This chapter Isaiah 9 is a continuation of the prophecy begun in Isaiah 7, and continued in Isaiah 8. It is composed of mingled threats and promises. Its characteristic may be said to be “rays of light thrown into the midst of shades.” It promises comfort and deliverance, while at the same time it d... [ Continue Reading ]
NEVERTHELESS - Notwithstanding what is said in the previous chapter of the calamities that are coming upon Israel. Hengstenberg renders this whole verse: ‘For darkness shall not be upon the land upon which there is distress; as the former time has dishonored the land of Zebulun and the land of Napht... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PEOPLE THAT WALKED IN DARKNESS - The inhabitants of the region of Galilee. They were represented as walking in darkness, because they were far from the capital, and from the temple; they had few religious privileges; they were intermingled with the pagan, and were comparatively rude and uncultiv... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU HAST MULTIPLIED THE NATION - Thou hast rendered the nation strong, powerful, mighty. Several interpreters, as Calvin, Vitringa, and Le Clerc, suppose that the prophet here, and in the two following verses, speaks in the first instance of the prosperity near at hand, and of the rapid increase of... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THOU HAST BROKEN - This verse, and the following, show the way in which the occasion of the joy had been furnished. The expression ‘thou hast’ does not necessarily refer to the past, but is a form of expression derived from the nature of the prophetic visions, where that is described as past whi... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR EVERY BATTLE OF THE WARRIOR - The expression used here has caused great difficulty, from the fact that it occurs nowhere else in the Scriptures. The word סאון _s__e__'ôn_, rendered here battle, is supposed to mean rather greaves, or the armor of the warrior which covered the feet and the legs.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR - This is given as a reason of the victories that were predicted in the previous verses. That it has reference to the Messiah has been almost universally conceded; and indeed it does not seem possible to doubt it. The eye of the prophet seems to have been fixed on this great and glorious event -... [ Continue Reading ]
OF THE INCREASE ... - The word rendered “government” here, משׂרה _mis'râh_, means properly his government as a prince - his principality, and is a continuation of the idea in the previous verse, ‘the Prince of Peace.’ It means that his reign as a prince of peace - in extending and promoting peace,... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD SENT - Not Yahweh here, but “Adonai.” It is apparent that this verse is the commencement of a new prophecy, that is not connected with that which precedes it. The strain of the preceding prophecy had respect to Judah; this is confined solely to Israel, or Ephraim. Here the division of the c... [ Continue Reading ]
AND ALL THE PEOPLE SHALL KNOW - Shall know the message; or shall know the judgment which God denounces against their crimes. The Chaldee renders this, ‘All the people have exalted themselves, Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria, in their magnitude, and in the pride of thee heart.’ EPHRAIM - This... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BRICKS ARE FALLEN DOWN - The language of this verse is figurative; but the sentiment is plain. It contains the confession of the inhabitants of Samaria, that their affairs were in a ruinous and dilapidated state; but also their self-confident assurance that they would be able to repair the evils... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE - This verse indicates the punishment that would come upon them for their pride. THE LORD SHALL SET UP - Hebrew, ‘Shall exalt.’ That is, they shall overcome and subdue him. THE ADVERSARIES OF REZIN - King of Syria, Isaiah 7:1. It should be observed here, that twenty-one manuscripts, inst... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SYRIANS - Isaiah 7:1. The Syrians had been the allies of the Israelites. But after the death of Rezin, it is probable that they joined the Assyrians, and united with them in the invasion of Samaria. - Aben Ezra; Grotius. “Before.” Hebrew ‘From the east.’ Syria was situated to the east of Samaria... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE PEOPLE ... - This is a reason why his anger would not cease, and it is, at the same time, the suggestion of a new crime for which the divine judgment would rest upon them. It commences the second part of the oracle. TURNETH NOT - It is implied here that it was the design of the chastisement... [ Continue Reading ]
WILL CUT OFF HEAD AND TAIL - This is a proverbial expression, which is explained in the following verse; see also Deuteronomy 28:13. The head is often used to denote those in honor and authority. The tail is an expression applicable to the lower ranks, and would commonly indicate more than simply th... [ Continue Reading ]
THE ANCIENT - The elder; the old man. AND HONORABLE - Hebrew, ‘The man of elevated countenance.’ The man of rank and office. THE PROPHET THAT TEACHETH LIES - The false prophet. Of those there were many; and probably at this time many in Samaria.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE LEADERS OF THIS PEOPLE ... - Note, Isaiah 3:12. Hebrew ‘They that call this people blessed’ - referring more particularly to the false prophets. THEY THAT ARE LED OF THEM - Hebrew, ‘They that are called blessed by them.’ ARE DESTROYED - Hebrew, ‘Are swallowed up;’ see the note at Isaiah 3:... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALL HAVE NO JOY - He shall not delight in them so as to preserve them. The parallel part of the verse shows that the phrase is used in the sense of having mercy. IN THEIR YOUNG MEN - The hope and strength of the nation. The word used here commonly denotes those who are chosen, particularly for pu... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR WICKEDNESS - This commences the third part of the prophecy, which continues to the end of the chapter. It is a description of prevailing impiety. The effects and prevalence of it are described by the image of a raging, burning flame, that spreads everywhere: first among the humble shrubbery - th... [ Continue Reading ]
THROUGH THE WRATH - By the anger, or indignation. This spreading desolation is the proof of his anger. IS THE LAND DARKENED - The word used here - עתם _‛__âtham_ - occurs nowhere else. According to Gesenius, it is the same as תמם _tâmam_ to be or make complete; and hence means, “in this place, to... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SHALL SNATCH - Hebrew, ‘He shall cut off.’ Many have supposed that this refers to a state of famine; but others regard it as descriptive of a state of faction extending throughout the whole community, dissolving the most tender ties, arid producing a dissolution of all the bonds of life. The... [ Continue Reading ]
MANASSEH, EPHRAIM - This verse is a continuation of the statement in regard to the extent and fearfulness of the faction. Those who were hitherto most tenderly and intimately allied to each other, would now be engaged in furious strife. Manasseh and Ephraim were the two sons of Joseph Genesis 46:20,... [ Continue Reading ]