Isaiah 9:14
Isaiah 9:14 in Multiple Translations
So the LORD will cut off Israel’s head and tail, both palm branch and reed in a single day.
Therefore the LORD will cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush, in one day.
Therefore Jehovah will cut off from Israel head and tail, palm-branch and rush, in one day.
For this cause the Lord took away from Israel head and tail, high and low, in one day.
So in just a single day the Lord will chop off Israel's head and tail, palm branch and reed.
Therefore will the Lord cut off from Israel head and taile, branche and rush in one day.
And Jehovah cutteth off from Israel head and tail, Branch and reed — the same day,
Therefore the LORD will cut off from Israel head and tail, palm branch and reed, in one day.
Therefore the LORD will cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush, in one day.
And the Lord shall destroy out of Israel the head and the tail, him that bendeth down, and him that holdeth back, in one day.
Therefore, in one day Yahweh will get rid of those who are like Israel’s head and those who are like its tail; the ones who are like the top of the palm tree and the ones who are like the bottom.
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 9:14
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 9:14 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
זָקֵ֥ן
וּ/נְשׂוּא
פָנִ֖ים
ה֣וּא
הָ/רֹ֑אשׁ
וְ/נָבִ֥יא
מֽוֹרֶה
שֶּׁ֖קֶר
ה֥וּא
הַ/זָּנָֽב
זָקֵ֥ן
zâqên
H2205
old
Adj
וּ/נְשׂוּא
nâsâʼ
H5375
to lift
Conj | V-Qal-Inf-c
פָנִ֖ים
pânîym
H6440
face
N-cp
ה֣וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Pron
הָ/רֹ֑אשׁ
rôʼsh
H7218
head
Art | N-ms
וְ/נָבִ֥יא
nâbîyʼ
H5030
prophet
Conj | N-ms
מֽוֹרֶה
yârâh
H3384
to shoot
V-Hiphil
שֶּׁ֖קֶר
sheqer
H8267
deception
N-ms
ה֥וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Pron
הַ/זָּנָֽב
zânâb
H2180
tail
Art | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 9:14
זָקֵ֥ן
zâqên
H2205
"old"
Adj
This Hebrew word means old or elderly, as in the case of the elderly men who appeared to Abraham in Genesis 18:11. It can also refer to those in positions of authority, like the elders who helped Moses in Exodus 24:1. The term is used to describe respect and leadership.
Definition: : old 1) old 1a) old (of humans) 1b) elder (of those having authority) Also means: za.qen (זָקֵן ": elder" H2205)
Usage: Occurs in 171 OT verses. KJV: aged, ancient (man), elder(-est), old (man, men and...women), senator. See also: Genesis 18:11; 1 Samuel 28:14; Psalms 105:22.
וּ/נְשׂוּא
nâsâʼ
H5375
"to lift"
Conj | V-Qal-Inf-c
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to lift or raise something, and it's used in many ways, like lifting a burden or raising someone's status. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah, often talking about God lifting people up. It's about supporting or carrying something or someone.
Definition: : raise/take_up 1) to lift, bear up, carry, take 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lift, lift up 1a2) to bear, carry, support, sustain, endure 1a3) to take, take away, carry off, forgive 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be lifted up, be exalted 1b2) to lift oneself up, rise up 1b3) to be borne, be carried 1b4) to be taken away, be carried off, be swept away 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to lift up, exalt, support, aid, assist 1c2) to desire, long (fig.) 1c3) to carry, bear continuously 1c4) to take, take away 1d) (Hithpael) to lift oneself up, exalt oneself 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to cause one to bear (iniquity) 1e2) to cause to bring, have brought
Usage: Occurs in 609 OT verses. KJV: accept, advance, arise, (able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up), bring (forth), burn, carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease, exact, exalt (self), extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further, give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable ([phrase] man), lade, lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, [idiom] needs, obtain, pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare, stir up, [phrase] swear, take (away, up), [idiom] utterly, wear, yield. See also: Genesis 4:13; Numbers 4:2; 1 Samuel 14:3.
פָנִ֖ים
pânîym
H6440
"face"
N-cp
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.
ה֣וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
הָ/רֹ֑אשׁ
rôʼsh
H7218
"head"
Art | 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/נָבִ֥יא
nâbîyʼ
H5030
"prophet"
Conj | N-ms
A prophet is someone who speaks for God, like a spokesperson. This word is used in the Bible to describe true and false prophets, like those in 1 and 2 Kings.
