Isaiah 9:1-10:2

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 9:1-7

The first words of this chapter plainly refer to the close of the foregoing chapter, where every thing looked black and melancholy: Behold, trouble, and darkness, and dimness?very bad, yet not so bad but that to the upright there shall arise light in the darkness (Ps. 112:4) and at evening time it shall be light, Zech. 14:7. Nevertheless it shall not be such dimness (either not such for kind or not such for degree) as sometimes there has been. Note, In the worst of times God's people have a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 9:1

Nevertheless, the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation ,.... The words may be rendered, "for there shall be no weariness to him that straitens" or "afflicts" them F6 כי לא מועף לאשר מוצק לה "quia non defatigatio ei angustanti eos." Quidam in Gataker; so Jarchi. ; so Jarchi, who interprets it of the king of Assyria; but it is better to understand it of Titus Vespasian, who would not be weary of, but indefatigable in carrying on the siege of Jerusalem, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 9:1

Dimness "Accumulated darkness" - Either מנדחה menuddechah , fem. to agree with אפלה aphelah ; or המנדח אפל aphel hammenuddach , alluding perhaps to the palpable Egyptian darkness, Exodus 10:21 . The land of Zebulun - Zebulun, Naphtali, Manasseh, that is, the country of Galilee all round the sea of Gennesareth, were the parts that principally suffered in the first Assyrian invasion under Tiglath-pileser; see 2 Kings 15:29 ; 1 Chronicles 5:26 . And they were the first... 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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 9:1

Nevertheless - Notwithstanding what is said in the previous chapter of the calamities that are coming upon Israel. Hengstenberg renders this whole verse: ‘For darkness shall not be upon the land upon which there is distress; as the former time has dishonored the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali; so shall the time come to honor it, the region on the border of the sea, by the side of the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles.’The dimness - The Hebrew word hero denotes obscurity, or darkness;... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 9:1

Isaiah 9:1. Nevertheless, &c. In the Hebrew, this verse is joined to the preceding chapter, as it is also in Bishop Lowth’s translation; and if it be considered as connected therewith, and the connecting particle, כי , be translated for, (which is its usual meaning,) instead of nevertheless, the words may be understood to express an aggravation of the darkness, or misery, threatened in the two former verses, as the punishment of those who should reject the Messiah: thus, For the... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Isaiah 9:1-7

Messiah, Prince of Peace (9:1-7)The southern kingdom under Ahaz was about to enter a time of increasing distress and darkness (see 8:21-22). The northern kingdom was about to be attacked by Assyria, and the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali in the far north Galilean region were about to be taken into captivity (2 Kings 15:29). Yet out of this darkness and from this conquered northern area will come the great deliverer, the Messiah, to lead his people to victory and to introduce an era of light,... read more

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