Isaiah 9

A Prophecy of the calling of the people unto Christ, vers.1. and of their great joy for the redemption by Christ, 2. Whose birth, person, office, and everlasting Kingdom the Prophet describeth, 5. After that returneth to threatening against Ephraim, 7. For the pride, 9. And obstinacy of the people of Israel, 12. And their wickedness, 17.

1. The people [To wit, the people of God, both in Juda, and in Israel] that walked in darkness, [To wit, in ignorance, or, in great misery] shall see a great light: [To wit, the preaching of the Gospel, Matth.4.13,16. At the time of Christs coming in the flesh, as may be gathered from vers.5.] they that dwell in the Land of the shadow of death, [That is, in the Land where it is terrible dark; that is, in exceeding great misery. See Job 3.on vers.5.] upon them shall a light shine. [That is, joy and gladness for the saving knowledge of God, taking its rise or original from the preaching of the Gospel. See Matth.4.15. See also Psal.36.on vers.10.]

2. Thou hast multiplied this people, [This is spoken to God, concerning the people of the Jews, or Israelites] (but) thou hast not made the joy great: [Oth. And thou hast made their joy great; or, hast thou not made their joy great? According to the first translation this is the sense and meaning, the Israelites indeed did often rejoice by reason of the excellent mercies and deliverances, which they had received at thy hand, O Lord; but all that is but a small thing, in comparison of the exceeding great both temporal and spiritual mercies, which they yet expect and look for at thy hand, O Lord God. According to the other rendering, this is the sense and meaning, Lord, thou hast increased the joy of the people, or made the peoples Joy great, (speaking of the state and condition of the Church of the New Testament) forasmuch as they (consisting of Israelites and heathen) shall praise thee with one accord for the great mercies afforded unto them in Christ] (yet) they shall rejoice [To wit, when they shall praise thee for thy grace and mercies: namely, when they shall hear Christ preach, and shall see his miracles] before thy face, [This seemeth to signify the spiritual Joy of the heart, which is onely open in the sight of God. Or, before thy face; that is, bowing down before thee when they come to give thee thanks] as men rejoice in harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.

3. For the yoke of their burden, and the stick of their shoulders, and the staff of him that drave them, [Or, of him that drave therewith] hast thou broken, as in the day of the Medianites. [That is, the yoke wherewith they were burdened or oppressed, the stick or staff wherewith they were beaten on the shoulders. But all this is to be meant of the spiritual yoke of the Devil, and of sin, from which Christ delivereth his people. And this spiritual deliverance, which happened in the time of Midian, Judg.7.22. Isai.10.26. For as Gideon scattered and destroyed the Midianites by the sound of trumpets, so should Christ by the trumpet of the Gospel destroy the Kingdom of the Devil.]

4. When all the battle of those that fought, was performed with noise, and the garments [Oth. The mantles; to wit, of the Midianites] were rolled in blood, [Oth. In the blood that was shed: to wit, of the Midianites. (when all the battle, &c. Was performed with noise) To wit, when that terror came upon them, and they slew and destroyed one another, JUdg.7.22. Oth. With confused noise] and (were) burned (for) nourishment (or fewel) Hebr. Meat] of fire.

5. For unto us a child is born, unto us a child is given, and the dominion is upon his shoulder: and his Name is called Wonderful, Counsel, the mighty God, the Father of eternity, the Prince of peace: [Here the Prophet giveth a reason, wherefore he had said, that walked in darkness, vers.1. should partake of great joy and gladness, as they had done in formerly time, and why their burdens should be broken and taken off; to wit, because a child should be born unto them, which should bring them everlasting joy and salvation. Compare below, chap.10.27. (a child) To wit, Jesus Christ, promised unto the Fathers from the beginning of the world. (is born unto us) That is, shall be born unto us in the fullness of time. The Prophet speaketh of the birth of Christ no otherwise, then as if it had already come to pass; and that by reason of the certainty of his Prophecy. See Isaiah chap.53. in the description of Christs passion. (a son) To wit, Jesus Christ the son of God, Psal.2.7. and the Son of Mary, Isai.7 14. (is given) To wit, of God, JOh.4.10. (unto us) To wit, unto the people of God: or (unto us) To wit, unto the people of God: or (unto us) that is, for our salvation, Luke 2:10,11. (the dominion is upon his shoulder) Oth. Upon whose shoulder the government shall be. That is, upon whom all government of the church is imposed by the Father, and who accepteth and entertained the same with all eagerness and readiness of mind. See Matth.28.18. Ephes.1.21,22. Compare below chap.22.22. (and his Name is called Wonderful, &c.) Christ is so called, not onely by the bare name; but he is so indeed and in truth, and his church doth know him to be such (Wonderful) Christ is wonderful, both in regard of his person, being God and man in one person, and also in regard of his wonderful works and deeds. (Counsel) Or, Counsellor, Giver of Counsel. Understand this thus, that Christ alone knoweth his Fathers counsel and purpose, and revealeth and communicateth the same unto his Church, Joh.1.18. to wit, so much as is needful for them to know unto salvation, Act.20.27. It is he likewise that doth administer counsel and succour unto us in all trouble and adversity. Compare below chap.11.2. (The mighty God) Who by the strength and power of his Godhead, bare the intolerable burden of Gods anger against the sins of all the elect, in his manhood; and by his own power rose again from the dead, and regenerateth or begetteth again the hearts of his elect, unto eternal life. Who also by the power of his Godhead hath wrought, and yet still doth work, great wonders, and will at last raise up all the dead out of the grave. (The Father of eternity, or, the everlasting Father) Who himself is from everlasting, and giveth us everlasting life. (The Prince of peace) That is, who reconcileth us unto God. See Ephes.2.14. etc.]

