Isaiah 9:1-7

The Darkness Turns to Light

1 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—

2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.

3 You 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.

4 For 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.

5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be 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. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 Of 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.

Isaiah 9:1-7 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 9

This chapter contains a prophecy, partly of comfort to the church and people of God, against the calamities predicted in the preceding chapter Isa 8:1-22; and partly of punishment, to be inflicted upon the ungodly Israelites by their enemies. The comfort promised arises from the appearance of Christ, the great light, in some certain places of the land mentioned, said before to be afflicted, Isa 9:1,2 which would occasion a joy among them; illustrated by some similes, by the joy in harvest, and at the dividing of spoils, Isa 9:3 the cause of which is a deliverance from a burdensome yoke of tyranny and bondage, wrought in like manner as that by Gideon formerly; different from all other salvations, which are usually obtained with noise and blood, Isa 9:4,5 the author of which is the Messiah; who is described by his birth as man, and by his divine sonship as God; or by his person, having two natures united in him; and by the government devolved on him; and by his several names, which express the greatness and glory of his person and office; and by the increase and administration of his government, Isa 9:6,7 then follows a denunciation of judgment on Israel, Isa 9:8 the instruments of which are pointed at, Isa 9:11,12, and the persons described that should suffer, high and low, rich and poor, young and old, Isa 9:14,15,17 the reasons of it, their making light of former corrections, Isa 9:9,10 their impenitence and hardness under chastenings, Isa 9:13 their going astray by means of their leaders; and their hypocrisy and wickedness, Isa 9:16-18 all which would occasion the wrath of God to burn against them, and consume them, Isa 9:18,19 yea, through hunger and want of provisions, should destroy one another, Isa 9:20,21.

Cross References

• 1. S Job 15:24
• 2. S 2 Kings 15:29
• 3. S Psalms 82:5; S Psalms 107:10,14; S Isaiah 8:20
• 4. S Psalms 36:9; Isaiah 42:6; Isaiah 49:6; Isaiah 60:19; Malachi 4:2; Ephesians 5:8
• 5. S Luke 1:79
• 6. Isaiah 58:8; Matthew 4:15-16*
• 7. S Job 12:23
• 8. S Psalms 4:7; S Isaiah 25:9
• 9. S Exodus 15:9; S Joshua 22:8; S Psalms 119:162
• 10. S Judges 7:25
• 11. S Job 34:24; Isaiah 37:36-38
• 12. Isaiah 14:25; Isaiah 58:6,9; Jeremiah 2:20; Jeremiah 30:8; Ezekiel 30:18; Nahum 1:13; Matthew 11:30
• 13. S Psalms 81:6; S Isaiah 10:27
• 14. Isaiah 14:4; Isaiah 16:4; Isaiah 29:5,20; Isaiah 49:26; Isaiah 51:13; Isaiah 54:14; Isaiah 60:18
• 15. S Isaiah 2:4
• 16. S Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 53:2; Luke 2:11
• 17. John 3:16
• 18. S Matthew 28:18
• 19. Isaiah 22:22
• 20. S Job 15:8; Isaiah 28:29
• 21. S Deuteronomy 7:21; Psalms 24:8; Isaiah 10:21; Isaiah 11:2; Isaiah 42:13
• 22. S Psalms 90:2
• 23. S Exodus 4:22; Isaiah 64:8; John 14:9-10
• 24. Isaiah 26:3,12; Isaiah 53:5; Isaiah 66:12; Jeremiah 33:6; Micah 5:5; S Luke 2:14
• 25. S Isaiah 2:4
• 26. S Psalms 85:8; Psalms 119:165; Isaiah 11:9; Isaiah 26:3,12; Isaiah 32:17; Isaiah 48:18
• 27. Daniel 2:44; Daniel 4:3; S Luke 1:33; John 12:34
• 28. Isaiah 1:26; Isaiah 32:1; Isaiah 60:17; 1 Corinthians 15:25
• 29. Isaiah 11:4; Isaiah 16:5; Isaiah 32:1,16; Isaiah 33:5; Isaiah 42:1; Jeremiah 23:5; Jeremiah 33:14
• 30. S Psalms 72:2
• 31. S 2 Samuel 7:13
• 32. 2 Kings 19:31; Isaiah 26:11; Isaiah 37:32; Isaiah 42:13; Isaiah 59:17; Isaiah 63:15