One Unity Resource Bible Isaiah / Yesha'yahu 9

1 But there shall be no more gloom for her who was in anguish. * † In the former time, he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun [Living together] and the land of Naphtali [My wrestling]; but in the latter time he has made it glorious, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan [Descender], Galilee [District, Circuit] of the nations.

2 The people living in darkness have seen a great light.

Those who lived in the land of the shadow of death, on them the light has shined. ‡ §

3 *You have multiplied the nation.

You have increased their joy.

They rejoice before you according to the joy in harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the plunder. 4 For the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as in the day of Midian [Strife]. 5 For all the armor of the armed man in the noisy battle, and the garments rolled in blood, will be for burning, fuel for the fire. 6 For to us † ‡ a child is born. To us § a son is given; and * the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called † Peleh-Yo 'etz [Wonderful-Counselor], ‡ El Gibbor [Mighty God], § Avi-'Ad [Everlasting Father], * Sar-Shalom [Prince of Peace]. 7 †‡ The increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, on David [Beloved]’s throne, and on his kingdom, § to establish it, and to uphold it with mishpat ·justice· and with righteousness from that time on, even forever. * The zeal of Adonai Tzva'ot [Yahweh Commander of heaven’s armies] will perform this.

8 The Lord sent a word into Jacob [Supplanter],

and it falls on Israel [God prevails].

9 All the people will know,

including Ephraim [Fruit] and the inhabitants of Samaria, who say in pride and in arrogance of heart,

10 “The bricks have fallen,

but we will build with cut stone.

The sycamore fig trees have been cut down,

but we will put cedars in their place.”

11 Therefore Adonai will set up on high against him the adversaries of Rezin,

and will stir up his enemies,

12 The Syrians in front,

and the Philistines [To roll in dust (As an insult)] behind;

and they will devour Israel [God prevails] with open mouth.

For all this, his anger is not turned away,

but his hand is stretched out still.

13 Yet the people have not turned to him who struck them,

neither have they sought Adonai Tzva'ot [Yahweh Commander of heaven’s armies].

14 Therefore Adonai will cut off from Israel [God prevails] head and tail,

palm branch and reed, in one day.

15 The elder and the honorable man is the head,

and the prophet who teaches lies is the tail.

16 For those who lead this people lead them astray;

and those who are led by them are destroyed.

17 Therefore the Lord will not rejoice over their young men,

neither will he have racham ·compassionate merciful love· on their orphans and widows;

for everyone is profane and an evildoer,

and every mouth speaks folly.

For all this his anger is not turned away,

but his hand is stretched out still.

18 For wickedness burns like a fire.

It devours the briers and thorns;

yes, it kindles in the thickets of the forest,

and they roll upward in a column of smoke.

19 Through Adonai Tzva'ot [Yahweh Commander of heaven’s armies]’ wrath, the land is burned up;

and the people are the fuel for the fire.

No one spares his brother.

20 One will devour on the right hand, and be hungry;

and he will eat on the left hand, and they will not be satisfied.

Everyone will eat the flesh of his own arm:

21 Manasseh [Causing to forget], Ephraim [Fruit]; and Ephraim [Fruit], Manasseh [Causing to forget]; and they together shall be against Judah [Praised].

For all this his anger is not turned away,

but his hand is stretched out still.

*9:1 MP: Messiah comes from Galilee and shines upon the Galil-of-the-Goyim. Meaning his ministry begins in the Galilee and the region includes Gentiles living there. (Mark explains although Yeshua had traveled previously, He did not begin His ministry until entering Galilee, his hometown region.) (Matt 4:12-13; Mark 1:14)

†9:1 MP: Messiah is a light to the Gentiles and this causes Israel to increase and have joy as in harvest. Combined: Messiah bears spiritual light in the darkness of those born outside Torah covenant, counting them as increasing the nation of Israel. (See also Is 42:6, 49:6). (Luke 2:31-32; 1 Cor 9:19-21; Rom 3:1-2, 3:29-31; Eph 2:14-19)

‡9:2 Quoted in Matt 4:15-16

§9:2 Quoted in Luke 1:79

*9:3 MP: The light that comes to the Gentiles also enlarges Israel. (See also context of Is 9:1-2, and Is 42:6, 49:6). (John 10:16; Rom 11:25; Eph 2:14)

†9:6 MP: “a child is born,” Messiah is born as a human being, a man-child. (Luke 2:11-12)

‡9:6 MP: “a child is born,” Messiah has a human body of flesh and bone. (Luke 2:11; John 1:14)

§9:6 MP: Messiah is the Son of God, “a son is given”. Hence Messiah has divine origins. (Luke 1:32, 1:35; John 1:34; Col 2:9)

*9:6 MP: Messiah comes to bear the responsibility as the prophesied heir who establishes the everlasting kingdom as the heir to the throne of David. (Luke 1:32)

†9:6 Messiah is called Wonderful Counselor, by Christian interpretation this is one name. Judaism sees this as two names. “Wonderful” as in (Judges 13:18) by the Angel of Yahweh to Judge Manoah. Also “Counselor,” one who brings wisdom from God like Moses and Aaron did (Num 11:16-17). (Luke 4:22; John 7:46)

‡9:6 MP: Messiah is called “Mighty God,” for he is mighty and strong, able to save. Hebrew Gibbor means Mighty or Strong. (Matt 14:27; Acts 4:12)

§9:6 MP: Messiah is everlasting with the authority of his father (Yahweh and ancestor David). Now the Hebrew idiom “Eternal Father” in the context of a ruler on David’s throne (Is 9:7). Eternal father could mean “The ruler with authority to pass on or deny access to eternal life”. (John 5:19, 5:30, 12:49-50; Rev 1:18)

*9:6 MP: Messiah is the “Prince of Peace”. This role can be understood as “The chief leader of the people establishing a peaceful covenant relationship with God”. (John 12:49-50; Col 1:19-20)

†9:7 MP: Messiah son of David [Beloved] establishes a kingdom and rule that is over all and establishes righteousness and justice in accordance with Adonai, God of heaven’s Armies. (Also see Is 16:5; Dan 2:44). (Luke 1:32-33, 17:20-21; Eph 1:21) Note: In the Blessing of Aaron (Num 6:26), “God will give you peace,” this is called the peace of the Kingdom of David. (See also Is 16:5).

‡9:7 MPr: The promise of peace in the Aaronic Blessing (Num 6:26) is referred to as the peace of the Kingdom of David. Linked to (Is 9:7), “of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end.” (Is 9:7 in Siphré on Numbers Parasha 42: Num 30:1-32:42). (John 14:27; Rev 21:22-27, 22:1-5)

§9:7 Quoted in Luke 1:32-33

*9:7 Quoted in John 12:34