Head and tail, branch and rush ; i.e. the whole nation, from the highest to the lowest. The "branch" intended is the "palm branch," at once lofty in position and the most glorious form of vegetable life ( Psalms 92:12 ; So Psalms 7:7 , Psalms 7:8 , etc.); the "rush" is the simple "sedge" that grows, not only low on the ground, but in the "mire" ( Job 8:11 ). The same expression occurs again in Isaiah 19:15 . read more
Man in God's view. There are three classes among mankind in reference to whom we here learn the thought and feeling of God. We infer from what is stated in the text— I. HIS SPECIAL INTEREST IN THE YOUNG . Things had come to such a state, the natural order of things was so reversed, that "the Lord would have no joy in their young men" ( Isaiah 9:17 ). Hence we may fairly argue that the common and normal condition is that in which God has joy in the young. It is a... read more
Some suppose this verse to be a gloss, or marginal note, which has crept into the text; but it is too pointed and sarcastic for a mere gloss. There is no reason to doubt its being Isaiah's. Having spoken of "the tail," he takes the opportunity of lashing the false prophet, who claimed to be among the "honorable," but was really the lowest of the low, worse than his dupes, the true "tail" (comp. Isaiah 28:7 ; Isaiah 29:10 ; Isaiah 30:10 ). read more
The leaders of this people cause them to err (comp. Isaiah 3:12 ). Both the peoples were led into idolatry by their rulers, but Israel especially. Jeroboam, the first king, introduced the calf-worship, and his successors from first to last persisted in his sin. Ahab added the still grosset idolatry of Baal. Those who held high position under the kings were equally bad examples to the people (see above, Isaiah 1:2 :3). Are destroyed. First, morally corrupted and debased, then physically... read more
The sin of leading others astray. The point of the expression is, that the leaders of the nation are really misleaders . The persons referred to are described in Isaiah 9:15 as "the ancient and honorable, "and as "the prophet that teacheth lies, "evidently including those having influence by reason of their social status, and having influence by reason of their official positions. It is well for us to remember the responsibility of positions as well as of talents. Society is directly... read more
The Lord shall have no joy in their young men. "The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy" ( Psalms 147:11 ). He can have no joy or delight in evil-doers, or idolaters, or in those whose speech is profanity. Neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows . The widow and the orphan are objects of God's tenderest love and compassion ( Exodus 22:22 ; Deuteronomy 10:18 ; Deuteronomy 14:29 ; Isaiah 1:17 , etc.); but when the wickedness of... read more
Wickedness burneth as the fire ; i.e. the contagion of wickedness overspreads a whole nation in the same rapid way that fire spreads over a field of stubble or a forest. They shall mount up like the lifting up of smoke ; rather, they—i.e; the forest thickets—shall be whirled upward with the uplifting of smoke . The burning thickets shall mount up with the volumes of smoke into the air, and hang there as a murky but lurid pall. The flames of wickedness give no light to a land, but... read more
Sin suicidal. From this declaration of judgment against a guilty nation we may gather some principles which are applicable to men as well as nations elsewhere, and indeed everywhere. We learn— I. THAT SIN IS A WASTING POWER . "Wickedness burneth as a fire" ( Isaiah 9:18 ):, Where sin abounds there desolation abounds. The longer a man (or nation) has lived under its dominion the more has power withered and possession decreased, the more has heritage been wasted and lost. 1.... read more
Is the land darkened ; rather, burst up ( συγκέκαυται , LXX .). The root used occurs in Arabic in this sense. It is not used elsewhere in Scripture. The people shall be as the fuel of the fire . Though the general ravage, devastation, and desolation of the laud, with its buildings, its trees, and its other vegetable products, is included in the image of the fire devouring the thorny brakes and tangled thickets of a dense forest, yet the threat is intended still more against the... read more
Get a Bible verse delivered to your inbox every day!
Read on Mobile
The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 9:13
The people . The people of Israel, as distinct from the people of Judah. The particular judgment announced in Isaiah 9:11 , Isaiah 9:12 is clearly to fall on them. Neither do they seek the Lord of hosts . Israel had set itself to seek after Baal from the time of Ahab ( 1 Kings 16:31 ). The reform of Jehu ( 2 Kings 10:28 ) had gone but skin-deep. Baal was still "sought to," rather than Jehovah, when the final judgment came ( 2 Kings 17:16 ; Hosea 2:13 ). read more