6. Of the increase of this Dominion, [To wit, which shall be laid upon the shoulder of the Messiah] and peace (there) shall be no end, upon the throne, and in his Kingdom, [s being his right heir, and unto whom he was promised, 2 Sam.7.12. Luke 1:32,33. He changed the temporal Kingdom into a spiritual and eternal Kingdom, Joh.16.36.] to establish it, and to strengthen it with judgement and with Justice, [For he punisheth all iniquity: and he loveth and preserveth the godly] from henceforth (even) forever: the zeal of the LORD of hosts [Which he hath for his own glory, and for the salvation of his elect] and shall do this. [See the annotate. 2 Kings 19.on vers.31. below chap.37.vers.32.]

7. The LORD hath sent a word unto Jacob, and it hath fallen (or, lighted) [Here the Prophet cometh again to his threatening against the Israelites: as if he said, Lo, this is the burden, which the Lord hath commanded me to preach, and denounce against the Jews; for so he meaneth by the word Jacob, and by the word Israel, all the Jews, although some are of opinion, that this is onely to be meant of the ten tribes. (The LORD hath sent a word, &c.) That is, hath caused his judgements to be preached or denounced by his Prophets,] (and it is fallen, or, lighted) that is, it shall come to pass and be fulfilled] in Israel.

8. And all this people shall perceiveth it, Ephraim, [That is, the Israelites; to wit, the ten tribes, whereof Ephraim was at this time the chiefest] and the inhabitant of Sapride and Stoutness of heart, [As if he said, who are so stout, and insolent beyond measure, that instead of repenting by the plagues and judgements, they dare the LORD, speaking as it followeth in vers.9.]

9. The bricks [That is, the brick-buildings, which are not altogether so strong, neither are so exceeding costly] are fallen, [That is, perished] but we will build (again with) hewen stones: [Oth. Cut, carved, squared polished stones, which are stronger, and cost more then bricks, and are also more lasting. As if they had said Though we have suffered great harm and damage by the Assyrians, and our houses and goods have been sorely spoiled and wasted, (see 2 Kings 15:29.) yet we value it not, we will build up all again, better and stronger, then it was before] the Sycomores [See 1 Kings 10:27. The meaning is, the houses that were built of the wood of sycamore-trees] are hewen down, but we will change them into Cedars. [That is, we will now go build houses of Cedar-wood, which is much better, and more lasting, then Sycomore-wood is: for Cedar-wood will not perish nor putrify, but is very durable and lasting, by reason of its dryness. See the like boasting of proud wicked man, Malach.1.4.]

10. For the LORD shall set up the adversaries of Resia against him; and he shall mingle his enemies together: [Here the Prophet sheweth, how the word of Lord should light upon the ten tribes, and how they should perceive it, whereof mention is made, vers.7, and 8. (For the LORD shall set up the adversities of Rezin against him;) that is, the Assyrians, whom the Jews had raised up, and set on foot against Rezin, to make war against him, 2 Kings 16,7,8,9. (and he shall mingle his enemies together:) His enemies; To wit, Ephraims enemies, that is the enemies of the ten tribes of the Israelites. And understand here by the enemies of the Israelites, their old enemies, which are mentioned, vers.11. The Prophet implies, that all manner of Nations shall join together with Assur, to spoil Ephraim, after that God shall have subdued Rezin and his Kingdom by the King of Assyria. (he shall mingle them together.) That is, he shall cause them to gather them together from all corners and quarters, and to come speedily for this end and purpose.]

