Muhammad in Bible: Kedar rejoice and Sela sing

Isaiah is often quoted by Muslims to reference Arabia and the coming of Muhammad.

The prophecies in Isaiah point to the arrival of a prophet who will:

Be God's servant
Bring a new Law
Bring light to the Gentiles (non-Jews)
Arise from city of Madinah, Saudi Arabia
Like a warrior, crush the enemies of God who worship idols
An enemy who have yet to receive God's prophet

The table below lists verses from Isaiah with brief commentary.

Book of Isaiah
Keep silence before me, O islands; and let the people renew their strength: let them come near; then let them speak: let us come near together to judgment ISAIAH 41:1 People need to renew their strength and faith. They need to be ready to listen to and understand the new message with an open mind
Who raised up the righteous man from the east, called him to his foot, gave the nations before him, and made him rule over kings? he gave them as the dust to his sword, and as driven stubble to his bow ISAIAH 41:2 A righteous man [Muhammad] from the east [from the tribe of Ishmaelites, descendents of Abraham and Ishmael] will be raised up
And Ishmael and his sons, and the sons of Keturah and their sons, went together and dwelt from Paran to the entering in of Babylon in all the land which is towards the East facing the desert. And these mingled with each other, and their name was called Arabs, and Ishmaelites Book of Jubilees 20:12-13 Ishmael, an Arab and Ishmaelites lived in the east
And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude JUDGES 7:12 The children of the east are Arabs
The angel of the LORD said to her further, "Behold, you are with child, And you will bear a son; And you shall call his name Ishmael, Because the LORD has given heed to your affliction. He will be a wild donkey of a man, His hand will be against everyone, And everyone's hand will be against him; And he will live to the east of all his brothers GENESIS 16:11-12 Abraham's eldest son, Ishmael lived in Arabia and is described as living to the east of all his brothers
He pursued them, and passed safely; even by the way that he had not gone with his feet ISAIAH 41:3 In battle, he [Muhammad] will be in pursuit of his enemy and pass safely; be victorious
But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend ISAIAH 41:8 Chosen from the seed of Abraham, Ishmael being Abraham's first and eldest son
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness ISAIAH 41:10 House of Jacob. Do not be afraid of this Arab man [Muhammad] whom God has sent to you
I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water ISAIAH 41:18 By God's will, the desert will become a blessed place. The wilderness will be transformed into a place of spiritual guidance and direction
But I have stirred up a leader who will come from the north. I have called him by name from the east. I will give him victory over kings and princes. He will trample them as a potter treads on clay. ISAIAH 41:25 He will come from the east. Muhammad came from the east
The first shall say to Zion, Behold, behold them: and I will give to Jerusalem one that bringeth good tidings ISAIAH 41:27 Glad tidings to Jerusalem
Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles ISAIAH 42:1 This is my servant and he will bring judgement to the Gentiles (non-Jews). The hebrew words used 'Atmc' and 'Ahmd'. 'Abdi' is My Servant, and 'Ahmad' or 'Abdullah' is Servant of God
A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth ISAIAH 42:3 He will establish judgement and right order
He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law ISAIAH 42:4 He will not give up until his message of peace and judgement [Islam] based on the laws of God
I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; ISAIAH 42:6 He will bring a new covenant to people and a new way to the Gentiles (non-Jews)
To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house ISAIAH 42:7 He will lead people out of darkness and into [God's] light. Muhammad conveyed God's message to leave idolatory and paganism, and return to monotheism
I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images ISAIAH 42:8 He will not praise graven images, idols or pagan Gods. This was the message of Muhammad, who even forbade his companions from making drawings of himself
Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them ISAIAH 42:9 He will come with prophecies of the future
Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof ISAIAH 42:10 Bible Commentary A new song such as has never before been sung, called for by a new manifestation of God's grace, to express which no hymn for former mercies would be appropriate. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Upon this new and great occasion, the calling and salvation of the world by Christ Matthew Poole Praise God with the new Law [of Islam]. Muhammad brought a new religion, a new law (Shariah). Similar to Judaism and Christianity, Islam is rooted in Monotheism, the worship of One God.
Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit: let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains ISAIAH 42:11 Bible Commentary Those parts of the world which are now desolate and forsaken of God, and barren of all good fruits. Benson Wilderness here denotes the most uncultivated countries, intimating that even the most rude and barbarous people would have occasion to rejoin, and would be interested in the mercy of God. The Hebrews gave the name wilderness or desert to those regions that were mostly uncultivated, or sparsely inhabited. They were places that were chiefly devoted to pasturage, and not cultivated by the plow, or regions of vast plains of sand and far-extended barrenness, with here and there an oasis on which a city might be built. Barnes' Notes Wilderness may include cities in a region, not wholly waste, but mainly so, with an oasis here and there. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown The wilderness is those parts of the world which are now like a wilderness; not literally, for he speaks of their cities in the next clause, but spiritually, desolate and forsaken of God, dry and destitute of the waters of God's grace, and barren of all good fruits. Matthew Poole Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice. The eastern part of the world, Arabia Deserta, and the inhabitants of the cities which were in it. Gill's Exposition The wilderness and the cities thereof. The "cities" like the "villages" of the next line, are those in the oases, occupied by the settled Arabs; the former are probably the great centres of the caravan trade, like Tadmor and Petra. Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges The wilderness and the cities thereof. The desert had its cities, built on some more or less fertile oases, where at any rate water was procurable. Pulpit Wilderness can refer to a harsh environment, such as the Arabian desert; or an uncultured, uncivilised, barborous people like the pre-Islamic Arab bedouin tribes; or similarly, a society who have never received any messenger from God, such as the Arabs.
Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit: let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains ISAIAH 42:11 Bible Commentary The Arabians, who were a heathen and barbarous people, and are put for all nations. Benson The villages that Kedar doth inhabit - Where the inhabitants of Kedar dwell. Kedar was a son of Ishmael (Genesis 25:13), the father of the Kedarenians or Cedrei, mentioned by Pliny (Nat. Hist. v. 2), who dwell in the vicinity of the Nabathaeans in Arabia Deserta. They often changed their place, though it would seem that they usually dwelt in the neighborhood of Petra, or Sela. The name Kedar is often given to Arabia Deserta, and the word may in some instances denote Arabia in general. The inhabitants of those countries usually dwell in tents, and lead a nomadic and wandering life. Barnes' Notes Kedar in Arabia-Deserta (Isaiah 21:16; Genesis 25:13). The Kedarenians led a nomadic, wandering life. So Kedar is here put in general for that class of men. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Kedar; the Arabians; which were a heathenish and barbarous people, and well known to the Jews, and are synecdochically put for all nations in the same circumstances. Matthew Poole The villages that Kedar doth inhabit; or the "courts" (t), or tents, the Kedarenes inhabited, who were Arabians, and dwelt in tents, which they pitched here and there, for the convenience of their flocks; and so the Targum, Gill's Exposition Kedar, meaning the Arabians, under whom he comprehends all the people of the East. Geneva Study Kedar (Isaiah 21:16) is sometimes referred to as a tribe of nomadic, tent-dwelling Arabs (Psalm 120:5; Song of Solomon 1:5; Jeremiah 49:28 f.); here they are villagers, what the modern Arabs call ḥaḍarîya (connected with the word ḥâc̨çr, used here) as opposed to the wabarîya or nomads (Delitzsch). Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Instances of such cities are Tudmor, Petra, Kadesh (Numbers 20:1). Its villages were probably collections of tents, which were moved from time to time, since the Beni-Kedar were nomads (ch. 21:16; Psalm 120:5). The call is upon both the stationary and the wandering inhabitants of the Syro-Arabian desert to join in the song of praise. Pulpit All Bible commentaries agree Kedar refers to the Arabs. Also, Kedar was the son of Ishmael, firstborn son of Abraham. Muhammad was a direct descendent of Abraham through Ishmael and Kedar. Bible commentators overlook the relationship between Kedar and Muhammad. See Prophet Tree
And these are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to their generations: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebajoth; and Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam GENESIS 25:13 Let the descendants of Kedar proclaim their new religion [of Islam]. Kedar was the second son of Ishmael, through whom the lineage of prophet Muhammad can be traced. Many Bible commentators often overlook the relationship between Kedar and Muhammad. See Prophet Tree
Let the wilderness and its towns raise their voices; let the settlements where Kedar lives rejoice. Let the people of Sela sing for joy; let them shout from the mountaintops. ISAIAH 42:11 Bible Commentary Let the inhabitants of the rock sing - It is uncertain whether the word 'rock' here (Hebrew, סלע sela‛, Greek Πέτραν Petran, 'Petra' or 'rock') is to be regarded as a proper name, or to denote in a general sense those who dwell in the rocky part of Arabia. Sela, or Petra, was the name of the celebrated city that was the capital of Idumea (Isaiah 16:1); It may denote in general those who inhabited the desolate and stony region of Arabia Petrea, or whose home was among the cliffs of the rocks. If so, it is a call upon Arabia in general to rejoice in the mercy of God, and to give glory to him for providing a plan of redemption - an intimation that to the descendants of Ishmael the blessings of the gospel would be extended. Barnes' Notes Rock—Sela, that is, Petra, the metropolis of Idumea and the Nabathœan Ishmaelites. Or it may refer in general to those in Arabia-Petræa, who had their dwellings cut out of the rock. