[1] This passage proves beyond a question that the idea of a
resurrection from the dead was familiar to the prophet and
to his first readers, for whose immediate use he wrote.
Sensible writers never borrow figures from things unknown,
but always from things better known than the facts they
would illustrate. As no writer _could_ draw a figure from
what was unknown to himself, so, if he sought to teach, he
_would_ not draw one from what was unknown to his readers.
As Isaiah could not talk about a resurrection if he had
never known the idea and the words to express it, so he
would not expect to be understood unless his readers were
also familiar with it.--_Cowles._