Isaiah 9

Isaiah 9:1

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Isaiah 9:2

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Isaiah 9:3

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Isaiah 9:4

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Isaiah 9:5

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Isaiah 9:6

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Isaiah 9:7

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Isaiah 9:8

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Isaiah 9:9

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Isaiah 9:10

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Isaiah 9:11

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Isaiah 9:12

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Isaiah 9:13

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Isaiah 9:14

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Isaiah 9:15

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Isaiah 9:16

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Isaiah 9:18

1 tn The form אַל־תִּתְהַלֵּל (‘al-tithallel) is the Hitpael jussive negated; it is from the common verb “to praise,” and so in this setting means “to praise oneself” or “to boast.”

sn The verse rules out one’s overconfident sense of ability to control the future. No one can presume on the future.

2 sn The word “tomorrow” is a metonymy of subject, meaning what will be done tomorrow, or in the future in general.

3 sn The expression “you do not know” balances the presumption of the first line, reminding the disciple of his ignorance and therefore his need for humility (e.g., Matthew 6:34; Luke 12:20; James 4:13-16).

Isaiah 9:19

4 tn Heb “a stranger.” This does not necessarily refer to a non-Israelite, as has been demonstrated before in the book of Proverbs, but these are people outside the familiar and accepted circles. The point is that such a person would be objective in speaking about your abilities and accomplishments.

5 sn “Mouth” and “lips” are metonymies of cause; they mean “what is said.” People should try to avoid praising themselves. Self praise can easily become a form of pride, even if it begins with trivial things. It does not establish a reputation; reputation comes from what others think about you.

6 tn “a foreigner”; KJV, ASV, NASB, NRSV “a stranger.”

Isaiah 9:20

7 tn The subject matter is the vexation produced by a fool. The term כַּעַס (ca’as) means “vexation” (ASV); provocation" (NAB, NASB, NIV, NRSV); “anger” (KJV “wrath”) and usually refers to undeserved treatment. Cf. NLT “the resentment caused by a fool.”

sn The same noun is used in 1 Samuel 1:6, 16 for the “provocation” given to Hannah by Peninnah for being barren.

8 sn The contrast is made between dealing with the vexation of a fool and physical labor (moving stones and sand). More tiring is the vexation of a fool, for the mental and emotional effort it takes to deal with it is more draining than physical labor. It is, in the sense of this passage, almost unbearable.

Isaiah 9:21

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