1-3; Zac 8:20-23; Mat 8:10, Mat 8:11; Act 8:27, Act 10:1, Act 10:2, Act 10:34; Act 13:47, Act 13:48, Act 17:4, Act 18:7; Rom 2:10, Rom 2:11, Rom 15:9-12, Rom 15:16; Eph 2:12, Eph 2:22; Pe1 1:1 joined: Jer 50:5; Zep 2:11; Co1 6:17 The Lord hath: Mat 15:26, Mat 15:27; Luk 7:6-8 neither: Isa 56:5, Isa 39:7; Jer 38:7-13, Jer 39:16, Jer 39:17; Dan. 1:3-21; Matt. 19:12-30; Act 8:26-40 Isaiah 56:4”

“The אשרי (blessed) of Isa 56:2 is now extended to those who might imagine that they had no right to console themselves with the promises which it contained. "And let not the foreigner, who hath not joined himself to Jehovah, speak thus: Assuredly Jehovah will cut me off from His people; and let not the eunuch say, I am only a dry tree." As נלוה is not pointed as a participle (נלוה), but as a 3rd pers. pres., the ה of הנּלוה is equivalent to אשׁר, as in Jos 10:24; Gen 18:21; Gen 21:3; Gen 46:27; Kg1 11:9 (Ges. 109). By the eunuchs we are to understand those of Israelitish descent, as the attributive clause is not repeated in their case. Heathen, who professed the religion of Jehovah, and had…”