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Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 9:5

Every battle of the warrior "The greaves of the armed warrior" - שאון שאון seon soen . This word, occurring only in this place, is oaf very doubtful signification. Schindler fairly tells us that we may guess at it by the context. The Jews have explained it, by guess I believe, as signifying battle, conflict: the Vulgate renders it violenta praedatio . But it seems as if something was rather meant which was capable of becoming fuel for the fire, together with the garments mentioned in... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 9:6

The government shall be upon his shoulder - That is, the ensign of government; the scepter, the sword, the key, or the like, which was borne upon or hung from the shoulder. See note on Isaiah 22:22 . And his name shall be called - גבור אל El gibbor , the prevailing or conquering God. The everlasting Father "The Father of the everlasting age" - Or עד אבי Abi ad , the Father of eternity. The Septuagint have μεγαλης βουλης Αγγελος , "the Messenger of the Great Counsel." But... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 9:7

Of the increase - In the common Hebrew Bibles, and in many MSS., this word is written with the close or final ם למרבה . But in twelve of Kennicott's MSS., and twelve of De Rossi's, it is written with the open מ mem ; but here it is supposed to contain mysteries, viz., that Jerusalem shall be shut up, closed, and confined, till the days of the Messiah. This is an illustrious prophecy of the incarnation of Christ, with an enumeration of those characters in which he stands most nearly... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 9:1

Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation , when , etc. Our translators have misconceived the construction, and consequently missed the sense. The first two clauses, which they run together, are entirely separate and distinct. Translate, Nevertheless there shall be no ( more ) darkness to her who was in affliction . As at the former time he brought contempt upon the land of Zebulon , etc . Contempt was brought on the more northern part of the Holy Land,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 9:1-2

Great light in deep darkness. In wrath God remembers mercy; be makes us to "sing of mercy and of judgment." He " will not always chide, nor keep his anger forever." Even unto disobedient and perverse Israel he will manifest his Divine pity, his redeeming power. Respecting this promise we may note— I. ITS HISTORICAL FULFILMENT . This, in the literal and primary sense, is involved in no slight obscurity (see Exposition). The difficulty in determining the period when these regions... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 9:1-7

THE TROUBLES OF ISRAEL SHALL END THROUGH THE BIRTH OF A MARVELOUS CHILD . The section of the prophecy commencing with Isaiah 7:1 terminates in this glorious burst of glad and gracious promise. The gist of the whole section is: "Israel shall not suffer from Pekah and Rezin; her oppressors shall be Assyria and Egypt, more especially the former; Assyria shall overwhelm her, crush her, lay her low; she shall remain awhile in gloom and darkness; but at length the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 9:1-7

Vision of future glory. In bright contrast to the preceding gloomy outlook, bursts the enrapturing view of future glory on the prophet's soul. I. COMPENSATION FOR PAST SUFFERING . Not forever is the land to lie darkened. A great light of deliverance is to appear. The prophet's glance rests on the northern and eastern portions of the kingdom of Ephraim. They had been conquered by Assyria, and the people carried away captive ( 2 Kings 15:29 ). But "as the former time brought... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 9:2

The people that walked in darkness (comp. Isaiah 8:22 ). All the world was "in darkness" when Christ came; but here the Jews especially seem to be intended. It was truly a dark time with them when Christ came. Have seen ; rather, saw . The "prophetic" preterit is used throughout the whole passage. A great light. "The Light of the world," "the Sun of righteousness," "the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world, "first broke on man in that northern tract" by... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 9:2

The dawn of gospel day. "The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined." The glory which God revealed then through the prophet was but a prelude to that greater glory which the Incarnation made manifest. So much so that these words are used in Matthew 4:16 , and relate to Jesus leaving Nazareth and coming to Capernaum, upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim, that so the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 9:2

Light in darkness. Cheyne's translation brings out the meaning and reference of this passage. "Surely there is (now) no (more) gloom to her whose lot was affliction. At the former time she brought shame on the land of Zebulun, and on the land of Naphtali, but in the latter he hath brought honor on the way by the sea, the other side of Jordan, the district of the nations." The historical facts to which allusion is made are: 1. The despoiling of Upper and Lower Galilee by Tiglath-Pileser (... read more

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