What does Isaiah chapter 9 mean? (2024)

English Standard Version

2The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. 3You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. 4For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. 5For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. 6For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. 8The Lord has sent a word against Jacob, and it will fall on Israel; 9and all the people will know, Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria, who say in pride and in arrogance of heart: 10“The bricks have fallen, but we will build with dressed stones; the sycamores have been cut down, but we will put cedars in their place.” 11But the LORD raises the adversaries of Rezin against him, and stirs up his enemies. 12The Syrians on the east and the Philistines on the west devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger has not turned away, and his hand is stretched out still. 13The people did not turn to him who struck them, nor inquire of the LORD of hosts. 14So the LORD cut off from Israel head and tail, palm branch and reed in one day— 15the elder and honored man is the head, and the prophet who teaches lies is the tail; 16for those who guide this people have been leading them astray, and those who are guided by them are swallowed up. 17Therefore the Lord does not rejoice over their young men, and has no compassion on their fatherless and widows; for everyone is godless and an evildoer, and every mouth speaks folly. For all this his anger has not turned away, and his hand is stretched out still. 18For wickedness burns like a fire; it consumes briers and thorns; it kindles the thickets of the forest, and they roll upward in a column of smoke. 19Through the wrath of the LORD of hosts the land is scorched, and the people are like fuel for the fire; no one spares another. 20They slice meat on the right, but are still hungry, and they devour on the left, but are not satisfied; each devours the flesh of his own arm, 21Manasseh devours Ephraim, and Ephraim devours Manasseh; together they are against Judah. For all this his anger has not turned away, and his hand is stretched out still.

New International Version

2The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. 3You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. 4For as in the day of Midian's defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. 5Every warrior's boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. 6For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. 8The Lord has sent a message against Jacob; it will fall on Israel. 9All the people will know it-- Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria-- who say with pride and arrogance of heart, 10The bricks have fallen down, but we will rebuild with dressed stone; the fig trees have been felled, but we will replace them with cedars.' 11But the LORD has strengthened Rezin's foes against them and has spurred their enemies on.

New American Standard Bible

2 The people who walk in darkness Will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, The light will shine on them. 3You will multiply the nation, You will increase their joy; They will rejoice in Your presence As with the joy of harvest, As people rejoice when they divide the spoils. 4For You will break the yoke of their burden and the staff on their shoulders, The rod of their oppressor, as at the battle of Midian. 5For every boot of the marching warrior in the roar of battle, And cloak rolled in blood, will be for burning, fuel for the fire. 6For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. 7There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of armies will accomplish this. 8The Lord sends a message against Jacob, And it falls on Israel. 9And all the people know it, That is, Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria, Asserting in pride and in arrogance of heart: 10'The bricks have fallen down, But we will rebuild with smooth stones; The sycamores have been cut down, But we will replace them with cedars.' 11Therefore the Lord raises superior adversaries against them from Rezin And provokes their enemies, 12The Arameans from the east and the Philistines from the west; And they devour Israel with gaping jaws. In spite of all this, His anger does not turn away, And His hand is still stretched out. 13Yet the people do not turn back to Him who struck them, Nor do they seek the Lord of armies. 14So the Lord cuts off head and tail from Israel, Both palm branch and bulrush in a single day. 15The head is the elder and esteemed man, And the prophet who teaches falsehood is the tail. 16For those who guide this people are leading them astray; And those who are guided by them are confused. 17Therefore the Lord does not rejoice over their young men, Nor does He have compassion on their orphans or their widows; For every one of them is godless and an evildoer, And every mouth is speaking foolishness. In spite of all this, His anger does not turn away, And His hand is still stretched out. 18For wickedness burns like a fire; It consumes briars and thorns; It also sets the thickets of the forest aflame And they roll upward in a column of smoke. 19By the wrath of the Lord of armies the land is burned, And the people are like fuel for the fire; No one spares his brother. 20 They devour what is on the right hand but are still hungry, And they eat what is on the left hand, but they are not satisfied; Each of them eats the flesh of his own arm. 21Manasseh devours Ephraim, and Ephraim Manasseh, And together they are against Judah. In spite of all this, His anger does not turn away And His hand is still stretched out.

Christian Standard Bible

2The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness. 3You have enlarged the nation and increased its joy. The people have rejoiced before you as they rejoice at harvest time and as they rejoice when dividing spoils. 4For you have shattered their oppressive yoke and the rod on their shoulders, the staff of their oppressor, just as you did on the day of Midian. 5For every trampling boot of battle and the bloodied garments of war will be burned as fuel for the fire. 6For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. 7The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the Lord of Armies will accomplish this. 8The Lord sent a message against Jacob; it came against Israel. 9All the people -- Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria--will know it. They will say with pride and arrogance, 10"The bricks have fallen, but we will rebuild with cut stones; the sycamores have been cut down, but we will replace them with cedars." 11The Lord has raised up Rezin's adversaries against him and stirred up his enemies.

