For all this, &c. See note on Isaiah 5:26 . Note the Figure of speech Amoeboeon , Isaiah 5:25 ; here, verses: Isaiah 9:17 , Isaiah 9:21 , Isaiah 9:4 . stretched out: in judgment. See note on Isa 6:26 . read more
Isaiah 9:8-12. The Lord sent a word into Jacob— We have here the third section of the fifth discourse, which reaches to the fifth verse of the next chapter; it is divided into four parts, and exhibits so many divine judgments concerning the state of the people of Ephraim, to be solemnly denounced upon them by the prophet. The first, from the present to the 12th verse. The second, from the 12th to the 17th. The third, from the 17th to the 21st. The fourth, from chap. Isa 10:1 st to the 4th... read more
12. Syrians—Though now allies of Ephraim, after Rezin's death they shall join the Assyrians against Ephraim. "Together," in :-, refers to this. Conquering nations often enlist in their armies the subject races (Isaiah 22:6; compare 2 Kings 16:9; Jeremiah 35:11), [ABEN EZRA, GESENIUS]. HORSLEY less probably takes "Syrians before," as the Syrians to the east, that is, not Rezin's subjects, but the Assyrians: "Aram" being the common name of Syrians and Assyrians. Philistines—of Palestine.... read more
The pride of Ephraim 9:8-12Isaiah explained that because the Northern Kingdom had not turned to Him for safety but to an alliance with Syria, He would not defend her from her enemy. [Note: See Kemper Fullerton, "Isaiah’s Earliest Prophecy against Ephraim," The American Journal of Semitic Languages 3:3 (1916):9-39.] ". . . the sin for Isaiah, the source of all other sin, is the pride which exalts humanity above God, which makes God but a tool for the achievement of our plans and dreams." [Note:... read more
Because of this pride, Yahweh would raise up strong adversaries from the northeast and the southwest: the Syrians (Arameans) and the Philistines (cf. Numbers 20:12; 2 Samuel 11:27). He would teach them that they could not overcome these enemies on their own, and that they needed His salvation. Yet in spite of these judgments, the Lord’s anger would still be against Ephraim, and His hand of judgment would be stretched out against her because she would not repent."This text is about sinners in... read more
(continued)8. Jacob.. Israel] Both names here stand for the northern kingdom, as is made clear by what follows in the next v. 9. Shall know] i.e. shall be taught by experience (Numbers 14:34).10. If the language is to be understood literally, the allusion is to the way in which the people set themselves to repair, and more than make up for, the devastation caused by invasion. But it is more likely that the prophet refers in a figure to the frequent changes of dynasty in the N. kingdom; no... read more
Divine Judgments on the Kingdom of IsraelThis section relates throughout to the kingdom of Israel. It belongs to the same period as the chapters immediately preceding, and treats of the ruin which Isaiah foresaw would shortly overtake the kingdom of the Ten Tribes: cp. Isaiah 7:16; Isaiah 8:4. The prophet traces the fall of Israel to the moral and social condition of its people. His prophecy was speedily fulfilled in the conquest of Syria and Israel by the Assyrian armies. The prophecy falls... read more
(12) For all this his anger is not turned away . . .—The formula which in Isaiah 5:25 had been applied to Judah is here and in Isaiah 9:17; Isaiah 9:21 used of Israel at large, and specially of Ephraim. It embodied the law which governed God’s dealing with both. read more
The Gift of Peace Isaiah 9:6 ; Isaiah 5:21 What a contrast these two texts present! The wicked those living apart from God have no peace; but to those who know the Incarnate Son of God to be their Saviour, He is their Peace the Prince of Peace. Let us look at Him, and then at the great inward gift that He comes to convey to us. I. Peace Inherent in Christ's Nature. Whatever Christ is, He is by nature, not by circumstance. If He is a King, He is so by nature; if He is the Redeemer, it is... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Isaiah 9:8-21
The fall of Israel (9:8-10:4)Isaiah now describes the situation in the northern kingdom Israel, which becomes weakened by enemy attacks and finally is conquered by Assyria. The northerners refuse to acknowledge that God is the one who has brought this catastrophe upon them. They make a show of self-assurance by saying they will rebuild, bigger and better, whatever their enemies have destroyed (8-12).Because the people refuse to repent, God will punish them further. His purpose is to remove the... read more