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown The inhabitants of the rock] ('rock-dwellers'). R.V. has "the inhabitants of Sela," which would probably be Petra. It is difficult to say which translation is preferable. It should be mentioned that the identification of Sela, in any O.T. passage, with Petra is resisted by many scholars (Isaiah 16:1). Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges The inhabitants of the rock; rather, the inhabitants of Sela, or Petra, the rock-city, which was the capital of Idumaea, or Edom (ch. 16. l). It is assumed that the return of the Israelites to their land ought to be a subject of rejoicing to all their neighbours. Pulpit The people of Sela inhabited cities in Arabia, namely Telma (Tema/Teman), Yathrib (Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah), Paran (Makkah) etc. Interestingly, Muhammad lived in these cities too.
Let the wilderness and its towns raise their voices; let the settlements where Kedar lives rejoice. Let the people of Sela sing for joy; let them shout from the mountaintops. ISAIAH 42:11 As Muhammad entered the Arabian city of Medina, the people sang for joy.
Let the wilderness and its towns raise their voices; let the settlements where Kedar lives rejoice. Let the people of Sela sing for joy; let them shout from the mountaintops. ISAIAH 42:11 Bible Commentary Let them shout from the top of the mountains - They who had taken refuge there, or who had made their permanent abode there. Vitringa supposes that the mountains of Paran are meant, which are situated on the north of Mount Sinai. The idea in the verse is, that all the dwellers in Arabia would celebrate the goodness of God, and join in praising him for his mercy in giving a deliverer. Barnes' Notes The mountains—namely, of Paran, south of Sinai, in Arabia-Petræa [Vitringa]. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains: having mentioned cities and villages, he now adds those who dwell upon rocks and mountains, which are commonly more savage and ignorant than others, and therefore harder to be taught and reformed. Matthew Poole Let the inhabitants of the rock sing: or of Petra, which Jerom says was a city of Palestine. It was the metropolis of Arabia Petraea, which whole country may be here meant, and the inhabitants of it, who had reason to sing for joy, when the Gospel was preached unto them; as it was by the Apostle Paul in Arabia, Galatians 1:17. Let them shout from the top of the mountains; the wild, savage, and barbarous people that dwell there, but now become civilized, as well as evangelized, by the Gospel; or the messengers and ministers of the word, whose feet on those mountains were beautiful, bringing the good tidings of peace and salvation by Christ. Gill's Exposition The mountaintops refer to the region around Mount Sinai. Arabia, located in the Sinai Peninsula, which in my opinion should be located at Jebel Sin-Bishar (Franz 2000: 112; Faiman 2000; Har-el 1983; Rasmussen 1989: 89-91), was in "Arabia". The traditional Mount Sinai at Jebel Musa was also located in the Sinai in ancient "Arabia." So Mount Sinai (either site) was in both the Sinai and in "Arabia," which overlapped, and there is no disconnect with the Bible, ancient geography, or modern scholarship. Gordon Franz MA biblearchaeology/Sinai-in-Arabia Worship in Islam encourages the audible raising of the voice. In particular, the 'Adhaan' or call to prayer is performed 5 times daily in every mosque in a raised voice.
Let them give glory unto the Lord, and declare his praise in the islands ISAIAH 42:12 Bible Commentary Let them declare his praise in the islands — In the remotest parts of the world, as well as in Arabia, which was near to them. Benson Let them give glory ... in the islands - (Isaiah 41:1). Let the distant regions praise God. Barnes' Notes In the remotest parts of the world, as well as in Arabia, which was near to them. Matthew Poole Let them give glory unto the Lord. For all the great and good things he has done for them, in sending his Gospel to them, calling them by his grace, enlightening their minds, and revealing his Son in them, and making them partakers of the blessings of his grace, and entitling them to eternal glory and happiness: and declare his praise in the islands; as on the western continent, and the isles of it; so on the eastern continent, and the islands of it, the islands of Greece, the islands in the Aegean sea. Gill's Exposition Let them give glory unto the LORD, and declare his praise in the islands. Geneva Study Glory and praise: the same words as in Isaiah 42:8. Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Let them give glory unto the Lord... in the islands; i.e. "let those who are in the islands," or the maritime tracts, "give glory to God" Pulpit Today, Muslims are required to continually give glory to God. In every aspect of their life, Muslims give God due glory and send Him praise and worship i.e. when eating, drinking, sleeping, walking, driving, sitting, going toilet etc. Let the Arabs praise and glorify God