Definition: 1) spokesman, speaker, prophet 1a) prophet 1b) false prophet 1c) heathen prophet Aramaic equivalent: ne.vi (נְבִיא "prophet" H5029)
Usage: Occurs in 288 OT verses. KJV: prophecy, that prophesy, prophet. See also: Genesis 20:7; 2 Kings 24:2; Psalms 51:2.
מֽוֹרֶה
yârâh
H3384
"to shoot"
V-Hiphil
To show or teach something, like pointing it out or shooting an arrow. It is used in Psalms and Proverbs to describe instructing or directing others.
Definition: 1) to shoot, pour 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to shoot arrows 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to shoot at 1b2) part. shooter, archer 1c) to throw water, rain
Usage: Occurs in 75 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase]) archer, cast, direct, inform, instruct, lay, shew, shoot, teach(-er,-ing), through. See also: Genesis 31:51; Job 8:10; Psalms 11:2.
שֶּׁ֖קֶר
sheqer
H8267
"deception"
N-ms
This word refers to deception or falsehood, often implying a sense of betrayal or disappointment. It's used in the Bible to describe lies, false testimony, or deceitful behavior, like in Psalm 116:11, where the psalmist says all men are liars.
Definition: 1) lie, deception, disappointment, falsehood 1a) deception (what deceives or disappoints or betrays one) 1b) deceit, fraud, wrong 1b1) fraudulently, wrongfully (as adverb) 1c) falsehood (injurious in testimony) 1c1) testify falsehood, false oath, swear falsely 1d) falsity (of false or self-deceived prophets) 1e) lie, falsehood (in general) 1e1) false tongue 1f) in vain
Usage: Occurs in 109 OT verses. KJV: without a cause, deceit(-ful), false(-hood, -ly), feignedly, liar, [phrase] lie, lying, vain (thing), wrongfully. See also: Exodus 5:9; Proverbs 25:18; Psalms 7:15.
ה֥וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
הַ/זָּנָֽב
zânâb
H2180
"tail"
Art | 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.
Study Notes — Isaiah 9:14
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 9:14 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 9:14
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 9:14
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 9:14
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 9:14
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 9:14
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 9:14
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 9:14
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 9:14
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 9:14
- Sermons on Isaiah 9:14
Context — Judgment against Israel’s Hypocrisy
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. 16For those who guide this people mislead them, and those they mislead are swallowed up.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 19:15 | There is nothing Egypt can do— head or tail, palm or reed. |
| 2 | Revelation 18:8 | Therefore her plagues will come in one day— death and grief and famine— and she will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.” |
| 3 | Hosea 1:6 | Gomer again conceived and gave birth to a daughter, and the LORD said to Hosea, “Name her Lo-ruhamah, for I will no longer have compassion on the house of Israel, that I should ever forgive them. |
| 4 | 2 Kings 17:6–20 | In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and carried away the Israelites to Assyria, where he settled them in Halah, in Gozan by the Habor River, and in the cities of the Medes. All this happened because the people of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. They had worshiped other gods and walked in the customs of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites, as well as in the practices introduced by the kings of Israel. The Israelites secretly did things against the LORD their God that were not right. From watchtower to fortified city, they built high places in all their cities. They set up for themselves sacred pillars and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree. They burned incense on all the high places like the nations that the LORD had driven out before them. They did wicked things, provoking the LORD to anger. They served idols, although the LORD had told them, “You shall not do this thing.” Yet through all His prophets and seers, the LORD warned Israel and Judah, saying, “Turn from your wicked ways and keep My commandments and statutes, according to the entire Law that I commanded your fathers and delivered to you through My servants the prophets.” But they would not listen, and they stiffened their necks like their fathers, who did not believe the LORD their God. They rejected His statutes and the covenant He had made with their fathers, as well as the decrees He had given them. They pursued worthless idols and themselves became worthless, going after the surrounding nations that the LORD had commanded them not to imitate. They abandoned all the commandments of the LORD their God and made for themselves two cast idols of calves and an Asherah pole. They bowed down to all the host of heaven and served Baal. They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire and practiced divination and soothsaying. They devoted themselves to doing evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger. So the LORD was very angry with Israel, and He removed them from His presence. Only the tribe of Judah remained, and even Judah did not keep the commandments of the LORD their God, but lived according to the customs Israel had introduced. So the LORD rejected all the descendants of Israel. He afflicted them and delivered them into the hands of plunderers, until He had banished them from His presence. |
