Isaiah 9

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 9:8

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 chapter should have been made, and should not have been again interrupted until Isaiah 10:4, where the prophecy closes. The prophecy is divided into four parts, and each part is designed to threaten a... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 9:9

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 is another name for Israel, as Ephraim was the principal tribe; Note, Isaiah 7:2.And the inhabitants of Samaria - The capital of Ephraim or Israel; Note, Isaiah 7:9.That say in the pride - This is a... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 9:10

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, and restore their nation to more than their former magnificence.Bricks, in oriental countries, were made of clay and straw, and were rarely turned. Hence, exposed to suns and rains, they soon... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 9:11

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, instead of adversaries, read princes of Rezin. The sense seems to require this; as in the following verse, it is said that the Syrians will be excited against them.Against him - Against Ephraim.And join his... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 9:12

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, and the meaning is here, that they would pour in upon Samaria from that side.And the Philistines - The Philistines occupied the country southwest of Samaria, lying along on the shores of the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 9:13

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 to turn them to God. In this case, as in many others, such a design had not been accomplished.Unto him that smiteth them - To God, who had punished them.Neither do they seek - They do not seek his... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 9:14

Will cut off head and tail - This is a proverbial expression, which is explained in the following verse; see also Deuteronomy 28:13-14. 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 the common people. It would imply contempt; a state of great abjectness and meanness.Branch and rush - This is also a proverbial expression, meaning the highest and lowest; see the note at Isaiah... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 9:15

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. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 9:16

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 3:12. They are ruined; or swallowed up as in a vast whirlpool or vortex. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 9:17

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 purposes of war. The sense is, that the hope and strength of the nation, that on which the chief reliance would be placed, would be cut off.Neither shall have mercy ... - Judgment would sweep through the... read more

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 9:8

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 9:9

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 9:10

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 9:11

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 9:12

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 9:13

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 9:14

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 9:15

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 9:16

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 9:17

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