Isaiah 9

Isaiah 9:1

Neverthelesse] This Chapter hath dependance upon the Chapter aforegoing, and is a continuation of that discourse. Here the beginning imports some allay of the calamitous condition there mentioned.

He lightly afflicted] By Pul, rather then Tiglath-Pileser, 2 Kings XV. 19, 20.

more grievously] By Shalmaneser, 2 Kings XVII. 3, 6. Or, by Tiglath-Pileser rather, 2 Kings XV. 29.

by the way of the sea] Of Cinnereth, Josh. XIII. 27. called also the sea of Galilee, the sea of Tiberias, the lake of Genesareth.

beyond Jordan] Or beside Jordan, on the West-side of it. The word signifies either side.

in Galilee of the Gentiles] The upper Galilee, in the Tribe of Naphthali; much replenished with the Gentiles, being near the Confines of Tyre and Sidon, and having the Cities in it, made over by Solomon to Hiram, though he refused them. And our Saviour preached much in this Galilee also, Matth. IV. 2, 13, 18, 24. The Evangelist cites this text, Matth. IV. 15, 16. and picks out only so much, as did concerne his present purpose, and applies it thereunto.

The people] In those places, on which the darknesse of affliction had first seized in those times, There the spiritual light of joy and life, had, by our Saviours preaching, first sprung forth: He includes here the lower Galilee, in the tribe of Zebulun.

hath seene] He speaketh in prophetical maner, of things to come, as already effected.

Isaiah 9:3

Thou] Speaking to God.

hast multiplied] Wilt multiply. The Prophet runs all along here in a prophetical straine.

the Nation] The Jewish Nation; in the dayes of the Messias, by the confluence of the Gentiles, of all Nations.

and not increased the joy] Read this interrogatively: and so it makes a strong affirmative. Or thus, Thou hast increased the joy to him, or it; that is, to the Nation.

They joy before thee] And the greatnesse of their joy, is amplified by two similitudes.

Isaiah 9:4

For thou hast broken] One reason of their joy.

Midian] Chap. X. 26. Judges VII.

Isaiah 9:5

For every battel, &c.] Or, to be rendered thus; When the whole battel of those that were in battel, was with clashing of armes, and rayment rolled in gore blood; which by burning became food for the fire. Thus it was in the Midianites Camp.

Isaiah 9:6

a childe is borne] Who it is, and what maner of person, by whom all that hath beene said, shall be effected. Emmanuel, the Vigins Son.

Unto us] And for us.

Isaiah 9:8

The Lord sent a word] After these comfortable Promises interlaced, for the stay of the faithful, the Prophet here returnes again, torelate th calamities that should, for their excesse of sin, and obstinacie therein, befall the people of Israel, and the Syrian King their confederate.

hath lighted] Shall light.

Isaiah 9:11

Adversaries of Rezin] The Assyrians.

against him] Against Rezin.

his enemies] Israels enemies. Under the Assyrian afterwards. Or, rather, these enemies are the Assyrians and Philistines, ver. 12.

Isaiah 9:12

Thy Syrians] The Syrians, being now subdued by the Assyrian, shall now as his subjects, come under his conduct and command.

Isaiah 9:14

cut off] By Shalmanazer.

and rush] 2 Kings XVII. 6, 23, 24.

Isaiah 9:17

an hypocrite] Or rather prophane.

Isaiah 9:19

no man shall spare his brother] But plunder and spoile one another, Jer. XIX. 9.

his owne arme] Prey, and devour the substance of those that are nearest unto them.

Manasse Ephraim] The Israelites one against another.

and they together] Both of them against Judah.