BibleTools.info

Bible Verse Explanations and Resources


Loading...

Isaiah 9:8

King James Version (KJV)
Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

Lord "Jehovah" - For אדני Adonai, thirty MSS. of Kennicott's, and many of De Rossi's, and three editions, read יהוה Yehovah .

Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

The Lord sent - Not Yahweh here, but “Adonai.” It is apparent that this verse is the commencement of a new prophecy, that is not connected with that which precedes it. The strain of the preceding prophecy had respect to Judah; this is confined solely to Israel, or Ephraim. Here the division of the chapter should have been made, and should not have been again interrupted until Isaiah 10:4, where the prophecy closes. The prophecy is divided into four parts, and each part is designed to threaten a distinct judgment on some particular, prominent vice.

I. “Crime” - their pride and ostentation, Isaiah 9:8-9. “Punishment” - the land would be invaded by the Syrians and the Philistines, Isaiah 9:11-12.

II. “Crime” - they had apostatized from God, and the leaders had caused them to err, Isaiah 9:13, Isaiah 9:16. “Punishment” - Yahweh would cut off the chief men of the nation, Isaiah 9:14-15, Isaiah 9:17.

III. “Crime” - prevalent wickedness in the nation, Isaiah 9:18. “Punishment” - the anger of Yahweh, consternation, anarchy, discord, and want, Isaiah 9:19-21.

IV. “Crime” - prevalent injustice; Isaiah 10:1-2. “Punishment” - foreign invasion, and captivity; Isaiah 10:3-4.

The poem is remarkably regular in its structure (Lowth), and happy in its illustrations. At what time it was composed is not certain, but it has strong internal evidence that it immediately followed the preceding respecting Judah.

A word - A message, or prediction; Note, Isaiah 2:1.

Into Jacob - Jacob was the ancestor of the nation. But the name came to be appropriated to the ten tribes, as constituting the majority of the people. It was at first used to denote all the Jews Numbers 23:7, Numbers 23:10, Numbers 23:23; Numbers 24:17, Numbers 24:19; Deuteronomy 32:9; 1 Chronicles 16:13; Psalm 14:7; Psalm 20:1; but it came, after the revolt of the ten tribes under Jeroboam, to be used often to denote them alone; Amos 6:8; Micah 1:5; Micah 3:1; Micah 5:8. The word or message which was sent, refers undoubtedly to that which immediately follows.

And it hath lighted upon - Hebrew ‹It fell.‘ This is but a varied expression for, he sent it to Israel.

Israel - The same as Jacob the ten tribes - the kingdom of Ephraim.

Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary
Those are ripening apace for ruin, whose hearts are unhumbled under humbling providences. For that which God designs, in smiting us, is, to turn us to himself; and if this point be not gained by lesser judgments, greater may be expected. The leaders of the people misled them. We have reason to be afraid of those that speak well of us, when we do ill. Wickedness was universal, all were infected with it. They shall be in trouble, and see no way out; and when men's ways displease the Lord, he makes even their friends to be at war with them. God would take away those they thought to have help from. Their rulers were the head. Their false prophets were the tail and the rush, the most despicable. In these civil contests, men preyed on near relations who were as their own flesh. The people turn not to Him who smites them, therefore he continues to smite: for when God judges, he will overcome; and the proudest, stoutest sinner shall either bend or break.