Isaiah 9:4

4 For ¹You shall break the yoke of their burden and the staff on their shoulders, The rod of their ²oppressor, as at the battle of ³Midian.

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 who walk in darkness Will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, The light will shine on them.

3 You shall multiply the nation, You shall increase their gladness; They will be glad in Your presence As with the gladness of harvest, As men rejoice when they divide the spoil.

4 For You shall break the yoke of their burden and the staff on their shoulders, The rod of their oppressor, as at the battle of Midian.

5 For every boot of the booted warrior in the battle tumult, And cloak rolled in blood, will be for burning, fuel for the fire.

6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

Cross References

• 1. Isaiah 10:27; Isaiah 14:25
• 2. Isaiah 14:4; Isaiah 49:26; Isaiah 51:13; Isaiah 54:14
• 3. Judges 7:25; Isaiah 10:26

Footnotes

• [a] Lit "in the day of Midian"