| 5 | Amos 9:1–9 | I saw the Lord standing beside the altar, and He said: “Strike the tops of the pillars so that the thresholds shake. Topple them on the heads of all the people, and I will kill the rest with the sword. None of those who flee will get away; none of the fugitives will escape. Though they dig down to Sheol, from there My hand will take them; and though they climb up to heaven, from there I will pull them down. Though they hide themselves atop Carmel, there I will track them and seize them; and though they hide from Me at the bottom of the sea, there I will command the serpent to bite them. Though they are driven by their enemies into captivity, there I will command the sword to slay them. I will fix My eyes upon them for harm and not for good.” The Lord GOD of Hosts, He who touches the earth and it melts, and all its dwellers mourn— all the land rises like the Nile, then sinks like the river of Egypt— He builds His upper rooms in the heavens and founds His vault upon the earth. He summons the waters of the sea and pours them over the face of the earth. The LORD is His name. “Are you not like the Cushites to Me, O children of Israel?” declares the LORD. “Did I not bring Israel up from the land of Egypt, the Philistines from Caphtor, and the Arameans from Kir? Surely the eyes of the Lord GOD are on the sinful kingdom, and I will destroy it from the face of the earth. Yet I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob,” declares the LORD. “For surely I will give the command, and I will shake the house of Israel among all the nations as grain is sifted in a sieve; but not a pebble will reach the ground. |
| 6 | Hosea 1:9 | And the LORD said, “Name him Lo-ammi, for you are not My people, and I am not your God. |
| 7 | Hosea 1:4 | Then the LORD said to Hosea, “Name him Jezreel, for soon I will bring the bloodshed of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and I will put an end to the kingdom of Israel. |
| 8 | Revelation 18:10 | In fear of her torment, they will stand at a distance and cry out: “Woe, woe to the great city, the mighty city of Babylon! For in a single hour your judgment has come.” |
| 9 | Isaiah 3:2–3 | the mighty man and the warrior, the judge and the prophet, the soothsayer and the elder, the commander of fifty and the dignitary, the counselor, the cunning magician, and the clever enchanter. |
| 10 | Amos 5:2–3 | “Fallen is Virgin Israel, never to rise again. She lies abandoned on her land, with no one to raise her up.” This is what the Lord GOD says: “The city that marches out a thousand strong will only see a hundred return, and the one that marches out a hundred strong will have but ten left in the house of Israel.” |
Isaiah 9:14 Summary
In Isaiah 9:14, God is saying that He will judge Israel by removing their leaders and false prophets, because they have not listened to Him or turned back to Him. This is a serious warning to God's people to repent and follow Him, as seen in (Matthew 3:2) where John the Baptist calls people to repentance. Just like Israel, we can face God's discipline if we refuse to listen to Him and turn back to our sinful ways, but if we repent and turn to Him, He promises to forgive us and restore us, as seen in (1 John 1:9) where God promises to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for the Lord to cut off Israel's head and tail?
In Isaiah 9:14, the Lord is speaking of judgment against Israel's leaders and false prophets, as explained in Isaiah 9:15, where the head represents the elder and honorable man, and the tail represents the prophet who teaches lies, similar to what is seen in Ezekiel 13:2-3 where God condemns false prophets.
Why is the Lord bringing judgment against Israel?
The Lord is bringing judgment against Israel because they did not return to Him despite His discipline, as seen in Isaiah 9:12-13, and instead continued in their sinful ways, which is a pattern seen throughout the book of Judges where God's people repeatedly turn away from Him.
What is the significance of the palm branch and reed in this verse?
The palm branch and reed likely represent the entire spectrum of Israelite society, from the highest to the lowest, as palm branches were often used by the wealthy and reeds by the poor, indicating that God's judgment will be comprehensive, much like what is described in Isaiah 2:12 where the Lord will bring down all the proud.
How does this verse relate to the larger context of Isaiah 9?