The Lord shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies ISAIAH 42:13 Bible Commentary The Lord shall go forth - Namely, to battle against his enemies. He shall stir up jealousy — His fierce indignation against the obstinate enemies of his Son and gospel. He shall cry, yea, roar - As a lion doth upon his prey, and as soldiers do when they begin the battle. Benson The Lord shall go forth - This and the following verses give the reasons why they should praise Yahweh. He would go forth in his might to overcome and subdue his foes, and to deliver his people. In his conquests, and in the establishment of his kingdom, all people would have occasion to rejoice and be glad. Barnes' Notes Jehovah will no longer restrain His wrath: He will go forth as a mighty warrior (Ex 15:3) to destroy His people's and His enemies, and to deliver Israel Jamieson-Fausset-Brown He shall stir up jealousy; he shall stir up himself, and his strength, and anger, against the obstinate and implacable enemies of his Son and gospel. He shall cry, yea, roar, as a lion doth upon his prey, and as soldiers do when they begin the battle. Matthew Poole The Lord shall go forth as a mighty man. In the ministry of the word, conquering and to conquer; girding his "sword" on his thigh; causing his "arrows" to be sharp in the hearts of his enemies; clothing the word with power; making the weapons of warfare, put into the hands of his ministering servants, mighty, to pull down the "strong holds" of sin and Satan, to cast: down the proud "imaginations" of men's hearts, and to he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war; or "a man of wars" (x); that has been used to fight battles. Gill's Exposition The Lord shall go forth. The exhortation to "sing unto the Lord a new song" ends with ver. 12, and now the reason or groundwork for the exhortation has to be declared. God is about to make one of the great manifestations of his power upon the earth - to "go forth" against his enemies, and destroy and devour, and easily prevail against them - not, however, simply in the way of punishment and vengeance, but with a further merciful object. Pulpit He will strike fear and jealousy into his enemies. He will prevail over the enemies [in battle]. Muhammad was known to have engaged in pursuit wars and defeated his enemies. Unlike Jesus, Muhammad engaged in many physical war and confrontational engagements. The warrior term fits Muhammad's prophetic ministry.
The Lord shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies ISAIAH 42:13 Bible Commentary I will destroy and devour at once. I will suddenly and utterly destroy the incorrigible enemies of my truth. Benson He shall stir up jealousy - He shall rouse his vengeance, or his indignation. The word קנאה qin'âh means vengeance, or indignation, as well as jealousy. The image here is that of a warrior who rushes on impetuously to take vengeance on his foes. He shall cry - He shall give a shout, or a loud clamor. Warriors usually entered a battle with a loud shout, designed to stimulate their own courage, and to intimidate their foes. All this language is taken from such an entrance on an engagement, and denotes the fixed determination of God to overthrow all his enemies. Barnes' Notes The LORD shall go forth as a {r} mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies. Geneva Study He shall cry, yea, roar; rather, yea, shout; i.e. utter his battle-cry with a clear, loud voice. Pulpit Muhammad engaged in many physical wars and battles. He was victorious and triumphant over his enemies. His many victories aroused great jealousy amongst his enemies who sought to destroy his mission, but failing at every opportunity.
And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them ISAIAH 42:16 He will lead the blind down a path they knew not of [previously]. Muhammad introduced a new Law; a new religion with different laws and guidelines. . As an Arab, he brought the religion [of Islam] to the Israelites who had received many prophets and were adhering to [the crooked] corrupted religion of Judaism.
They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, Ye are our gods ISAIAH 42:17 He will liberate the act of worshipping in molten images. Muhammad forbade all forms of Idolatory and the worship of graven images. Even today, the [graven] imaging of Muhammad is not allowed as it may lead to idolatory. Today, across Arabia the worship and praising of God [singing words of God] daily is evident. And they from Arabia travel to far end of earth to proclaim their praise of God to inhabitants outside of Arabia.
The Lord is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable ISAIAH 42:21 The new Law [of Islam] was magnified by the many nations who succombed to the honour the new religion afforded them
Who among you will give ear to this? who will hearken and hear for the time to come? ISAIAH 42:23 Who will listen to the new laws [of Islam] and the new servant from Arabia
Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the robbers? did not the Lord, he against whom we have sinned? for they would not walk in his ways, neither were they obedient unto his law ISAIAH 42:24 God reminds the people about the wrath of God towards the Children of Israel, who neglected the message brought by the prophets. The same mistakes must be avoided on the coming of [Muhammad] the new Servant of God.

CREDIT
http://biblehub.com/commentaries/isaiah/42-10.htm
http://biblehub.com/commentaries/isaiah/42-11.htm
http://biblehub.com/commentaries/isaiah/42-12.htm
http://biblehub.com/commentaries/isaiah/42-13.htm
http://jews-for-allah.org/Muhammad-and-Judaism/the-Jewish-Bible/Muhammad-in-Isaiah42.htm
http://www.manyprophetsonemessage.com/2014/06/28/muhammad-pbuh-and-madinah-in-the-bible/

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Muhammad in Bible: Kedar rejoice and Sela sing - Isaiah 41/42

Isaiah is often quoted by Muslims to reference Arabia and the coming of Muhammad.

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