Notes for Isa 61:1LEB
"anointed," i.e., designated to carry out an assigned task.
The speaker is not identified, but he is distinct from the Yahweh and from Zion’s suffering people. He possesses the divine spirit, is Yahweh’s spokesman, and is sent to release prisoners from bondage. The evidence suggests he is the Yahweh’s special servant, described earlier in the servant songs (see Isa 42:1–7LEB; Isa 49:2-9LEB; Isa 50:4LEB; see also Isa 51:16LEB).
Or "sent" (NAB); NCV "has appointed me."
Or "proclaim good news to."
"to bind up [the wounds of]."
Notes for Isa 61:2LEB
"to announce the year of the Yahweh’s favor, and the day of our Yahweh’s vengeance.
Notes for Isa 61:3LEB
"oil of joy" (KJV, ASV); NASB, NIV, NRSV "the oil of gladness."
"garment of praise."
"a faint spirit" (so NRSV); KJV, ASV "the spirit of heaviness"; NASB "a spirit of fainting."
Rather than referring to the character of the people, צֶדֶק (tsedeq) may carry the nuance "vindication" here, suggesting that Yahweh’s restored people are a testimony to his justice. See v. 2, which alludes to the fact that Yahweh will take vengeance against the enemies of his people. Cf. NAB "oaks of justice."
"a planting of the Yahweh to reveal splendor."
Notes for Isa 61:4LEB
"and the formerly desolate places they will raise up."
Notes for Isa 61:5LEB
The Yahweh speaks in vv. 7–8 (and possibly v. 9). It is not clear where the servant’s speech (see vv. 1–3a) ends and the Yahweh’s begins. Perhaps the direct address to the people signals the beginning of the Yahweh’s speech.
"will stand [in position] and shepherd."
Notes for Isa 61:6LEB
The Hebrew text adds, "it will be said concerning you."
"eat" (KJV, NAB, NASB); NIV "feed on"; NLT "be fed with."
The form in the Hebrew text is probably a corruption of יִתְאַמְּרוּ (yit’amméru), a Hitpael from אָמַר (’amar), meaning "boast about" (see HALOT 67 s.v. II אמר, HALOT 416 s.v. ימר, and BDB 56 s.v. אָמַר).
"their glory" (i.e., riches).
Notes for Isa 61:7LEB
"instead of your shame, a double portion."
"and [instead of] humiliation they will rejoice [over] their portion." The term תָחָת (takhat, "instead of") is understood by ellipsis (note the preceding line).
"therefore" (so KJV, NASB); NIV "and so."
Notes for Isa 61:8LEB
"in faithfulness"; NASB, NRSV, NLT "faithfully."
Notes for Isa 61:9LEB
"all who see them will recognize them, that they [are] descendants [whom] the Yahweh has blessed."
Notes for Isa 61:10LEB
The speaker in vv. 10–11 is not identified, but it is likely that the personified nation (or perhaps Zion) responds here to the Yahweh’s promise of restoration.
The infinitive absolute appears before the finite verb for emphasis.
"my being is happy in my Yahweh"; NAB "in my Yahweh is the joy of my soul."
"robe of vindication"; KJV, NASB, NIV, NRSV "robe of righteousness."
"like a bridegroom [who] acts like a priest [by wearing] a turban, and like a bride [who] wears her jewelry." The words "I look" are supplied for stylistic reasons and clarification.
Notes for Isa 61:11LEB
Or perhaps, "righteousness," but the context seems to emphasize deliverance and restoration (see v. 10 and Isa 62:1LEB).
"and praise before all the nations."