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
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
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 - the briers and thorns, then in the vast forests, until it spreads over the land, and sends a mighty column of flame and smoke up to heaven.Burneth as the fire - Spreads, rages. extends as fire does in... read more
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 be consumed, or laid waste.” Kimchi and Aben Ezra render it, ‘The land is darkened.’ Septuagint, Συγκέκαυται Sungkekautai. Chaldee, צרוכת chărôkat - ‘Is scorched.’ Jerome renders it, Conturbata est terra... read more
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 context Isaiah 9:19, Isaiah 9:21 shows, that the latter is meant; though it is not improbable that it would be attended with famine. When it is said that he ‘would cut off his right hand,’ it denotes... read more
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, and their names are used as expressive of tender union and friendship; compare Genesis 48:20. The tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh were near each other, and they always were allied together. The... read more
Isaiah 9:13-15. For the people turneth not, &c. We have here the second crime of this refractory people, who, impenitent and stupid, regarded not the chastisement of the Lord, nor turned to him at his reproof. Therefore a total subversion of their state and polity is denounced as the severest punishment upon them. The Lord will cut off, &c., head and tail High and low, honourable and contemptible, as the next verse explains it; branch and rush The goodly branches of tall trees,... read more
Isaiah 9:16-17. For, &c. “We have here a defence of the divine judgment, taken from the universal corruption of the people, wherein God sets forth the justice of his proceedings, and shows, that not from choice, but from the iniquities of the people, he is compelled to punish. The leaders of this people Their governors, both civil and ecclesiastical, especially the latter, their teachers, or the false prophets, last-mentioned; cause them to err Their governors compelling them by... read more
Isaiah 9:18. For wickedness burneth as fire, &c. Rageth like a fire, destroying and laying waste the nation. We have here the third great evil, on account of which divine vengeance was about to come upon them; namely, the power of reigning and barefaced impiety; the punishment whereof, denounced in the subsequent verses, is, as usual, assimilated to the vice, namely, destructive factions, which should overthrow their republic. Having rendered themselves hateful to God by their crimes,... read more
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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