17Therefore the Lord does not rejoice over Israel's young men and has no compassion on its fatherless and widows, for everyone is a godless evildoer, and every mouth speaks folly. In all this, his anger has not turned away, and his hand is still raised to strike. 18For wickedness burns like a fire that consumes thorns and briers and kindles the forest thickets so that they go up in a column of smoke. 19The land is scorched by the wrath of the Lord of Armies, and the people are like fuel for the fire. No one has compassion on his brother. 20They carve meat on the right, but they are still hungry; they have eaten on the left, but they are still not satisfied. Each one eats the flesh of his arm. 21Manasseh eats Ephraim, and Ephraim, Manasseh; together, both are against Judah. In all this, his anger has not turned away, and his hand is still raised to strike.

New Living Translation

King James Version

1Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. 2The 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. 3Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. 4For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian. 5For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire. 6For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

8The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel. 9And all the people shall know, even Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria, that say in the pride and stoutness of heart, 10The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycomores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars. 11Therefore the LORD shall set up the adversaries of Rezin against him, and join his enemies together; 12The Syrians before, and the Philistines behind; and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. 13For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the LORD of hosts. 14Therefore the LORD will cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush, in one day. 15The ancient and honourable, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail. 16For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed. 17Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one is an hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. 18For wickedness burneth as the fire: it shall devour the briers and thorns, and shall kindle in the thickets of the forest, and they shall mount up like the lifting up of smoke. 19Through the wrath of the LORD of hosts is the land darkened, and the people shall be as the fuel of the fire: no man shall spare his brother. 20And he shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand, and they shall not be satisfied: they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm: 21Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh: and they together shall be against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

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THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica®.

The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, Copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® Copyright© 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New American Standard Bible Copyright© 1960 - 2020 by The Lockman Foundation.

Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright© 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by Permission.

This chapter begins with a verse some commentators see as the logical conclusion to the previous chapter, Isaiah 8. There Isaiah had described the constant, symbolic "night" experienced because Israel rejected the word of the Lord (Isaiah 8:20–22). They lived in self-inflicted frustration and darkness. They suffered under the judgment of the Lord.

Now Isaiah again pauses to show that Israel's story will not end with God's coming judgment. Eventually, the darkness will lift. The anguish of God's people will disappear when the Lord keeps His promises and returns Israel to glory. That glory will begin in the regions of northern Israel. This is where God's contempt struck the people and the land through the Assyrian invasion and occupation (Isaiah 9:1).

In the form of a poem written in the past tense, the prophet describes what that glorious future will be like. Those walking in darkness have seen "a great light". The Lord has increased the population. He has restored the harvest and the spoils of battle. All oppressors have been defeated, and all the garments of war have been burned as fuel. They are no longer needed. War is dead. Peace is permanent (Isaiah 9:2–5).

How does this happen? A child has been born, given by God. He will be the king of Israel. But He is shown to be so much more than a mere great leader. He is given the titles of Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. As Isaiah's book continues to unfold, it will become clear this is the promised Messiah: He who will one day rule over the entire earth from His throne in Israel (Isaiah 9:6).

This king is not mortal, because His government and the peace it brings will never end. He will occupy David's throne with righteousness and justice forever. Believers understand clearly this is Jesus of Nazareth, the king of Israel and savior of the world (Isaiah 9:7).

Isaiah returns to his message of judgment, showing the sharp contrast with his present and Israel's grand future. He describes the word the Lord has sent against the northern ten tribes known in this time as Israel. They will soon know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the Lord is God. And that they are guilty of failing to follow Him (Isaiah 9:8).

For now, the people of Israel are so proud and arrogant that they are even unafraid of the coming attacks of the Assyrians. They boast that they will rebuild all that is torn down to be bigger and better and more luxurious. Instead, the Lord will send the enemies of the Syrians to "devour Israel" (Isaiah 9:9–12).

Even then, the people will not turn to God for help and salvation. In response, the Lord will wipe out all of Israel's leaders in a day. The least to the greatest, from the elders to the false prophets who advise them, none will escape. They have led the people astray, and God will bring His judgement. God will not have compassion on any of the people, however. The corruption reaches to every level of society, from the fatherless to the young men. All are guilty of sin and foolish talk (Isaiah 9:13–17.

