Isaiah 9:13
Isaiah 9:13 in Multiple Translations
But the people did not return to Him who struck them; they did not seek the LORD of Hosts.
¶ For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the LORD of hosts.
Yet the people have not turned unto him that smote them, neither have they sought Jehovah of hosts.
But the heart of the people was not turned to him who sent punishment on them, and they made no prayer to the Lord of armies.
But the people didn't return to the one who punished them; they didn't come to worship the Lord Almighty.
For the people turneth not vnto him that smiteth them, neither doe they seeke the Lord of hostes.
And the people hath not turned back unto Him who is smiting it, And Jehovah of Hosts they have not sought.
Yet the people have not turned to him who struck them, neither have they sought the LORD of Armies.
For the people turn not to him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the LORD of hosts.
And the people are not returned to him who hath struck them, and have not sought after the Lord of hosts.
But even though Yahweh punished his people like that, they still did not return to him and worship him. They still did not request the Commander of the armies of angels to assist them.
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 9:13
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Isaiah 9:13 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יַּכְרֵ֨ת
יְהוָ֜ה
מִ/יִּשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
רֹ֧אשׁ
וְ/זָנָ֛ב
כִּפָּ֥ה
וְ/אַגְמ֖וֹן
י֥וֹם
אֶחָֽד
וַ/יַּכְרֵ֨ת
kârath
H3772
to cut
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
יְהוָ֜ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
מִ/יִּשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
Israel
Prep | N-proper
רֹ֧אשׁ
rôʼsh
H7218
head
N-ms
וְ/זָנָ֛ב
zânâb
H2180
tail
Conj | N-ms
כִּפָּ֥ה
kippâh
H3712
branch
N-fs
וְ/אַגְמ֖וֹן
ʼagmôwn
H100
bulrush
Conj | N-ms
י֥וֹם
yôwm
H3117
day
N-ms
אֶחָֽד
ʼechâd
H259
one
Adj
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 9:13
וַ/יַּכְרֵ֨ת
kârath
H3772
"to cut"
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to cut or destroy something, but it also has a special meaning related to making a covenant or agreement. In Genesis 15:18, God makes a covenant with Abram, symbolized by cutting animals in half, showing the seriousness of the promise. This word is used to describe important agreements and alliances.
Definition: : cut/fell 1) to cut, cut off, cut down, cut off a body part, cut out, eliminate, kill, cut a covenant 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to cut off 1a1a) to cut off a body part, behead 1a2) to cut down 1a3) to hew 1a4) to cut or make a covenant 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be cut off 1b2) to be cut down 1b3) to be chewed 1b4) to be cut off, fail 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be cut off 1c2) to be cut down 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cut off 1d2) to cut off, destroy 1d3) to cut down, destroy 1d4) to take away 1d5) to permit to perish 1e) (Hophal) cut off
Usage: Occurs in 280 OT verses. KJV: be chewed, be con-(feder-) ate, covenant, cut (down, off), destroy, fail, feller, be freed, hew (down), make a league (covenant), [idiom] lose, perish, [idiom] utterly, [idiom] want. See also: Genesis 9:11; 1 Samuel 24:6; Psalms 12:4.
יְהוָ֜ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
מִ/יִּשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
"Israel"
Prep | N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
רֹ֧אשׁ
rôʼsh
H7218
"head"
N-ms
This Hebrew word means chief or prince, and is used to describe leaders in the Bible, such as in the book of 1 Samuel. It signifies a position of authority and importance.
Definition: : head 1) head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning 1a) head (of man, animals) 1b) top, tip (of mountain) 1c) height (of stars) 1d) chief, head (of man, city, nation, place, family, priest) 1e) head, front, beginning 1f) chief, choicest, best 1g) head, division, company, band 1h) sum
Usage: Occurs in 547 OT verses. KJV: band, beginning, captain, chapiter, chief(-est place, man, things), company, end, [idiom] every (man), excellent, first, forefront, (be-)head, height, (on) high(-est part, (priest)), [idiom] lead, [idiom] poor, principal, ruler, sum, top. See also: Genesis 2:10; Numbers 17:18; 2 Samuel 4:7.
וְ/זָנָ֛ב
zânâb
H2180
"tail"
Conj | N-ms
This word refers to the tail of an animal, and can also mean the end or stump of something. It is used literally and figuratively in the Bible.
Definition: tail, end, stump
Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: tail. See also: Exodus 4:4; Job 40:17; Isaiah 7:4.
כִּפָּ֥ה
kippâh
H3712
"branch"
N-fs
A branch refers to a part of a tree, like a palm branch used in John 12:13 to welcome Jesus. It can also mean a leaf or frond, often translated as branch.