Isaiah 9:14 is part of a larger section that describes God's judgment against Israel for their rebellion and idolatry, as seen in Isaiah 9:1-21, and serves as a warning to God's people to repent and turn back to Him, as urged in Deuteronomy 30:1-10 where God calls His people to return to Him with all their heart.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I may be like Israel, ignoring God's discipline and refusing to return to Him, and how can I repent and turn back to Him?
- How can I ensure that I am not following false prophets or teachers, but instead listening to the true voice of God as spoken through His Word, as commanded in Acts 17:11 where the Bereans are commended for testing everything against Scripture?
- What are some areas in my life where God may be calling me to repentance, and how can I respond in obedience to His call, as seen in Luke 13:1-5 where Jesus calls people to repentance?
- How can I trust in God's sovereignty and goodness, even in the midst of judgment and discipline, as described in Romans 8:28 where God works all things for the good of those who love Him?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 9:14
Therefore the Lord will cut off from Israel head and tail,.... The former of these is afterwards interpreted of "the ancient and honourable", men in high places, civil magistrates, judges, governors,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 9:14
Therefore the LORD will cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush, in one day. Head and tail - proverbial for the highest and lowest (Deuteronomy 28:13; Deuteronomy 28:44).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 9:14
Head and tail; high and low, honourable and contemptible, as the next verse explains it. Branch; the goodly branches of tall and strong trees, the mighty and noble. Rush; the bulrush, the weakest and meanest persons. In one day; all together, one as well as another, without any distinction.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 9:14
Isaiah 9:14 Therefore the LORD will cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush, in one day.Ver. 14. Head and tail,] i.e., High and low Here he compareth Israel, non sine morsu, to a beast with a long tail, for the perverseness of their practices. Or else to the serpent amphisbaena, which stingeth both with head and tail. Branch and rush.] Strong and feeble. A "branch," or bough, hath some tack in it; a "rush" is a spongy, unsubstantial substance. Mεγανκαιμικρον. - Sept. Parvi properemus et ampli.
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 9:14
(14) Head and tail, branch and rush . . .—The “branch” is strictly that of the palm-tree, which in its stately height answered to the nobles of the land, while the “rush,” the emblem of a real or affected lowliness (Isaiah 58:5) represented the “mean man” of Isaiah 2:9. The same proverbial formula meets us in Isaiah 19:15.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 9:14
Verse 14. In one day.] Thirteen MSS. of Kennicott and De Rossi read ביום beyom, in a day; and another has a rasure in the place of the letter ב beth.
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 9:14
14. Render: And (so) Jehovah cut off from Israel head and tail, palm-branch and rush, in one day. head and tail] i.e. leader and follower, a proverbial expression, like the next phrase. 15 is almost universally regarded as an erroneous explanation of Isa 9:14 and therefore a gloss; but this is not quite certain. False prophets were frequently guilty of following where they pretended to lead (1 Kings 22:6; Ezekiel 13:10) and might be very appropriately described as the “tail.” The verse may be objected to on account of its somewhat prosaic character, but the strophe is not complete without it. The ancient and honourable] see on Isaiah 3:2-3.
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 9:14
Will cut off head and tail - This is a proverbial expression, which is explained in the following verse; see also Deuteronomy 28:13-14. The head is often used to denote those in honor and authority.
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 9:14
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 9:14
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Sodom's Sister by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the speaker begins by expressing his initial desire to bring a cheerful and uplifting message, but instead finds himself drawn to the 16th chapter of Ezekiel. He em |
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(Revelation) the Doom of the Commercial Babylon by Willie Mullan | In this sermon, the speaker begins by praising the Lord and emphasizing His strength and power. The speaker then mentions singing a song of praise to Jesus and expresses gratitude |
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Epistle 55 by George Fox | George Fox delivers a powerful message urging believers to arm themselves for spiritual warfare, emphasizing the need to stand firm against deceit and to uphold the truth of God. H |
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Everybody's Sermon by C.H. Spurgeon | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that even those who are not able to spend much time in nature can still learn from God's creation. He gives examples such as a baker who see |
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1 Peter 2:10 by John Gill | John Gill expounds on 1 Peter 2:10, illustrating the transformation of those who were once not recognized as God's people into a chosen and beloved community through Christ. He emp |
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For This Cause by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the decline of morality in society, particularly in relation to sexual activity. They mention how a program for seventh graders had to be rede |
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Amos 9 by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on his 14-month journey through different nations, carrying only what he could on his back. He emphasizes the diversity of people he encountere |