Isaiah concludes the chapter by picturing unchecked human wickedness as a fire that consumes everything in its path. The land is scorched by sin's effects, as well as by God's wrath. Wickedness causes people to devour each other. They even devour themselves in a futile attempt to satisfy sin's endless appetite. Brothers and tribes destroy each other and the Lord's judgment will come on Israel (Isaiah 9:18–21).

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THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica®.

The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, Copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® Copyright© 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New American Standard Bible Copyright© 1960 - 2020 by The Lockman Foundation.

Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright© 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by Permission.

What does Isaiah chapter 9 mean? (2024)

FAQs

What is Isaiah chapter 9 all about? ›

The chapter begins by describing a land of darkness being blessed by a light appearing. Isaiah is looking to the future when Christ would begin his ministry in Galilee. He appears to sinful men. Jesus is the light of the world but men love the darkness, so they put the author of life to death.

What does the mighty God mean in Isaiah 9? ›

“Mighty” is a translation of the Hebrew word “gibbor,” which is defined as “strength, power, hero, warrior.” Isaiah 9:6 tells us that Jesus is El Gibbor, the God of Strength, the God of Power, God our Hero, and God our Warrior.

What does a child is born a son is given mean? ›

From the Hebrew, we could render this phrase as “for unto us a son is given.” Though in the passive, the actor behind the given is God the Father offering His only begotten son to us. Indeed, the word “begotten” means “fully given” or “fully handed over” or “fully delivered.” God held nothing back.

What does the Prince of Peace mean in Isaiah 9? ›

Jesus is called the Prince of Peace because He is our peace offering. He chose to go to the cross and offer Himself as a sacrifice on the cross for our sins so that we could have peace with God. He mended our broken relationship with God and surpassed any good work we could ever do, including giving a peace offering.

What is Isaiah telling us? ›

Isaiah is one of the most well-known prophets in the Bible for his prediction of the coming of the Messiah, who would redeem His people from their sins. A book of stark contrasts, Isaiah juxtaposes terrifying warnings of judgement and destruction with uplifting promises of hope and prosperity.

Who was king in Isaiah 9? ›

Jehovah is crowned and enthroned upon the throne of David and rules with great glory and justice for eternity. The throne of David is identi ed here because “the events of David's life constituted a remarkable type of the Messiah. . . .

What does the first born son mean in the Bible? ›

First-born referred not to birth order but to rank. The first-born possessed the inheritance and leadership. Therefore, the phrase expresses Christ's sovereignty over creation. After resurrecting Jesus from the dead, God gave Him authority over the Earth.

What does the first child is a son mean? ›

used to refer to the first child of a set of parents: In the Hebrew Bible, the firstborn son is the one who inherits his father's position as head of the family. Olaf is my firstborn. Synonym. eldest.

What does God given child mean? ›

God created the family, and children are a gift from Him. In fact, the Bible says that offspring are a reward from Him! Because of this, God cares about how children are raised and nurtured. Children are a gift from God. People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them.

Is Isaiah 9 about Jesus? ›

In Christian interpretation, based partly on the proximity of a quote of Isaiah 9:2 found in Matthew 4, the name is taken as referring to Jesus and Messianic prophecy.

Is Melchizedek Jesus? ›

Tremper Longman III notes that a popular understanding of the relationship between Melchizedek and Jesus is that Melchizedek is an Old Testament Christophany – in other words, that Melchizedek is Jesus, or at the very least, is a close resemblance of Jesus.

When was Isaiah 9 written? ›

The centerpiece of all the Christmas prophecies, Isaiah 9:6, was written nearly six hundred years before Jesus' birth.

Who does Isaiah 9 refer to? ›

In Christian interpretation, based partly on the proximity of a quote of Isaiah 9:2 found in Matthew 4, the name is taken as referring to Jesus and Messianic prophecy.

What is the meaning of Isaiah Chapter 9 verse 10? ›

The nation will be free, prosperous, and at permanent peace. This will happen because God will send a child who will become a king on David's throne. More than a man, this king will be called Mighty God and Prince of Peace and will rule forever.

What is the forbidden chapter in Isaiah? ›

Isaiah 53, a forbidden chapter? It is true that Isaiah 53 is not on the list of prophets' readings (haftaras) in synagogues today. But many prophetic texts are not on this list. The haftaras are chosen for their content that fits the Torah readings.

What message did Isaiah bring? ›

God is both the judge and the savior. This means that God has a plan to make all things right in the end, and that a necessary part of that process is declaring what is not yet right. This is the message of Isaiah the prophet.

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