Definition: branch, leaf, frond, palm frond, palm branch
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: branch. See also: Job 15:32; Isaiah 9:13; Isaiah 19:15.
וְ/אַגְמ֖וֹן
ʼagmôwn
H100
"bulrush"
Conj | N-ms
The Hebrew word for bulrush, a type of plant that grows in water, is used in Exodus 2:3 to describe the papyrus basket where Moses was placed as a baby. It can also refer to a rope made from these plants. In the Bible, bulrushes symbolize humble or lowly things.
Definition: 1) rush, bulrush 1a) used as cord or line (of twisted rushes or spun of rush fibre) 1b) of the lowly, insignificant (metaph) 2) sad, drooping 1a) of line of bulrushes 1b) bowing of the head (fig.) 1c) of the lowly (metaph)
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: bulrush, caldron, hook, rush. See also: Job 40:26; Isaiah 9:13; Isaiah 19:15.
י֥וֹם
yôwm
H3117
"day"
N-ms
The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow
Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.
אֶחָֽד
ʼechâd
H259
"one"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means one or united, and is used to describe something that is single or unique. It is often translated as one, first, or alone. For example, in Genesis 1:5, God calls the light day and the darkness night, and separates them into one thing from another.
Definition: 1) one (number) 1a) one (number) 1b) each, every 1c) a certain 1d) an (indefinite article) 1e) only, once, once for all 1f) one...another, the one...the other, one after another, one by one 1g) first 1h) eleven (in combination), eleventh (ordinal)
Usage: Occurs in 739 OT verses. KJV: a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together, See also: Genesis 1:5; Exodus 36:26; Numbers 7:70.
Study Notes — Isaiah 9:13
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 9:13 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 9:13
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 9:13
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 9:13
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 9:13
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 9:13
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 9:13
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 9:13
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 9:13
- Sermons on Isaiah 9:13
Context — Judgment against Israel’s Hypocrisy
11The LORD has raised up the foes of Rezin against him and joined his enemies together.
12Aram from the east and Philistia from the west have devoured Israel with open mouths. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised.
13But the people did not return to Him who struck them; they did not seek the LORD of Hosts.
14So the LORD will cut off Israel’s head and tail, both palm branch and reed in a single day. 15The head is the elder and honorable man, and the tail is the prophet who teaches lies.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hosea 7:10 | Israel’s arrogance testifies against them, yet they do not return to the LORD their God; despite all this, they do not seek Him. |
| 2 | Isaiah 31:1 | Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in their abundance of chariots and in their multitude of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel; they do not seek the LORD. |
| 3 | Jeremiah 5:3 | O LORD, do not Your eyes look for truth? You struck them, but they felt no pain. You finished them off, but they refused to accept discipline. They have made their faces harder than stone and refused to repent. |
| 4 | Isaiah 1:5 | Why do you want more beatings? Why do you keep rebelling? Your head has a massive wound, and your whole heart is afflicted. |
| 5 | Isaiah 57:17 | I was enraged by his sinful greed, so I struck him and hid My face in anger; yet he kept turning back to the desires of his heart. |
| 6 | Ezekiel 24:13 | Because of the indecency of your uncleanness I tried to cleanse you, but you would not be purified from your filthiness. You will not be pure again until My wrath against you has subsided. |
| 7 | Jeremiah 50:4–5 | “In those days and at that time, declares the LORD, the children of Israel and the children of Judah will come together, weeping as they come, and will seek the LORD their God. They will ask the way to Zion and turn their faces toward it. They will come and join themselves to the LORD in an everlasting covenant that will never be forgotten. |
| 8 | Jeremiah 31:18–20 | I have surely heard Ephraim’s moaning: ‘You disciplined me severely, like an untrained calf. Restore me, that I may return, for You are the LORD my God. After I returned, I repented; and after I was instructed, I struck my thigh in grief. I was ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth.’ Is not Ephraim a precious son to Me, a delightful child? Though I often speak against him, I still remember him. Therefore My heart yearns for him; I have great compassion for him,” declares the LORD. |
| 9 | Hosea 5:15 | Then I will return to My place until they admit their guilt and seek My face; in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.” |
| 10 | Job 36:13 | The godless in heart harbor resentment; even when He binds them, they do not cry for help. |
Isaiah 9:13 Summary
[Isaiah 9:13 tells us that even when God disciplines or judges His people, they often refuse to turn back to Him. This is a call to repentance, and God's mercy is available to those who return to Him, as seen in Isaiah 55:7. The people in this verse did not seek the LORD of Hosts, who is the all-powerful God of heaven and earth, and this neglect led to further judgment. We can learn from this verse by acknowledging God's authority and sovereignty in our lives, and seeking His mercy and forgiveness when we stray from Him, as encouraged in Hosea 14:1-2.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'return to Him who struck them' in Isaiah 9:13?
