Isaiah9
American Standard Version · Public Domain
1But there shall be no gloom to her that was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali; but in the latter time hath he made it glorious, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
2The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
3Thou hast multiplied the nation, thou hast increased their joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
4For the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, thou hast broken as in the day of Midian.
5For all the armor of the armed man in the tumult, and the garments rolled in blood, shall be for burning, for fuel of fire.
6For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of Jehovah of hosts will perform this.
8The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel.
9And all the people shall know, even Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria, that say in pride and in stoutness of heart,
10The bricks are fallen, but we will build with hewn stone; the sycomores are cut down, but we will put cedars in their place.
11Therefore Jehovah will set up on high against him the adversaries of Rezin, and will stir up his enemies,
12the Syrians before, and the Philistines behind; and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
13Yet the people have not turned unto him that smote them, neither have they sought Jehovah of hosts.
14Therefore Jehovah will cut off from Israel head and tail, palm-branch and rush, in one day.
15The elder and the honorable man, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail.
16For they that lead this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.
17Therefore the Lord will not rejoice over their young men, neither will he have compassion on their fatherless and widows; for every one is profane and an evil-doer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
18For wickedness burneth as the fire; it devoureth the briers and thorns; yea, it kindleth in the thickets of the forest, and they roll upward in a column of smoke.
19Through the wrath of Jehovah of hosts is the land burnt up; and the people are as the fuel of fire: no man spareth his brother.
20And one shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand, and they shall not be satisfied: they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm:
21Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh; and they together shall be against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Isaiah 9.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The Son that should be born, and his kingdom. (1-7). The judgments to come upon Israel, and on the enemies of the kingdom of Christ. (8-21).
vv1-7
The Syrians and Assyrians first ravaged the countries here mentioned, and that region was first favoured by the preaching of Christ. Those that want the gospel, walk in darkness, and in the utmost danger. But when the gospel comes to any place, to any soul, light comes. Let us earnestly pray that it may shine into our hearts, and make us wise unto salvation. The gospel brings joy with it. Those who would have joy, must expect to go through hard work, as the husbandman, before he has the joy of harvest; and hard conflict, as the soldier, before he divides the spoil. The Jews were delivered from the yoke of many oppressors; this was a shadow of the believer's deliverance from the yoke of Satan. The cleansing the souls of believers from the power and pollution of sin, would be by the influence of the Holy Spirit, as purifying fire. These great things for the church, shall be done by the Messiah, Emmanuel. The Child is born; it was certain; and the church, before Christ came in the flesh, benefitted by his undertaking. It is a prophecy of him and of his kingdom, which those that waited for the Consolation of Israel read with pleasure. This Child was born for the benefit of us men, of us sinners, of all believers, from the beginning to the end of the world. Justly is he called Wonderful, for he is both God and man. His love is the wonder of angels and glorified saints. He is the Counsellor, for he knew the counsels of God from eternity; and he gives counsel to men, in which he consults our welfare. He is the Wonderful Counsellor; none teaches like him. He is God, the mighty One. Such is the work of the Mediator, that no less power than that of the mighty God could bring it to pass. He is God, one with the Father. As the Prince of Peace, he reconciles us to God; he is the Giver of peace in the heart and conscience; and when his kingdom is fully established, men shall learn war no more. The government shall be upon him; he shall bear the burden of it. Glorious things are spoken of Christ's government. There is no end to the increase of its peace, for the happiness of its subjects shall last for ever. The exact agreement of this prophecy with the doctrine of the New Testament, shows that Jewish prophets and Christian teachers had the same view of the person and salvation of the Messiah. To what earthly king or kingdom can these words apply? Give then, O Lord, to thy people to know thee by every endearing name, and in every glorious character. Give increase of grace in every heart of thy redeemed upon earth.
vv8-21
Those are ripening apace for ruin, whose hearts are unhumbled under humbling providences. For that which God designs, in smiting us, is, to turn us to himself; and if this point be not gained by lesser judgments, greater may be expected. The leaders of the people misled them. We have reason to be afraid of those that speak well of us, when we do ill. Wickedness was universal, all were infected with it. They shall be in trouble, and see no way out; and when men's ways displease the Lord, he makes even their friends to be at war with them. God would take away those they thought to have help from. Their rulers were the head. Their false prophets were the tail and the rush, the most despicable. In these civil contests, men preyed on near relations who were as their own flesh. The people turn not to Him who smites them, therefore he continues to smite: for when God judges, he will overcome; and the proudest, stoutest sinner shall either bend or break.
Key Words
לַהַד: Lahad, an Israelite
לֹא: not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
מוּעָף: properly, covered, i.e. dark; abstractly, obscurity, i.e. distress
אֲשֶׁר: who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.
מוּצַק: narrowness; figuratively, distress
רִאשׁוֹן: first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
עֵת: time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc.
קָלַל: to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.)
אֶרֶץ: the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
זְבוּלוּן: Zebulon, a son of Jacob; also his territory and tribe
Cross References
Isaiah 9Explicitly cited in Matthew 4:14-16 as the fulfillment of Christ's light appearing in Galilee.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The 'day of Midian' refers to Gideon's miraculous victory with a small band over vast hosts.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Establishes the covenant with David regarding an eternal kingdom and throne, fulfilled in Christ.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Directly links Christ to the throne of His father David and an endless kingdom.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Historical record of Tiglath-pileser's invasion of Zebulun and Naphtali (the first light affliction).
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Historical record of the subsequent grievous affliction when Shalmaneser carried Israel into exile.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallels the birth of the child (Immanuel) as the sign of God's presence and deliverance.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
The immediate context of darkness and dimness from which chapter 9 transitions to light.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Explicates Christ's work as the 'Prince of Peace' reconciling Jew and Gentile to God.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Another Messianic prophecy contrasting a humble ruler's origin with eternal ruler status.
Supported by JFB
Repeats the exact refrain of judgment: 'For all this his anger is not turned away...'
Supported by Matthew Poole
Illustrates how blind leaders and those led by them fall into destruction together.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Demonstrates the historical Jewish contempt for Galilee, explaining why its light was unexpected.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Messianic title parallel where the coming branch of David is called 'The Lord Our Righteousness'.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Textual parallel showing sycomores and cedars as contrasting values in Israel.
Supported by Matthew Poole