12. Therefore will I number you to the sword.] An allusion to the derivation of the word Meni, which signifies "number:" such plays upon the words are frequent in the Prophets. W. Lowth. 15. And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen:] Mine elect shall look upon you as a standing monument of God's indignation; your name shall be mentioned in a common form of imprecation, God do to me, as He has done to the wicked Jews, &c. The other name mentioned here may mean, that of Christians. W. Lowth. But see note on chap. lxii. 2. 16. — the God of truth:] The God of Amen in the Hebrew, rightly translated, "the God of truth:" Rev. iii. 14. Jesus Christ is called Amen; being the faithful and true witness, yea, the "Truth" itself, John xiv. 6, and perhaps in allusion to this place. Compare 2 Cor. i. 20. Bp. Beveridge, W. Lowth. 17. For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth.] That is, in prophecies language, will institute a "new" dispensation of religion; different from that which God had given to the Jews, and subversive of it; for it follows, "the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind." Bp. Hurd. The Prophet describes, under this character, the state of things in the days of the Messiah. Dr. Berriman. St. Peter, in his second Epistle, chap. iii. 13, applies this passage of Isaiah to that new and refined state which is to succeed to the dissolution of this world, and in which righteousness is to dwell, agreeably to what is said chap. lx. 20, 21; see also Rev. xxi. 1. Jos. Mede, W. Lowth. And many have taken this for the primary and principal sense of the passage; but it appears that the establishment of the Christian Church and religion is what is more obviously and primarily pointed at in the expression, "new heavens and new earth;" (see chap. li. 16;) and that it is only to their more hidden and fullest meaning that St. Peter (referring to this and other passages of Isaiah) applies them as above. This creation of new heavens and earth began at the time when the Gospel of Christ began its progress; is to be completed at that other time, when it shall please God (the Creator) to render it perfect, in the consummation of all things. The beginning and end are here blended together. Vitringa. The two advents of Christ are for the most part not distinguished in the Old Testament. Dr. Berriman.