This phrase refers to repenting and turning back to God after He has disciplined or judged His people, as seen in Deuteronomy 30:1-3 and mentioned in the context of Isaiah 9:13, where God's judgment is a call to return to Him.
Why did the people not seek the LORD of Hosts in Isaiah 9:13?
The people did not seek the LORD of Hosts because they were stubborn and rebellious, refusing to acknowledge God's sovereignty and authority, as also seen in Isaiah 1:2-3 where the people are called to recognize their sins and return to God.
What is the significance of 'the LORD of Hosts' in Isaiah 9:13?
The title 'LORD of Hosts' emphasizes God's power and authority over all creation, including the armies of heaven and the nations of the earth, as seen in Isaiah 6:3 and Jeremiah 10:16, highlighting the people's neglect of the one true God.
How does Isaiah 9:13 relate to the concept of God's judgment and mercy?
Isaiah 9:13 shows that God's judgment is often a call to repentance, and His mercy is available to those who return to Him, as seen in Isaiah 55:7 and Hosea 14:1-2, where God's people are encouraged to seek His mercy and forgiveness.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I have refused to return to God after experiencing His discipline or correction in my life?
- How can I seek the LORD of Hosts in my daily life, and what does this mean for my relationship with Him?
- In what ways have I neglected or ignored God's authority and sovereignty, and how can I repent of this?
- What are some areas in my life where I need to acknowledge God's power and mercy, and how can I apply this to my circumstances?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 9:13
For the people turneth not to him that smiteth them,.... Who was the Lord of hosts, as it is explained in the next clause; it was he that had smote the people with the rod of correction and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 9:13
For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the LORD of hosts. For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the Lord of hosts - the design of God's chastisements.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 9:13
Turneth not from their wicked courses unto God by true repentance. Neither do they seek the Lord of hosts; they do not study and endeavour to procure his favour by sincere and fervent supplication, and by removing the causes of his just displeasure.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 9:13
Isaiah 9:13 For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the LORD of hosts.Ver. 13. For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them.] This were the only way to escape God, viz., to run in to him. There is no standing before a lion, no bearing up sail in a storm, no stouting it out with God Almighty.
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 9:13
(13) For the people turneth not . . .—What follows was the word that was meant for all Israel. They had not “turned” to the Lord, there were no proofs of that conversion which true prophets and preachers have at all times sought after.
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 9:13
13–17. Second strophe. It describes a “day” of terror (which may be either a battle or a revolution) in which the leaders of the people suddenly perished. What incident is referred to cannot be determined; royal assassinations were frequent after the death of Jeroboam II. (see 2 Kings 15:10; 2 Kings 15:14; 2 Kings 15:25), and these would naturally be accompanied by such a massacre of the King’s supporters as is here spoken of (cf. ch. Isaiah 3:1-4). See also the graphic, though obscure, description of a conspiracy in Hosea 7:3-7.
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 9:13
For the people ... - This is a reason why his anger would not cease, and it is, at the same time, the suggestion of a new crime for which the divine judgment would rest upon them. It commences the second part of the oracle.
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 9:13
13-15. For the people turneth not — One trial passes without result, except continued hardening; and now a new crime is suggested: the people know the object of the judgment, and they still repent not.
Sermons on Isaiah 9:13
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Word in a Recession by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of placing our confidence solely in God, rather than in worldly possessions or external factors. He warns against being foole |
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Voices From Hell Speaking to America - Part 3 by Alan Cairns | This sermon delves into the prophetic lamentation of the impending destruction of Pharaoh, his armies, and the great Egyptian nation, challenging the false hope placed in Egypt's m |
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(The Word for Today) Isaiah 31:1 - Part 1 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith discusses the situation in which the people of Jerusalem find themselves. The Assyrian army, known for their cruelty, is conquering cities and mo |
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Trusting God in Stead of Man by Erlo Stegen | In this sermon, the preacher begins by praying for the words spoken to be transformed from water into wine, symbolizing a powerful and impactful message. The preacher then discusse |
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Look to God and Not to Egypt by Erlo Stegen | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the importance of trusting in God rather than relying on worldly wealth and success. He shares a story about a visit from an older person who |
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The Spirit of Egypt - Part 1 by Joshua Daniel | This sermon reflects on a time of imminent danger during the Japanese invasion of Madras, where the speaker's father used the opportunity to preach the gospel. It emphasizes seekin |
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Gone Down Into Egypt by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer explores Abram's journey into Egypt during a famine in Canaan, emphasizing the challenges faced by those who separate themselves for God's purpose. He highlights the imp |