Isaiah 9:4

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.

Isaiah 9:4 in Other Translations

KJV
4 For 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.
ESV
4 For 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.
NLT
4 For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders. You will break the oppressor’s rod, just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian.
MSG
4 The abuse of oppressors and cruelty of tyrants - all their whips and cudgels and curses - Is gone, done away with, a deliverance as surprising and sudden as Gideon's old victory over Midian.
CSB
4 For You have shattered their burdensome yoke and the rod on their shoulders, the staff of their oppressor, just as [You did] on the day of Midian.

Isaiah 9:4 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 9:4

For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden
Of Galilee, of the nation multiplied, of the spiritual inhabitants of it, whose joy was increased; and this is one reason of it, because they were delivered by the Lord from the burdensome yoke of the ceremonial law, which was broken off and abolished by Christ; and from the tyranny of Satan, the god of this world, out of whose hands they were ransomed and delivered; and from the dominion of sin, under the power of which they had been in bondage. And the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor;
different phrases, expressive of the same thing; the bondage and slavery of the law, sin, and Satan: as in the day of Midian;
when Gideon got an entire victory over the Midianites, with a few unarmed men, by the sound of trumpets, and breaking of pitchers, ( Judges 7:16-22 ) and may denote the easy manner in which Christ obtained a conquest over all his and our enemies; and the means by which it is made known unto us, and we are freed from bondage to spiritual enemies; namely, by the ministration of the Gospel, compared to the blowing of trumpets; and which is a treasure put into earthen vessels, frail and weak men.

Isaiah 9:4 In-Context

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.

Cross References 5

  • 1. S Judges 7:25
  • 2. S Job 34:24; Isaiah 37:36-38
  • 3. Isaiah 14:25; Isaiah 58:6,9; Jeremiah 2:20; Jeremiah 30:8; Ezekiel 30:18; Nahum 1:13; Matthew 11:30
  • 4. S Psalms 81:6; S Isaiah 10:27
  • 5. Isaiah 14:4; Isaiah 16:4; Isaiah 29:5,20; Isaiah 49:26; Isaiah 51:13; Isaiah 54:14; Isaiah 60:18
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