Isaiah · chapter 9 of 66
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Isaiah 9 announces that the people who walked in darkness, in Galilee of the nations, will see a great light, and that a child will be born to reign on David's throne with justice and endless peace. Matthew 4:12-16 quotes the opening verses and applies them to Jesus' ministry. From verse 8, the chapter describes the Lord's judgment on Israel's pride and wickedness.
After the darkness that ends chapter 8, Isaiah 9 opens with one of the brightest promises in the book. In the Hebrew text, verse 1 of English translations belongs to the end of chapter 8; this page follows the usual English numbering. The region of Galilee, struck by Assyria around 732 BC, receives hope, and then Isaiah returns to the warning of judgment on the northern kingdom.
The chapter begins with the certainty that there will be no more gloom for the land that was in distress. As the Lord formerly humbled the land of Zebulun and Naphtali, in the future he will make glorious Galilee of the nations, by the way of the sea. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light, and on those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness a light has shone.
The Lord multiplies the nation and increases its joy; they rejoice as with joy at the harvest and as men rejoice when dividing plunder. He has broken the yoke of their burden, the rod of their oppressor, as on the day of Midian. Every boot of the tramping warrior and every garment rolled in blood will be burned. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulder. His name will be Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on David's throne and over his kingdom, to establish it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
The second part changes tone. The Lord sent a word against Jacob, and Israel (Ephraim and Samaria) answers with pride, saying they will rebuild with hewn stones what was torn down. But the Lord will raise up their adversaries, the Syrians and the Philistines. Yet his anger has not turned away and his hand is still stretched out: the people do not turn to him who strikes them. He will cut off head and tail; the leaders mislead and those led are swallowed up; wickedness burns like a fire. Manasseh devours Ephraim and Ephraim Manasseh, and together they are against Judah.
References follow ESV book names and verse numbers. Read each verse in your Bible before the explanation.
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light, and on those who lived in a land of deep darkness a light has shone. Matthew 4:15-16 applies these words to Jesus as he begins his ministry in Galilee.
A child is born to us and a son is given to us, with names that describe an extraordinary king: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. Christians see in him the Messiah, Jesus.
His government will grow without end and his peace will have no limit on David's throne, established with justice and righteousness forever. The promise connects with God's covenant with David, and Luke 1:32-33 echoes it in the angel's announcement to Mary.
For all this, the Lord's anger has not turned away and his hand is still stretched out. The refrain repeats in the chapter and shows that judgment continues while the people do not turn to him.
6 questions with answers and references, ready for Sunday school, small group or a Bible quiz night.
Answer: Galilee of the nations, by the way of the sea, the land of Zebulun and Naphtali. — Isaiah 9:1
Answer: A great light. — Isaiah 9:2
Answer: He has broken them, as on the day of Midian. — Isaiah 9:4
Answer: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. — Isaiah 9:6
Answer: On the throne of David, from now on and forever. — Isaiah 9:7
Answer: Pride: they say they will rebuild with hewn stones and do not turn to the Lord. — Isaiah 9:9-10
Isaiah 9 encourages those living in dark times: God does not abandon his people, and the light arrives precisely where the darkness is thickest. In a small group, people can share how Jesus' presence has brought light into a hard situation, and pray for those still walking in darkness.
The second half of the chapter warns against the pride that refuses to learn from discipline. When things collapse, it is easier to say we will rebuild in our own strength than to turn to the Lord. The chapter invites us to choose repentance over hardness.
Isaiah 9 combines one of the most hopeful messianic promises with a hard warning against an unrepentant people. Chapter 10 turns to Assyria, the rod of the Lord's anger, whom God will also judge for its arrogance.
Matthew 4:12-16 tells that Jesus settled in Capernaum, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, and says this fulfilled what Isaiah said about the great light. The evangelist sees in Jesus' ministry in Galilee the arrival of that light.
The passage speaks of a king in David's line whose kingdom will have no end. Christian tradition identifies him with Jesus, the Messiah, and reads the titles Mighty God and Everlasting Father as expressing his deity and eternal care. In the original setting, some relate it to the Davidic dynasty in Hezekiah's time.
Isaiah moves from promise to a description of judgment on Israel, the northern kingdom. While the Messiah will bring light and peace, the present people reject the Lord's correction. The refrain that his anger has not turned away appears in verses 12, 17 and 21.