11. The Syrians before, and the Philistines behind, that they may devour Israel [That is, Israelites, the ten tribes] with full (or, open) mouth: [As lions, bears, tigers, and other savage beasts do. Hebr. Eat with whole mouth] for all this his anger [to wit, the Lords anger] turneth not away, but his hand is stretched out still. [To wit, to strike and destroy yet more. See Isa.5. the annot. On vers.25. and below chap.10.5.]

12. For this people [To wit, the Israelites] turneth not [to wit, with sorrow and repentance for their sins, and with faithful prayer] unto him that smitteth them, [to wit, unto the true God] neither do they seek the LORD of Hosts. [to wit, by their prayer, as Psal.34.5. Or, by keeping his commandments, as 2 Chron.14.4.]

13. Therefore the LORD shall cut off [To wit, by Salmanassar the King of Assyria. See 2 Kings 17:3.] from Israel, the head and the tail, branch and rush, [that is, the great and mighty men, with the small and mean ones. Therefore the Prophet here mentioneth the branch, not the tree, because the stock or sten of the people of Israel continued in being, and grew up again, but the branches were cut off] in one day. [That is, all at once, and speedily.]

14. (The ancient and honourable, [Heb. Lifted up in face. See above chap.3.3.] he is the head: but the Prophet that teacheth falsehood, [That is, false Doctrine, or false Religion] he is [That is, he signifieth] the tail.)

15. For the leaders of this people [That is, their Rulers, both Ecclesiatical and Civil. See above chap.3. the annotate. On vers.12.] are seducers, [Because besides all other seducing, they made the people believe, that which God threatened should not come to pass, but that all things should continue in as good state] and they that are led by them, are swallowed up. [Or, devoured; to wit, by their seducers. Compare above chap.3.12. Oth. Are covered; that is, their heart is covered over with ignorance, and false opinion]

16. Therefore the LORD shall have no joy in their young men [Hebr. Choice, or, chosen ones. Understand withal but shall suffer them to be carried away captive, or to be slain, because they are wicked and corrupt] neither shall he have mercy on their fatherless and their widows; for they are all of the Hypocrites [Or, dissemblers counterfeits. See Job 8.on vers.13. below chap.10.6.] and evil doers, and all (or, every) mouth [To wit, of the Israelites] speaketh folly; [See Genes.34. the annotate. On vers.7.] for all this his anger turneth not away, but his hand is stretched out still. [See above chap.5.on v.25. and above on vers.11.]

17. For wickedness burneth as fire, it shall consume the thorns and briars: [That is, the wicked shall, because of their wickedness and impenitency, be consumed and destroyed as is were with fire. (the thorns and briars) That is, one with another, great and small] and shall kindle the confused bushes of the forest, [That is, the honourable and mighty men, that do themselves, associate and combine together. Hebr. The confusion of the forest. See Isai.10.34. Or, shall be kindled in, or, among the confused of the forest] which have lifted themselves up (like) the lifting up [Or, rising up, mounting up, exaltation] of the smoak. [Or, which shall mount up like a lifting up of smoak: [That is, shall by reason of the fire, or burning go up into smoak]

18. By reason of the indignation of the LORD of Hosts, shall the land [To wit, the land of the Israelites] be darkened: [That is, the land shall be full of misery on every side] and the people shall be as the fewell [Hebr. Meat] of the fire, [See Job 15.on vers.34.] one shall not spare another. [Or, no man shall spare his brother. The meaning is, they that escape the common calamity, or destruction of the Land, they shall persecute, destroy, yea even slay or murder one another]

19. If he cut [To wit, meat or food. Oth. Hew, or, hew off] on the right hand, yet he shall be hungry; and if he eat on the left hand, yet he shall not be satisfied: [The meaning is, there shall be such want, and so great a famine, that every one shall snatch and catch, cut and slash, wheresoever he can any ways reach or come nigh, and yet all will not help him] every one shall eat the flesh of his (own) arm: [That is, the flesh of his neighbour, upon whom he had formerly relied. The meaning is, the inhabitants of the Land of Israel, shall rise up one against another, and they shall destroy one another; as is straight way further affirmed, vers.20.]

20. Manasseh, [That is, the Massassites] Ephraim; [that is, the Ephraimites] and Ephraim, Manasseh; (and) they shall be together against Juda: [That is, against the tribe of Juda] for all this his anger turneth not away, but his hand is stretched out still. [See above vers.11.]